RESUMEN
A post-thyroidectomy hematoma is a rare, potentially fatal surgical complication that may present as hoarseness, dysphagia, and difficulty in breathing, which could progress to complete airway obstruction and, ultimately, death. The treatment for a neck hematoma is emergent surgical drainage. While certain precautions can be taken to prevent this complication, such as the cessation of any anticoagulants prior to surgery, it is still a feared complication of thyroidectomy with an increasing prevalence. In this paper, we discuss a case of a 62-year-old female with papillary thyroid cancer who presents with a postoperative complication of a neck hematoma requiring emergent surgery and conduct a literature review on managing post-thyroidectomy hematomas.
RESUMEN
Ischemic colitis is thought to be an injury to the colon as a result of reduced blood flow. Certain infectious diseases such as the Epstein-Barr virus can aid in the reduction of blood flow. The insult can range from inflammation and superficial injury to full-thickness necrosis. The typical regions affected are the "watershed" areas of the colon: the splenic flexure, the rectosigmoid junction, and the right colon. Because patients can present with a wide spectrum of symptoms from vague abdominal discomfort to complete abdominal catastrophe, the diagnosis of ischemic colitis is sometimes challenging to make. Patients typically present with the acute onset of crampy abdominal pain and usually pass blood mixed with stool within 24 hours. Endoscopically, ischemia is suspected in the presence of bluish hemorrhagic nodules from submucosal bleeding, cyanotic or necrotic mucosa with bleeding ulcerations, or a segmental distribution with an abrupt transition point between injured and normal mucosa. We present a case of an 80-year-old male with a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and basal cell carcinoma of the scalp diagnosed with ischemic colitis associated with positive Epstein-Barr virus B cell lymphoma.
RESUMEN
Pseudoaneurysms, also known as fake aneurysms, are balloon-like bulges that develop in the arteries and veins. This can happen due to injury, surgery, infection, or other conditions that damage blood vessels. Pseudoaneurysms are usually asymptomatic but can bleed and be painful. Left untreated, they can lead to severe complications such as thrombus formation and distant embolization. Subclavian pseudoaneurysms are rare, which can lead to potentially life-threatening complications of traumatic or iatrogenic injuries to the subclavian artery, such as catheterization. Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to avoid devastating outcomes. We report the case of a pediatric patient who developed a subclavian pseudoaneurysm after neck trauma and was successfully treated with endovascular embolization. This case highlights the importance of timely management and vigilant monitoring for this rare but potentially life-threatening condition.