Seronegative Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis With Isolated Lung Lesions: A Case Report.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), previously referred to as Wegener's granulomatosis, is an uncommon form of necrotizing vasculitis that predominantly targets small and medium-sized blood vessels as a result of granulomatous inflammation. Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is defined by the existence of necrotizing granulomas in the upper respiratory tract, along with renal involvement, which includes necrotizing glomerulonephritis with extra capillary crescents. From a diagnostic perspective, there is a high correlation between GPA and proteinase-3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) because of the release of inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lytic enzymes. While ANCA-positive serology is commonly used as the diagnostic criteria, we present a seronegative GPA case with isolated lung lesions. A 54-year-old woman was referred for an assessment of hemoptysis and alterations in her chest radiograph. The patient's laboratory results showed a positive QuantiFERON test but negative results for ANCA and antinuclear antibodies (ANA) tests. A chest CT scan showed the presence of several pulmonary nodules in both lungs, with some cavitation. A CT-guided biopsy was conducted on a nodule located in the lower lobe of the right lung. The results showed that the nodule had non-neoplastic chronic inflammation and an area of geographic necrosis. A second robotic-assisted left upper and lower lobe wedge resection was done, which showed white to tan granular lesions with necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and lymph nodes with anthracosis and a lot of histiocytes, which is typical of GPA. The patient received a six-month course of intravenous rituximab treatment.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease and End-Stage Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we explored the utilization of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) to detect fibrotic changes secondary to uremic cardiomyopathy during the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Uremic myocardial fibrosis can lead to arrhythmia and heart failure, and it is important to detect these changes. CMR offers a noninvasive way to characterize the severity of cardiac remodeling. A comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases was conducted. Studies were divided according to scanner field strength (1.5 or 3 Tesla). The random effects model was used to calculate the pooled mean, 95% confidence interval (CI), standard error, and standardized mean difference (SMD). The I2 statistic was used to assess the heterogeneity between study-specific estimates. The search retrieved 779 studies. From these, 20 studies met the inclusion criteria and had 642 CKD patients (mean age of 56.8 years; 65.2% males; mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 33 mL/min/1.73 m2) and 658 ESKD patients on dialysis (mean age of 55.6 years; 63.3% males; mean dialysis duration of 3.47 years). CKD patients had an increased left ventricular mass index (LVMi) compared to controls, with an SMD of 0.37 (95% CI: 0.20-0.54; I2 0%; p-value <0.05). ESKD patients also had increased LVMi compared to controls, SMD 0.88 (95% CI: 0.35-1.41; I2 79.1%; p-value 0.001). Myocardial fibrosis assessment using T1 mapping showed elevated values; the SMD of native septal T1 values between CKD and controls was 1.099 (95% CI: 0.73-1.46; I2 33.6%; p-value <0.05), and the SMD of native septal T1 values between ESKD patients and controls was 1.12 (95% CI: 0.85-1.38; I2 33.69%; p-value <0.05). In conclusion, patients with CKD and ESKD with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) have higher LVMi and T1 values, indicating increased mass and fibrosis. T1 mapping can be used for the early detection of cardiomyopathy and as a risk stratification tool. Large, randomized trials are needed to confirm these findings and determine the effect of long-term dialysis on cardiac fibrosis.

Unilateral foot drop due to prone positioning in COVID-19: A case report.

Key Clinical Message: Understanding the complications arising from prone positioning following mechanical ventilation during management of acute respiratory distress from COVID-19. Abstract: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) resulting from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been one of the well-known complications of the disease since it was first reported in 2020. Mechanical ventilation for severe ARDS has been widely utilized for the management of such patients. Prone positioning (PP) is associated with improved oxygenation and overall outcomes in both intubated and non-intubated patients. However, there are several complications associated with this procedure, including compressive neuropathies. In this article, we report a case of unilateral foot drop following mechanical ventilation and PP during the management of ARDS from COVID-19.

Disseminated Nocardia infection-A rare presentation.

Nocardia infection is rare and requires early diagnosis, extended use of sulfonamides for good prognosis, and prevention of recurrence. It is crucial to suspect nocardiosis in cases of atypical pneumonias or unexplained visceral organ dysfunction.

A Unique Case of Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum in a Patient With COVID-19 and Influenza Coinfection.

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is reported in patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) and influenza infection independently, usually associated with noninvasive and mechanical ventilation. We report a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum in a patient with COVID-19 and influenza coinfection. A 58-year-old male admitted with shortness of breath, diagnosed with COVID-19 and influenza infection. A computed tomography angiogram showed pneumomediastinum. He was treated conservatively with 15 L of oxygen, remdesivir, convalescent plasma, and oseltamivir. The case is being reported for its uniqueness since this is the first documented case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum in COVID-19 and influenza coinfection.

Clostridium Difficile and Noncirrhotic Hyperammonnemia in a Patient With COVID-19 Infection.

Clostridium difficile is a bacterial infection that usually presents with diarrhea and is mostly associated with previous antibiotics use. Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) generally have respiratory symptoms but can also present with diarrhea. Noncirrhotic hyperammonemia is an infrequent presentation and is treated with lactulose. We report the case of a 40-year-old male who was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and confusion. During hospitalization, the patient tested positive for COVID-19 and C. difficile, and oral vancomycin was administered. His kidney functions improved, but he remained confused. His ammonia levels were elevated, and he was not treated with lactulose due to ongoing diarrhea secondary to C. difficile infection.

Isolated Radial Vein Thrombosis: Upper Extremity Deep Vein Thrombosis in a Patient With COVID-19 Infection.

In general, upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is less common than lower extremity DVT. Among upper extremity DVT cases, most of them are due to secondary causes like indwelling catheters, cancer, surgery, trauma or immobilization by plaster casts, pregnancy, oral contraceptives, and estrogen. Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection are known to have coagulation dysfunction and a high incidence of DVT, mostly in the lower extremities; however, upper extremity DVT has been rarely reported. We present a rare case of upper extremity DVT in COVID-19 infection. A 56-year-old male with no significant past medical history was admitted with acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 pneumonia. During hospitalization, he developed right upper extremity swelling, and an ultrasonogram showed right radial vein thrombosis. He was initially started on low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and was discharged on apixaban. Patients with COVID-19 infection who develop DVT are recommended treatment with a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for three months.