Medical Specialties Commons^™

Navigating Clinical Uncertainty: A Convergence Of Hiv, Positive Ana, And Genetic Cardiomyopathy, Ioannis Karageorgiou, Nicolaas Schimmel, Phillip Marchese, Tawhida Khatoon

Conference Presentation Abstracts

We present a case involving a 36-year-old male with a complex medical history, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy (HOCM). The patient presented with a week-long history of chest, lower extremity, and back pain, tingling, and a history of recurrent falls. The initial presentation, combined with his history of ICD placement in 2019, led to investigations for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and ICD malfunction. The patient's initial laboratory workup, which included a comprehensive drug screen, was unremarkable except for mild normocytic anemia and elevated protein levels. CT scans of the head and spine and X-rays of …

Has Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines Reduced Mortality Associated With Colon Cancer?, Sumit Gami, Rakesh Shah, Malitha Hettiarachchi

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major public health concern worldwide, with high incidence and mortality rates. Globally, CRC is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in males and the second in females, according to the World Health Organization GLOBOCAN database. The primary goal of CRC screening is to prevent mortality and morbidity from the disease. USPSTF screening recommendations for colorectal cancer, May 18, 2021: Screen all adults 45 to 75 years of age. Recommended screening strategies include: High-sensitivity guaiac fecal occult blood test (HSgFOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year or Stool DNA-FIT every 1 to 3 years …

Not-So-Typical Neurologic Effects: Unraveling Lithium Toxicity, Alexsandra Biel, Vickie Xin, Mujtaba Moazzam, Ramona Berghea

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Lithium is one of the mainstay treatments for bipolar disorder. Given its narrow therapeutic window, acute and chronic toxicity can develop. Acute toxicity includes gastrointestinal and cardiac manifestations whereas chronic toxicity manifests as neurologic, thyroid, and renal dysfunction. The therapeutic range of lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mmol/L. With chronic use, lithium may be toxic at 1.2 mmol/L or greater (1). Neurological toxicity includes tremors, hyperreflexia, nystagmus, ataxia, confusion, and even seizures, however, rare reports have shown peripheral neuropathy as a manifestation. Case: A 40-year-old male with a history of bipolar disorder complicated by lithium induced chronic kidney disease …

Aids Associated Cryptosporidial And Cmv Cholangiopathy, Nada Alsharif, Luxhman Gunaseelan, Mamoun Souleiman, Cecilia Big

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction AIDS-associated cholangiopathy is a biliary tract condition seen in AIDS patients who are severely immunosuppressed, contributing to significant mortality in this population even in developed countries with access to HAART therapy. Case Description We discuss a thirty-six-year-old HIV positive male, non-compliant with HAART therapy, who presented with a one year history of weight loss, persistent fatigue and chronic diarrhea, which had worsened significantly in the past few weeks. Routine laboratory studies on presentation indicated elevated liver enzymes and alkaline phosphatase, a CD4 count of two, and a high HIV RNA count of 8.8 million. Imaging via CT abdomen and …

Streptococcus Pneumoniae Neck Abscess In A Patient With Waldenstrom's Macroglobulnemia, Tanya Amal, Paul Johnson, Ayesha Sharif

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia/lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma are at increased risk of sinopulmonary infections, pyelonephritis, and septicemia. The underlying etiology is assumed to be immune dysregulation. Patient's with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia have been shown to have somatic mutations in the "V". "D" and "J/H' segments of immunoglobulin gene. These mutations can affect affinity maturation and formation of memory B cells. Subsequently patient's with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia also have a suboptimal response to vaccination against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Varicella, similar to those with multiple myeloma. Severe infections with gram positive organisms causing multifocal osteomyelitis, pleural effusion and sepsis have also been reported with …

Double Trouble Unmasked: Femoral Pseudoaneurysm And Deep Venous Thromboses Following Coronary Angiography, Mariam Jamil, Antoine Egbe, Khurram Arshad, Yazan Alamro, Essa Kadiri

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Iatrogenic pseudoaneurysms, while infrequent, represent a formidable complication of interventional cardiac catheterization, particularly in cases involving femoral artery access. This report details a unique case involving a 73-year-old male, receiving warfarin for a mechanical aortic valve, who developed a substantial right groin hematoma attributed to an iatrogenic pseudoaneurysm post-cardiac catheterization, subsequently resulting in concomitant deep venous thromboses (DVTs) in the right leg. The pathophysiology of DVTs following left heart catheterization typically involves the formation of a sizable pseudoaneurysm, exerting pressure on adjacent veins, leading to blood pooling and subsequent clot formation. Alternatively, the development of large hematomas in the thigh …

