Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Ocular Syphilis: A Case Report And Public Health Discussion, Andrew L. Fine, Hope V. Daskalakis, Rutwik Pradeep Sharma M.D., Mirna Ogeilat M.D.

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Ocular Syphilis describes a localized manifestation of a systemic treponema pallidum infection. It most commonly presents with decreased visual acuity due to uveitis and can occur at any time throughout the disease course. This report describes a case of undiagnosed syphilis that was serendipitously diagnosed with blood product screening. This case highlights the need for better public education and outreach pertaining to sexually transmitted infections. This report will detail this patient's clinical course and discuss how healthcare providers can aid in early disease detection to improve both patient outcomes and overall public health.

New Onset Positive Autoantibodies Following Covid-19 Infection, David Hernandez, Adnaan Sheikh, Shakira Laing, Mariana Adieb, Omar Siddiqui, Rohail Baig, Annabel Antonini, James Vienneau, Camden Burns

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Since the original outbreak in December 2019, over 100 million people have been confirmed to have been infected by COVID-19 and over two million people have died. The presentation seen in patients may vary widely based on multiple factors. Fever has been reported in up to 99% of patients, while other common symptoms seen are dyspnea, fatigue, anosmia, and myalgia. Around 80% of COVID-19 patients present with a mild respiratory illness that can be managed at home, while around 15% need basic …

Uncommon Presentation Of Kaposi Sarcoma In An Hiv-Negative Patient: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Hope Daskalakis, Nina M. Ventura, Joy Anne Lowry, Mara Weinstein Velez

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Kaposi Sarcoma (KS) is a multifocal systemic disease first identified in 1872. It most commonly involves the skin, mucous membranes, lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal tract. There are four clinically distinct subtypes of KS that have been identified: Chronic or classic KS, African endemic KS, KS due to iatrogenic immunosuppression, and AIDS-related epidemic KS. The human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) has been implicated in all subtypes of KS. We present a unique case of KS in a 79-year-old male with a widespread distribution of skin lesions on his palms, soles, chest, and back. This case report highlights a novel presentation of classical …

A Case Of Streptococcus Constellatus Bacteremia Secondary To Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis In A Neonate, Ronald G. Lott Iii, Samantha M. Lavertue, Xavier Zonna, Samuel Wlasowicz, Roland Zhang, Ravi Kavuda

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Common causes of bacteremia in the neonatal period include group B streptococcus, listeria, and E. coli. We report a rare case of neonatal bacteremia with culture-positive Streptococcus constellatus. Streptococcus constellatus is part of the normal flora of the orogenital regions of the body; when found elsewhere, it causes pyogenic abscesses in the brain and digestive tract. In this case, the Streptococcus constellatus bacteremia was secondary to prolonged hospitalization in a patient with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. This report serves to make physicians aware of and to define treatment options for Streptococcus constellatus as a rarely isolated organism that …

A Rare Appendiceal Mucocele Of The Appendix Captured On The Ultrasound: Case Report, Vera Shulgina, Meghan Single, Joel Thompson

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare disease which results from an accumulation of mucus in the lumen of the appendix, leading to distension and obstruction of the lumen. Clinical diagnosis is often delayed, as the presenting symptoms are usually non-specific. Even with the use of imaging, preoperative diagnosis is difficult. The treatment is surgical, with the extent determined by the surgical specimen. Definitive diagnosis is by histopathology. Our case report presents a rare case of appendiceal mucocele originally captured by ultrasound. The aim of this paper is to further understand the clinical presentation, discuss key ultrasound findings, and examine the proper …

Covid-19-Associated Myocarditis: Screening For Early Diagnosis, Yousuf Khan, Salmman Ahmed, Samuel John Wlasowicz, Ronald G. Lott Iii, Xavier C. Zonna

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

The SARS-CoV-2 virus (causing COVID-19), has infected about 770 million people, and caused the death of about 6.9 million people worldwide in the span of three years (John Hopkins Resource Center). Common symptoms of a patient infected with the virus include shortness of breath, fever, chills, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, and muscle aches. However, recent studies have also shown a prevalence of patients presenting with cardiac inflammation (endocarditis, myocarditis or pericarditis) as a potential comorbidity, both during the infectious stage as well as after the infection has subsided. A pattern of specific clinical markers may be indicative of …

