The efficacy of prophylactic IVC filters in gastric bypass surgery.

Background: Patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery have a high risk for thromboembolic events. Over the last decade, the use of prophylactic IVC filters (IVCF) has drastically increased for patients who are considered high risk. However, the role and efficacy of prophylactic IVCF placement remain controversial, and the literature is limited to a few retrospective studies.

Unique venocaval anomalies: case of duplicate superior vena cava and interrupted inferior vena cava.

Venocaval anomalies are uncommon in the general population and often go unrecognized, but physicians should be aware of their significance. Duplicate superior vena cava should be identified during cardiac imaging, surgery, and catheter insertions. While interrupted inferior vena cava can predispose to thrombus formation, they protect against pulmonary embolism from lower extremity deep vein thrombosis.

Pneumoperitoneum after virtual colonoscopy: causes, risk factors, and management.

Computed tomographic virtual colonoscopy (CTVC) is a safe and minimally invasive modality when compared with fiberoptic colonoscopy for evaluating the colon and rectum. We have reviewed the risks for colonic perforation by investigating the relevant literature. The objectives of this study were to assess the risk of colonic perforation during CTVC, describe risk factors, evaluate ways to reduce the incidence complications, and to review management and treatment options.

Atypical presentation of carcinoid tumor with unresolved right shoulder pain: a case report.

Introduction: Carcinoid tumors are variants of neuroendocrine tumors that typically arise from the gastrointestinal tract and the bronchus, but they can involve any organ. Unresolved right shoulder pain manifesting as the first clinical presentation of carcinoid tumor with unknown primary origin is a rare clinical entity. To the best of our knowledge, herein we present the first case report describing metastasis to the right shoulder joint in a patient who presented with bone pain as the first clinical manifestation of metastatic carcinoid tumor of unknown primary origin.

The first reported case of ureteral perforation in a patient with severe toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome.

The aim of this study was to briefly review toxic epidermal necrolysis syndrome (TENS) and Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS), as well as describe the unique complication of ureteral perforation. A case of ureteral perforation in an 18-year old woman with TENS was documented and reviewed. In addition to studying this unusual presentation the authors have also provided a brief review of TENS and SJS along with several common complications of this disease process.

Hospital Clostridium difficile outbreak linked to laundry machine malfunction.

Clostridium difficile is a gram-positive, spore-forming anaerobic bacillus that is associated with diarrheal disease. C difficile is shed in the feces of affected individuals and its spores can survive on surfaces for prolonged periods of time. These spores can contaminate a hospital environment by spread through health care workers and suboptimal environmental cleaning practices.

Application of ICD guidelines and indications in a community-based academic hospital: a case series-based discussion.

Background: Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are indeed beneficial in selected patients as evidenced by multiple large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) since 1980. A systematic method for stratification of patients and hospital-wide criteria/guidelines to ascertain appropriate device implantation became necessary.

Methods: Major ICD/CRT (cardiac resynchronization therapy) clinical studies and relevant guidelines were reviewed, and an institution-wide inclusion and exclusion criteria for ICD/CRT was formulated.

An unusual cause of pancytopenia: Whipple's disease.

Whipple's disease is a systemic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Tropheryma whipplei. The most common clinical manifestations of Whipple's disease are weight loss (92%), hypoalbuminemia and steatorrhea (91%, respectively), diarrhea (72%), arthralgia (67%), and abdominal pain (55%). Neurological signs and symptoms from dementia to oculomasticatory myorhythmia or oculofacioskeletal myorhythmia (pathognomonic of Whipple's disease), lymphadenopathy, and fatigue can also be present.

The 100-year evolution of the isolated internal iliac artery aneurysm.

Background: Isolated internal iliac artery aneurysms (IIIAA) are a rare form of aneurysm. The incidence increases with age, and the prevalence is higher in men. The clinical presentation can vary, and standard treatment protocols are not established.

Unusual Course of Splenic Marginal Zone Lymphoma.

A 53-year-old woman was diagnosed with splenic marginal zone lymphoma by pathological examination on left submandibular lymph node and bone marrow biopsies and markedly enlarged spleen. Four cycles of Rituximab chemotherapy were given. Seven months after finishing Rituximab chemotherapy, she developed left upper extremity swelling without evidence of deep venous thrombosis.

