This is a completely gratuitous question, from a healthier gentleman than me who is going to undergo low-risk surgery on a scheduled basis. The answer is obviously 4. Had there been a fifth option it would have been that nothing needs to be done, which might have generated some doubt in the student, but since the question does not exist it is a piece of candy. Although there are many protocols on preoperative procedures, almost as many as there are hospitals, the question makes it easy by putting a very old patient, 80 years old. The age range from which it is considered mandatory to request an ECG varies between 45, 50, 60 or even some say 70 years. For example: > 50 years: always, except if a previous ECG is available < 50 years: only if there is known or suspected heart disease (CVRF), severe DM, hyperthyroidism or severe COPD.

This is a completely gratuitous question, from a healthier gentleman than me who is going to undergo low-risk surgery on a scheduled basis. The answer is [HIDDEN]. Had there been a fifth option it would have been that nothing needs to be done, which might have generated some doubt in the student, but since the question does not exist it is a piece of candy. Although there are many protocols on preoperative procedures, almost as many as there are hospitals, the question makes it easy by putting a very old patient, 80 years old. The age range from which it is considered mandatory to request an ECG varies between 45, 50, 60 or even some say 70 years. For example: > 50 years: always, except if a previous ECG is available < 50 years: only if there is known or suspected heart disease (CVRF), severe DM, hyperthyroidism or severe COPD.

An 80-year-old man comes to your office for evaluation of a scheduled cholecystectomy by laparoscopy. He has a history of arterial hypertension under treatment for 10 years. He denies heart or pulmonary disease. She has no chest pain. She has an active life and goes daily to the gym where she alternates swimming and walking on the treadmill for at least one hour. Usual treatment: nebivolol 5 mg every 24 hours and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg daily. Physical examination: weight 73 kgs; height 179 cm; blood pressure 138/80 mmHg; heart rate 60 beats/minute. No murmurs are auscultated Which of the following is the most appropriate preoperative approach?

Perform a thallium and dipyridamole scan.

Pharmacology_Katzung

Irbesartan Generic,Avapro Treatment of Angina Pectoris Bertram G. Katzung, MD, PhD* A 56-year-old woman presents in the office with a history of recent-onset chest discomfort when jogging or swimming vigorously. The pain is dull but poorly localized; it disap-pears after 5–10 minutes of rest. She has never smoked but has a history of hyperlipidemia (total cholesterol level of 245 mg/dL and low-density lipoprotein [LDL] of 160 mg/dL recorded 1 year ago) and admits that she has not been fol-lowing the recommended diet. Her father survived a “heart attack” at age 55, and an uncle died of some cardiac disease at age 60. On physical examination, the patient’s blood pressure is 145/90 mm Hg, and her heart rate is 80 bpm. She is in no acute distress, and there are no other significant physical findings; an electrocardiogram is normal except for slight left ventricular hypertrophy. Assuming that a diagno-sis of stable effort angina is correct, what medical treatment should be implemented?

Angina

In angina patients momentarily not feeling any chest pain, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is typically normal unless there have been other cardiac problems in the past. During periods of pain, depression, or elevation of the ST segment may be observed. To elicit these changes, an exercise ECG test ("treadmill test") may be performed, during which the patient exercises to his/her maximum ability before fatigue, breathlessness, or pain intervenes; if characteristic ECG changes are documented (typically more than 1 mm of flat or downsloping ST depression), the test is considered diagnostic for angina. Even constant monitoring of the blood pressure and the pulse rate can lead to some conclusions regarding angina. The exercise test is also useful in looking for other markers of myocardial ischemia: blood pressure response (or lack thereof, in particular, a drop in systolic blood pressure), dysrhythmia, and chronotropic response. Other alternatives to a standard exercise test include a thallium

TIMI

TIMI Risk Score for STEMI Age 65-74 years? Yes (+2) – or – Age ≥75 years? Yes (+3) Diabetes, Hypertension or Angina? Yes (+1) Systolic BP < 100 mmHg? Yes (+3) Heart rate > 100? Yes (+2) Killip Class II-IV (JVD or any pulmonary exam findings of CHF)? Yes (+2) Weight < 67kg (147.7 lbs)? Yes (+1) Anterior ST Elevation or LBBB? Yes (+1) Time to treatment > 4 hours? Yes (+1) What Does This Score Mean? TIMI Risk Score for HF in Diabetes Prior heart failure? Yes (+2) History of atrial fibrillation? Yes (+1) Coronary artery disease? Yes (+1) eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73*m2? Yes (+1) Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio >300 mg/g? Yes (+2) – or – Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio 30-300 mg/g? Yes (+1) What Does This Score Mean?

Diagnosis and management of carbon monoxide poisoning in the emergency department.

An 89-year-old female is found by her family, lying unconscious on her kitchen floor after they had been unable to reach her by phone for several hours. EMS is activated and when the paramedics arrive, they note that the gas oven is on, and there is thin, gray smoke coming from around the door. The house gas supply is turned off, windows are opened, and the family and the patient are immediately evacuated from the home. En route to the hospital, the patient is placed on high-flow oxygen at 15 liters per minute by non-rebreather mask. Her bedside glucose determination is 229 mg/dL. Vital signs are within normal limits during transport. She opens her eyes to sternal rub, and makes spontaneous movements of all extremities. Upon arrival to the ED, the patient becomes more alert and is able to respond to your questions. She tells you that she remembers putting a tray of calzones into the oven, after which she has no recall of the day's events. She has a past medical history of "well-controlled" hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Her medications include hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily, lisinopril 10 mg daily, simvastatin 20 mg daily, and metformin 1000 mg twice daily. On physical examination, weight is 65 kg, blood pressure is 97/50 mm Hg, heart rate is 113 beats per minute, respiratory rate is 22 breaths per minute, temperature is 37.1 degrees C (98.8 degrees F), and oxygen saturation is 99% on 15 liters per minute via non-rebreather mask. She appears her stated age. Cardiopulmonary examination is remarkable only for tachycardia. Her abdomen is soft and non-tender with normal bowel sounds. Her skin is warm and dry, and there is no peripheral edema. Her cranial nerves are intact, with briskly reactive, symmetric pupils. Motor and sensory examination is non-focal, and cerebellar testing is notable only for an intention tremor on finger-nose-finger test. Gait is normal and speech is fluent and without errors. Laboratory testing shows a hemoglobin of 10.3 g/dL and a leukocyte count of 11.7 x 10(9)/L. Electrolyte results fall within the normal range, and her serum creatinine is 1.7 mg/dL. Qualitative CK-MB and troponin I tests are positive, and the sample has been sent to the STAT lab for quantitative testing. Serum carboxyhemoglobin level is 15% with normal serum pH on an arterial blood gas. An ECG reveals deep, down-sloping inferior and lateral ST-segment depressions which were not present on a routine cardiogram 1 month prior. You have many questions about this patient's care. What symptoms and physical signs need to be addressed and treated? What additional diagnostic testing should be performed? What treatment regimen is appropriate and what should be avoided? What are the risks or delayed complications from her illness? Are there special considerations for this or other patient populations?

[Physical exercise in patients with angina pectoris of effort].

Results of physical training in 37 patients with the ischaemic heart disease with angina of effort are given, 31 one them had had myocardial infarction. Training on bicycle ergometer lasted 2 1/2 to 10 months. After exercise 75% of patients showed enhanced threshold capability, the "double product" (the heart rate x systolic AP) decreased at the expense of the pulse deceleration and decrease of the systolic AP with the standard exercise of 50 W. The maximum size of the "double product" under exercise and also with the appearance of angina remained unchanged. The heart volume after exercises did not change. Changes in haemodynamics depended on the initial functional state of the myocardium, which was evaluated by the degree of rise of the diastolic pressure in the pulmonary artery (DPPA) with 50 W exercise and according to the functional curves of the left ventricle traced by comparing DPPA and the minute volume. In patients with "good" myocardial function (DPPA not lower than 30 mm Hg) after exercises the stroke and minute volumes increased with the threshold exercise, DPPA decreased with 50 W, functional curve of the left ventricle approached the functional curve of healthy individuals. Patients with "bad" function (DPPA over 30 mm Hg and higher did not show) changes in haemodynamics and in the functional curve of the left ventricle.

Report of a lung carcinoma extended to the left atrium through pulmonary vein.

Lung cancers may extend along or grow through the pulmonary veins to invade or lie within the left atrium (LA). A 62-year-old man, previously healthy, presented with 1-month ventilatory-independent right hemithorax back pain, dry cough and large effort dyspnea. He also referred weight loss of 12 kg in 10 months and denied hemoptysis. As antecedents, he smoked for 40 years and moderate daily alcoholism. On physical examination, the patient was in good general condition, hydrated and regular respiration at rest [blood pressure (BP) =120/80 mmHg; heart rate (HR) =90 bpm; respiratory rate (RR) =16 rpm]. Cardiac auscultation revealed two standard rhythmic sounds without murmurs. Pulmonary auscultation revealed a slightly diminished vesicular murmur in the lower 1/3 of the right hemithorax without adventitious noises. Chest radiography showed a mass over the right lower lung. A CT scan confirmed the radiography image with the mass extending along the right inferior pulmonary vein and a tumor in the LA. Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography revealed large mass within the LA (occupying almost the entire cavity), measuring about 10 cm × 3 cm at its largest diameter, prolapsing into the left ventricle. Bronchoscopy, head CT scan, and whole-body bone scintigraphy investigation did not show any distant metastasis. The patient was successfully operated removing the intracardiac and inferior pulmonary vein tumor with the aid of cardiopulmonary bypass, followed by a right inferior lobectomy carried out after 25 days. After 30 days from surgery presented seizures associated a brain metastasis evidenced by CT when adjuvant radio and chemotherapy was started. During the next 90 days, the clinical conditions worsened, and the patient died 4 months after the surgical treatment. The case report has two primary justifications, even considering the poor outcome: (I) rarity and (II) the possibility of the surgical treatment.