Intracystic Hemorrhage In A Simple Liver Cyst Due To Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention, Nauman Naeem, Andrew Takla, Saarwaani Vallabhajosyula, Nagesh R. Jadhav

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Hemorrhage into a simple hepatic cyst often results in development of a complex cystic lesion, which makes this identical to a cystic tumor. We present a striking example of this decision-making in a patient with suspected intracystic hemorrhage from recent anti-platelet medication use post-percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). 83-year-old male presented to the hospital with acute right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain, severe and constant. This was associated with nausea and constipation. Medical history was significant for recent PCI and initiation of dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) ten days ago, and chronic thrombocytopenia. Ultrasound and CT confirmed complex 12.8 x 11.4 x …

Colocolic Fistula: A Rare Consequential Presentation Of Cecal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma, Jessica Rutyna, Paige Stratton, Rutwik Pradeep Sharma, Anthony V. Baratta Jr

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Relative to a 5-year survival rate, CRC patients diagnosed with localized disease accrue a 90% survival rate while those diagnosed with distant-stage disease maintain 14% survival. Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is a unique subtype of CRC characterized by the presence of extracellular mucin occupying 50% of tumor expansion. Fistula complications of colonic malignancy have rarely been reported and more commonly occur as complications of diverticulitis. Colocolic fistulae are atypical consequences of colon cancer, which have been rarely reported. We wish to report a unique case …

Metastatic Breast Cancer Found During Colon Cancer Screening, Rutwik Pradeep Sharma, Tausif Syed, Meenal Sharma, Jay Bapaye, Ahmed Shehadah, Alexander T. Kusnik, Ali Jaan, Richard Alweis, Andrej Strapko

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

No abstract provided.

Bouveret's Syndrome: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature, Sheza Malik, Hajra Khan, Jay Bapaye, Asim Mushtaq

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Bouveret syndrome is an exceedingly rare complication of cholelithiasis, characterized by gastric or intestinal obstruction due to the impaction of one or more gallstones in the proximal gastrointestinal tract. We present a case of an elderly woman with multiple comorbidities who presented with gastric outlet obstruction caused by a cholecystogastric fistula. The management and treatment of Bouveret syndrome present a challenge, as endoscopic retrieval is the first-line treatment strategy, but it is rarely successful. Most patients ultimately require surgery as was seen in our case

Defying The Vicious Cycle: An Intriguing Case Of Brash Syndrome, Ahmed Shehadah, Himal Kharel, Pulkit Gandhi

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

BRASH Syndrome is a rare and life-threatening condition marked by the combination of bradycardia, renal failure, atrioventricular (AV) nodal blockade, shock, and hyperkalemia. This case report presents a 79-year-old female with acute kidney injury, hyperkalemia, and severe bradycardia without typical EKG changes associated with hyperkalemia. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of BRASH syndrome, including its clinical manifestations, underlying pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies. The patient's presentation, laboratory findings, and response to treatment support the diagnosis of BRASH syndrome. The syndrome's pathogenesis involves a vicious cycle of bradycardia, renal failure, AV nodal blockade, and …

The Prevalence And Impact Of Obesity On The Outcomes Of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Using Mitraclip - A National Inpatient Sample Analysis 2016 To 2020., Garba Rimamskep Shamaki, Favour Markson, Osarenren Idemudia, Andrew Murphy, Tamunoinemi Bob-Manuel, Akanimo Antia, David Corteville

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: Low Body Mass Index (BMI) is associated with poor outcomes in patients who undergo various cardiac interventions. Studies on patients with elevated BMI have produced mixed results. Our study aims to evaluate the impact of obesity on the in-hospital outcomes of patients undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair using MitraClip in the United States.

Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database (2016-2020) was analyzed to identify patients who underwent transcatheter mitral valve repair using MitraClip. Patients less than 18 years, with protein-energy malnutrition and rapid weight loss, were excluded. Our final study population was classified into Obese (BMI ≥ 30 …

Kounis Syndrome – Anaphylaxis-Induced Acute Coronary Syndrome, Austin T. Thacker Do, Brachman Herzig Oms, Brendan Robinson Do, Ahad Anjum Do

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Kounis syndrome is an underdiagnosed condition in which anaphylaxis triggers vasospastic acute coronary syndrome, either with or without underlying coronary artery disease. The prevalence of this syndrome among hospitalized patients for allergic/hypersensitivity/anaphylactic reactions in the United States is 1.1%, with a 7% rate of all-cause inpatient mortality. This article presents an anaphylaxis-induced acute coronary syndrome case in a patient with underlying coronary artery disease. The pathophysiological mechanism of anaphylactic-induced acute coronary syndrome involves the inflammatory mediators of type I hypersensitivity reactions.

Minoca - A Rarity Of It's Own And The Importance Of Cardiac Mri, Abdullah A. Orakzai, Deeptanshu Jain Md, Muhammad Osama, Syeda Sarah Raza, Soon-Il Song

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) disease is a diagnostic dilemma with clinical evidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with normal coronary arteries. MINOCA is a complex issue; the management of the patients needs to be focused on identifying the core problem. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that can play an important role in enabling clinicians to build a differential diagnosis in patients with MINOCA and also identify other non-ischemic aetiologies of myocardial injury. We present a challenging case of a patient with MINOCA with MI in small proximal septal artery distribution revealed on …

Bi-Atrial Thrombus Via Patent Foramen Ovale With Medical Noncompliance: A Case Report, Reid Mccullough, Ayesha Cheema, Owesh Contractor, Krystal Tomsky-Jackson

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Numerous diagnoses in the hospital setting require anticoagulation. With different etiologies, certain specific assessments may not have a treatment plan that is studied extensively in evidence-based medical texts. In these uncommon situations, management may not have clear medical guidelines for successful treatment. We present a case of bi-atrial thrombus via PFO with concurrent pulmonary embolism, extensive clot burden history, and the plan to move forward with Angiovac. In patients with this specific history and pathology, modern procedures like Angiovac should be considered and discussed.

Encephalopathy Tango: When Beta-Lactam Antibiotics Waltz With Gaba Receptor, Ali Mohamed, Nagesh Jadhav, Mohamed Elbathani, Abubaker Farah

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Beta-lactam antibiotics are a class of drugs that are widely used to treat a variety of infections. They are generally well-tolerated, but they can cause a variety of side effects, including allergic reactions, acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) and neurotoxicity.

We present a patient who developed neurotoxicity after being treated with cephalosporin and carbapenem antibiotics. A 76-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with osteomyelitis of the right foot. She was initially treated with cefepime and daptomycin. She was discharged and then began to experience delirium with visual hallucinations and acute kidney injury. After common causes of confusion were excluded, the …

Persistent Foci Of Infection: A Case Of Two Mycotic Aneurysms Separated In Time In A Patient With Infective E. Faecalis Endocarditis, Julia C. Stone, Joel Thompson, Joseph Hatem, Evan Basha

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

This is a case report of a patient who presented with mycotic aneurysms of two different blood vessels at separate hospital visits following a diagnosis of infective endocarditis.

Cystic Fibrosis - An Ever Evolving Challenge, Abdullah A. Orakzai, Osama Sherjeel Khan, Syeda Sarah Raza, Muhammad H. Sharif, Mehr A. Orakzai

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that results from mutations in a large single gene located on chromosome 7. More than 2000 different mutations in the gene have been identified to have caused the disease. Most of these mutations are exceedingly rare and therefore not a part of CF screening or all testing panels. This case discusses an adult female with a history of asthma, bronchiectasis, pseudomonas colonization, and respiratory failure on chronic oxygen who presented to the ED with sudden onset shortness of breath, fever, chills, body aches, nonproductive cough, and headache. The patient's condition clinically improved with …

