Effects of dexmedetomidine on emergence delirium and electroencephalogram during the recovery period in older patients undergoing lower limb orthopedic surgery:A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled clinical trial

To the Editor:Delirium is a common postoperative complication associated with multiple adverse clinical outcomes in older patients.[1]According to the time of onset,delirium in the postoperative stage can be divided into emergence delirium(ED)and postoperative delirium(POD).ED occurs during or immediately after awakening from general anesthesia,whereas POD is usually found during postoperative days 1-7.Assessing patients for ED provides the first clue of a possible postoperative neurocognitive disorder.[2]Dexmedetomidine(DEX)is a highly selectiveα-2 receptor agonist that is increasingly used in the perioperative period to induce sedation,analgesia.

Stroke:Evolution of newer treatment modalities for acute ischemic stroke

Acute ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.Restoration of cerebral blood flow to affected ischemic areas has been the cornerstone of therapy for patients for eligible patients as early diagnosis and treatment have shown improved outcomes.However,there has been a paradigm shift in the management approach over the last decade,and with the emphasis currently directed toward including newer modalities such as neuroprotection,stem cell treatment,magnetic stimulation,anti-apoptotic drugs,delayed recanali-zation,and utilization of artificial intelligence for early diagnosis and suggesting algorithm-based management protocols.

Relevance of sleep for wellness:New trends in using artificial intelligence and machine learning

Sleep and well-being have been intricately linked,and sleep hygiene is paramount for developing mental well-being and resilience.Although widespread,sleep disorders require elaborate polysomnography laboratory and patient-stay with sleep in unfamiliar environments.Current technologies have allowed various devices to diagnose sleep disorders at home.However,these devices are in various validation stages,with many already receiving approvals from competent authorities.This has captured vast patient-related physiologic data for advanced analytics using artificial intelligence through machine and deep learning applications.This is expected to be integrated with patients’Electronic Health Records and provide individualized prescriptive therapy for sleep disorders in the future.

“A stitch in time”: Intraoperative diaphragmatic injury during laparoscopic nephrectomy - A case of immediate recognition and expert management

Laparoscopy within the urology field has undergone a noteworthy surge in popularity over the past decade,with particular importance given to renal surgeries such as simple nephrectomy,radical nephrectomy,donor nephrectomy,nephroureterectomy,and partial nephrectomy.1 This shift toward laparoscopic procedures among urologists can be attributed to the many benefits of these procedures,including reduced postoperative pain,shorter hospital stays,and faster recovery times.2 However,as with any evolving surgical technique,laparoscopic procedures in renal surgery bring forth their own set of distinctive challenges and complications.

Correction method for moderate and severe degrees of hallux valgus associated with transfer metatarsalgia

BACKGROUND Hallux valgus(HV)is a common foot deformity that manifests with increasing age,especially in women.The associated foot pain causes impaired gait and decreases quality of life.Moderate and severe HV is a deformity that is charac-terized by the involvement of lesser rays and requires complex surgical treatment.In this study,we attempted to develop a procedure for this condition.AIM To analyse the treatment results of patients who underwent simultaneous surgical correction of all parts of a static forefoot deformity.METHODS We conducted a prospective clinical trial between 2016 and 2021 in which 30 feet with moderate or severe HV associated with Tailor’s bunion and metatarsalgia were surgically treated via a new method involving surgical correction of all associated problems.This method included a modified Lapidus procedure,M2M3 tarsometatarsal arthrodesis,intermetatarsal fusion of the M4 and M5 bases,and the use of an original external fixation apparatus to enhance correction power.Preoperative,postoperative,and final follow-up radiographic data and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)scores were compared,and P values<0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.RESULTS The study included 28 females(93.3%)and 2 males feet(6.7%),20(66.7%)of whom had a moderate degree of HV and 10(33.3%)of whom had severe deformity.M2 and M3 metatarsalgia was observed in 21 feet,and 9 feet experienced pain only at M2.The mean follow-up duration was 11 months.All patients had good correction of the HV angle[preoperative median,36.5 degrees,interquartile range(IQR):30-45;postoperative median,10 degrees,IQR:8.8-10;follow-up median,11.5 degrees,IQR:10-14;P<0.01].At follow-up,metatarsalgia was resolved in most patients(30 vs 5).There was a clinically negligible decrease in the corrected angles at the final follow-up,and the overall AOFAS score was significantly better(median,65 points,IQR:53.8-70;vs 80 points,IQR:75-85;P<0.01).CONCLUSION The developed method showed good sustainability of correction power in a small sample of patients at the one-year follow-up.Randomized clinical trials with larger samples,as well as long-term outcome assessments,are needed in the future.

