ABO blood group and rhesus factor association with inpatient COVID-19 mortality and severity: a two-year retrospective review.

Background: Early reports have indicated a relationship between ABO and rhesus blood group types and infection with SARS-CoV-2. We aim to examine blood group type associations with COVID-19 mortality and disease severity. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of patients ages 18 years or older admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 between January 2020 and December 2021. The primary outcome was COVID-19 mortality with respect to ABO blood group type. The secondary outcomes were 1. Severity of COVID-19 with respect to ABO blood group type, and 2. Rhesus factor association with COVID-19 mortality and disease severity. Disease severity was defined by degree of supplemental oxygen requirements (ambient air, low-flow, high-flow, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, and invasive mechanical ventilation). Results: The blood type was collected on 596 patients with more than half (54%, N=322) being O+. The ABO blood type alone was not statistically associated with mortality (P=0.405), while the RH blood type was statistically associated with mortality (P<0.001). There was statistically significant association between combined ABO and RH blood type and mortality (P=0.014). Out of the mortality group, the O+ group had the highest mortality (52.3%), followed by A+ (22.8%). The combined ABO and RH blood type was statistically significantly associated with degree of supplemental oxygen requirements (P=0.005). The Kaplan-Meier curve demonstrated that Rh- patients had increased mortality. Conclusion: ABO blood type is not associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. Rhesus factor status is associated with COVID-19 severity and mortality. Rhesus negative patients were associated with increased mortality risk.

Symptomatic Bronchogenic Cyst in a Lipomatous Interatrial Septum.

Intracardiac bronchogenic cysts are extremely rare congenital anomalies that arise during foregut development when the embryologic heart tube and ventral foregut are in close proximity to one another. We report a case of an interatrial septal bronchogenic cyst found on non-contrast enhanced computed tomography (CT) in a 66-year-old female who presented to the emergency department with chest pain. Further cardiac investigations, including contrast-enhanced CT angiogram of the heart, transthoracic echocardiogram, and transesophageal echocardiogram, revealed a cystic mass in the lipomatous interatrial septum. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with a bronchogenic cyst of the interatrial septum. No surgical intervention was pursued, as the mass remained stable, and the cardiothoracic surgeon did not recommend excision. This case highlights a rare case of a symptomatic bronchogenic cyst arising in the interatrial septum diagnosed by imaging modalities. Bronchogenic cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of intracardiac tumors.

A Rare Case of a Giant Bladder Stone Associated With Post-obstructive Renal Failure Managed by Open Cystolithotomy.

Urinary tract stones are found in many locations, such as in the kidney or ureter, and, less commonly, in the bladder. Bladder stones are solid calculi that are usually composed of calcified material, most commonly uric acid, and typically weigh less than 100 g. There is a higher prevalence of bladder stones in males than in females, which can be explained by the pathophysiology of how these stones are formed. Namely, bladder stones tend to form secondary to urinary stasis, such as in the setting of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, bladder stones can form in otherwise healthy individuals without anatomic defects (e.g., urethral strictures) or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Foley catheters or any foreign bodies in the bladder can predispose to stone formation. Renal calculi, most commonly calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate in composition, can also travel through the ureter and get trapped in the bladder. The most significant risk factors for bladder stones include the presence of BPH and UTIs, both of which favor the development of additional layers of stone material. In exceptionally rare cases, bladder stones measure more than 10 cm in diameter and weigh more than 100 g. These entities have been referred to as giant bladder stones within the limited literature. Minimal data exist on the etiology, epidemiology, composition, and pathophysiology of giant bladder stones. We present the case of a 75-year-old male with a giant bladder stone composed of 100% carbonate apatite, measuring 10 cm × 6 cm and weighing 210 g.

Symptomatic Ventricular Bigeminy and Trigeminy Associated With COVID-19.

Cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 are well-described in the current literature, although electrocardiogram analyses of COVID-19 patients are limited. The most common arrhythmias experienced by patients with COVID-19 include sinus tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. Ventricular bigeminy associated with COVID-19 is exceedingly rare and requires further studies to determine its incidence and clinical significance. Here, we present the case of a 57-year-old male with no prior cardiac history who was found to have COVID-19 and new-onset, symptomatic premature ventricular contraction bigeminy. This case highlights a rare potential association between COVID-19 and ventricular bigeminy/trigeminy.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Caused by a Severe Epstein-Barr Virus Infection in a Young Patient Presenting With Hiccups.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a life-threatening hyperinflammatory syndrome characterized by a pathologic immune response in the setting of infection, malignancy, acute illness, or any immunological stimulus. Infection is the most common etiology of HLH. HLH involves aberrant activation of lymphocytes and macrophages with resultant hypercytokinemia due to an inappropriately stimulated and ineffective immune response. Here, we present the case of a previously healthy 19-year-old male presenting with hiccups and scleral icterus, who was found to have HLH due to a severe Epstein-Barr virus infection. Despite a morphologically normal bone marrow biopsy, the patient met the diagnostic criteria for HLH, including a low natural killer cell count and elevated soluble interleukin-2 receptor. Notably, ferritin was severely elevated at 85,810 ng/mL. The patient was treated with an induction course of dexamethasone intravenously for eight weeks. Since HLH can progress into multi-organ failure, timely diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment are critical. Novel disease-modifying therapies and further clinical trials are warranted to treat this potentially fatal immunological disease with multisystem ramifications.

