Homework as a driver of change in psychotherapy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The utilization of Between-Session Homework (BSH) holds a longstanding tradition in the field of psychotherapy. Significantly, it serves as a pivotal catalyst for change within behavioral and cognitive-behavioral therapies, and has also garnered endorsement within psychodynamic and humanistic-experiential therapies. While our current conceptualization of BSH is characterized by assimilation and integration, diversity prevails in how BSH is incorporated into the treatment plan, spanning various therapy stages, thus necessitating a customized therapist-client interpersonal dynamic. Far from being a panacea, the employment of BSH emerges as a highly sophisticated and intricate clinical methodology, demanding a high degree of therapist proficiency and competence to facilitate client engagement. METHODS: In this introductory paper, we present an issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session that exemplifies the diverse modalities through which BSH can be integrated into clinical practice across various client demographics and within distinct psychotherapeutic paradigms. We place specific emphasis on the pivotal role of BSH and its interplay with proposed mechanisms of change throughout the course of treatment. RESULTS: Initially, we provide an overarching view of the subject and expound on empirical research substantiating the efficacy of BSH in psychotherapy. Subsequently, we delve into strategies for adeptly integrating and monitoring BSH within clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Our primary objectives encompass affording readers a more lucid comprehension of (1) the content and nature of homework; (2) the influence of BSH on treatment outcomes; and (3) the ways through which therapists can foster client engagement with BSH. Finally, we introduce the six papers comprising this issue.

Prenatally Diagnosed Interventricular Septal Aneurysm with Associated Ventricular Dysfunction.

Congenital interventricular septal aneurysms (IVSA) of the muscular septum are rare and can be associated with other familial abnormalities of the ventricular septum, arrhythmias, additional congenital heart disease, and chromosomal abnormalities. IVSA is also linked to ventricular dysfunction and non-compaction, although there are limited reports of this association presenting in utero. We describe a case of fetal ventricular septal aneurysm associated with ventricular dysfunction and pericardial effusion.

Case presentation of 8-year follow up of recurrent malignant duodenal Insulinoma and lymph node metastases and literature review of malignant Insulinoma management.

BACKGROUND: Insulinoma is an uncommon insulin-secreting neuroendocrine tumor that presents with severe recurrent hypoglycemia. Although cases of extrapancreatic insulinomas have been reported, the majority of insulinomas occur in the pancreas. The number of reported cases of ectopic insulinomas with follow-up assessments is limited and they do not report disease recurrence. The current report presents the first documented case of recurrent extrapancreatic insulinoma with 8 years of follow-up, provides relevant literature review, and proposes surveillance and treatment strategies. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe an insulinoma localized in the duodenal wall of a 36-year-old female who presented in 2013 with weight gain and Whipple's triad and was successfully managed with duodenotomy and enucleation. She presented again in 2017 with recurrent Whipple's triad and was found to have metastatic disease localized exclusively to peripancreatic lymph nodes. Primary pancreatic insulinoma was not evident and her hypoglycemia resolved following lymph node dissection. Eight years after initial presentation continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) showed a trend for euglycemia, and PET-CT Gallium 68 DOTATATE scan evaluation indicated absence of recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: Insulinomas are rare clinical entities and extrapancreatic insulinomas are particularly uncommon. Follow-up evaluation and treatment strategies for ectopic insulinoma recurrence presents a significant clinical challenge as the condition has hitherto remained undescribed in the literature. Available evidence in the literature indicates that lymph node metastases of intrapancreatic insulinomas likely do not change prognosis. Given the absence of long-term data informing the management and monitoring of patients with extrapancreatic insulinoma, we suggest patient education for hypoglycemic symptoms, monitoring for hypoglycemia with CGM, annual imaging, and a discussion with patients regarding treatment with octreotide or alternative somatostatin receptor analog therapies.

Presenting cases in front of patients: implications for a key medical education genre.

Case presentations have been researched as both an important form of intra/inter-professional communication, where a patient's clinical information is shared among health professionals involved in their care, and an equally key discursive tool in education, where learners independently assess a patient and present the case to their preceptor and/or care team. But what happens to the case presentation, a genre that governs physician (and learner) talk about patients, when it is used in patients' presence? While they were commonly used at the bedside in the past, case presentations today are more commonly performed in hallways or conference rooms, out of patient earshot. This paper draws on interview data from a study involving patient-present case presentations in a medical education setting. Our analysis asks what participants' metageneric comments about the encounter can teach us about the genre, about patient involvement in medical education, and about linguistic adaptations to the genre that the profession might make to support patient involvement.

