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BMJ Open Gastroenterol 2022 Jun;9(1)

Digestive Function: Basel, Laboratory and Clinic for Motility Disorders and Functional Digestive Diseases, Klinik Arlesheim AG, Arlesheim, BS, Switzerland

Recurrent and persistent bouts of hiccups impact the quality of life by interfering with eating, social interaction and work. Popular home remedies, such as breath holding and drinking ice water, target activity in the vagal and phrenic nerves that are thought to trigger these repetitive, myoclonic contractions. However, the pathophysiology of hiccups and the mechanism by which any of these methods work are unclear. Read More

A A Pract 2022 Jun 20;16(6):e01597. Epub 2022 Jun 20.

Department of Anesthesiology, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan.

Hiccups are common reflexes and many treatment methods have been reported. Chlorpromazine is a known treatment option for hiccups, but its efficacy under general anesthesia remains unclear. We report the case of a patient with vagal schwannoma who developed hiccups while under general anesthesia. Read More

BMC Cancer 2022 Jun 15;22(1):659. Epub 2022 Jun 15.

Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.

Background: To our knowledge, previous studies have not investigated hiccups in patients with cancer with detailed patient-level data with the goal of capturing a broad spectrum of hiccup symptomatology.

Methods: This multi-site, single institution study examined consecutive medical records to better understand hiccups in patients with cancer.

Results: A total of 320 patients are the focus of this report. Read More

J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 2022 Jan-Dec;10:23247096221103380

State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA.

Ventricular fibrillation can lead to sudden cardiac death. Automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) devices have shown to be highly successful in the termination of these arrhythmias and are a first-line modality of treatment for the prevention of sudden cardiac death. We present the case of a 69-year-old female with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on anticoagulation with apixaban and rate controlled with metoprolol who presented from home with a chief complaint of hiccups. Read More

Intern Med 2022 Jun 7. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Departments of Neurology, Takamatsu Red Cross Hospital, Japan.

A 73-year-old Japanese man with diabetic complications presented with involuntary lip movements and long-lasting hiccups after developing zoster rash. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed lesions involving the medial temporal lobe and C1 level of the spinal cord. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) encephalomyelitis was diagnosed. Read More

Balkan Med J 2022 Jun 7. Epub 2022 Jun 7.

Primary Care and Advanced Triage Section Osaka City General Hospital, Japan.

Front Immunol 2022 19;13:864664. Epub 2022 May 19.

Department of Neurology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune-mediated idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease with a typical clinical presentation of optic neuritis, acute myelitis, and area postrema syndrome. Most NMOSD patients are seropositive for disease-specific and pathogenic aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies, which are key markers for the NMOSD diagnosis. Herein, we report an atypical case of a 41-year-old man who complained of intractable hiccups and vomiting at disease onset, followed by fever, headache, back pain, progressive paresthesia, and weakness of extremities later on. Read More

Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022 May 26;77:103629. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

Mogadishu Somali Turkish Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, Somalia.

Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) combined with right atrial (RA) thrombus is associated with significant mortality. Hemodynamic collapses, which can manifest as hypotension, severe dyspnea; cyanosis, syncope, shock, and right ventricular heart failure are the hallmark of massive PE. Moreover, hemodynamic collapse can be the earliest clinical presentation and the most common cause of death in the first days. Read More

Cureus 2022 Apr 24;14(4):e24430. Epub 2022 Apr 24.

Surgery and Perioperative Medicine, Veterans Administration Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, USA.

Intractable hiccups are a rare yet debilitating pathology with a broad differential and often indicate a more serious underlying pathology, which can range from neoplasms to structural abnormalities. In this case report, we present a 64-year-old male with seven months of intractable hiccups determined to be caused by eventration of the right hemidiaphragm. The patient was treated with baclofen to treat the hiccups pharmacologically. Read More

Strahlenther Onkol 2022 May 30. Epub 2022 May 30.

Department of Radiation Oncology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, No. 17, Panjiayuan Nanli, Chaoyang District, 100021, Beijing, China.

Background: There is sparse research reporting effective interventions for preventing nausea and emesis caused by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC).

