Internal Medicine Commons^™

Subacute Onset Hand Clumsiness In A Renal Transplant Patient With A Recent Icu Stay, William Bradford, Md

The Medicine Forum

Introduction

Solid organ transplant recipients carry a high burden of disease and are susceptible to opportunistic infections not seen in other patient subgroups. Signs and symptoms that would not necessarily warrant timely attention in other patient groups may call for an aggressive workup in this subset of patients. Here, we present one case in which a seemingly trivial complaint denoted serious underlying pathology, and timely attention to this minor but unusual concern led to early intervention with appropriate treatment of an uncommon disorder.

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.

The Medicine Forum: Volume 20

The Medicine Forum

The Journal of Thomas Jefferson University Hospital - Department of Internal Medicine, Volume 20, 2018-2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Clinical Images

Case Reports

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

Original Article

Editorial

Literature Review

Creative Writing

Integrating Diverse Disciplines To Enhance Interprofessional Competency In Healthcare Delivery, Tiffany Champagne-Langabeer, Lee Revere, Mariya Tankimovich, Erica Yu, Robert Spears, Jennifer Lee Swails

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Interprofessional education (IPE) typically involves clinical simulation exercises with students from medical and nursing schools. Yet, healthcare requires patient-centered teams that include diverse disciplines. Students from public health and informatics are rarely incorporated into IPE, signaling a gap in current educational practices. In this study, we integrated students from administrative and non-clinical disciplines into traditional clinical simulations and measured the effect on communication and teamwork. From July 2017-July 2018, 408 students from five schools (medicine, nursing, dentistry, public health, and informatics) participated in one of eight three-hour IPE clinical simulations with Standardized Patients and electronic health record technologies. Data were …

Increasing Awareness For The Opioid Aftercare Coordination Service (Oacs), Michael Weintraub, Md, Harry Wang, Md, Sean Dikdan, Md, Mph, Alexys Monoson, Md, Shalini Krishnasamy, Jillian Zavodnick, Md

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

Background

• The United States is in a crisis of opiate related adverse events. From 1999 2017, more than 700,000 people in the U.S. died from drug related overdose; 68% of those involved opioids
• Admissions at Jefferson Hospital for opioid abuse complications are common among the medicine services. Treating patients for their opiate addiction is essential to prevent future opioid overdoses and other complications
• Jefferson has initiated an Opioid Aftercare Coordination Service (OACS) consult system in response to this crisis in order to increase the number of patients who receive medications for opioid use disorder on discharge
• OACS serves both Jefferson …

Improving Residents’ Response Time To Inbox Results, Sean Hurt, Md, Rose Onyeali, Md, Jason Ojeda, Md

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

Study Aims

• We aimed to improve the response times to inbox results of the residents and interns at Jefferson Internal Medicine Associates. A standard measure in EPIC is the percentage of inbox results responded to within 24 hours. At the time of project initiation, 50% of all results assigned to resident and intern inboxes were being responded to in this time frame . We aimed to improve this number to 70%
• There is no expectation that residents and interns could respond to all results within 24 hours. Trainee schedules are very crowded, and not all inbox results need to be …

A Strategy For Noise Reduction To Improve Patient Experiences With Sleep (Snores), Vikas Sunder, Eitan Frankel, Neelam Upadhyaya, Merlin Mathew, Ritu Nahar, Michael Brister, Nicholas Young, Yair Lev, Md

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

Aim

Our aim was to improve patient-reported sleep satisfaction on the 5 W telemetry unit at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital over a 4 month time period (11/2018 to 2/2019) using a Marpac white noise machine.

Rapid Response Checklists - A Pilot Study For A Novel Approach, Ali Rafiq, Md, Purujit Thacker, Md, Doron Schneider, Md

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

Objective

Our goal was to assess residents' ability to think of adequate differential diagnoses in a high-pressure scenario, and their perception of the utility of a checklist during rapid responses.

Improving Screening For Diabetic Retinopathy In An Ambulatory Resident Clinic, R. Benson Jones, Guy Katz, Jon Zaid, Navdeep Sangha, Rebecca Davis

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

Introduction

While 60% of Americans with diabetes are screened for diabetic retinopathy, the residents in the Jefferson Internal Medicine Associates (JIMA) ambulatory clinic had a lower screening rate (roughly 50%).(1) Our project aimed to increase that screening rate.