Evaluating the role of 7-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in neurosurgery: Trends in literature since clinical approval

BACKGROUND After approval for clinical use in 2017,early investigations of ultra-high-field abdominal magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)have demonstrated its feasibility as well as diagnostic capabilities in neuroimaging.However,there are no to few systematic reviews covering the entirety of its neurosurgical applications as well as the trends in the literature with regard to the aforementioned application.AIM To assess the impact of 7-Tesla MRI(7T MRI)on neurosurgery,focusing on its applications in diagnosis,treatment planning,and postoperative assessment,and to systematically analyze and identify patterns and trends in the existing literature related to the utilization of 7T MRI in neurosurgical contexts.METHODS A systematic search of PubMed was conducted for studies published between January 1,2017,and December 31,2023,using MeSH terms related to 7T MRI and neurosurgery.The inclusion criteria were:Studies involving patients of all ages,meta-analyses,systematic reviews,and original research.The exclusion criteria were:Pre-prints,studies with insufficient data(e.g.,case reports and letters),non-English publications,and studies involving animal subjects.Data synthesis involved standardized extraction forms,and a narrative synthesis was performed.RESULTS We identified 219 records from PubMed within our defined period,with no duplicates or exclusions before screening.After screening,125 articles were excluded for not meeting inclusion criteria,leaving 94 reports.Of these,2 were irrelevant to neurosurgery and 7 were animal studies,resulting in 85 studies included in our systematic review.Data were categorized by neurosurgical procedures and diseases treated using 7T MRI.We also analyzed publications by country and the number of 7T MRI facilities per country was also presented.Experi-mental studies were classified into comparison and non-comparison studies based on whether 7T MRI was compared to lower field strengths.CONCLUSION 7T MRI holds great potential in improving the characterization and understanding of various neurological and psychiatric conditions that may be neurosurgically treated.These include epilepsy,pituitary adenoma,Parkinson's disease,cerebrovascular diseases,trigeminal neuralgia,traumatic head injury,multiple sclerosis,glioma,and psychiatric disorders.Superiority of 7T MRI over lower field strengths was demonstrated in terms of image quality,lesion detection,and tissue characterization.Findings suggest the need for accelerated global distribution of 7T magnetic resonance systems and increased training for radiologists to ensure safe and effective integration into routine clinical practice.

A Study to Observe Pulse Pressure Variation after Induction with Propofol for General Anesthesia

Background and Aims: Pulse pressure variation (PPV) is a reliable and predictive dynamic parameter presently being utilized for fluid responsiveness. In the operating room, fluid administration based on PPV monitoring helps the physician in deciding whether to volume resuscitate or use interventions in patients undergoing surgery. Propofol is an intravenous induction agent which lowers blood pressure. There are multiple causes such as depression in cardiac output, and peripheral vasodilatation for hypotension. We undertook this study to observe the utility of PPV as a guide to fluid therapy after propofol induction. Primary outcome of our study was to monitor PPV as a marker of fluid responsiveness for the hypotension caused by propofol induction. Secondary outcome included the correlation of PPV with other hemodynamic parameters like heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP);after induction with propofol at regular interval of time. Methods: A total number of 90 patients were recruited. Either of the radial artery was then cannulated under local anaesthesia with 20G VygonLeadercath arterial cannula and invasive monitoring transduced. A baseline recording of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and PPV was then recorded. Patients were then induced with predetermined doses of propofol (2 mg/kg) and recordings of HR, SBP, DBP, and PPV were taken at 5, 10 and 15 minutes. Results: Intraoperatively, PPV was significantly higher at 5 minutes and significantly lower at 15 minutes after induction. It was observed that there were no statistically significant correlations between PPV and SBP or DBP. PPV was strongly and directly associated with HR. Conclusion: We were able to establish that PPV predicts fluid responsiveness in hypotension caused by propofol induction;and can be used to administer fluid therapy in managing such hypotension. However, PPV was not directly correlated with hypotension subsequent to propofol administration.

