Medicine
-
The incidence of community-onset bacteremia caused by extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) producers is increasing. The adverse effects of ESBL production on patient outcome have been recognized and this antimicrobial resistance has significant implications in the delay of appropriate therapy. However, a simple scoring algorithm that can easily, inexpensively, and accurately be applied to clinical settings was lacking. ⋯ In conclusion, this simple scoring algorithm can be used to identify CoMEB patients with a high ESBL-producer infection risk. Of note, frequent ED user was firstly demonstrated to be a crucial predictor in predicting ESBL-producer infections. ED clinicians should consider adequate empirical therapy with coverage of these pathogens for patients with risk factors.
-
Case Reports
Teriparatide as a nonoperative treatment for tibial and femoral fracture nonunion: A case report.
Fracture nonunion is a great challenge for orthopedic surgeons. Many surgical interventions are associated with significant pain and heavy economic burden. Therefore, our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of a new nonoperative treatment for fracture nonunion. ⋯ Anabolic treatment with teriparatide showed a positive effect on healing of fracture nonunion. Evaluation of bone metabolic markers during treatment is necessary to observe the curative effect. In view of the positive effect of teriparatide on healing of fracture nonunion in numerous animal models and clinical studies, it may be a promising alternative treatment for fracture nonunion in patients who are not suitable for surgical intervention.
-
An intracardiac cystic mass is a rare type of mass found in the left atrium. The differential diagnosis of an intracardiac cystic mass includes hydatid cysts, bronchogenic cysts, intracardiac varices, and hemorrhages in some tumor types, including myxoma. ⋯ An intracardiac hemorrhagic cyst was suspected during the operation of a benign-looking LA mass. As such, we recommend that other rare etiologies be considered and more biopsies be performed when possible.
-
Periodontal disease (PD) is associated with various systemic diseases. We investigated the association between PD and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). For this population-based, cross-sectional study, we enrolled 13,072 adults at least 40 years of age with gradable retinal fundus photographs and community periodontal index (CPI) data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) (2008-2010 and 2012). ⋯ Multivariate logistic regression model after adjusting for all confounding factors showed that PD was not significantly associated with AMD (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.86-1.22). However, according to degree of PD, participants with severe PD in the middle age group were 1.61 times more likely to have AMD (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.02-2.54). Our data, collected from an Asian population, showed that only severe PD is independently associated with AMD in individuals aged 62 years or younger.
-
Case Reports
Crystalglobulinemia manifesting as chronic arthralgia and acute limb ischemia: A clinical case report.
Crystalglobulinemia is a rare disease caused by monoclonal immunoglobulins, characterized by irreversible crystallization on refrigeration. It causes systemic symptoms including purpura, arthralgia, and vessel occlusive conditions to be exacerbated by exposure to cold. We report a patient with crystalglobulinemia associated with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) manifesting as chronic arthralgia and recurrent acute arterial occlusion. ⋯ Monoclonal gammopathy, previously diagnosed as MGUS, can cause systemic symptoms and thrombotic conditions by producing pathologic immunoglobulins, such as crystalglobulins. In such situations, MGUS, even when it has not progressed to multiple myeloma, can be a target of aggressive chemotherapy. Crystalglobulinemia should be considered for patients with monoclonal gammopathy manifesting as systemic and thrombotic symptoms exacerbated by cooling.