Unusual Presentation of Perforated Acute Appendicitis: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Acute appendicitis is by far the most common surgical emergency encountered in the United States and with this in mind, unusual presentations are also frequent, thus improper diagnosis, which roughly occurs in 20-40% of cases, can lead to a delayed treatment and bad outcomes. We present this unusual case of abdominal pain secondary to extraperitoneal compartmentalized abscess following perforated appendicitis, diagnosed and managed as ascites secondary to alcoholic liver cirrhosis with subsequent delay in the treatment of the underlying cause, which was appendicitis. CASE REPORT A 45-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with pain and distention for 1 week duration, who was treated with frequent paracentesis, with worsening pain following the latest drainage, raising suspicion of perforated viscus.

Myxedema Secondary to Levothyroxine Malabsorption in Newly Diagnosed Celiac Disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that predominantly affects the small intestine and is related to antibodies created against gluten when the substance is ingested. It is uncommon comorbidity in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Myxedema is a severe form of hypothyroidism that is commonly related to new diagnoses, medication non-compliance, or malabsorption of thyroid supplementation that can have life-threatening associated conditions like heart failure and coma.

Boerhaave Syndrome: An Unexpected Complication of Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

Boerhaave syndrome (BS) is a rare gastrointestinal condition related to esophageal rupture that carries a high mortality rate without prompt medical attention. BS is commonly associated with repeated episodes of severe retching, straining, or vomiting. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious acute complication of diabetes, is characterized in part by laboratory findings of profound hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis.

Comparison of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Outcomes Among Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Overlap, and Pickwickian Syndrome (Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome).

Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often present in coronary artery disease patients and confers a high risk of complications following percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The impact of two commonly associated comorbid conditions, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obesity hypoventilation syndrome (OHS, Pickwickian syndrome) in OSA patients undergoing PCI has never been studied. Methods The National Inpatient Sample (NIS; 2007-2014) was queried using the International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification 9 (ICD-9-CM) codes to compare baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and outcomes in adults undergoing PCI with OSA, COPD-overlap syndrome, and OSA+OHS.

Management of Venous Thromboembolism in Morbid Obesity With Rivaroxaban or Warfarin.

Background: Rivaroxaban is a first-line option for the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, limited data are available regarding its effectiveness in morbidly obese patients.

Objective: To evaluate rates of thrombosis and bleeding in morbidly obese patients receiving rivaroxaban or warfarin for VTE.

Intracranial Hemorrhage Secondary to Newly Diagnosed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: A Cautionary Tale.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) typically presents with complications from pancytopenia, generalized weakness, and hemorrhagic findings, with a distinguishing feature being the associated predilection of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). APL is characterized by the halting of cellular differentiation in the promyelocyte stage, and balanced chromosomal translocation t(15;17) (q24;q21) that forms the promyelocytic leukemia-retinoic acid receptor-α (PML-RARA) fusion protein present in 95% of cases. APL has a high rate of early mortality secondary to coagulopathy, lending to the imperative need to begin a differentiation agent as soon as the disease is suspected, with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) being the most common differentiation agent.

Recurrent Staphylococcus capitis Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis Presenting With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report.

We report a case of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to septic emboli secondary to endocarditis in a 32-year-old male patient with a past medical history of infectious endocarditis requiring mechanical aortic, mitral and tricuspid valve replacement presented with sharp chest pain and shortness of breath. Electrocardiogram demonstrated an acute inferior STEMI. Coronary angiography revealed occlusion of the terminal left anterior descending (LAD) artery associated with a large apical wrap-around segment exhibiting TIMI 0 flow.

Coexistence of Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia and Ulcerative Colitis With Rapid Progression to Acute Myelomonocytic Leukemia: A Case Report.

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is a clonal myeloid neoplasm characterized by sustained peripheral blood monocytosis and variable dyspoiesis. We present a case of a 64-year-old male who presented with severe non-bloody diarrhea, peripheral blood neutrophilia, and monocytosis. He was diagnosed with myeloproliferative CMML type 0 and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Multi-center retrospective study evaluating the efficacy and safety of apixaban versus warfarin for treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with severe obesity.

Study Objective: Direct oral anticoagulants are the standard of care for venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment. These agents are recommended regardless of patient weight and body mass index (BMI). However, there remains limited evidence supporting the use of apixaban in patients with severe obesity with a BMI ≥40 kg/m or weight ≥120 kg.

