Medical Specialties Commons^™

Understanding Injury Risk In Female College Dancers: The Interplay Of Mobility And Strength, Audrey Clark

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

INTRODUCTION: Female college dancers present a unique set of demands that contribute to a risk of injury different from other sports. Two of the primary physical demands of dance, mobility and strength, are also known risk factors for non contact injuries. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mobility, strength, and non contact injuries in female college dancers and add to the current gap in literature. METHODS: Participants (n=10) completed an injury history, hand-grip assessment, Functional Movement Screen (FMS), and monthly follow up injury surveys during the duration of the study. Means, standard deviations, correlations, and …

Untreated Hyperthyroidism And A Mediastinal Mass: To Remove Or Not To Remove?, Jennifer M. Alvis, Olga Suarez-Winowiski, Faizaan Khan

Anesthesiology Publications

CASE PRESENTATION: J.W. was seen by the PACE (Preoperative Assessment, Communication and Education) Center prior to a mediastinal mass resection. Medical history includes well-controlled rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety and a recent diagnosis of hyperthyroidism. Labs were significant for TSH DISCUSSION: Untreated GD is rarely correlated with thymic hyperplasia; however the pathogenesis is not well understood. Regardless of the association, contextualization of this patient's history and lab values prompted the provider to seek specialized management. This finding was then communicated with the surgical team, who often rely on PACE providers to screen patients with the ultimate goal of risk reduction and optimization …

Case Report Of Neurosyphilis, Caroline Finnerty, Elizabeth Diaz, Teena Mathew

North Texas Research Forum 2025

This is the case of a 29 year old female who initially presented with generalized joint aches noted to have neurosyphilis. Because of her delayed treatment, this case presents interesting findings that we classically no longer see in syphilis cases due to early detection and treatment. The case looks at the early symptoms as well as late symptoms if syphilis is left untreated. The patient was ultimately treated with IV penicillin with improvement of her symptoms.

Shortness Of Breath In A 39 Year Old: A Rare Case Of Heart Failure, Mohammed Rashik, Olufunmilola Adeleye, Jason Thompson, Tasaduq Mir

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Currently, 2.6% of Americans suffer from heart failure. Common causes include coronary artery disease, chronic hypertension, arrhythmia, and myocardial infarction, often managed in clinical and hospital settings. A rare cause, however, is infiltrative cardiomyopathy, affecting just 0.04% of the U.S. population. This condition, often caused by amyloid buildup or sarcoidosis, is challenging to diagnose and typically requires a heart transplant due to its rapid progression. Thorough investigations into heart failure causes are crucial to identify this rare condition. A 39-year-old male with no significant medical history presented to the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) Family Medicine clinic …

Endoscopic–Assisted Surgery For Cerebello Pontine Angle Pathology: Technical Note And Surgical Results In A Series Of Patients, Jaime Jesus Martinez Anda, Pablo David Guerrero Suarez, Diego Pineda Martínez, Rafael Avendaño Pradel, Ernesto Javier Jurado Delgado, Ricardo Santiago Villlagrana Sánchez, Juan Carlos Cisneros Lesser, Carolina De La Llata Segura, Rogelio Revuelta Gutiérrez

Archives of Neurosurgery

Objectives: Endoscopic–assisted surgery combined with the operating microscope has been described for several surgical techniques and pathologies of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). The use of an endoscope allows for a panoramic view of the CPA cistern and a high degree of maneuverability in narrow cisternal spaces that enable the surgeon to deal with most CPA lesions safely. We performed an observational study to describe the surgical anatomy and technique for endoscopic-assisted CPA surgery, describing our experience in a case series of patients with CPA pathology. Methods: Anatomical and surgical technique description of endoscopic-assisted surgery for CPA pathology, based on observations …

