ascorbic-acid and Hematoma

Topics: Alcoholism; Anorexia; Ascorbic Acid; Diagnosis, Differential; Early Diagnosis; Erythrocyte Transfusion; Exanthema; Fatigue; Gingival Hypertrophy; Hematoma; Humans; Lethargy; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Weakness; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Scurvy

Topics: Aging; Agranulocytosis; Anemia; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Cicatrix; Collagen; Contracture; Drainage; Endothelium; Fibroblasts; Foreign Bodies; Granulation Tissue; Hematoma; Humans; Neutrophils; Protein Deficiency; Recurrence; Skin; Steroids; Stress, Mechanical; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Wound Healing; Wound Infection

A man in his 50s with dialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease, several weeks history of progressive skin bruising and acute-onset gastrointestinal bleeding presented to the emergency department following a syncopal event during routine haemodialysis owing to profound hypotension. He was found to have a severe normocytic, normochromic anaemia requiring several blood transfusions. He followed a diet lacking fruits and vegetables and stopped taking renal multivitamins. All parameters of coagulation were unremarkable, but serum vitamin C level was undetectable, supporting a diagnosis of scurvy. Although typically associated with individuals who are at risk of malnourishment, such as those with alcohol use disorder, malabsorption, and those who experience homelessness, scurvy should be considered in patients receiving renal replacement therapy as vitamin C is removed during haemodialysis.

Topics: Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Hematoma; Humans; Male; Renal Dialysis; Scurvy; Vitamins

Topics: Abscess; Adult; Aged; Ankle Joint; Arthralgia; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Female; Hematoma; Humans; Knee Joint; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Scurvy

Scurvy is a nutritional disease caused by ascorbic acid deficiency and is potentially fatal. It was originally described in the 18th century by James Lind and associated with long sea voyages and insufficient citrus consumption. Its prevalence has declined markedly over the years but has still been described sporadically in certain countries. A 22-year-old woman with an anxiety disorder and anorexia nervosa, recent pregnancy and ongoing breast feeding, presented with a 10-day history of spontaneous haematomas in the lower limbs, gingivorrhagia and fatigue. The examination was remarkable for signs of minor bleeding without haemodynamic compromise, gonalgia and pale skin. Work-up studies revealed the presence of anaemia. Direct anamnesis identified a diet based solely of tea and carbohydrates due to distorted body image. With the working diagnosis of scurvy, nutritional support and oral vitamin C supplementation was initiated. Her symptoms and anaemia resolved in 30 days and the diagnosis was confirmed biochemically.

Topics: Adult; Anemia; Anorexia Nervosa; Anxiety Disorders; Ascorbic Acid; Breast Feeding; Diagnosis, Differential; Diet; Dietary Carbohydrates; Dietary Supplements; Fatigue; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Hematoma; Humans; Scurvy; Tea; Young Adult

A 73-year-old man presented with bilateral leg pain and swelling, and no history of trauma or bleeding disorders. Clinical examination, biochemistry and magnetic resonance imaging of the thighs were suggestive of muscle haematomas. These progressed significantly during the admission, requiring blood transfusion. Normal vascular anatomy on computed tomography, renal and liver function, and absence of infection made a bleeding diathesis more likely. This may be caused by coagulation defects, platelet disorders and vascular fragility. An undetectable serum ascorbic acid level confirmed the clinical suspicion of scurvy, and administration of vitamin C resulted in rapid improvement. Our case provides a structured approach to the diagnosis of bleeding disorders and scurvy, a treatable and potentially fatal disease which is often forgotten.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Hematoma; Humans; Male; Scurvy

Scurvy is defined as a deficiency of ascorbic acid, which is an essential exogenous vitamin in humans. Vitamin C is involved in collagen synthesis and its deficit can cause disorders of connective tissue. The most frequent symptoms are weakness, arthralgias, anorexia and depression, commonly associated with follicular hyperkeratosis and perifollicular hemorrhage, with purpura.. A young woman, with a history of malnutrition, manifested purpura and hematoma of the left lower limb. The laboratory tests didn't detect alterations either in coagulation, the platelet count or in the autoimmunity. The total body TC scan didn't show neoplasia or other suspected lesions. Excluding the most important causes of purpura, in consideration of malnutrition, scurvy was suspected.. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. Accordingly to this finding, a treatment with a daily intravenous infusion of vitamin C was started with consequent improvement of hematoma and purpura.. Scurvy is a re-emerging disease, also in western countries. When purpura appears in young adults, scurvy has to be investigated, especially when a history of malnutrition is present. The treatment with vitamin C infusions should be started as soon as possible in order to prevent any complications.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Female; Hematoma; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Lower Extremity; Malnutrition; Middle Aged; Purpura; Skin; Whole Body Imaging

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Diagnosis, Differential; Hematoma; Humans; Leg; Male; Middle Aged; Scurvy

