scholarly journals 1169. Revenge of the Syph(ilis): Investigating Congenital Syphilis at a Tertiary Care Center Amidst a Rising Epidemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S676-S676
Author(s):  
Tara Ness ◽  
Ryan H Rochat ◽  
Claire Bocchini ◽  
C Mary Healy

Abstract Background Congenital syphilis is a chronic infection acquired by the fetus in utero from a mother infected with Treponema palladium. It has a large spectrum of disease manifestations from asymptomatic infection to blindness, abnormal bone and teeth formation, deafness, or even death. Despite antenatal screening and the availability of effective treatment the incidence of congenital syphilis has risen since 2012, with 23.3 cases per 100,000 live births in 2017 according to the Centers for Disease Control. We sought to investigate the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes of congenital syphilis. Methods We undertook a retrospective review of individuals born at Texas Children’s Hospital from January 1, 2010 to May 15, 2021 to evaluate compliance with current diagnostic and treatment recommendations. Diagnostic and billing codes for congenital syphilis were used to generate a list of subjects. Patient demographics and clinical details were abstracted from the electronic medical record (EMR). Statistics were performed using Microsoft Excel. Results 107 children (52% male, 48% female) were identified from diagnostic and billing codes in the EMR under the SNOMED-CT diagnosis of “congenital syphilis” and were less than two years of age at the time of diagnosis. All received penicillin within one month of diagnosis. 94 of these had a skeletal x-ray performed, with 11 (12%) having an abnormal skeletal x-ray consistent with congenital syphilis. 88 (82%) had a lumbar puncture done with a quantitative CSF VDRL obtained. 88 received aqueous penicillin G for proven/highly probable or possible syphilis. Four patients were deceased at the time of data inquiry. Of those with abnormal skeletal x-rays, “metaphyseal lucency” was the most common finding. Conclusion Congenital syphilis remains a significant concern in the United States and carries the risk of significant long-term morbidity for infants and children. Antenatal screening with appropriate treatment in pregnancy and adequate follow-up would decrease the need for neonatal evaluation and treatment. Disclosures C. Mary Healy, MD, Dexcom (Shareholder)Intuitive (Shareholder)Quidel Corporation (Shareholder)Up to Date (Other Financial or Material Support, Honorarium)Vapotherm (Shareholder)

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 427
Author(s):  
Nandan Marathe ◽  
Pauras Pritam Mhatre ◽  
Shubhanshu Bhaladhare ◽  
Aditya Dahapute ◽  
Ayush Sharma ◽  
...  

Background: The anterior atlantodental interval (AADI) and posterior atlantodental interval (PADI) on X-ray and computed tomography (CT) studies can both be used to gauge the risk and/or presence of neurological compression. Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care center in 116 patients with head injuries additionally warranting routine cervical X-ray and CT examinations. Results: The AADI averaged 1.36 ± 0.45 mm (X-ray) and 1.393 ± 0.47 mm (CT), while the mean PADI was 18.04 ± 2.44 mm (X-ray), and 18.07 ± 2.43 mm (CT). Notably, 93.96% of the total subjects had AADI below 2 mm. Further, 6.8% of patients with PADI =/<14 mm had no neurological deficits. Conclusion: No significant differences were observed for X-ray versus CT studies, measuring AADI and PADI. Therefore, X-rays should continue to prove reliable for assessing craniovertebral junction anatomy in emergency settings. Of interest, the normal upper limit of AADI on sagittal CT reconstructions should now be changed to 2 mm from the previously accepted upper limit of 3 mm.


Author(s):  
Sujana Gogineni ◽  
Dhananjay Gupta ◽  
R. Pradeep ◽  
Anish Mehta ◽  
Mahendra Javali ◽  
...  

AbstractStroke is a common neurological emergency. Almost 80% of strokes are due to arterial occlusion. Venous thrombosis comprises less than 1–2% of all strokes. Involvement of the deep cerebral venous system is still rare and accounts for about 10.9% of all cerebral venous thromboses (CVT). CVT diagnosis is often delayed or missed, because of its variable clinical manifestations. We retrospectively (2015–18) and prospectively (2018–20) reviewed all the cases of CVT in a tertiary care center in south India. Out of a total of 52 CVT cases, 12 were due to the involvement of deep cerebral venous system. Their clinical presentation, imaging characteristics, and outcomes were assessed. The most frequent presentation was headache followed by seizures. Hyperhomocysteinemia was the most common risk factor noted. Imaging characteristics were variable, and a high index of suspicion was required for early diagnosis. All patients had favorable outcome in our study, and except one, all were treated conservatively.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s263-s264
Author(s):  
Jordan Polistico ◽  
Avnish Sandhu ◽  
Teena Chopra ◽  
Erin Goldman ◽  
Jennifer LeRose ◽  
...  