Methods: Treatment-naïve LA-HNSCC patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy with concomitant cisplatin 100 mg/m (33 mg/m/days [d]1-3) every 3 weeks for two cycles. All patients were given oral aprepitant 125 mg once on d1, then 80 mg once on d2-5; ondansetron 8 mg once on d1; and dexamethasone 12 mg once on d1, then 8 mg on d2-5. Read More

Front Neurol 2022 9;13:836337. Epub 2022 May 9.

Department of Neurosurgery, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States.

Objective: The present study sought to differentiate multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients at their first attack by describing and distinguishing their clinical features, radiographic characteristics, and immunologic characteristics of serum and cerebrospinal fluid.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 58 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and 52 patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) by referencing brainstem lesions as the prodromal events. Their demographics and presentation at the time of the first attack was evaluated including their gender, age, clinical features of the first attack, the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), brainstem lesion(s) by head MRI, and immunological indices of serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Read More

Germs 2022 Mar 31;12(1):107-111. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

MD, PhD, Children's Neurological Diseases Research Centre and Telemedicine (CEFORATEN) of the Paediatric Hospital Sibiu, Str. Pompeiu Onofreiu, Nr. 2-4, Sibiu, 550166, Romania.

Introduction: Among the less common symptoms associated with the SARS-CoV-2 infection the attention is drawn by a persistent hiccup that was recently quoted in the literature.

Case Report: We present the case of a 46-year-old Caucasian male patient hospitalized in the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the Academic Emergency Hospital Sibiu, Romania with laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection with a positive result of real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay from nasopharyngeal swabs, that during the disease course developed persistent hiccup associated with the administration of cortisone therapy, dexamethasone. A decision to stop the treatment with cortisone preparations was made, with the disappearance of the hiccup after 36 hours. Read More

Cureus 2022 Apr 12;14(4):e24090. Epub 2022 Apr 12.

Internal Medicine Residency Program, University of Connecticut, Farmington, USA.

We report a rare case of a patient presenting with a very unusual manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A 62-year-old male presented to the emergency department (ED) with complaints of headache, nausea, vomiting, and intractable hiccups for two days. Laboratory results showed that he had profound hyponatremia (Na+: 103 mEq/L) and hypokalemia (K+: 2. Read More

Front Neurol 2022 25;13:872684. Epub 2022 Apr 25.

Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Background And Objectives: To describe a new case of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) induced by the administration of interferon-alpha (IFNα) and to raise awareness of this rare drug-induced disease of IFNα treatment.

Methods: A single case study and comprehensive literature review of eight cases.

Results: A 24-year-old man was diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis and essential thrombocythemia. Read More

Ann Palliat Med 2022 Apr 24. Epub 2022 Apr 24.

Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Background: Several case reports suggest that olanzapine palliates hiccups. To our knowledge, however, no larger scale studies have confirmed that olanzapine prevents or palliatives hiccups. Hence, the current study sought to substantiate the conclusions from these earlier case reports. Read More

Clin Case Rep 2022 Apr 20;10(4):e05752. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Department of Hemato-oncology Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital Kathmandu Nepal.

A 26-year-old man presented with difficulty swallowing, dizziness, hiccups, and Horner's syndrome. Clinical and neuroimaging collaboration confirmed lateral medullary syndrome. Polycythemia was identified as the only attributable risk factor. Read More

Rinsho Shinkeigaku 2022 May 26;62(5):351-356. Epub 2022 Apr 26.

Department of Neurology, Kobe City Nishi-Kobe Medical Center.

We report a case of a patient with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who was originally treated for multiple sclerosis (MS) due to a negative anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody test, but later the antibody titer became positive. A 58-year-old woman without prior medical history developed acute left facial pain, vomiting, and hiccups. MRI showed an intraparenchymal lesion extending from the medulla oblongata to cervical cord with high T-weighted signal intensity. Read More

Front Oncol 2022 5;12:839765. Epub 2022 Apr 5.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai, China.

Background: The optimal evidence-based management for the subsets of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients who rejected or were intolerant to intravenous chemotherapy due to old age or serious comorbidities is currently lacking. This study aimed to assess the safety and local control rate (LCR) of S-1 (tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil potassium) combined with radiotherapy in these subsets of ESCC patients.

Methods: Locally advanced ESCC patients who rejected or were intolerant to intravenous chemotherapy due to age >75 years or serious comorbidities were enrolled in a prospective, single-arm, phase 2 trial. Read More

Front Neurol 2022 4;13:819624. Epub 2022 Apr 4.

