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Internal Medicine

Western Michigan University

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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Widening The Differential: A Case Of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Disguised As A Fever Of Unknown Origin, Emily Cordes Jan 2017

Widening The Differential: A Case Of Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Disguised As A Fever Of Unknown Origin, Emily Cordes

Research Day

Introduction: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an under recognized, aggressive inflammatory disease characterized by excessive activity of histiocytes and lymphocytes. According to the HLH-2004 guidelines, five of the following eight criteria must be met to diagnose HLH: fever >38.5¡ã C, splenomegaly; cytopenias affecting ¡Ý two cell lines; hypertriglyceridemia/hypofibrinogenemia; evidence of hemophagocytosis in the bone marrow, spleen or lymph nodes; hyperferritinemia; low NK cell activity; or high levels of soluble CD25. Once a diagnosis of HLH is established, investigations for infectious, malignant or autoimmune etiologies must be pursued. We report a case of fever of unknown origin (FUO) that presented multiple times …


A Case Of Native Valve Staphylococcus Epidermidis Endocarditis With Cardiac Abscess Formation, Emily Cordes, Chris Jacob, Mark Loehrke Jan 2017

A Case Of Native Valve Staphylococcus Epidermidis Endocarditis With Cardiac Abscess Formation, Emily Cordes, Chris Jacob, Mark Loehrke

Research Day

Introduction: Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common commensal bacteria of the skin; however it can be pathogenic and is the most frequent cause of medical device associated endocarditis. It is also a well-known cause of endocarditis in IV drug abuse (IVDA). However, in individuals without obvious disruption of the skin barrier, it is a relatively rare, but emerging entity of native valve endocarditis. Coagulase negative staphylococci account for only 1-5% of community acquired native valve infective endocarditis and most resolve with treatment. We report a case of a 56 year old male with an aggressive strain of community acquired Staphylococcus …


16 Year Old Baseball Pitcher Presenting With Gradual Worsening Of Posterolateral Right Elbow Pain And Negative Mri Findings, Nithin Natwa, Reema Sheth, Nisha Sheth Jan 2017

16 Year Old Baseball Pitcher Presenting With Gradual Worsening Of Posterolateral Right Elbow Pain And Negative Mri Findings, Nithin Natwa, Reema Sheth, Nisha Sheth

Research Day

Background: Elbow pain is a common presenting symptom in repetitive motion performing athletes. Due to the popular use of prolonged conservative therapy in elbow pain, and the importance of early surgical intervention in Elbow Synovial Fold Syndrome, proper and prompt diagnosis is essential. In our case report, a 16 year old male right hand-dominant baseball pitcher presents with gradual onset of posterolateral right elbow pain over 4 months. Purpose: This study helps reflect the correct timeline in imaging along with the appropriate duration of conservative management. After reviewing this study the reader will be better able to differentiate between Lateral …


Challenges In The Diagnosis And Management Of Pediatric Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Madagascar, Emily Cordes, Richard Roach Jan 2017

Challenges In The Diagnosis And Management Of Pediatric Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Madagascar, Emily Cordes, Richard Roach

Research Day

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Madagascar. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2015, the estimated incidence of TB was 57,000 and 11,000 of those cases were of patients less than 14 years old. Of the reported cases, 89% were bacteriologically confirmed. However, it is well established that bacteriologic confirmation of TB in children is especially difficult. Therefore, the incidence of TB in the pediatric population in Madagascar, and likely worldwide, is under estimated. We report a case of a 4 year old male that illustrates the challenges in diagnosis and management …


Surviving As A Cancer Survivor: A Case Report Of Radiation-Induced Autonomic Dysfunction, Daphne Sy, Mark Schauer Jan 2017

Surviving As A Cancer Survivor: A Case Report Of Radiation-Induced Autonomic Dysfunction, Daphne Sy, Mark Schauer

Research Day

While radiation and chemotherapy have achieved high rates of cure for Hodgkin lymphoma, the medical community is only now starting to characterize the long-term effects of treatment on these young cancer survivors, many decades later. Mantle radiation has been implicated in significantly increased cardiovascular risks, pulmonary fibrosis, other cancers, and thyroid disease over the patient’s lifetime. However, new syndromes are still being discovered within this population as they age. The purpose of this case study was to consider the unique health issues of cancer survivors, and how their treatment history should prompt us to broaden our differentials. Our patient presented …