Main Article Content

The spiked helmet sign in a patient with erysipelas: an alarming electrocardiogram sign (a case report)


Salihou Fall
Sameh Ben Farhat
Ahmed Chelly
Hella Kaddour
Saeb Ben Saad
Ahmed Mohamed El Hedi
Mehdi Slim
Houssem Thabet
Sami Ouannes
Rym Gribaa
Aymen Elhraiech
Neffati Elyes

Abstract

Early diagnosis of the spiked helmet sign is challenging. This ST-elevation myocardial infarction mimic was first described in 2011 by Littmann and colleagues and was linked to severe non-coronary pathologies, with a high risk of mortality. We present a case of a 60-year-old female patient who developed severe erysipelas with sepsis associated with severe hypokalemia. She had a spiked helmet sign on her routine electrocardiogram at hospital admission. We performed a coronary angiogram that showed no culprit artery. She developed afterward an ischemic stroke. Through intensive management of the patient’s sepsis and electrolyte disturbance, she had a favorable outcome.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1937-8688