Myasthenia Gravis following Low-Osmolality Iodinated Contrast Media

We describe the case of 79-year-old man admitted to our general hospital for a 6-week history of progressive dysphagia to solids and liquids associated with weight loss. To reach a diagnosis a total body CT scan with low-osmolality iodinate contrast agent was performed. Two hours later the patient developed an acute respiratory failure requiring orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. The laboratory and neurological tests allow formulating the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. In literature, other three case reports have associated myasthenic crisis with exposure to low-osmolality contrast media. This suggests being careful in administering low-osmolality contrast media in myasthenic patients

Hypertension and diabetic retinopathy: a simple association?

BACKGROUND Diabetes is known to be a major contributor to blindness in industrialized countries in adults. In addition to glycemic control, arterial hypertension is emerging as important factor in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. AIM OF THE STUDY This review describes the epidemiologic studies that explored the relationships between hypertension and diabetic retinopathy and the potential pathogenetic mechanisms underlying this association. Finally the effects of antihypertensive treatment in primary and secondary prevention of diabetic retinopathy are discussed. CONCLUSIONS The understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms and risk factors is crucial to establish effective preventive and treatment strategies

From the Veins to the Heart: A Rare Cause of Varicose Veins

The presence of pulsating varicous veins is an uncommon finding, generically attributed to right heart failure. The precise causes of this phenomenon have been poorly defined in the literature. The finding of this infrequent condition is important because it may be a sign of major diseases, often not known. Here we described a 75-year-old woman presented to the Angiology Unit for the presence of bilateral pulsatile swelling in her groin and along both lower limbs. A bedside ultrasound examination showed an arterial like pulsating flow both in the superficial and in the deep veins of the lower limbs due to a severe tricuspid regurgitation not previously known

Papillary fibroelastoma, unusual cause of stroke in a young man: a case report

Abstract Background Papillary fibroelastoma is the third most common primary benign tumor with an incidence of up to 0.33% in autopsy series; it accounts for approximately 75% of all cardiac valvular tumors. Case presentation We describe a rare case of a 28-Year-old man that while playing football, had a sudden onset of neurological deficit: aphasia, right hemiparesis and right facial numbness. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed a 10x10 mm mass attached to the anterior mitral valve leaflet. The patient was treated surgically for the prevention of further embolic complications. Histologic examination of the resected mass revealed a papillary fibroelastoma. It is the third most frequent primary cardiac tumor, after myxoma and fibroma, and the most common primary tumor of heart valves. Despite the benign nature of this tumor, it carries very high risk of embolic complications. The successful complete resection of the papillary fibroelastoma is curative and the long-term postoperative prognosis is excellent. Conclusions Differential diagnosis of cardiac masses requires clinical informations, laboratory tests, blood cultures and appropriate use of imaging modalities. Papillary fibroelastoma is a potential cause of embolic stroke in the young. The prompt surgical excision of papillary fibroelastoma is curative and the long-term postoperative prognosis is excellent

Area of admission and short-term care: an integral part of the internal medicine ward organized to intensive care

Introduction The analysis of the production related to health care activities in the Medicine ward of dell’Angelo Hospital (Mestre-Venezia, Italy) in the year 2010 reveals that the short-term hospitalization, less than 3 days, corresponds to 18% of all inpatient admissions.Objectives The short-term hospitalization approach need to be “governed”, both in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. In our department we have identified an area called “Admission and Short Stay Area”, where the discharge follows a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic pathway. Accordingly, we plan to extend the number of beds dedicated to the short stay in hospital, in order to decrease the average duration of stay avoiding the risk of increasing the readmissions, to share new pathways between health care workers.Materials and methods Within the department we have identified 8 beds for patients admitted from the emergency room. In the same beds triage is performed. In these beds the maximum duration of stay is 3 days. To achieve this goal we used clinical pathways shared between health workers, and bedside diagnostic procedures such as ultrasounds.Results In 2011 than to year 2010 there was an increased rate of short-term hospitalization (22–18%). Despite that the mean hospital stay was unchanged (10.3–10.6 days). The number of readmission within 90 days was also unchanged when we considered the most common diseases. More than 90% of health care workers followed the pre-established clinical care pathways.Conclusions The presence of a small number of beds within the medicine ward was dedicated to perform triage that allows to identify clinical care the needs of the patient. Among these some can be resolved in 3 days, rewarding patients and saving human and financial resources. To achieve this goal it is necessary that health care providers share clinical pathways, and that the bedside ultrasound is accessible.</p