Acute and Critical Care

Case Report

Gastroenterology
Pneumatosis Intestinalis Presenting as Small Bowel Obstruction without Bowel Ischemia after Mechanical Ventilation: Dong Joon Kim, Yong Joon Choi, Young Sun Yoo; Acute Crit Care. 2019;34(1):81-85. Published online January 17, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2016.00311

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Abstract PDF: Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare condition of the presence of gas within the bowel walls. PI is associated with numerous underlying diseases, ranging from life-threatening to innocuous conditions. PI is believed to be secondary to coexisting disorders in approximately 85% of all cases. This paper reviews the case of a patient who was diagnosed seven years prior with pneumoperitoneum from unknown causes without any symptoms. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit for the management of aspiration pneumonia and developed extensive PI after mechanical ventilation, presenting as small bowel obstruction with mesenteric torsion. Although the exact mechanism and etiology of PI are unclear, this case provides an update on the imaging features of and the clinical conditions associated with PI, as well as the management of this condition.

Original Article

Clinical Feature and Prognostic Factors of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis: Won Soek Yang, Won Young Kim, Chang Hwan Sohn, Dong Woo Seo, Jae Ho Lee, Won Kim, Kyoung Soo Lim; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2012;27(2):89-93.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2012.27.2.89

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1 Crossref

BACKGROUND
Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EPN) is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition that requires prompt evaluation and management. However, its clinical presentation and outcomes vary widely. This study was conducted to ascertain the clinical features and prognostic factors regarding EPN.
METHODS
All patients diagnosed with EPN radiologically and treated at the emergency department in the university-affiliated, tertiary-referral center, from January 1999 to December 2009 were evaluated. The patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, computed tomographic findings, treatment, and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS
Overall 14 patients diagnosed with EPN were admitted. There were 12 females and 2 males. A history of diabetes was found in 12 (85.7%) patients and was the most common comorbidity. The chief complaint among patients was flank pain (42.9%). Severe sepsis or septic shock was noted in 10 (71.4%) patients. Thirteen cases had unilateral involvement and one case had bilateral involvement. More than half of patients had Escherichia.coli in culture. Mean serum levels of HbA1c, creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP) were 9.4 +/- 2.7, 2.4 +/- 1.4 mg/dl, and 22.4 +/- 13.1 mg/dl. Eight (57.1%) patients received antibiotic treatment alone and four (28.6%) patients received the concurrent percutaneous drainage as well as antibiotics. Hospital mortality was 7.1%. A higher initial serum CRP level (20.3 vs. 49.8 mg/dl, p = 0.02) and HbA1c level (8.7 vs. 16.4, p = 0.01) was associated with hospital mortality.
CONCLUSIONS
Antibiotics alone provide a high success rate for the treatment of EPN. Higher serum CRP and HbA1c level was associated with a higher mortality rate in patients with EPN.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Analysis of Kidney Computed Tomographic Findings in Patients with Acute Pyelonephritis and Septic Shock
Soonseong Kwon, Sangchan Jin, Wooik Choi, Sungjin Kim
Korean Journal of Critical Care Medicine.2013; 28(4): 272. CrossRef

Case Reports

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum and Subcutaneous Emphysema in Children Infected with H1N1 Virus: A Case Report: Bo Geum Choi, Hye Jung Yun, Yeo Hyang Kim, Myung Chul Hyun; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2010;25(3):155-158.; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4266/kjccm.2010.25.3.155

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Abstract PDF: Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is a rare condition in children which is triggered by respiratory infection and inflammation, although it occurs most commonly in asthmatics. It is caused by alveolar rupture and dissection of air into the mediastinum and hilum, and the prognosis is usually benign. We report two cases of SPM and subcutaneous emphysema complicating pneumonia in children with severe H1N1 infection. The patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and treated with oxygen, inhalation of a bronchodilator, intravenous systemic corticosteroid (methyprednisolone, 2 mg/kg/day for 5 days) and antibiotics, together with antiviral therapy. On day 4 after admission, there was no further evidence of SPM. SPM associated with severe H1N1 infection in children resolves with aggressive supportive care, without progression to pneumothorax. We should remain aware of this air leak complication in children with severe respiratory infection.

Subcutaneous Emphysema and Pneumothorax Occurred during Patient Transfer to Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report: Yoonki Lee, Won Young Kim; Korean J Crit Care Med. 2004;19(1):52-56.

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Abstract PDF: A 48 years old female patient was scheduled for emergency surgery due to bleeding after intracerebral aneurysmal clipping under general anesthesia. Previously checked chest X-ray taken just a few hours before surgery showed no abnormal finding and she didn't show any sign of pneumothorax or hemothorax including dyspnea, tachypnea or cyanosis. Surgery was uneventful. After the completion of surgery, patient was transferred to the neurosurgical intensive care unit with intubation. During transfer, patient showed bucking and signs of subcutaneous emphysema around chest, shoulder and face. Oxygen saturation was low when she admitted to the neurosurgical intensive care unit, so the ventilator care was started. The patient's oxygenation were getting worse progressively, so we checked chest AP several times and one of the chest X-ray taken at that time revealed no vascular and lung marking on the left lung field suggesting pneumothorax. Emergency chest tube drainage was performed. She recovered dramatically and three days later, ches X-ray showed the complete resorption of the pneumothorax.

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