Effect Of Iv Iron-Carbohydrate Supplement On Morbidity And Mortality In Patients With Heart Failure, Yousef Alsmairat, Malitha Hettiarachchi

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Objectives: To study the effect of intravenous iron on morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The current European Society of Cardiology's 2021 heart failure guidelines recommend the consideration of Ferric Carboxymaltose in symptomatic patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction < 45%. Methods and results: We conducted a systematic review using articles published in PubMed and EMBASE databases. The number of records first identified was 263. The study only reviewed Randomized Clinical Trails (RCTs) published in the years 2013-2023 and removed all the duplicates and irrelevant articles using Rayyan.ai tool. The final number of qualified articles that met the study's inclusion criteria was 3, with a total of 2,279 participants. The inclusion criteria for the study included: Age > 18, and heart failure (HF) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%. The study showed that intravenous iron supplementation in patients with heart failure and iron deficiency has been proven to reduce the symptoms of heart failure, improve quality of life, increase exercise capacity and skeletal muscle strength. IV iron-carbohydrate therapy significantly reduced hospitalization for worsening heart failure, but did not significantly impact all-cause mortality, compared to control. Conclusion: IV iron-carbohydrate therapy significantly reduced hospitalization for worsening heart failure, but did not significantly impact all-cause mortality, compared to control. Based on the study review, we recommend IV iron therapy for patients with systolic dysfunction heart failure associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Sages Guidelines For The Use Of Laparoscopy During Pregnancy, Sunjay S. Kumar, Amelia T. Collings, Claire Wunker, Dimitrios I. Athanasiadis, Colin G. Delong, Julie S. Hong, Mohammed T. Ansari, Ahmed Abou-Setta, Emily Oliver, Vincenzo Berghella, Vamsi Alli, Imran Hassan, Celeste Hollands, Patricia Sylla, Bethany J. Slater, Francesco Palazzo

Department of Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: When pregnant patients present with nonobstetric pathology, the physicians caring for them may be uncertain about the optimal management strategy. The aim of this guideline is to develop evidence-based recommendations for pregnant patients presenting with common surgical pathologies including appendicitis, biliary disease, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS: The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Guidelines Committee convened a working group to address these issues. The group generated five key questions and completed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature. An expert panel then met to form evidence-based recommendations according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, …

Comparison Of Hospital Volume And Risk-Standardized Mortality Rate As A Proxy For Hospital Quality In Complex Oncologic Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, William T. Julian, John B. Ammori, Jeffrey M. Hardacre, Lee M. Ocuin

Faculty Scholarship

Background: Centralization of hepatopancreatobiliary procedures to more experienced centers has been recommended but remains controversial. Hospital volume and risk-stratified mortality rates (RSMR) are metrics for interhospital comparison. We compared facility operative volume with facility RSMR as a proxy for hospital quality. Patients and Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for liver (LC), biliary tract (BTC), and pancreatic (PDAC) cancer were identified in the National Cancer Database (2004–2018). Hierarchical logistic regression was used to create facility-specific models for RSMR. Volume (high versus low) was determined by quintile. Performance (high versus low) was determined by RSMR tercile. Primary outcomes included median facility RSMR …

How Dry Is Too Dry? Dehydration Management Of Pediatric Patients In The Ed, Shruthi Rethi

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Gastroenteritis and dehydration are some of the leading causes of morbidity within pediatric EDs in the US, with over 1.7 million visits and more than 70,000 hospitalizations. There are many different guidelines/standards on the definition of dehydration. Clinical exam guidance using dehydration scales have been explored (eyes, mucous membranes, and tears). However, use of them in practice is varied.
Electrolyte lab values have not been included in dehydration scales, as a cut off is difficult to determine to guide IV vs oral rehydration, or admission. There can be little overlap between clinical exam and laboratory results. Studies have shown …

The Silent Michigan Epidemic: Unraveling Neurological Changes Posed By Recreational Nitrous Oxide Abuse, Tabssum Chauhan, Mariam Jamil, Nada Alsharif, Antoine Egbe Bessong Tabot, Ammara Aftab, Erin Frankowicz, Rajiv John

