Early Repolarization Syndrome Leading to Recurrent Cardiac Arrest in a Young Active Duty Patient.

A previously healthy, active duty 37-year-old male experienced recurrent cardiac arrests because of ventricular fibrillation and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Initial evaluation did not reveal a clear ischemic, structural, toxic, or metabolic cause. Close monitoring of telemetry before his third cardiac arrest revealed the cause to be early repolarization syndrome (ERS). In this case, we review the diagnosis, epidemiology, and prognostic significance of early repolarization pattern as it relates to ERS. We also discuss acute and long-term treatment strategies for patients with ERS.

Mediastinal Epithelioid Angiosarcoma, New Insights into an Uncommon Diagnosis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Angiosarcoma is an uncommon malignant mesenchymal neoplasm, accounting for 1-2% of all sarcomas. More than half are cutaneous, with the remainder arising in the deep soft tissue, breast, bone or viscera, particularly the liver, spleen and heart. Mediastinal angiosarcomas are exceedingly uncommon. While epithelioid morphology is sometimes a minor component in conventional angiosarcoma, tumors with a predominance of epithelioid morphologic features are designated as epithelioid angiosarcoma (EAS). This is a report of a 58-year-old woman presenting with severe chest pain, accompanied by worsening dyspnea and dysphagia. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a large pericardial effusion and a bulky mediastinal mass. Biopsy revealed a malignant neoplasm with vascular differentiation consistent with high-grade EAS. By immunohistochemistry, epithelioid angiosarcomas express endothelial cell markers, such as CD31, CD34, ERG and FLI-1. A variable proportion express low molecular weight cytokeratin (CK), epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and CD30. The use of molecular techniques has proven useful in the diagnosis of this rare neoplasm. Targeted next generation sequencing showed aberrations in multiple genes including NRAS, KRAS, MYC and TP53.

Pembrolizumab Induced Calcitriol-Mediated Hypercalcemia.

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors such as pembrolizumab have radically improved the prognosis for many patients with advanced malignancies. Although revolutionary, its use can be complicated and limited by various immune-related adverse effects. Effective management depends on early recognition and prompt intervention. Herein, we describe a unique syndrome of hypercalcemia, with associated acute renal injury and hypoxic respiratory failure that was responsive to corticosteroids suggestive of immunotoxicity from pembrolizumab.

Case Report: Shewanella Algae Pneumonia and Bacteremia in an Elderly Male Living at a Long-Term Care Facility.

Shewanella algae is a gram-negative, nonfermenting, oxidase-positive, motile bacillus that is ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems. Human infections are rare and the immunocompromised are left most vulnerable. Risk factors for this infection include exposure to seawater, consumption of raw seafood, and underlying comorbid conditions such as hepatobiliary disease and chronic cutaneous ulcers. Previously documented cases of S. algae have involved near drownings, contaminated raw shellfish, or wound exposure to seawater, mud, sand, and sewage. This case study is unique in that it describes Shewanella bacteremia without any of these typical preceding exposures. We present a case of S. algae pneumonia and bacteremia in an elderly male patient living at a long-term care facility without any recent open water exposure.

Effects of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment on Sleep Quality in Student Athletes After Concussion: A Pilot Study.

CONTEXT: Impaired sleep quality is among many symptoms observed in patients with a concussion and may predispose a patient to a prolonged recovery course and a later return to their daily activities. Studies have suggested that osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) may play a role in improving sleep quality. OBJECTIVE: To investigate how OMT may play a role in the management and overall healing process in patients with a concussion by improving sleep quality. METHODS: Data were collected from a randomized, controlled study on OMT and concussion (of which this study represents 1 arm) to investigate the effects of OMT vs concussion education counseling on sleep quality in student athletes with a concussion. Student athletes with no medical history of neurodegenerative disease who presented to the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine Academic Healthcare Center with a concussion following a sport-related injury were enrolled in the study. Participants received OMT intervention or standard counseling on how to care for a concussion during their first and second visits. Participants rated their symptoms, including sleep quality, on the validated scale Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition at 3 consecutive visits during 1 week. The mean sleep quality score within and between the OMT and education groups before each of 2 interventions and at the third visit were compared and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Thirty participants were enrolled in the study. Total symptom data showed a stronger, significant correlation with sleep scores than with other symptoms. Participants receiving OMT (n=16) reported overall 80% and 76% improvement in sleep quality from pre-OMT values to their second and third visits, respectively. Participants who had an educational intervention (n=14) reported a 36% and 46% improvement from pre-OMT values to their second and third visits, respectively. CONCLUSION: The beneficial relationship trend between OMT and sleep quality in patients with a concussion was not statistically significant. Owing to the limitations of this study, further research with a larger population and sham control participants is warranted. (clinicaltrials.gov No. NCT02750566).