Effects of unilateral superimposed high-frequency jet ventilation on porcine hemodynamics and gas exchange during one-lung flooding

BACKGROUND Superimposed high-frequency jet ventilation(SHFJV)is suitable for respiratory motion reduction and essential for effective lung tumor ablation.Fluid filling of the target lung wing one-lung flooding(OLF)is necessary for therapeutic ultrasound applications.However,whether unilateral SHFJV allows adequate hemodynamics and gas exchange is unclear.AIM To compared SHFJV with pressure-controlled ventilation(PCV)during OLF by assessing hemodynamics and gas exchange in different animal positions.METHODS SHFJV or PCV was used alternatingly to ventilate the non-flooded lungs of the 12 anesthetized pigs during OLF.The animal positions were changed from left lateral position to supine position(SP)to right lateral position(RLP)every 30 min.In each position,ventilation was maintained for 15 min in both modalities.Hemodynamic variables and arterial blood gas levels were repeatedly measured.RESULTS Unilateral SHFJV led to lower carbon dioxide removal than PCV without abnormally elevated carbon dioxide levels.SHFJV slightly decreased oxygenation in SP and RLP compared with PCV;the lowest values of PaO_(2) and PaO_(2)/FiO_(2) ratio were found in SP[13.0;interquartile range(IQR):12.6-5.6 and 32.5(IQR:31.5-38.9)kPa].Conversely,during SHFJV,the shunt fraction was higher in all animal positions(highest in the RLP:0.30).CONCLUSION In porcine model,unilateral SHFJV may provide adequate ventilation in different animal positions during OLF.Lower oxygenation and CO_(2) removal rates compared to PCV did not lead to hypoxia or hypercapnia.SHFJV can be safely used for lung tumor ablation to minimize ventilation-induced lung motion.

Propofol with Varied Functions: A Potential Therapeutic Opportunity for Postoperative Nausea, Vomiting and Pruritus—A Narrative Review

Background: Despite the advances in anesthetics and non-pharmacological techniques, the prevalence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in all patients remains high. It is one of the most common distressing symptoms that cause dissatisfaction among patients after anesthesia and surgery. A sub-hypnotic dose of propofol has been shown to reduce morphine-induced postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pruritus. This review article will provide sufficient knowledge on the role of propofol in minimizing opioid-induced postoperative nausea, vomiting, and pruritus by providing detailed information on propofol antiemetic and antipruritic effects, as well as discussions based on empirically available data. Method: We conducted a narrative review of the literature published between 1990 and 2023 from a range of databases;PubMed, BioMed Central, Biosis Previews, Nature, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Springer-Link, and Elsevier. Discussion and Conclusion: The literatures reviewed in this study have demonstrated that propofol may have diverse therapeutic effects including antiemetic and antipruritic. The antiemetic effect of propofol may be an effective therapeutic approach for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The literature also demonstrated that the use of propofol for sedation during surgery may as well ameliorates opioids induced postoperative pruritus, which may be beneficial to surgical patients. Also, it was demonstrated that prophylactic use of propofol may be an effective way of preventing nausea and vomiting and pruritus during opioid use.

Outcome of COVID-19 infection in patients on antihypertensives:A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND Patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection frequently have hypertension as a co-morbidity,which is linked to adverse outcomes.Antihypertensives may affect the outcome of COVID-19 infection.AIM To assess the effects of antihypertensive agents on the outcomes of COVID-19 infection.METHODS A total of 260 patients were included,and their demographic data and clinical profile were documented.The patients were categorized into nonhypertensive,angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker(ACEI/ARB),calcium channel blocker(CCB),a combination of ACEI/ARB and CCB,and beta-blocker groups.Biochemical,hematological,and inflammatory markers were measured.The severity of infection,intensive care unit(ICU)intervention,and outcome were recorded.RESULTS The mean age of patients was approximately 60-years-old in all groups,except the nonhypertensive group.Men were predominant in all groups.Fever was the most common presenting symptom.Acute respiratory distress syndrome was the most common complication,and was mostly found in the CCB group.Critical cases,ICU intervention,and mortality were also higher in the CCB group.Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that age,duration of antihypertensive therapy,erythrocyte sedimentation rate,high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,and interleukin 6 were significantly associated with mortality.The duration of antihypertensive therapy exhibited a sensitivity of 70.8%and specificity of 55.7%,with a cut-off value of 4.5 years and an area under the curve of 0.670(0.574-0.767;95%confidence interval)for COVID-19 outcome.CONCLUSION The type of antihypertensive medication has no impact on the clinical sequence or mortality of patients with COVID-19 infection.However,the duration of antihypertensive therapy is associated with poor outcomes.