Traumatic brain injury in the elderly with high Glasgow coma scale and low injury severity scores: Factors influencing outcomes.

Background: Current trauma activation guidelines do not clearly address age as a risk factor when leveling trauma patients. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and mode of injury play a major role in leveling trauma patients. We studied the above relationship in our elderly patients presenting with traumatic head injury.

Monitoring and Dosing of Argatroban in a Patient With Antiphospholipid Syndrome.

This case reports outlines argatroban dosing and necessary dose adjustments in a 56 year-old male with a past medical history of antiphospholipid syndrome and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Argatroban was initiated as a fixed dose of 0.5 µg/kg/min with all initial aPTTs above goal.

Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography: Review and Applications.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has revolutionized ultrasound imaging adding enhanced diagnostic imaging and therapeutic applications to its repertoire. CEUS involves the use of microbubbles which are lauded for their benefit of enhanced imaging without the limitations of radiation exposure or risk of nephrotoxicity seen with other contrast agents. In addition, many innovative uses of microbubbles in diagnosis and treatment stages have been discovered.

Gamma Delta T-Cell Receptor Lymphoma Causing Bilateral Pulmonary Embolism.

Pulmonary embolism is a previously uncharacterized complication of primary cutaneous gamma delta T-cell lymphoma (PCGDTL), a type of cutaneous T-cell receptor lymphoma that accounts for less than 1% of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. We report the first documented case of bilateral pulmonary embolism in the setting of PCGDTL in a 30-year-old woman who presented with acute dyspnea.

The Value of Abdominal and Pelvic CT Scan in Trauma Patients With Low Injury Severity Score and High Glasgow Coma Scale.

Introduction: Computed tomography scans became the mainstay of emergency department (ED) evaluation of trauma patients including those with a high Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and a low Injury Severity Score (ISS). We elected to find the value of abdominal and pelvic CT in patients with negative physical examination and Focused Assessment of Sonography for Trauma (FAST) on arrival to the ED.

Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of 901 consecutive patients from 2017 to 2019 who presented to the ED with level 2 and 3 activation criteria.

Role of Fracture Liaison Service Program in Reducing Refracture Rate in the Elderly Osteoporotic Trauma Patients Presenting With Vertebral Compression Fracture: A Six-Year Study.

Introduction: As the elderly population of the United States and the world increases, so does the incidence of osteoporotic fragility fractures from a fall or minor injury. This results in a large cost to the health care system. This cost is further increased as more than 50% of individuals will have refractures within the first year.

Pneumothorax secondary to vaping.

Pneumothorax is the presence of air in the pleural space that can result in the partial or complete collapse of a lung. Cigarette and cannabis smoking are also well-known risk factors. Vaping, on the other hand, is not as well-established as little is known about the impact electronic cigarettes have on the development of pneumothoraces despite their use rapidly increasing over the past decade.

Idiopathic pyometra in a postmenopausal patient.

Pyometra is a rare gynecological condition most commonly seen in elderly, postmenopausal women. Malignancy should always be considered as the primary etiology until proven otherwise in the investigation of an intrauterine infection. Clinical signs and symptoms can be vague or nonexistent, and thorough investigation with ultrasound and cross-sectional imaging may be necessary to understand the extent of the disease and best course of treatment.

Splenic Injury After a Colonoscopy: Threading the Scope Carefully in Heritable Connective Tissue Disorders.

Colonoscopies have reduced colorectal cancer (CRC) burden in the United States, and their utility has expanded to include various diagnostic and therapeutic indications. Complications are seen in up to 1% and increase with age and polypectomy. As colonoscopies become widespread, specific populations seem to be at a much higher risk; notably patients with heritable connective tissue disorders (HCTD).

Asymptomatic bacteriuria: Impact of an antimicrobial stewardship bundle to reduce unnecessary antibiotics in patients without urinary catheters.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of an antimicrobial stewardship bundle on the management of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB).

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, patients were selected by retrospective, consecutive sampling of patients with a positive urine culture report in 3 separate groups: preintervention, postdiagnostic intervention, and posteducation. Patients met the prespecified criteria for non-catheter-associated ASB.

: A Study of Near Obstructing Sigmoid Endometrioma.

A 41-year-old woman had a near-obstructing endometrioma involving the distal sigmoid colon treated with en bloc removal of the involved segment of colon and the adherent adnexa.