We present a case of scurvy in a 6-year-old boy with autism and an unbalanced diet. The patient was admitted with difficulties in walking. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of the thigh showed diffuse signal abnormality in the bone marrow, periosteum, and the femoral muscle. A biopsy specimen of the femur showed hematoma, proliferative fibroblasts, and few collagen fibers, which suggested a deficiency of vitamin C. Although recurrent periosteal hematoma may be suggestive of scurvy, this finding was subtle in the current case. It is important to be aware of this rare disease because it is easily cured with vitamin C supplementation.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Autistic Disorder; Child; Femur; Hematoma; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Prognosis; Scurvy; Thigh

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Developing Countries; Female; Gingival Hemorrhage; Hematoma; Humans; Scurvy; Skin Diseases, Vascular; Young Adult

A 68-year-old female with an extensive history of unexplained problems presented at the Department of Internal Medicine for an analysis of painful cutaneous abnormalities of the lower legs. A systemic cause could not be found. Later on the general practitioner noted haematoma and petechiae and subsequently a hypovitaminosis C. The patient received active vitamin C supplement for this. The cutaneous abnormalities on the legs had significantly improved after 3 weeks. This patient was found to have symptomatic hypovitaminosis C, also known as scurvy, as a complication of an psychiatric disorder. Although scurvy might appear to be a disease of the past that rarely occurs nowadays, it should nevertheless be given due consideration. This requires a good history taking.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Female; Hematoma; Humans; Scurvy; Treatment Outcome; Vitamins

We report a 66 years-old man case that was admitted with abdominal wall hemorrhagic swelling ecchymosis on inferior extremities and perifollicular purpura with hyperkeratosis of the follicles, which gives it an appearance of palpable purpura, together with gingival hemorrhage and moderate anemia. He was a well-nourished sick man but who made a peculiar diet, practically free from fruit and vegetables which developed a pure and serious form of scurvy. We report this case because we consider that the features which appear are illustrative to provide the immediate clinical diagnosis of this uncommon disease, potentially mortal, but easy to diagnose, if we think about it in the adequate clinical contexts, and which it is quickly curable with the administration of ascorbic acid.

Topics: Abdominal Muscles; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Ecchymosis; Feeding Behavior; Hematoma; Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Scurvy

The influence of maternal vitamin C deficiency on fetal development was studied in swine with a hereditary lack of ability to synthesize ascorbic acid (OD pigs). Thirteen pregnant sows homozygous (od/od) for the defect were depleted of ascorbic acid for 24 to 38 d at various stages of gestation. Six normal (OD/OD) sows were used as controls. Only a few experimental sows showed clinical symptoms of vitamin C deficiency. Nevertheless, severe pathological changes were seen in the uterus and fetuses. Characteristic findings were hemorrhages and hematomas in both fetal and maternal placenta, and general edema and subcutaneous hemorrhages in the fetuses. Similarities were noted to the abruptio placentae syndrome in women. Depletion of vitamin C resulted in a pronounced decline in ascorbic acid concentration in most maternal and fetal organs as well as in plasma and embryonic fluids. No morphological malformations were found in the fetuses, but the ossification of the skeleton was severely deranged. Macroscopically the lesions comprised swelling of the costochondral junction and separation of the epiphysial cartilage from the spongiosa in ribs and limb bones. Another characteristic finding was loosening of the periost from the cortex, often resulting in subperiosteal bleedings. Microscopically normal osteoblasts were few and the formation of osteoid defective.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Bone and Bones; Edema; Embryonic and Fetal Development; Female; Fetal Diseases; Fetus; Hematoma; Hemorrhage; Male; Placenta; Placenta Diseases; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Swine; Swine Diseases; Uterine Diseases; Uterus

We report the case of a 82-year-old man, living in institution, hospitalized for a severe anaemia due to scurvy. Scurvy is rare in Occident. A multifactorial anaemia is usually associated with scurvy, but is rarely symptomatic. Alcoholism favours scurvy and anaemia. Treatment consisted of parenteral vitamin C supplementation associated with blood transfusion.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcoholism; Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Blood Transfusion; Hematoma; Humans; Male

A clinical description and discussion of eight cases of cephalhematomas in young squirrel monkeys suspected of being ascorbic acid-deficient is presented.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Cebidae; Hematoma; Monkey Diseases; Saimiri; Skull

Topics: Aged; Anemia; Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Edema; Hematoma; Humans; Hydrarthrosis; Male; Middle Aged; Scurvy; Single Person

Topics: Achlorhydria; Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Coagulation Tests; Extremities; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Hematoma; Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oral Hemorrhage; Scurvy

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Ascorbic Acid Deficiency; Bone and Bones; Bone Diseases, Metabolic; Hematoma; Humans; Infant; Pathology; Radiography; Scurvy