Heroin-Induced Leukoencephalopathy Leading to Locked-In Syndrome: A Case Report.

Heroin-induced leukoencephalopathy (HLE) is a rare neurological sequela of heroin use. Heroin can be consumed through different routes such as inhalation, intravenous injection, and snorting. HLE cases have been reported via each route. However, heroin vapor inhalation has a higher rate of HLE and is also known as "chasing the dragon syndrome." We present a 65-year-old male who came unresponsive after heroin intoxication. During the hospital stay, he developed locked-in syndrome secondary to brain damage by HLE sequelae.

Streptococcus agalactiae as a Primary Cause of Infective Endocarditis With Septic Emboli in an Undiagnosed Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis Patient: An Encounter in a US-Based Safety-Net Hospital.

Splenic infarct is a rare sequel of Streptococcus agalactiae infective endocarditis (IE). We report a case of a 43-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities diagnosed with a splenic infarct secondary to group B Streptococcus IE. The development of a splenic hematoma complicated the hospital course. This case highlights the less common etiology of IE and the potential complications.

Pontine Infarct Resulting in Millard-Gubler Syndrome: A Case Report.

Millard-Gubler syndrome is a crossed brainstem syndrome involving the facial nerve, abducens nerve, and the pyramidal tracts, typically resulting in ipsilateral facial weakness and contralateral hemiparesis. Here we report the case of a 76-year-old female with no pertinent past medical history who presented to the emergency department with acute left-sided facial droop and right upper extremity sensory loss. A pontine infarction was identified on imaging and she was managed medically with complete recovery. Pontine infarction can result in Millard-Gubler syndrome and present with facial weakness and subtle contralateral limb symptoms.

An Adult Female Presenting With "Scrofula-Tubercular Lymphadenitis" a Rare Encounter: A Case Report.

Cervical lymphadenitis is the most common extra-pulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis (TB). Usually, presenting with a neck mass with minimal systemic symptoms is a diagnostic challenge for physicians. Diagnosis is made by combining clinical features, microscopic and radiological imaging, and fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A biopsy is the simplest and most cost-effective means of diagnosis. We are reporting a case of a female presenting with a neck mass without systemic symptoms who were found to have lymph node TB along with active lung disease. She was treated with a nine-month course of the direct observation treatment regimen.

Team-Based Learning Among Health Care Professionals: A Systematic Review.

Introduced in the 1970s to meet the academic needs of a growing number of students with relatively stagnant faculty, team-based learning (TBL) has revolutionized the modern classroom structure. Contrary to the traditional didactic model where the teacher assumes the central role and students are passive listeners, TBL participants are actively involved in the learning process. Teachers act as facilitators while the TBL participants work in groups to solve problems through engagement with their peers. The objective of the article is to conduct a systematic review on team-based learning using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The studies were searched in databases like PubMed®, Scopus®, Embase®, and PubMed Central® using appropriate keywords. Two authors screened the papers, and a third author resolved the conflicts. This was followed by a bibliographic review based on the references of the selected study and bias assessment using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tool. The team-based learning model is increasingly being used by different institutions globally. TBL and traditional lecture-based teaching outcomes revealed that TBL participants performed better in academic, clinical, and communication domains. In addition, TBL enhanced learners' engagement, collaborative spirit, and satisfaction. Our study results are similar to the prior meta-analysis and systematic review. Nevertheless, this systematic review remains more comprehensive, up-to-date, and inclusive thus far. Team-based learning is a pragmatic and superior approach to learning among health care professionals. It has resulted in better academic, clinical, and communication outcomes. This finding spans all the medical and allied professions studied in this systematic review.

Valvular Heart Disease Presenting as Sympathetic Crashing Acute Pulmonary Edema (SCAPE) Phenomenon: A Diagnostic and Management Paradigm.

Sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema (SCAPE) is an acute decompensated heart failure due to sympathetic overflow. SCAPE is usually triggered by acute insults with an underlying substrate such as long-standing hypertension, chronic heart failure, and valvular heart disease. We present a case of SCAPE in a 91-year-old female due to underlying multivalvular heart disease. Because of severe acute presentation, SCAPE should be identified early, and management should be urgently done to decrease the need for invasive ventilation and prolonged hospitalization.

Improving Medical Education: A Narrative Review.

With the advancement in basic and clinical sciences, medical education is also constantly evolving. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has endorsed six core competencies to improve teaching and learning. This narrative review was conducted after searching the article databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, and Scopus) about the core competencies such as medical knowledge (problem-based learning), interpersonal communication, patient care, professionalism, practice-based learning and improvement, and system-based care endorsed by ACGME. We included randomized and quasi-experimental trials, cohorts, and case-control studies in this narrative review. In a problem-based learning modality, a real-life scenario is allocated to a group of students. Studies have shown that it is more effectively demonstrated by a better post-test score, improved concentration, and application of knowledge. Interpersonal communication skills promote collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, work quality, and patient adherence to treatment. Professionalism is a human attribute that creates a pleasant work environment and is an essential trait that improves patients' adherence to treatment. In system-based care, patients are benefitted through a well-structured plan of care. Finally, in practice-based learning, medical trainees learn to systematically evaluate the pattern of care and practice the best modality to improve the overall patient care and physician satisfaction. These core competencies need to be incorporated into all levels of medical training.

Efficacy and Safety of Andexanet Alfa for Bleeding Caused by Factor Xa Inhibitors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) including factor Xa inhibitors are associated with bleeding events which can lead to severe morbidity and mortality. Reversal agents like andexanet alfa (AA) and 4F-PCC (Four-factor prothrombin concentrate complex) are available for treating bleeding that occurs with DOAC therapy but a comparison on their efficacy is lacking. In this study, we analyzed the efficacy and safety of patients treated with andexanet alfa for bleeding events from DOAC. Databases were searched for relevant studies where AA was used to determine efficacy and safety in bleeding patients who were on factor Xa inhibitors. Published papers were screened independently by two authors. RevMan 5.4 (The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020) was used for data synthesis. Odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) was used to estimate the outcome with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Among 1245 studies were identified after a thorough database search and three studies were included for analysis. AA resulted in lower odds of mortality compared to 4F- PCC (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.20-0.71) among patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. There was no difference in thrombotic events between patients receiving AA and 4F-PCC (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 0.36-15.84). No differences in length of hospital stay and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were seen between patients receiving AA and 4F-PCC. In conclusion, andexanet alfa reduced in-hospital mortality in patients who had bleeding due to factor Xa inhibitors compared to 4F-PCC. However, there were no differences in thrombotic events, length of ICU, and hospital stay between patients treated with AA and 4F-PCC.