Systematic review with expert consensus on use of extracorporeal hemoadsorption in septic shock:An Indian perspective

BACKGROUND Septic shock is a severe form of sepsis characterised by deterioration in circulatory and cellular-metabolic parameters.Despite standard therapy,the outcomes are poor.Newer adjuvant therapy,such as CytoSorb®extracorporeal haemoadsorption device,has been investigated and shown promising outcome.However,there is a lack of some guidance to make clinical decisions on the use of CytoSorb®haemoadsorption as an adjuvant therapy in septic shock in Indian Setting.Therefore,this expert consensus was formulated.AIM To formulate/establish specific consensus statements on the use of CytoSorb®haemoadsorption treatment based on the best available evidence and contextualised to the Indian scenario.METHODS We performed a comprehensive literature on CytoSorb®haemoadsorption in sepsis,septic shock in PubMed selecting papers published between January 2011 and March 20232021 in English language.The statements for a consensus document were developed based on the summarised literature analysis and identification of knowledge gaps.Using a modified Delphi approach combining evidence appraisal and expert opinion,the following topics related to CytoSorb®in septic shock were addressed:need for adjuvant therapy,initiation timeline,need for Interleukin-6 levels,duration of therapy,change of adsorbers,safety,prerequisite condition,efficacy endpoints and management flowchart.Eleven expert members from critical care,emergency medicine,and the intensive care participated and voted on nine statements and one open-ended question.RESULTS Eleven expert members from critical care,emergency medicine,and the intensive care participated and voted on nine statements and one open-ended question.All 11 experts in the consensus group(100%)participated in the first,second and third round of voting.After three iterative voting rounds and adapting two statements,consensus was achieved on nine statements out of nine statements.The consensus expert panel also recognised the necessity to form an association or society that can keep a registry regarding the use of CytoSorb®for all indications in the open-ended question(Q10)focusing on“future recommendations for CytoSorb®therapy”.CONCLUSION This Indian perspective consensus statement supports and provides guidance on the use of CytoSorb®haemoadsorption as an adjuvant treatment in patients with septic shock to achieve optimal outcomes.

Surgical decompression for the management of abdominal compartment syndrome with severe acute pancreatitis: A narrative review

Intra-abdominal hypertension(IAH)and abdominal compartment syndrome(ACS)play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)and contribute to new-onset and persistent organ failure.The optimal management of ACS involves a multi-disciplinary approach,from its early recognition to measures aiming at an urgent reduction of intra-abdominal pressure(IAP).A targeted literature search from January 1,2000,to November 30,2022,revealed 20 studies and data was analyzed on the type and country of the study,patient demographics,IAP,type and timing of surgical procedure performed,post-operative wound management,and outcomes of patients with ACS.There was no randomized controlled trial published on the topic.Decom-pressive laparotomy is effective in rapidly reducing IAP(standardized mean difference=2.68,95%confidence interval:1.19-1.47,P<0.001;4 studies).The morbidity and complications of an open abdomen after decompressive laparotomy should be weighed against the inadequately treated but,potentially lethal ACS.Disease-specific patient selection and the role of less-invasive decompressive measures,like subcutaneous linea alba fasciotomy or component separation techniques,is lacking in the 2013 consensus management guidelines by the Abdominal Compartment Society on IAH and ACS.This narrative review focuses on the current evidence regarding surgical decompression techniques for managing ACS in patients with SAP.However,there is a lack of high-quality evidence on patient selection,timing,and modality of surgical decompression.Large prospective trials are needed to identify triggers and effective and safe surgical decompression methods in SAP patients with ACS.