Neurosurgical Praxis Guidelines During The Covid-19 Outbreak. Consensus-Based On Currently Available Literature., José Antonio Soriano Sánchez, Bárbara Nettel Rueda, José Alberto Israel Romero Rangel, Armando Alpizar Aguirre, Miguel Ángel Andrade-Ramos, Ulises García Dr., Diego Mendez Rosito, Jorge A. Santos, Sara Patricia Pérez Reyes, Julian Eduardo Soto Abraham, Jose E. Valerio Pascua, Marco Antonio Barajas Romero, Eduardo Díaz Juárez, Alma Griselda Ramírez Reyes, Maria Elena Gonzalez, Claudia Katiutska González Valdez, Félix Domínguez Cortinas, Noé Santiago Ramírez, Tenoch Herrada Pineda, Manuel Eduardo Soto García, Edgar Nathal Vera, Gustavo Melo Guzmán

Archives of Neurosurgery

INTRODUCTION: The World Health Organization recommended several strategies to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, including optimization of care for all patients, especially the seriously ill. Given the strain, the pandemic has posed on healthcare systems around the world, many neurosurgical associations have provided triage recommendations for patients to save resources for the pandemic. We aimed to provide practical recommendations based on specific illnesses requiring surgical procedures commonly performed by neurosurgeons on a life-threatening basis of patient illness. We consider this guideline will help neurosurgeons for the appropriate triage of patients on a daily-situation basis during this pandemic.

METHODS: The Mexican Society …

A Phenomenological Examination Of Spiritual Health In Cancer Patients, Cheryl Green, Lauren Thayer, Beatrice Relucio Rn

Posters

This study is a phenomenological qualitative comparative analysis of how Oncology nurses and their patients understand spiritual health as patients cope with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Don't Meth With Drugs: A Rare Presentation Of Methamphetamine Induces Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis, Hamza Naveed, Crystal Ike, Srinidhi Shyamkumar, Sarva Sivatej, Ramesh Kesavan, Zuhair Ali

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

A Flea-Borne Mystery: Unraveling Murine Typhus In A Patient With Unexplained Encephalopathy, Jose Loayza Pintado, Jorge Aboytes Trevino, Ceasar Uribe

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

A Primer On Performing Meaningful Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Kayla Nguyen, Duyen Quach, Michael Flynn, Zuhair Ali, Andrey Manov, Mike Liang

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

An Atypical Case Of Epec-Hus In An Adult, Rabia S. Mahfooz, Annmary Behanan, Babivigasan Gunasegaran, Amita J. Dsouza

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

The Benefit Of Protected Time Before Emergency Medicine Didactic, Stevley M. Koshy, Garrett Reber, David Lindow

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Hearts Hidden Message: Right Ventricular Thrombus Reveals Esophageal Adenocarcinoma, Devika Adusumilli, Seline Haci, Jafri Imran, Arman Vaghefi, Mehdi Khalafi, Ikponmwosa Iyamu, Sarvanan Balamuthusamy

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction Right ventricular thrombi are uncommon, usually found with concurrent pulmonary emboli and associated with significant mortality. They often originate from deep vein thrombi but may also be due to primary intracardiac processes . A right ventricular thrombus can be an unexpected marker for underlying malignancies, including esophageal cancer. This occurs due to the hypercoagulable state often induced by malignancy. Here we report a presentation where the identification of a right ventricular thrombus led to the diagnosis of esophageal cancer. Case Presentation Our patient is a 57-year old male with no past medical history who experienced an episode of dizziness …

When Skin Necrosis Mimics: Diagnostic And Therapeutic Challenges Of Calciphylaxis In A Ckd Patient With A Mechanical Heart Valve, Sienna Luk, Harshil Parekh, Vaishnavi Singh, Darshan Bhatty, Sathish Karmegam

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Calciphylaxis is a rare but serious condition characterized by the calcification and thrombosis of small blood vessels, predominantly affecting patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Diagnosis can be challenging due to overlapping features with other vascular conditions, such as warfarin-induced skin necrosis (WSN). We present a case of a patient with ESRD and typical risk factors—peritoneal dialysis, hyperparathyroidism, and warfarin use—who exhibited classic skin findings suggestive of calciphylaxis. However, two skin biopsies were inconclusive. Management involved addressing the patient's calciphylaxis risk factors, optimizing dialysis, and initiating sodium thiosulfate therapy. The case was further complicated by the need to replace warfarin, …

