scholarly journals A Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Mystery: Persistent Fevers and Leukocytosis in a Patient With Severe COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arielle Sasson ◽  
Amna Aijaz ◽  
Svetlana Chernyavsky ◽  
Nadim Salomon

Abstract Short-course glucocorticosteroids are being used and tocilizumab (TCZ) had been used to treat patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. These agents, when administered individually, have been associated with tuberculosis (TB) during chronic use. We report a case of TB in a 44-year-old male with diabetes and severe COVID-19 who received high-dose short-course glucocorticosteroids and a single dose of TCZ. The clinical presentation was atypical with unresolving fevers and leukocytosis, progressive lower lobe cavities, and hilar adenopathy. Delayed diagnosis led to prolonged hospitalization and extensive antibiotic use.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaowen Hu ◽  
Guofeng Zhang ◽  
Xianmeng Chen ◽  
Kai-Feng Xu

Abstract Objective To clarify the epidemiological and clinical features of Birt–Hogg–Dubé syndrome (BHDS) in Chinese patients. Methods We identified reports on Chinese patients with BHDS by searching the China Academic Journals Database, Wanfang Chinese Database, and PubMed databases, either in Chinese or English languages published from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2020. Studies without sufficient clinical data were excluded and cases under 18 years old were excluded. Results Twenty papers were included and comprised 120 families with 221 cases. Most families with BHDS were reported from institutions in Beijing (66.7%) and Jiangsu Province (15.8%); 80.8% of cases were reported within the past five years. The average duration from clinical presentation to diagnosis was 9.6 years. The average age was 47.0 ± 13.9 years (range, 18–84 years) and the ratio of male to female was 1:1.6. The most common manifestations of BHDS were multiple pulmonary cysts (92.4%), spontaneous pneumothorax (71.0%), skin lesions (18.1%) and renal tumors (3.6%). Pulmonary cysts were predominantly distributed in the lower lobe on chest CT imaging. Family history of spontaneous pneumothorax was identified in 84.7% of the families and average number of pneumothoraxes was 1.8 (range, 1–6). The FLCN gene mutation c.1285dupC/delC in exon 11 was the most frequent mutation observed (17.4% of patients). The recurrence rate of pneumothorax after conservative treatment (including tube thoracostomy) was 29/41 (71%) while the pneumothorax recurred after surgical treatment (pulmonary bullectomy or pleurodesis) in only 4/37 (11%). Conclusions Although BHDS has been increasingly reported in the recent years, only minority of families were reported from institutions outside of Beijing and Jiangsu Province. The dominant clinical manifestations were pulmonary cysts associated with recurrent pneumothorax, while skin lesions and renal tumors were less commonly reported. Delayed diagnosis along with suboptimal management appear to represent critical challenges for Chinese patients with BHDS.


