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Subcutaneous granuloma annulare (SGA) is a rare clinicopathologic subtype of granuloma annulare characterized by the presence of subcutaneous nodules. There are no present reviews synthesizing the clinical features and treatment modalities in SGA. We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines [CRD42022344672] on all peer-reviewed English-language studies that reported one or more cases of SGA. A total of 97 studies, comprising 26 case series and 71 case reports with 324 patients, were included for analysis. Most cases were predominantly pediatric, with 78.9% of the cases identified being age 16 or lower and a median age of diagnosis of 6. There was no overall gender predisposition. Although over two-thirds of patients did not have any comorbidities, diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity present in 4% of cases. The most common feature of SGA was nodules, which were present in 99.6% of patients. Pain or tenderness was reported in 15.4%, and erythema of overlying skin in 11.0% of cases. Surgical excision was performed in 96/141 (68.1%) patients. Among the 27/141 (18.0%) patients who were conservatively managed, 87.0% spontaneously improved, including 60.0% who completely self-resolved. Topical and intralesional steroids were used in 3.40% and 1.85% of patients, respectively, resulting in complete or partial resolution in 54.6% and 100%. Among patients who were followed up, 83/324 (25.6%) patients experienced recurrence after a median duration of 26 weeks. SGA is predominantly a pediatric disease that frequently occurs on the limbs and the head. Juxta-articular lesions are more commonly observed in adults than in children. Surgical excision is common and effective in most patients. Spontaneous improvement occurs in most untreated cases, and intralesional steroids but not topical steroids may be beneficial for non-resolving cases and to reduce time to resolution.
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Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (AATP) is a rare disorder in which severely low platelet levels occur due to reduced or complete absence of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow. The pathophysiology of this disease is not fully understood, although anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (anti-TPO) binding to cellular-myeloproliferative leukemia (c-mpl) receptors is a proposed mechanism. Currently, no standard published guideline for treatment exists, but immunosuppressive therapies have been used based on the proposed mechanism and associated conditions. We present a case of a 57-year-old male who presented to the hospital with a 3-day history of progressive weakness and dysphagia. He had recently been discharged from an outside health system after evaluation for suspected gastrointestinal bleeding, although esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy did not uncover a source of bleeding. Fifteen days later, he was admitted to our hospital for septic shock and acute renal failure with suspected lower gastrointestinal bleeding (melena on presentation). He was found to have a rapidly declining platelet count with a nadir of 0. Due to severe thrombocytopenia, filgrastim was administered. A bone marrow biopsy revealed findings consistent with amegakaryocytosis with otherwise preserved cell lines. Hematologic labs improved with the initiation of appropriate treatment for severe sepsis. After performing an extensive workup, the likely etiology of transient AATP in this case was severe sepsis-induced immune dysregulation and bone marrow suppression.
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Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Much of this may be attributed to systemic inflammation resulting in coronary atherosclerosis and myocarditis. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard for the evaluation of cardiac structure and function, including tissue characterization, which allows for detection of myocardial edema, inflammation, and fibrosis. Advances in parametric mapping and coronary flow reserve measurement techniques have the potential to change the diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases. We provide an overview of the current evidence and suggest potential future roles for the use of comprehensive cardiac magnetic resonance in patients with autoimmune rheumatic diseases in the field of cardio-rheumatology.
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BACKGROUND: Few studies have assessed the ability of internal medicine residents to perform a cardiovascular physical examination using real patients. METHODS: First year internal medicine interns from 2 large academic medical centers in Maryland examined the same patient with aortic insufficiency as part of the Assessment of Physical Examination and Communication Skills (APECS). Interns were assessed on 5 clinical domains: physical exam technique, identifying physical signs, generating a differential diagnosis, clinical judgment, and maintaining patient welfare. Spearman's correlation test was used to describe associations between clinical domains. Preceptor comments were examined to identify common errors in physical exam technique and identifying physical signs. RESULTS: One hundred nine interns examined the same patient with aortic insufficiency across 14 APECS sessions. Only 58 interns (53.2%) correctly identified the presence of a diastolic murmur, and only 52 interns (47.7%) included aortic insufficiency on their differential diagnosis. There was a significant and positive correlation between physical exam technique and identification of the correct physical findings (r = 0.42, P < .001). Both technique (r = 0.34, P = .003) and identifying findings (r = 0.42, P < .001) were significantly associated with generating an appropriate differential diagnosis. Common errors in technique included auscultating over the gown, timing the cardiac cycle with the radial pulse, and failing to palpate for the apical impulse. CONCLUSIONS: Internal medicine interns had variable skills in performing and interpreting the cardiovascular physical exam. Improving cardiovascular exam skills would likely lead to increased identification of relevant cardiovascular findings, inform clinical decision making and improve overall patient care.
