Volume 3, Issue 3, July 2017
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Category Archives: JCCM 2017, Vol. 3, Issue 3
Diagnosing “Brain Death” in Intensive Care
DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2017-0016
Death represents a biological state which appears at the end of life and can be defined by the halting of all life-sustaining biological functions.
Medically speaking, death represents the irreversible loss of consciousness associated with the irreversible loss of breathing [1].
Throughout its history, humanity has been interested by the mystery surrounding the end of life, and especially of finding out precise means of diagnosis.
But how can we medically diagnose the phenomenon of death?
Currently there are three means of diagnosis [1]: [More]
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Lung Abscess Remains a Life-Threatening Condition in Pediatrics – A Case Report
DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2017-0023
Pulmonary abscess or lung abscess is a lung infection which destroys the lung parenchyma leading to cavitations and central necrosis in localised areas formed by thick-walled purulent material. It can be primary or secondary. Lung abscesses can occur at any age, but it seems that paediatric pulmonary abscess morbidity is lower than in adults. We present the case of a one year and 5-month-old male child admitted to our clinic for fever, loss of appetite and an overall altered general status. Laboratory tests revealed elevated inflammatory biomarkers, leukocytosis with neutrophilia, anaemia, thrombocytosis, low serum iron concentration and increased lactate dehydrogenase level. Despite wide-spectrum antibiotic therapy, the patient’s progress remained poor after seven days of treatment and a CT scan established the diagnosis of a large lung abscess. Despite changing the antibiotic therapy, surgical intervention was eventually needed. There was a slow but steady improvement and eventually, the patient was discharged after approximately five weeks.
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Highlights for Improvement of Scientific Writing for Publication in High Impact Journals
DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2017-0022
For research scientists around the world, a primary goal is to publish results from their projects in high impact international journals. Such an achievement can be highly rewarding because it is a formal way to release discoveries to the world and to be recognised for the discoveries, it allows findings to be shared and used by colleagues, and it can bring in personal benefits in awards and promotions. However, achieving the goal is not a simple task, and it can sometimes be frustrating. Therefore, this editorial was written to provide some highlights on how to improve chances for high impact publications and recognitions. [More]
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Use of Transcranial Doppler in Intensive Care Unit
DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2017-0021
Use of transcranial Doppler has undergone much development since its introduction in 1982, making the technique suitable for general use in intensive care units. The main application in intensive care units is to assess intracranial pressure, confirm the lack of cerebral circulation in brain death, detect vasospasm in subarachnoid haemorrhage, and monitor the blood flow parameters during thrombolysis and carotid endarterectomy, as well as measuring stenosis of the main intracranial arteries in sickle cell disease in children.
This review summarises the use of transcranial Doppler in intensive care units.
Keywords: brain death, transcranial Doppler, intracranial pressure, optic nerve sheath diameter, vasospasm, subarachnoid haemorrhage, thrombolysis, intensive care unit, sickle cell disease, endarterectomy
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The Importance of Haemogram Parameters in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Septic Patients
DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2017-0019
Sepsis represents a severe pathology that requires both rapid and precise positive and differential diagnosis to identify patients who need immediate antimicrobial therapy. Monitoring septic patients’ outcome leads to prolonged hospitalisation and antibacterial therapy, often accompanied by substantial side effects, complications and a high mortality risk.
Septic patients present with complex pathophysiological and immunological disorders and with a predominance of pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory mediators which are heterogeneous with respect to the infectious focus, the aetiology of sepsis or patients’ immune status or comorbidities. Previous studies performed have analysed inflammatory biomarkers, but a test or combinations of tests that can quickly and precisely establish a diagnosis or prognosis of septic patients has yet to be discovered. Recent research has focused on re-analysing older accessible parameters found in the complete blood count to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis and prognosis of sepsis.
The neutrophil/lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR), mean platelet volume (MPV) and red blood cells distribution width (RDW) are haemogram indicators which have been evaluated and which are of proven use in septic patients’ management.
Keywords: neutrophil/lymphocyte count ratio, mean platelet volume, red blood cells distribution width, sepsis
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Reoccurrence of Bleeding of a Chronic Subdural Haematoma Following a Fall
DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2017-0020
The case of a 60-year-old patient who presented with an acute-on-chronic subdural haematoma is reported. Chronic haematoma usually remains asymptomatic, and this is considered to be an unusual course of events. Trivial or minor injury may cause the cortical bridge veins and fragile vessels in the former haematoma to rupture with concomitant reoccurrence of bleeding. Old age, repeated traumatic brain injuries, brain atrophy, antiplatelet agents and oral anticoagulants such as warfarin are considered to be the underlying conditions to cause the reoccurrence of bleeding. However, our patient did not have any of those conditions.
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The First Manifestation of a Left Atrial Myxoma as a Consequence of Multiple Left Coronary Artery Embolisms
DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2017-0018
A case of multiple embolisms in the left coronary artery as a rare first manifestation of left atrial myxoma is reported. A patient with embolic myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure was treated by percutaneous aspirations and balloon dilatations. Transesophageal echocardiography disclosed a villous myxoma with high embolic potential. Surgical resection of the tumour, suturing of a patent foramen ovale suture and an annuloplasty of the dilated tricuspid annulus was performed the third day after the admission.
Recovery of the documented left ventricular systolic function can be explained by resorption of myxomatous material. The patient was discharged ten days after the surgery.
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Raoultella ornithinolytica Diagnosed in a Neurointensive Patient. A Rare Case with Recovery without Antibiotics
DOI: 10.1515/jccm-2017-0017
Infection with Raoultella ornithinolytica is rare and normally the infection is present in patients with underlying malignancies or chronic diseases. It is normally treated with antibiotics. In this case report, a neuro-intensive patient without malignancies or other severe chronic diseases was colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa but infected with Raoultella ornithinolyca. The patient recovered without treatment with antibiotics.
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