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BMC Surgery Jan 2020Pancreatic pseudocyst is a very common benign cystic lesion of the pancreas. It develops in 5-15% of patients with peri-pancreatic fluid collection following acute...
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic pseudocyst is a very common benign cystic lesion of the pancreas. It develops in 5-15% of patients with peri-pancreatic fluid collection following acute pancreatitis. Collection usually occurs within the lesser sac of the omentum (near the pancreatic head and body region). But in 20-22% cases, that may be extra-pancreatic like in the mediastinum, pleura, in the peritoneal cavity including the pelvis. The pancreatic pseudocyst typically contains brownish fluid with necrotic tissue sludge which may get infected giving rise to infected pseudocyst or pancreatic abscess. The present case is an unusual condition of a young alcoholic subject who was finally diagnosed as a case of a pancreatic abscess within hepato-gastric ligament and was managed with operative intervention. To the best of the author's knowledge, it is the first-ever reported case of a pancreatic abscess within the hepato-gastric ligament in the world. Literature was reviewed to explore potential etiopathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of this extremely rare condition.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 38 years old gentleman, chronic alcoholic, having a previous history of acute pancreatitis 3 months back, presented with fever (102 degrees Fahrenheit) and a huge [20 cm (horizontal) X 15 cm (vertical)] severely painful swelling in the epigastric region. The swelling was round-shaped, intra-abdominal, fixed to deeper tissue, tense-cystic, poorly trans-illuminant, non-pulsatile and irreducible. Routine blood tests showed leucocytosis (14,500/mm) with neutrophilia and elevated plasma pancreatic amylase and lipase levels. USG and MDCT scan of the whole abdomen revealed a thick-walled echogenic cystic swelling of size 18 cm × 12 cm in the epigastric region. USG guided aspiration of the cyst revealed mixed purulent brownish fluid. The cyst fluid was negative for mucin stain and contained high amylase level with low CEA level, suggesting infected pancreatic pseudocyst. An open drainage procedure was considered through an upper midline laparotomy. Aspiration of the pus mixed cyst fluid along with tissue debris was done. Through irrigation of the cyst was done with normal saline. The cyst wall was de-roofed leaving a small part adherent to the inferior surface of the left lobe of the liver. Later the cyst fluid culture showed significant growth of Escherichia coli. He was put on IV antibiotics. The patient was discharged in a stable condition after 5 days. The histopathological examination confirmed pancreatic abscess. Six months after the operation, the patient is doing well, remaining asymptomatic and there is no sign of recurrence.
CONCLUSIONS
Due to extreme rarity, pancreatic abscess formation within hepato-gastric ligament may be a diagnostic dilemma and requires a high index of suspicion. Surgeons should be aware of this rare clinical entity for prompt management of potential morbidity.
Topics: Abscess; Acute Disease; Adult; Cysts; Drainage; Humans; Laparotomy; Ligaments; Liver; Male; Pancreas; Pancreatic Pseudocyst; Stomach; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 32000756
DOI: 10.1186/s12893-020-0688-0 -
Journal of Complementary & Integrative... Aug 2019Background Though hot arm and foot bath (HAFB) is widely used, a precise physiological response is not reported. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the...
Background Though hot arm and foot bath (HAFB) is widely used, a precise physiological response is not reported. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of HAFB on heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure (BP) in healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods Sixteen healthy male volunteers' aged 23.81 ± 5.27 (mean ± standard deviation) years were recruited. All the subjects underwent only one session of HAFB (104-degree Fahrenheit) for the duration of 20 min. Assessments such as Electrocardiography and BP were taken before and after the intervention. Results Results of this study showed a significant reduction in systolic-BP (SBP), diastolic-BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), the mean of the intervals between adjacent QRS complexes or the instantaneous heart rate (RR interval), the number of interval differences of successive NN intervals greater than 50 ms (NN50), the proportion derived by dividing NN50 by the total number of NN intervals (pNN50), and high frequency (HF) band of HRV along with a significant increase in heart rate (HR), low-frequency (LF) band of HRV and LF/HF ratio compared to its baseline. Conclusions Results of this study suggest that 20 min of HAFB produce a significant increase in HR and a significant reduction in SBP, DBP, and MAP while producing parasympathetic withdrawal.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Arm; Baths; Blood Pressure; Foot; Healthy Volunteers; Heart Rate; Hot Temperature; Humans; Hydrotherapy; Male; Young Adult
PubMed: 31415237
DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2018-0181 -
American Journal of Epidemiology Nov 2018Few investigations have explored temperature and birth outcomes. In a retrospective cohort study, we examined apparent temperature, a combination of temperature and...
