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Full-Text Articles in Internal Medicine

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Presenting As Chronic Cough, Marjorie Friedman, Md Jul 2018

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Presenting As Chronic Cough, Marjorie Friedman, Md

The Medicine Forum

INTRODUCTION

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating, uniformly fatal disease. While it most commonly presents with limb weakness, patients may also present with neurocognitive, respiratory, or bulbar symptoms. Despite its poor prognosis, an early diagnosis can save patients from unnecessary and expensive testing, lead to interventions that improve quality of life, and give patients and family time for advanced planning.1 This case highlights an unusual presentation of ALS.

KEY POINTS

  • Our patient presented with chronic cough and restrictive lung disease and after extensive workup was diagnosed with ALS.
  • Bulbar and respiratory symptoms are uncommon initial presentations of ALS.
  • Early …


Use Of Venovenous Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation Following Iatrogenic Tracheal Rupture, Rajiv Kabadi, Md Jul 2018

Use Of Venovenous Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation Following Iatrogenic Tracheal Rupture, Rajiv Kabadi, Md

The Medicine Forum

INTRODUCTION

Iatrogenic tracheal rupture is a rare complication of endotracheal intubation and has a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Risk factors include female gender, short stature (height less than 160-cm), difficult airway anatomy, underlying connective tissue disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, use of a rigid stylet, inadequate intubation tube size, cuff over-inflation, emergent intubation and intubation performed by non-anesthesiologists. 1 Early recognition is important and diagnosis requires bronchoscopic confirmation.2,3 We describe a case where emergent venovenous extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) was utilized in the management of tracheal rupture.

KEY POINTS

  • Tracheal rupture is an uncommon but severe complication of …