Potential application of cryobiopsy for histo-molecular characterization of mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with thoracic malignancies: a case presentation series and implications for future developments.

BACKGROUND: The management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become increasingly complex due to the evolution of personalized medicine approaches. Such approaches are characterized by the necessity of adequate tumor samples; hence, improved biopsy techniques are needed. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy is a novel endoscopic procedure designed to collect peripheral pulmonary tissue, and it is currently employed in interstitial lung diseases. The use of this technique in oncology might result in improved mediastinum staging and molecular characterizations; however, available data involving the use of a cryoprobe on mediastinal lymph nodes are still limited. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we present a series of five consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic assessment of mediastinal lymph nodes for oncologic reasons. All patients were subjected both to endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS TBNA) and cryobiopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes during the same procedure, and no complications were observed. In three of the reported cases, both cryobiopsy and cell block from EBUS TBNA were positive, while in one case cryobiopsy was not diagnostic and EBUS TBNA was negative; moreover, one case showed discordance between the procedures, as cryobiopsy was negative and cell block obtained from multiple stations was diagnostic for small cell lung cancer. In one case involving a patient treated for lymphoma, cryobiopsy provided more complete histologic characterization, and in another case involving a patient affected by NSCLC cryobiopsy provided more material for molecular analyses. CONCLUSION: This case presentation series suggests that cryobiopsy, which has been generally used on peripheral lung lesions so far, is a feasible and safe approach for diagnosis and staging of mediastinal lymph nodal involvement, especially when station 7 is involved. Compared to EBUS TBNA, cryobiopsy might provide more adequate histological samples, with a possible impact on molecular characterizations and, therefore, therapeutic decisions. However, the learning curve of the procedure has not to be understated and optimal protocols for implementing this technique are needed. In our opinion, further studies designed to integrate the routine use of cryobiopsy in current practice for solid and eventually hematologic tumors with mediastinal lymph node involvement are warranted.

Teaching Tooth Wear Diagnosis, Risk Assessment, and Treatment Decisions Applying Inverted Classroom Combined with Case Presentation Model.

This study explored the application of a model for teaching tooth wear diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment decisions to undergraduates at the UCLouvain, Belgium, based on an inverted classroom combined with case presentations. The aim was to explain its implementation and assess improvement in learning, engagement, and satisfaction. The hypothesis tested was that this model would enhance students' performance. This controlled clinical trial included 29 dental students in the test group and 30 in the control group. All students received instructions and pre-class material for reading via e-mail 2 weeks prior to class time (T0). The test group included students attending the class time (attendance was not obligatory). The control group consisted of students only attending the preclinical training (attendance was obligatory). Both groups assessed three case presentations with no, moderate, and severe erosive tooth wear. The test group assessed the cases at the beginning of the class time (T1). One week later, at the beginning of the preclinical training, the students of the control group assessed the case presentations (T2). In parallel, to measure the contribution of the class time to students' performance, the test group reassessed the cases (T2). This was followed by discussion of each case in which the lecturer presented the benchmark assessments. Students' perception of their learning experience was recorded. The generalized linear mixed regression model showed that for the overall assessments of cases, students in the control group were significantly less likely to agree with the benchmark than students in the test group (OR = 0.62; p = 0.006). Students' satisfaction was higher in the test group than in the control group but only significantly regarding the quality of the cases presentations (Fisher test p < 0.01). The class time contributed significantly to students' improvement in learning in the test group (liner mixed model; p < 0.01). In conclusion, the model applied improved significantly in performance, learning, and to some extent satisfaction. However, the motivation strategy applied resulted in only half of the students adhering/engaging to the complete interactive model of teaching. Further motivation strategies should be implemented to make the complete model more widely accepted by students.

Now showing: The presentation. Using video recording to enhance Balint leadership training.

Review of video recorded sessions is a powerful teaching tool in medical education, helping students appreciate both spoken and unspoken communications not fully appreciated in the moment. For many years, the American Balint Society has used video review in its Leadership Training Intensive courses, however technical challenges around setting up and operating the equipment have led some faculty to question whether the benefits are worth the effort and anxiety. We describe here an approach to video review in Intensives with a focus on the case presentation. Close attention to the case presentation can uncover important clues about a presenter's feelings and conflicts in a case, clues that may easily be missed on first pass. The Balint group leader listens for clues and cues to the patient's state of mind, and how the clinician is being distracted or deflected from their authentic role. Focusing the video review at an Intensive on the case presentation highlights for novice leaders the importance of maintaining keen focus on this initial section of the Balint group process for information on "what this case is about." Finally, we predict that Balint group leaders who emerge from an Intensive with this new appreciation for close listening to the presentation will not only be more effective Balint group leaders but will also be in a better position to serve as clinical role models, teaching by example to their Balint group members the importance of attending closely to the patient's communications in the patient - clinician encounter.