Few investigations have explored temperature and birth outcomes. In a retrospective cohort study, we examined apparent temperature, a combination of temperature and relative humidity, and term low birth weight (LBW) among 43,629 full-term LBW infants and 2,032,601 normal-weight infants in California (1999-2013). The California Department of Public Health provided birth certificate data, while meteorological data came from the California Irrigation Management Information System, US Environmental Protection Agency, and National Centers for Environmental Information. After considering several temperature metrics, we observed the best model fit for term LBW over the full gestation (per 10-degrees-Fahrenheit (°F) increase in apparent temperature, 13.0% change, 95% confidence interval: 4.1, 22.7) above 55°F, and the greatest association was for third-trimester exposure above 60°F (15.8%, 95% confidence interval: 5.0, 27.6). Apparent temperature during the first month of pregnancy exhibited no significant risk, while the first trimester had a significantly negative association, and second trimester, last month, and last 2 weeks had slightly increased risks. Mothers who were black or older, delivered male infants, or gave birth during the warm season had infants at the highest risks. This study provides further evidence for adverse birth outcomes from heat exposure for vulnerable subgroups of pregnant women.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Body Mass Index; California; Female; Humans; Humidity; Infant; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimesters; Racial Groups; Residence Characteristics; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Seasons; Socioeconomic Factors; Temperature; Young Adult
PubMed: 29901701
DOI: 10.1093/aje/kwy116 -
Advances in Skin & Wound Care Jan 2018Diagnosis of wound infection can be challenging because it relies on a combination of clinical signs and symptoms that are often nonspecific. Increased periwound... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
Diagnosis of wound infection can be challenging because it relies on a combination of clinical signs and symptoms that are often nonspecific. Increased periwound cutaneous temperature is a classic sign of deep and surrounding wound infection, and its quantitative measurement is one of the most reliable and valid clinical signs of deep and surrounding skin infection at the bedside. Skin surface temperature differences may be detected using commercially available noncontact infrared thermometers. However, techniques to detect temperature using noncontact infrared thermometers vary, and no studies have evaluated these methods. Two such measurement techniques include the "4-point" and "whole-wound" scanning methods. This study assessed the ability of different infrared thermometers using the aforementioned techniques to detect clinically meaningful differences in periwound cutaneous temperatures used in the diagnosis of wound infection.
METHODS
A prospective cohort study was conducted from 2015 to 2016 of consenting adult patients 18 years or older with an open wound attending a regional wound care clinic. One hundred patients with wounds underwent surface temperature measurement. Infection was not a specific inclusion criterion as the primary objective was to conduct a comparative assessment of infrared thermometry devices. Demographic data (age, height, weight, gender, and ethnicity) were also collected. Each wound was measured using 4 different noncontact infrared thermometers: Exergen DermaTemp 1001 (Exergen Corporation, Watertown, Massachusetts), Mastercraft Digital Temperature Reader (Mastercraft, Toronto, Ontario, Canada), Mastercool MSC52224-A (Mastercool Inc, Randolph, New Jersey), and Etekcity ETC-8250 Temperature Heat Pen (Etekcity, Anaheim, California). Data analysis was based on a comparison of 4 periwound skin surface temperature measurement differences (ΔT in degrees Fahrenheit) between the wound site and an equivalent contralateral control site.
OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary outcome of the ability of each thermometer to detect a clinically significant difference in temperature was assessed with χ analysis. Paired t tests were conducted to compare the ΔT measurements of each specific thermometry device between the 2 measurement techniques. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients were calculated for the temperature ΔT for both measuring techniques for all devices to determine level of agreement. A 1-way analysis of variance was conducted to compare temperature measurements among the infrared thermometry devices.
MAIN RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the ability of each thermometer to detect a clinically meaningful difference of 3° F by either the 4-point (P = .10) or whole-wound techniques (P = .67). When a definition of 4° F was used, results were similar (4-point, P = .15; whole wound, P = .20). Comparisons among devices and techniques showed strong correlations (>0.80). Etekcity ETC-8250 and the 4-point measurement compared with the Exergen device using the whole-wound technique had a correlation coefficient of 0.72. Spearman ρ demonstrated a similarly high degree of correlation between techniques and devices, and only the Etekcity ETC-8250 device had a coefficient of 0.71 to 0.90 when compared with others. Paired t testing for each thermometry device comparing measurement techniques for raw temperatures ΔT demonstrated no significant difference (P > .05). No statistical differences among the ΔT values for the 3 different thermometers were noted when using the whole-wound method (P = .095). Similarly, no significant differences among the ΔT values were noted for the 4 different thermometers when using the 4-point method (P = .10).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study demonstrate that both the 4-point and whole-wound methods of temperature acquisition using cost-efficient infrared thermometers provide accurate and similar results in clinical wound care settings.
Topics: Aged; Analysis of Variance; Cohort Studies; Female; Humans; Infrared Rays; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Sensitivity and Specificity; Skin Temperature; Thermography; Thermometers; Wound Infection
PubMed: 29240589
DOI: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000527352.75716.70 -
PloS One 2017Heat-not-burn tobacco products, battery powered devices that heat leaf tobacco to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit to produce an inhalable aerosol, are being...
Heat-not-burn tobacco products, battery powered devices that heat leaf tobacco to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit to produce an inhalable aerosol, are being introduced in markets around the world. Japan, where manufacturers have marketed several heat-not-burn brands since 2014, has been the focal national test market, with the intention of developing global marketing strategies. We used Google search query data to estimate, for the first time, the scale and growth potential of heat-not-burn tobacco products. Average monthly searches for heat-not-burn products rose 1,426% (95%CI: 746,3574) between their first (2015) and second (2016) complete years on the market and an additional 100% (95%CI: 60, 173) between the products second (2016) and third years on the market (Jan-Sep 2017). There are now between 5.9 and 7.5 million heat-not-burn related Google searches in Japan each month based on September 2017 estimates. Moreover, forecasts relying on the historical trends suggest heat-not-burn searches will increase an additional 32% (95%CI: -4 to 79) during 2018, compared to current estimates for 2017 (Jan-Sep), with continued growth thereafter expected. Contrasting heat-not-burn's rise in Japan to electronic cigarettes' rise in the United States we find searches for heat-not-burn eclipsed electronic cigarette searches during April 2016. Moreover, the change in average monthly queries for heat-not-burn in Japan between 2015 and 2017 was 399 (95% CI: 184, 1490) times larger than the change in average monthly queries for electronic cigarettes in the Unites States over the same time period, increasing by 2,956% (95% CI: 1729, 7304) compared to only 7% (95% CI: 3,13). Our findings are a clarion call for tobacco control leaders to ready themselves as heat-not-burn tobacco products will likely garner substantial interest as they are introduced into new markets. Public health practitioners should expand heat-not-burn tobacco product surveillance, adjust existing tobacco control strategies to account for heat-not-burn tobacco products, and preemptively study the health risks/benefits, popular perceptions, and health messaging around heat-not-burn tobacco products.
Topics: Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Hot Temperature; Internet; Search Engine; Tobacco Products
PubMed: 29020019
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185735 -
Case Reports in Gastrointestinal... 2017We present an atypical case of newly diagnosed colon cancer and provide insight into the infectious predispositions of bacteremia to the development of colon...
