Characteristics of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery in an Inner-City Minority Population: A Pre and Postoperative Comparison Between Patients With and Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Background Obese patients are at an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery is an important therapeutic measure in obese patients for the management of weight and comorbidities. Data are scarce in inner-city Hispanic and Black patients who undergo bariatric surgery, which eventually leads to health disparity in this minority population. Differences between patients with and without OSA have not been assessed in this population. This study aims to answer these questions. Methodology The study was conducted in a high-volume hospital in the Bronx, New York. Before bariatric surgery, patients underwent a preoperative evaluation that included a variety of blood tests, a sleep study, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and echocardiography. They also underwent basic anthropometric measurements, such as weight, height, and body mass index (BMI), before surgery and 6 months and 12 months postoperatively. Additional calculations were made using these anthropometric measures, namely, total weight loss, excess weight loss, and delta BMI. Results Most patients were Hispanic (85.2%), with a mean age of 41.9 ± 10.8 years. We found that of the 108 patients included in the study, 69.4% (70/108) had OSA. Preoperative BMI in the study was 43.9 ± 13 kg/m2. Postoperatively, the mean decrease in BMI was 12.3 ± 14.5 kg/m2. Total weight loss and excess weight loss were 30.2 ± 14.3 and 52.6 ± 16.6, respectively. Conclusions In this study, no significant difference was noted in patients with or without OSA in either the laboratory or anthropometric parameters.

Decoding the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Puzzle: Investigating the Significance of Exacerbation Scores in Triage Decision-Making.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex disease pathology of the lungs that has a significant impact on global health. It has been a major contributor to global mortality and morbidity, with COPD exacerbations posing a substantial economic burden on the healthcare systems. Appropriate triaging of patients with COPD exacerbation is crucial to reduce the burden of hospitalization, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). Understanding the significance of exacerbation scores in triage decision-making is essential for improving outcomes and optimizing patient care. To aid this triage decision-making, several scoring systems have been developed. This review article aims to discuss the different scores, including assessment of Confusion, Urea, Respiratory rate, Blood pressure, and Age (≥65 years) (CURB-65); Dyspnoea, Eosinopenia, Consolidation, Acidaemia and atrial Fibrillation (DECAF), Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR); Platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR); Pneumonia severity index/Pneumonia Patient Outcomes Research Team (PSI/PORT); and elevated BUN, Altered mental status, Pulse, Age (>65 years) (BAP-65), and their role in triaging COPD exacerbations. Proper triaging allows for the appropriate allocation of resources and timely interventions based on severity. Further research and validation are needed to establish the optimal use and integration of these scores in clinical practice, particularly in ICU settings.

Toxic Shock Syndrome Secondary to Erythroderma: Unraveling the Underlying Triggers.

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare and life-threatening condition characterized by the systemic manifestation of severe infection. It is caused by exotoxin-producing strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Erythroderma, often described as generalized exfoliative dermatitis, is a rare and severe dermatological condition involving more than 90% of the body surface, identified as an uncommon cause of TSS. Here, we describe a case of a 72-year-old male who presented with signs and symptoms of erythroderma presenting as extensive erythematous scaling and lichenified plaques on multiple body surfaces and later developed TSS.

Chylothorax: A Late Complication of Disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex (MAC) Infection.

Chylothorax is a rare cause of pleural effusion and occurs due to leakage of chyle into the pleural space. In most cases, it results from trauma, with malignancy accounting for most of the non-traumatic causes. Chylothorax resulting from immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS), during treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection, is an extremely infrequent cause of chylothorax, with only a handful of cases reported in the literature.

Spontaneous Hepatic Hemorrhage: An Unexpected Complication From Enoxaparin.

Spontaneous hepatic hemorrhage (SHH) is a rare condition that occurs due to a breach in the liver parenchyma in the absence of an external cause, most commonly from hepatocellular cancer. If a solid liver lesion is absent, then it has been linked with diffuse hepatic diseases or systemic diseases. Although SHH has been linked with the use of warfarin, it has not been thus far linked with enoxaparin. SHH can present with non-specific symptoms, and lab parameters can reveal substantial drops in hemoglobin. It is diagnosed most commonly with computed tomography (CT) imaging and conservative treatment is effective in the majority of cases. We present one such rare case of SHH.

Outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, hypoxia, and a normal initial chest roentgenogram.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia, hypoxia, and an initial normal chest roentgenogram (CXR) are not well defined. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with poor outcomes in these patients. METHODS: This retrospective study evaluated patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia, a CXR without infiltrates and hypoxemia requiring supplemental oxygen. Outcomes were compared based on D-dimer levels and included in-hospital mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, shock, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: We identified 115 patients, 31 (27%) had D-dimer levels above 4 times upper limit of normal on admission. Predictors of mortality included elevated D-dimers in hypoxic patients, use of mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, shock, and elevated admission serum sodium and lactic dehydrogenase. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 and hypoxia on initial presentation despite a normal CXR had significant mortality rates, higher in those with elevated inflammatory markers. The use of inflammatory markers, such as D-dimer and serum ferritin levels, may assist in identifying patients with higher morbidity and mortality risks. Additional imaging with chest computed tomogram should be obtained if clinically indicated and avoidance of overreliance of a normal CXR in those patients.

Atypical Sjögren's Syndrome Initially Presenting as Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonitis followed by Immune Thrombocytopenia.