Pneumothorax in a Thiel cadaver model of cardiopulmonary resuscitation

INTRODUCTION There has been some previous research in the field of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) using cadaver models.[1]The Thiel method was developed by Professor Walter Thiel (Graz, Austria) and described in 1992 and 2002. It consists of both an intravascular injection of the embalming solution and submersion of the bodies in a tank with the same solution for a determined period.[2,3]

Highly Sensitive Poly-N-isopropylacrylamide Microgel-based Electrochemical Biosensor for the Detection of SARS-COV-2 Spike Protein

Objective Late 2019 witnessed the outbreak and widespread transmission of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),a new,highly contagious disease caused by novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2).Consequently,considerable attention has been paid to the development of new diagnostic tools for the early detection of SARS-CoV-2.Methods In this study,a new poly-N-isopropylacrylamide microgel-based electrochemical sensor was explored to detect the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein(S protein)in human saliva.The microgel was composed of a copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide and acrylic acid,and gold nanoparticles were encapsulated within the microgel through facile and economical fabrication.The electrochemical performance of the sensor was evaluated through differential pulse voltammetry.Results Under optimal experimental conditions,the linear range of the sensor was 10-13-10-9 mg/m L,whereas the detection limit was 9.55 fg/mL.Furthermore,the S protein was instilled in artificial saliva as the infected human saliva model,and the sensing platform showed satisfactory detection capability.Conclusion The sensing platform exhibited excellent specificity and sensitivity in detecting spike protein,indicating its potential application for the time-saving and inexpensive detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Penetrating soft palate injury by lollypop candy stick

Incidents of soft palate injury or laceration caused by unintended movement when holding a sharp object in the mouth in the pediatric population are usually rarely reported.Here we report a case of soft palate laceration in a child due to a lollypop stick tip.

Pathological and immunohistochemical findings of lungs,heart,liver,and kidneys,and unexpected findings of fungi and parasites in lungs of deceased COVID-19 patients:A case series

Objective:To define histopathologic and immunohistochemical features of the lungs,heart,liver,and kidneys in patients who died from coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),and to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in all tissues,as well as the presence of fungi and parasites in lung tissues.Methods:This retrospective case study was conducted in the intensive care units of Dokuz Eylül University Hospital,and patients(≥18 years)who died due to COVID-19 between October 2020 and April 2021 were included.The biopsy samples of the patient’s lung,heart,liver,and kidney tissues were studied.Results:In the study,we enrolled 12 patients(mean age:70 years;50%male).Alveolar epithelial cell damage and diffuse alveolar damage were predominant in lung tissues.Lobular lymphocyte infiltration,centrilobular sinusoidal dilatation,and microvesicular steatosis in the liver,together with pigmented cast,non-isometric vacuolar degeneration,and capillary plugging in the kidneys,were commonly found among the patients.SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein antibodies were detected in three lung and two kidney tissues,and so did angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor positivity in one lung and more than half of the kidney tissues.The RT-PCR tests were positive in three lungs and one kidney tissue.After DNA isolation from lung tissues,Pneumocystis jirovecii was detected in nine patients,Aspergillus fumigatus in two,Microsporidia in three,and Cryptosporidium in two.Conclusions:SARS-CoV-2 is a multisystemic disease.Fungi and parasites should be investigated in critically ill COVID-19 patients prescribed corticosteroids.

A 365-Day Record of Maternal Admissions in Intensive Care Unit at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital in Nigeria

BACKGROUND. The intensive care unit provides critically ill patients with the necessary monitoring, care and supports to optimize their organ/system functions. Parturients are often at risk of sudden deteriorations or exacerbation of chronic illnesses from direct or indirect causes and would often require admissions into the intensive care or high dependency unit. This study is aimed at looking at the trends of maternal admissions in 365 days at the intensive care unit of a tertiary teaching hospital in Southern part of Nigeria, a country that contributes significantly to the global proportion of maternal morbidity and mortality. METHODS. The study adopted a retrospective approach. All critically ill parturients admitted and requiring organ support or close monitoring in the ICU had their files and ICU documents reviewed. The review was held from January-December 2018. RESULTS. Thirty-nine (39) parturients with a mean age (years) of 33 ± 1.3 were admitted, representing 2.9% of annual deliveries. All admissions were postnatal and came predominantly from the unbooked labour ward (51%) and the time lag from maternal deteriorations to presentation to the ICU was 72 ± 10 hours. The main indications for admissions were due to postpartum haemorrhage (33.3%), complications of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (30.9%) and sepsis (25.6%). Nineteen (48.7%) patients died from obstetric haemorrhage, complications of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, sepsis and pulmonary embolism. CONCLUSION. The trend of maternal admissions at this specific time frame reflects the burden of maternal critical care in our environment. It highlights the need to holistically tackle the known scourge with improved care.