We present an atypical case of newly diagnosed colon cancer and provide insight into the infectious predispositions of bacteremia to the development of colon adenocarcinoma. A 66-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with one-week symptoms of subjective fevers, chills, and lower back pain. Upon initial evaluation, her temperature was 101 degrees Fahrenheit with a white count of 12,000 K/mm. Initial septic workup was positive for bacteremia. The patient was started on Aztreonam. Repeat blood culture 48 hours later was negative for any growth. However, later during hospital stay blood culture was repeated due to SIRS, which was positive again for . CT scan of the chest/abdomen/pelvis with contrast revealed no signs of colitis. Without clear etiology for recurrent bacteremia ultimately colonoscopy was performed which showed an ulcerated mass in the cecum. Biopsy showed moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. strains B2 and D produce cyclomodulin toxins as part of their virulence, which interferes with the cell cycle regulation, promoting chromosomal instability, and increasing susceptibility to cancer. In patients with recurrent bacteremia with an unknown source, colonoscopy should be done to look for colon cancer.
PubMed: 28695023
DOI: 10.1155/2017/2570524 -
The American Journal of Case Reports May 2017BACKGROUND Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) is a newly evolving rare non-infectious lung pathology, characterized by intra-alveolar fibrin balls on...
BACKGROUND Acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (AFOP) is a newly evolving rare non-infectious lung pathology, characterized by intra-alveolar fibrin balls on histology. It is often difficult to diagnose and is usually mistaken for other lung pathologies. We present an interesting case of AFOP with unusual radiologic findings and disease course. CASE REPORT A 56-year-old woman presented with a 1-day history of high-grade fever, chills, and profuse sweating. She was febrile to 101.2 degree Fahrenheit on presentation. On physical examination, she had decreased air entry in the left upper lobe of the lung. Laboratory testing showed a white cell count of 27,000 cells per microliter of blood with left shift. A chest radiograph showed a left upper lobe consolidation. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest without intravenous contrast showed advanced centrilobular emphysema and left upper lobe consolidation measuring 6.2×5.9 cm. The patient was started on antibiotics. She clinically improved and was discharged on oral antibiotics. After discharge, a trans-bronchial lung biopsy showed acute inflammatory cell infiltrate with intra-alveolar fibrin balls but no hyaline membrane formation or significant eosinophils. These findings were consistent with acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia. However, she was subsequently lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Our case adds to the literature a new and unusual finding of upper lobe infiltrates, in contrast to most cases presenting as bilateral lower lobe infiltrates. In our case, symptomatic improvement after antibiotic treatment suggests a possible role of antibiotics in management of this entity.
Topics: Chills; Female; Fever; Fibrin; Humans; Lung; Middle Aged; Pneumonia; Pulmonary Emphysema; Sweating
PubMed: 28502975
DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.903539 -
Journal of Analytical Toxicology May 2017The clinical presentation, autopsy findings and toxicology results in an acute fatality involving N-ethylpentylone, a new cathinone derivative, are described. Law...
The clinical presentation, autopsy findings and toxicology results in an acute fatality involving N-ethylpentylone, a new cathinone derivative, are described. Law enforcement transported a male who was agitated and exhibiting unusual behavior to a local hospital. Upon arrival at the hospital, his body temperature was 105.5 degrees Fahrenheit and his blood pH was 6.7. Clinical laboratory analysis revealed elevated troponins, rhabdomyolysis, hypoglycemia, hepatic and renal injury, respiratory failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. He was intubated and admitted to the intensive care unit, treated with cooling blankets, bicarbonate and intravenous fluids. Despite medical treatment, he went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead ~36 h after admission. Autopsy findings identified some abrasions on his arms and legs, a bloody nose and a mildly enlarged heart. Antemortem blood was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer which identified N-ethylpentylone. Based on clinical presentation, autopsy findings and toxicology results, the medical examiner concluded the cause of death was intoxication by N-ethylpentylone and the manner of death was accident.