Background: Influenza causes a high burden of disease in the United States, with an estimate of 960,000 hospitalizations in the 2017–2018 flu season. Traditional flu diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests have a longer (24 hours or more) turnaround time that may lead to an increase in unnecessary inpatient admissions during peak influenza season. A new point-of-care rapid PCR assays, Xpert Flu, is an FDA-approved PCR test that has a significant decrease in turnaround time (2 hours). The present study sought to understand the impact of implementing a new Xpert Flu test on the rate of inpatient admissions. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to compare rates of inpatient admissions in patients tested with traditional flu PCR during the 2017–2018 flu season and the rapid flu PCR during the 2018–2019 flu season in a tertiary-care center in greater Detroit area. The center has 1 pediatric hospital (hospital A) and 3 adult hospitals (hospital B, C, D). Patients with influenza-like illness who presented to all 4 hospitals during 2 consecutive influenza seasons were analyzed. Results: In total, 20,923 patients were tested with either the rapid flu PCR or the traditional flu PCR. Among these, 14,124 patients (67.2%) were discharged from the emergency department and 6,844 (32.7%) were admitted. There was a significant decrease in inpatient admissions in the traditional flu PCR group compared to the rapid flu PCR group across all hospitals (49.56% vs 26.6% respectively; P < .001). As expected, a significant proportion of influenza testing was performed in the pediatric hospital, 10,513 (50.2%). A greater reduction (30% decrease in the rapid flu PCR group compared to the traditional flu PCR group) was observed in inpatient admissions in the pediatric hospital (Table 1) Conclusions: Rapid molecular influenza testing can significantly decrease inpatient admissions in a busy tertiary-care hospital, which can indirectly lead to improved patient quality with easy bed availability and less time spent in a private room with droplet precautions. Last but not the least, this testing method can certainly lead to lower healthcare costs.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


2012 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 571-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abrahão Augusto Juviniano Quadros ◽  
Mônica Tilli Reis Pessoa Conde ◽  
Luis Fabiano Marin ◽  
Helga Cristina Almeida Silva ◽  
Tatiana Mesquita e Silva ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and clinical manifestations of patients with post-poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) in a Brazilian division of neuromuscular disorders. METHODS: A total of 167 patients with prior history of paralytic poliomyelitis was investigated for PPS, based on international diagnostic criteria. Other variables analyzed were: gender, race, age at poliomyelitis infection, age at PPS onset, and PPS symptoms. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-nine patients presented PPS, corresponding to 77.2% of the studied population. 62.8% were women and 37.2% were men. Mean age of patients with PPS at onset of PPS symptoms was 39.9±9.69 years. Their main clinical manifestations were: new weakness in the previously affected limbs (69%) and in the apparently not affected limbs (31%); joint pain (79.8%); fatigue (77.5%); muscle pain (76%); and cold intolerance (69.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Most patients of our sample presented PPS. In Brazil, PPS frequency and clinical features are quite similar to those of other countries.


Author(s):  
Rattanavalai Nitiyarom ◽  
Sirirat Charuvanij ◽  
Surachai Likasitwattanakul ◽  
Chaiwat Thanoophunchai ◽  
Wanee Wisuthsarewong

Background: Juvenile dermatomyositis is a rare condition, but it is the most common idiopathic inflammatory myopathy in pediatric patients. Aim: To study the clinical manifestations, investigations, treatment, clinical course, and outcomes of juvenile dermatomyositis in Thai children. Method: This retrospective study included juvenile dermatomyositis patients treated at Siriraj Hospital, a 2,300-bed national tertiary referral center in Bangkok, Thailand, from 1994 to 2019. Results: Thirty patients (22 females and 8 males) were included with a female to male ratio of 2.7:1. Median age at diagnosis was 5.1 years (range, 2.6-14.8 years). Median duration of illness before diagnosis was 6.5 months (range, 0.3-84.0 months). Acute and subacute onset occurred in the majority of patients. Presenting symptoms included muscle weakness in 27/30 (90%), skin rash in 26/30 (86.7%), muscle pain in 17/26 (65.4%), and arthralgia in 4/18 (22.2%) of patients. Dermatologic examination revealed Gottron’s rash, heliotrope rash, and periungual telangiectasia in 25/30 (83.3%), 21/30 (70.0%), and 15/24 (62.5%) of patients, respectively. Interestingly, scalp dermatitis was found in 8/21 (38.1%) of patients. The most commonly used treatment regimen in this series was a combination of prednisolone and methotrexate. During the median follow-up of 3.1 years (range, 0.0-18.5 years), only one-third of patients were seen to have monocyclic disease. Extraskeletal osteosarcoma at a previous lesion of calcinosis cutis was observed in one patient at 12 years after juvenile dermatomyositis onset. Limitations: This was a retrospective single-center study, and our results may not be generalizable to other healthcare settings. Prospective multicenter studies are needed to confirm the findings of this study. Conclusion: juvenile dermatomyositis usually poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, which can be compounded by the ethnic variations in the clinical presentation, as observed in this study. Asian patients tend to present with acute or subacute onset of disease, and arthralgia and/or arthritis are less common than in Caucasian patients. Scalp dermatitis is not uncommon in pediatric juvenile dermatomyositis patients. An association between juvenile dermatomyositis and malignancy, though rare, can occur.