Pseudo-Wellens Syndrome: A Rare Entity Associated With Cocaine Use, Mohamed Salah Mohamed, Syed Hamza Waheed, Amir Mahmoud, Anas Hashem, Bipul Baibhav, Abdullah M. Firoze Ahmed

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Wellens syndrome usually indicates critical left anterior descending artery (LAD) occlusion. Pseudo-Wellens syndrome consists of criteria of Wellens syndrome in the absence of critical LAD occlusion. We report a case of Pseudo-Wellens syndrome related to cocaine use. A 52-year-old male with a medical history of hypertension and diabetes, presented with acute retrosternal chest pain of 3 days duration. Physical examination was unremarkable. EKG on presentation showed deep T-wave inversions in leads V2 to V5. Highly sensitive troponin was elevated. The patient admitted to using cocaine daily for the past two months. Due to concerns for Wellens syndrome, the patient had …

Hydroxychloroquine Induced Cardiomyopathy, Mohamed Salah Mohamed, Katrina Wojciechowski, Scott Feitell, Muhammad Osama, Anas Hashem, Jayesh Patel, Amir Mahmoud, Ali Abdelhay, Prakash Upreti, Soidjon Khodjaev

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is one of the immunomodulatory medications used in treatment of autoimmune diseases. Rarely, HCQ can cause serious complications, such as cardiotoxicity. We present a rare case of HCQ-induced cardiomyopathy. 60-year-old female patient with a medical history of SLE on chronic HCQ therapy for 28 years, preexisting non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction for 7 years, and complete heart block status post pacemaker insertion presented with acute chest pain and severe weight loss. Patient underwent coronary angiogram that showed normal coronaries and right-sided heart catheterization that showed acute heart failure. Echocardiogram showed LVEF of 30% with …

Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome: A Rare Cause Of Abdominal Pain That Is Difficult To Identify, Mark E. Eskander, Matthew Thrall, Joel P. Thompson

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare disease that occurs when the celiac artery is compressed by the median arcuate ligament. Patients with MALS typically present with non-specific symptoms that overlap with more common diseases. As a result, patients may undergo extensive workup and unnecessary treatments before being properly diagnosed with MALS. In this case we present a 23-year-old female with chronic postprandial abdominal pain that persisted despite undergoing a cholecystectomy. This case highlights the symptoms and imaging findings needed to diagnose MALS and thus prevent unnecessary surgical interventions.

Radiologic And Histologic Findings Of Locally Advanced Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Managed With Total Surgical Excision, Christopher R. Huber, Don Truong, Joseph Hatem, Joel Thompson, Bryan Scott

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

The present case report provides images from computed tomography and histology of a patient with a salivary gland neoplasm consistent with mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Comparing Pleural Fluid Removal Volume And Oxygenation Change In Therapeutic Thoracentesis: Is There A Relationship?, Hannah Zazulak, Ryanne Burke, Andrea Bodine

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Background: During therapeutic thoracentesis (TT), pleural fluid is typically drained to completion. Fluid removal improves oxygenation, and the amount of fluid removed is directly associated with the risk of serious complications. A relationship between the amount of fluid removed during TT and the change in oxygenation has not been found in the literature. A direct relationship was hypothesized in this study. Differences in the change in oxygenation between sexes, age, and pre-procedure oxygen support were secondarily hypothesized. This information would assist in the guidance of future TT protocols.

Methods: Subjects of this retrospective cohort study were males and females aged …

Late-Onset Isolated Myositis Following Transobturator Mid-Urethral Sling: A Case Report, Bruce Lee, Mohamad Mahmoud

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Late onset of isolated myositis following a Transobturator (TOT) mid-urethral sling (MUS) is a rare post-operative complication.

