Category Archives: Case Series

A Challenging Diagnosis of Sheehan’s Syndrome in Non-obstetric Critical Care and Emergency Settings: A Case Series of Five Patients with Varied Presentations

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2022-0018

Sheehan’s syndrome is a life-threatening endocrine emergency seen in postpartum females secondary to ischemic pituitary necrosis. It is a frequent cause of hypopituitarism in developing countries that occurs secondary to postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Patients with Sheehan’s syndrome often present with organ dysfunctions in critical care settings, secondary to stressors precipitating the underlying hormonal deficiencies. The initial clinical picture of Sheehan’s syndrome may mimic some other disease, leading to misdiagnosis and diagnostic delay. Strict vigilance, timely diagnosis, and appropriate management are essential to avoid diagnostic delay and to improve the patient outcome. In this case series, we describe 5 cases of previously undiagnosed Sheehan’s syndrome (including young, middle aged and postmenopausal females) that presented to critical care and emergency settings with organ failures.

Full text: PDF

The Use of Hydroxyurea in the Treatment of COVID-19

DOI: 10.2478/jccm-2021-0019

Introduction: The rapid worldwide spread of COVID-19 motivated medical professionals to pursue and authenticate appropriate remedies and treatment protocols. This article aims to analyze the potential benefits of one treatment protocol developed by a group of care providers caring for severe COVID-19 patients.
Methods: The clinical findings of COVID-19 patients who were transferred to a specialized care hospital after unsuccessful treatment in previous institutions, were analyzed. The specialized care hospital used a treatment protocol including hydroxyurea, a medication commonly used for sickle cell treatment, to improve respiratory distress in the COVID-19 patients. None of the COVID-19 patients included in the analyzed data were diagnosed with sickle cell, and none had previously taken hydroxyurea for any other conditions.
Results: In all presented cases, patients reverted to their baseline respiratory health after treatment with the hydroxyurea protocol. There was no significant difference in the correlation between COVID-19 and hydroxyurea. However, deaths were extremely low for those taking hydroxyurea.
Conclusions: Fatality numbers were extremely low for those taking hydroxyurea; death could be attributed to other underlying issues.

Full text: PDF

The Placement of Post-pyloric Feeding Tubes Using DRX-Revolution Mobile X-Ray System in an ICU. A Case Series

DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2016-0022

Enteral nutrition is crucial for ensuring that critically ill patients have a proper intake of food, water, and medicine. Methods to ensure this requirement should be initiated as early as possible. The use of PPF has several advantages compared to the use of a nasogastric feeding tube. In the present paper, the cases of three critically ill patients with a nonfunctional gastrointestinal system on admission to ICU, are detailed. Enteral feeding through a nasogastric tube by prokinetic agent therapy had been unsuccessful. The bedside placement of a post-pyloric feeding tube by the DRX-Revolution X-ray system is described.

Full text: PDF