Deep Neural Network for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Image Segmentation.

The analysis and interpretation of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images are often time-consuming. The automated segmentation of cardiac structures can reduce the time required for image analysis. Spatial similarities between different CMR image types were leveraged to jointly segment multiple sequences using a segmentation model termed a multi-image type UNet (MI-UNet). This model was developed from 72 exams (46% female, mean age 63 ± 11 years) performed on patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The MI-UNet for steady-state free precession (SSFP) images achieved a superior Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 0.92 ± 0.06 compared to 0.87 ± 0.08 for a single-image type UNet (p < 0.001). The MI-UNet for late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) images also had a superior DSC of 0.86 ± 0.11 compared to 0.78 ± 0.11 for a single-image type UNet (p = 0.001). The difference across image types was most evident for the left ventricular myocardium in SSFP images and for both the left ventricular cavity and the left ventricular myocardium in LGE images. For the right ventricle, there were no differences in DCS when comparing the MI-UNet with single-image type UNets. The joint segmentation of multiple image types increases segmentation accuracy for CMR images of the left ventricle compared to single-image models. In clinical practice, the MI-UNet model may expedite the analysis and interpretation of CMR images of multiple types.

Paraneoplastic Raynaud's Phenomenon as an Initial Manifestation of Lung Cancer?

Paraneoplastic Raynaud's phenomenon has often been reported in leukaemia, lymphoma and sarcoma. Nevertheless, an association with lung cancer is not frequently reported in the literature even though lung cancer is a common malignancy. We present a case of paraneoplastic Raynaud's phenomenon as the presenting feature of underlying lung malignancy. LEARNING POINTS: Raynaud's phenomenon can be a presenting feature of lung cancer.Evaluation for an underlying malignancy is important if the work-up is negative for autoimmune and vascular aetiology.

A Rare Case of Serrated Polyposis Syndrome with the MSH6 and SMARCA4 variants.

Serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS) is the most common form of polyposis syndrome and has been shown to increase the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). The genetic pathway of CRC in SPS is different from the classic adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) pathway, which accounts for 70-80% of cases of CRC. Most commonly, SPS mutations include BRAF and KRAS, with activation of the RAS-RAF-MAP kinase pathway involved in the pathogenesis of serrated lesions. We present a rare case of SPS in a 32-year-old woman with MSH6 and SMARCA4 variants, which have not previously been reported in the literature. LEARNING POINTS: Patients with serrated polyposis syndrome should receive frequent colon cancer screening.Patients and their relatives should undergo surveillance.

Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity in a 73-Year-Old Female With Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Paroxysmal Sympathetic Hyperactivity (PSH) is a syndrome of recurrent exaggerated sympathetic responses in combination with motor features typically observed in the setting of traumatic brain injury and rarely seen without it. Here, we present a case of PSH in a 73-year-old female with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) without any brain injuries presenting with recurrent intermittent episodes of tachycardia, tachypnea, hypertension, fever, dystonia. These episodes resolved with clonidine and clonazepam thus confirming the diagnosis of PSH. PSH is an unusual and rare presentation in AML and not much literature has been reported.

Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis as a Rare Manifestation of Staphylococcal Osteomyelitis.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV), also known as small-vessel cutaneous vasculitis, is rarely seen in the setting of staphylococcal infection without bacteremia. Here, we present a case of LCV in a 61-year-old male with chronic staphylococcal osteomyelitis without any evidence of bacteremia. The rash resolved with the treatment of osteomyelitis. As seen in this case, local infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of LCV even when there is no evidence of bacteremia.

Rheumatology Patient Satisfaction With Telemedicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States.

The spread of COVID-19 in the United States has led to the use of virtual visits in lieu of in-person care for the high-risk population of patients in rheumatology. We asked patients to score their satisfaction with these visits and if they would have preferred in-person care instead. Of 679 patients seen in May 2020, 512 (75.4%) were virtual (267 [52.1%] by telephone and 245 [47.9%] by video), and 359 (70%) responded to the survey. The majority of patients (74%) were satisfied with their virtual visit, but they were more likely to be satisfied if their visit was over video rather than phone. They preferred an in-person visit if they were meeting a doctor for the first time, and patients who required a language interpreter were significantly less satisfied with virtual care. There was no correlation of age, sex, diagnosis, or testing ordered with satisfaction. The main concern against virtual care was the inability to have a physical exam, while the main reasons in favor of it were avoidance of potential infection and convenience.

