Viswanath, Omar

Introduction Craniofacial hyperplasia is a disorder where the face and head do not fully develop. This leads to difficulties in airway management in those undergoing general anesthesia (GA), requiring consideration in anesthetic planning with GA and intubation versus approaches with regional/spinal anesthesia. Case Presentation A 54-year-old male (45 kg, 172.7 cm) presented for a penile implant insertion for severe erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy. He was classified as ASA physical status class III. Management and Outcomes Pertinent medical history included craniofacial hypoplasia from childhood surgical interventions and radiation for sinus cancer (rhabdomyosarcoma), moderate mitral regurgitation, mild tricuspid regurgitation, pulmonary hypertension, recurrent esophageal strictures, and anemia. Spinal anesthesia was selected over GA. Airway complications were avoided, and cardiopulmonary stability was preserved while maintaining adequate analgesic coverage. Conclusion Craniofacial hypoplasia patients require individualized anesthesia planning that anticipates complications. Spinal anesthesia can be used in these patients to avoid airway and hemodynamic complications.

AbstractObjectivesSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapies are used in the management of patients with complex regional pain syndrome I (CRPS I) and failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the racial and health insurance inequalities with SCS therapy in patients with chronic pain who had CRPS I and FBSS.MethodsPatients with chronic pain who had a discharge diagnosis of FBSS and CRPS I were identified using the National Inpatient Sample database. Our primary outcome was defined as the history of SCS utilization by race/ethnicity, income quartile, and insurance status. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the variables associated with utilization of SCS therapy.ResultsBetween 2011 and 2015, 40,858 patients who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of FBSS and/or CRPS I were identified. Of these patients, 1,082 (2.7%) had a history of SCS therapy. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that compared to White patients, Black and Hispanic patients had higher odds of having SCS therapy (Black patients: odds ratio [OR] = 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 1.77; P = 0.003; Hispanic patients: OR = 1.41; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.81; P = 0.007). Patients with private insurance had significantly higher odds of having SCS therapy compared with those with Medicare (OR = 1.24; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.43; P = 0.003). Compared to patients with Medicare, Medicaid patients had lower odds of having SCS therapy (OR = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.70; P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur study suggests that socioeconomic disparities may exist in the utilization of SCS among hospitalized patients with CRPS I and FBSS the United States. However, confirming these data from other administrative databases, in the outpatient setting, may shed more insight.

Thyroid storm is a rare, potentially lethal condition involving collapse of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid feedback loop. Thyroid storm carries a significant mortality rate, thus requiring prompt identification and treatment. A 47-year-old woman presented to the emergency department complaining of palpitations, shortness of breath, and emesis for 24 hours after using methamphetamine. Past medical history was significant for untreated hyperthyroidism. Physical examination revealed a prominent, palpable thyroid. The Burch-Wartofsky-Score was 35. Management for thyroid storm included propylthiouracil (PTU), super saturated potassium iodide, intravenous hydrocortisone, and propranolol. However, a rare drug reaction to PTU on day 3 resulted in agranulocytosis. Propylthiouracil was withheld and a modified total thyroidectomy performed on day 8 without complications and the patient discharged on day 10 with levothyroxine. Undertreated hyperthyroidism may predispose patients to catecholamine-induced thyrotoxicosis due to catecholamine hypersensitivity. With known methamphetamine use, methamphetamine toxicity and a methamphetamine-exacerbated thyroid storm need to be included in the differential diagnosis in a patient presenting with signs of thyrotoxicosis. In addition, treating patients with agranulocytosis from PTU with a modified total thyroidectomy using ligation of the vascular supply as the initial surgical step limits release of thyroid hormone into the blood stream during thyroidectomy and decreases the possibility of intra operative thyroid storm.