[Pulmonary hypertension as presentation in multiple myeloma].

Multiple myeloma is a hematologic disease, which accounts for 15% of hematologic malignancies. The average age of onset is between 65-70 years and is very rare in young patients, as 2% are under 40 years old. We present a case of 36-year-old women with history of 20 pack years (p/y) smoking, who complaints of dyspnea associated with signs of right cardiac overload, anemia, proteinuria, elevated acute phase reactants and spirometry pattern suggestive of moderately-severe restriction and severe drop in diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO).

[Bilateral pneumothorax complicating cavitary pulmonary metastases in angiosarcoma].

Metastatic pulmonary angiosarcomas are a common complication of a rare condition. Generally, they are presented as peripheral solid nodules, infiltrates, and pleural effusions. We report the case of a 65 year-old man with bilateral recurrent pneumothorax secondary to metastatic cavitary lesions from angiosarcoma of the scalp.

[Mechanical ventilation. Influence of the age in the outcome].

There is not consensus about the true influence of age on mortality associated to mechanical ventilation (MV). We performed a prospective study in order to determine if age is an independent factor to predict mortality in patients under MV. Two hundred patients requiring MV at the intensive care unit were included and clinical variables at admission, co-morbidities, complications and outcome at the hospital and after 6 months were registered.

[Pulmonary tumor embolism: Report of two cases].

Dyspnea and hypoxemia in a patient with cancer may have several causes, including infections, thromboembolism, metastases, and pulmonary injuries by drugs. We report a 47-year-old female with breast cancer and a 70-year-old male with urinary bladder cancer who were admitted for dyspnea, hypoxemia and pulmonary hypertension. Chest X rays and CT scans were normal.

[Multiple rib fractures associated with cough].

Cough is a common symptom in ambulatory practice and in general does not require specific treatment. When the cough is chronic it can provoke complications such as syncope, pneumothorax or, rarely, rib fractures. We report a case of a patient with multiple rib fractures caused by cough.

[Spinal abscess in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia].

Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple skin and mucosal telangiectasis and multiorgan arteriovenous malformations. Neurological manifestations may occur because of cerebral arteriovenous malformations, intracranial hemorrhage, and most commonly by ischemic stroke and brain abscess secondary to paradoxical embolization in patients with pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Intramedullary abscess is a rare, unusual condition, in Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome.

[Impending paradoxical embolism].

Impending paradoxical embolism. An intracardiac thrombus traversing a patent foramen ovale is a very infrequent but potentially catastrophic complication of the thromboembolic disease. It is named "impending paradoxical embolism".