Syncope due to non-sustained episodes of Torsade de Pointes associated to androgen-deprivation therapy use: a case presentation.

BACKGROUND: Abiraterone is a medication frequently used for metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. We report a case of non-sustained episodes of TdP associated with severe hypokalemia due to androgen-deprivation therapy. Few case presentations describe this association; the novelty lies in the potentially lethal cardiovascular events among cancer patients receiving hormonal therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old male presented with recurrent syncope without prodrome. ECG revealed frequent ventricular ectopy, non-sustained episodes of TdP, and severe hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia. During potassium and magnesium infusion for repletion, the patient underwent temporary transvenous atrial pacing. As part of the work-up, coronary angiography revealed a mild coronary artery disease, and transthoracic echocardiogram showed a moderately depressed ejection fraction. After electrolyte disturbances were corrected, the QT interval normalized, and transvenous pacing was no longer necessary. Abiraterone was discontinued during the admission, and the patient returned to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer treatment is complex and requires a multidisciplinary approach. We presented a case of non-sustained TdP associated with androgen-deprivation therapy in an elderly patient with mild coronary artery disease and moderately reduced ejection fraction. Close follow-up and increased awareness are required in patients with hormonal treatment, especially in the setting of other cardiovascular risk factors.

Progestogen Sensitization: a Unique Female Presentation of Anaphylaxis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Progestogen hypersensitivity (PH) is a condition which typically occurs in women in childbearing years with a spectrum of symptoms ranging from urticaria with or without angioedema, dermatitis to systemic anaphylaxis. Herein, a clinical case of PH is presented followed by a discussion on the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of PH. RECENT FINDINGS: Progestogen hypersensitivity (a.k.a. "autoimmune progesterone dermatitis") symptoms are associated with exogenous progestin exposure (e.g., contraceptive medicines, in vitro fertilization therapy) or endogenous progesterone from progesterone surges during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. This condition can be difficult to recognize due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation. The mechanism of PH is believed to be primarily IgE-mediated; however, less commonly other immune responses may be involved. There is now a useful progesterone specific IgE immunoassay to assist in diagnosis and well-defined treatment algorithms that can be used to successfully manage PH. The epidemiology of PH is still poorly elucidated but is likely to be encountered by clinicians and especially allergists given the extensive use of oral contraceptives and increased use of supra-physiologic doses of progesterone required to support pregnancy in IVF. Including PH in the differential diagnosis of women presenting with cyclic hypersensitivity will accelerate diagnosis and successful management of this condition.

Warfarin-associated intracranial haemorrhage in pregnant woman with double mechanical valve replacement: a case presentation.

BACKGROUND: Management of warfarin-associated major haemorrhage in prosthetic valve diseases is difficult as there is a fine line between haemorrhage and thrombosis. An individual's propensity towards thrombosis, such as pregnancy, makes this situation even more complicated. Cases like these are very rare in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26 weeks pregnant, gravida two, para one, 35-year-old patient with prosthetic aortic and mitral valves presented to an external emergency clinic with clouding of consciousness. Her international normalised ratio(INR) was 8.9 at presentation. Brain MRI revealed a left subdural haematoma with no significant mass effect. Warfarin treatment was discontinued. On the second day of follow-up, she was referred to our centre for further evaluation of her clinical deterioration. She was haemodynamically stable on admission to the intensive care unit and followed up with a stable condition until the fourth day when she developed right eye drop and subsequent loss of consciousness. Her haematoma was surgically evacuated, and her condition improved. Eventually, she and a healthy newborn were discharged. CONCLUSION: Intracranial haemorrhage during pregnancy is a relatively rare complication that requires a multidisciplinary management plan. Although the thrombogenic risk is high, it is vital to complete a reversal of warfarin anticoagulation in pregnant women with major bleeding.

