Coccidioidomycosis masquerading as thyroid nodule: a rare diagnostic challenge.

We present a compelling case of disseminated coccidioidomycosis involving the thyroid gland, a remarkably uncommon manifestation of this infection. The gravity of this sporadic disease is underscored by its high mortality rate, primarily because of challenges in timely diagnosis and treatment initiation. Accurate diagnosis hinges upon utilizing various techniques, including the culture of a fine-needle aspirate, biopsy and direct microscopy.

Analysis of Pre-clerkship Medical Students' Perceptions and Performance During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Purpose: Virtual instruction became the primary educational delivery method for pre-clerkship medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual and blended pre-clerkship curriculum and to assess its impact on students.

Methods: We surveyed 223 1st- and 2nd-year medical students (MS1s and MS2s) enrolled at the Paul L Foster School of Medicine.

Parathyroidectomy Versus Cinacalcet for the Treatment of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with end stage renal disease on dialysis is associated with bone pain and fractures in addition to cardiovascular morbidity. Cinacalcet is the most commonly used drug to treat such patients, but it has never been compared to surgery. The goal of this study is to compare the long-term outcomes and survival between cinacalcet and parathyroidectomy in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients.

Post Graduate Education: Is Genomics Included on Board Certification Exams?

Integrating clinical genetic education in physician training is an important strategic approach in the era of genomic medicine. To understand how much the board examinations of the American Board of Medical Specialties contain genomics-related content, a descriptive analysis of 21 exam blueprints was performed. Topics in genomics were not included in 43% of specialty blueprints which shows underrepresentation of clinical genetics in graduate medical education curricula.

Preoperative vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.

Prior single-institution studies suggest that preoperative vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with postoperative hypocalcemia and a prolonged length of hospital stay following total thyroidectomy. In this study, we employ a multi-institutional, de-identified electronic health records database to address this issue. We hypothesize that total thyroidectomy patients with preoperative VDD will be at an increased associated risk of postoperative hypocalcemia and hospitalization.

Analyzing the ATA statement on outpatient thyroidectomy using the NSQIP database.

Introduction: The aim of this study is to examine the outcomes of outpatient thyroidectomy per the American Thyroid Association (ATA) statement on this procedure using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (NSQIP) database.

Methods: A retrospective study using NSQIP database (2016 2017) comparing outpatient (OP) and inpatient (IP) thyroidectomies based on the ATA statement.

Results: There were 382 inpatient and 628 outpatient thyroidectomies.

Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma in New Mexico Native Americans: Disparities in Treatment and Survival.

Unlabelled: In this study, we examined the treatment and outcomes of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in New Mexico Native Americans (NA).

Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated for pancreatic adenocarcinoma at a university cancer center from 2002-2016 comparing demographic characteristics, disease presentation, treatment, and outcomes among three main ethnic groups in New Mexico.

Results: We identified 457 patients: 240 (52.

Racial disparities in treatment and survival of hepatocellular carcinoma in native Americans and Hispanics.

Background: We investigated if there were any differences in disease presentation and survival between the 3 major ethnicities in New Mexico; non-Hispanic whites (NHW), native Americans (NA), and Hispanics (H).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated at our institution between 2000 and 2014 was performed. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models.

Viral hepatitis status does not affect survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: There have been few studies on the impact of viral etiology on the prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and survival of patients with viral hepatitis-associated HCC (V-HCC), compared to patients with HCC of non-hepatitis B, non-hepatitis C (NBNC-HCC) etiology.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients with HCC treated at our comprehensive cancer center from 2000 through 2014.

DOES PRE-OPERATIVE VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY PREDICT POSTOPERATIVE HYPOCALCEMIA AFTER THYROIDECTOMY?

Objective: Postoperative hypocalcemia is frequent after total thyroidectomy. The role of pre-operative vitamin D levels in the pathogenesis of this condition has not been studied under the most current guidelines for evaluation of the role of vitamin D in calcium homeostasis. We hypothesized that patients who are vitamin D deficient (VDD) pre-operatively are more likely to suffer from postoperative hypocalcemia, thereby requiring prolonged hospitalization.

Leiomyosarcoma of the Inferior Vena Cava: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Background: Leiomyosarcoma of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is an exceedingly rare smooth muscle sarcoma. Approximately 300 cases have been described in the literature, and further research is needed to understand the disease and guide its management. Surgery remains the only potential curative measure.

Giant acrochordon of the axilla.

Acrochordons or fibroepithelial polyps, are very common skin lesions. However, giant acrochordons are extremely rare. We present a case of a morbidly obese diabetic man who was treated with primary excision of a giant 18 cm acrochordon of the left axilla.

The utility of neck ultrasound and sestamibi scans in patients with secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism.

Introduction: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPT) are disease entities in patients with chronic kidney disease that are caused by parathyroid hyperplasia. The role of preoperative localization studies in patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for these conditions remains poorly defined.

Aim: To evaluate the utility of surgeon-performed neck ultrasound (US) as well as sestamibi scans in the localization of parathyroid glands in patients with SHPT/THPT.

Laparoscopic liver resection for malignancy: a review of the literature.

Aim: To review the published literature about laparoscopic liver resection for malignancy.

Methods: A PubMed search was performed for original published studies until June 2013 and original series containing at least 30 patients were reviewed.

Results: All forms of hepatic resections have been described ranging from simple wedge resections to extended right or left hepatectomies.

Acquired progressive lymphangioma of the nipple.

A 47-year-old woman presented with left nipple itch and discomfort. On physical examination she was found to have a 7 mm lesion. She underwent bilateral mammography and bilateral breast ultrasound which were normal.

Gallbladder torsion with acute cholecystitis and gross necrosis.

A 92-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of worsening right-sided abdominal pain. On examination she had right mid-abdominal tenderness. Laboratory studies demonstrated leukocytosis with normal liver function tests.

Enterocutaneous fistula 3 years after resection of an advanced gallbladder carcinoma.

A 71-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and fever. Her surgical history was significant for gallbladder adenocarcinoma for which she had undergone extensive resection 32 months previously. At that time she underwent cholecystectomy, wedge resection of the liver, pancreatoduodenectomy, right nephrectomy and right hemicolectomy for a locally advanced gallbladder adenocarcinoma.