[Pulmonary or circulatory causes of dyspnea - value of spiroergometry].

Patients often report of dyspnea during exertion which should be further analysed as a hint of heart or lung disease. When case history, chest X-ray, ECG, spirometry, and methacholine test do not explain the complaints, a cardiopulmonary exercise test is recommended. Parameters of spiroergometry can often elucidate cardiocirculatory or pulmonary causes. In cardiocirculatory triggered dyspnea the following pattern can be found: reduced maximal oxygen consumption and work rate (WR), an early plateau of oxygen consumption/WR, reduced increase of oxygen consumption/WR, reduced heart rate reserve < 15 beats/min, reduced oxygen pulse and an early plateau, increased breathing reserve, an increased minute ventilation/CO (2) production indicating increased dead space ventilation. In pulmonary triggered dyspnea the following pattern can be found: reduced maximal oxygen consumption, increased heart rate reserve, reduced breathing reserve. With the exercise tidal flow volume loop plotted within the maximal flow volume loop a more thorough interpretation is possible. In a case presentation, the decision-making process using the 9-panel display of Wasserman is demonstrated.

Chest Pain With Apical Diverticulum in the Absence of Coronary Disease: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Aneurysmal dilatation of segment of the left ventricle in the absence of coronary disease has been reported and termed diverticulum, which appears to be a congenital anomaly. A 56-year-old white female was admitted to our hospital with chest pain that has been intermittent over the past 1 month. The pain was described as exertional, substernal and pressure-like in quality, radiating to left arm and jaw, and lasting approximately 30 minutes each episode; it was associated with shortness of breath. She has had approximately 10 such episodes in the past 1 month. The patient denied any dizziness, palpitations, syncope, orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND). She has had a history of hypertension for many years, however has not been compliant with her medications for the past 6 months. On admission, vital signs revealed blood pressure of 185/100 mm Hg, and regular heart rate of 94 beats per minute. Physical examination revealed a normal body habitus. Cardiac examination revealed no murmurs or extra cardiac sounds on auscultation. The pulmonary and abdomen examinations were unremarkable. The chest radiograph was normal. The electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm, with borderline prolongation of the QT interval. The laboratory test results, including cardiac enzymes, were normal. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed normal left ventricular systolic function, with localized dyskinesis of the apex. No significant valvular abnormalities were identified. Coronary angiography revealed angiographically normal coronary arteries; left ventriculography showed abnormal apical "filling defect" consistent with an aneurysm. A repeat echocardiogram using Definity contrast revealed left ventricular apical diverticulum with hypertrabeculation. The patient was placed on antihypertensive medications with resolution of her chest pain, and was able to ambulate comfortably. The patient was counseled thoroughly on the importance of compliance with her medications. This case describes an apical left ventricular diverticulum found incidentally and demonstrated on contrast echocardiography in a patient with chest pain.

Treating her well.

CLINICAL INTRODUCTION: A 44-year-old woman presents pain free to our ED after experiencing 45 min of tightening of the chest with radiation to her left arm, diaphoresis and nausea. Her vital signs are normal except for her high BP, which is 180/110. She reports recurrent episodes of chest pain in the past 1.5 weeks, unrelated to exercise. She visited a general practitioner who prescribed pain medication and treated her new-onset hypertension. Besides the recently found hypertension, heavy smoking is her only other traditional risk factor for cardiovascular disease. What finding on figure 1 should make you concerned?emermed;35/4/246/F1F1F1Figure 1Initial ECG.The U-wave in the precordial leadsThe biphasic P-wave in lead IThe negative T-waves in aVR as well as aVLThe biphasic T-waves in V2 and V3.

Case 260: Endobronchial Posttransplantation Lymphoproliferative Disease.

History A 31-year-old woman with a history of bilateral orthotopic lung transplantation performed 10 months earlier for cystic fibrosis presented for a routine follow-up appointment, with her chief symptom being a cough. The cough started approximately 1 month prior to this appointment and was minimally productive of clear to yellow phlegm. In addition to her cough, she reported increased sinus congestion and a sensation of "something in her upper chest." She denied shortness of breath, wheezing, hemoptysis, or cigarette smoking. Review of systems was negative for fever, chills, or night sweats. At physical examination, the patient was afebrile, borderline tachycardic (heart rate, 99 beats per minute), and mildly hypertensive (blood pressure, 138/99 mm Hg). Oxygen saturation was 96% on room air. Laboratory evaluation revealed a white blood cell count of 3.5 × 10<sup9</sup/L (normal range, [3.2-9.8] × 10<sup9</sup/L). Pulmonary function testing was notable for a newly decreased ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV<sub1</sub) to forced vital capacity (FVC) of 64% (2.0 and 3.4 L, respectively) (normal FEV<sub1</sub-to-FVC ratio, 80%), suggesting an obstructive lung process. One month prior to presentation, the patient's sputum cultures grew Pseudomonas and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The patient showed no evidence of active infection at the time of bronchoscopy. Thus, the bacteria were favored to reflect colonization, and antibiotic therapy was not administered at that time. The patient was taking an immunosuppression regimen of mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept; Genentech, San Francisco, Calif) (1 g twice daily), prednisone (10 mg daily), and tacrolimus (Prograf; Astellas Pharma US, Northbrook, Ill) (goal therapeutic range, 12-14 ng/mL). The patient was sent for posteroanterior and lateral chest radiography followed by chest CT ( Figs 1 - 3 ) and fluorine 18 (<sup18</supF) fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT ( Fig 4 ).

[Examination of the effect of aorto-coronary revascularisation by means of exercise tests (author's transl)].

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of exercise tests in the examination of the effect of aorto-coronary revascularisation. 48 patients (mean age 52 +/- 6 years) were examined 5.0 +/- 1.9 months before and 4.9 +/- 3.0 months after coronary revascularisation by means of coronary and left ventricular angiography. Left ventricular function at rest was unchanged. 122 grafts were constructed, the patency rate was 86%. Preoperatively two exercise tests with a bicycle ergometer were performed, some days before angiography and some days before operation, respectively. A third test was performed postoperatively (again some days before angiography). During exercise at identical work load, heart rate and systolic blood pressure did not change significantly pre- and postoperatively. At the second preoperative examination, pulmonary artery pressure (31.6 +/- 11.3 mm Hg) was significantly lower than at the first examination (36.3 +/- 10.8 mm Hg). Postoperatively there was a further decrease of mean pulmonary artery pressure (27.6 +/- 6.5 mm Hg). At the highest work load, mean pulmonary artery pressure was significantly lower at the second preoperative and at the postoperative examination (34.4 +/- 11.6 and 31.3 +/- 8.1 mm Hg versus 39.6 +/- 9.8 mm Hg). The explanation of the preoperative reduction of pulmonary artery pressure is not clear. The pressure decrease must be considered in the examination of the effect of aorto-coronary revascularisation by means of exercise tests.

Case 260.

History A 31-year-old woman with a history of bilateral orthotopic lung transplantation performed 10 months earlier for cystic fibrosis presented for a routine follow-up appointment, with her chief symptom being a cough. The cough started approximately 1 month prior to this appointment and was minimally productive of clear to yellow phlegm. In addition to her cough, she reported increased sinus congestion and a sensation of "something in her upper chest." She denied shortness of breath, wheezing, hemoptysis, or cigarette smoking. Review of systems was negative for fever, chills, or night sweats. At physical examination, the patient was afebrile, borderline tachycardic (heart rate, 99 beats per minute), and mildly hypertensive (blood pressure, 138/99 mm Hg). Oxygen saturation was 96% on room air. Laboratory evaluation revealed a white blood cell count of 3.5 × 10<sup9</sup/L (normal range, 3.2-9.8 × 10<sup9</sup/L). Pulmonary function testing was notable for a newly decreased ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV<sub1</sub) to forced vital capacity (FVC) of 64% (2.0 and 3.4 L, respectively) (normal FEV<sub1</sub-to-FVC ratio, 80%), suggesting an obstructive lung process. One month prior to presentation, the patient's sputum cultures grew Pseudomonas and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The patient showed no evidence of active infection at the time of bronchoscopy. Thus, the bacteria were favored to reflect colonization, and antibiotic therapy was not administered at that time. The patient was taking an immunosuppression regimen of mycophenalate mofetil (CellCept; Genentech, San Francisco, Calif) (1 g twice daily), prednisone (10 mg daily), and tacrolimus (Prograf; Astellas Pharma US, Northbrook, Ill) (goal therapeutic range, 12-14 ng/mL). The patient was sent for posteroanterior and lateral chest radiography followed by chest CT ( Figs 1 - 3 ) and fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT ( Fig 4 ). [Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text][Figure: see text].

[Assessment of the risk of a fatal outcome in patients with stable stenocardia in a 5-year period (II)].

Based on the examination of 377 patients with associated coronary heart disease and stable angina pectoris a rule of forecasting coronary death was developed. Computer was used to identify the weight values of different clinical signs, changes in the ECG taken at rest, bicycle ergometry test, coronarography and the deciding rule was deduced. Depending on the magnitude of the prognostic index (I2) groups of low, moderate and high risk of the lethal outcome were identified during the 5-year period. The schedule for coronary death forecasting permits its use at public health institutions.

[Bicycle ergometry test results in persons with ischemic heart disease detected in mass screening].

Bicycle ergometry in 40-59 year-old male patients with coronary heart disease, identified during mass prophylactic examination on the basis of epidemiological criteria, has shown that in patients with angina pectoris of effort and no myocardial infarction in history positive exercise tests are observed in 20,8% of cases, while in patients with painless CHD forms positive results are observed in 15.4% of cases. Positive exercise tests are the most often in patients with daily anginal attacks and in those with ST depression and flat negative T waves.

