Publications by authors named "D B Rappaport"

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a rare but significant complication of hyperthyroidism, characterized by episodes of muscle weakness or paralysis and associated hypokalemia. This case report details a 30-year-old Latin American male with a history of Graves' disease, presenting with acute muscle weakness and hypokalemia. The patient reported transient episodes of weakness over recent weeks, culminating in a severe episode prompting emergency evaluation.

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Introduction: Tendon injuries of the hand present a diverse spectrum of challenges in emergency medicine, ranging from minor strains to catastrophic ruptures. The superficial anatomy of hand tendons predisposes them to various mechanisms of injury, leading to complex medical scenarios. Here, we present a unique case of flexor tendon exposure secondary to abscess formation and spontaneous rupture, emphasizing the importance of prompt recognition and management of such injuries in the emergency department.

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We describe a 75-year-old male who presented to the emergency department with generalized weakness and was ultimately diagnosed with acute renal failure secondary to pauci-immune necrotizing antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. The patient's clinical course was complicated by a perforated gastric ulcer and severe malnutrition, necessitating involvement from multiple specialists. The case highlights the challenges of this rare vasculitis and the complications that can arise from the disease and its treatment.

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Coccidioidomycosis is a common cause of community-acquired pneumonia in endemic regions. Approximately 20 000 cases of coccidioidomycosis occur annually; however, this statistic is limited by a widespread lack of testing. Here, we analyze emergency medicine provider attitudes toward coccidioidal testing and assess the effect of an intervention to improve testing rates.

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Background: As the Medicare population continues to grow, financial pressure is placed upon hospitals, physicians, and other providers as the payer mix has an increasing proportion of Medicare patients.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to further the understanding of reimbursement trends surrounding the five levels of emergency department (ED) examinations (CPT codes 99281-99285) from 2010 to 2018 and determine how they have changed with respect to each procedure.

Methods: CPT codes were filtered into the 2010 and 2018 Physician/Supplier Procedure Summaries from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' website to gather data on emergency physician submissions and Medicare denials and payments.

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