Central Venous Catheter Infection with Brevibacterium sp. in an Immunocompetent Woman: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract Brevibacterium spp. were considered apathogenic until a few reports of infections in immunocompromised patients were published. Herein, we present a case of a catheter-related septicemia with Brevibacterium casei in an immunocompetent patient receiving continuous iloprost infusion for pulmonary arterial hypertension and review the clinical presentation of this mainly emerging opportunistic pathogen.     

High-dose-infliximab-associated Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

A 28-year-old woman experienced severe headache and right homonymous hemianopia after receiving high-dose infliximab for Crohn''s disease. Computed tomography showed hemorrhagic infarction in the left temporal and parietal lobes. An angiogram revealed left transverse to sigmoid sinus occlusion and a stagnated Labbe vein. The patient was treated surgically and achieved a good outcome. Inflammatory bowel diseases are known to accompany venous and arterial thrombosis in 1-2% of cases. Recently, infliximab has been suggested to increase this possibility. A case of Crohn''s disease presenting with cerebral sinus thrombosis in the remission period during long-term/high-dose use of infliximab is presented. In addition, infliximab-associated thrombosis cases were reviewed.     

Changes in Central Venous Catheter Use in the Hematology Unit with the Introduction of Ultrasound Guidance and a Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter

Objective A central venous catheter (CVC) is often needed to treat hematologic diseases, but it is accompanied by many complications. Ultrasound guidance (USG) or a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) can reduce such complications. Meterials We collected data of patients with attempted CVC placement in our hematology unit in 2012 (before introduction of USG and PICC) and 2018 (after introduction) and compared both periods. Results In total, 187 CVC insertions were attempted in 2018 and 198 in 2012. USG was used 154 times (82%) in 2018 and 4 times (2%) in 2012 (p<0.001). The success rates of insertion were 95% in 2018 and 89% in 2012 (p=0.063). The incidence of acute complications was 4.3% in 2018 and 9.1% in 2012 (p=0.069). The incidence of CVC removal owing to delayed complications was 26% in 2018 and 21% in 2012 (p=0.327). The sites of approach in 2018 and 2012 were the internal jugular in 42 (22%) and 54 (27%), subclavian in 52 (28%) and 128 (65%), brachial (PICC) in 89 (48%) and 14 (7%), and femoral in 4 (2%) and 2 (1%), respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion USG has become commonplace since its introduction. The landmark-based subclavian approach was largely replaced by PICC with USG in 2018. USG and PICC can help improve success rates and safety profiles.     

Cerebral Embolism Resulting from a Transvenous Pacemaker Catheter Inadvertently Placed in the Left Ventricle: A Report of Two Cases Confirmed by Echocardiography

BACKGROUND: Transvenous pacemaker catheters may be placed unintentionally into the left ventricle. This can lead to thromboembolic complications. METHODS AND RESULTS: We report two cases where pacemaker catheters placed unintentionally in the left ventricle via a patent foramen ovale resulted in cerebrovascular accidents. The malpositioned pacemaker catheters were demonstrated by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography. In both patients, no further embolic events have occurred after treatment, which in one case consisted of pacemaker catheter removal and in the other case, anticoagulation. CONCLUSION: Echocardiography can be useful to confirm inadvertent left ventricular pacemaker placement in patients with pacemakers who have cerebrovascular accidents.     

Intracardiac Leiomyomatosis Complicated by Pulmonary Embolism: A Multimodality Imaging Case of a Rare Entity

We present a case of intravenous leiomyomatosis with intracaval and right ventricle extension that was misdiagnosed as venous thrombus. Part of the mass had split and embolized the pulmonary artery, requiring urgent surgery. Although the mass fragments were removed from the inferior vena cava, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery successfully, this case clearly shows the importance of prompt surgery.     

内镜组织黏合剂注射治疗胃静脉曲张致脑栓塞1例

病例：患并男，73岁，因“间歇性呕血、黑便中年，再发4d”入院，、患抒半年前无明显诱因呕鲜血．量约20m1．术就诊、2个月前再次啾咖啡样液体．量约1800m1．伴一过性意识丧火．于当地医院就诊并住院治疗．经相关枪A诊断为“肝硬化”，经保守治疗好转后出院，此后患者间歇性解黑便，无明显小适。4d前无明显诱因出现恶心、呕鲜血，址约500ml，黑便1次，量约200ml，至北京友谊医院急诊就诊。     

Risk of Venous Thromboembolism Following Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Exchange: An Analysis of 23,000 Hospitalized Patients

Background

Catheter exchange over a guidewire is frequently performed for malfunctioning peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). Whether such exchanges are associated with venous thromboembolism is not known.

Case Report: Brown Fat Accumulation of Tc-99m Macroaggregated Albumin in a Lung Perfusion Study in a Patient With Multiple Lung Arteriovenous Malformations and Right-to-Left Shunting

An 18-year-old man was preoperatively assessed for a varicocele and found to be hypoxemic. A Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scan showed right-to-left shunting, evidenced by increased radiotracer uptake in the brain, kidneys, thyroid gland, and bilateral supraclavicular areas, a typical location for brown adipose tissue. Chest computerized tomography angiogram study showed supraclavicular fat density areas and multiple pulmonary arteriovenous malformations.The authors report a rare case of brown fat visualization on a lung perfusion scan in a patient with right-to-left shunting, likely because of increased perfusion to activated brown adipose tissue.     

