Medical Specialties Commons^™

Hyperviscosity In Non-Igm Lymphoplasmacytic Lymphoma, Mario Fonseca-Paricio, Md, Sushil Chmire, Md, Adam Binder, Md

The Medicine Forum

The following is a case of how a non-IgM paraproteinemia can present with symptoms of hyperviscosity and coagulopathy, an uncommon occurrence.1-3 As this case demonstrates, this diagnosis must be considered even in patients with relatively normal coagulation laboratory results. Such pathology requires urgent treatment with plasmapheresis.

Worsening Autoimmune Neutropenia After Stopping Ibrutinib In A Patient With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Case Report And Review Of Literature, Natalie Rosen, Ba, Thomas Klumpp, Md, Sameh Gaballa, Md, Msc

The Medicine Forum

Introduction

Autoimmune cytopenia (AIC) is relatively common in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia occurring in 5-10% of patients during the course of their disease.1 Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) constitutes the highest prevalence (5-10%) of CLL-associated AIC followed by idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (2-5%), pure red cell aplasia (PRCA) (<1%), and autoimmune neutropenia (AIN) (<1%).2,3 The prevalence of AIN, however, may in fact be higher than reported due to a lack of awareness of the condition and difficulty in its diagnosis.4 Despite its rarity, autoimmune neutropenia can be a significant clinical challenge in patients with CLL and can increase the risk of infectious complications. Thus, the prompt diagnosis and resolution of CLL-associated AIN is essential to the management of these patients.

Ibrutinib is a selective inhibitor of Bruton tyrosine kinase and induces a durable response in patients with CLL.5 The activity of ibrutinib in CLL-associated AIC is largely unknown as pivotal clinical trials excluded patients with AIC. We report a case of a patient with CLL who experienced worsening of AIN after …

Bilateral Choroidal Metastases As Initial Presentation Of Widespread Follicular Thyroid Cancer, Jennifer Hong, Md

The Medicine Forum

Introduction

Follicular thyroid cancer (FTC) is the second most common malignancy of the thyroid gland and comprise 10-15% of all thyroid tumors; the usual mode of spread is via hematogenous dissemination with the most common sites of metastases being the lungs and bones.4 A case is presented to demonstrate the unusual presentation of follicular thyroid cancer as bilateral choroidal metastases. Although exceptional, a diagnosis of choroidal metastases should be considered in any decline in visual acuity in patients with thyroid cancer.

Complicated Persistent Peritonitis, Lindsey Roth, Ba, Kumar Sarkar, Md

The Medicine Forum

Introduction

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common complication of end-stage liver disease. SBP can present with many symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever and altered mental status.1 The diagnosis of SBP is made when ascitic fluid from a paracentesis has an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) more than 250/uL, there is a positive ascitic fluid culture, and no secondary source of infection can be idenitifed.2 However, nearly 60% of patients with SBP have negative fluid cultures.3 These patients can still potentially have SBP and should be treated as such since in-hospital mortality ranges from 20-40%.1,4 Conventional treatment for SBP includes …

Sealing The Diagnosis Of Celiac Disease In Pregnancy, Ritu Nahar, Md, Avani Aman, Md

The Medicine Forum

Introduction

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune mediated condition that results from a reaction to dietary gluten and primarily affects the small intestine. Genetically predisposed individuals develop a chronic inflammatory state of the small intestine which leads to malabsorption. The disease is mediated by HLA DQ2 or DQ8 haplotypes, which bind the gliadin peptides of gluten, present the peptides to CD4+ T lymphocytes and trigger cytokine and B lymphocyte responses.1

The prevalence of CD in the United States is approximately 1% and can reach up to 4-5% in at-risk groups.2 Serologic study of asymptomatic elderly patients in the United Kingdom …

Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis – A Case Report Of A Rare Cause Of Paralysis In A 39-Year-Old Asian Man, R. Benson Jones, Md, James Uricheck, Md

The Medicine Forum

Introduction

Uncontrolled hyper thyroidism has a myriad of presentations. Classically, symptoms include weight loss, tremor, palpitations, shortness of breath, diarrhea, anxiety, and heat intolerance. A rare manifestation of hyperthyroidism is thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP). Periodic paralysis is a musculoskeletal channelopathy manifested by episodes of painless muscle weakness often precipitated by heavy exercise, fasting, or high carbohydrate meals. Although classically associated with painless weakness; cramping, myalgias, and stiffness can also occur prior to the episodes as prodromal symptoms. Neurologic examination during an attack typically demonstrates proximal more than distal muscle weakness, and the upper extremities are more commonly affected than the …

