RESUMO
Albeit still rare, hypercalcaemia has been linked to pulmonary oedema in solid organ malignancy and chronic renal failure. However to date, there is only one case report linking pulmonary oedema to hypercalcaemia secondary to primary hyperparathyroidism. CASE PRESENTATION: A 60-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a history of confusion and collapse. Investigations revealed initial serum calcium of over 5 mmol/L. He subsequently developed widespread bilateral chest infiltrates with increasing oxygen requirements and an acute kidney injury. On day 9, continuous haemodiafiltration was commenced; however, hypercalcaemia proved resistant to maximal therapy. His initial parathyroid hormone (PTH) level measured 371 ng/L, and an ultrasound of his neck revealed a 2 × 2.5 cm parathyroid mass in the inferior neck. An acute parathyroidectomy was performed following which his chest infiltrates resolved and serum calcium levels returned to within normal range. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights primary hyperparathyroidism and the resulting hypercalcaemia as a sole cause for multi-organ failure in an otherwise well patient.
RESUMO
Hepatic artery aneurysms are among the most common visceral artery aneurysms although still relatively rare. Repair of aneurysms >2 cm in diameter is important due to the high rate of rupture and associated mortality. Here, we present a case of a sudden rupture of a hepatic artery aneurysm after presentation with a perforated gangrenous appendicitis. There is increasing evidence that expansion and rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm is related to degradation of elastin and collagen by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Elastin degradation leads to expansion, while collagen degradation leads to rupture. The activity of MMPs has been shown to be upregulated by both sepsis and peritonitis. Here, we suggest that the inflammation from sepsis and peritonitis led to the activation and/or upregulation of MMPs, which precipitated aneurysm rupture via collagenase activity.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To review our experience in the management of secondary pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction (PUJO) comparing endopyelotomy with pyeloplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed our database of 58 patients having undergone operative management of PUJO after failed primary management, including 41 with failed pyeloplasty and 17 failed endopyelotomy. Outcomes included mercapto-acetyltriglycine (MAG3) drainage capacity, symptomatic control and need for further intervention. Success was defined as freedom from failure in all three. RESULTS: Patients undergoing secondary pyeloplasty had better outcomes than endopyelotomy for symptomatic success (87.5% vs 74%), resolution of obstruction on MAG3 renography (96% vs 74%), and no need for further intervention (96% vs 71%). Overall success was 87.5% for pyeloplasty compared with 44% after secondary endopyelotomy. CONCLUSION: Outcomes of pyelopasty for secondary PUJO were superior when compared with endopyelotomy.