Implementing Intermittent Fasting Education For Improved A1c Control In Type 2 Diabetes Patients, Dakota Dalton, Elizabeth White, Malinda Hansen, Tasaduq Mir

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the UNTHSC Family Medicine clinic varies among residents, with some advocating robust lifestyle counseling and others relying more on medical management. This leads to inconsistencies in patient education and treatment strategies. Lifestyle interventions such as dietary modifications, are unfortunately too often underutilized in the clinic and in primary care in general, despite strong evidence supporting their efficacy in control of both A1C measurements and random fasting blood sugar, and improved prognosis of diabetes. To address this, we have designed and introduced an intermittent fasting (IF) handout as a supplemental standardized educational …

Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Camouflaged As Persistent Anemia Post-Embolization For Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: A Case Report, Nischal Pokhrel, Sathish Karmegam

North Texas Research Forum 2025

This case report presents a 42-year-old female with heavy menstrual bleeding and syncope, initially diagnosed with AUB due to fibroids. The patient's hemoglobin (Hb) dropped from 11.8 g/dl to 7.3 g/dl within three days, despite multiple PRBC transfusions. Uterine artery embolization (UAE) was performed, but Hb levels continued to decline, prompting further investigation. Additional testing revealed normal iron studies, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels. The peripheral blood smear showed mild anisocytosis, and the ANA screen was negative. However, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) at 571 U/L, a positive DAT for IgG, and a reticulocyte count of 6.37 were observed. These …

Maternal Cardiovascular Risk And Lactation: Disparities And Future Directions, Monica Rodriguez, Michele Mccarroll, Caroline Marrs, Kamala P. Tamirisa

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Pregnancy functions as a cardiopulmonary stress test, unmasking underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) or heightening the future CVD risk following adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs). Multiple studies have demonstrated strong associations between APOs, higher mortality rates, and an increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Black women, in particular, have a disproportionately higher burden of coronary artery disease related mortality, with an earlier onset compared to women of other racial and ethnic groups. Increasing allostatic load due to both acute and chronic racial discrimination may potentially be a key factor driving poorer pregnancy outcomes. Breastfeeding has a protective effect on allostatic load and is …

Use Of Va Ecmo In Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism Presenting With Obstructive Cardiogenic Shock Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy, Luke Taylor, Otoniel Espinoza, Omar O. Hernandez, Shannon Biggers, Shirin Miller, Srinivas Yallapragada, Amer Alaiti, Andrew Fredericks, Song Li, Claudius Mahr

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background Patients with massive/sub-massive pulmonary embolism (PE) and right ventricular strain have a significant risk of hemodynamic collapse. VA ECMO support provides an excellent salvage option for patients with acute/unstable pulmonary embolism with obstructive cardiogenic shock undergoing mechanical thrombectomy. Using VA-ECMO for a “protective PE” procedure allows control of hemodynamics and enables interventionalists to perform the thrombectomy in a more controlled environment. Here, we present our experience. Methods A retrospective data analysis on consecutive VA ECMO patients with cardiogenic shock secondary to pulmonary embolism was abstracted from August 2022 to June 2024. Results Patient characteristics and outcomes are described in …

Effective Communication In The Pronunciation Of Brain Death, Sumanth Reddy, Artur Amirkhanyan, Jeremiah Avarana, Praneetha Arge, Alicia Lay

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Clinical brain death determination requires both technical proficiency and sensitive communication with families. However, residents often report inadequate training and confidence in performing and discussing these examinations. This study evaluated an educational intervention combining didactic training and simulation to improve residents’ competence in brain death protocols and family communication. Methods: A mixed-methods cohort study was conducted with resident physicians. Participants completed a pre-intervention questionnaire assessing baseline knowledge, experience, and confidence in brain death determination and communication. An educational session reviewed clinical criteria, examination protocols, and communication strategies. Residents then engaged in an in-person simulation with standardized actors portraying grieving …