Paraneoplastic Encephalopathy in a Patient With Metastatic Lung Cancer: A Case Study.

<bCASE STUDY</b RS, a 36-year-old female, presented to the emergency department (ED) of a large academic medical center upon the advice of her primary care provider because of 3 weeks of progressive mental status changes, weakness, and decreased oral intake. According to her husband, RS was diagnosed with stage IIIA large cell lung cancer 8 months earlier and was treated with concurrent chemotherapy (carboplatin, pemetrexed, and bevacizumab) and radiation therapy that was completed 4 months prior to admission. No other specific information about her treatment or outside health records was available. According to her husband, RS had been in her usual state of health until approximately 3 weeks prior, when she began having significant mental status changes. She first exhibited some difficulty finding words and later was noted to be putting food in a coffee maker. This spontaneously resolved after approximately 1 week; however, she rapidly developed slurred speech and began to make nonsensical statements. These manifestations also slowly improved but were followed by worsening speech deficit, difficulty walking, and impaired balance. During one of these episodes, she had an occurrence of incontinence. Her husband also noted an incident where her "eyes were beating back and forth and the left side of her face was twitching." RS also had periods (according to her husband) where she "did not seem to be interacting with her environment." These progressively worsened during the last week, and she completely stopped walking and talking 2 days prior to coming to the ED. According to her husband, RS had rheumatoid arthritis and no surgical history. Her family history was unknown except that RS's mother had "seizures." RS had reportedly not used tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, and she was sexually active with her husband. Home medications included transdermal fentanyl 12 μg/hr patch changed every 72 hours; oxycodone-acetaminophen tablets 5-325 mg, two every 4 hours as needed for pain; prednisone 10 mg, one tablet daily; and megestrol 40 mg/mL suspension, 20 mL once daily for appetite stimulation. RS was admitted to an inpatient medical oncology service and evaluated by the oncology advanced practitioner (AP) on her second inpatient day. Upon exam, RS was nonverbal except for moaning in response to painful stimuli and to her sister's voice. Her vital signs were normal. She appeared ill but well-nourished, and she was mildly diaphoretic. Neurologic examination revealed that her pupils were slightly sluggish but equal, round, and reactive to light. Extraocular muscle movements were intact, but she did not move her eyes in response to commands. She tracked the AP and family members around the room with her eyes. Cranial nerve examination was intact with the exception of cranial nerves IX, X, and XI, which were difficult to examine given her inability to cooperate and open her mouth. Motor examination revealed increased tone throughout and intermittent, inconsistent resistance to passive movement. She was seen to move all four extremities spontaneously although not in response to commands. Deep tendon reflexes were intact and equal in all extremities. Examination of other body systems was as follows: there was dry, peeling skin on her lips, but her mucous membranes were moist and free of erythema or lesions. Her lungs were clear to auscultation bilaterally. Her heart rate and rhythm were regular, there were no murmurs, rubs, or gallops, and distal pulses were intact. Her abdomen was nondistended with normally active bowel sounds in all four quadrants. Her abdomen was soft, nontender to palpation, and without palpable masses. There was no peripheral discoloration, temperature changes, or edema, and examination of her skin was benign. <bWorkup</b On admission to the emergency department, serum laboratory studies were unrevealing for any potential causes of encephalopathy. Kidney and liver function were normal, making diagnoses of uremic and hepatic encephalopathies less likely. Cultures of the urine and blood were negative. Samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were obtained via lumbar puncture and were unrevealing for any abnormalities. Computed tomography (CT) of the head without contrast was negative for any acute intracranial process. Ultrasound of the right upper quadrant revealed a single, nonspecific, hypoechoic hepatic lesion. Computed tomography scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis demonstrated the primary malignancy in the upper lobe of the left lung, as well as possible metastatic disease within the left lung, right lung, and liver, and widespread osseous metastatic disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain performed 1 day after admission demonstrated numerous scattered punctate foci of enhancement throughout the supratentorial and infratentorial brain parenchyma, measuring at most 3 to 4 millimeters in diameter. There was no significant mass effect or midline shift. A paraneoplastic panel was sent to an outside laboratory and returned positive for antivoltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC) autoantibodies. <bDifferential Diagnosis</b Clinically, RS was exhibiting signs of encephalopathy, a broad term that indicates general brain dysfunction, the hallmark of which is altered mental status. Diagnosing encephalopathy is challenging, as many differential diagnoses must be considered. The clinician must consider metabolic derangements, toxic and infectious etiologies, psychiatric disorders, and less commonly, prion disorders and progressive dementia. Cultures of RS's blood and urine as well as other specialized endocrine tests were negative, decreasing the likelihood of a metabolic or infectious cause for her presentation. The abnormalities on her brain MRI were reviewed by a neuro-oncology team, who felt that the faint, nondescript nature of the visualized lesions was not suspicious for metastatic disease. Sequelae of seizures was also considered by neuro-oncology but dismissed given a grossly normal prolonged electroencephalogram. Some encephalopathies are caused by autoimmune or inflammatory mechanisms, which are confirmed by the presence of autoantibody markers and/or clear response to immunomodulatory treatment (Vernino, Geschwind, & Boeve, 2007). These types of encephalopathies have been seen in patients with cancer and have thus been termed paraneoplastic. The presence of anti-VGKC antibodies on RS's paraneoplastic panel directed the inpatient medical oncology team toward a paraneoplastic neurologic disorder (PND) as the most likely diagnosis.

How to Be 80 Year Old and Have a VO2max of a 35 Year Old.

Background. To discuss the cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology and common risk factors of an 80-year-old man with a world record maximal oxygen uptake of 50 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1). Methods. Results. His maximal oxygen uptake of 3.31 L·min(-1), maximal heart rate of 175 beats·min(-1), and maximal oxygen pulse of 19 mL·beats(-1) are high. He is lean (66.6 kg) and muscular (49% skeletal muscle mass). His echo parameters of mitral flow (left ventricular filling, E = 82 cm·s(-1) and E/A = 1.2) were normal for 40- to 60-year-old men. Systolic and diastolic function increased adequately during exercise, with no increase in left ventricular filling pressure. He has excellent pulmonary function (FVC = 4.31 L, FEV1 = 3.41, FEV1/FVC = 0.79, and DLCO = 12.0 Si(1)) and normal FMD and blood volumes (5.8 L). He has a high level of daily activity (10,900 steps·day(-1) and 2:51 hours·day(-1) of physical activity) and a lifelong history of physical activity. Conclusion. The man is in excellent cardiopulmonary fitness and is highly physically active. His cardiac and pulmonary functions are above expectations for his age, and his VO2max is comparable to that of an inactive 25-year-old and of a normal, active 35-year-old Norwegian man.

Breathlessness with pulmonary metastases: a multimodal approach.

Case Study  Sarah is a 58-year-old breast cancer survivor, social worker, and health-care administrator at a long-term care facility. She lives with her husband and enjoys gardening and reading. She has two grown children and three grandchildren who live approximately 180 miles away. SECOND CANCER DIAGNOSIS  One morning while showering, Sarah detected a painless quarter-sized lump on her inner thigh. While she thought it was unusual, she felt it would probably go away. One month later, she felt the lump again; she thought that it had grown, so she scheduled a visit with her primary care physician. A CT scan revealed a 6.2-cm soft-tissue mass in the left groin. She was referred to an oncologic surgeon and underwent an excision of the groin mass. Pathology revealed a grade 3 malignant melanoma. She was later tested and found to have BRAF-negative status. Following her recovery from surgery, Sarah was further evaluated with an MRI scan of the brain, which was negative, and a PET scan, which revealed two nodules in the left lung. As Sarah had attended a cancer support group during her breast cancer treatment in the past, she decided to go back to the group when she learned of her melanoma diagnosis. While the treatment options for her lung lesions included interleukin-2, ipilimumab (Yervoy), temozolomide, dacarbazine, a clinical trial, or radiosurgery, Sarah's oncologist felt that ipilimumab or radiosurgery would be the best course of action. She shared with her support group that she was ambivalent about this decision, as she had experienced profound fatigue and nausea with chemotherapy during her past treatment for breast cancer. She eventually opted to undergo stereotactic radiosurgery. DISEASE RECURRENCE  After the radiosurgery, Sarah was followed every 2 months. She complained of shortness of breath about 2 weeks prior to each follow-up visit. Each time her chest x-ray was normal, and she eventually believed that her breathlessness was anxiety-related. Unfortunately, Sarah's 1-year follow-up exam revealed a 2 cm × 3 cm mass in her left lung, for which she had a surgical wedge resection. Her complaints of shortness of breath increased following the surgery and occurred most often with anxiety, heat, and gardening activities, especially when she needed to bend over. Sarah also complained of a burning "pins and needles" sensation at the surgical chest wall site that was bothersome and would wake her up at night. Sarah met with the nurse practitioner in the symptom management clinic to discuss her concerns. Upon physical examination, observable signs of breathlessness were lacking, and oxygen saturation remained stable at 94%, but Sarah rated her breathlessness as 7 on the 0 to 10 Borg scale. The nurse practitioner prescribed duloxetine to help manage the surgical site neuropathic pain and to assist with anxiety, which in turn could possibly improve Sarah's breathlessness. Several nonpharmacologic modalities for breathlessness were also recommended: using a fan directed toward her face, working in the garden in the early morning when the weather is cooler, gardening in containers that are at eye level to avoid the need to bend down, and performing relaxation exercises with pursed lip breathing to relieve anxiety-provoked breathlessness. One month later, Sarah reported relief of her anxiety; she stated that the fan directed toward her face helped most when she started to feel "air hungry." She rated her breathlessness at 4/10 on the Borg scale. SECOND RECURRENCE: MULTIPLE PULMONARY NODULES  Sarah's chest x-rays remained clear for 6 months, but she developed a chronic cough shortly before the 9-month exam. An x-ray revealed several bilateral lung lesions and growth in the area of the previously resected lung nodule. Systemic therapy was recommended, and she underwent two cycles of ipilimumab. Sarah's cough and breathlessness worsened, she developed colitis, and she decided to stop therapy after the third cycle. In addition, her coughing spells triggered bronchospasms that resulted in severe anxiety, panic attacks, and air hunger. She rated her breathlessness at 10/10 on the Borg scale during these episodes. She found communication difficult due to the cough and began to isolate herself. She continued to attend the support group weekly but had difficulty participating in conversation due to her cough. Sarah was seen in the symptom management clinic every 2 weeks or more often as needed. No acute distress was present at the beginning of each visit, but when Sarah began to talk about her symptoms and fear of dying, her shortness of breath and anxiety increased. The symptom management nurse practitioner treated the suspected underlying cause of the breathlessness and prescribed oral lorazepam (0.5 to 1 mg every 6 hours) for anxiety and codeine cough syrup for the cough. Opioids were initiated for chest wall pain and to control the breathlessness. Controlled-release oxycodone was started at 10 mg every 12 hours with a breakthrough pain (BTP) dose of 5 mg every 2 hours as needed for breathlessness or pain. Sarah noted improvement in her symptoms and reported a Borg scale rating of 5/10. Oxygen therapy was attempted, but subjective improvement in Sarah's breathlessness was lacking. END OF LIFE  Sarah's disease progressed to the liver, and she began experiencing more notable signs of breathlessness: nasal flaring, tachycardia, and restlessness. Opioid doses were titrated over the course of 3 months to oxycodone (40 mg every 12 hours) with a BTP dose of 10 to 15 mg every 2 hours as needed, but her breathlessness caused significant distress, which she rated 8/10. The oxycodone was rotated to IV morphine continuous infusion with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) that was delivered through her implantable port. This combination allowed Sarah to depress the PCA as needed and achieve immediate control of her dyspneic episodes. Oral lorazepam was also continued as needed. Sarah's daughter moved home to take care of her mother, and hospice became involved for end-of-life care. As Sarah became less responsive, nurses maintained doses of morphine for control of pain and breathlessness and used a respiratory distress observation scale to assess for breathlessness since Sarah could no longer self-report. A bolus PCA dose of morphine was administered by Sarah's daughter if her mother appeared to be in distress. Sarah died peacefully in her home without signs of distress.

