Online
Clinical Case Study (May 2005)
Clinical
Cardiology Series
臨床心臟科個案研究
The
content of the Office Cardiology Series is provided by:
Dr. So Yui Chi
M.R.C.P.
(U.K.), M.R.C.P. (Ireland), M.H.K.C.P.
Dr. Li Siu Lung, Steven
M.B.,B.S.(H.K.),
M.R.C.P.(U.K.), F.H.K.A.M., F.H.K.C.P., F.R.C.P.(Glasg.), F.R.C.P.(Edin.), Specialist
in Cardiology
Dr.
Wong Shou Pang, Alexander
F.R.C.P.,
F.H.K.A.M.(Med.), F.H.K.C.P., Specialist in Cardiology
臨床心臟科個案研究之內容誠蒙蘇睿智醫生、李少隆醫生及王壽鵬醫生提供。
A 30 year old gentleman,
who enjoyed good past health, complained of recent fast palpitations that were
abrupt in onset. One day, he visited the ER department with palpitations that
lasted for more than 1 hour. On admission, the blood pressure was 120/70 mmHg.
ECG was done and was shown below.
Answers
| 1. |
What is your diagnosis?
a. SVT with aberrancy
b. Atrial fibrillation with aberrancy (AF)
c. Ventricular fibrillation (VF)
d. Ventricular tachycardia (VT)
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|
Option D is
correct.
This patient
has wide complex tachycardia with superior axis and RBBB. The baseline
was not fibrilliform and AF was not correct. The QRS morphology looked
monomorphic, which was against VF. P waves were seen in aVL (after the
QRS complexes) and fusion beats could also be seen in leads aVf and II.
All these evidences pointed to ventricular tachycardia. This patient suffered
from idiopathic left ventricular tachycardia (RBBB and superior axis).
In general, no underlying heart disease can be identified and the VT usually
responds well to calcium-blockers. It is speculated that the arrhythmia
was related to a slowly conducting local re-entry pathway over the postero-apical
part of the septum. Radiofrequency ablation achieves an 80% success rate
for this kind of arrhythmia.
For this particular
patient, the VT was terminated with Isoptin and radiofrequency ablation
was done later, which was successful.
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Dermatology
Series 皮膚科病例研究
A 55 year old Chinese
male noticed periungual swelling over his left index finger for over one year.
The lesion grew in size slowly and was occasionally tender. There was also deformity
over that finger nail. There was no preceding trauma. His general health was
good. Physical examination revealed a 5 mm translucent cyst with depression
groove over the nail.
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The
content of the Dermatology Series is provided by:
Dr. Chan Loi Yuen and Dr. Tang Yuk Ming, William
Specialist in Dermatology & Venereology
皮膚科病例研究之內容誠蒙陳來源醫生及鄧旭明醫生提供。 |
Answers
| 1. |
What
is the clinical diagnosis?
|
|
The clinical diagnosis is
digital mucous cyst (or myxoid cyst). They are usually single, asymptomatic,
smooth, skin coloured or translucent and contain a clear, viscous, sticky
fluid. The size is usually 5-7 mm in diameter. They are most commonly
located at the distal interphalangeal joint or in the proximal nail fold.
Longitudinal depression over the nail may be present if there is pressure
on the nail matrix.
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| 2. |
What
is the underlying cause?
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It is believed to be due to
mucoid degeneration of the connective tissue. Osteoarthritis of the adjacent
joint is frequently present. There may be connection between the cyst
and the adjacent joint. Trauma may also be a causative factor.
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| 3. |
How
would you confirm the diagnosis?
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Transillumination will be
helpful in differentiating it from a solid swelling. Aspiration with a
needle revealed large amount of clear gelatinous fluid.
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| 4. |
What
are the investigations?
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Ultrasound helps to define
whether the structure is cystic or not. MRI is an excellent modality for
visualizing soft tissue structure and revealing any communication between
the cyst and the joint and is useful pre-operatively.
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| 5. |
What
are the treatments?
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There is no standard optimal
treatment approach and recurrence is common. If asymptomatic, no treatment
may be required. Treatment modalities include repeated puncture of the
cyst by patients; needle aspiration followed by corticosteroid injection;
cryotherapy; curettage and cauterization; excision and laser vaporization.
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