Successful treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura with plasmapheresis and anti-CD20 antibodies in a patient with immune thrombocytopenia and systemic lupus erythematosus: Case report

Rationale:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology with diverse clinical and laboratory manifestations, including thrombocytopenia. About 25% of patients with SLE may be affected by thrombocytopenia, many of whom are asymptomatic. Some patients, however, experience platelet counts that drop quite low and predispose them to bleeding. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is defined with a classic pentad of clinical features, such as thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, neurological symptoms and signs, renal symptoms and signs, and fever. The association of TTP and SLE has been sporadically reported in the literature.Patient concerns and diagnosis:We describe a 16-year-old girl with SLE and immune thrombocytopenia, in whom TTP was diagnosed.Interventions and outcomes:She was treated with pulse methylprednisolone, whose platelet counts normalized after therapy with plasmapheresis and an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab).Conclusion:A pediatric patient with SLE and immune thrombocytopenia in whom TTP developed was treated with plasmapheresis and rituximab therapy successfully, though the patient experienced a disease relapsed after 18 months, which was controlled by the same management.     

Fetal intracranial hemorrhage and maternal vitamin K deficiency induced by total parenteral nutrition: A case report

Rationale:Fetal brain hemorrhage is rare. It is caused mainly by maternal trauma or fetal coagulation disorder, but in some cases, vitamin K deficiency may be the cause.Patient concerns:We describe the case of a pregnant woman with bowel obstruction who was susceptible to vitamin K deficiency due to oral diet restriction, decreased intestinal absorption, and limited intravenous vitamin K supplementation.Diagnosis:After 18 days of intermittent total parenteral nutrition, acute onset of severe fetal brain hemorrhage developed.Interventions:After acute onset of fetal brain hemorrhage, the patient underwent an emergency cesarean section at 25 + 3 weeks of gestation due to fetal non-reassuring fetal monitoring.Outcomes:The Apgar score at birth was 0/0, and despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation, neonatal death was confirmed. After the baby was delivered, we checked the maternal upper abdominal cavity and found a massive adhesion in the small bowel to the abdominal wall near the liver and stomach with an adhesion band. The adhesion band, presumably a complication of previous hepatobiliary surgery, appeared to have caused small bowel obstruction. Adhesiolysis between the small bowel and abdominal wall was performed.Lessons:This case demonstrates that even relatively short-term total parenteral nutrition can cause severe fetal brain hemorrhage. Vitamin K supplementation is required for mothers who are expected to be vitamin K deficient, especially if they are on total parenteral nutrition for more than 3 weeks.     

Early treatment of rituximab combined with eltrombopag for secondary thrombocytopenic purpura in rheumatoid arthritis: A case report

Rationale:Secondary immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is also known as acquired thrombocytopenic purpura, autoimmune disease is usually one of the important causes. There are few reports about treatment of refractory thrombocytopenic purpura in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We report a case of refractory ITP in which changes in platelet-related markers with therapeutic agents are worthy of the attention of clinicians.Patient concerns:A 69-year-old woman admitted for ecchymosis on the neck and arms for 15 days presented to our hospital. She was diagnosed with RA 5 years ago.Diagnosis:The diagnosis met the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism 2010 classification criteria. The disease activity score 28 (DAS-28) was 4.6, indicating that the disease activity was moderate.Interventions:Treatment with first-line therapies and second-line treatment--eltrombopag (EPAG) were ineffective. Therefore, we performed rituximab combined with a low dose of EPAG.Outcomes:The patient received 2 cycles of rituximab combined with EPAG, and reported no new petechiae on her buccal mucosa and limbs during follow-up.Lessons:This case suggests that early treatment of rituximab combined with EPAG is beneficial to patients with refractory ITP in RA. In terms of disease dynamic monitoring, immature platelet fraction (IPF) may be an auxiliary indicator for predicting efficacy, but its significance needs further study.     

