A case of severe relapsing sulphonylurea-induced hypoglycaemia.

The authors report a case of a 64-year-old woman who was diagnosed with severe relapsing sulphonylurea-induced hypoglycaemia. Sulphonylureas are frequently used in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. They promote insulin secretion independent of the prevailing glucose level and thus are associated with an increased risk of hypoglycaemia. In patients with adequate renal function, gliclazide's effect lasts 10-24 hours and it is usually completely eliminated within 144 hours postdose. Since our patient suffered from chronic kidney disease, gliclazide's effect was prolonged and she was experiencing spontaneous hypoglycaemic episodes up to 21 days postomission of gliclazide. This case highlights two important aspects. Primarily, the prolonged effect of sulphonylureas in patients with impaired renal function, hence highlighting the need to be cautious prior to prescribing sulphonylureas in such patients. Secondly, the importance of prolonged observation of patients on sulphonylureas even after the initial hypoglycaemic event is corrected, due to the extended effects of such drugs.

An unusual presentation of multiple myeloma.

The authors report a case of a 58-year-old woman, ex-smoker, who was referred to the respiratory clinic with a presumed unresolving airspace shadowing in the right lung. Further evaluation of the shadowing with a CT thorax revealed rib lesions, a pancreatic lesion and multiple liver lesions, making the diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic carcinoma most likely. However, further blood investigations and imaging eventually revealed the cause for the shadowing to be multiple myeloma, since the unresolving shadowing was actually a rib lesion.

Beer, hyponatraemia and cardiac conduction defects.

The authors report a case of a 68-year-old man who was diagnosed with an irreversible second-degree atrioventricular (AV) Mobitz II 2:1 block temporally associated with profound hyponatraemia. The cause of the hyponatraemia was beer potomania. The co-occurrence of reversible first, second and third-degree heart blocks and hyponatraemia has been described in a few published case reports. However, this case is noteworthy as the AV block persisted, despite correction of serum sodium concentration as opposed to other published cases, which meant that the patient required a permanent pacemaker.

The non-resolving lung cavity: a case of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis.

The authors report a case of a 20-year-old woman who was diagnosed with pulmonary cystic echinococcosis. She was admitted to hospital with a 1-week history of unresolving cough, coloured sputum with occasional haemoptysis and fever despite oral antibiotics. Radiology revealed a cavitating right lower lobe lung abscess. After 4 weeks of treatment, follow-up radiology showed incomplete resolution. Bronchoscopy revealed a white, avascular cystic lesion in the right lower lobe and serology testing for Echinococcus granulosus was positive. Repeat imaging eventually confirmed the cystic lesion with the 'air bubble'sign. A thorough travel history, a high index of clinical suspicion and close follow-up are essential in making a diagnosis of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis.

Predictors of correct technique in patients using pressurized metered dose inhalers.

BACKGROUND: Corret inhaler technique is recommended by guidelines for optimum asthma care. The objective of the study is to determine real life predictors of correct pressurized metered dose inhaler (pMDI) technique in Asthma and COPD patients. METHODS: Two hundred eight adult patients aged 18+ from respiratory outpatients (69.2%) and the community on regular pMDI for a diagnosis of Asthma (78.9%) or COPD, were recruited. A questionnaire containing 31 possible predictors was administered and pMDI technique with or without spacer was observed by trained researchers on 12 point steps, of which 4 were considered critical. RESULTS: 23.1% of patients had no errors in inhaler technique and 32.2% had no critical errors. Patients had a median of 10 correct steps (IQR9-11), and 3(IQR2-4) correct critical steps. Using binary logistic regression the predictors of 10 correct steps were, other healthcare professional (pharmacist, nurse, physiotherapist) explained OR 3.73(1.63-8.54, p = 0.001), male gender 2.70(1.35-5.39, p = 0.004), self-score 1-10 1.21(1.05-1.39, p = 0.007), spacer use 0.38(0.19-0.79, p = 0.007), inhaled steroid 3.71(1.34-10.25, p = 0.01), heart disease 0.31(0.13-0.77, p = 0.01), pneumococcal vaccine 2.48(1.0-6.15, p = 0.043), education level 1-4 1.44(1.00-2.06, p = 0.05) and respiratory physician explained 0-7 times, 1.11(0.99-1.26, p = 0.08). Using ordinal logistic regression, predictors for correct critical steps 0-4, were: technique self-score 1-10 1.2(1.05-1.42, p = 0.006), inhaled corticosteroid use 2.78(1.1-7.31, p = 0.03) and education level 1-4 1.41(1.02-1.95, p = 0.03 Times respiratory physician explained inhaler technique 0-7 1.1(0.98-1.24, p = 0.1), married status 1.55(0.85-2.82, p = 0.15), hypercholesterolaemia 0.52(0.25-1.01, p = 0.054) and male gender 1.76(0.97-3.18, p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: Known predictors of correct pMDI use, such as gender and education level were confirmed, while age and concomitant use of dry powder inhaler were not. Pneumococcal vaccination and awareness of steroid side effects were possible novel positive predictors, while the use of a spacer and co-morbidity with heart disease were found to be negative predictors. Patients' self-assessment correlated well with actual performance. This information may be useful in defining approaches to optimize inhaler techniques which are so susceptible to human error.

Multifocal necrotising fasciitis and septic shock complicating varicella infection in an adult.

A 35-year-old woman with a 3-day history of chickenpox, presented to the hospital in septic shock and with multifocal, non-adjacent lesions of necrotising fasciitis. Necrotising fasciitis is a rare yet life-threatening complication of chickenpox. Blood cultures and wound swabs confirmed the presence of Streptococcus pyogenes. The initial emergency management included oxygen, aggressive fluid resuscitation and antimicrobial therapy. Once the patient was stabilised, surgical management ensued. This included debridement and eventual grafting of the necrotic skin lesions. Intensive management and follow-up for 8 weeks were required before the patient was deemed fit for discharge.