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Ventricular tachycardia in a patient with lymphocytic (non Hodgkin's) lymphoma
S S Danbauch1, J U Okpapi, M M Maisaka
1Department of Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria.
Insights
A 19-year-old student diagnosed with lymphocytic (non-Hodgkin's) lymphoma presented with severe symptoms. Despite intensive care, the patient experienced respiratory distress and cardiac events, ultimately succumbing to the illness.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Hematology
- Intensive Care Medicine
Background:
- A 19-year-old student presented with generalized lymphadenopathy, paraplegia, incontinence, and weight loss.
- Histological examination of lymph node biopsy confirmed lymphocytic (non-Hodgkin's) lymphoma.
Observation:
- The patient developed progressive dyspnea prior to the initiation of lymphoma treatment.
- Admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) revealed episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT).
Findings:
- Recurrent episodes of VT did not respond to standard resuscitative measures, including intravenous lignocaine, oxygen, and assisted respiration.
- The patient's condition deteriorated, leading to death.
Implications:
- This case highlights the rapid and aggressive progression of lymphocytic (non-Hodgkin's) lymphoma in young adults.
- It underscores the critical need for prompt diagnosis and aggressive management of complications such as respiratory distress and cardiac arrhythmias in lymphoma patients.
Abstract:
A 19 year old student was admitted with generalised lymphadenopathy, paraplegia, double incontinence and weight loss in our hospital (Abuth Zaria). A histological diagnosis of lymphocytic (non-Hodgkin's) lymphoma was made on lymph node biopsy. Before treatment could be started the patient developed increasing difficulty in breathing. He was transferred to our ICU where he was noted to have developed no sustained VT. Subsequent repeated episodes did not respond to resuscitative measures (i.v. lignocaine 100 mg for five minutes, oxygen and assisted respiration). The patient died.
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