Use Of Intraoperative Vancomycin Powder And Its Effects On The Incidence Of Surgical Site Infection In Orthopaedic Trauma: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Troy Puga, Mckenna Box, Alan Lam, Claire Ferguson, Mason Poffenbarger, Cornelis Potgieter, John Riel

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction Surgical site infection (SSI) in orthopaedic trauma can have devastating consequences for patients. Many risk factors for SSI exist and many strategies are employed to prevent SSI. The use of intraoperative powdered vancomycin is one such strategy used in orthopaedic trauma surgery, however, evidence and guidelines remain unclear. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence for the use of powdered vancomycin in orthopaedic trauma surgery for the prevention of SSI. Methods A search was conducted across Pubmed/Medline, Cochrane, and Embase databases to evaluate for the use of powdered vancomycin in orthopaedic trauma surgery for the …

Osteopathic Representation In Orthopedic Literature: A 25-Year Analysis Of Publication Trends Of Former Aoa Residency Programs And Osteopathic Medical Schools, Troy Puga, Ibraheem Qureshi, Hans Drawbert, Michael Muncy, John T. Riehl

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background Orthopedic surgery remains one of the most competitive specialties. Osteopathic candidates have recently matched at lower rates than allopathic students. One disparity that may exist is research, which has become a critical component of candidate applications. This study aimed to examine the representation of osteopathic-affiliated first authors, senior authors, and overall osteopathic-affiliated authors, in the top 25 leading U.S. orthopedic journals published between 2000 and 2024. Methods A retrospective bibliometric review was conducted on articles published from 2000 to 2024 in orthopedic journals. Journals were selected based on their h-index score. Institutional affiliations were used to identify osteopathic authors. …

Challenges In Public Health: The Diagnosis And Treatment Of Crusted Scabies, Marshall Hall, Alyssa Forsyth, Wenquin Du, Michael Carletti, Stephen Weis

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Introduction: Common scabies is a parasitic dermatologic condition that often presents as an extremely pruritic rash. A rare and highly contagious variant of common scabies is crusted scabies, formerly known as Norwegian scabies. While infection with common scabies typically involves 10 to 20 mites, individuals with crusted scabies are burdened with thousands to millions of mites. Crusted scabies is characterized clinically by hyperkeratotic papules and plaques, most commonly on the palms and soles. Due to the variety of presentations seen in scabies, it can be difficult to diagnose. Case presentations: We present 4 cases of crusted scabies. An 89-year-old male …

Necrotizing Alternaria Pneumonia In An Immunocompetent Male, Joel Mathews, Jose Aguilar-Martinez, Sean Sojdie, Zain Tariq, Tamer Hudali

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Abstract: Alternaria species is a rare cause of invasive fungal pneumonia, typically described as an opportunistic pathogen, usually seen in immunocompromised patients producing virulent forms of sinus, cutaneous, and ocular infections. Alternaria species sparingly affect immunocompetent individuals and are often managed without any medical interventions. We present a case of invasive fungal necrotizing pneumonia caused by Alternaria alternata species in an immunocompetent 28-year-old male with only a past medical history of well-controlled asthma managed with an as-needed albuterol inhaler. His complaints included worsening foul-smelling productive cough with yellow-dark brown sputum along with subjective fevers, chills, chest pain, and dyspnea for …

Curtain-Like Vision Loss: A Case Report On Semaglutide And Its Effects On Vision, Sereena Jivraj, Jonathan Eledge, Amenda Khoei, Amnah Andrabi