[The role of the exercise test in patients with ischemic heart disease in estimating the risk of sudden death].

The authors evaluated after 4-year interval the results of coronarographic and spiroergometric examination after a work load on a bicycle ergometer up to the limiting work syndrome in 51 all patients with the aim to reveal "risk factors" of sudden death in CHD patients. The following parameters were recorded: age, duration of treatment number of cigarettes smoked, systolic blood pressure at rest and the daily dose of the most frequently used drugs. After the work load the limiting values of pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, oxygen consumption, blood lactate level and the work ECG were evaluated. In the group of 7 sudden deaths of CHD patients the authors found statistically significant (p less than 0.001) a lower mean limiting value of oxygen consumption/kg and a deeper (p less than 0.0001) mean depression of the S-T segment in the work ECG when compared with 35 CHD patients surviving for 4 years. Both indicators are considered the main "risk factors" for sudden death.

Correlation of adenosine echocardiography and thallium scintigraphy.

Echocardiography and thallium-201 imaging with coronary vasodilators such as dipyridamole have been shown to be useful in detecting the presence and prognostic significance of coronary artery disease. Adenosine, a potent and direct coronary vasodilator, has a shorter physiologic half-life than dipyridamole, which exerts its effect by blocking the cellular uptake of adenosine. Because of the potential advantage of dipyridamole, we undertook this study to determine the correlation of adenosine echocardiography with thallium scintigraphy. Forty-two patients (18 men and 24 women; mean age 64) who were unable to undergo treadmill exercise and were known or suspected to have coronary artery disease were studied. A baseline echocardiogram was obtained in four standard views followed by adenosine infusion at a rate of 140 micrograms/kg/min for 6 minutes. Thallium-201 was administered 3 minutes into the infusion while a second echocardiogram was performed. Thallium-201 imaging was begun immediately after the infusion of adenosine and repeated 4 hours later. Sixteen patients underwent coronary angiography within 1 month of the adenosine echocardiogram and thallium-201 study. At the peak infused dose of adenosine there was a significant increase in heart rate (12 beats/min; p = 0.0001) and rate-pressure product (1.3 x 10(3) beats/min x mm Hg; p = 0.02) and statistically insignificant decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Sixty-two percent of patients experienced side effects during the adenosine infusion, with chest pain, shortness of breath, and flushing occurring most frequently. These side effects resolved within 1 to 2 minutes after the infusion was stopped. Ischemic electrocardiographic changes occurred in 19% of patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Exercise test in patients over 70 years of age].

One hundred and sixty-four out of 171 prescribed tests were carried out (96 p. 100) in 48 women aged 70 to 85 years (mean 74,3 years), and 116 men aged 70 to 84 years (mean 73,4 years). The indications were: coronary artery disease (113 cases), cardiac arrhythmias (44 cases), cardiac failure (12 cases), hypertension (9 cases) and assessment of apparently normal subjects (7 cases). The tests were performed on a bicycle ergometer in the upright position; the work load was increased stepwise every 3 minutes with automatic electrocardiographic recording. 37.2 p. 100 of subjects exceeded 90 p. 100 of the maximal predicted heart rate for age; 23.2 p. 100 failed to achieve 75 p. 100 of the target heart rate. There were no serious complications but 4.2 p. 100 minor incidents occurred. The mean maximum work load was 66,5 watts (71.9 W for men and 53.5 W for women). These results show that exercise testing is possible in geriatric patients and provides information of comparable value to that obtained in younger patients. The investigation is safe when performed under strict medical supervision.

Multicenter evaluation of mepindolol and of mepindolol plus hydrochlorothiazide in essential hypertension.

The effect on systolic (SAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressure of 5 mg mepindolol daily vs 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide daily vs 5 mg mepindolol plus 12.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide daily was evaluated in this multicenter study. After a 2-week washout period with placebo, 138 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension (WHO Class I and II), homogeneous for age and blood pressure values, were randomly allocated to one of the three treatment groups. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate were obtained at the beginning and at the end of the washout placebo period, and after 2, 4, and 6 weeks of active treatment. At the beginning and at the end of the study, all patients underwent a thorough clinical and laboratory evaluation, including blood chemistry, electrocardiogram, and chest roentgenogram. A trend toward normalization of blood pressure was defined as a lowering of DAP to 90 mmHg or at least a 10-mmHg decrease from the control value. Statistical analysis was performed on all the data. After 6 weeks of treatment, SAP and DAP values were significantly reduced in 67% of the patients in all groups. In 71% of patients on mepindolol plus hydrochlorothiazide a particularly more marked decrease in DAP was observed. Mepindolol was well tolerated: side effects were generally mild and inconsequential. The results show that mepindolol, given as a single oral dose of 5 mg, is an effective agent in the treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension. Because of its efficacy, the advantage of single daily administration, and lack of important side effects, it can increase compliance to therapy. Moreover the association of mepindolol plus hydrochlorothiazide appears to be safe and effective.

Cases from the Osler Medical Service at Johns Hopkins University.

PRESENTING FEATURES: A 70-year-old African American man was admitted with a history of fever, chills, and malaise of several days' duration. His past medical history was notable for end-stage renal disease requiring hemodialysis, coronary artery disease, and aortic stenosis requiring a bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement. On the day of admission, the patient was noted to have a shaking chill while undergoing dialysis through his catheter and was admitted to the hospital. He complained of pain at the catheter insertion site, shortness of breath, and dyspnea on exertion, but denied chest pain. On physical examination, the patient had a temperature of 100.4 degrees F, with a heart rate of 64 beats per minute, blood pressure of 127/72 mm Hg, and an oxygen saturation of 97% on room air. He was a mildly obese man in no apparent distress. He had shotty cervical lymphadenopathy and a right subclavian dialysis catheter in place, with erythema and pus at the entry site. His jugular venous pressure was 10 cm H(2)O. Lung examination showed bibasilar rales. Heart sounds were normal, with no rub or gallop. He had a 2/6 systolic ejection murmur best heart at the left sternal border as well as a 3/6 holosystolic murmur at the apex that radiated to his left axilla. Examination of the abdomen and extremities was unremarkable. The patient's neurological examination was unremarkable, and he was alert and oriented to person, place, and time. Laboratory studies showed an elevated white blood cell count of 16,700 cells/microL. His blood urea nitrogen level was 43 mg/dL and his serum creatinine level was 4.9 mg/dL. Multiple blood cultures grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. An admission, chest radiograph showed no infiltrate. An admission electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm with first degree atrioventricular block, left anterior fascicular block, and left ventricular hypertrophy. shows rhythm strips from lead II electrocardiograms 5 months before admission (top), on admission (middle) and 5 days after admission (bottom). What is the diagnosis?

InternalMed_Harrison

Electrocardiographic The most widely used test for both the diagnosis of IHD and the estimation of risk and prognosis involves recording the 12-lead ECG before, during, and after exercise, usually on a treadmill (Fig. 293-2). The test consists of a standardized incremental increase in external workload (Table 293-2) while symptoms, the ECG, and arm blood pressure are monitored. Exercise duration is usually symptom-limited, and the test is discontinued upon evidence of chest discomfort, severe shortness of breath, dizziness, severe fatigue, ST-segment depression >0.2 mV (2 mm), a fall in systolic blood pressure >10 mmHg, or the development of a ventricular tachyarrhythmia. This test is used to discover any limitation in exercise performance, detect typical ECG signs of myocardial ischemia, and establish their relationship to chest discomfort. The ischemic ST-segment response generally is defined as flat or downsloping depression of the ST segment >0.1 mV below baseline (i.e., the PR

An evidence-based approach to managing the anticoagulated patient in the emergency department.