A 38-year-old gravida 3 para 3003 with a long standing history of mixed urinary incontinence, Stage 2 anterior prolapse, dysmenorrhea, and abnormal uterine bleeding underwent a hysteroscopy with dilation and curettage, levonorgestrel intrauterine device insertion, anterior colporrhaphy, MUS insertion using the TOT approach and cystoscopy. Eight weeks post-op, she presented to the emergency room with right inguinal and low back pain, difficulty ambulating, and fevers. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the right hip revealed inflammatory fluid collection within the adductor brevis with posterior …

Covid-19 Vaccination Hesitancy In Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study Of Patients’ Perceptions, Molly Schassberger, Charlotte Kirk, Samantha Fields, Carol Brenner, Andrea M. Bodine Md

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

COVID-19 Vaccination Hesitancy in Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Patients’ Perceptions

Schassberger¹, M, MS III, Kirk¹, C, MS III, Fields¹, S, MS III, Brenner¹, C, Ph.D., Bodine², A, M.D.

¹University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, Biddeford, Maine

²Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Introduction: The COVID-19 vaccination rate of US pregnant individuals of childbearing age was 42.3%, compared to 63.7% of the total population as of 1/15/2022 despite ACOG and CDC recommendations. Our objectives were to determine patients’ perceptions on COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy …

Rare Case Of Late-Onset Myasthenia Gravis In A 65-Year-Old Female With Prolonged Doxycycline Use, Angel Wong, Kayvan Mirhadi

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune condition caused by antibody-mediated disruption of acetylcholine receptors (AChR) or their associated proteins. The age of onset of MG has a bimodal distribution, with a predominance of female cases in the second and third decades and a predominance of male cases in the sixth to eighth decades. MG is often unmasked by stressors such as systemic illness, medication, surgery, and pregnancy. We present a case of late-onset MG in a 65-year-old female with a recent history of prolonged doxycycline use. However, there are aspects of her past medical history, including comorbidities involving the …

Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis: A Systematic Review Of Hla-Dr In Pigeon Breeder’S Disease, Dylan Thibaut, Ryan A. Witcher, Anitha Kunnath, James Toldi

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Abstract

Introduction: Pigeon Breeder’s Pneumonitis (PBP) results due to a complex pathophysiology that includes exposure to avian antigens. Susceptibility has been linked to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, though consensus has not been reached. The goal of this systematic review is to further elucidate the association between PBP and HLA-DR subtypes.

Methods: Databases utilized included PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion required a minimum of three studies in English presenting HLA-DR alleles of PBP and control subgroups. Exclusion was due to insufficient data or non-feasible control groups. Forest plots were created for HLA-DR subtypes’ association …

Journal Club: Glymphatic System In Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ronald G. Lott Iii, Xavier Zonna, Samuel Wlasowicz

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease impact a multitude of individuals worldwide. The neural Glymphatic system is a relatively newly discovered cellular transport pathway within the brain that has been implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. This article serves to provide a journal club review of current literature on the Glymphatic system to raise awareness of this system and its potential for future treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative conditions.

Review Of Orthoplastic Techniques For Lower Extremity Reconstruction: Part One, Benjamin Heddy, Brady Webb

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Orthoplastic techniques are effective tools for limb salvage in the lower extremity. In order to apply proper techniques successfully, a surgeon must be aware of all the different types of flaps available. Proper pre-operative evaluation and patient selection are also important factors. The following review covers six papers that give surgeons a strong foundation in the anatomical basis and surgical technique of intrinsic muscle flaps and other fasciocutaneous or adipofascial flaps of the foot. These flaps, along with split thickness skin grafts, external fixation, and dermal regenerative templates, quickly close soft tissue deficits in the foot and ankle that often …

A New Wave Of The Overdose Epidemic Arises During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tolga Suvar Md, Asokumar Buvanendran Md, Stephen Music Do, Wilson M. Compton Md, Mpe

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Abstract

Objective:

The goal of this manuscript is to highlight the notoriety of the overdose epidemic which has been masked by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Methods:

A thorough literature review of PubMed and the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was performed for the most relevant and updated data regarding overdose deaths.

Conclusion:

The global health crisis known as the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic collided with the opioid epidemic in March of 2020, with devastating consequences for the United States. By overwhelming the healthcare system, the pandemic impacted patients who require continued mental health services, …