Peripherally inserted central catheter-associated bloodstream infection: Risk factors and the role of antibiotic-impregnated catheters for prevention.

Background: Antimicrobial-impregnated (AIP) peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) may lower risk of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) compared with nonantimicrobial-impregnated (NAIP) catheters. We sought to assess risk factors for CLABSI with a focus on the effect of AIP PICCs.

Methods: CLABSI rate was determined among patients who received PICCs from July 2009 through June 2012 using a retrospective study design.

Successful treatment of a locally invasive cryptococcoma mimicking primary thyroid cancer with fluconazole.

A patient with no immune compromise and no constitutional or pulmonary symptoms presented with an enlarging neck mass abutting the thyroid gland and extending through the pleura into the lung. Microbiologic evaluation revealed a diagnosis of cryptococcoma, and the patient responded well to oral fluconazole therapy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case describing a locally invasive cryptococcoma mimicking a primary thyroid malignancy in the absence of systemic symptoms.