A case report of prenatal diagnosis of fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: A CARE-compliant article

Rationale:Fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FAIT) is a serious life-threatening disease caused by platelet-antigen incompatibility between the mother and fetus. FAIT can lead to fetal thrombocytopenia, intracranial hemorrhage (ICH), fetal death and severe neurological disorders after birth. Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis technology has not been widely used in China, and thus few cases of FAIT can be diagnosed prenatally. In this study, we report a case of prenatal diagnosis and treatment of FAIT.Patient concerns:A 29-year-old female was admitted at 32 weeks’ gestational age (GA). Fetal ultrasound at 32 weeks’ GA showed a hemorrhagic focus area in the left lateral ventricle and the sign of severe fetal anemia. Hence, fetal umbilical cord puncture was ordered to identify the etiology.Diagnoses:The fetal cord blood test revealed a normal hemoglobin level but severe fetal thrombocytopenia (platelet count, 23 × 10⁹/L). Antibodies of human platelet antigens and human leukocyte antigens between mother and fetus were positive, and thus the diagnosis of FAIT was confirmed.Interventions:The patient refused intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy owing to financial consideration. She was treated with dexamethasone acetate tablets (Xianju Company, China) 0.75 mg twice a day until delivery and cesarean section was performed at 34 weeks’ GA. The newborn received postnatal anti-platelet antibody treatment.Outcomes:The platelet count of the newborn progressively decreased until the third day after birth and it increased to normal level after postnatal treatment. The neonatal cerebral ultrasound showed the area of hemorrhage was in the process of absorption. During the postnatal one-year follow-up, the neonate showed normal developmental milestones and had no abnormal signs of neurological symptoms.Lessons:For FAIT, the fetal umbilical cord puncture can be carried out by skilled fetal medical teams. Dexamethasone acetate tablets can be an alternative choice for patients from underdeveloped areas.     

An unexplained fetal intracranial hemorrhage with extensive and multifocal hemorrhagic lesions: A case report

Rationale:Fetal intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is an extremely rare complication of pregnancy, with subsequent neurological sequelae or fetal death. The diagnosis of fetal ICH is primarily based on ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.Patient concerns:An asymptomatic woman at 31 weeks of gestation was referred for a detailed anomaly scan because routine fetal ultrasonography showed suspected fetal ICH.Diagnoses:Fetal ICH with extensive and multifocal hemorrhagic lesions was diagnosed by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging imaging and finally confirmed by postmortem examination.Interventions:The woman opted for pregnancy termination after medical consultation. Labor was induced by mifepristone and rivanol infusion.Outcomes:The patient delivered a stillborn male infant weighing 1522 g. We tried our best to screen the possible etiology contributing to fetal ICH; unfortunately, no evidence of obvious causes or predisposing factors was identified.Lessons:Medically unexplained massive fetal ICH may cause an unfavorable prognosis, and prompt termination of pregnancy is appropriate, although there is no consensus on the optimal mode of delivery.     

Endovascular treatment of traumatic oronasal hemorrhage complicated with progressive acute epidural hemorrhage: A case report

RationaleMassive oronasal hemorrhage can induce shock and is life-threatening, and early endovascular treatment is the standard of care. Few studies have reported the use of endovascular treatment for acute epidural hemorrhage (AEDH). However, endovascular treatment of oronasal hemorrhage complicated by AEDH has not yet been demonstrated. Many patients with a low to moderate volume of oronasal hemorrhage complicated by AEDH choose conservative treatment but eventually undergo craniotomy due to increased intracranial hemorrhage.Patient concernsA 32-year-old man presented to our hospital with traumatic oronasal hemorrhage complicated by AEDH after being hit by a blunt object.DiagnosisComputerized tomography suggested progressive AEDH and multiple basilar skull fractures. Emergency cerebral angiography showed rupture of the right middle meningeal artery and a branch of the left maxillary artery causing AEDH and oronasal hemorrhage.InterventionsThe patient underwent interventional embolization to treat the ruptured intracranial vessels.OutcomesAfter 23 days, cranial computerized tomography showed remarkable absorption of the right frontal epidural hematoma, with the patient having a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15.LessonsThis case provides a valuable treatment for patients with AEDH complicated with oronasal hemorrhage, early interventional embolization may be an effective treatment strategy to prevent further complications and ensure a good patient outcome.     