A case presentation of an IgA nephropathy patient with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is a rare disease characterized by skin and eyelash bleaching, chronic granulomatous iridocyclitis and exudative retinal detachment, and aseptic meningitis and encephalopathy. IgA nephropathy complicated by Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is very rare, even though they might have similar pathogeneses. Ocular lesions often are not examined when patients are diagnosed with IgA nephropathy, which affects the prognosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 55-year-old male IgA nephropathy patient who was admitted with high fever and hematuria. Physical examination revealed impaired binocular vision with blurred vision, impaired hearing, and a congestive rash on the chest and back. Renal ultrasound examination showed no abnormalities. Laboratory examination showed that glomerulonephritis was complicated by infection, and anti-infection therapy was ineffective. Bilateral fluorescein angiography showed Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. Further renal biopsy confirmed IgA nephropathy. Hormone shock therapy and cyclophosphamide adjuvant therapy were administered, and the patient's symptoms improved. CONCLUSION: For the first time, we reported the case of simultaneous onset of IgA nephropathy and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, which is very rare. The onset of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome is rapid and serious, while that of IgA nephropathy is relatively milder, making it easy for specialized doctors to neglect this condition. Doctors should be highly alert to the clinical concomitant occurrence of the two diseases with similar mechanisms, especially in the case of neurological defects and ocular symptoms in IgA nephropathy patients, since timely immunosuppressive treatment may improve the outcome of ocular diseases.

SITUPS: a new tool for oral case presentation in the paediatric emergency department.

AIM: We developed a new case presentation technique, SITUPS, and studied its impact on the patient presentations by medical students at a paediatric emergency department. The students' opinions about the usefulness of the technique were also assessed. METHODS: The students saw patients both before and after introduction to SITUPS. Their presentations were analysed by the clinical instructor using a student assessment form. The students filled in a 15-item questionnaire about their opinion of SITUPS as a learning tool. RESULTS: Twenty-eight students were evaluated both without and with SITUPS in a total of 78 presentations. Using SITUPS, the students gave more complete case presentations without increasing the presentation time. The main areas of improvement were discussing differential diagnoses, proposing a management plan, and identifying where they lacked knowledge and needed to ask the instructor questions. The students found SITUPS particularly helpful in identifying family and social issues of significance, thinking of relevant questions to ask the patient and the family, and thinking through differential diagnoses. CONCLUSION: We propose a new case presentation technique, SITUPS, for use at the paediatric emergency department. With the help of SITUPS, the medical students gave more complete case presentations in a time-effective manner.

Entrustment Checkpoint: Clinical Supervisors' Perceptions of the Emergency Department Oral Case Presentation.

Phenomenon: The oral case presentation represents a unique method of communication and forms the foundation for trainee-supervisor interactions in the clinical setting. Recently, entrustment has been highlighted as an essential element of trainee-supervisor interactions. Despite the growing body of knowledge concerning entrustment in medical education, how supervisors conceptualize the oral case presentation as a contributor to entrustment decision making during clinical supervision remains unknown. Given their widespread use, oral case presentations may represent a potential tool for future frameworks of workplace-based assessment. This study sought to explore what factors influence supervisors' expectations of oral case presentation content and how the oral case presentation may contribute to entrustment decision making. Approach: Using qualitative methodology, semistructured interviews were conducted from a purposive sample of attending emergency medicine physicians at an academic medical center from 2015 to 2016. Thematic analysis of the semistructured interview transcripts was conducted by 2 investigators using line-by-line coding and constant comparative analysis. Key themes were identified through consensus. Theoretical sampling occurred until thematic saturation was reached. Findings: Twenty-one attending physicians were interviewed. Four factors were found to influence supervisor expectations pertaining to oral case presentation content (trainee level, trainee familiarity, clinical context, and clinical task). Further, the oral case presentation was found to serve as a means of indirect observation and an entrustment check point informing future decisions relating to trainee supervision. Insights: The oral case presentation represents a core activity within the trainee-supervisor relationship in which entrustment plays a central role. Given the numerous factors influencing oral case presentation content, we caution supervisors against relying solely on the oral case presentation as an entrustment check point, as this may lead to inaccurate judgments of trainee competence. We recommend that the oral case presentation be used in conjunction with other means of direct and indirect observation to assist with entrustment decisions relating to trainee supervision.