North Texas Research Forum 2025

Background: Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-RA), was introduced and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of type 2 diabetes in 2017. Since then, the medication has garnered much more attention for its ability to aid with weight loss. Until recently, the most significant side effects of semaglutide noted were mostly gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea due to the drug’s mechanism of action of delayed gastric emptying. However, a singular cohort study from Harvard Medical School in conjunction with Massachusetts Eye and Ear of 16,827 patients recently suggested a …

Efficacy Of Pegloticase In Combination With Methotrexate In Tophaceous Gout: Case Report, Rabia S. Mahfooz, Amita J. Dsouza, Neil Maithel, Naser Elkhalili

Gulf Coast Division GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Atypical Hemorrhoid Or Hidden Malignancy? Anal Melanoma And Palliative Strategies, Osamuyi Asemota, Kayla Brown, Megan Turley

Central & West Texas and San Antonio GME Research Day 2025

No abstract provided.

Prevention Of Transmetatarsal Amputation In A Diabetic Patient With A Chronic Foot Ulcer Including Osteomyelitis By Minimally Invasive Surgery Floating Lesser Metatarsal Osteotomies In Conjunction With Adipose Injectable Filler, Francois M. Lokenye Dpm, Orlexia Thomas Dpm, Lady Paula Dejesus Dpm, Facfas, Facpm, Dwsp

Posters

Problem: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) complicated by osteomyelitis often result in transmetatarsal amputations, leading to significant morbidity.

Objective: To evaluate a minimally invasive surgical approach combining floating lesser metatarsal osteotomies with adipose injectable filler to prevent transmetatarsal amputation, enhance wound resolution, and improve foot biomechanics

A Plain Language Summary Of The Final Analysis Of The Griffin Study Of Daratumumab Plus Lenalidomide, Bortezomib, And Dexamethasone For People With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma., Peter M Voorhees, Douglas W Sborov, Jacob Laubach, Jonathan L Kaufman, Brandi Reeves, Cesar Rodriguez, Rebecca Silbermann, Luciano J Costa, Larry D Anderson, Nitya Nathwani, Nina Shah, Naresh Bumma, Yvonne A Efebera, Sarah A Holstein, Caitlin Costello, Andrzej Jakubowiak, Tanya M Wildes, Robert Z Orlowski, Kenneth H Shain, Andrew J Cowan, Shira Dinner, Katharine S Gries, Huiling Pei, Annelore Cortoos, Sharmila Patel, Thomas S Lin, Saad Z Usmani, Paul G Richardson

Oncology Articles

No abstract provided.

Systemic Challenges In Pediatric Healthcare: Exploring Reimbursement Disparities And Their Impact On Healthcare Equity, Jessica Ford-Davis, Alexandra Gillette

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have provided health coverage for over 135 million Americans, with Medicaid playing a significant role in financing pediatric healthcare. Medicaid covers a wide range of services for children, particularly those from low-income families or with special healthcare needs, including preventive care, immunizations, vision and dental services, and mental health treatments. However, Medicaid reimbursement rates are lower compared to Medicare and private insurance, in some cases 30.6% lower, and have often been insufficient to cover the full cost of care, contributing to financial losses for children's hospitals. Despite these challenges, nearly …

Is There An Association Between Living In A Rural Area And The Incidence Of Postoperative Complications Or Hospital Readmissions Following Left Ventricular Assist Device (Lvad) Implantation, Compared To Urban Lvad Recipients? A Systematic Review., Samrat Gollapudi, Abhiram Gollapudi, Sri Banala, Sheraj Singh, Kiran Tadi

Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine Departmental Research

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are utilized as a therapeutic option for patients with end-stage heart failure. While LVAD implantation can enhance survival rates and quality of life, the procedure has its risks, and postoperative complications are common. This review aims to investigate whether there is an association between living in a rural area and the incidence of postoperative complications or hospital readmissions following LVAD implantation, compared to urban LVAD recipients.

METHODS: A comprehensive literature review examined studies that compared postoperative outcomes between rural and urban LVAD recipients. Data on adverse events, hospitalizations, and mortality rates were extracted, focusing …