Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · May 2010
Case ReportsLeukocytosis and hypercalcemia: a rare combination of paraneoplastic features in squamous cell penile cancer.
Penile cancer is very rare in North America and Europe, as compared with the rest of the world. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for more than 95% of the cancer type. Paraneoplastic syndrome (PNS), a clinical syndrome of nonmetastatic systemic effects that occurs in patients with malignant disease, is often associated with SCC. ⋯ We report a case of penile SCC involving a change in the patient's mental status along with hypercalcemia and leukocytosis; all three conditions resolved after the tumor was excised. We also discuss the possible factors contributing to hypercalcemia, leukocytosis and change in mental status in SCC. These three conditions and other features of PNS can significantly influence a patient's overall prognosis and, if recognized early, can play an important role in the care plan.
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Southern medical journal · May 2010
The impact of race/ethnicity on preoperative time to hip stabilization procedure after hip fracture.
We sought to examine the preoperative time for hip stabilization procedure among Hispanics, non-Hispanic blacks (blacks) and non-Hispanic whites (whites). ⋯ The delayed preoperative time among minorities suggests the need to closely monitor care among minorities with hip fracture to determine how to best address their developing needs.
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Southern medical journal · May 2010
Case ReportsBilateral EKOS EndoWave catheter thrombolysis of acute bilateral pulmonary embolism in a hemodynamically unstable patient.
Pulmonary embolism is a common and sometimes devastating disease caused by many factors, most commonly deep venous thrombosis. Treatment is typically systemic anticoagulation depending on patient clinical presentation. ⋯ Computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest has advanced the diagnosis and potential treatment options for patients with life threatening pulmonary embolism. Combination percutaneous transcatheter directed pharmacological and mechanical thrombolysis has become extremely useful in these difficult cases.