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Nitrous oxide (N2O), traditionally considered a benign, odorless gas with analgesic and anesthetic properties, has seen a rise in abuse among young individuals in the United States. This abuse can lead to clinically significant neurological symptoms, including peripheral neuropathy and subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord due to functional B12 deficiency induced by N2O. This case series examines four patients with N20 toxicity, and the functional recovery observed during subsequent follow-up visits after appropriate management. We will explore their motivation for abusing N20, their sources of access, and why its use is on the rise. Cases Description: The …

Pituitary Cushing's Disease And Compression Fractures: A Case Presentation, Nora Mcheik, Ajaz Banka

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Cushing's disease, arising from a pituitary macroadenoma, is marked by excessive cortisol production. Labs usually signify overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leading to elevated cortisol levels. While cortisol is essential for various physiological functions, its excess can result in various symptoms and complications associated with Cushing's disease. Notably, individuals with this condition may experience an association with compression fractures, particularly in the vertebrae, due to weakened bones. Prolonged exposure to elevated cortisol levels contributes to the development of osteoporosis, characterized by weakened bone density, making fractures more likely. These compression fractures can manifest as localized or radiating back pain, …

A Rare Case Of Primary Sclerosing Pneumocytoma In A Healthy Female, Nitya Batra, Atulya Aman Khosla, Mohammad Muhsin Chisti, Vikash Jaiswal, Ashbita Pokharel

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Pulmonary sclerosing pneumocytoma is a rare group of benign pulmonary neoplasms that usually affects older adults over 50 years of age . This neoplasm is more commonly seen in women, with female to male ratio of 5:1 and is predominantly seen in Asian ethnicities. These tumors originate from type II alveolar pneumocytes and are hence classified as adenoma under the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors . They account for 3-5 percent of total benign lung tumors. One of the striking aspects of PSP is its clinical presentation, or rather the lack thereof in many cases. It …

Myxedema Coma-Induced Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction: Unraveling The Complex Interplay, Mohammad Ali Mozaffari, Batool Shukr, Hafsa Hassan, Khurram Arshad, Antoine Egbe Bessong Tabot, Mariam Jamil, Rajiv John, Adam Hafeez

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Myxedema coma is a rare condition with a high mortality rate. It poses the risk of cardiovascular complications, typically affects elderly females, and is often triggered by an underlying infection or systemic illness in the setting of preexisting severe hypothyroidism. Patients may exhibit multiorgan dysfunction with altered mentation ranging from disorientation and lethargy to obtundation and coma. Other physical exam findings may include dry scaly skin, non-pitting edema, delayed reflexes, bradycardia, and hypothermia. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment are crucial to reducing mortality rates associated with this severe condition. Case description A 74-year-old female with no known past medical …

Pleural Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma: An Ultra Rare Etiology For Recurrent Pleural Effusion, Ali Khreisat, Paul Bozyk

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is an extremely rare sarcoma of vascular origin. EHE has an incidence of less than 0.1 per 100,000 patients per year. It can involve multiple organs; pleural involvement is relatively rare and under-reported in the medical literature. We present a unique case of pleural EHE presenting with recurrent pleural effusion, severe pleuritis, scarring, and trapped lung syndrome. Case presentation A 54-year-old Caucasian female was referred to the pulmonary clinic for two months of progressive dyspnea, fatigue, and right pleuritic chest pain. Initial chest x-ray showed a large right pleural effusion. Thoracentesis identified exudative lymphocyte predominant pleural …

Uterine Leiomyoma: Rare Cause Of Pulmonary Embolism, Pawan Gyawali, Prekchha Jha, Sant K. Yadav, Justin Skrzynski

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition that most commonly occurs due to the embolization of deep venous thrombus in the lower limbs, arising from a constellation of risk factors that affect the flow, stasis, or coagulability of blood. Stasis is an important mechanism and is the primary factor in venous obstruction and long-haul flights. We present a case of a young woman who experienced pulmonary embolism due to venous compression in the pelvis from a massive leiomyoma. A 30-year-old female presented to the emergency department with dyspnea and palpitations lasting for a duration of 2 days. She had a past …

Navigating Recurrent Acute In-Stent-Thrombosis: Insights From A Single Admission Case Study, Antoine Egbe Bessong Tabot, Mariam Jamil, Hussein Gaith, Wafa Ahmed, Mohammad Ali Mozaffari, John Rajiv, Essa Kadiri

