Andrew Rosenthal

Unique Presentation of Urachal Cyst Disease: Incidental Finding to Complicated Infection

Urachal remnant disease is uncommon in adults and can present with symptoms ranging from drainage near the umbilicus to a severe abdominal infection. Most cases are referred for treatment once diagnosed either clinically or radiographically with ultrasound or computerized tomography. We present a unique case of an infected urachal cyst visualized on a series of CT scans in an adult patient with abdominal pain over a period of years.

Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma Presenting as a Palpable Head Mass: A Case Report

This case report touches on a young, 35-year-old patient with a highly unusual presentation of a palpable left parietal skull mass that was found to be metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Intraoperative rescue extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and damage control during repair of a traumatic aortic injury

Abstract A 21-year-old male involved in a motorcycle crash presented with abdominal hemorrhage and a widened mediastinum on chest radiograph. He required an initial exploratory laparotomy for mesenteric injuries. An aortic injury was confirmed on computed tomography imaging and he subsequently underwent attempted endovascular repair. During that procedure, the patient experienced massive thoracic hemorrhage with cardiac arrest and profound respiratory failure. Damage-control thoracic surgery and rescue extracorporeal membrane oxygenation were successfully utilized with a favorable outcome.

A unique case of venous air embolus with survival

Venous air embolus (VAE) occurs when gas, specifically atmospheric air, enters into the vascular system. Although rare, they can be fatal due to risk of cardiovascular collapse. In this report, we present a unique case of a 66-year-old female trauma patient with an inferior vena cava air embolism. An overview of the potential cause is presented, along with a review of the management of VAE.

Congenital Renal Fusion and Ectopia in the Trauma Patient

We present two separate cases of young male patients with congenital kidney anomalies (horseshoe and crossed fused renal ectopia) identified following blunt abdominal trauma. Despite being rare, ectopic and fusion anomalies of the kidneys are occasionally noted in a trauma patient during imaging or upon exploration of the abdomen. Incidental renal findings may influence the management of traumatic injuries to preserve and protect the patients renal function. Renal anomalies may be asymptomatic or present with hematuria, flank or abdominal pain, hypotension, or shock, even following minor blunt trauma or low velocity impact. It is important for the trauma clinician to recognize that this group of congenital anomalies may contribute to unusual symptoms such as gross hematuria after minor trauma, are readily identifiable during CT imaging, and may affect operative management. These patients should be informed of their anatomical findings and encouraged to return for long-term follow-up.

Traumatic Lung Herniation following Skateboard Fall

Lung herniation (LH) is a rare clinical entity involving the protrusion of lung outside the thoracic cage. It has a variety of etiologies and clinical presentations, making diagnosis difficult. We present a case of a 20-year-old male who reported pleuritic pain after falling from a skateboard. Evaluation through computed tomography (CT) scanning of the chest revealed an anterior lung hernia associated with rib fractures. This case emphasizes the need for clinicians to include lung herniation in the differential diagnosis of patients with trauma and inexplicable or persistent pulmonary issues.

Necrotizing Fasciitis Resulting from an Anastomotic Leak after Colorectal Resection

One of the most feared complications in colorectal surgery is an anastomotic leak (AL) following a colorectal resection. While various recommendations have been proposed to prevent this potentially fatal complication, anastomotic leaks still occur. We present a case of an AL resulting in a complicated and fatal outcome. This case demonstrates the importance of high clinical suspicion, early recognition, and immediate management.

Lightning Burns and Electrical Trauma in a Couple Simultaneously Struck by Lightning

More people are struck and killed by lightning each year in Florida than any other state in the United States. This report discusses a couple that was simultaneously struck by lightning while walking arm-in-arm. Both patients presented with characteristic lightning burns and were admitted for hemodynamic monitoring, serum labs, and observation and were subsequently discharged home. Despite the superficial appearance of lightning burns, serious internal electrical injuries are common. Therefore, lightning strike victims should be admitted and evaluated for cardiac arrhythmias, renal injury, and neurological sequelae.

Delayed Stroke following Blunt Neck Trauma: A Case Illustration with Recommendations for Diagnosis and Treatment

Blunt cerebrovascular injury (BCVI) to the carotid artery is a relatively rare injury that is difficult to identify even with imaging. Any symptoms or neurological deficits following blunt neck injury mandate evaluation and consideration of BCVI. In an effort to highlight this issue, we report the case of a 31-year-old male patient who presented with left-sided weakness consistent with transient ischemic attack (TIA) and concussion. The patients symptoms occurred within 24 hours of a blunt neck injury sustained by a knee strike during a basketball game. An initial computerized tomography (CT) scan of the brain was normal; a CT angiogram (CTA) of the neck and carotids did not reveal obstruction, dissection, stenosis, or abnormalities of the carotid or vertebral vessels and the patient was subsequently discharged. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain obtained four days after the initial injury demonstrated an acute infarct in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory. Thus, despite initial negative imaging, neurological deficits must be aggressively pursued in order to prevent stroke in BCVI cases.

Medical and Surgical Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage in a Woman with Factor XIII Deficiency

Factor XIII deficiency is a rare inherited coagulopathy. Factor XIII is the last clotting factor in the coagulation cascade to insure strength and stability to fibrin clots. Without this enzyme, the fibrous clot is unstable and nonresistant to fibrinolysis. Gravid women with this congenital disease are especially at risk for complications including miscarriages and hemorrhage without appropriate interventions. We present a case of a woman in her 20s with Factor XIII deficiency who was treated with cryoprecipitate and had a successful normal spontaneous vaginal delivery; subsequently, patient suffered from postpartum hemorrhage and consumptive coagulopathy due to consumption of Factor XIII, requiring emergency surgical intervention. Intraoperative management was challenged by an ethical dilemma involving the patients religious beliefs about not receiving blood. This paper will discuss the mechanism of Factor XIII and the medical and surgical management involved with this patient.