Differentiating between severe hypertension and thrombocytopenic purpura as the cause of thrombotic microangiopathy in a patient with Castleman disease: a case report and literature review.

Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is a syndrome characterized by thrombosis in capillaries and arterioles, resulting in microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia and target organ injury. In TMA presenting with severe hypertension, it is difficult to determine whether the TMA is primary and due to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or secondary to severe hypertension. The response to antihypertensive medication favors the diagnosis of severe hypertension as the cause of TMA.

Characteristics and outcome of elderly patients admitted for acute Cholecystitis to medical or surgical wards.

Background: Elderly patients admitted because of acute cholecystitis are usually not operated during their initial admission and receive conservative treatment. To help formulate a new admission policy regarding elderly patients with acute cholecystitis we compared the demographic and clinical characteristics and outcome of patients > 65 with acute cholecystitis admitted to medical or surgical wards.

Methods: This retrospective study included all patients > 65 years admitted for acute cholecystitis between January, 2009 and September, 2016.

The Use of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Outside the ICU.

Background: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is a routine, evidence-based treatment in the ICU. Due to its ease of application, non-evidence-based use of HFNC has spread to non-ICU wards. This study reports on the experience with HFNC outside the ICU.