Status epilepticus in a female with autoimmune diseases

 

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I have been given this case to solve in an attempt to understand the topic of " patient clinical data analysis" to develop my competency in reading and comprehending clinical data including history, clinical findings, investigations and come up with diagnosis and treatment plan.

This is a case of 46 years old female,resident of  nakrekal ,nalgonda district.

CHIEF COMPLAINTS:

Patient was brought with complaints of 2 episodes of involuntary movements of upper and lower limbs and hemoptysis .

HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS : 

PATIENT developed sudden onset movements of both upper and lower limbs at 5am in the morning which lasted for about 4-5mins , not associated with any trigger, no aura and the patient was confused after the episode 

she had an other similar episode while she was brought to the hospital.

She had similar episodes at the hospital. 

SHE WAS APPARENTLY ASYMPTOMATIC 13 YEARS AGO, 

Then she developed low back ache and generalised weakness started for which she went to local hospital.

Then during the investigations  was found to be having,?soft tissue overgrowth,(as said by attenders ,no documentation)and need to get operated, during routine investigations creatinine was elevated, then she was started on conservative management .

(Sod bicarb,Shelcal,Omeprazole,Iron folate)

Since then ,she is on routine followup with hemogram and serum creatinine levels,and her baseline creatinine levels were 3.2mg/dL.

In june 2022,she developed fever and productive cough associated with SOB for which CT chest was done,showing peripheral ground glass opacities,and septal thickening was noted

and  few days later , she developed swelling of both lower limbs till the level of ankles,which were insidious in onset and gradually progressive

Then underwent dialysis for the first time through right IJV line,for 4 hours,and was on conservative management.

 3 months later, she developed fluid filled bleb, on one finger and then over all the 10 fingers of hand in 10 days ,some of which ruptured on their own and some were pricked by the patient.

She developed eroding nails and distorted nails , hyperpigmented macules over the face and itching over the palms,and low grade fever associated with loss of apetite and alopecia.

Ulcers over palms , pulp of fingers associated with burning sensation 

With autoimmune etiology suspicion, she was investigated further and was ANA profile and was tested Positive for Anti Ro 52and SSA/Ro 60++,and SSB/La+.











In view of  the persistent low Hb 5-6g/dL,bone marrow aspiration (from right posterior iliac spine)was done for evaluation of anemia.

 Then she was started on mycophenolate mofetil 360mg,and later was planned to shift to cyclophosphamide as she is not responding to MMF.( But was not started in view of renal insufficiency).

SHE WAS PUT ON MYCOPHENALATE MOFETIL, HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE , OMNICORTIL .

In November she developed cough since 1 week,with whitish color sputum which is mucoid in consistency and moderate in amount and non blood stained and non foul smelling .

 Bilateral swelling of lower limbs till knee,not associated with  trauma,and decreased urine output for 2 days,and Shortness of breath( MMRC grade 3),and loss of appetite.

 Then ,she was diagnosed as

*?Antisynthetase syndrome 

 *CLD secondary to autoimmune hepatitis with hypoalbuminemia *

 acute exacerbation of ILD

 *recurrent anemia 

She did not develop any new skin lesions,oral ulcers.

In December,she was taken to another hospital 

Due to increase in the  SOB with abdominal distension ,

Then she was taken to second session of dialysis.

Her antibody profile was repeated.

Skin biopsy was done 

Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and was found to be having an infective etiology and mucus plugs in the airways.

On ultrasonography,hypoechoic lesions were found in the liver, PET CT was advised and was done.

So they suspected infective etiology probably TUBERCULOSIS,and started her on antitubercular therapy

 Tab ISONIAZID 300mg daily

Tab RIFAMPICIN 500 mg  OD daily 

Tab PYRAZINAMIDE 1500 mg thrice a week 

Tab  ETHAMBUTOL 1200 mg thrice a week

on 15 th December .( But afb, genexpert are all negative)

CURRENT PRESENTATION 

2days back she developed  sudden onset movements of UL and lowerlimbs, for 3-4  minutes,  associated with blood from mouth,and there is a brief period of LOC .

similar episode one at 6:00 am, and then 2 similar episodes after they came here at 8:00am.

At presentation her blood pressure was 170/110 mmhg

Her seizures continued each episode about 2 mins and post ictal confusion was present.

In view of recurrent seizures CT brain was done.  

 inj lorazepam was given,

 later leviteracetam and 

when her seizures weren’t controlled then sodium valproate was given 

She later then had continuous episodes of seizures lasting for more than 45 minutes .

In view of respiratory distress ( sats 60 ),and uncontrollable recurrent seizures she was sedated with IV MIDAZOLAM and intubated. 

Post intubation, she had cardiac arrest ( no central pulses palpable ) 2 cycles of CPR done ROSC was achieved and post CPR monitor showed monomorphic VT and 2 times 200 J of DC shock was given and then it reverted to sinus tachycardia.

I examined her on day 2 at our hospital

GENERAL EXAMINATION

Patient is on sedation.

She has hyperpigmentation on the face, upper limbs

Single Bleb on the right hand

VITALS:

Temperature:afebrile 

BP 160/110mmhg

Pulse 158bpm

RR 37 cpm 

SYSTEMIC EXAMINATION

CVS : S1,S2 heard. No murmurs

RS : Bilateral air entry present

Normal vesicular breath sounds were heard

CNS 

Meningeal signs were absent 

As the patient is sedated, I didn't elicit Sensory examination, Motor examination.

Pupils: mid dilated , reactive to light 

DOLL'S EYE : present 

Reflexes:

SUPERFICIAL:

CORNEAL REFLEX present 

CONJUNCTIVAL REFLEX present 

DEEP TENDON REFLEXES:

                        Rt.          Lt 

Biceps:            2+         2+

Triceps           2+.        2+

Supinator.     A.          A

Knee.             A.          A

 Ankle            A.          A

 

PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS:

STATUS EPILEPTICUS, (seizures secondary to hemorrhagic stroke

?autoimmune vasculitis

? Metabolic cause( increased urea)

Investigations 

 














To summarise this is a case of 46 year old female with Chronic kidney disease since 13 years, with AUTOIMMUNE INVOLVEMENT ( ANA positive) -involving Skin, Nails, Lungs, Liver

with current complaints of seizures, due to POSTERIOR REVERSIBLE ENCEPHALOPATHY SYNDROME.

 

 

 











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