Society of Meta-Research and Biomedical Innovation, London, United Kingdom.

Symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, dyspnoea, and respiratory distress, are commonly described in patients infected with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Recently, a growing number of cases pertained to persistent hiccups have been reported by SARS-CoV-2 infected patients. The aim of this systematic review was to screen the current literature and provide a summary of the reported cases of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients presenting with persistent hiccups. Read More

BMJ Support Palliat Care 2022 Apr 20. Epub 2022 Apr 20.

Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA

Womens Health (Lond) 2022 Jan-Dec;18:17455057221092266

Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Infection with is one of the most frequent chronic bacterial illnesses in humans. Pregnant mothers are the populations most vulnerable to infection. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of infection and associated factors among pregnant mothers having antenatal care at Debre Tabor General Hospital, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia, 2021. Read More

Neuroimmunomodulation 2022 Apr 14:1-6. Epub 2022 Apr 14.

Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.

Introduction: Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is a recently described steroid-responsive meningoencephalomyelitis positive for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) anti-GFAP antibody. Area postrema syndrome (APS) involves intractable hiccups, nausea, and vomiting, which is caused by medulla oblongata (MO) impairment. APS is a characteristic symptom of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) autoimmunity, and it helps to differentiate between AQP4 and GFAP autoimmunity. Read More

Neonatology 2022 Apr 8:1-5. Epub 2022 Apr 8.

Newborn Research Zurich, Department of Neonatology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Hiccups occur at all ages but are most common during fetal development, and accordingly, they are seen regularly in preterm infants. However, the physiologic correlate of hiccups has never been established. We present the case of a preterm infant who developed a spell of hiccups and compared lung volume changes during hiccups with spontaneous breaths using electrical impedance tomography. Read More

J Oncol 2022 21;2022:9984738. Epub 2022 Mar 21.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Xiamen Cancer Center, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, China.

Purpose: To explore the efficacy and safety of adding olanzapine (5 mg or 10 mg) to 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonists (5-HT RA), neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists (NK1 RA), and dexamethasone for nausea and vomiting in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) receiving cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: Patients receiving olanzapine 5 mg or 10 mg combined with 5-HT RA, NK1 RA, and dexamethasone during the cisplatin-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy were included. The primary endpoint was the complete response (CR) (no vomiting) rate, and the secondary endpoint was the incidence of no nausea. Read More

Access Microbiol 2022 2;4(2):000308. Epub 2022 Feb 2.

Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Health, Hempstead, NY, USA.

Introduction: infections are being increasingly reported in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. We describe a case of infection with an atypical presentation in an immunocompetent patient.

Case Presentation: A previously healthy 47-year-old gentleman presented with hiccups and paroxysmal spasms. Read More

Ann Neurosci 2021 Jul 18;28(3-4):117-121. Epub 2021 Oct 18.

Department of neurological sciences, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: Hiccups is a known presentation of lateral medullary infarction. However, the region in the medulla associated with this finding is not clearly known. In this study, we aimed to study the neural correlates of hiccups in patients with lateral medullary infarction (LMI). Read More

Minerva Anestesiol 2022 03;88(3):194-195

Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Lianyungang, China -

BMJ Case Rep 2022 Mar 15;15(3). Epub 2022 Mar 15.

Emergency Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India

Hiccups are experienced by people of all ages. While acute hiccups are benign and self-limited, persistent and intractable hiccups can sometimes signal a serious disease. We present a young previously healthy man who complained of only hiccups for 4 months and later developed a severe headache and projectile vomiting. Read More

Rev Med Liege 2022 Mar;77(3):161-166

Service de Neurologie, CHU, Liège, Belgique.

Hiccups are most often benign and of short duration. However, they may also be persistent (superior to 48h) or even refractory (superior to 1 month). In such cases, they markedly alter the quality of life and can lead to severe impairment of health. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2022 25;13:74. Epub 2022 Feb 25.

Department of Neurosurgery, Otsu City Hospital, Otsu, Japan.

Background: Intractable hiccups can last for more than 1-2 months and can occur, as shown in this case study, due to cervical nerve root compression.

Case Description: A 76-year-old male presented with intractable hiccups and neck pain of 7 months' duration. The patient underwent magnetic resonance imaging studies of the entire neuraxis. Read More