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Liang Jiang ◽  
Xiao-Dong Xu ◽  
Bai-Rong Li ◽  
En-Da Yu ◽  
Zi-Ye Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To report Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (PJS) cases with non-definitive clues in the family or personal history and finally diagnosed through pathological examination and STK11 gene mutation test. Clinical presentation and intervention PJS was suspected in 3 families with tortuous medical courses. Two of them had relatives departed due to polyposis or colon cancer without pathological results, and the other one had been diagnosed as hyperplastic polyposis before. Diagnosis of PJS was confirmed by endoscopy and repeated pathological examinations, and the STK11 mutation test finally confirmed the diagnosis at genetic level, during which 3 novel mutation were detected (536C > A, 373_374insA, 454_455insGGAGAAGCGTTTCCCAGTGTGCC). Conclusion Early diagnosis of PJS is important and may be based on a family history with selective features among family members, and the pathological information is the key. The novel mutations also expand the STK11 variant spectrum.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Z Liu ◽  
Q Chen ◽  
J Li ◽  
X Zhu ◽  
L Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although enoxaparin 0.5 mg/kg is a recommended anticoagulation regimen for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), a randomized study demonstrated that more patients receiving enoxaparin 0.75 mg/kg compared to those receiving 0.5 mg/kg achieved therapeutic anticoagulation without increase of major bleeding. However, no detailed data regarding the anticoagulation profile of enoxaparin 0.75 mg/kg was reported in the study. Purpose This study prospectively assessed the anticoagulation profile of enoxaparin 0.75 mg/kg vs. 0.5 mg/kg in troponin-negative patients undergoing elective trans-radial coronary angiography (CAG). Methods Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the Planned Single-dose group (0.75 mg/kg) or the Planned Staged-dose group (0.5±0.25 mg/kg). In the Planned Single-dose group, all patients received enoxaparin 0.75 mg/kg before CAG irrespective of their indication for subsequent PCI. In the Planned Staged-dose group, enoxaparin 0.5 mg/kg was administered to all patients before CAG and additional 0.25 mg/kg was given only to those undergoing subsequent PCI immediately before PCI. Patients without indication for subsequent PCI in each group were defined as High-dose (0.75 mg/kg) and Standard-dose (0.5 mg/kg) groups, respectively. Anti-Xa levels were assessed at 0 min (immediately before), 10 min, and 90 min after enoxaparin administration. Therapeutic anticoagulation was defined as anti-Xa level of 0.5–1.8 IU/ml. Bleeding was according to the thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) criteria. Results In 170 randomized patients, 48 of 85 patients in the Planned Single-dose group and 47 of 85 patients in the Planned Staged-dose group were included in the High-dose and Standard-dose groups, respectively. The baseline characteristics were well balanced between the two groups. The anti-Xa levels were higher in the High-dose vs. Standard-dose group both at 10 min (1.354±0.228 IU/ml vs. 0.976±0.213 IU/ml, p<0.001) and 90 min (0.827±0.195 IU/ml vs. 0.583±0.169 IU/ml, p<0.001) (Figure 1). The percentages of patients with therapeutic anticoagulation were similar at 10 min (100% [46/46] vs. 100% [46/46], p=1.000) but higher at 90 min (100% [41/41] vs. 75% [33/44], p=0.001) in the High-dose vs. Standard-dose group. No TIMI major or minor bleeding occurred within 24 h of randomization in both groups. Conclusions Enoxaparin 0.75 mg/kg compared to 0.5 mg/kg provided higher anticoagulation which was adequate for up to 90 min of administration. Enoxaparin 0.75 mg/kg would be a superior anticoagulation regimen for PCI, especially when the procedure duration is long. Figure 1. High-dose vs. Standard-dose Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): 2016 Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) Science Fund for Junior Faculty


2008 ◽  
Vol 139 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. P196-P196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine M Smith ◽  
Ryan F Osborne

Problem To report the rare occurrence of a yolk sac tumor of the nose and nasopharynx presenting as acute sinusitis and bilateral complete blindness. Methods The clinical presentation, pathologic features, and management of this 2-year-old infant girl is reviewed. We also performed a medical literature search in English using PUBMED and OVID databases. We then analyzed the literature with respect to clinical presentation, manifestations and therapies for other extra-gonadal yolk sac tumors presenting in the head and neck. Results The patient was treated with 4 courses of high dose cis-platinum, etoposide, bleomycin repeated every 3 weeks along with surgery. She had initial mild improvement in visual perception along with shrinkage of her tumor. The yolk sac malignancies of the head and neck are often, large, aggressive lesions on presentation that once treated have a tendency to recur. Conclusion Yolk sac tumors (endodermal sinus tumors) represent 3–5% of pediatric malignancies. They are rare malignancies in the head and neck, of germ cell origin. Successful treatment usually requires a combination of chemotherapy and surgical extirpation followed by postoperative chemotherapy. Significance Recurrent sinusitis and nasal obstruction in children should be evaluated carefully and with a high level of suspicion for rare nasal and nasopharyngeal malignancies. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment may alleviate many of the presenting symptoms and prolong life.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e241033
Author(s):  
Jessie Jia Tao ◽  
Arnav Agarwal ◽  
Ari Benjamin Cuperfain ◽  
Christian Pagnoux

