We report a 29-year-old patient who presented with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) upper respiratory tract infection in addition to clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings highly suggestive of peritoneal tuberculosis (TB) without pulmonary involvement. Two weeks after the resolution of COVID-19 infection, he presented with shortness of breath and oxygen desaturation requiring intubation and admission to the intensive care unit. The workup confirmed miliary pulmonary TB. The patient subsequently improved on antitubercular treatment. We discuss the possible contribution of COVID-19 infection to the rapid progression of TB infection to involve the lung in a miliary pattern, and how the coexistence of the two diseases might have led to a worse outcome.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, fatal brain infection caused by a human prion. Because CJD is associated with rapidly progressive neurological degeneration, it requires high suspicion for diagnosis. We report the case of a 79-year-old patient who presented with a rapidly progressive neurological clinical picture. The patient had positive 14-3-3 proteins in cerebrospinal fluid, electroencephalography was significant for periodic discharges, and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed both diffusion restriction and increased fluid-attenuated inversion recovery signal in different cortical regions, consistent with probable sporadic CJD infection. The patient was enrolled under hospice and palliative care. The patient passed away two months after the onset of her symptoms. We discuss the probable sporadic CJD diagnostic criteria and possible risk factors that might have led to a faster progressive course.
Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) is an extremely rare disorder characterized by painful unilateral ophthalmoplegia triggered by idiopathic inflammation of the cavernous sinus affecting the third, fourth, and/or sixth cranial nerve. Corticosteroid therapy effectively improves THS symptoms; thus, early clinical suspicion and diagnosis are essential. We report the case of a 37-year-old patient who presented with left-sided eye pain and double vision for four days. Physical examination was significant for oculomotor, trochlear and abducent nerves palsies on the left eye with slow light reflex. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the head displayed mild asymmetry of the cavernous sinus regions with fullness on the left side and focal lateral thickening, confirming the THS diagnosis. The patient’s symptoms improved dramatically upon starting oral corticosteroid therapy.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.