Atypical Presentation of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura without Hematological Features.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a life-threatening disease, usually diagnosed with high index of suspicion. The pathophysiology of TTP is due to severe deficiency of von Willebrand factor cleaving protease, known as ADAMTS 13. Early diagnosis is crucial as without treatment TTP is associated with high mortality rate.

A rare and unusual presentation of Epstein-Barr virus-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving colon as the primary site.

Lymphoproliferative malignancies can involve both nodal- and extra-nodal tissues. The most common extranodal site involved is the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and it is secondary to the widespread primary nodal disease. However, about 33% of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma primarily arise from tissues other than lymph nodes, spleen, or bone marrow, for example, GI tract, skin, or the central nervous system and are called primary extranodal lymphomas.

Unprovoked Pulmonary Embolism in Factor VII Deficiency.

Thrombotic events in bleeding disorders such as hemophilia A or B, Von Willebrand disease, afibrinogenemia, factor VII deficiency, and factor XI deficiency are rare but have been reported. These events usually occur in the presence of prothrombotic risk factors such as recent surgery, trauma, or factor replacement therapy. We present a case of a 68-year-old Hispanic female with a history of factor VII deficiency who presented with shortness of breath, chest pain, and palpitations and was found to have pulmonary embolism.

The Role of Red Cell Distribution Width as a Predictor of Mortality for Critically Ill Patients in an Inner-city Hospital.

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a measure of the variation in the red blood cell volume that is usually recorded as a part of the standard complete blood cell count. Recent studies have demonstrated the prognostic value of RDW in many different clinical settings. The objective of this research study is to investigate the independent association of RDW with 30-day mortality in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients.