Pericardial Effusion due to Infliximab Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis is characterized by ulcers and inflammation of the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Antitumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF alpha) agents such as infliximab are drugs that have been used for the treatment of ulcerative colitis for decades. Infliximab is known to be associated with various adverse effects including anti-TNF alpha induced lupus (ATIL).

Clival Chordoma: Case Report and Review of Recent Developments in Surgical and Adjuvant Treatments.

Chordomas are rare tumors that can develop anywhere along the craniospinal axis. These tumors present challenges with respect to diagnosis and treatment due to a high rate of recurrence, even after multiple surgeries, and the propensity to involve any region within the craniospinal axis. New developments in radiation therapy have improved recurrence-free survival in patients with chordomas.

Admission Systolic Blood Pressure Predicts the Number of Blood Pressure Medications at Discharge in Patients With Primary Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background: Control of systolic blood pressure (SBP) after primary intracerebral hemorrhage improves outcomes. Factors determining the number of blood pressure medications (BPM) required for goal SBP<160 mm Hg at discharge are unknown. We hypothesized that higher admission-SBPs require a greater number of BPM for goal discharge-SBP<160 mm Hg, and investigated factors influencing this goal.

Perfusion MRI Can Impact Treatment Decision in Ictal-Interictal Continuum.

Lateralized periodic discharges (LPDs) are commonly seen on EEG in critically ill patients. They are often associated with seizures, but some patients may have them without seizures. Therefore, they are considered to lie in the ictal-interictal continuum.

Experience of managing complicated diverticulitis of colon: a retrospective case series from South Asian country.

Objective: To assess the morbidity and mortality associated with complicated diverticulitis in Pakistan.

Methods: The retrospective case series was conducted at an urban tertiary care university hospital of Karachi, Pakistan, comprising data from December 1989 to November 2010. International Classification of Diseases codes for diverticular disease and diverticulitis with abscess, fistula, stricture, bowel obstruction and perforation were obtained from the medical record department.

Medication pain management in the elderly: unique and underutilized analgesic treatment options.

Background: By 2030, the US population of adults aged ≥65 years will increase by >80%, and these adults will account for nearly 20% of the US population. In this population, the decline of multiple physiologic processes and diseases collectively influence treatment options. Physiologic changes, drug-drug interactions resulting from polypharmacy, and drug-disease interactions combine to make elderly patients more sensitive to the adverse events (AEs) associated with medications, all of which must be considered in drug selection.