Spontaneous rupture of pyogenic liver abscess with subcapsular hemorrhage mimicking ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma: A case report

Rationale:Spontaneous rupture of PLA (pyogenic liver abscess) is an extremely rare and life-threatening event. Ruptured PLA is very difficult to distinguish from malignant HCC (hepatocellular cancer) rupture or cholangiocarcinoma rupture on CT (computed tomography) scan.Patient concerns:We describe the case of a 71-year-old man with fever, right upper abdominal pain, nausea with intermittent vomiting, and general fatigue. He had no medical or surgical history.Diagnosis:CT scan showed a hypodense mass in right hepatic lobe and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) revealed a heterogenous mass of ∼6 cm in segment VI of the liver and heterogenous fluid in the subcapsular region. We made a tentative diagnosis of HCC rupture with subcapsular hemorrhage based on these findings.Intervention:After improving the patient''s condition by administering empirical therapy consisting of intravenous antibiotics and fluids, we performed surgical exploration. Gross examination of the abdomen showed that almost the entire right hepatic lobe was hemorrhagic and affected by peritonitis. Therefore, we performed right hepatectomy. The intraoperative frozen biopsy revealed suspicious PLA with marked necrosis, neutrophil infiltration, and hemorrhagic rupture, although no malignant tissue or fungus was observed. The postoperative secondary pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of PLA with hemorrhagic rupture.Outcomes:The patient was discharged 13 days after the operation. Follow-up CT was performed 5 months after discharge and revealed no abnormal findings.Lessons:A high index of suspicion is key to preventing misdiagnosis of ruptured PLA and improving prognosis. Furthermore, even if rupture of the PLA is initially localized, delayed peritonitis may occur during medical treatment. Therefore, vigilant monitoring is essential.     

Transcortical approach surgery versus external ventricular drainage in treating intraventricular hemorrhage

Intraventricular hemorrhage is a serious intracerebral hemorrhagic disease with high mortality and poor prognosis. This retrospective study designed to investigate the therapeutic effect of transcortical approach surgery versus extraventricular drainage (EVD) on patients with intraventricular hemorrhage.Patients with intraventricular hemorrhage in Zhongshan City People''s Hospital from January 01, 2014 to June 01, 2019 were retrospectively examined. They were divided into transcortical approach surgery groups and EVD groups to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis.A total of 96 patients were enrolled in the study (24 in the transcortical approach surgery group and 72 in the EVD group). The efficiency of postoperative operation was 15/19 in the transcortical approach surgery group and 24/48 in the EVD group (P = .012). The Glasgow Outcome Scale was 3.63 ± 1.27 in the transcortical approach surgery group and 2.80 ± 1.87 in the EVD group (P = .049). The postoperative residual blood volume was 9.62 ± 3.64 mL in the transcortical approach surgery group and 33.60 ± 3.53 mL in the EVD group (P < .001). The incidence of hydrocephalus after the operation was 1/23 in the transcortical approach surgery group and 19/53 in the EVD group. The 30-day postoperative mortality was 16/56 in the EVD group and 1/23 in the transcortical approach surgery group. The transcortical approach surgery group was significantly better compared with the EVD group.This study showed that the transcortical approach for ventricular hemorrhage compared with EVD improved the hematoma clearance rate, shortened catheterization time, reduced the incidence of postoperative hydrocephalus, decreased patient mortality, led to a better prognosis, and reduced complications of hydrocephalus.     