Conference Presentation Abstracts

In-stent thrombosis (ISR) is one of the dreaded complications of percutaneous coronary angioplasty. Despite marked reductions in ISR since the transition from bare metal stents to drug-eluting stents, ISR still occurs at a rate of 1% -2 % per year. We present the case of a 64-year-old Caucasian male who was admitted for staged angioplasty after a left heart catheterization had shown he had significant stenosis to the LAD and mid ramus intermedius. He had DES placed to the mid-LAD and to the mid-ramus intermedius. Despite being placed on dual antiplatelet therapy after the stent placement, 6 hours later he …

From Collapse To Recovery: Thiamine Intervention In Cardiac Beriberi, Khurram Arshad, Zaid Mahameed, Rabia Latif, Ruaa Elteriefi, Yazan Alamro

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Thiamine deficiency, historically known as Beriberi, poses diagnostic dilemmas due to its potential occurrence without overt malnutrition or alcohol dependence. This case report explores the intricate dynamics of cardiocirculatory collapse coupled with pericardial effusion, unveiling an underlying thiamine deficiency. Case Description: A 68-year-old male with a medical history of hypothyroidism, heart failure, and chronic mild pericardial effusion presented with worsening dyspnea, leg edema, and hypotension. The patient's physical evaluation disclosed notable findings, including marked obesity, distant heart sounds, an audible S4 sound, and swelling in the lower extremities. Laboratory results revealed chronic anemia. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was mildly …

Aggressive Renal Cell Carcinoma In A Patient With A Rare Genetic Syndrome, Nidhi Navaratna, Nitya Batra, Mohammad Chisti

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Hereditary leiomyomatosis and renal cell carcinoma (HLRCC) is an exceedingly rare genetic disorder characterized by skin and uterine leiomyomas and an increased risk of renal cell cancer. HLRCC follows an autosomal dominant pattern and is due to inactivating germline and somatic mutations in the gene encoding the fumarate hydratase enzyme (FH) involved in the citric acid cycle. The rarity and wide phenotypic variation in the presentation of HLRCC complicates suspicion and testing for this syndrome. We describe the case of a young woman who presented with pathological fracture secondary to bone metastasis from renal cell carcinoma. The patient presented to …

Burning Questions: Ed Management Of Pediatric Burns At A Non-Burn Center, Aksay Vivek Nandavar

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Background: Burn Centers (BC) with higher burn admissions have lower burn-related mortality. Inaccurate diagnosis causes negative outcomes. Excess BC referral can overburden these centers. The American Burn Association (ABA) has standardized burn center referral criteria. Minimal data exists on its application for patients at non-burn centers (NBC). Pre-hospital management of pediatric burns is also not well-defined in literature. Evidence suggests that an accurate assessment of burn size and depth can be made with photography. But its use has not been studied in relation to ED care, only being used for child protective services (CPS) reports with burns.

Objective: Primary objective: …

Hydralazine Associated Neutrophilic Dermatosis: A Unique Case Observing Dile, Anca Vasculitis, And Sweet Syndrome, Nicholas Olen, Jacob Horsley, Berk Celik, Joseph Skender, Shailesh Niroula

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: This case report highlights a 73-year-old male with biopsy-proven neutrophilic dermatosis with concern for Sweet Syndrome in the context of suspected hydralazine-induced systemic lupus erythematosus and autoimmune markers that initially pointed towards hydralazine-induced ANCA vasculitis. Case Presentation: The patient is a 73-year-old male with a past medical history significant for chronic kidney disease, urothelial cancer in 2021, renal cancer in 2013, and stage 1A left lung cancer. The patient additionally underwent workup for low white count and splenomegaly in months leading up to hospitalization, with bone marrow biopsy and workup negative for myelodysplastic syndrome or malignancy. Patient initially presented …

The Impact Of External Beam Radiation Therapy (Xrt) On Shoulder Surgical Outcomes, Rami Beydoun

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Purpose: To assess whether prior history of breast cancer treated with XRT has an impact on outcomes following shoulder surgery Significance: Long-term effects of XRT on complications and outcomes following shoulder surgery are largely unknown. Methods: 20-year single institution retrospective chart review. Inclusion criteria: patients with history of breast cancer treated with XRT and a subsequent ipsilateral shoulder surgical procedure. Demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative outcomes including ROM and VAS pain scores were collected. Results: 18 female patients (average age 66.3 years) were identified. 10 underwent rotator cuff repair, 7 shoulder arthroplasty (3 reverse), and 1 arthroscopic labral repair. Four patients …