Delayed-onset Necrotizing Myositis following COVID-19 Infection.

As the numbers of cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, the heterogeneity of its clinical manifestation continues to increase. Here, we describe a case of delayed-onset, biopsy-proven necrotizing myositis following infection with SARS-CoV-2. LEARNING POINTS: SARS-CoV-2 may be associated with late-onset necrotizing myositis, mimicking autoimmune inflammatory myositis.We need more studies to understand the underlying pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2-induced myositis.

Rheumatoid Vasculitis as an Initial Presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid vasculitis is a rare, extra-articular manifestation that can be seen in long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. Here we present the case of a 51-year-old man who presented with arthralgias, skin rash, dyspnoea and generalized leg swelling and who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis flare. LEARNING POINTS: Extra-articular manifestations like rheumatoid vasculitis and pericarditis rarely present as initial manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis.A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis, especially in an adult who presents with multiorgan manifestations, rash, and a high titre of rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibody levels.

Primary Immunodeficiency in a 74-Year-Old Male With Chronic Productive Cough: A Rare Case of Common Variable Immunodeficiency.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common symptomatic primary immunodeficiency. It presents with variable degrees of immunodeficiency resulting in a variety of clinical presentations and complications. This report describes the case of newly diagnosed CVID in a 74-year-old man with no history of recurrent infections or hospitalizations. He presented with chronic productive cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and fatigue. Physical examination showed bilateral rhonchi and scattered wheezes. Pulmonary function tests showed moderate obstructive defect with partial reversibility and decreased diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Chest computed tomography (CT) showed bilateral lower lobe peribronchial thickening and mildly enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum and upper abdomen. Bronchoscopy with alveolar lavage was done and respiratory samples grew Moraxella. He had negative acid fast bacillus stain and negative tuberculosis and fungal cultures. He received a course of antibiotics resulting in brief improvement in symptoms followed by another exacerbation. Repeat sputum cultures grew Pseudomonas. Further testing showed severely depressed levels of immunoglobulin. His symptoms ultimately improved with immunoglobulin replacement therapy. A broad differential, including CVID, needs to be considered in working up a patient with a chronic productive cough and recurrent lower respiratory tract infection.

Impact of Aortic Valve Replacement for Severe Aortic Stenosis on Perioperative Outcomes Following Major Noncardiac Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of major adverse cardiac events and death among severe aortic stenosis patients with and without aortic valve replacement (AVR) before noncardiac surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 491 severe aortic stenosis patients undergoing non-emergency/non-urgent elevated-risk noncardiac surgery between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2013, including 203 patients (mean age, 74±10 years, 63.5% men) with previous AVR and 288 patients (mean age, 77±12 years, 55.6% men) without prior AVR. RESULTS: The incidence of major adverse cardiac events was significantly lower in the AVR group (5.4% vs 20.5%; P<.001), primarily because of the lower incidence of new or worsening heart failure (2.5% vs 17.7%; P<.001), compared with the non-AVR group. No significant differences were observed between the groups with and without AVR in the incidence of death (2.5% vs 3.5%; P=.56), myocardial infarction (0.5% vs 1.4%; P=.48), ventricular arrhythmia (0.0% vs 0.7%; P=.51), or stroke (0.0% vs 0.7%; P=.51) at 30-days. At a median follow-up of 4.2 (interquartile range,1.3-7.5) years, overall mortality was significantly worse in patients without versus with AVR (5-year rate: 57.0% vs 32.7%; P<.001). Symptomatic patients without AVR (n=35) had the worst outcomes overall, including increased 30-day and overall mortality rates, compared with the AVR-group and asymptomatic non-AVR patients. CONCLUSION: In patients with severe aortic stenosis, AVR before noncardiac surgery was associated with decreased incidence of heart failure after noncardiac surgery and improved overall survival without differences in 30-day survival, myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmia, or stroke. Preoperative AVR should be considered in symptomatic patients for whom the benefit of AVR is greatest.