Mediastinal Paraganglioma: A Challenging Surgical Approach.

Mediastinal paragangliomas, though rare, present significant surgical challenges due to their proximity to critical vascular structures within the mediastinum. This case report discusses the management of a patient with an incidentally discovered non-functional mediastinal paraganglioma. The tumor's location necessitated meticulous preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation to prevent vascular injury.

Anti-CASPR2 Antibody-Associated Autoimmune Encephalitis Presenting as Refractory Seizures.

Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) is a rare immune-mediated disorder comprised of non-infectious neuroinflammatory disease processes. Clinical presentation overlaps with a broad range of neurodegenerative disorders and infectious encephalitis; therefore, AE remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Patients may present with nonspecific symptoms such as psychiatric disturbances, cognitive deficits, seizures, movement disorders, and confusion.

Ignatzschineria indica Bacteremia Initially Misdiagnosed in a Patient With a Maggot-Infested Wound.

Gram-negative bacteremia in hospitalized patients often leads to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and mortality rates. Simultaneously, the presence of comorbidities like chronic wounds increases the risk of severe infection and complicated hospital courses involving amputation, broad-spectrum antibiotic use, and repeat hospital admissions, after discharge. This case presents a 72-year-old male with a past medical history significant for chronic lower extremity cellulitis with multiple prior hospitalizations.

Leclercia adecarboxylata in a Patient With Newly Diagnosed Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

is a Gram-negative bacillus commonly seen in immunocompromised individuals and often misdiagnosed as . is an opportunistic pathogen found in aquatic environments. It is a nonfatal infection that has low virulence and endorses susceptibility to many common antibiotics.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Rectum Associated With a Tubulovillous Adenoma: An Atypical Case Presentation.

Small cell carcinoma of the rectum (SCCR) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine tumor. Its association with a tubulovillous adenoma is an exceptional occurrence, presenting significant implications for diagnosis and treatment. This case report details a 62-year-old male, undergoing treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma, presented with symptoms of diarrhea.

Vanishing Lung Syndrome in a Young Male With Chronic Marijuana Use: A Case Report.

Vanishing lung syndrome (VLS) also known as type I bullae disease or idiopathic bullous disease is characterized by giant emphysematous bullae that commonly develop in the upper lobes, occupying at least one-third of a hemithorax. It is a progressive and irreversible condition that involves pulmonary parenchymal destruction and alveolar dilation. It is commonly associated with middle-aged tobacco smokers, habitual marijuana users, and those with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

Managing Mesenteric-Side Small Bowel Perforation in the Setting of Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Dual Challenge.

Small bowel perforations are critical surgical emergencies, and those occurring on the mesenteric side are particularly uncommon. These perforations can lead to significant morbidity due to potential vascular compromise and the rapid spread of intraluminal contents. When a patient concurrently presents with a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), the clinical management becomes even more intricate.

Water Lung: An Interesting Case of Non-cardiogenic Pulmonary Edema in a Heart Failure Patient.

Contrast-induced pulmonary edema is a rare but life-threatening condition often missed in heart failure patients. We present a case of a 65-year-old female with a past medical history of coronary artery disease, diastolic heart failure, and chronic kidney disease who presented with chest pain. She received low osmolar intravenous (IV) contrast for cardiac catheterization.

Procalcitonin Use for Predicting Mortality and Morbidity of Patients Diagnosed With Sepsis Within the Intensive Care Unit.

Objective Infections leading to severe sepsis and septic shock are among the top five causes requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Up to 40% of ICU admissions contain a sepsis diagnosis. Without a clear marker to diagnose and manage sepsis, procalcitonin has been extensively studied for its usefulness in the management of bacterial infections.

When the Lung Refuses to Expand: A Deep Dive Into a Pneumothorax Ex Vacuo Case.

Pneumothorax ex vacuo and trapped lung represent challenging clinical entities, especially in the context of pre-existing comorbidities. This case report outlines the diagnostic and management pathway of a 38-year-old patient with cerebral palsy who initially presented with empyema. Following the evacuation of the empyema, the patient developed pneumothorax ex vacuo, a rare phenomenon occurring due to a vacuum-like negative intrapleural pressure initiated by lung collapse.

Incidental Finding of Thoracic Aortic Dissection in a Patient Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). Most patients present to the emergency room with severe chest pain, shortness of breath, or after a syncopal episode. Asymptomatic patients pose a challenge to diagnosis.

A Case of a Mass of the Pancreatic Head Presenting as Mixed Hemorrhagic and Septic Shock.

Acute cholangitis is a biliary tract infection secondary to the obstruction, which causes biliary stasis and bacterial overgrowth. Typically, it presents with the Charcot triad of right upper quadrant abdominal pain, jaundice, and fever. Most acute cholangitis cases are secondary to choledocholithiasis.

A Case of Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Secondary to Epstein-Barr Virus Infection.

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a rare disease characterized by autoantibodies directed at red blood cells. Patients typically present with anemia and are diagnosed by positive direct antiglobulin (DAT) test. AIHA is subclassified into warm or cold based on antibodies involved and depending on their optimal temperature in which they react with RBC antigens.

Extremely Aggressive Mesenteric Extragastrointestinal Stromal Tumor: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare tumors with increasing incidence. GIST is the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract involving the elderly population with a slow progression. It originates from the interstitial cells of Cajal.

Liberal Intravenous Fluid Administration in a Rare Case of Severe Rhabdomyolysis Secondary to SARS-CoV-2.

SARS-CoV-2 entered the world by storm when it made its appearance at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China. The severity can range from asymptomatic infection, which occurs in approximately 33% of infected patients, to death. Worldwide deaths due to SARS-CoV-2 are currently approximated at 3.