Retroperitoneal Teratoma in a Newborn: A Case Report and Diagnostic Insights.

Retroperitoneal teratomas are rare neoplasms in neonates, presenting with nonspecific symptoms and variable clinical features, making diagnosis challenging. Radiological investigations, particularly fetal ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography, play a critical role in their detection. Differential diagnoses include neuroblastoma, adrenal hemorrhage, and congenital cystic lesions, which share overlapping clinical and imaging features.

Case Report of Meconium Peritonitis: A Rare Cause of Non-immune Hydrops Fetalis.

Meconium peritonitis (MP) as a cause of non-immune hydrops in neonates is rarely reported. We present a case of a 35-week gestational-age male neonate diagnosed with hydrops secondary to MP. Antenatal scan at 34 weeks and five days revealed features of fetal hydrops, and the prenatal workup did not reveal the etiology.

Case Report of a Neonate with Complex Gastroschisis: A Multidisciplinary Approach.

Gastroschisis is a congenital anomaly characterized by herniation of abdominal contents via a defect in the anterior abdominal wall. Gastroschisis can manifest as simple or complex, with additional complications such as atresia, perforation, ischemia, necrosis, or volvulus. While prenatal screening and advancements in surgical techniques have improved outcomes, infants with complex gastroschisis cases pose significant challenges in neonatal care.

Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography: A Readily Available Tool for Neonatologists.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a common condition occurring at birth, impairing central nervous system function. Therapeutic hypothermia is beneficial for suspected HIE as it reduces mortality and disability in survivors but not for other types of encephalopathy (e.g.

Chromosomal Integration of HHV-6 in a Preterm Neonate: A Rare Case of Hyperleukocytosis and Clinical Implications.

Leukocytosis in neonates can occur because of infectious, inflammatory, malignant, or physiological processes. Hyperleukocytosis is defined as a total leukocyte count (TLC) exceeding 100,000 per mm, warranting immediate evaluation. Neonates with hyperleukocytosis are at risk of leukostasis and the associated severe complications, including respiratory distress, myocardial ischemia, hyperuricemia, acute renal failure, infarction, and hemorrhage.

Case report: A novel case of paraneoplastic voltage gated calcium channel antibodies secondary to appendiceal adenocarcinoma.

Voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) play a critical role in neural transmission. Antibodies that target these ion channels can disrupt cellular signal transmission resulting in various clinical presentations. VGCC antibodies are most commonly associated with paraneoplastic syndromes such as Lambert-Eatons myasthenic syndrome.

A Quality Improvement Initiative to Minimize Unnecessary Chest X-Ray Utilization in Pediatric Asthma Exacerbations.

Background: Current national guidelines recommend against chest X-rays (CXRs) for patients with acute asthma exacerbation (AAE). The overuse of CXRs in AAE has become a concern, prompting the need for a quality improvement (QI) project to decrease CXR usage through guideline-based interventions. We aimed to reduce the percentage of CXRs not adhering to national guidelines obtained for pediatric patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with AAE by 50% within 12 months of project initiation.

Optimizing Invasive Neonatal Respiratory Care: A Systematic Review of Invasive Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist.

Background: Mechanical ventilation in preterm neonates aims for synchrony, preventing complications such as lung injury. Neurally Adjusted Ventilatory Assist (NAVA) is a unique mode relying on diaphragmatic electrical signals for synchronization. We conducted a review focusing on the long-term consequences of using invasive NAVA in neonates with a focus on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Dobutamine-Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy With Severe Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is characterized by severe left ventricular dysfunction. It presents as an acute coronary syndrome; however, the difference lies in the lack of coronary artery obstruction during a coronary angiogram. The left ventricular dysfunction extends beyond the area supplied with concordant coronary arteries.

Systematic Review on Gender-Affirming Testosterone Therapy and the Risk of Breast Cancer: A Challenge for Physicians Treating Patients from Transgender and Gender-Diverse Populations.

Conflicting evidence exists about the risk of breast cancer in transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) patients treated with testosterone. This review aimed to summarize current knowledge regarding the risk of breast cancer associated with gender-affirming testosterone treatment (GATT). A systematic literature search using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis checklist was conducted in January 2023 through Ovid, Scopus, and Web of Science databases.

Unveiling Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Fractures and Related Complications in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Concise Review.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have become popular over tunneled catheters in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) due to their ease of use and convenience. Although rare, a PICC fracture can be a severe and potentially fatal complication. This narrative review aims to identify factors predisposing neonates to PICC fracture and related complications, such as catheter jamming, and explore strategies for preventing and detecting this complication.

Unraveling Leukocyte Profile Shifts and Platelet Dynamics Following Leukoreduced Packed Red Cell Transfusions in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Neonates.

Background Packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions are routine in neonatal care and the most common blood product administered to sick neonates. However, their impact on leukocyte and platelet profiles in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants remains largely unexplored. This study examines leukocyte profile shifts and platelet dynamics following leukoreduced PRBC transfusions in VLBW preterm infants, offering insights to improve neonatal care and reduce unnecessary interventions.

ACTH-Producing Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Liver with Cushing's Syndrome.

Paraneoplastic Cushing's syndrome arises when neuroendocrine tumors cause excess glucocorticoid production. We report a case of ectopic ACTH-producing liver neuroendocrine tumor. A 71 y.

Duodenal Adenocarcinoma in a patient with Lynch Syndrome. A Case Report and Facts Related to Small Intestine Cancer.

Diagnosing small bowel cancer has been challenging due to its unusual presentation and inaccessibility on endoscopy. A 41-year-old male with a history of irritable bowel syndrome underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for worsening fatigue and lightheadedness despite iron supplements therapy for low hemoglobin. Initial upper endoscopy showed esophagitis and non-bleeding duodenal bulb ulcer with exudate.

Applications of Viscoelastic Testing in Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review Focusing on Hypercoagulability and Free Flap Thrombosis.

Viscoelastic testing is a clinically available method to assess hypercoagulability. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing literature and the potential use of such testing in patients with breast cancer. A systematic literature search for studies investigating the application of viscoelastic testing for patients with breast cancer was conducted.

Preventing unrecognized esophageal intubation in the emergency department.

Tracheal intubation is a commonly performed procedure on critically ill patients in the emergency department. It is associated with many serious complications, one of the most dangerous being unrecognized esophageal intubation, which can result in anoxic brain injury, cardiac arrest, or death. It is the responsibility of the emergency physician to do everything possible to avoid this devastating complication.