A Case Report Of Pseudohypoglycemia In A Patient With Leukocytosis, Michael Weintraub, Md, Deepika Nandiraju, Md, Monika Shirodkar, Md

The Medicine Forum

Introduction

Hypoglycemia is most convincingly documented by Whipple’s triad: low plasma glucose, symptoms of hypoglycemia and relief of symptoms after treatment.1 Pseudohypoglycemia is a condition where there is an artifactually low glucose concentration and an absence of hypoglycemic symptoms. We present a case of pseudohypoglycemia where leukocytosis played a role in lowering venous glucose.

A Case Of Left Ventricular Myocardial Calcification In A Patient With Severe Sepsis, Carly Sedlock, Md, Randi Zukas, Md, Hillary Landon, Md

The Medicine Forum

Introduction

Sepsis is an important source of morbidity and mortality among patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and can cause critical damage to all organ systems. Regarding cardiac complications, sepsis can acutely result in cardiomyopathy characterized by ventricular dilatation and a depressed ejection fraction.1 Myocardial calcification is a more rare, delayed cardiac complication of severe sepsis that has been reported in literature.1-6 Herein we report a case of a patient with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) admitted to the TJUH ICU requiring prolonged vasopressor support for severe sepsis whose clinical course was complicated by left ventricular myocardial calcification.

Fibrous Web In The Right Atrium: A Complication Of Fungal Endocarditis And Previous Lead Infections, Harry Wang, Md

The Medicine Forum

A 57-year-old woman with a past medical history of severe non-ischemic cardiomyopathy undergoing orthotopic heart transplant evaluation on milrinone, prior extraction of multiple pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) leads due to Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis, and multiple central venous catheter infections presented with several days of worsening dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea and lower extremity edema, prompting admission for congestive heart failure exacerbation.

Table Of Contents: The Medicine Forum Volume 20, 2018-2019

The Medicine Forum

Clinical Images

Case Reports

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Hematology and Oncology
• Infectious Disease
• Pulmonary Medicine
• Rheumatology

Original Article

Editorial

Literature Review

Creative Writing

From The Editors, Colin Thomas, Md, Eitan Frankel, Md, Guy Katz, Md, Michael Weintraub, Md, Brianna Shinn, Md, Navdeep Sangha, Md, Rachel Redfield, Md, Mario Caldararo, Md

The Medicine Forum

We are delighted to present you with the 20th annual edition of The Medicine Forum. Here in the birthplace of our nation, we like to think of The Medicine Forum as being of the housestaff, by the housestaff and for the housestaff. Undeniably, this publication would not be possible without the countless hours dedicated by our residents, students, fellows and faculty.

From The Desk Of The Residency Program Director, Emily Stewart, Md

The Medicine Forum

It has been another wonderful year in the Jefferson Internal Medicine Residency Program. Our program continues to train the best and brightest residents in the country. This publication is just one example of the passion, dedication and creativity our residents continue to provide to the Jefferson Community. The residents are not just outstanding clinicians but excel in all aspects of medicine including: research, humanities and medical education.

Safe Care For Seizure Patients On An Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Deborah Bachand, Lauri Wilson, Rachel Caiola, Lynne Keller, Megan Selvitelli, Mary Jo Farley, Jennifer O'Neill, Sara Shrock, Hannah Plummer, Sally Prokey, Amy Sparks, Stephen Tyzik, Suneela Nayak, Ruth Hanselman

Operations Transformation

Seizure patients admitted to an Epilepsy Monitoring Unit located within an academic tertiary medical center have a high potential to impact patient safety. As a result, a unit based team identified a need for a higher level of training for both their staff and float companions to ensure safe and standardized care for this group of patients.

The goal of this quality improvement project was to create an educational tool that would assist 100% of staff in better recognizing and responding to seizures. Baseline metrics and root cause analysis demonstrated a lack of consistent information being taught, a poorly identified …

Scanning For Qi: Resident And Sonographer Driven Improvement Of Radiology Resident Ultrasound Technique, Brian Blumhof, Md, Corinne Wessner, Bs, Rdms, Rvt, Kristen Mcclure, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2016-2019)

Objective

The aim of this structural QI project is to improve the educational ultrasound curriculum , thus improving overall resident confidence and technical ability in acquiring diagnostic quality sonographic images.

