Trends in Epidemiology: Analysis of Risk Factors and Outcomes of Infective Endocarditis: A Retrospective Study (2009-2015).

Background Despite advanced diagnosis and treatment, infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially life-threatening condition. Although recent studies have provided evidence of changing trends in IE epidemiology, few studies examine patterns within urban minority populations. Here we present the epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes of IE among an underserved African American population in Brooklyn, New York, compared to the general population.

Ginseng-Related Drug-Induced Liver Injury.

Ginseng is commonly used as a medicinal herb for memory and concentration and general well-being. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the most challenging disorders and trending events in the United States which are related to body building and weight loss supplements. Currently, herbal and dietary supplementation is the second most common cause of DILI.

Imatinib-induced Hepatitis in a Patient Treated for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Rare Adverse Effect.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare neoplasms of the digestive tract. The clinical behavior of GISTs varies greatly, has extended follow-up, and almost all of the tumors have malignant potential. The introduction of imatinib has led to extraordinary improvements in the treatment of individuals with GISTs (as well as those with Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)).

An Unusual Presentation of Acute Abdomen Pain: Splenic and Renal Emboli from Left Ventricular Thrombus.

Splenic infarction is an unusual cause for a patient to present with left upper abdomen pain. A 47-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with left upper abdomen pain. She reported that she stopped taking warfarin two days prior to presentation.

Hypothermia-Related Acute Pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease presenting from mild localized inflammation to severe infected necrotic pancreatic tissue. In the literature, there are a few cases of hypothermia-induced AP. However, the association between hypothermia and AP is still a myth.

A Myth Still Needs to be Clarified: A Case Report of the Frank's Sign.

Despite advancements in diagnostic tools, physical signs such as xanthelasmata, arcus corneae, facial wrinkles, and gray hair are useful indicators of underlying diseases. The presence of bilateral diagonal earlobe creases (DELCs), also known as Frank's sign, correlates with a myriad of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. The use of Frank's sign as a bedside predictor of underlying coronary artery disease is controversial among clinicians.

Dilated Thoracic Esophagus Presenting with Painful Progressive Persistent Dysphagia and Leukocytosis of Unknown Origin.

Esophageal cancer is the eighth-most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The most common presenting symptom in advanced distal esophageal cancer is the sensation of sticking food, but it may sometimes present with bleeding and related complications, or asymptomatic leukocytosis. We present the case of a 77-year-old afebrile man with chronic alcoholism and a dilated thoracic esophagus with painful, progressive, and persistent dysphagia and leukocytosis of unknown origin.

Catamenial anaphylaxis: a woman under monthly progesterone curse.

Catamenial or cyclical anaphylaxis is a complex clinical syndrome with poorly reported incidence and prevalence in the literature review. The underlying mechanism is still a myth although a few proposed hypotheses are stated. Early recognition of these symptoms will bring optimal treatment and prevent unnecessary intubation and complications.

A Silent Asymptomatic Solid Pancreas Tumor in a Nonsmoking Athletic Female: Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

A silent solid endocrine tumor of pancreas, intraductal adenocarcinoma of pancreas, is the fourth leading cancer-related death in the US. However, it is expected to become the third leading cause by 2030 owing to delayed diagnosis and slow progress in management. Chronic pancreatitis is at risk for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Recurrent Primary Suprahepatic Abscess Due to Providencia Stuartii: A Rare Phenomenon.

Gram-negative urease-producing bacilli, Providencia stuartii (P. stuartii), is reported in urinary tract infections, gastroenteritis, and bacteremia in humans but they rarely present with a hepatic abscess. We present a rare case of a recurrent suprahepatic cyst due to P.

A Rare Thermophilic Bug in Complicated Diverticular Abscess.

Actinomycosis is a form of painful abscess in the gastrointestinal tract or in deep tissue caused by actinomyces species. They are one of the commensal bacteria in the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract of humans but can opportunistically cause infection in immunosuppressive hosts through invasion of breached mucosa or necrotic tissue while mimicking malignancy, gastrointestinal tuberculosis, and inflammatory bowel disease. is, by far, the major and most common human pathogen throughout literatures.