Publications by authors named "Gilda Diaz-Fuentes"

Introduction: The occurrence of acute respiratory failure as a result of esophageal bezoars is a rare phenomenon. We present a patient who failed initial endoscopic intervention. Successful resolution was achieved through a novel approach involving a combination of Creon and Coca-Cola.

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The use of steroids and protein-based dietary supplements for muscle enhancement is prevalent in contemporary society. While these products promise increased muscle mass and strength, they carry significant risks, including severe medical complications. The consumption of these supplements has been linked to adverse symptoms, including dehydration, gastrointestinal distress, dizziness, and alterations in heart rate and blood pressure, primarily due to ingredients like creatine, arginine, and caffeine.

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Lung cancer screening with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) can significantly improve survival rates with early detection. With the increased amount of imaging studies being performed for screening, there are more incidental lesions found. Malignancy and pulmonary infections are two of the major differentials when a lesion is found on CT.

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Breast cancer affects around 13% of women. Breast cancer gene 1 () carriers are prone to lung and lymph node metastasis, while breast cancer gene 2 () carriers tend to have bone metastasis. Findings of pulmonary nodules, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, and elevated markers such as cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 and CA 27-29 suggest metastatic disease.

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Thoracic empyema is a collection of infectious material (pus) in the pleural cavity. Salmonella enterica species rarely cause pleuropulmonary infections. This condition poses a significant challenge in diagnosis and management due to its atypical presentation and potential for severe complications.

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Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare form of T-cell lymphoma with poor median survival time and limited response to chemotherapy. We present a 45-year-old female from Ghana with generalized body rash, hypercalcemia, lymphadenopathy, and lytic bone lesions. She had a history of strongyloidiasis, treated two years ago, and her serology was positive for the human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1).

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Uremic pericardial effusion and pericarditis in end-stage kidney disease patients remain one of the causes responsible for high rates of morbidity and occasional mortality. While clinical presentation could be variable, clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for uremic pericarditis especially in patients who miss their dialysis sessions. We present a 77-year-old man with end-stage renal disease on dialysis diagnosed with pericarditis and large pericardial effusion complicated by cardiac tamponade and shock.

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To expand our limited knowledge of COVID-19-related outcomes in patients admitted to inner-city intensive care unit (ICU across multiple infection waves. This retrospective study compared patients admitted to the ICU in Bronx, NY, during 3 COVID-19 waves (March 2020 to February 2022). Outcomes included in hospital mortality, length of stay (LOS), use of mechanical ventilation, and discharge disposition.

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Background: Outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia, hypoxia, and an initial normal chest roentgenogram (CXR) are not well defined. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with poor outcomes in these patients.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia, a CXR without infiltrates and hypoxemia requiring supplemental oxygen.

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Background: Hospitalization due to influenza has been stable in recent years. In March 2020, New York was an epicenter for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Because influenza and COVID-19 present similarly, there were serious concerns that coinfection of these viruses would burden the healthcare system.

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Background: The morbidity and long term pulmonary consequences of COVID-19 infection continue to unfold as we learn and follow survivors of this disease. We report radiological evolution and pulmonary function findings in those patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients referred to the post-acute COVID-19 pulmonary clinic after a diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia.

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Lung cancer is 1 of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths and bronchoscopy is an essential tool for the diagnosis. The diagnostic yield varies based on the characteristics of the lesion and bronchoscopic techniques employed. There is limited data regarding outcomes of patients suspected of thoracic malignancies with a non-diagnostic initial bronchoscopy.

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Malignant epithelioid tumors have been described in various organ systems, but are rarely seen in the brain. They are aggressive tumors and have high mortality. In certain cases, the immunohistochemistry (IHC) findings may not be sufficient to clarify the diagnosis.

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We present the case of an asymptomatic woman, a chronic heavy smoker, who presented with an incidental lung mass and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy and endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration did not show malignancy. A positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan showed increased uptake with a standardized uptake value of 26.

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Objective: Asthma education programs have been shown to be effective in decreasing health care utilization and improving disease control and management. However, there are few studies evaluating the outcomes of group asthma education. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of an outpatient adult group asthma education program in an inner-city-based hospital caring for an underserved population.

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Background: Although the incidence and prevalence of atelectatic lung collapse is unknown, such events are common among inpatients, and there are no guidelines for optimally instituting bronchoscopic techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients with complete or near-complete lung collapse managed via interventional flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy or a conservative approach.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of all adult patients admitted to BronxCare Health System between January 2011 and October 2017 with a diagnosis of lung collapse/atelectasis.

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Lung cancer has the highest mortality of all cancers in the United States. The incidence of lung cancer with metastases to the skin varies between 1-12%, with the highest incidence seen in men. Here, we present two cases of lung cancer presenting as skin metastasis.

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Bronchoscopy is one of the most common diagnostic procedures in pulmonary practice. Data on the outcome of patients following a non-diagnostic bronchoscopy are sparse. Diagnostic yield depends on indication, the characteristics of patients, and the chest imaging.

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Introduction: Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is a selective pulmonary vasodilator with limited indications in adults. We present a patient with hypoxemia and right ventricular dysfunction due to submassive acute pulmonary emboli where iNO was used as a bridge to thrombolysis.

Case: A 29-year-old male was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for alcohol intoxication complicated with aspiration pneumonia and acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation.

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BACKGROUND Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) represents a life-threatening complication for many respiratory infections. We present a case of a patient with influenza A pneumonia associated with DAH. CASE REPORT An 80-year-old female patient was admitted with lethargy, dyspnea, and chest pain.

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BACKGROUND Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) is an infrequent entity characterized by non-toxic, non-mechanical, abrupt, functional dilation of the colon. Clinically patients present with abdominal distention, anxiety, severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. This rare entity can lead to a fatal outcome if not recognized early.

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Background: pneumonia (MPP), or "walking pneumonia," is an atypical mild disease with varied clinical findings. Specifically, diagnosis is often controversial and understanding of disease presentation is limited. The goal of the study was to evaluate presentation, clinical associations and outcomes of MPP patients admitted to an inner-city hospital.

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: Asthma is one of the major causes of hospital readmissions in the South Bronx. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of asthma education provided by registered pharmacists with asthma educator certification (AE-C), on medication adherence and hospitalizations/Emergency Department (ED) visits. : This was a retrospective chart review of patients seen in the pulmonary clinic from October 2014 to August 2015 for asthma education by AE-C pharmacists.

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infections remain one of the most common etiologies of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). The clinical presentation and manifestations vary widely and can affect all organs of the body. Diagnosis is challenging because there are no constant findings in physical exams or laboratory or radiological assessments that indicate pneumonia, and specific diagnostic tools are not readily available.

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