Current status of surgical treatment for fulminant clostridium difficile colitis.

Mortality rates attributable to fulminant Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) colitis remain high and are reported to be 38%-80%. Historically, the threshold for surgical intervention has been judged empirically because level I evidence to guide decision making is lacking.

Recurrent syncope, orthostatic hypotension and volatile hypertension: think outside the box.

The baroreceptors in the neck and aortic arch are important regulators of sudden blood pressure changes. They are innervated by CN IX and X and synapse in the brainstem. Baroreceptor failure is an under-recognized cause of recurrent syncope, orthostatic hypotension, and volatile hypertension, which is refractory to and may in fact worsen with conventional treatments.

Autologous bone plugs in unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare blood loss, declines in hemoglobin (HgB) and hematocrit (HcT) levels, and required homologous transfusions for patients who either had the femoral intramedullary defect left open or filled with an autologous bone plug during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hereby present our results of autologous bone plugs in unilateral TKA.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 55 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) who had undergone unilateral TKA.

A unique case of unilateral lower extremity sparing systemic peripheral gangrene.

We present here the case of a 70-year-old female who developed a systemic peripheral gangrene in both of her upper extremities (all fingers) and her right foot due to a severe septic shock requiring a systemic vasopressor therapy. Interestingly, the patient's left foot remained spared from gangrenous changes possibly due to a chronic external iliac artery occlusion and thus the lower concentration of vasopressors in that extremity.

Atraumatic splenic rupture secondary to metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer.

Splenic metastasis of solid organ tumors is rare; even more so is splenic rupture from metastatic disease. We report a case of a 61-year-old male who presented with splenic rupture and hemodynamic instability, secondary to malignant metastasis from a recently diagnosed left lung cancer.

Spontaneous evisceration of bowel through an umbilical hernia in a patient with refractory ascites.

Umbilical hernia in the cirrhotic patient is frequently seen in the setting of refractory ascites. This article reports a rare case of spontaneous rupture of a recurrent umbilical hernia in a patient with persistent ascites, following an acute increase in intra-abdominal pressure, leading to bowel evisceration. This case highlights a potentially fatal complication of umbilical hernia in the setting of chronic ascites, which was successfully managed with prompt surgical intervention.

A case of hepatic portal venous gas due to viral gastroenteritis.

Introduction: Hepatic portal venous gas is the presence of gas within the portal venous system that can result from a variety of insults to the gastrointestinal system, and which may be a diagnostic clue to ominous abdominal pathologies, such as acute bowel ischemia or necrosis.

Case: We report a case of a 71-year-old man with acute onset abdominal pain whose initial radiologic testing showed extensive portal venous gas. The patient was managed conservatively with resolution of portal venous gas on day 2 of hospitalization.

A new treatment protocol using photobiomodulation and muscle/bone/joint recovery techniques having a dramatic effect on a stroke patient's recovery: a new weapon for clinicians.

The subject of this case study is a 29-year-old woman who suffered a brainstem stroke. She remained severely dizzy, had a non-functional left hand secondary to weakness, severe spasticity in the right hand, a right lateral sixth nerve palsy and was unable to ambulate on presentation. The stroke occurred 2 years before presentation.

Recurrent acute coronary events in a young adult.

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) in young adults is rare. Clinicopathological conditions such as nephrotic syndrome, antiphospholipid syndrome, spontaneous coronary artery spasms or embolism can be attributed to such events. In this case report, we present a 30-year-old male who had his first MI at the age of 20 years.

Atypical presentation of the broken heart syndrome associated with chronic anxiety.

The "broken heart syndrome", or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is an acute cause of transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction characterized by abrupt onset of chest symptoms, ECG changes and a mild rise in myocardial enzymes mimicking acute myocardial infarction. This condition is more common in postmenopausal women and is typically preceded by an intense emotional or physical stress or an acute illness. A higher prevalence of anxiety disorders in patients with this syndrome have also been reported recently.

Stercoral perforation requiring subtotal colectomy in a patient on methadone maintenance therapy.

Stercoral perforation of the colon is a rare but serious complication of chronic constipation. We present a case of stercoral perforation requiring subtotal colectomy in a 41-year-old female who had been on methadone maintenance for a history of long-term intravenous heroin use. Our case highlights the importance of prompt and thorough surgical intervention in the successful treatment of this rare condition.