You start another busy shift with a double row of charts waiting to be seen. Your first patient is an elderly man who fell 1 hour prior to presentation. He did not lose consciousness, but he was dazed for a few minutes. He complains of a mild headache but denies any neck pain. He takes warfarin for valvular heart disease. He looks good and has no focal neurological complaints. His mental status is normal, he has a negative head CT scan, and his INR is 3.9. His family wants to take him home, which would help relieve some of the congestion in the ED, but you wonder what would be best. To observe and repeat imaging? Reverse his anticoagulation? Change his dosing regimen of warfarin? In the next room, you quickly evaluate a 51-year-old obese woman with nonspecific back and abdominal pain that started 24 hours before and has slowly progressed to become intolerable. She denies fever, chills, nausea, or vomiting. She is on the last day of a 5-day course of ciprofloxacin for a UTI. She takes warfarin for a pulmonary embolus that occurred 2 months prior. Her hematocrit is mildly decreased, and her white blood count is normal; however, the INR is 6.8. You wonder if her abdominal pain is related to the UTI, or if it could be somehow related to the prolonged INR. In fact, you wonder why her INR is so prolonged...

InternalMed_Harrison

If a patient has evidence of both pulmonary and cardiac disease, a cardiopulmonary exercise test should be carried out to determine which system is responsible for the exercise limitation. If, at peak exercise, the patient achieves predicted maximal ventilation, demonstrates an increase in dead space or hypoxemia, or develops bronchospasm, the respiratory system is probably the cause of the problem. Alternatively, if the heart rate is >85% of the predicted maximum, if the anaerobic threshold occurs early, if the blood pressure becomes excessively high or decreases during exercise, if the O2 pulse (O2 consumption/heart rate, an indicator of stroke volume) falls, or if there are ischemic changes on the electrocardiogram, an abnormality of the cardiovascular system is likely the explanation for the breathing discomfort. PART 2 Cardinal Manifestations and Presentation of Diseases

Persistent unexplained chest pain and dyspnea in a patient with coronary artery disease: a case report.

Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, a sustained decrease in blood pressure upon standing, is caused by autonomic nervous system failure and characterized by an insufficient increase in heart rate needed to maintain blood pressure upon standing. In this case, neurogenic orthostatic hypotension symptoms preceded a diagnosis of Parkinson disease. A diagnosis of underlying neurogenic orthostatic hypotension significantly changed the course of treatment for this patient. An 84-year-old woman was referred to a cardiologist by her primary care practitioner for evaluation of exertional dyspnea and chest pain upon walking a few feet. Her medical history included hypertension, hypothyroidism, and osteoarthritis. Based on her continued symptoms, the patient underwent 2 cardiac catheterizations for coronary artery stenosis. After the catheterizations, exertional dyspnea and chest pain continued, and subsequently, dysphagia to solid foods and episodic dizziness developed. Orthostatic evaluation showed a supine blood pressure of 150/80 mmHg with a heart rate of 70 beats per min. Upon standing for 3 min, the patient's blood pressure decreased to 110/74 mmHg with a heart rate of 76 beats per min. The diagnostic criteria for orthostatic hypotension were met, and the lack of an adequate compensatory heart rate increase upon standing was consistent with a neurogenic cause (ie, neurogenic orthostatic hypotension), which was supported by tilt-table testing results. Although nonpharmacologic treatments were initially successful, episodes of lightheadedness, chest pain, and dyspnea upon standing became more frequent, and the patient was prescribed droxidopa (200 mg; 3 times daily). Droxidopa significantly improved her symptoms, with the patient reporting resolution of her chest pain and significant improvement of dyspnea and dizziness. She was diagnosed with Parkinson disease approximately 6 months later. This case highlights the importance of evaluating and identifying potential causes of symptoms of cardiovascular disease when persistent symptoms do not improve after cardiac interventions. This case complements findings demonstrating that signs of autonomic failure, such as neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, may precede the motor symptoms of Parkinson disease. Importantly, this case provides real-world evidence for the efficacy of droxidopa to treat the symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, after an appropriate diagnosis.

[Can the training of coronary patients be monitored by readily measurable parameters?].

The prognosis of coronary patients in terms of the mortality of coronary heart disease shows a positive relation to the severity of clinical and functional diagnostic parameters. Thus exercise therapy should be monitored by criteria that take ischemia, the myocardial situation and rhythm disorders into account. These criteria should be reliable and should be easy to determine as well as to apply. For pragmatic reasons the non-invasive evaluation of findings and the diagnostic symptom-limited ergometer test are especially significant for dosage and monitoring of exercise therapy. Monitored exercise therapy is here understood to mean individually adjusted exercising by patients, and training thus has to be based on diagnostic findings. First existing complaints have to be analyzed and such findings as size of infarction in the ECG, heart volume in the X-ray, size and function of the left ventricle by echography, etc. checked. Afterwards maximum physical work capacity on a multistage bicycle ergometer test is measured with respect to the following termination criteria: a) subjective reports by the patient during exercise (e.g. onset and severity of angina pectoris, dyspnea and/or fatigue of the leg muscles) and b) objective criteria such as significant ischemic ST-depression, exercise-hypertension, age-related submaximal heart rate and significant rhythm disorders. An inverse correlation is found between measured maximum symptom-limited physical performance and the frequency of cardiac termination criteria; a comparable inverse correlation exists with heart volume: max. O2 pulse.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Twenty-three year-old with pleuritic chest pain.

A 23-year-old woman followed at another medical centre for congenital heart disease (CHD) presented to our emergency clinic with 3 weeks of bilateral pleuritic chest pain. She returned from holiday in Greece 6 weeks earlier where a tattoo and nasal piercing had been performed. There was no history of night sweats or fever.Her temperature was 37.5°C, heart rate 120 beats/min, oxygen saturations 94% on room air and blood pressure 110/74. Her chest was clear and there was systolic murmur on auscultation. The chest radiograph showed peripheral bilateral lower zone atelectasis. The ECG demonstrated sinus tachycardia. The haemoglobin was 11.2 g/dL, white cell count 10.18×10<sup9</sup/L, C-reactive protein 67 mg/L (normal <5 mg/L) and D dimer=430 ng/mL (normal <230 ng/mL).A pulmonary embolus was suspected and a CT pulmonary angiogram was performed (figure 1). Based on the CT findings, what is the most likely underlying congenital heart lesion in this patient?Bicuspid aortic valveCoarctation of the aortaFontan circulationParachute mitral valveVentricular septal defect heartjnl;105/6/464/F1F1F1Figure 1CT pulmonary angiogram (coronal views).

[Exercise tests in pneumopathy patients].

In this prospective work eleven pneumopathes patients were studied, ten of them with HAP, which were subjected to effort prove in endless band, in order to know the electrocardiographic alterations presented during the exercise. The VO2 máx was determined simultaneously in four patients. In the four, the value of this parameter was found under the normal value, which showed us a poor increase of the cardiac expense for the demands in the exercise. If the effort proves had not been practiced, this fact could not have been known. Related to the electrocardiographic alterations, cellular diastolic depolarization signs (cellular damage), product of the cellular damage, were found. The mechanics of this cellular damage, as well as the one of the poor increase of cardiac expense, are mentionned in the discussion.

Heart failure

Framingham criteria By the Framingham criteria, diagnosis of congestive heart failure (heart failure with impaired pumping capability) requires the simultaneous presence of at least two of the following major criteria or one major criterion in conjunction with two of the minor criteria. Major criteria include an enlarged heart on a chest X-ray, an S3 gallop (a third heart sound), acute pulmonary edema, episodes of waking up from sleep gasping for air, crackles on lung auscultation, central venous pressure more than 16 cm at the right atrium, jugular vein distension, positive abdominojugular test, and weight loss more than 4.5 kg in 5 days in response to treatment (sometimes classified as a minor criterion). Minor criteria include an abnormally fast heart rate more than 120 beats per minute, nocturnal cough, difficulty breathing with physical activity, pleural effusion, a decrease in the vital capacity by one-third from maximum recorded, liver enlargement, and bilateral ankle edema.

Case Report.

Thyroid hormone resistance (RTH) is defined as a decrease in response to thyroid hormones in the target tissue. Most patients present with nonspecific findings. In this article, we aimed to represent a 22-year-old female patient who presented with palpitation, fatigue, and heat intolerance. She was thought to have thyroid hormone resistance and her genetic examination revealed NM_001128177.1 (THRβ): c.1034G > A (p.Gly345Asp) pathogenic variation in the THRβ gene. A 22-year-old female patient presented with complaints of fatigue, heat intolerance and palpitations. She was taking Propranolol twice daily at admission. Her family history revealed hypothyroidism in her grandmother. Her physical examination results were as follows: height 160 cm, weight 65 kg, body mass index 25.4kg/m<sup2</sup, body temperature 36.5°C, respiratory rate 18/min, heart rate 86 beats/min, blood pressure 120/80 mmHg. Her palms were sweaty. The heart sounds were normal, and no heart murmur was auscultated. The laboratory results were TSH: 5.31uU/mL, fT3: 6.83 pg/mL, and fT4: 2.43 ng/dL. THRβ gene mutation analysis was requested for our patient whose clinical history and laboratory results were compatible with thyroid hormone resistance. The pathogenic variation NM_001128177.1(THRβ):c.1034G>A (p.Gly345Asp) was detected after analysis. A diagnosis of RTH requires high clinical suspicion and a genetic mutation analysis should be requested in the case of clinical suspicion. In this way, unnecessary anti-thyroid treatment can be prevented.

[Positive exercise test in the absence of pain. Characteristic of a high-risk population?].