Comparing resident confidence levels and performance against their initial benchmarks as well as against yearly cohorts, we plan to create a long standing addition to the radiology residency at Jefferson, with plans to include additional ultrasound examinations as the curriculum becomes more robust.

Stakeholders include not only the radiology residency, which would benefit from improved resident education and knowledge, but also the hospital and ultimately patients, who stand to benefit …

Getting Rid Of Stupid Stuff (Gross) Committee: Residents Dedicated To Streamlining Epic-Related Workflow, Nkosi H. Alvarez, Md, Christina L. Jacovides, Md, Brian M. Till, Md, Walker Lyons, Md, Keyur Patel, Md, Richard Zheng, Md, Adam Johnson, Md, John Kairys, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2016-2019)

Objectives

• Identify specific mechanisms for submitting and implementing improvements to the Epic environment
• Standardize high-use order sets
• Incorporate high-value modular components into existing order sets
• Create new order sets to streamline resident workflows
• Improve communication between stakeholders

Optimizing Resident Clinic Efficiency Through Process Flow Analysis, Michael Abendroth, Md, Mba, Saumya Copparam, Md, Qiang Zhang, Phd, Rose Costello, Ma, Tara Uhler, Md, Robert Bailey, Md

House Staff Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Conference (2016-2019)

Abstract

Introduction: Clinic process inefficiencies cause lengthy visit and wait times, which frustrate patients and providers and limit clinic capacity

Objective: To identify process inefficiencies and assess process flow interventions

Methods: Prospective, consecutive series of resident clinic visits over a 3-week period after transferring refraction from tech to resident. Personnel recorded the time spent waiting for and undergoing each clinic process. The clinic also piloted a “Fast Track” from registration to resident for appropriate established patients.

Results: Patients spent 53% of the visit waiting, primarily for the tech. Transferring refraction from tech to resident decreased the wait for tech …

The Top 10 Things To Know About Transfusion Medicine Before Intern Year: An Evidence-Based Course For Graduating Medical Students., Alexis R. Peedin, Irina Perjar, Marshall A. Mazepa, Marian A. Rollins-Raval, Yara A. Park, Jay S. Raval

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Background: Transfusion medicine (TM) knowledge varies widely among physician trainees. In addition, there have been few instances in which curricular changes have been meaningfully assessed for TM education in medical school.

Methods: We created and presented a novel lecture to improve TM knowledge for graduating medical students using eight objectives designed to reinforce critical information about blood management. Each objective was coded according to unique color schemes, fonts, and graphics to create visual associations while quickly and clearly presenting complex concepts. The validated BEST Collaborative exam was used to measure changes in student TM knowledge, while a survey was conducted …

Commencement, Philadelphia (2019), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Commencements

Philadelphia Campus Graduate Program Commencement program, Class of 2019. Degrees include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.

The Role Of Outdoor Tree Pollen Levels On Healthcare Visits For Respiratory Infections In Infants And Toddlers: A Case Cross-Over Analysis, Adam J. Van Mason

Research Days

No abstract provided.

A Retrospective Review Of Project Instruct: Improving Sexual And Reproductive Health Amongst At-Risk Teens, April Mcneill Md

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Family Entropy: Understanding The Organization Of The Home Environment And Impact On Health Behaviors And Weight In School-Age Children, Carolyn Bates

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Impact Of A Mobile Device-Based Clinical Decision Support Tool On Guideline Adherence And Mental Workload Among Trainees And Attending Physicians, Katherine M. Richardson

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Measuring Clinical Weight Loss In Young Children With Severe Obesity: Comparison Of Outcomes Using Zbmi, Modified Zbmi, And Percent Of 95th Percentile, Carolyn Bates

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Provider Education And Rapid Antigen Detection Test Use In An Academic Pediatric Clinic, Steven Dahl

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Attitudes Of Emergency Medical Service (Ems) Providers Towards Pediatric Death And Outside-Of-Hospital Do Not Resuscitate (Dnr) Orders, Clay Yaklin

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Changes In Pt, Aptt And Platelet Counts After Ich Resulting From Accidental Trauma, Sara Kilbride

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Racial/Ethnic Demographics Of Participants In Clinical Trials Of Biologics Used For Asthma, Susamita Kesh

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Parental Observation Of Environmental Exposures In The Home Of Children With Asthma, Hannah N. Neuhaus

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Guided Mentorship: Enhancing Pediatric Resident’S Skills In Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Alyssa Stoner

Research Days

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Low Resource Utilization Observation Status Hospitalizations Within Children's Hospitals, David C. Synhorst

Research Days

No abstract provided.