Focused Transesophageal Echocardiography for Bedside Diagnosis of Iatrogenic Cardiac Perforation: A Case Report We describe an extremely rare complication of chest tube placement and focused transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis of a life-threatening condition. It illustrates the value and utility of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) by way of a focused TEE in confirming a diagnosis and contributing toward the expeditious operative management of a life-threatening scenario. POCUS continues to gain traction in the field of anesthesiology. However, incorporation of POCUS training into curriculum of anesthesia residency programs is still in the infancy stages. Our report demonstrates the need for development and standardization of POCUS training for anesthesiologists in the perioperative setting.

Relief of Neuropathic Pain After Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation in a Patient With Idiopathic Thoracic Transverse Myelitis: A Case Report Transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare neurologic disorder of acute inflammation resulting in spinal cord injury. Chronic pain in TM is a significant detriment to quality of life. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an emerging treatment that has shown significant efficacy in neuropathic pain. We present a 37-year-old man with a history of idiopathic thoracic TM and refractory chronic neuropathic pain who underwent an SCS trial. He reported 70% improvement during the trial and was subsequently implanted with an SCS. He continues to experience significant pain relief and functional improvement (>80%) with conventional paresthesia programming at the 9-month follow-up.

Paravertebral Block for a Patient With Achalasia Undergoing a Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy Procedure: A Case Report In 2016, the American Medical Association officially dismissed pain as a vital sign quoting the opioid epidemic as a major reason. Clinically, pain remains very relevant and we present the case of a patient with achalasia treated via peroral endoscopic myotomy procedure (POEM). Given that similar patients previously failed traditional pain management modalities, regional anesthesia was used in this patient’s pain management. The positive outcomes yielded from this technique convinced our gastroenterological colleagues to request regional anesthesia for future patients, altering their approach to pain management.

Thermal Radiofrequency Ablation of the Articular Branch of the Lateral Pectoral Nerve: A Case Report and Novel Technique The lateral pectoral nerve (LPN) innervates anterior shoulder structures. We report a novel technique for radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the articular branch of the LPN (abLPN) to treat persistent anterior shoulder pain. Ultrasound and fluoroscopy were used to identify bony and vascular landmarks to target the midlateral and superior-lateral coracoid process (CP). Multiple thermal RFA lesions were delivered along this location without complication using a 20-gauge cannula. As a result, the patient has continued substantial relief of resting and dynamic deep anterior shoulder pain beyond 3 months. Ablation of the abLPN may provide anterior shoulder analgesia without causing motor weakness.

Black Seed Oil and Perioperative Serotonin Syndrome: A Case Report Perioperative serotonin syndrome has been associated with a number of medications and herbal supplements. We report a patient who developed serotonin syndrome immediately after an endoscopic procedure in which the preoperative use of black seed oil appears to have played a role in stimulating the syndrome. Black seed oil has not been previously reported in association with perioperative serotonin syndrome. Anesthesia professionals should be aware that patients taking black seed oil supplements may develop serotonin syndrome postoperatively.

Iatrogenic Bladder Perforation During Laparoscopy: Revisiting the “Catheter Bag” Sign: A Case Report We report a case of an iatrogenic bladder perforation sustained during laparoscopic lysis of adhesions performed for small bowel obstruction. The only sign, discovered by the anesthesiology team, was an inflated urinary catheter collection bag. This case revalidates the “catheter bag” sign and advocates for the placement of an indwelling transurethral urinary catheter before surgical incision in high-risk patients with previous pelvic and/or bladder pathology. In addition, vigilance from anesthesia providers and commitment to communication between anesthesia, surgical, and nursing care teams is emphasized to quickly discover complications and treat accordingly.

Transnasal Humidified Rapid-Insufflation Ventilatory Exchange for Elective Laryngeal Surgery During Pregnancy: A Case Report Transnasal humidified rapid-insufflation ventilatory exchange (THRIVE) maintains oxygenation and blunts the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Paco2) rise in nonpregnant subjects during apnea. Physiologic changes of pregnancy may attenuate the utility of THRIVE. We present a nulliparous patient at 31 weeks’ gestation undergoing tracheal dilation requiring general anesthesia without intubation utilizing THRIVE. Our data confirms prior reports in nonpregnant patients showing markedly extended time to desaturation. However, Paco2 rise more closely mirrors classic apneic oxygenation in nonobstetric patients. The Paco2 elevation and subsequent acidosis may limit the utility of THRIVE for prolonged apnea in pregnant surgical patients.

Unilateral Lung Recruitment Maneuver for Massive Atelectasis in a Child With Glenn Circulation: A Case Report A 9-year-old girl with Glenn circulation suffered from massive atelectasis of the left lung caused by bleeding during cardiac catheterization. The atelectasis resulted in frequent hypoxia leading to oxygen saturation (Spo2) of 40%–50%. In the intensive care unit, we performed a unilateral lung recruitment maneuver (ULRM) for 2 days. The ULRM involved placement of a bronchial blocker in the right main bronchus and application of continuous positive airway pressure to the left lung without hemodynamic deterioration. Eventually, Spo2 improved to 80%–85%. ULRM can be a treatment option for unilateral atelectasis in a child with Glenn circulation.

Spontaneous Resolution of Gravid Uterine Incarceration With Spinal Anesthesia: A Case Report Incarceration of the gravid uterus may pose significant risks to both maternal and fetal health. Anesthetic management for these patients is variable, and the ideal anesthetic technique is unknown. The patient presented to the labor and delivery unit with pelvic pain and urinary retention in the setting of a gravid incarcerated uterus. Previous attempts at manual reduction in the outpatient setting were unsuccessful. A combined spinal-epidural anesthetic was administered, followed by spontaneous resolution of the incarcerated uterus. In addition to providing analgesia, neuraxial blockade may occasionally be an adequate therapeutic technique for reduction of a gravid incarcerated uterus.

Self-Limited Spinal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage After Lumbar Spinal Drain Removal While on Clopidogrel: A Case Report Spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SSH) is a rare yet potentially devastating complication of neuraxial procedures. We present a case of SSH after inadvertent lumbar spinal drain removal while on clopidogrel. The contrast between the patient’s mild clinical symptoms compared to his impressive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) highlights the variable presentations that can be seen with spinal and epidural hematomas. Despite sophisticated electronic warnings systems available to improve patient safety, better efforts are needed to improve interprofessional communication with providers taking care of patients with indwelling neuraxial catheters.