Topics: Autopsy; Benzodioxoles; Butylamines; Central Nervous System Stimulants; Fever; Forensic Toxicology; Heart Arrest; Humans; Male
PubMed: 28137731
DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkx004 -
Vaccine Nov 2016We describe the establishment of a dynamic database linking mothers to newborns with the goal of studying vaccine safety in both pregnant women and their children and...
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE
We describe the establishment of a dynamic database linking mothers to newborns with the goal of studying vaccine safety in both pregnant women and their children and provide results of a study utilizing this database as a proof of concept.
METHODS
All Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) live births and their mothers were eligible for inclusion in the pregnancy database. We used the medical record number (MRN), a unique identifier, to retrieve information about events that occurred during the pregnancy and at delivery and linked this same MRN to newborns for post-partum follow up. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the association between receipt of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during pregnancy and fever 0-3days after the first dose of diphtheria tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine in the infant. The study included infants who were born at ⩾37weeks gestation from January 1, 2009 - October 1, 2015 and who received their first DTaP vaccine between 6 and 10weeks of age. We utilized diagnostic codes from inpatient, emergency department, outpatient clinics, and telephone calls. We identified fever using ICD 9 code 780.6, recorded temperature ⩾101 degree Fahrenheit, or parental report.
RESULTS
The database contained the starting and ending date of each pregnancy and basic demographic characteristics of mothers and infants. There were 859,699 women and 873,753 children in the database as of January 2016. The proof of concept study included 148,699 infants. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, Tdap vaccination during pregnancy was not associated with infant fever 0-3daysafter first dose of DTaP (adjusted odds ratio=0.92, 95% CI 0.82-1.04).
CONCLUSION
The KPNC pregnancy database can be used for studies investigating exposure during pregnancy and outcomes in mothers and/or infants, particularly monitoring vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Topics: Adult; California; Cohort Studies; Databases, Factual; Diphtheria; Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines; Female; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Insurance, Health; Logistic Models; Pertussis Vaccine; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Proof of Concept Study; Retrospective Studies; Tetanus; Vaccination; Vaccines; Whooping Cough; Young Adult
PubMed: 27727029
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.10.006 -
Journal of Clinical and Experimental... Mar 2016Many infections are transmitted from a donor to a recipient through organ transplantations. The transmission of dengue virus from a donor to a recipient in liver...
Many infections are transmitted from a donor to a recipient through organ transplantations. The transmission of dengue virus from a donor to a recipient in liver transplantation is a rare entity, and currently, there is no recommendation for screening this virus prior to transplantation. We report a case of transmission of dengue virus from donor to recipient after liver transplantation. The recipient had a history of multiple admissions for hepatic encephalopathy and ascites. He was admitted in the ICU for 15 days for chronic liver disease, ascites, and acute kidney injury before transplantation. The donor was admitted 1 day before transplantation. The donor spiked fever on postoperative day 2 followed by thrombocytopenia and elevated liver enzymes. The donor blood test was positive for dengue NS1 antigen. The recipient also had a similar clinical picture on postoperative day 5 and his blood test was also positive for dengue NS1 antigen. Hence, the diagnosis for posttransplant donor-derived allograft-related transmission of dengue infection was made. Both recipient and donor were treated with supportive measures and discharged after their full recovery on postoperative days 9 and 18, respectively. The effect of immunosuppression on dengue presentation is still unclear and there is lack of literature available. In our case, the recipient developed dengue fever similar to general population without showing any feature of severe graft dysfunction. We have concluded that dengue virus can also be transmitted from donor to recipient, and immunosuppression did not have any adverse effect on the evolution of dengue fever within the recipient. Delhi being a hyperendemic zone, screening for donors (especially in season time) for dengue virus seems to be the best preventive method to control donor-derived transmission of dengue to recipient.
PubMed: 27194898
DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2016.01.005