Late-Onset Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura After Withdrawal of Interferon Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C Infection: A Case Report

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a life-threatening complication following pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin treatment, the standard treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We reported a rare case with late-onset ITP after withdrawal of PEG-IFN treatment.A 53-year-old male with hepatitis C developed massive gum bleeding and a severe, reversible, immune thrombocytopenia 2 weeks after cessation of PEG-IFN treatment for HCV due to anemia and depression. The platelet count decreased to 4000 cells/μL. The HCV viral load was undetectable at the end of PEG-IFN treatment and during follow-up for 5 months. Other potential autoimmune disorders were ruled out. Late-onset ITP associated with PEG-IFN treatment was diagnosed.The patient was treated successfully with steroid and azathioprine. Platelet count gradually increased to 117 × 10³ cells/μL on the 18th day after admission.ITP is a rare complication in patients with hepatitis C or in patients who received PEG-IFN treatment. The particular case supported that it may occur even after withdrawal of PEG-IFN treatment. Physicians should be aware of this late-onset complication.     

Imaging and surgical predictive factors for postoperative hemorrhage after partial nephrectomy and clinical results of trans-arterial embolization

Partial nephrectomy (PN) has been established as the standard treatment for T1 renal tumors, and postoperative hemorrhage due to vascular complications is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication reported after PN. Thus, this study evaluated the imaging and surgical factors associated with postoperative hemorrhage after PN and the clinical results of trans-arterial embolization. A retrospective review of the institutional PN database was performed from May 2012 to January 2019, revealing that we performed 810 PN procedures at our institution. In total, 12 patients were referred to the interventional radiology department for vascular complications after the procedure. Patients with and without transarterial embolization (TAE) were age- and sex-matched with 56 patients. Preoperative imaging characteristics and operative details were considered. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to test their eventual association with the occurrence of hemorrhage. Furthermore, renal functions at diagnosis, after operation or embolization for TAE cases, and at the last follow-up were recorded. A diagnosis of hemorrhage was made at a median of 4 (range, 0–25) days after surgery. The majority of patients (50%) presented with gross hematuria. T test revealed higher renal tumor-parenchyma contact area (TPA) (P = .0407), Length-A (P = .0136), Length-P (P = .0267), operation time (P = .0214) and estimated blood loss (P = .0043) in patients with hemorrhage than in controls. Binary logistic regression analysis identified TPA (P = .048) and estimated blood loss (P = .042) as independent predictors for postoperative hemorrhage with an area under the ROC curve of 0.705 (64% sensitivity and 79% specificity). In conclusion, the occurrence of hemorrhage after PN was associated with a larger TPA and more estimated blood loss during the procedure. In patients who underwent selective TAE, renal function remained comparable with that of controls.     

Rare severe hypofibrinogenemia induced by tissue plasminogen activator in stroke patients: Case report

Rationale:Severe hypofibrinogenemia after intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is rare and easily overlooked, but hypofibrinogenemia increases the risk of major bleeding. However, it is unclear when hypofibrinogenemia reaches the peak and when hypofibrinogenemia is resolved.Patient concerns:Case 1 was of a 66-year-old man who was hospitalized due to sudden onset of vague speech and right hemiplegia for 4 hours. Case 2 was of an 84-year-old woman who was hospitalized for sudden onset of left hemiplegia and vague speech for 4 hours. In case 1, fibrinogen levels decreased from normal values to <0.25 g/L within 4.5 hours after commencing IVT and returned to normal at 35 hours later. In case 2, fibrinogen levels decreased from 1.1 to <0.25 g/L within 2 hours after commencing IVT and normalized 36.5 hours later.Diagnoses:Both patients were diagnosed with rt-PA-related hypofibrinogenemia.Interventions:No antiplatelet or symptomatic treatment was administered during the period of hypofibrinogenemia.Outcomes:Fibrinogen levels gradually recovered. In case 1, the patient did not experience cerebral hemorrhage during hypofibrinogenemia. His symptoms improved significantly within 1 week. In case 2, repeat computed tomography revealed minor cerebral hemorrhage, but no deterioration in her condition was noted until she was discharged.Lessons:Rapid, severe, and prolonged hypofibrinogenemia may occur after IVT with rt-PA, which may increase the risk of massive hemorrhage and affect the related therapy. Prompt diagnosis of hypofibrinogenemia is important for preventing complications. We recommend checking the fibrinogen levels routinely after IVT. Fibrinogen replacement therapy and platelet transfusion are the main management routes for rt-PA-related symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage.     

