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Biomedical subjects

N Latronico

Publications and source records attributed to N Latronico.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Avitaminosis].

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Avitaminosis↗

Acute neuromuscular respiratory failure after ICU discharge. Report of five patients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a syndrome of acute neuromuscular respiratory failure (NM-ARF) caused by ICU-acquired acute myopathy and neuropathy. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: General Regional University Hospital in Brescia, Italy. PATIENTS: Five adult patients with NM-ARF after prolonged ICU stay and successful weaning from the ventilator and ICU discharge. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical signs of NM-ARF, electroneurography and electromyography (ENMG) of peripheral nerves and muscles, and functional assessment of respiratory muscles. RESULTS: NM-ARF was diagnosed at the time of (one case), or 1-3 days after, ICU discharge. Limb weakness alarmed the physicians, while the signs of the NM-ARF were initially undetected. In the first observed case the acute respiratory failure was near fatal, and necessitated ICU readmission, while in the other cases 2 weeks of aggressive chest physiotherapy permitted resolution of the respiratory failure. History, clinical course and ENMG indicated the diagnosis of critical illness myopathy and neuropathy (CRIMYNE). Three patients recovered fully, while two had persisting evidence of axonal polyneuropathy several months after the onset. CONCLUSIONS: Critically ill patients with prolonged ICU stay, sepsis and MOF are at great risk of developing CRIMYNE, which in turn may be responsible for NM-ARF. This latter complication may arise after resolution of the respiratory and cardiac dysfunctions and successful weaning from the ventilator. As NM-ARF may cause unplanned ICU readmission or even unexpected death, strict clinical surveillance and monitoring of respiratory muscle function is recommended after discharge to the general ward of patients with proven NM-ARF. Early intensive chest physiotherapy can resolve the condition.

Adult↗

Emergent decompressive craniectomy in patients with fixed dilated pupils due to cerebral venous and dural sinus thrombosis: report of three cases.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: Cerebral venous and dural sinus thrombosis is a rare cause of stroke. Although morbidity and mortality have greatly decreased in recent years as a result of early diagnosis and timely medical treatment, when coma occurs the prognosis remains poor. We evaluated whether emergent decompressive craniectomy has a role in the treatment of patients with brain herniation from dural sinus thrombosis and hemorrhagic infarct. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Three patients developed large hemorrhagic infarct with coma and bilaterally fixed and dilated pupils resulting from aseptic dural sinus thrombosis. INTERVENTION: Two patients underwent emergent surgical decompression as soon as brain herniation developed, and these patients had complete functional recovery. One underwent delayed surgical decompression and remained severely disabled. CONCLUSION: Our results provide preliminary evidence that emergent decompressive craniectomy is effective in patients with brain herniation from dural sinus thrombosis, provided that the clinical onset is recent. We therefore recommend consideration of this aggressive surgical technique for such patients, who may survive with good outcomes.

Adult↗

[Modern times].

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Anatomy↗

Acute quadriplegia with delayed onset and rapid recovery. Case report.

The authors describe a patient with severe head injury and sepsis who became acutely quadriplegic 3 days postinjury because of a critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) and critical illness myopathy (CIM), which resolved rapidly after treatment of the underlying infection. In only 3 days the patient developed septic shock together with flaccid quadriplegia and absent deep tendon reflexes with no clinical or radiological evidence of central nervous system deterioration. Neurophysiological studies showed an acute axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy, whereas the clinical course strongly suggested a concurrent myopathy. A severe Staphylococcus epidermidis infection accompanied by bacteremia was treated and the patient recovered fully within a few days. Although the case described here is unique because of its very early onset and rapid resolution, CIP and CIM are frequent complications of sepsis and multiple organ failure. The authors suggest that severely head injured patients with sepsis should be evaluated for CIP and CIM when presenting with unexplained muscle weakness or paralysis.

Acute Disease↗