Methylprednisolone-induced Acute Pancreatitis, a Case Presentation.

Acute pancreatitis is one of the leading gastrointestinal causes of hospitalization in the United States, with drug-induced acute pancreatitis being rare which is only about 0.1-2% of all acute pancreatitis cases (Balani and Grendell, 2008). Based on current publications, there are about 100 medications that can potentially cause drug-induced acute pancreatitis.

Comparison of Vancomycin Area-Under-the-Curve Dosing Versus Trough Target-Based Dosing in Obese and Nonobese Patients With Methicillin-Resistant Bacteremia.

A vancomycin target of area under the curve to minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC:MIC) ratio ≥400 is recommended for treatment of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) bacteremia. To evaluate vancomycin total daily dose (TDD) achieving trough targets versus a calculated strategy achieving AUC targets based on body mass index (BMI). A retrospective cohort study was performed within a large hospital network.

A Blueprint for Success: Design and Implementation of an Ideal Bronchoscopy Suite.

Bronchoscopy is essential to the practice of pulmonary medicine. It is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool for many disease processes. Bronchoscopy can be performed in a variety of clinical settings, from the bedside to an operating room.

PRP versus steroids in a deadlock for efficacy: long-term stability versus short-term intensity-results from a randomised trial.

Purpose: A popular choice for lateral epicondylitis (LE), corticosteroid injections have been associated with prominent side effects, which has led to the conception of modalities like platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This randomised trial aimed to evaluate and compare the 6-week, 3-month and 1-year outcomes with PRP and corticosteroid injections in LE. We hypothesised that PRP would prove more effective in relieving pain and improving function.

Spontaneous Recurrent Hemarthrosis Post Total Knee Arthroplasty Treated with Selective Embolization - A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Introduction: Spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis of the knee following a total knee arthroplasty is a rare complication with varying time of onset from 2 months to 18 years. It needs a prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent complications of stiffness, chronic pain, and limited function. We present a case of spontaneous recurrent hemarthrosis presenting at 3 months following a total knee arthroplasty with a follow-up to 1 year.

Spontaneous Retroperitoneal Hematoma Presenting as Femoral Neuropathy in a Patient on Low Molecular Weight Heparin Therapy.

Introduction: Retroperitoneal hemorrhage has been sparsely reported with warfarin therapy. In this paper, we describe a case of spontaneous retroperitoneal hematoma causing femoral neuropathy following treatment with low molecular weight heparin.

Case Report: A 65-year-old gentleman had presented with acute onset left-sided thigh pain, paraesthesia, and weakness along with lower backache.

Calcifying Tendinitis of Shoulder: A Concise Review.

Calcifying Tendinitis (CT) shoulder a self limiting disorder characterized by deposition of calcium salts in rotator cuff muscles. The main symptom being pain followed by activity restriction resolving on its own in most cases. Symptomatic patients are initially managed by NSAIDs, Physiotherapy, Corticosteroid injections.

Extra-articular deformities in arthritic knees-a grueling challenge for arthroplasty surgeons: An evidence-based update.

Critical to the success of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is the anatomical alignment. This may appear as a challenge in an extra-articular deformity (EAD) that may be inherent in certain people or result from fracture malunion, congenital disorders, nutritional, metabolic and infective causes. This appraisal aimed at providing the reader with an up-todate overview of the research carried out on, and existent evidence of EAD correction while planning a TKA.

Effect of Antidepressant Switching vs Augmentation on Remission Among Patients With Major Depressive Disorder Unresponsive to Antidepressant Treatment: The VAST-D Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Less than one-third of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) achieve remission with their first antidepressant.

Objective: To determine the relative effectiveness and safety of 3 common alternate treatments for MDD.

Design, Setting, And Participants: From December 2012 to May 2015, 1522 patients at 35 US Veterans Health Administration medical centers who were diagnosed with nonpsychotic MDD, unresponsive to at least 1 antidepressant course meeting minimal standards for treatment dose and duration, participated in the study.

Metastatic melanoma to the gastrointestinal tract: role of surgery as palliative treatment.

Background: Malignant melanoma is an uncommon metastatic tumor found in the gastrointestinal tract but most commonly involves the small bowel. Less than 5% of patients with metastases to the gastrointestinal tract are diagnosed antemortem. Clinical presentation could be an acute abdominal emergency such as a bowel obstruction, intussusception, bleeding and perforation or chronic symptoms with weight loss, abdominal pain and anemia.

Undisclosed and undetected foreign bodies during MRI screening resulting in a potentially serious outcome.

The risks associated with performing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations in patients with ferromagnetic foreign bodies are well known. Accordingly, screening procedures are implemented to identify items that may pose hazards to patients and other individuals before allowing them to enter the MRI system room. This report describes a patient who, despite undergoing proper MRI screening procedures, did not disclose the presence of ferromagnetic foreign bodies, which resulted in a potentially serious outcome.

Stress management for the radiologic technologist.

Changes in technology in the radiology department and an emphasis on multitasking can lead to stress and burnout, along with the potential for medical errors. A shift in viewpoint and exercises in self-evaluation can help radiologic technologists learn to manage change in a positive manner. Learning to approach change through a series of transitions and positive steps can reduce stress at work and at home.

American College of Chest Physicians consensus statement on the use of topical anesthesia, analgesia, and sedation during flexible bronchoscopy in adult patients.

Background: Optimal performance of bronchoscopy requires patient's comfort, physician's ease of execution, and minimal risk. There is currently a wide variation in the use of topical anesthesia, analgesia, and sedation during bronchoscopy.

Methods: A panel of experts was convened by the American College of Chest Physicians Interventional/Chest Diagnostic Network.

Use of ultrasound guidance for peripheral intravenous placement in difficult-to-access patients: advancing practice with evidence.

Placement of peripheral intravenous (PIV) lines in difficult-to-access patients can be daunting. Multiple unsuccessful peripheral sticks, numerous PIV restarts, and potentially excess use of peripherally inserted central catheters can result. The goals of this project were to decrease the number of peripherally inserted central catheter referrals and lower the number of PIV restarts by having clinical nurses employ ultrasound guidance when initiating deep PIVs.

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6): a novel treatment for pancreatic cancer.

Background: Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is a naturally occurring polyphosphorylated carbohydrate found in food sources high in fiber content. IP6 has been reported to have significant inhibitory effects against a variety of primary tumors including breast and colon. The effects of IP6 have not been evaluated in pancreatic cancer.

Prostate cancer cell proliferation is influenced by leptin.

Background: Obesity is considered a risk for many cancers. Serum leptin levels are often elevated in obese people. Leptin acts as a mitogenic agent in many tissues; therefore, it may act to promote cancer cell growth.

Differential effects of leptin on cancer in vitro.

Introduction: Leptin, a protein produced by adipocytes, is an important signaling molecule in energy regulation and food intake. Many obese patients have leptin resistance associated with increased circulating leptin. Leptin receptor activation downregulates many regulatory genes, including STAT-3 and PAP 1.