Acute acalculous cholecystitis as the initial manifestation of systemic lupus erythematous: A case report

Rationale:Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is an extremely rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). In previous reports, most of the patients were already diagnosed cases of SLE upon confirmation of AAC.Patient concerns:A 24-year-old female who initially presented with fever and acute right upper quadrant abdominal pain. She had no medical history.Diagnoses:Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) showed gallbladder thickening with pericholecystic edema without gallstones or sludge, demonstrating acalculous cholecystitis. She revealed discoid rash on the both shin. Laboratory tests revealed pancytopenia. The titer of antinuclear antibody (ANA) was 1:1280. Anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-phospholipid antibody, anti-Sm antibody test, and proteinuria in 24 hours were positive. Both C3 and C4 were low. Echocardiography and chest CT showed pericardial effusion and pleural effusion. Using the 2019 European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology (EULAR/ACR) classification criteria, the score was 31. We thought AAC of this case that was one of the initial manifestations of SLE.Interventions:The patient was treated with high-dose prednisolone (1 mg/kg) and hydroxychloroquine 400 mg.Outcomes:After 4 days of administration of high-dose corticosteroid therapy, symptoms rapidly improved. After 35 days of the treatment, her symptoms and disease activity of SLE were markedly improved.Lessons:Although AAC being the initial manifestation of SLE is very rare, prompt diagnosis and management with corticosteroids precluded surgical intervention. Physicians need to be cognizant of AAC as a disease flare and as a rare initial manifestation of SLE.     

Optimal intervention time and risk of the activating blood and removing stasis method in acute cerebral hemorrhage patients: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

Introduction:Stroke is the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years in neurological diseases and has become one of the top 3 fatal diseases in the world. Cerebral hemorrhage accounts for approximately 18% to 24% of all strokes in Asian countries. Cerebral hemorrhage is one of the most destructive subtypes of stroke and has high morbidity and mortality. Based on the current research, it has been confirmed that neither surgical treatment nor current drug treatment is the most preferred treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is increasingly being used to treat cerebral hemorrhage, and the activating blood and removing stasis (ABRS) method has received more attention. At present, there is still a lack of high-quality clinical research on the treatment of acute cerebral hemorrhage.Method:We designed a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. We aim to recruit 312 cerebral hemorrhage patients aged 18 to 80 years within 24 to 72 hours after onset. In addition to routine treatment, participants will randomly receive ABRS granules or placebo for 14 days. Those enrolled within 24 to 48 hours after onset will enter strata A, and those enrolled within 49 to 72 hours (including 48–49 hours) after onset will enter strata B. The strata sample size ratio will be 1:1. The primary outcome is the disability degree (modified Rankin Scale score, mRS) at 6 months after onset. The secondary outcomes include the percentage of hematoma enlargement after treatment, Barthel index (BI), National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) score, mortality rate, all-cause mortality rate, TCM stroke syndrome evaluation scale score, and adverse events.Discussion:The study is expected to confirm the safety and effect of acute cerebral hemorrhage within 24 to 72 hours treated with the ABRS method and to determine the optimal time for intervention in this period.Trial registration number:ChiCTR1900022627     

Perfusion image guided mechanical thrombectomy combined with tirofiban successfully revascularize systemic lupus erythematosus related acute large vessel occlusion: A case report

Rationale:Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an important cause of stroke, more than a half the cases present as acute ischemic stroke. Thrombolysis is an effective choice in most cases, but for large vessel occlusion, mechanical thrombectomy is more effective. Here we reported a case of SLE-related stroke with left middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, who was successfully treated by MT and tirofiban.Patient concern:A 38-year-old female suffered from right hemiplegia and aphasia for 8 hours. She was diagnosed with SLE 20 years ago, and neuropsychiatric SLE was considered 8 months before this onset. One month ago, glucocorticoids were discontinued by herself because of deterioration of bilateral femoral head osteonecrosis.Diagnosis:Left MCA occlusion was confirmed by computed tomography perfusion.Intervention:Immediate mechanical thrombectomy was performed and tirofiban was given to prevent re-occlusion of left MCA. Twenty fourhours later oral antiplatelet was given after intracranial hemorrhage was ruled out.Outcomes:Her neurological symptom improved several days later, and she was transferred to further rehabilitation. At 4 months follow-up she can live independently with mild hypophrasia. There was no further events of ischemic stroke in 1-year follow-up.Lessons:Mechanical thrombectomy is a highly effective and indispensable treatment for SLE related large vessel occlusion. In addition, tirofiban may reduce vessel reocclusion in special cases such as SLE and artery stenosis.     