Clinical Considerations And Outcomes Of Robotic Urologic Surgery In Obese Patients, Nazih Khater, Anna G. Morris, Delena M. Vanvalkenburg, Andrew J. Garcia, Kevin Jin, Shahab Ahmadzadeh, Sahar Shekoohi, Elyse M. Cornett, Alan David Kaye

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Obesity is associated with many significant physiological changes. These considerations are important to surgery, especially in urological procedures. Obese patients often undergo surgical procedures and are at higher risk of complications. This investigation reviews physiological and anaesthesia considerations for obese and morbidly obese patients. In addition, urological surgeries and procedures should be considered for these higher risk patients. Clinical anaesthesiologists must use detailed assessment and, when appropriate, consultation in developing safe anaesthesia plans for these patients. Newer technologies have improved safety related to airway management, advanced airway devices, and regional anaesthesia with ultrasound-guided nerve blocks, which can reduce the need …

Treatment Outcomes In Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma With Sarcomatoid And/Or Rhabdoid Dedifferentiation After Progression On Immune Checkpoint Therapy, Andrew W Hahn, Devaki Shilpa Surasi, Paul V Viscuse, Tharakeswara K Bathala, Andrew J Wiele, Matthew T Campbell, Amado J Zurita, Amishi Y Shah, Eric Jonasch, Jianjun Gao, Sangeeta Goswami, Omar Alhalabi, Priya Rao, Kanishka Sircar, Nizar M Tannir, Pavlos Msaouel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Metastatic RCC with sarcomatoid and/or rhabdoid (S/R) dedifferentiation is an aggressive disease associated with improved response to immune checkpoint therapy (ICT). The outcomes of patients treated with VEGFR-targeted therapies (TT) following ICT progression have not been investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 57 patients with sarcomatoid (S), rhabdoid (R), or sarcomatoid plus rhabdoid (S + R) dedifferentiation who received any TT after progression on ICT at an academic cancer center. Clinical endpoints of interest included time on TT, overall survival (OS) from initiation of TT, and objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST version 1.1. Multivariable models adjusted for …

Triggering Receptor Expressed On Myeloid Cells 2 (Trem2) Regulates Phagocytosis In Glioblastoma, Mekenzie M Peshoff, Pravesh Gupta, Shivangi Oberai, Rakesh Trivedi, Hiroshi Katayama, Prashanth Chakrapani, Minghao Dang, Simona Migliozzi, Joy Gumin, Divya B Kadri, Jessica K Lin, Nancy K Milam, Mark E Maynard, Brian D Vaillant, Brittany Parker-Kerrigan, Frederick F Lang, Jason T Huse, Antonio Iavarone, Linghua Wang, Karen Clise-Dwyer, Krishna P Bhat

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Glioblastomas (GBMs) are central nervous system tumors that resist standard-of-care interventions and even immune checkpoint blockade. Myeloid cells in the tumor microenvironment can contribute to GBM progression; therefore, emerging immunotherapeutic approaches include reprogramming these cells to achieve desirable antitumor activity. Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is a myeloid signaling regulator that has been implicated in a variety of cancers and neurological diseases with contrasting functions, but its role in GBM immunopathology and progression is still under investigation.

Methods: Our reverse translational investigations leveraged single-cell RNA sequencing and cytometry of human gliomas to characterize TREM2 expression across …

Autologous Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells To Treat Severe Traumatic Brain Injury In Children, Charles S Cox, David M Notrica, Jenifer Juranek, Jeffrey H Miller, Fabio Triolo, Steven Kosmach, Sean I Savitz, P David Adelson, Claudia Pedroza, Scott D Olson, Michael C Scott, Akshita Kumar, Benjamin M Aertker, Henry W Caplan, Margaret L Jackson, Brijesh S Gill, Robert A Hetz, Michael S Lavoie, Linda Ewing-Cobbs

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) infused after severe traumatic brain injury have shown promise for treating the injury. We evaluated their impact in children, particularly their hypothesized ability to preserve the blood–brain barrier and diminish neuroinflammation, leading to structural CNS preservation with improved outcomes.

