Two Cases of Arnold-Chiari Malformation with Respiratory Failure

Arnold–Chiari malformation is defined as downward displacement of the brainstem and cerebellum through the foramen magnum. It has different clinical presentations and four subtypes. It is known that downward migration of posterior fossa components through the foramen magnum and associated lower cranial nerve palsy and brainstem compression can cause respiratory failure. Acute respiratory failure could mark the onset of the disease. Posterior fossa decompression performed to treat primary disease can improve the central sleep abnormalities. As respiratory failure is rarely seen, this paper presents two cases of Arnold–Chiari malformation with respiratory failure.

Plasmodium Vivax Associated Myocarditis

Plasmodium infection in human beings is often associated with complications. Complications such as cerebral malaria, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute kidney injury and cardiac complications including myocarditis, pericarditis and hypoglycaemia may be seen in infection by Plasmodium falciparum. However, these complications have rarely been reported with Plasmodium vivax infections. Myopericarditis complicating P. vivax malaria is particularly rare and only a few cases have been reported so far. We report on a case of myopericarditis due to P. vivax malaria to add to the literature

Large Morgagni Hernia in an Adult Patient

A 70-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with symptoms of a lower respiratory infection. A chest x-ray showed enlargement of the mediastinal space. The patient was admitted with a respiratory tract infection and started on antibiotic treatment. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the thorax revealed a large diaphragmatic hernia with stomach, large intestine and caudal pancreas lodged in the thoracic cavity. After the antibiotic treatment, the patient became asymptomatic and surgery repair was declined. Morgagni hernia is an uncommon type of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, which may be asymptomatic until late in life or may be present acutely with life threatening conditions.