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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Actinic keratoses (AK) are premalignant skin lesions caused by chronic sun exposure, topically managed by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), diclofenac 3% gel, and imiquimod. Despite their effectiveness, long treatment duration and severe adverse local skin reactions have limited patient concordance. Calcipotriol has recently been used as a combination agent for existing topical AK treatments. A systematic review was performed to determine the clinical efficacy of 5-FU and calcipotriol for the treatment of AK, Bowen's disease, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted on Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Among the 84 records screened, 12 were retrieved for full-text review and 8 were included in the final analysis. RESULTS: Among the 8 studies, there were 214 control patients and 288 patients who received the intervention. The combination 5% 5-FU with calcipotriol resulted in a significant reduction in the number of AKs on the face, scalp, right upper extremity, and left upper extremity for all sites at 8 weeks (P < .0001). No significant difference in SCC incidence was observed at 1 or 2 years, but there was a significant reduction observed at 3 years for SCC on face and scalp. No study assessed the combination for Bowen's disease. CONCLUSIONS: Combination 5% 5-FU with calcipotriol is an effective treatment for Aks; however, future trials may consider longer treatment and follow-up periods for the treatment and prevention of AK, SCC in situ, and SCC.
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BACKGROUND: Ultrasound surveillance has become the new standard of care in stage III melanoma after the 2017 Multicenter Selective Lymphadenectomy Trial II (MSLT-II) demonstrated non-inferior 3-year survival compared with complete lymph node dissection. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to quantify diagnostic performance and adherence rates of ultrasound surveillance for melanoma locoregional metastasis, offering insights into real-world applicability. METHODS: Conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically searched the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception until 11 October 2023. All primary studies that reported data on the diagnostic performance or adherence rates to ultrasound surveillance in melanoma were included. R statistical software was used for data synthesis and analysis. Sensitivity and specificity were aggregated across studies using the meta-analytic method for diagnostic tests outlined by Rutter and Gatsonis. Adherence rates were calculated as the ratio of patients fully compliant to planned follow-up to those who were not. RESULTS: A total of 36 studies including 18,273 patients were analysed, with a mean age of 56.6 years and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.11. The median follow-up duration and frequency was 36 and 4 months, respectively. The pooled sensitivity of ultrasound examination was 0.879 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.878-0.879) and specificity was 0.969 (95% CI 0.968-0.970), representing a diagnostic odds ratio of 224.5 (95% CI 223.1-225.9). Ultrasound examination demonstrated a substantial improvement in absolute sensitivity over clinical examination alone, with a number needed to screen (NNS) of 2.95. The overall adherence rate was 77.0% (95% CI 76.0-78.1%), with significantly lower rates in the United States [US] (p < 0.001) and retrospective studies (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound is a powerful diagnostic tool for locoregional melanoma metastasis. However, the real applicability to surveillance programmes is limited by low adherence rates, especially in the US. Further studies should seek to address this adherence gap.
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Melanoma , Neoplasias Cutâneas , Ultrassonografia , Humanos , Melanoma/diagnóstico por imagem , Melanoma/patologia , Melanoma/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Cutâneas/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/diagnóstico , Ultrassonografia/métodos , Ultrassonografia/estatística & dados numéricos , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Metástase Linfática/diagnóstico por imagem , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Cooperação do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Excisão de Linfonodo/métodosRESUMO
High-resolution ultrasound (HRUS), operating at frequencies of 20-25 MHz, is a non-invasive imaging tool that offers dermatologists the ability to visualize structures beneath the skin surface. The objective of this review is to present a comprehensive overview of HRUS applications, emphasising its utility in diagnosing, characterising and managing various dermatological conditions. We undertook a comprehensive literature review on the dermatological application of HRUS across Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, while also incorporating our own clinical experience of over 16 years with the tool. In normal skin, the epidermis and dermis are hyperechoic, and the subcutaneous layer is hypoechoic. Basal cell carcinomas appear hypoechoic with irregular margins, while the presence of hyperechoic inclusion bodies suggests aggressive pathology. Squamous cell carcinomas pose challenges due to acoustic shadow artefacts from the thickened stratum corneum. Melanomas are homogenous hypoechoic lesions, with HRUS used to accurately predict Breslow thickness. HRUS provides dermatologists with a valuable adjunct to traditional clinical examination. Future advancement in image resolution and the standardisation of diagnostic parameters may further expand its utility.
