This isn’t a case as such but it is early work on human embryos exploring the technique of gene editing. “The prospect of genetically engineering humans has come a step closer, with the publication of the first paper to describe efforts to modify embryos. There is a long way to go before we can safely […]
Category: Cases in the news
Acquired savant syndrome
Following a head injury whilst skiing an anonymous US lady now complains of remembering too much. “I could remember everywhere, like flicking through the pages of a book. Every place I had ever been, but specifically the buildings.“ http://www.xojane.com/it-happened-to-me/acquired-savant-sydnrome The lady goes on to say that her neurologist is considering writing up her case. I wonder […]
Australian boy is first to receive ‘artificial pancreas’ insulin pump
Xavier Hames is a four year old boy with Type 1 diabetes and he has been fitted with an insulin pump that senses glucose levels and stops insulin – a step closer to an ‘artificial pancreas’. An artificial pancreas adds a glucose sensor to an insulin pump so that it can sense when to reduce […]
Complex composite odontoma and World Record teeth
The case of Ashik Gavai from India has been widely reported in the press. India doctors remove 232 teeth from boy’s mouth (BBC News) The Indian boy who had a ‘world record’ 232 teeth (Washington Post) Chew on that. 232 teeth removed from boy’s mouth (Mumbai Mirror) He presented with a rare condition called complex composite odontoma […]
Too young for cancer. Case in the media highlights challenge of diagnosis
The case of a 29 year old scientist who died of bowel cancer has been highlighted in the press because her brother is planning to raise funds for the World Cancer Research Fund. “A doctor who was told she was too young to get bowel cancer died after being sent home and misdiagnosed with bowel disease.” Doctor, […]
Unusual foreign bodies
Interesting case of a bronchial obstruction from a germinating pea has resurfaced. Only in America: Pea plant grows inside man’s lung (Hospital Doctor) … but the case is an old one from 2010. Pea plant grows inside man’s lung (BBC Health) Doctor finds plant growing inside man’s lung (WHDH News) Pea sprout plucked from Cape […]
A very unique cyclist
Cyclist Tom Staniford from Exeter has a particularly rare form of Type 2 diabetes associated with absent subcutaneous fat and hearing loss. “Although he was born a normal weight, he lost all the fat around his face and limbs during his childhood, and yet his body still thinks he is obese, meaning he has type […]
Case report of Fibrous Dysplasia 120,000 years post mortem
PLoS One has published archeological evidence of a possible primary rib cancer in a Neanderthal era human from over 120,000 years ago. (1) This, clearly, is a very long time to wait for the publication of a case report! The authors provide photographic and radiographic evidence of the tumour and presume it to be a […]
Primary prophylaxis of pulmonary embolus with retrievable IVC filter
Announced in the news today was the case of Doreen Carter who had an inferior vena cava filter inserted as an alternative for prophylaxis against thromboembolism. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-21655038 She was due to have bowel surgery and, presumably, was deemed too high risk for anticoagulation. The titanium device was also designed to be easily removed. “Dr Carl […]
Clinton’s ‘blood clot’ – an MRI and media challenge.
So it turns out that Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of State – who has visited more countries in office than any other – developed a right transverse sinus venous thrombosis. http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/12/202419.htm Previously it was just called a ‘blood clot’ requiring ‘hospital’ and ‘blood thinners’. This followed a day of intense speculation in the media which […]