Effect of Intravenous Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Blood Loss during and after Elective Caesarean Section in a Third Level Health Institution: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Blood loss during caesarean section (C/S) may lead to postpartum haemorrhage, and is one of the direct causes of maternal mortality and morbidity globally. Tranexamic acid is recommended in the treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) if oxytocin and other utertonics are ineffective in controlling PPH. In this centre it is not used prophylactically to reduce blood during caesarean section. Aim: To assess the effect of prophylactic intravenous tranexamic acid on blood loss during and after elective C/S at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Methods: This was a prospective, single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled interventional study conducted at the Obstetric theatre of UPTH from July 2020 to March 2021. Eligible women were randomized into two groups;seventy-two women received intravenous tranexamic acid while seventy-one women received a placebo. Socio-demographic data and the result of the study were collected through a proforma. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.0. The results were expressed in tables and charts as frequencies, percentages and mean. Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact, and T-test were used to determine the relationship between variables. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The findings showed that tranexamic acid significantly reduced mean blood loss during and after C/S (p-value post-surgery was significantly lower in the tranexamic acid group (624.88 ± 200.76 ml) in comparison to the placebo group (864.24 ± 229.09 ml), p-value = 0.001. The mean post-C/S packed cell volume (PCV) was significantly higher among the tranexamic acid group (30.68% ± 2.80%) in comparison to the placebo group (28.07% ± 3.27%), t = 5.131, p-value = 0.0001. The maternal side effects were nausea and vomiting, 9 (12.5%) and 1 (1.4%) participants respectively. Conclusion: Tranexamic acid significantly reduced blood loss during and after elective C/S. Maternal side effects were less with tranexamic acid use.

Evaluation of Brain CT Images of Eclamptics in Portharcourt Nigeria

Eclampsia is a common complication of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and in the puerperium with the attendant risk to both the mother and baby. Although it is a multi-systemic disorder, its manifestation that affects the brain and resulting in altered sensorium demands brain imaging to define the possible brain lesions and the implications for critical care management and outcome. We evaluated the CT brain lesions in the patients with eclampsia who were admitted in the intensive care unit, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt Nigeria. Objective: To analyse the CT brain images of eclamptic parturients and the outcome following their admission in the intensive care unit. Methods: We undertook this observational study after obtaining ethical exemption from the University of Portharcourt Teaching Hospital ethical review board, and commenced the review between March 2021 to February 2023. We included all parturients that were admitted into the intensive care unit of the University of Portharcourt Teaching Hospital, a nine-bedded open intensive care unit with the clinical diagnosis of eclampsia. Every admitted parturient was required to obtain a brain computed tomography (CT) by local protocol. The brain CT images were retrieved for review from the parturients’ relatives, radiology department and the ICU. Parturients included were aged ≥ 18 years. The radiological reports of these brain images which were also reviewed by a neurosurgeon in case of any need for secondary opinion were subjected to statistical analysis. Result: Thirty-one parturients were admitted with eclampsia with a mean age of 30 years ± 5.29. Sixteen (16) parturients died representing 52%. Only twenty-four (24) CT brain images were retrieved for review (77%). The following brain lesions were identified from the brain CT and they comprised the following: intracerebral haemorrhage, including extensions into the ventricles 7 (29.17%), cerebral oedema 12 (50%), subdural hematoma 1 (4.17%) and normal imaging 4 (16.66%). The subdural haematoma was promptly evacuated with a good outcome. Conclusion: Neuro imaging comprising computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain are basic ancillary investigations for patients with eclampsia presenting with neurologic deficits and low GCS. Early presentation and access to brain CT could influence outcome as it was demonstrated in the prompt intervention in the patient with subdural haematoma which was evacuated with a satisfactory outcome.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy—A Rare but Serious Complication Following Microwave Ablation of the Liver—Case Report

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is a form of stress cardiomyopathy which is reversible. It can clinically mimic an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. We present a case of a 63 year old female, who was diagnosed with takotsubo cardiomyopathy in the immediate postoperative period, following microwave ablation for a metastatic liver lesion. Despite takotsubo cardiomyopathy only accounting for a small percentage of acute coronary syndrome presentations, it is still an important differential to be considered when dealing with acute cardiac events, as the subsequent management is different as compared to the other more often encountered forms of acute cardiac events. .