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Dermatopatias , Ultrassonografia , Humanos , Ultrassonografia/métodos , Dermatopatias/diagnóstico por imagem , Dermatopatias/patologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/diagnóstico por imagem , Neoplasias Cutâneas/patologia , Dermatologia/métodos , Melanoma/diagnóstico por imagem , Melanoma/patologia , Carcinoma Basocelular/diagnóstico por imagem , Carcinoma Basocelular/patologia , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/diagnóstico por imagem , Carcinoma de Células Escamosas/patologiaRESUMO
Severe, refractory asthma requires a combination of multiple maintenance inhalers and medications including high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and immunomodulators to achieve control of symptoms. The use of inhaled corticosteroids, however, increases the susceptibility of opportunistic bacterial infections, such as Nocardia, resulting in pulmonary nocardiosis. This case describes a 46-year-old patient with a history of severe, refractory asthma who presented with progressively worsening asthma exacerbation symptoms. She was treated with immunomodulators, high-dose inhaled corticosteroids and oral steroids, and several courses of antibiotics. CT imaging revealed bibasilar peri-bronchial thickening and tree-in-bud nodularity in the right lower lobe. Pulmonary cultures collected from bronchoscopy grew Nocardia nova complex. This was a rare case of persistent asthma exacerbation by N. nova complex bronchopulmonary infection. Broad differentials should be considered in patients with severe, refractory asthma who were previously controlled and were found to fail treatment therapies. Immunocompromised patients with chronic lung disease are at higher risk of severe infection with disseminated nocardiosis. These patients have a higher mortality and morbidity risk if early diagnosis of pulmonary nocardiosis does not occur.
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Objective Infections leading to severe sepsis and septic shock are among the top five causes requiring admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Up to 40% of ICU admissions contain a sepsis diagnosis. Without a clear marker to diagnose and manage sepsis, procalcitonin has been extensively studied for its usefulness in the management of bacterial infections. These studies, however, have been focused toward how it can be used to help guide when antibiotics should be initiated and de-escalated. There, however, has not been a study on how this biomarker could be used to predict mortality, and morbidity and help guide a need for antibiotic escalation. Design A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients admitted to the ICU at Northeast Georgia Medical Center between January 1, 2019, to June 30, 2021. Inclusion criteria were all patients above the age of 18 admitted to the ICU with a diagnosis of sepsis and having at least two procalcitonin drawn within 10 days of each other. Exclusion criteria were any patient with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Data Analysis was conducted to identify how delta procalcitonin could identify mortality and morbidity and if there was any change in antibiotics based on the delta procalcitonin. Conclusion There was a statistically significant association between a delta positive procalcitonin and increased ICU length of stay. There was no statistical significance in expiration based on the antibiotic change in relationship to delta positive change in procalcitonin.
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BACKGROUND: The burden and prognostic significance of coronary artery disease (CAD) in adults with peripheral artery disease and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) is unknown. METHODS: Temporal trends in prevalence of significant CAD (history of myocardial infarction or coronary revascularizations) in hospitalizations for CLTI were determined using the 2000 to 2018 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database. A multivariable regression analysis of outcomes was performed based on presence or absence of CAD. RESULTS: Among 13 575 099 hospitalizations for CLTI (41% female, 69% white, mean age 69 years), 23% had concomitant CAD, of which 11% underwent lower extremity arterial revascularization (43.6% endovascular and 56.4% surgical). The prevalence of concomitant CAD with CLTI increased from 15.3% in 2000 to 23.1% in 2018. Furthermore, the frequency of endovascular revascularization in adults with CAD and CLTI increased from 15.1% to 48.3%, while there was a decreasing trend of surgical revascularization, from 84.9% to 51.7%. After multivariate adjustments, CLTI with CAD was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.32-1.47; P less than .0001) and bleeding requiring transfusion (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.06-1.12; P less than .0001) compared with patients with CLTI without CAD. As compared with surgical revascularization, endovascular revascularization was associated with lower risk of in-hospital mortality in both patients with CLTI with CAD (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.63-0.76; P less than .001) and CLTI without CAD (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.67-0.76; P less than .001). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of CAD has increased in adults presenting with CLTI and is associated with poor outcomes, warranting the need for effective interventions and secondary prevention in this high-risk population.
