Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially fatal complication of treatment with various serotonergic agents. It is diagnosed clinically and consists of cognitive, autonomic, and neuromuscular dysfunction. Although serotonin syndrome has been known to induce seizures, there are no reported cases of electroencephalogram (EEG)-documented status epilepticus (SE) associated with serotonin syndrome. We report a case of serotonin syndrome and status epilepticus in a patient thought to have overdosed on both fluoxetine and bupropion in the setting of alcohol intoxication. Our patient required aggressive treatment with various anticonvulsant medications to control status epilepticus and was also treated with cyproheptadine for the serotonin syndrome. This paper will also discuss the contributing factors of fluoxetine and bupropion to this presentation in the context of alcohol intoxication.
Introduction : Diagnostic tools for acute ischemic infarcts include the use of DWI sequence on MRI to identify acute infarcts is especially useful since lesions can become hyperintense on this sequence very rapidly (Albers 1998). Over the next 15 days, DWI hyperintensity slowly decreases back to isointense. In some patients, however, there is persistent DWI hyperintensity past 1 month. There are theories that these persistent areas exhibit delayed onset infarct, prolonged ischemia, or perhaps different repair processes (Rivers, et al 2006). To this day, all DWI signals have been known to resolve within a few months even for persistent hyperintensities (Rivers, et al 2006). Carotid webs are a rare form of fibromuscular dysplasia that protrudes from the intimal tissues of carotid arteries. They are shelf‐like projections that grow into the lumen and disrupt normal blood flow (Zhang, et al 2018). These outgrowths are theorized to lead to ischemic strokes due to flow stasis and subsequent embolization of clots that form (Zhang, et al 2018). There is no consensus on the best management of carotid webs, and secondary prevention of recurrent strokes range from medical management to carotid stenting. Methods : This is a case report, and information for the patient was gathered through review of medical records on the EMR. Results : We present a case of ischemic stroke in the right basal ganglia/corona radiata, who presented with left sided weakness. The patient was found to have prediabetes, HTN, and HLD. However, she had recurrence of her symptoms over the next 18 months (figure 1). Repeat MRIs showed persistent DWI hyperintensity that slowly decreased in size and signal intensity over this period but in the same area as the initial infarct. The rest of the work up was only significant for a carotid web in the right internal carotid artery identified on conventional angiography. Ultimately she was managed with medical therapy including aspirin, statin, and antihypertensives. Conclusions : It is unclear whether the carotid web is associated with persistent DWI for such an extended time frame. There is very little research that explores the pathophysiology of ischemic strokes from carotid webs. In addition, there is even less information about the physiology of an evolving infarct that shows persistent DWI signals for such an extended time frame. Further studies that look into carotid webs may help us understand the best long term management in such patients. Future studies that explore the physiology of ischemic strokes that show such persistent DWI signals may elucidate and perhaps expand upon current management options and possibly identify new areas for intervention.
Introduction : A 51‐year‐old lady with a past medical history of Essential Hypertension, Hypothyroidism, prior Herpes Zoster infection 8 weeks ago was admitted with complaints of abdominal pain, bilateral flank pain, and restlessness. Her initial workup was significant for hyponatremia and hypokalemia. On the 3rd day of admission, she developed acute hypoxemic respiratory failure which led to intubation. At that time, CTA Chest was not done but CT Chest revealed prominent mucous plugging with left side glass ground opacities, Ultrasound of lower extremities revealed right common femoral vein DVT which led to concerns that she may have suffered from Pulmonary Embolism and led to starting Heparin drip. On the 6th day of admission, she developed Acute Encephalopathy, MRI Brain revealed acute infarcts in bilateral cerebral cortices and cerebella, CT Angiogram Head showed acute subarachnoid hemorrhage in the high posterior right parietal lobe, stenosis of the right high cervical internal carotid artery, and irregular, the appearance of the arterial vasculature throughout and CT Angiogram Neck abrupt change in caliber of the right ICA, 1.5 cm distal to the bifurcation with markedly severe narrowing of the majority of the extracranial right ICA throughout its course. A cerebral Angiogram was done which showed diffuse tandem segments of tandem cervical and intracranial portions of the right internal carotid artery and she was given nitroglycerin was administered as a therapeutic intervention. Lumbar Puncture showed WBC 2, RBC 7, Protein 162, Glucose 64, VZV PCR was negative, CSF VZV IgG Antibody positive at 303 IV (>165 IV indicative of current or past infection). Serum VZV IgG Antibody was positive at >4000 IV. Infectious Diseases were consulted after Lumbar Puncture, they initially started Acyclovir but once the Serum VZV IgG Antibody came back much higher than Serum VZV IgG Antibody levels, their assessment was that VZV vasculitis is unlikely and Acyclovir was discontinued. Eventually, the case was discussed at Neuroradiology which led to us getting a repeat MRA Neck without contrast which showed a concentric T1 and T2 hyperintensity along with a small and irregular caliber right cervical ICA consistent with dissection. She eventually completed a 21‐day course of Nimodipine due to underlying Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Methods : NA Results : NA Conclusions : Our case demonstrates how it can become difficult to ascertain the etiology of stroke in certain patients. Our patient presented with multiple non‐specific symptoms initially and it was later on due to her Acute Encephalopathy that her Strokes and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage were discovered. It is still difficult to pinpoint whether the cause of strokes was dissection or VZV infection. Lumbar Puncture remains an essential tool to complete work up on uncommon etiologies of stroke.
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