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a rare necrotising small vessel vasculitis typically associated with oronasal, pulmonary and renal manifestations. Pancreatic disease is an exceedingly rare initial presentation and is associated with delayed diagnosis and rapid progression. We discuss a 66-year-old woman presenting with epigastric pain, elevated lipase and radiographic evidence of focal pancreatitis. She had no relevant medical history and no lithiasis seen on imaging. Pertinent findings include strawberry gingivitis, positive proteinase-antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (98% specificity) and focal nodular parenchymal lung lesions on CT chest—all of which are consistent with a diagnosis of GPA. She was promptly started on high-dose steroids which resulted in significant clinical and biochemical improvement. Cyclophosphamide was added once biopsy confirmed the absence of malignancy. In order to optimise the clinical outcomes of GPA, physicians must keep a wide differential and high index of suspicion in the setting of unexplained pancreatitis with systemic features.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guofeng Zhang ◽  
Xianmeng Chen ◽  
Kaifeng Xu ◽  
Xiaowen Hu

Abstract ObjectiveTo clarify the epidemiological and clinical features of Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHDS) in Chinese patients. MethodsWe identified reports on Chinese patients with BHDS by searching the China Academic Journals Database, Wanfang Chinese Database, and PubMed databases, either in Chinese or English languages published from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2020. Studies without sufficient clinical data were excluded and cases under 18 years old were excluded. ResultsTwenty papers were included and comprised 120 families with 221 cases. Most families with BHDS were reported from institutions in Beijing (66.7%) and Jiangsu Province (15.8%); 80.8% of cases were reported within the past five years. The average duration from clinical presentation to diagnosis was 9.6 years. The average age was 47.0±13.9 years (range, 18-84 years) and the ratio of male to female was 1:1.6. The most common manifestations of BHDS were multiple pulmonary cysts (92.4%), spontaneous pneumothorax (71.0%), skin lesions (18.1%) and renal tumors (3.6%). Pulmonary cysts were predominantly distributed in the lower lobe on chest CT imaging. Family history of spontaneous pneumothorax was identified in 84.7% of the families and average number of pneumothoraxes was 1.8 (range, 1-6). The FLCN gene mutation c.1285dupC/delC in exon 11 was the most frequent mutation observed (17.4% of patients). The recurrence rate of pneumothorax after conservative treatment (including tube thoracostomy) was 29/41 (71%) while the pneumothorax recurred after surgical treatment (pulmonary bullectomy or pleurodesis) in only 4/37 (11%).ConclusionsAlthough BHDS has been increasingly reported in the recent years, only minority of families were reported from institutions outside of Beijing and Jiangsu Province. The dominant clinical manifestations were pulmonary cysts associated with recurrent pneumothorax, while skin lesions and renal tumors were less commonly reported. Delayed diagnosis along with suboptimal management appear to represent critical challenges for Chinese patients with BHDS.


1995 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 613-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.S.T. Planting ◽  
M.E.L. van der Burg ◽  
S.H. Goey ◽  
J.H.M. ScheUens ◽  
M.J. van den Bent ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 36
Author(s):  
Norman Hadi ◽  
Hantoro Ishardyanto

Surgical operations on modified radical mastectomy are considered clean procedures by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) wound classification system. Despite this, higher than expected Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rates are reported, varying from 1 % to 26 % across the literature. Some surgeons also prescribe postoperative prophylaxis for postoperative modified radical mastectomy patients to prevent infection despite its lack of proven efficacy. The aim of this study is to analyze the use of oral antibiotics to prevent Surgical Site Infection (SSI) on postoperative modified radical mastectomy patients in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital. This study was double-blinded randomized control trial of 60 postoperative modified radical mastectomy patients (2 groups) during the period of December 2017 to March 2018. Samples were prospectively divided into two groups (random sampling), in group A (n=30) patients received single dose prophylactic antibiotics and continued with oral antibiotics postoperative (Cefadroxil 2 x 500 mg) during 7 days and in group B (n=30) patients received single dose prophylactic antibiotics and continued without postoperative antibiotics (placebo). Both groups were evaluated clinically for surgical site infection up to 30 days. There was no statistically significant difference in both groups {p=1 (p>0.05)}. There was no incidence of surgical site infection in both groups during the 30-day follow-up period (days 3, 7, 14 and 30). There was no difference in the surgical site infection rate among those who received oral postoperative antibiotics prophylactic and without antibiotics (placebo) on postoperative modified radical mastectomy patients in Dr. Soetomo General Hospital. Because of the potential adverse events associated with antibiotic use, further evaluation of this practice is required.


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