Leonidas Grigorakos

Primary thoracic muscle tuberculosis: two case reports

BackgroundThe aim of this case report is to present our experience with two very rare cases of thoracic muscle tuberculosis. Muscle tuberculosis, as a primary disease, can only be detected in cases in which mycobacteria have been transplanted to a muscle through an infected needle.Case presentationsCase 1 is a 38-year-old immigrant man and Case 2 is a 24-year-old immigrant man, both originating from Sub-Saharan African Countries; they presented in the past two years to our hospital with swellings at the base of the hemithorax and were diagnosed as having muscle tuberculosis. Administration of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy caused: (a) diminution of inflammation, (b) diminution of the size of local fusiform injury, and (c) clinical improvement.ConclusionsThoracic muscle tuberculosis should be considered to be one of the etiologies of muscular disease in European countries with a high incidence of immigrants originating from endemic geographical areas.

Effective Management Of Patients With Amniotic Fluid Embolism In The Intensive Care Unit: Two Case Reports

Amniotic Fluid Embolism (AFE) is a rare complication of the intra- and early post-partum period, which may also be encountered with cesarean delivery and during abortions. Its symptompatology includes respiratory distress with cyanosis, shock and possibly tonic-clonic seizures. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) frequently occurs and is usually fatal. The aim of this case report is to present the positive outcome and our gained experience from two cases suffering from AFE. Thus, we analyze the case of two patients, in the second trimester of pregnancy who presented symptoms of AFE. Our study reveals that in the case of patients with AFE, early diagnosis, prompt management and proper treatment increase survival rate and may ensure complete recovery in a relatively short period of time. However, DIC is a serious aggravating factor which makes the recovery process slower.