A case report of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage following COVID-19 infection: Causation,association, or chance?

Rationale:Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a rare manifestation of childhood systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that can be life-threatening. Several reports have linked previous or concurrent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections with a high prevalence of autoimmune and autoinflammatory disorders.Patient concerns:We report a case of a 13-year-old female who presented with DAH due to SLE 2 months after a laboratory-confirmed severe COVID-19 infection.Diagnoses:The patient was diagnosed with DAH due to SLE 2 months after a laboratory-confirmed severe COVID-19 infection.Interventions and outcomes:The patient was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and supportive measures. In addition, she received 6 sessions of plasma exchange and maintenance methylprednisolone therapy (2 mg/kg/day). The patient then improved and was discharged on prednisolone, hydroxychloroquine, and azathioprine.Lessons:We suggest plasmapheresis be considered a treatment for SLE-associated DAH in the context of active disease when conventional treatment has failed to induce a rapid response. In addition, further studies are needed to assess the role of COVID-19 as an autoimmune disease trigger, particularly for SLE.     

Efficacy of carboprost tromethamine combined with leonurus japonicus for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in high-risk pregnant women: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

Background:No well-designed and systematic evaluation of the efficacy and safety of leonurus japonicus injection (LJI) in combination with carboprost tromethamine has been found. Therefore, we undertook a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of carboprost tromethamine combined with LJI for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage in high-risk pregnant women to provide new evidence-based medical evidence for clinical treatment.Methods:This systematic review and meta-analysis would be performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The following databases including EMBASE, MEDICINE, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, and Cochrane central controlled trial registries were searched by 2 reviewers from inception to July 2021. Mesh and keyword search terms were “motherwort,” “Yimucao,” “leonurus japonicas,” “carboprost tromethamine,” and “postpartum hemorrhage.” Any cohort studies that assessed the efficacy and safety of carboprost tromethamine combined with LJI for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage would be included. P < .05 was set as the level of significance.Results:The review would add to the existing literature by showing compelling evidence and improved guidance in clinic settings.OSF registration number:10.17605/OSF.IO/2WC53.     

Different impacts of various tocolytic agents on increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage in preterm labor women undergoing Cesarean delivery: A population-based cohort study

Tocolytic agents, commonly used for inhibiting preterm labor, pose the risk of uterine atony, leading to postpartum hemorrhage. This study elucidated the effects of different tocolytic agents on postoperative hemorrhage among women in preterm labor undergoing Cesarean delivery (CD). Data from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were analyzed. The risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] and 95% confidence intervals [CI]) of postoperative hemorrhage in CD women with preterm labor diagnosis using tocolytic agents (Tocolysis group) comparing to CD women not using tocolytic agents (Control group) were determined. Impacts of different tocolytic agents in this regard were also investigated. Our data revealed that the incidence (11.7% vs 2.6%, P < .001) and risk (aHR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.12–1.31, P < .001) of postoperative hemorrhage were significantly higher in the Tocolysis group (n = 15,317) than in the Control group (n = 244,096). Ritodrine was the most frequently used tocolytic agent (80.5%), followed by combination therapy (using more than one tocolytic agents) (8.5%), magnesium sulfate (MgSO₄, 4.6%), calcium channel blockers (3.8%), betamimetics other than ritodrine (1.9%), prostaglandin synthase inhibitors (0.5%), and nitrates (0.1%). Barring those using calcium channel blockers and combination therapy, the use of MgSO₄ (aHR: 1.43, P = .001), betamimetics other than ritodrine (aHR: 1.71, P < .001), prostaglandin synthase inhibitors (aHR: 2.67, P < .001) and nitrates (aHR: 3.30, P = .001) was associated with higher risks of postoperative hemorrhage compared with ritodrine. In conclusion, CD women with preterm labor diagnosis using tocolytic agents exhibit an increased risk of postoperative hemorrhage and that this risk varies with the use of different tocolytic agents.     

