Chest
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Case Reports
Technique for repair of fractures and separations involving the cartilaginous portions of the anterior chest wall.
Internal fixation of the ribs has been shown in numerous studies to decrease complications following traumatic rib fractures. Anterior injuries to the chest wall causing cartilaginous fractures, although rare, can cause significant disability and can lead to a variety of complications and, therefore, pose a unique clinical problem. ⋯ All patients had excellent clinical outcomes and reported improvement in symptoms, with no associated complications. Patients who have injuries to the anterior portions of the chest wall should be considered for internal fixation of the chest wall when the injuries are severe and can lead to clinical disability.
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Comparative Study
Effect of hospital use of oral nutritional supplementation on length of stay, hospital cost, and 30-day readmissions among Medicare patients with COPD.
COPD is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Patients with COPD are at a high risk of nutritional deficiency, which is associated with declines in respiratory function, lean body mass and strength, and immune function. Although oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) has been associated with improvements in some of these domains, the impact of hospital ONS on readmission risk, length of stay (LOS), and cost among hospitalized patients is unknown. ⋯ ONS may be associated with reduced LOS, hospitalization cost, and readmission risk in hospitalized Medicare patients with COPD.
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Inflammation may contribute to the pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Deciphering the PAH fingerprint on the inflammation orchestrated by dendritic cells (DCs) and T cells, key driver and effector cells, respectively, of the immune system, may allow the identification of immunopathologic approaches to PAH management. ⋯ We have highlighted T helper 17 cell immune polarization in patients with PAH, as has been previously demonstrated in other chronic inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
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A male lifelong nonsmoker aged 58 years with no prior asbestos exposure complained of gradual worsening breathlessness over 3 months. This was associated with abdominal and leg swelling and a 2-kg weight loss. ⋯ He had stage I left-side testicular seminoma treated with left-sided radical orchidectomy 10 years previous and recently received a diagnosis of Child's B alcoholic liver cirrhosis. His hepatitis B and C screen result was normal.
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Case Reports
29-year-old man presenting with progressive dyspnea, oculocutaneous albinism, and epistaxis.
A 29-year-old man with a history of oculocutaneous albinism presented to the ED complaining of progressive dyspnea on exertion. One month prior to admission, the patient had begun to experience worsening dyspnea provoked by routine household activities. Additionally, he had developed a nonproductive cough, exacerbated by cold weather. ⋯ A review of systems was significant for a history of epistaxis and frequent bruising. Born in Honduras, he had immigrated to the United States approximately 10 years prior to his presentation to our facility. Furthermore, there was no family history of albinism, bleeding disorders, or pulmonary disease.