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Doença da Artéria Coronariana , Procedimentos Endovasculares , Doença Arterial Periférica , Humanos , Feminino , Idoso , Masculino , Isquemia Crônica Crítica de Membro , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/complicações , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/diagnóstico , Doença da Artéria Coronariana/epidemiologia , Pacientes Internados , Procedimentos Endovasculares/efeitos adversos , Salvamento de Membro , Resultado do Tratamento , Isquemia/diagnóstico , Isquemia/epidemiologia , Isquemia/etiologia , Doença Crônica , Fatores de Risco , Doença Arterial Periférica/complicações , Doença Arterial Periférica/diagnóstico , Doença Arterial Periférica/epidemiologia , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
International guidelines and recent research favour a less interventional approach to primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). A retrospective clinical audit of 68 first-episode PSP was undertaken at a major tertiary teaching hospital network in Melbourne, Australia, found that most patients presenting with a moderate to large pneumothorax received initial intercostal catheter insertion (56%), though many (81%) would have met criteria for consideration of conservative management. The results suggest continued deviation from clinical guidelines in the management of PSP.
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Pneumotórax , Humanos , Pneumotórax/diagnóstico por imagem , Pneumotórax/terapia , Austrália , Estudos Retrospectivos , Tubos Torácicos , Hospitais , RecidivaRESUMO
AIM: To assess specialisation interests in commencing interns and create a standardised survey to aid medical schools, supervisors and health services in quantifying, understanding and supporting medical career development to improve medical workforce planning. METHOD: The Medical Specialty Interest Survey (MSIS) cross-sectional study was used. Incoming interns at a multisite tertiary hospital network in Melbourne, Australia rated their desire to pursue each specialty as a career using a Likert scale (1-5). 47 Medical Board of Australia Medical Specialties were included in the survey. RESULTS: Completion rate was 123 of 124 (99.2%). The overall mean desirability was 2.62, suggesting on average more specialties were deemed less preferred. Critical care specialties were most popular, while surgical specialties had least interest. Gastroenterology and cardiology were most popular among internal medicine specialties. General practice had low correlation with other specialties (Pearson correlation mean R coefficient 0.106 compared with overall mean 0.208), suggesting interns interested in general practice exhibit less interest in other specialties, and interest in specialisation confers low interest in general practice. Psychiatry had the lowest mean R coefficient of 0.088. CONCLUSIONS: The MSIS quantifies relative interest in 47 medical specialties and specialty interest correlations among final-year medical students/incoming interns. The MSIS may be a tool for medical schools, healthcare services and government agencies to better understand the career interest among medical students and pre-vocational doctors and therefore improve doctor retention and well-being.
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In this paper, we explore the ethics of restricting visitation to hospitals during an infectious disease outbreak. We aim to answer three questions: What are the features of an ethically justified hospital visitor restriction policy? Should policies include scope for case-by-case exemptions? How should decisions about exemptions be made? Based on a critical interpretive review of the existing ethical literature on visitor restrictions, we argue that an ethically justified hospital visitor restriction policy has the following features: proportionality, comprehensiveness, harm mitigation, exemptions for specific patient populations, visitation decisions made separately from a patient's treating clinicians, transparency, and consistency in application. We also argue that an ethical policy ought to include scope for case-by-case exemptions for individual patients. We propose a process for ethical decision-making that provides a shared language and structure to decrease the risks and burdens of decision-making when clinicians or managers are considering requests for exemptions.
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Surtos de Doenças , Hospitais , Humanos , Formulação de PolíticasRESUMO
Evans syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the simultaneous occurrence of autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenic purpura. It can further be classified as primary Evans syndrome when it occurs by itself, or secondary Evans syndrome when it is associated with other autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders. Corticosteroids and immunoglobulins are the first-line treatments for primary Evans syndrome, and subsequent options include other immunosuppressive medications. Medical literature provides little information about the triggers of primary Evans syndrome. Knowing such information, however, is essential to recognize, treat and prevent the recurrence of the disease effectively. We report a 68-year-old female who presented with shortness of breath, cough, bruises, scleral icterus, and dark urine after several days of naproxen therapy for pain. Further workup noted direct antiglobulin test positive for IgG, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Imaging studies showed deep venous thrombosis. She was diagnosed with Evans syndrome and improved following prompt treatment with corticosteroids, anticoagulants, blood transfusion therapies, and discontinuation of naproxen. The prognosis of Evans syndrome is poor, variable, and characterized by relapses. Early diagnosis and treatment are therefore associated with better prognosis. This case is critical because it shines a light on one of the major causes of Evans syndrome, reports a practical approach to treating the condition, and paves the way for future research on Evans syndrome. This case is also the first reported naproxen-induced Evans syndrome in the world's literature.