157 consecutive patients (pts) with suspected coronary artery disease and an ischemic ecg response during exercise test (ET) were studied. During ET 61 of them (group I) had neither chest pain nor anginal equivalent, while 96 (group II) experienced angina. There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to age, sex, prior myocardial infarction, history of angina or hypertension. During ET pts of group I tolerated a higher work load (group I 3467 Kpm, group II 2594 Kpm, P less than 0,05) and had a higher maximal heart rate (group I 128,3 b/min, group II 120,4 b/min, P less than 0,05) with a more marked ST segment depression (group I 2,4 mm, group II 1,8 mm, P less than 0,01) and with a more elevated incidence of arrhythmias (group I 18%, group II 7%, P less than 0,05). The coronary angiography showed significant obstruction (greater than or equal to 75%) in 91,7% of group I and in 91,6% of group II (prevalence of single vessel disease in group I and multiple vessel disease in group II). No significant difference was found between group I and II in regard to left ventricular ejection fraction (group I 51%, group II 53%), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (group I 12,9 mmHg group II 13,6 mmHg) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (group I 102,3 ml/m2, group II 104,2 ml/m2). We conclude that ST segment depression during ET in asymptomatic pts at risk for cardiovascular disease is predictive of coronary artery disease as in symptomatics. These subjects have, compared with symptomatics, a higher work load tolerance but with more marked ecg ischemic changes and more frequent arrhythmias during ET, thus representing a group of coronary population at potentially higher risk.


The statement describes diplopia to superior vision with limitation of upper eyeball extension. As the mechanical function of the left inferior rectus is compromised, it would not allow to complete the supraduccion movement generating vertical diplopia, this plus the traumatic antecedent allows to suspect a fracture of the orbital floor with muscular entrapment of the inferior rectus. Fracture of the roof is much less frequent and the entrapment of the superior rectus would cause limitation for infraduction.

A 34-year-old patient playing tennis is hit by a tennis ball in the left orbit. On examination he presents significant palpebral hematoma, hyposphagmia, diplopia to the upper vision with limitation of the upper version of the eyeball. What would you suspect?

Fracture of the inferior wall of the floor of the orbit with entrapment of the inferior rectus muscle.

Fracture of the superior wall of the orbit with entrapment of the superior rectus muscle.

Orbital blowout fracture

Signs & Symptoms Some clinically observed signs and symptoms include: Orbital pain Eyes displaced posteriorly into sockets (enophthalmos) Limitation of eye movement Loss of sensation (hypoesthesia) along the trigeminal (V2) nerve distribution Seeing-double when looking up or down (vertical diplopia) Orbital and lid subcutaneous emphysema, especially when blowing the nose or sneezing Nausea and bradycardia due to oculocardiac reflex inability to elevate eye ball, and move eyeball downward due to inferior rectus entrapment Causes Common medical causes of blowout fracture may include: Direct orbital blunt injury Sports injury (squash ball, tennis ball etc.) Motor vehicle accidents

Orbital blowout fracture

History Orbital floor fractures were investigated and described by MacKenzie in Paris in 1844 and the term blow out fracture was coined in 1957 by Smith & Regan, who were investigating injuries to the orbit and resultant inferior rectus entrapment, by placing a hurling ball on cadaverous orbits and striking it with a mallet. References External links CT Scans of Blowout Fracture from MedPix Bone fractures

Clinico-radiologic findings of entrapped inferior oblique muscle in a fracture of the orbital floor.

A 51-year old man presented with vertical and torsional diplopia after reduction of a blowout fracture at another hospital one year ago. He had no anormalies of head position and 14 prism diopters (PD) right hypertropia (RHT) in the primary position. In upgaze no vertical deviation was found, and hyperdeviation on downgaze was 35PD. Bielschowsky head tilt test showed a negative response. Distinct superior oblique (SO) and inferior rectus (IR) underaction of the right eye was noted but IO overaction was mild on the ocular version test. Double Maddox rod test (DMRT) revealed 10-degree extorsion, but fundus extorsion was minimal in the right eye.Thin-section coronal CT scan showed that there was no fracture line on the anterior orbital floor, but a fracture remained on the posterior orbital floor. Also, the anterior part of the right inferior oblique muscle was vertically reoriented and the medial portion of the inferior oblique muscle was not traced on the coronal CT scan. The patient underwent 14 mm right IO recession and 3 mm right IR resection. One month after the surgery, his vertical and torsional diplopia were eliminated in the primary position.

Anatomical implication of less occurrence of inferior oblique muscle entrapment in orbital floor trapdoor fracture.

To examine the anatomy of the inferior oblique (IO) muscle and its surrounding structures to clarify why IO muscle entrapment develops less in orbital floor trapdoor fractures. Computed tomographic (CT) images on the unaffected sides were obtained from 64 patients with unilateral orbital fractures. On coronal planes, presence or absence of an infraorbital groove below the IO muscle was confirmed. At the level of the medial margin of the infraorbital groove/canal, the distance from the orbital floor to the IO muscle (IO-floor distance), the thickness of the orbital floor, and the shortest distance from the inferior rectus (IR) muscle to the orbital floor (shortest IR-floor distance) were measured. On quasi-sagittal planes, the distances from the inferior orbital rim to the inferior margin of the IO muscle (IO-rim distance) and the most anterior point of the infraorbital groove (groove-rim distance) were measured. The infraorbital groove was found below the IO muscle in eight patients (12.5%), and the IO-rim and IO-floor distances were significantly longer than the groove-rim and shortest IR-floor distances, respectively (p < 0.001). The orbital floor below the IO muscle was significantly thicker than that below the IR muscle (p < 0.001). Although the medial margin of the infraorbital groove is the most common fracture site, the IO muscle was not located above the groove in most cases. A longer IO-floor distance and thicker orbital floor below the IO muscle may also contribute to less occurrence of IO muscle entrapment in orbital floor trapdoor fractures.

Facial trauma

Nerves and muscles may be trapped by broken bones; in these cases the bones need to be put back into their proper places quickly. For example, fractures of the orbital floor or medial orbital wall of the eye can entrap the medial rectus or inferior rectus muscles. In facial wounds, tear ducts and nerves of the face may be damaged. Fractures of the frontal bone can interfere with the drainage of the frontal sinus and can cause sinusitis. Infection is another potential complication, for example when debris is ground into an abrasion and remains there. Injuries resulting from bites carry a high infection risk.

[Blow out fracture of the medial orbital wall--plastic repair with tantalum mesh].

Two cases of blow out fracture of the medial orbital wall were reported. The one was a 14 year-old boy and the other was a 32 year-old man. After hitting the eye against another man or a hard object, the patients felt diplopia, especially on lateral gaze toward the injured side. The blow out fracture was able to be diagnosed by plain roentgenography or tomography. The fractured bone as well as the entrapped soft tissue were clearly detected by CT scan. The fractures occurred at the thinnest part of the Lamina orbitalis ossis ethmoidalis (Lamina papyracea) in both cases. Objects with diameter larger than that of the bony orbit pressed the eye ball and other soft tissue into the orbital cavity, and the blow out fracture occurred in the medial orbital wall in each case. The skin was incised along the supero-medial margin of the orbit and subperiostial dissection was done. The entrapped medial rectus muscle was observed in one case and unverified in the other. Entrapment of the orbital soft tissue other than medial rectus muscle may also have caused diplopia. Tantalum mesh, used for repair is quite thin material. It has much plasticity and little possibility of damaging the orbital tissue and of causing postoperative bleeding. No complication occurred after operation and diplopia disappeared completely or nearly completely in the cases reported.

Lateral rectus muscle injury, orbital fracture, mouth locking, and facial palsy resulting from reduction malarplasty.

I report here on a patient with serious complications (lateral rectus muscle injury, orbital fracture, mouth locking, and facial palsy) that were caused by reduction malarplasty. A 32-year-old woman was referred to our department with complaints of inability to move her right eyeball laterally and inability to open her mouth. She has undergone reduction malarplasty 30 days previously at a local clinic. On examination, her maximal mouth opening was less than 3 mm. Her upper lip deviated to the left side when whistling. The orbit was displaced laterally and inferiorly. The upward and lateral gaze were limited. Computed tomography revealed fracture of the right orbital floor and lateral orbital wall extending to the orbital roof. The right lateral rectus muscle showed disconnection. The osteotomized segments were displaced inferiorly, and they pressed on the masseter muscle and coronoid process on the left side. On the 43rd postoperative day, a revision operation for the zygoma and orbit was carried out. Four days after the revision operation, surgery was performed for the myorrhaphy of the lateral rectus muscle and transposition of the medial rectus muscle. This case suggests the possibility of orbital fracture that can occur as a result of sawing in the wrong direction when using the intraoral approach. Although orbital fracture is extremely rare, it is hoped that this case will heighten the awareness of surgeons for this potential orbital fracture.

Anatomy, Head and Neck: Eye Inferior Rectus Muscle -- Clinical Significance

Because the inferior rectus is near the orbital floor, orbital floor fractures may involve this muscle. Inferior rectus muscle paresis can result from trauma to the inferior rectus muscle or nerve. This can occur either at the time of initial injury or during surgical repair of the orbital floor. If inferior rectus muscle paresis is present without entrapment, the patient may display hypertropia in the primary position. If paresis is present with entrapment, the patient may have a slight deviation or hypotropia, which decreases with downgaze. The initial management of inferior rectus paresis is observation for six months. Muscle surgery may be recommended if there is no improvement during this time. [9] [10]

[Types and treatments of blow-out fractures].

A total of ten cases of blow-out fractures of the orbit was investigated as to the signs and symptoms, image findings of conventional views of Caldwell and Waters' and of coronal CT. According to the locations of fractures, medial, floor and medial-floor types were classified. Fractured bone tips were classified to depressive and trapdoor types. Fractures often occur posterior to the eyeball, the inferior rectus muscle showed dislocation and cylinder-like hypertrophy. Contrary to the reports in the past, the inferior rectus muscle did not show entrapment in the herniated portion. Caldwell view is superior to Waters' view in demonstrating fractures at the medial orbital wall. As to the choice of treatment in the majority of cases, conservative methods are indicated. Images by CT are used in determining surgical methods, the depressive type without clinical improvement after two weeks is the indication for the surgical treatments.

