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Washington University Experience | VASCULAR | Cavernous Angioma | 29A0 Case 29 History
Case 29 History ---- The patient was a 72 year old female with history of hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, and GERD admitted 1/31/02 for dyspnea and pneumonia. Her hospital course was complicated by pneumothorax, acute renal failure, and likely ARDS requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation. Cultures eventually positive for influenza type A. The patient improved and extubated hospital day #17. Exam described as alert and moving all 4 extremities. Next morning she had right hemiparesis involving face/arm/leg and global aphasia. Her head CT demonstrated left frontal lobe attenuation. CT angiography revealed an irregular thrombus of the aortic arch. The patient developed a coagulopathy, multi-organ infection and abdominal distention. She suffered a prolonged cardiovascular arrest. Her subsequent neurologic exam was notable for absent brainstem function other than spontaneous respirations. Per family request, ventilatory support was withdrawn.
