A Rapidly Progressing Carotid Body Tumor: A Case Report.

Carotid body tumors (CBTs) are a rare form of paragangliomas that often arise near the carotid bifurcation. They are typically slow growing and often asymptomatic. We report a case of a CBT in a 70-year-old man, who presented with a firm, painless, pulsatile neck mass that rapidly increased in size over the course of two months.

The Incidental Discovery of an Ileal Conduit Calculus: A Case Report.

In patients who have undergone radical cystectomy, urinary diversion procedures such as ileal conduits may pose a considerable problem for urologists when they result in stone formation. While an ileal conduit stone is only one of many potential complications of this procedure, its management may be particularly challenging; symptoms and treatments vary depending on factors such as stone location, composition, and the patient's BMI. We present a unique case of a 91-year-old male with a history of prostate and bladder cancer status post-radical prostatectomy, cystectomy, and ileal conduit who presented to the emergency department complaining of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and disorientation for the last 24 hours.

Intraoperative Complications During Orthopaedic Spinal Surgery in a Polypharmacy Patient With Multiple Comorbidities.

Orthopedic spinal surgeries, such as laminectomies or decompressions, have the potential to significantly increase quality of life for patients suffering from a spectrum of health issues ranging from neuropathy to chronic pain. Patients suffering from neurological symptoms such as weakness or neuropathy may lose significant function and become unable to perform the activities of daily living, however these delicate surgical interventions also come with significant risks to the health and well-being of those same patients. This is especially true with patients who have predisposing health conditions.

Lipschütz Ulcers: Classic Presentation of an Uncommon Condition.

We describe the case of a 17-year-old female who presented with the acute onset of painful genital ulcers after experiencing a week of flu-like symptoms. A physical exam revealed two 1 cm necrotic ulcers on the right vulva with an erythematous margin and overlying exudate. A diagnosis of Lipschütz ulcers was made based on the classic signs and symptoms, in addition to ruling out relevant infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Myocardial Bridging as a Differential Diagnosis for Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report.

We present a case of a 55-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with complaints of acute onset of chest pain. As part of the workup, an electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed ST-segment elevation in leads V1-V5. Upon cardiac catheterization, myocardial bridging of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery was discovered without evidence of any obstructive coronary artery disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis-Linked Artificial Joint Infections Leading to Amputations.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune condition that can rarely cause more serious complications, such as permanent joint damage or infection, and may pose a significant additional risk during certain routine procedures. One major consequence of RA is that it can lead to serious and permanent joint damage requiring arthroplasty. Additionally, RA is a known cause of infection, with orthopedic prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) being documented.

Evaluating Acute Bilateral Foot Drop: A Case Report.

We illustrate the case of an 84-year-old Caucasian female who presented with complaints of bilateral lower extremity weakness and ambulation difficulties complicated by a unilateral deep venous thrombosis. Physical examination on hospital admission revealed an acute onset of bilateral foot drop with pes cavus deformity. Bilateral foot drop has been associated with a more chronic presentation due to metabolic, neurologic, and musculoskeletal etiologies.

Variability of Steroid Response Time in Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Case Report.

We present a unique case of a 75-year-old Caucasian female who presented with a two-month history of unrelenting proximal muscle pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and pelvic girdle that lasted for 45 minutes each morning upon waking. Due to clinical suspicion of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), the patient was started on the standard therapy of low-dose glucocorticoid therapy and was noted to have a dramatic improvement in terms of pain, strength, mobility, and range of motion. Current literature shows high variability in the standard response time to treatment.