Resolution of Vertical Gaze Following a Delayed Presentation of Orbital Floor Fracture With Inferior Rectus Entrapment: The Contributions of Charles E. Iliff and Joseph S. Gruss in Orbital Surgery.

Orbital floor fractures occur commonly as a result of blunt trauma to the face and periorbital region. Orbital floor fractures with a "trapdoor" component allow both herniation and incarceration of contents through a bone defect into the maxillary sinus as the bone rebounds faster than the soft tissue, trapping muscle, fat, and fascia in the fracture site. In children, the fractured floor, which is often hinged on one side, tends to return toward its original anatomical position due to the incomplete nature of the fracture and elasticity of the bone. The entrapment of the inferior rectus muscle itself is considered a true surgical emergency-prolonged entrapment frequently leads to muscle ischemia and necrosis leading to permanent limitation of extraocular motility and difficult to correct diplopia. For this reason, prompt surgical intervention is recommended by most surgeons. In adults, true entrapment of the muscle itself is not as common because the orbital floor is not as elastic and fractures are more complete. We present an adult patient with an isolated orbital floor fracture with clinical and radiologic evidence of true entrapment of the inferior rectus muscle itself. Despite the delayed surgical repair (4 days after the injury), the patient's inferior rectus muscle function returned to near normal with mild upward gaze diplopia. Inferior rectus entrapment in adults may more likely be associated with immobilization of the muscle without total vascular compression/incarceration significant enough to lead to complete ischemic necrosis.

Less common orbital fracture patterns: the role of computed tomography in the management of depression of the inferior oblique origin and lateral rectus involvement in blow-in fractures.

During the past decade, advances in radiographic imaging have made it possible for the surgeon managing orbital fractures to adopt a rational therapeutic strategy based on a knowledge of alterations in surgical anatomy secondary to traumatic injury. To illustrate the value of computed tomography in the surgeon's armamentarium for management of orbital fractures, cases are presented in which imaging proved decisive in planning a course of therapy. Two patients presented with two types of isolated lateral blow-in fracture, an uncommon fracture pattern. The other cases underscore the value of defining involvement of the inferior oblique origin and lateral rectus muscles in imaging complex orbital fractures, issues not emphasized in earlier literature. Although diplopia alone does not always warrant surgical intervention, diplopia in the context of computed tomography-defined muscle entrapment or muscle origin displacement justifies operative therapy. These cases demonstrate the value of computed tomography in directing surgical therapy with resolution of diplopia and prevention and correction of enophthalmos.

An Uncommon Case of Isolated Superior Rectus Palsy.

Head injury associated with orbital trauma is commonly encountered in day-to-day practice. We report a rare case of orbital trauma resulting in isolated orbital "roof blow" in fracture in a 14-year-old child. The patient presented to us with diplopia and limitation of elevation of right eye after orbital trauma. Computed tomography of the orbits (2 mm sections) did not reveal fracture of the orbital floor. However, there was orbital roof "blow in" fracture with fracture fragment impingement on the superior rectus muscle. Patient was treated conservatively and spontaneous recovery of ocular motility was noted after a month.

Medial rectus muscle

Compression The medial rectus muscle lies directly adjacent to the orbit of the skull. This leaves it vulnerable to being compressed (incarcerated) during skull fractures, which can prevent movement of the eye. This usually resolves when skull fractures are fixed. Surgical damage The medial rectus muscle may be damaged during eye surgery or skull surgery, such as functional endoscopic sinus surgery. The damage can be minor, such as bruising, or sever, such as cutting through the muscle partially or completely, and nerve injury. Additional images See also Extraocular muscles References External links () Diagram at howstuffworks.com Muscles of the head and neck Human eye anatomy de:Augenmuskeln#Musculus rectus medialis

Orbital blowout fractures. The prognostic significance of computed tomography.

Nineteen patients with orbital floor fractures were examined and underwent computed tomography of both orbits. By evaluating the amount of orbital expansion and soft tissue herniation, we were able to identify a group of patients at high risk for developing enophthalmos (3/7 in the group with the largest amount vs. 0/7 and 0/5 in the two other groups). By studying the appearance of the inferior rectus muscle, we were also able to identify a group of patients at high risk for developing persistent diplopia (5/5 with entrapped muscles, 0/2 with hooked muscles and 0/12 of patients with free inferior rectus positions).

Overcorrection of a Medial Orbital Wall Fracture Using the Endonasal Approach.

Although the endonasal approach is frequently used, and the inadvertent displacement of a bone fragment into the orbital cavity is possible, no reports have yet described the overcorrection of medial orbital wall fractures using the endonasal approach. The authors report 2 patients of the overcorrection of a medial orbital wall fracture using an endonasal approach.In the first patient, a 26-year-old Chinese-Korean woman experienced a fracture of the right medial orbital wall without entrapment of the medial rectus muscle. Eleven days after the trauma, endonasal reduction was performed. Postoperative computed tomography revealed overcorrection of the medial orbital wall and lateral displacement of the medial rectus muscle. On postoperative day 19, exophthalmos of the operated side was still observed (o.d. 20 mm/o.s. 17 mm). In the second patient, a 25-year-old Korean man experienced a fracture of the left medial orbital wall without entrapment of the medial rectus muscle. Postoperative computed tomography showed overcorrection of the medial orbital wall and a laterally displaced medial rectus muscle. On postoperative day 4, exophthalmos of the operated side was observed (o.d. 23 mm/o.s. 26 mm).For fractures of the medial wall, surgery should be performed according to the recommended indications. When the endonasal approach is used to treat medial orbital wall fractures, great care is required in reducing the herniated orbital tissue and inserting the sheet to avoid overcorrection.

[Isolated blow out fracture of the medial wall of the orbit with medial rectus entrapment. Apropos of 3 cases].

We report three cases of isolated medial orbital wall blow out fracture with medial rectus entrapment. Few cases have been reported in the literature, predominantly in black people as in this paper. Predominance of this rare fracture in black population could be explained by an anatomic hypothesis based on racial origin. The diagnosis is often suggested by the medial rectus entrapment. Depending on the position of the incarceration in front of or behind the equator of the eyeball, the eye presents pseudo-Duane syndrome or exotropia with decreased adduction. The diagnosis is established by orbital computed tomography visualizing the lamina papyracea of the ethmoid bone fracture and the medial rectus incarceration. This exceptional fracture must be detected to avoid complications: enophthalmos and motility disturbances.

Intraoperative Findings of Extraocular Muscle Necrosis in Linear Orbital Trapdoor Fractures.

Orbital trapdoor fractures can constitute a relative surgical emergency. The reason for poor surgical outcomes in ocular motility disturbances and diplopia is not apparent in these fractures. The purpose of this retrospective study was to analyze the possibility of ischemic necrosis of the orbital contents in linear trapdoor fracture of the orbital floor and to evaluate the recovery period of trapdoor fractures. The study included 11 patients with linear trapdoor fracture of the orbital floor over 5 years with minimum 1-year follow-up. Patients with associated facial bone fractures were excluded. Demographic, etiologic, and radiologic characteristics, interval from trauma to surgery, and surgical techniques were recorded. Patients' age range was 9 to 29 years (mean, 16.3 yr). Mean time to surgical intervention from time of injury was 3.9 days (range, 0 to 11 days). Intraoperatively, macroscopic segmental necrosis of the entrapped inferior rectus muscle was observed in 3 patients. Postoperative review was conducted for a minimum of 12 months at 1-week and 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. At the end of the follow-up period, incomplete recovery was observed in 5 patients, including the 3 patients with intraoperative necrosed muscle, and the other 2 patients were operated on at days 7 and 8 from time of injury. This study showed that segmental necrosis of the entrapped inferior rectus muscle is possible in linear trapdoor fracture of the orbital floor. In addition, incomplete recovery correlated with clinical evidence of inferior rectus muscle necrosis and late surgical intervention.

Orbital Floor Fracture -- History and Physical

Decreased sensation over the inferior orbital rim that may extend nasolabially signifies trigeminal nerve damage Subcutaneous emphysema is a sign of a maxillary sinus fracture Inferior rectus entrapment between inferior orbital fragments may have associated oculomotor nerve palsy Enopthalmos, exophthalmos, or swelling behind the globe indicates displacement of the fractured orbital bones Early referral to an ophthalmologist or orbital specialist may be necessary for further evaluation and treatment planning.

Trochlear Nerve Palsy -- Differential Diagnosis

5. Blow-out fracture of the orbit: Orbital blow-out fracture with entrapment of the inferior rectus muscle can result in a misleading three-step test. Infraorbital hypoaesthesia, enophthalmos, and findings on imaging help in arriving at the diagnosis.

Extraocular Muscle Management With Orbital and Globe Trauma -- Anatomy and Physiology

The oblique muscles course inferior to their corresponding rectus muscles and insert laterally onto the globe. The superior oblique muscle arises from the periosteum of the sphenoid bone body, but its functional origin is the trochlea. The trochlea acts as a pulley for the superior oblique and is situated on the superomedial aspect of the frontal bone, rendering it prone to trauma from penetrating hook injuries in the medial canthus. [10] The inferior oblique originates from the orbital portion of the maxillary bone, crosses the inferior rectus laterally, and inserts over the macula. Incarceration of the inferior oblique muscle or its branch of the oculomotor nerve (CN III) can occur with "trapdoor" fractures. [11] Additionally, the lateral inferior oblique runs with pupillomotor preganglionic parasympathetic nerves. Damage here can result clinically in a dilated pupil. Intraoperative considerations, such as a broad arc of contact with the globe and the possibility of the inferior oblique having more than one muscle belly, are likewise important. [12] [13]

EOM entrapment or flap tears may follow orbital fractures, which comprise the most common cause of traumatic strabismus. [14] The resultant strabismus depends on the fracture location and extent of EOM involvement. The orbit is pyramidally shaped with the apex posteriorly and the base anteriorly. Seven bones form its boundaries (Table 2). Frontal force to the orbit or globe first impacts the orbital rim but can be transmitted posteriorly before buckling downwards. The orbital floor and medial wall are commonly affected, resulting in a blowout fracture. This type of injury usually results in a comminuted fracture pattern in adults. [15]

[A contribution to the operative treatment of diplopia in patients with long-standing orbital floor fractures. A combined operative technique by an ophthalmologist and an otorhinolaryngologist is described (author's transl)].

