Neurologic toxicity of lidocaine during awake intubation in a patient with tongue base abscess. Case report

Lidocaine is commonly used for topical anesthesia of the upper airway in patient with anticipated difficult tracheal intubation undergoing awake fiberoptic intubation. Lidocaine toxicity is dose related and proportional to its plasma level. Although neurologic toxicity has been frequently observed with intravenous use, it has also been reported for topical use.     

Racial Differences in the Associations of Posttraumatic Stress and Insomnia With Body Mass Index Among Trauma-Exposed Veterans

Posttraumatic stress is associated with increased body mass index (BMI) and rates of obesity. Black adults are at greater risk for obesity, trauma exposure, development of posttraumatic stress disorder, and comorbid sleep problems compared to White adults. Accordingly, Black adults with a history of trauma exposure may be at greater risk for elevated BMI associated with posttraumatic stress and insomnia. Multiple linear regression was used to examine race as a moderator of the relationship between posttraumatic symptoms and insomnia with BMI in a sample of Black and White trauma-exposed Veterans (N = 171), controlling for age and sex. There was a significant interaction of race with PTSD (p = 0.042) and insomnia symptoms (p = 0.045) on BMI. Simple slopes showed a significant positive association of posttraumatic stress and BMI among Black (p = 0.003), but not White Veterans (p = 0.590). Similarly, insomnia was significantly associated with greater BMI for Black (p = 0.023), but not White Veterans (p = 0.496). Posttraumatic stress and insomnia may play a particularly important role in the development of weight related health problems among Black Veterans. Early identification and treatment of these symptoms may reduce the risk of obesity among this vulnerable population.     

Dedifferentiated endometrial cancer: an atypical case diagnosed from cerebellar and adrenal metastasis: case presentation and review of literature

Dedifferentiated endometrial cancer (DEC) is microscopically characterized by the presence of high-grade areas emerging from low-grade tumour. DEC is an aggressive tumour even when the dedifferentiated component represents only 20% of the entire neoplasm. A proper histological diagnosis is essential to define the most appropriate therapeutic approach for these tumors, since they are characterized by a particularly aggressive trend and by an extremely poor prognosis. We report a single case of DEC associated with dedifferentiated and adrenal metastasis, for which the patient underwent both abdominal-pelvic and cerebellar surgery. Dedifferentiated carcinoma of the endometrium is a poorly recognized neoplasm since they have not been clearly defined the histological features discriminating this neoplasm from high-grade endometrioid adenocarcinoma. Revising existing literature we found 79 described cases of central nervous system secondary involvement and 13 cases where the onset of the disease was characterized by neurological signs and symptoms. We could only find two reported cases of adrenal metastases originating from endometrial neoplasia but in no case of dedifferentiated endometrial carcinoma previously described has been reported the concomitant adrenal-cerebellar involvement.     

Dangerous passion: Othello syndrome and dementia

Jealousy is a complex emotion that most people have experienced at some time in life; pathological jealousy refers primarily to an irrational state. Othello syndrome is a psychotic disorder characterized by delusion of infidelity or jealousy; it often occurs in the context of medical, psychiatric or neurological disorders. At least 30% of cases in the literature show a neurological basis for their delusion of infidelity, although its biological basis is not fully understood. The purpose of this paper is to examine the phenomenon of pathological jealousy in people with dementia. We searched the electronic databases for original research and review articles on Othello syndrome in demented patients using the search terms ‘Othello syndrome, morbid jealousy, pathological jealousy, delusional disorders, dementia’. Convictions about the partner's infidelities may form the content of psychopathological phenomena, such as delusions. Delusional jealousy is a frequent problem in dementia. Coexistent delusions and hallucinations are frequent. The violence in demented patients suffering from this syndrome is well documented and forensic aspects are highlighted. There are no systematic researches about the clinical characteristics of Othello syndrome in persons suffering from dementia, but only case reports and it is not possible to differentiate or compare differences of delusional jealousy across the various type of dementia or distinguish the syndrome in demented patients from the syndrome in other psychiatric disorders. Frontal lobe dysfunction may be called into question in delineating the cause of the delusional jealousy seen in Othello syndrome.