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Background Mechanical circulatory support devices, such as the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) and Impella, are often used in patients on veno-arterial extracorporeal life support (VA-ECLS) with cardiogenic shock despite limited supporting clinical trial data. Methods and Results Hospitalizations for cardiogenic shock from 2016 to 2018 were identified from the National Inpatient Sample. Trends in the use of VA-ECLS with and without an IABP or Impella were assessed semiannually. Multivariable logistic regression and general linear regression evaluated the association of Impella and IABP use with in-hospital outcomes. Overall, 12 035 hospitalizations with cardiogenic shock and VA-ECLS were identified, of which 3115 (26%) also received an IABP and 1880 (16%) an Impella. Use of an Impella with VA-ECLS substantially increased from 10% to 18% over this period (P<0.001), whereas an IABP modestly increased from 25% to 26% (P<0.001). In-hospital mortality decreased 54% to 48% for VA-ECLS only, 61% to 58% for VA-ECLS with an Impella, and 54% to 49% for VA-ECLS with an IABP (P<0.001 each). Most (57%) IABPs or Impellas were placed on the same day as VA-ECLS. After adjustment, there were no differences in in-hospital mortality or length of stay with the addition of an IABP or Impella compared with VA-ECLS alone. Conclusions From 2016 to 2018 in the United States, use of an Impella and IABP with VA-ECLS significantly increased. More than half of Impellas and IABPs were placed on the same day as VA-ECLS, and the use of a second mechanical circulatory support device did not impact in-hospital mortality. Further studies are needed to decipher the optimal timing and patient selection for this growing practice.
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Oxigenação por Membrana Extracorpórea , Choque Cardiogênico , Humanos , Choque Cardiogênico/terapiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND This case report demonstrates the relationship of an estrogen-eluting vaginal ring and thrombosis. There have been multiple reports in the literature demonstrating this scenario, but it is normally found that the patient is taking the medication orally. In this unique report we present the case of a patient with an acute severe pulmonary embolus while using an estrogen-eluting vaginal ring, with no other significant risk factors. CASE REPORT A 27-year-old African American woman who came to the Emergency Department due to new shortness of breath and tachycardia. She was discovered to have a pulmonary embolus found on CTA pulmonary. On further questioning, the patient noted using an estrogen-eluting ring for contraception. CONCLUSIONS We postulate that her use of this estrogen-eluting ring likely played a large part in her developing a pulmonary embolus, as this patient had little to no risk of developing a pulmonary embolism.
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Embolia Pulmonar , Trombose , Feminino , Humanos , Adulto , Embolia Pulmonar/etiologia , Trombose/complicações , Dispneia , Estrogênios/efeitos adversos , Anticoncepção/efeitos adversosRESUMO
Pulmonary blastomycosis is a respiratory disease that is caused by the fungus Blastomyces spp, which is acquired through inhalation of the fungal spores. Blastomycosis is relatively uncommon, with yearly incidence rate of 1-2 cases per 100 000 people. Blastomycosis is a disease that is endemic to the midwest and southern regions of the USA, most commonly affecting immunocompromised patients. About 50% of patients are asymptomatic, but for those who progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) mortality can be as high as 80%. Patients with severe blastomycosis are initially treated with intravenous amphotericin B, followed by long-term itraconazole maintenance therapy. In this Grand Round, we present the case of an immunocompetent 35-year-old man diagnosed with chronic pulmonary blastomycosis who had a poor response to 10 days of intravenous liposomal amphotericin B (L-AmB). He was endotracheally intubated and eventually cannulated for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), due to worsening respiratory function. L-AmB was replaced with a continuous infusion of intravenous amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmB-d). He improved significantly and was decannulated from ECMO on day 9 of AmBd continuous infusion and extubated on day 12 Although L-AmB is considered first-line treatment for blastomycosis, mortality remains high for patients with ARDS associated with blastomycosis. This case highlights the importance of considering AmB-d continuous infusions for patients with severe blastomycosis who might have poor clinical responses to L-AmB.