Marijuana-Induced Lung Injury: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Marijuana is a commonly abused illicit substance around the world, and lung injury related to its use has seldom been cited in the literature. Most cases describe marijuana-induced lung injury via vaping and the use of butane hash oil; however, no cases, to our knowledge, have associated lung injury related to marijuana smoke in the form of rolled "blunts" or cigarettes. We describe the case of a patient who presented to the hospital due to chest computed tomography findings demonstrating diffuse bilateral opacifications without signs of systemic inflammatory response syndrome. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and sputum cultures failed to identify an infectious etiology, and serologies were negative for autoimmune etiologies. We aim to contribute to the limited body of literature describing marijuana-induced lung injury.

Left-Sided Transudative Chylothorax With Concomitant Chylous Ascites in the Setting of Liver Cirrhosis.

Most chylothoraces are caused by trauma and malignancy, and pleural fluid analysis typically demonstrates an exudative effusion. Transudative chylothorax is a rare manifestation and has only been cited in case reports in the current literature. Here, we present the case of a 59-year-old male with a history of liver cirrhosis secondary to alcohol abuse, chronic kidney disease stage 3a, and hypertension who presented with a left-sided pleural effusion and abdominal ascites. A thoracentesis and abdominal paracentesis were performed, and fluid analyses demonstrated a transudative chylothorax with concomitant chylous ascites. In this review, we aim to highlight a rare case of transudative chylothorax and discuss the pathogenesis and management of this condition.

Wound Botulism in the Setting of Pregnancy: A Literature Review and Case Report.

Botulism is a rare neuroparalytic illness caused by Clostridium botulinum that can manifest as a descending flaccid paralysis, progressing from cranial neuropathies to respiratory failure. Wound botulism, constituting a minority of cases, is majorly associated with the injection of black tar heroin (BTH) in the western United States. A patient population of particular concern is pregnant women, who may experience a more severe course due to the physiological changes that occur in pregnancy. Because botulism in pregnancy lacks pathognomic features, physicians should maintain a high clinical suspicion when faced with a pregnant patient with neurological symptoms and a history of BTH use. Here, we report the case of a 25-year-old G3P1A1 female with a history of BTH use who presented with cranial neuropathies and respiratory insufficiency.

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage in the Setting of Cytarabine Therapy in a Critically Ill Patient.

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a potentially life-threatening pulmonary condition characterized by hypoxemia with progression to respiratory failure, rapid onset of dyspnea, and blood loss anemia. While hemoptysis may be present and corroborates the diagnosis, it is absent in about half of the cases, resulting in a diagnostic challenge with variable presenting symptoms. Imaging findings on chest x-ray or computed tomography (CT) scans are also non-specific, often showing diffuse bilateral alveolar opacities. Because DAH is an under-recognized diagnosis, physicians should maintain a degree of clinical suspicion for DAH in patients with unexplained airspace opacities and no signs of an infectious etiology. This is especially important in higher-risk populations such as patients with hematological malignancies, who have a propensity for thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy compounded by the use of anticoagulants. Patients with hematological malignancies, namely acute myeloid leukemia (AML), are also at risk for drug-induced DAH due to the use of cytotoxic medications like cytarabine. Here, we present the case of a 48-year-old male with a past medical history of AML and myeloid sarcoma who developed shortness of breath after receiving cytarabine chemotherapy. Chest radiography revealed diffuse bilateral infiltrates. He was intubated and underwent flexible bronchoscopy, which resulted in a bloody effluent consistent with DAH. After ruling out infectious etiologies, we reached a final diagnosis of DAH and started the patient on corticosteroid therapy.

Diagnostic dilemma of isolated fallopian tube torsion.

Paratubal cysts are fluid-filled sacs that grow adjacent to the fallopian tube which can rarely result in torsion. Isolated fallopian tube torsion (IFTT) is a gynaecological emergency that warrants urgent laparoscopic detorsion to salvage the affected tube. IFTT has a proclivity to affect adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 years and is rarely seen in premenarchal or perimenopausal women. Due to a lack of pathognomonical features, IFTT is difficult to diagnose. Adnexal torsion, including IFTT is a surgical diagnosis and no clinical or imaging criteria is sufficient to diagnose IFTT. Urgent laparoscopy and detorsion are required for preservation of the affected fallopian tube. However, given the diagnostic ambiguity, IFTT diagnosis is often delayed. IFTT should be included in the differential diagnoses for adolescent patients with acute abdomen when imaging demonstrates a normal appendix and ovaries. We report a 15-year-old girl with a 4-day history of abdominopelvic pain and bilateral paratubal cysts resulting in right IFTT.

A rare case of pulmonary embolus after arthroscopic meniscus surgery.

Although there is consensus that thromboprophylaxis is necessary for major orthopedic surgeries such a joint replacement, there is no widespread consensus on the need for thromboprophylaxis for minor arthroscopic surgery. Here, we present a case of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) after a common arthroscopic meniscectomy in a healthy 20-year-old female collegiate athlete. The patient had no risk factors except for prior use of combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs). Twenty hours after an uncomplicated right knee meniscectomy, patient presented to ED with right calf pain and cramping, and DVT was confirmed using ultrasound. One week later, patient presented again to ED with dyspnea and chest pain. PE was diagnosed on CT angiography. Despite the rarity of thromboembolic complications in minor arthroscopy surgery, the broadened use of thromboprophylaxis in patients with even few risk factors could prevent thromboembolic complications from occurring.