BACKGROUND: Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized primarily by decreased exocrine gland function leading to eye and mouth dryness. Extraglandular manifestations occur less frequently. Case Report. A 74-year-old man with hypertension was admitted with productive cough and fever. On physical examination, he had bilateral lower lung decreased breath sounds. A chest radiograph showed bibasilar patchy infiltrate. Laboratory studies revealed hemoglobin of 11.9 g/dL, white blood cell count of 16,000/uL, and platelet count of 250,000/uL. Empiric antibiotic therapy was begun for suspected community acquired pneumonia, and then he was discharged home. However, his cough recurred. Chest computed tomography demonstrated adenopathy throughout the mediastinum and multiple ill-defined patchy groundglass opacities with a lower lobe prominence. He underwent a transbronchial biopsy to rule out malignancy; however, it showed lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis. Antinuclear antibody was 1 : 80 homogeneous, and anti-SSA antibody was 6.3 AI (normal <1.0 AI). The patient was treated with prednisone 20 mg/day with marked improvement in his symptoms. Repeat chest computed tomography showed decreased groundglass opacities and decreased mediastinal lymph nodes. After more than a year, he was readmitted due to petechiae on his buccal mucosa and a platelet count of 2000/µL. The patient was started on prednisone 80 mg/d and intravenous immunoglobulin 80 g/d for 2 consecutive days. The platelet count eventually increased to 244,000/µL. CONCLUSION: We report a rare presentation of Sjogren's syndrome manifesting as acute lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis and followed by immune thrombocytopenia. Both extraglandular manifestations responded well to corticosteroid therapy.

Pulmonary Embolism Presenting as ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Diagnostic Trap.

BACKGROUND The clinical presentation of pulmonary embolism (PE) is highly variable, ranging from no symptoms to shock or sudden death, often making the diagnosis a challenge. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is not a definitive diagnostic tool; however, it can alter the clinical suspicion of acute PE. PE has nonspecific electrocardiographic patterns ranging from a normal EKG in almost 33% of patients to sinus tachycardia, S1Q3T3 pattern (McGinn-White Sign), right axis deviation, and incomplete right bundle branch block (RBBB). ST-segment elevation associated with PE is exceedingly rare, and to date, only a few cases have been reported. CASE REPORT We present a case of a middle-aged male patient with no medical comorbidities other than obesity, who presented with initial symptoms and EKG findings concerning an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). He was later found to have rather patent coronary arteries on cardiac catheterization but bilateral sub-massive pulmonary embolism on computed tomography angiogram (CTA) of the chest. CONCLUSIONS The differential diagnosis of STEMI is broad, including, but not limited to, Prinzmetal's angina, takotsubo cardiomyopathy, Brugada syndrome, left ventricular aneurysm, hypothermia, hyperkalemia, and acute pericarditis. Pulmonary embolism may present with abnormal EKG and biomarkers that appear to be an acute coronary syndrome, even STEMI. Physicians must maintain a high index of clinical suspicion through risk stratification to identify PE in these settings, as the frequency of such an occurrence is extremely low. A bedside echocardiogram can be an invaluable diagnostic tool in such cases.

Association of smoking status with outcomes in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking causes inflammation of the lung epithelium by releasing cytokines and impairing mucociliary clearance. Some studies have linked smoking with severity of illness of COVID-19 whereas others have found no such association. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all adults hospitalised with COVID-19 from 9 March to 18 May 2020. RESULTS: 1173 patients met the study criteria. 837 patients never smoked whereas 336 patients were either current smokers or past smoker and were grouped together in smokers group. Patients in smokers group were more likely to be male and had higher incidence of underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (19% vs 6%, p<0.001), HIV infection (11% vs 5%,p<0.001), cancer (11% vs 6%, p=0.005), congestive heart failure (15% vs 8%, p<0.001), coronary artery disease (15% vs 9%, p=0.3), chronic kidney disease (11% vs 8%, p=0.037) and end-stage renal disease (10% vs 6%, p=0.009) compared with non-smokers. Outcome analysis showed that smokers were more likely to develop critical illness requiring mechanical ventilation (47% vs 37% p=0.005). Univariate Cox model for survival analysis by smoking status showed that among smokers only current smokers had higher risk of death compared with never smokers (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.22 to 2.12, p<0.001). In the multivariate approach, Cox model for the survival, female sex, young age, low serum lactate dehydrogenase and systemic steroid use were associated with overall improved survival. CONCLUSION: In our large single-centre retrospective database of patients hospitalised with COVID-19, smoking was associated with development of critical illness and higher likelihood of death.

Malignant Epithelioid Neoplasm of the Brain.

Malignant epithelioid tumors have been described in various organ systems, but are rarely seen in the brain. They are aggressive tumors and have high mortality. In certain cases, the immunohistochemistry (IHC) findings may not be sufficient to clarify the diagnosis. In these cases, next-generation genetic sequencing may play a role in clarifying the diagnosis. In addition to lab testing, a thorough history and physical exam are necessary to rule out other sources of the tumor such as melanoma. Patients presenting with neurological symptoms are cared for by a wide variety of physicians, hence it is important to raise awareness of rare tumors in order to provide timely and appropriate management and referral for these patients. We present the case of a middle-aged woman who was diagnosed with a 'malignant epithelioid neoplasm' of the brain, a rare variety of tumors. We also give the clinical course of this illness.

Cameron Ulcers: Rare Case of Overt Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed in a Patient with Alcohol Use Disorder.

Cameron lesion is an uncommon cause of overt upper gastrointestinal bleed (GI bleed). Though hiatal hernia is a well-known entity, Cameron lesions that may occur in them are usually missed during upper endoscopy. Patient with Cameron lesions usually presents as chronic iron deficiency anemia, rarely as acute GI bleed. Multiple other risk factors such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, alcohol consumption, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be present concomitantly which makes initial differential diagnosis of Cameron lesions more difficult as seen in our case.