Progestogen Hypersensitivity.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Progestogen hypersensitivity (PH) is a rare disorder which usually occurs in women of childbearing age with symptoms ranging from urticaria with or without angioedema, multiple organ involvement consistent with allergic anaphylaxis, to a spectrum of other non-evanescent skin eruptions. In this review, we present a clinical vignette of PH and discuss the clinical presentation and proposed pathomechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of PH. RECENT FINDINGS: The hypersensitivity symptoms are associated with exogenous progestin exposure (e.g., contraceptive medicines, in vitro fertilization therapy) or endogenous progesterone from progesterone surges during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Recognition of this condition can be challenging to the clinician due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation. It has been recently proposed to use the new term "progestogen hypersensitivity" to replace "autoimmune progesterone dermatitis" due to the lack of evidence supporting an autoimmune mechanism for this disorder. In addition, diagnostic and treatment algorithms are now available that can lead to successful management of this condition. More new developments of Progesterone desensitization protocols are now available which appear to be the safest and most effective long-term treatment option for PH. With the extensive use of oral contraceptives and increased use of supra-physiologic doses of progesterone to support pregnancy in in vitro fertilization, there is likely to be a higher prevalence of PH in the future than currently recognized. Therefore, the allergist-immunologist will be required to collaborate with gynecologists and reproductive endocrinologists to diagnose and treat this condition.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Case of Dengue Fever: A Rare Presentation.

Here, we present an unusual occurrence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in a case of dengue fever. Both the conditions are fatal and can result in significant mortality and morbidity if left untreated. In this case, as soon as, we diagnosed the patient as having TTP, we treated her with plasma exchange therapy, steroids, and monoclonal antibodies such as rituximab. The patient responded very well to the treatment and completely recovered from neurological symptoms and laboratory parameters also normalized. Hence, timely diagnosis and starting appropriate treatment immediately are key factors for successful outcome.

Medical student perceptions on the instruction of the emergency medicine oral case presentation.

BACKGROUND: The emergency medicine oral case presentation (EM OCP) is the clinician's communication tool to justify whether urgent intervention is required, to argue for ruling out emergent disease states, and to propose safe disposition plans in the context of triaging patients for medical care and prioritization of resources. The EM OCP provides the representation of the practice of emergency medicine, yet we do not know the current level of effectiveness of its instruction. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to document medical student perceptions and expectations of the instruction of the EM OCP. METHODS: We surveyed medical students from five institutions after their emergency medicine clerkship on their instruction of the EM OCP. Analysis included univariate descriptive statistics and chi-squared analyses for interactions. RESULTS: One hundred fifty-five medical students (82%) completed the survey. Most medical students reported the EM OCP to be unique compared to that of other disciplines (86%), integral to their clerkship evaluation (77%), and felt that additional teaching was required beyond their current medical school instruction (78%). A minority report being specifically taught the EM OCP (37%), that their instruction was consistent (29%), or that expectations of the EM OCP were clear (21%). Respondents felt that brief instruction during their orientation (65%) and reading with a portable summary card (45%) would improve their EM OCP skills, whereas other modalities would be less helpful. CONCLUSION: This study identifies a need for additional specific and consistent teaching of the EM OCP to medical students and their preference on how to receive this instruction.

Hematometra: A Rare Case of Pelvic Pain in Females Identified with Point of Care Ultrasound.

The differential diagnosis for abdominal or pelvic pain in women of child-bearing age that present to the emergency department is broad. A rare cause of abdominal and pelvic pain is hematometra, or a collection of blood products within the uterus. While blood is normally expelled through menses, this process is disrupted in some patients due to congenital or acquired abnormalities. This can lead to progressive uterine distension and pain, which may ultimately require medical or surgical intervention. Hematometra is rare, but is a serious condition that can be diagnosed easily at bedside using point of care ultrasound.

Successful management of an advanced interstitial ectopic pregnancy in a resource-limited setting: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Interstitial ectopic pregnancy is an ectopic gestation developing in the uterine part of the fallopian tube. The condition is rare and presents challenges for clinical as well as radiological diagnosis. This case report presents a rare case of interstitial ectopic pregnancy diagnosed intraoperatively. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old Black woman, referred from a peripheral health facility, presented at the emergency department with severe abdominal pains, vaginal spotting, nausea, and vomiting, with a 2-month history of irregular menstrual flow. Clinical and laboratory findings were suggestive of an acute abdomen likely due to a ruptured ectopic pregnancy (ultrasound was not available). An emergency exploratory laparotomy was done, which revealed a right adnexal ruptured interstitial pregnancy of a lifeless female fetus weighing 500 g (estimated mean gestational age of 22-23 weeks). The left fallopian tube looked normal. The site of rupture was repaired, followed by cleaning and closure of the abdomen. The post-operative period was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 7. CONCLUSION: Interstitial pregnancies are uncommon and rarely attain advanced gestational ages, as in this case, compared with other tubal ectopic pregnancies. However, women presenting with signs of hypovolemic shock and acute abdomen, with a positive pregnancy test, warrant a high index of suspicion.