A patient with an 8-month old orbital floor fracture presented with inferior displacement of the globe, enophthalpmus and diplopia on upward gaze due to an entrapped inferior rectus muscle. In a combined approach, the orbital floor was first repaired by an otorhinolaryngologist. The ophthalmologist then severed the adhesions of the inferior rectus muscle, and a piece of silicone sheeting was sutured to periorbital tissue under the muscle to prevent the formation of new adhesions as well as to provide a smooth surface for the muscle to slide on. This approach restored the muscle function which has remained intact 13 months postoperatively. The simplicity of the procedure is stressed.

Blunt trauma to the eye.

1. Blunt trauma to the orbital region may result in a blowout fracture, characteristically found in the orbital floor, which may contain herniated orbital contents including both inferior muscles of the eye. Persistent diplopia continues as a problem in a significant number of patients following the surgical management of a blowout fracture of the orbit. 2. Prompt recognition and treatment of blowout fractures exhibiting diplopia is usually successful. Inferior rectus and inferior oblique muscles incarcerated in a blowout fracture site for periods varying from two months to nine years may fail to function properly even following successful release of the entrapped muscles. There is some presumptive evidence to suggest a myogenic or neurogenic cause for such dysfunction. 3. Vertical diplopia that persists beyond three months following release of entrapped muscle tissue requires surgical correction, depending on the degree of vertical dissociation. 4. Motility surgery was required in 18 of 20 cases of persistent diplopia. Multiple muscle combinations are frequently required to achieve success. The criterion for a successful result was elimination of vertical diplopia in the primary and reading positions.

Accelerated osteomesh resorption: a case report.

Facial fractures occur commonly as a result of blunt trauma from road traffic accidents, assaults, and sporting injuries. Orbital floor fractures form a significant proportion of these and when large enough, the defect often requires surgical reconstruction of the floor to prevent orbital content herniation. Here, we present a case of a 28-year-old gentleman, who sustained an orbital floor fracture from a soccer-related injury. The resulting floor defect was surgically repaired using an osteomesh that was hand-cut to size. He developed delayed enophthalmos and entrapment of the inferior rectus muscle due to early resorption of the osteomesh, requiring revision surgery.

Complete inferior rectus muscle transection secondary to orbital blowout fracture.

Complete extraocular muscle transection is uncommon in the setting of blunt trauma. We report a case of a 53-year-old male that developed diplopia after hitting his face directly on a concrete slab after a fall. On examination, he had a right hypertropia with a complete infraduction deficit. A CT scan of the face showed an orbital floor blowout fracture with complete inferior rectus transection. On surgical exploration, the distal and proximal ends of the muscle were identified and sutured together, and the floor fracture was repaired. At his post-operative visits, the patient had a persistent infraduction deficit, but subjectively had improved diplopia.

Orbital blowout fracture

Imaging Thin cut (2-3mm) CT scan with axial and coronal view is the optimal study of choice for orbital fractures. Plain radiographs, on the other hand, do not have the sensitively capture blowout fractures. On Water's view radiograph, polypoid mass can be observed hanging from the floor into the maxillary antrum, classically known as teardrop sign, as it usually is in shape of a teardrop. This polypoid mass consists of herniated orbital contents, periorbital fat and inferior rectus muscle. The affected sinus is partially opacified on radiograph. Air-fluid level in maxillary sinus may sometimes be seen due to presence of blood. Lucency in orbits (on a radiograph) usually indicate orbital emphysema. Treatment

Anatomy, Head and Neck, Orbit -- Muscles

The levator palpebrae superioris muscle, which receives nerve supply from CN III, elevates the upper eyelid. It is superior to the superior rectus muscle at the roof of the orbit, and these two muscles join in a common aponeurosis anteriorly. This intimate muscular relationship explains why the eye elevates as the upper eyelid is retracted. The extraocular muscles and their actions are as follows: [2] Superior rectus: Elevates, adducts and rotates medially Medial rectus: Adducts Inferior rectus: Depresses, adducts and rotates laterally Lateral rectus: Abducts Superior oblique: Depresses, abducts, and rotates medially Inferior oblique: Elevates, abducts, and rotates laterally

A Medial Orbital Wall Fracture From Cricket Bat During Training: Surgical Approach.

A 24-year-old male athlete, injured by a cricket bat during training, was transferred to the hospital with an open head bleeding trauma in the medial part of his right eye. He was conscious, with no memory loss and dizziness. A medial orbital wall fracture (MOWF) with a foreign body presence was depicted in X-ray. Head computed tomography scan confirmed initial diagnosis and revealed the complete fracture of ethmoid sinuses. Temporary sutures were placed initially to close the wound and prevent trauma's infection. The ophthalmological exam revealed strabismus of the right eye due to medial rectus muscle entrapment and consequent diplopia in the horizontal gaze. After two weeks, surgery was planned to remove the foreign body, restore eye mobility, and correct diplopia. The wooden foreign body (2.5cm x 1cm) was removed with immediate decompression of the medial rectus muscle. The fracture was repaired by an open approach, a mesh net was placed and sutured to the periosteum for bone stabilization and regeneration. Fifteen days postoperatively, visual acuity was 10/10, ocular mobility was normal, and diplopia disappeared. Imaging is essential in diagnosis' confirmation and reconstructive surgery planning, without postoperative complications and complete patient's rehabilitation. The current report highlights the value of reconstructive surgery in orbital structures' preservation in complex MOWF cases. In such cases, the foreign body that entraps medial rectus muscle should be removed in time in order to prevent the orbital content displacement towards the gap created by the fractured bone with consequences enophthalmos and diplopia, as well as consecutive intraorbital infections. Eye preservation in the correct position eliminates strabismus.

Superior oblique muscle

The superior oblique muscle, or obliquus oculi superior, is a fusiform muscle originating in the upper, medial side of the orbit (i.e. from beside the nose) which abducts, depresses and internally rotates the eye. It is the only extraocular muscle innervated by the trochlear nerve (the fourth cranial nerve). Structure The superior oblique muscle loops through a pulley-like structure (the trochlea of superior oblique) and inserts into the sclera on the posterotemporal surface of the eyeball. It is the pulley system that gives superior oblique its actions, causing depression of the eyeball despite being inserted on the superior surface. The superior oblique arises immediately above the margin of the optic foramen, superior and medial to the origin of the superior rectus, and, passing forward, ends in a rounded tendon, which plays in a fibrocartilaginous ring or pulley attached to the trochlear fossa of the frontal bone.

Bony fragments can impinge surrounding EOMs, commonly the inferior rectus, inferior oblique, and medial rectus, and less commonly, the superior oblique. [16] The bones are more elastic in pediatric patients, so upon initial blow, the bone bends, then entraps orbital tissue and muscle before closing back. [17] This fracture pattern has been described as a "trapdoor" because the fracture, which is linear and minimally displaced, opens transiently before rebounding back into place. Roof and lateral wall fractures are less common, and EOM entrapment is rare. In adult patients, the frontal sinus diffuses traumatic blunt force and prevents the extension of a fracture along the orbital roof. In pediatric patients, the frontal sinus is not yet fully pneumatized, and the ratio of the cranial vault to the midface is greater than in adults, so the frontal impact is more likely. [18] Regarding lateral wall fractures, isolated fracture through the greater wing of the sphenoid is rare. However, its articulation with the zygomatic bone, the sphenozygomatic suture, is prominent and susceptible to external trauma. [19] [20]

Case study of an orbital screwdriver injury.

1. A man struck himself in the right eye with a screwdriver. The initial diagnosis was probable medial wall fracture with medial rectus entrapment, but a forced auction test result was negative and the initial x-ray study of the orbit and sinuses was within normal limits. The patient was treated with topical antibiotics and observed closely. Subsequent exams revealed a complete, isolated right gaze palsy. 2. An axial computed tomography scan of the orbit revealed an area of a probable hematoma overlying the lateral rectus muscle. There was also a fracture of the greater wing of the spheroid. 3. One month after the injury, the patient had complete, spontaneous clearing of the diplopia and lateral gaze palsy. The patient has had no residual effects 3 years later. This care reinforces the idea that injuries such as this should be treated symptomatically and observed.

Surgery_Schwartz

ocular mobility, is performed to ensure that there is not inferior rectus entrapment. If there is entrapment, this would also result in diploplia with upward gaze. Blowout fractures demonstrating significant entrapment or enophthal-mos are treated by orbital exploration and reinforcement of the floor with titanium mesh, hydroxyapatite, or split calvarial bone grafts. Sometimes, the anterior maxillary bone that has been fractured and is accessed in the process of repairing other factures can also be used.62There are three classic patterns of more extensive mid-face fractures: Le Fort I, II, and III. However, fractures rarely follow this exact pattern, and the two sides of the face may have different Le Fort fractures. Nonetheless, a full under-standing of midface buttresses is central in understanding these fractures (Fig. 18-18). There are three vertical buttresses: the nasofrontal-maxillary, the frontozygomaticomaxillary, and Key stitchFigure 18-16. Approximation of the vermilion