Cryptococcal Meningitis in an Immunocompetent Patient With Underlying Risk Factors.

Cryptococcal meningitis, a severe fungal infection of the central nervous system, is usually found in immunocompromised patients, especially those with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Its occurrence in immunocompetent individuals is rare and the presentation can be nonspecific. We present a case of cryptococcal meningitis in a young, immunocompetent male with a known history of intravenous drug abuse who was also found to have hepatitis C during admission.

The Management of Intracardiac Thrombus in a COVID-19 Patient Using IV Thrombolytics: A Case Report.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has unveiled numerous clinical challenges, particularly its association with thrombotic events, which significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. While thrombotic complications such as arterial and venous thromboembolism (VTE) are well-documented, instances of intracardiac thrombus are notably rare. This case report discusses a 60-year-old male with COVID-19 who came to the hospital due to respiratory distress.

A Rare Case of Trichilemmal Carcinoma of the Scalp.

Trichilemmal carcinoma (TC) is a rare, low-grade, malignant adnexal tumor. It is usually less than 3 cm long and arises from the external root sheath of the hair follicle, most commonly in sun-exposed areas of the body. The treatment of choice is wide local excision with tumor-free margins.

Recurrent Oral Ulcers: Are They Horses or Zebras?

Oral ulcers are one of the most common complaints seen by general practitioners in their offices. Recurrent aphthous stomatitis affects roughly 20% of the general population. When ulcers persist despite conventional treatment, it is crucial to consider systemic diseases such as Behçet's disease to prevent delays in care.

Clinical Challenges and Management Strategies in Pulmonary Large-Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma.

Pulmonary large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) is a rare but aggressive malignancy of the lung. Its nonspecific presentation and propensity for severe disease at the time of diagnosis create challenges in treatment. We report a case of an asymptomatic 61-year-old female who was incidentally found to have a pulmonary nodule after a fall.

Cardiac Tamponade: An Initial Manifestation of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma.

Pericardial effusion, a clinical condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity, has multiple etiological factors. One of the prominent causes is malignant effusion. The patient is a 69-year-old female with a past medical history of Crohn's disease, melanoma status post-resection, and osteoarthritis.

An Unusual Case of Thalamic Stroke in a Young Adult With Patent Foramen Ovale and Finasteride Use.

Symptomatic cerebral infarcts with cryptogenic ischemic stroke pose diagnostic challenges due to unknown etiology. Notably, up to half of young individuals with cryptogenic stroke exhibit patent foramen ovale (PFO), while finasteride, which is used for male pattern baldness, elevates testosterone levels, potentially increasing the risk of thrombosis. Here, we present a case of thalamic infarction in a 21-year-old male devoid of cerebrovascular risk factors but with PFO and finasteride use.

Evaluation of Monkeypox as an Unrecognized Sexually Transmitted Disease: A Rare Case of Monkeypox Infection with HIV and Syphilis Coinfection.

Monkeypox (MPX) virus is endemic in Africa. However, since May 2022, many cases have been reported worldwide in many non-endemic regions as well. The virus usually spreads from animals to humans or from humans to humans through respiratory droplets or after contact with infected lesions.

Interventional Dilemma in a Young Woman With Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Who Presented With High-Risk Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) Progressing to ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI).

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an infrequent presentation of acute myocardial infarction in young women and denotes the non-atherosclerotic separation of the coronary artery wall. Precipitating causes include fibromuscular dysplasia, postpartum hormonal changes, multiparity, connective tissue diseases like Marfan syndrome, autoimmune conditions, and hormonal therapy. It is often underdiagnosed due to a low index of suspicion based on age and gender bias as well as knowledge about different angiographic variants in SCAD.

Follicular Lymphoma Presenting as Intussusception in an Adult.

A 61-year-old male with no past medical history presented with intense abdominal pain for three days, associated with hematochezia, nausea, and non-bloody vomiting. CT scan of the abdomen showed distended small bowel, diffuse lymphadenopathy, and intussusception of the distal ileum into the cecum with obstruction. Ileocolic resection and histopathological staining confirmed the diagnosis of follicular lymphoma and appropriate treatment was initiated.