Delayed transient obstructive hydrocephalus after cerebral aneurysm rupture: A case report

Rationale:Obstructive hydrocephalus (OH) frequently occurs in patients with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm (CA), and it may lead to severe neurological deficits, including life-threatening brain herniation. OH generally occurs in the early stage of CA rupture, rather than in the late stage, and rarely resolves without therapy.Patient concerns:A 64-year-old woman with a ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysm was treated with coil embolization. Nineteen days after her CA rupture, because of the delayed transient OH, she experienced a dramatic cycle in consciousness over 9 hours: wakefulness–drowsiness–coma–drowsiness–wakefulness.Diagnosis:The patient was diagnosed with delayed transient obstructive hydrocephalus, which is a very rare condition.Interventions:Mannitol was administered to reduce intracranial pressure.Outcomes:The patient was discharged from the hospital 30 days after admission, with a final GCS score of 15 and without weaknesses. At follow-up 2 months after discharge, brain CT revealed non-recurrence of hydrocephalus.Lessons:A blood clot of any size in the ventricle is likely to lead to obstructive hydrocephalus. Prolonged bed rest for IVH patients may help to reduce the incidence of delayed OH.     

Hybrid operation for arteriovenous malformations with associated multiple intracranial aneurysms and subarachnoid hemorrhage: Case report

Rationale:The hybrid surgical concept for the treatment of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with associated intracranial aneurysms (IAs) is still not widely practiced. Concomitant occurrence of AVMs with IAs is common. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) as a result of AVM or IA rupture is often associated with these dual pathological phenomena. We present a case of concomitant occurrence of AVMs and IAs that was successfully treated using the hybrid operation concept.Patient concerns:A 62-year-old man presented with sudden onset of severe headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting for 4 hours.Diagnosis:Computed tomography revealed SAH and a hematoma in the right frontal lobe. A computed tomographic angiogram also revealed a right frontal AVM with 3 IAs.Interventions:We used a hybrid operating room to successfully treat both AVMs and IAs.Outcomes:Two years of follow-up showed that the patients were well and performed their daily duties.Lessons:The hybrid operating room is an innovative, safe, and effective method for the treatment of AVMs with associated IAs, particularly high-grade AVMs and IAs with hemorrhage or SAH. Patients with concomitant AVMs and IAs have the highest chance of hemorrhage compared with those with AVM or IAs alone.     

Intracranial hemorrhage in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura

 We sent questionnaires to hospitals in Japan in order to study the incidence and conditions of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) in children with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). From 1980 to 1995, 11 cases of ICH were reported in eight patients with ITP at 35 institutions. One patient had ICH four times, but only one patient died of the condition. From 1990 through 1995, ICH occurred in four (0.52%) of 772 patients with ITP. None of the patients died. The platelet count when ICH occurred was 5.2±3.7×10⁹/l (mean±SD) (n=11). Four of the eight patients (1980–1995) had received active treatment [e.g. intravenous immunoglobulin G (i.v. IgG)] immediately before ICH occurred. In seven cases (1980–1995), possible causes of ICH, including menstruation (n=2) and viral infections (n=3), were identified. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) later developed in three patients. Although the incidence of ICH in children with ITP has not decreased compared with the rates in earlier studies, the mortality rate has decreased markedly. Our results suggest that menstruation, infection, and risk factors for progression to SLE may help to predict ICH in children with ITP. Large-scale prospective trials are needed to identify risk factors for ICH. Received: 24 June 1999 / Accepted: 26 May 2000