Femoral Arteriovenous Fistula Associated With Leg Swelling 6 Months After Removal of a Hemodialysis Catheter: A Case Report

Double-lumen catheters have been used widely to obtain temporary access in patients who are in need of acute hemodialysis (HD) because of acute renal failure. Several complications are associated with the insertion of these catheters, including bleeding, infection, injuries to arteries, and deep venous thrombosis. An arteriovenous fistula (AVF) is a rare but significant complication following catheterization for temporary HD. Herein, we present a case of AVF associated with leg swelling 6 months after the removal ofa double-lumen HD catheter.We describe a special case of a 42-year-old man who experienced acute renal failure secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). A 12-Fr dialysis catheter was inserted in the right femoral vein. Six months after catheter removal, the patient was admittedfor pain and swelling in the right leg. Color Doppler ultrasound and three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) revealed an AVF between the right femoral vein and the right femoral superficial artery. The fistula was repaired successfully by vascular surgeons.This case highlights that an AVF is a rare but significant complication after catheterization for temporary HD. The nephrologist should be wary of the potential of this complication and perform clinical and medical examinations at the insertion and removal of temporary HD catheters.     

Bile Pulmonary Embolism: Report of a Case and a Review of the Literature

Bile emboli were found at autopsy in the small pulmonary arteries of a 68-year-old man with a past history of polyposis coli who had required percutaneous transhepatic drainage of his biliary tree because of an obstructing ampullary carcinoma. A communication between the biliary tract and a hepatic vein was shown to be due to the catheter. Eight previously reported cases of bile pulmonary emboli have been found. All but one had a clear history of hepatic trauma or intrahepatic abscess. Bile pulmonary embolism is a rare, occasionally fatal, complication of fistulous communication between the biliary tree and the hepatic venous system.     

Case Report: A Case of Diabetic Ketoacidosis Following Chikungunya Virus Infection

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has recently become endemic in the Caribbean, including the island of Puerto Rico. We present the case of a 50-year-old Puerto Rican man who traveled to St. Louis for business and was diagnosed with acute chikungunya virus infection with atypical features causing diabetic ketoacidosis. This case highlights the need to keep tropical infectious diseases on the differential diagnosis in appropriate individuals and the ways in which tropical infectious diseases can masquerade as part of common presentations.     

A Case Report: Successful Management of an Aortic Saddle Embolism in a 28-Year-Old Female

The obstruction of blood flow at the aortic bifurcation by an embolus defines aortic saddle embolism (ASE). This rare entity occurs preferentially in individuals with cardiovascular diseases such as the middle aged and the elderly. Conversely, its occurrence is sporadic in younger patients. As a result, the diagnosis of ASE is often overlooked or delayed in this age group; therefore, putting these patients at significant risk of neurologic impairment and potential limb loss. Following an extensive literature review, we have found only one reported case of ASE in a patient younger than 30 years. This patient died within 24 hours of admission and was diagnosed with ASE at autopsy. Here, we report for the first time, a case of a successful management of an ASE in a 28-year-old female who presented at our emergency room with acute weakness and numbness of the lower extremities. After vascular consult, the diagnosis of ASE was made and the patient was treated successfully. A week later, the patient was discharged home in stable condition without complications. The purpose of this report is to raise awareness about this potentially fatal condition and emphasize the importance of rapid assessment and treatment. The treatment options are heparin infusion, thrombolytic therapy, and embolectomy.     

Transient Reverse Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Following a Spider Bite in Greece: A Case Report

Black widow spider is endemic in the Mediterranean area and although envenomations are rare, may occasionally lead to death.We present a case of a 64-year-old female developing a rare variant of takotsubo, stress-induced, cardiomyopathy after a spider bite. This resulted in acute heart failure within 24 hours of the bite. With medical treatment and supportive care, the patient''s clinical condition improved.Reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy was diagnosed by echocardiography, which was transient. Clinical and echocardiographic findings have been completely resolved on follow-up 46 days later.Reverse takotsubo cardiomyopathy has not been yet described following a spider bite. Doctors in the emergency department of endemic countries should be familiar with this potential complication.     

Massive Pulmonary Calculi Embolism: A Novel Complication of Pneumatic Lithotripsy: A Case Report

Pneumatic lithotripsy is a minimally invasive technique mainly for the treatment of urinary staghorn stones. Previous literatures have reported some therapeutic complications during or after this procedure, but calculi embolism has not been mentioned before.We report here a fatal case of calculi-induced pulmonary embolism in an adult woman who underwent pneumatic lithotripsy. An autopsy did not reveal any evidence of pulmonary embolism. However, light microscopy revealed noticeable presence of calculi in pulmonary arterioles and capillaries, as evidenced by environmental scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The primary determinants of calculi embolism include intrarenal pressure, and volume and viscosity of the calculi fragments formation. Vascular intravasation of smashed calculi might increase pulmonary vascular resistance and hypoxemia and decrease cardiac output.This case report intends to provide information for clinicians to consider the probability of intraoperative calculi embolism during lithotripsies when patients develop typical symptoms of acute pulmonary embolism.