We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-sham-controlled Bayesian dose-escalation clinical trial at two children's hospitals in Houston, TX and Phoenix, AZ, USA (NCT01851083). Patients 5–17 years of age with severe traumatic brain injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8) were randomized to BMMNC or placebo (3:2). Bone marrow harvest, cell isolation and infusion were …

Euglycemic Dka: Commonly Missed Diagnosis, Atulya A. Khosla, Pawan Gyawali, Twahida Khatoon

Conference Presentation Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Rare Case Of Hemorrhagic Pericardial Effusion Due To Coxsackie B Pericarditis, Nolan Shoukri, Hazem Alakhras, Kateryna Strubchevska, Steven Timmis

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction Acute pericarditis is caused by inflammation of the pericardial sac. Amongst the vast number of potential causes, viruses tend to trigger pericarditis most frequently. Some of the more common viral causes are coxsackie A/B, echovirus, adenovirus, CMV, HSV, and HIV.1-3 Pericarditis often presents with signs and symptoms such as a friction rub, pain relieved with sitting up and leaning forward. ST segment elevations and PR segment depressions are seen on EKG. Laboratory tests showed increased inflammatory markers and WBC count. Pericardial effusion is a common complication and can be visualized on echocardiogram. In some cases, the pericardial effusion can …

Non-Immune Hemolytic Anemia In The Setting Of Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis: Zieve's Syndrome, Morgan Kiryakoza, Nazli Begum Ozturk, Justin Skrzynski

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Zieve’s syndrome describes a triad of non-immune hemolytic anemia, jaundice, and transient hyperlipidemia found in patients with alcohol-use disorder/alcohol-associated liver disease. This case involves a 39-year-old female with suspected Zieve’s syndrome in the setting of severe alcohol-associated hepatitis. Case Description: A 39-year-old female with alcohol-use disorder presented to the emergency department with complaints of jaundice, lethargy, and confusion. On initial presentation, patient was anemic with a hemoglobin of 7.8 g/dL (12.1- 15.0 g/dL), ALP of 235 U/L (33-120 U/L), AST of 116 U/L (< 35 U/L), ALT of 41 (< 37 U/L) total bilirubin of 24.2 mg/dL (< 1.2mg/dL), direct bilirubin of >15 mg/dL (< 0.4mg/dL). Her blood alcohol level was negative. She was admitted due to concerns for alcohol-associated hepatitis. Her hospital course was complicated by frequent declines in hemoglobin requiring a total of six transfusions of packed red blood cells. No overt bleeding such as hematemesis or hematochezia was ever evident during these declines. Further hematologic workup revealed a normal glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), normal pyruvate kinase, elevated plasma hemoglobin of 150 mg/dL (< 30 mg/dL), decreased haptoglobin of < 8 mg/dL (40-250 mg/dL), and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of 595 (100-240 U/L), elevated reticulocyte count of 213 bil/L (21-100 bil/L). Direct Coombs Test was negative. The combination of these labs illustrated a picture of non-immune hemolytic anemia. Patient’s course was further complicated by a persistent rise in her total bilirubin, eventually peaking at 30.6 mg/dL, and ascites which required paracentesis and fluid studies was consistent with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). Given the presence of SBP, corticosteroid therapy was not initiated for alcohol-associated hepatitis. Lipid panel remained within normal limits on two separate occasions. Vitamin E level was < 2.5 mg/L (5.5 – 17.0 mg/L). During hospitalization, she tested positive for Influenza A H1N1, developed acute hypoxic respiratory failure, was intubated, and was transferred to the intensive care unit and later extubated. Her mental status during her hospital stay was frequently waxing and waning and never fully recovered. The patient was eventually discharged home with hospice and her hemoglobin levels remained stable after supportive blood transfusions during her stay. Discussion: Zieve’s syndrome is an underdiagnosed cause of anemia in patients with alcohol-associated liver disease. There are multiple proposed mechanisms to explain the pathophysiology behind the red cell lysis seen in this disorder. One leading hypothesis suggests the red cell membrane becomes unstable due to vitamin E deficiency leading to disordered pyruvate kinase. Importance of early recognition of this syndrome is essential as treatment revolves around strict abstinence from alcohol.

Splenic Infarct Following Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery, Khurram Arshad, Yazan Alamro, Rabia Latif, Zaid Mahameed, Omar Nasser Rahal, Rajiv John

Conference Presentation Abstracts

Introduction: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a standard surgical procedure used to treat morbid obesity. Although RYGB is generally considered safe, it's essential to remain vigilant in identifying and addressing rare complications such as splenic infarction. Splenic infarction is a primarily silent condition, and because many cases go undiagnosed, the exact incidence of the condition is obscure and likely underestimated. Similarly, the incidence and severity of these rare conditions in the postoperative period for bariatric surgeries are still unknown. Case presentation: A 31-year-old female with morbid obesity underwent RYGB six weeks before presentation with acute abdominal pain, nausea, and a …