Author(s):  
Leena Rajam K. ◽  
Vikram V. J. ◽  
Priyanka C. ◽  
Indumathi R.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Chronic otitis media (COM) is a serious healthcare concern worldwide, because of the distress and economic burden to the patient and their family. Temporal bone pneumatization plays an important role in etiology, behaviour, course and outcome of COM. Pneumatisation gets poorer with growing chronicity of the disease<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective study was conducted between March 2015-March 2017 on female patients visiting with COM, at ENT department Kasturba Gandhi Hospital, Madras Medical College. The records were analysed of the age, duration of symptoms, associated complaints, pure tone audiogram, computerised tomography of temporal bone, mastoid surgery done according to the disease process affecting the ear<span lang="EN-IN">.  </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> 35 female COM patients were analysed, most common age group is between 31-40 years in 14 patients. There hearing loss was mild category in 27. There were 27 cases of mucosal type of chronic otitis media and 8 cases of squamous type. The CT scan with sclerosis of mastoid was the common finding<span lang="EN-IN">. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> In exclusive study on female patients with COM, the mucosal type of COM is common with mild hearing loss and sclerosed mastoid indicating the chronicity<span lang="EN-IN">.</span></p><p class="abstract"> </p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-11
Author(s):  
Midhan Shrestha ◽  
Dibya Singh Shah

Background: Renal transplantation is the treatment of choice for end stage renal disease. The focus of interest has been to increase the life of the transplanted graft. Recurrence of native kidney disease or occurrence of denovo glomerulonephritis has adverse effects in graft survival. Protocol graft biopsy done at fixed time interval after transplantation aids in early identification of post-transplant glomerulonephritis before development of clinical signs and symptoms. This study describes the incidence of post-transplant IgA Nephropathy in protocol renal graft biopsies done at six months post- transplantation.Materials and Methods: This is a hospital based observational descriptive study, done in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal, a tertiary medical referral center in the capital. Protocol biopsy of the graft kidney was performed at six months post-transplantation in all recipients who underwent kidney transplantation in this hospital between 2071 Kartik and 2072 Ashwin.Results: Protocol biopsy was performed in total 47 recipients. Mean age of the recipients was 33.7 years ±10.83 years. The study population consisted of 33 (70.2%) male and 14 (29.8%) female recipients. IgA Nephropathy was present in 6 (12.8%) recipients.Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that IgA Nephropathy does occur in patients with stable GFR and without any clinical or laboratory abnormalities. Protocol biopsy is valuable in detection of early histologic abnormalities before onset of clinical manifestations, thus helping in prompt management with aim to prolong the graft survival.Journal of Nobel Medical CollegeVolume 6, Number 1, Issue 10 (January-June, 2017)


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S424-S425
Author(s):  
Dan Ding ◽  
Anna Stachel ◽  
Eduardo Iturrate ◽  
Michael Phillips

Abstract Background Pneumonia (PNU) is the second most common nosocomial infection in the United States and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. While definitions from CDC were developed to increase the reliability of surveillance data, reduce the burden of surveillance in healthcare facilities, and enhance the utility of surveillance data for improving patient safety - the algorithm is still laborious. We propose an implementation of a refined algorithm script which combines two CDC definitions with the use of natural language processing (NLP), a tool which relies on pattern matching to determine whether a condition of interest is reported as present or absent in a report, to automate PNU surveillance. Methods Using SAS v9.4 to write a query, we used a combination of National Healthcare Safety Network’s (NHSN) PNU and ventilator-associated event (VAE) definitions that use discrete fields found in electronic medical records (EMR) and trained an NLP tool to determine whether chest x-ray report was indicative of PNU (Fig1). To validate, we assessed sensitivity/specificity of NLP tool results compared with clinicians’ interpretations. Results The NLP tool was highly accurate in classifying the presence of PNU in chest x-rays. After training the NLP tool, there were only 4% discrepancies between NLP tool and clinicians interpretations of 223 x-ray reports - sensitivity 92.2% (81.1–97.8), specificity 97.1% (93.4–99.1), PPV 90.4% (79.0–96.8), NPV 97.7% (94.1–99.4). Combining the automated use of discrete EMR fields with NLP tool significantly reduces the time spent manually reviewing EMRs. A manual review for PNU without automation requires approximately 10 minutes each day per admission. With a monthly average of 2,350 adult admissions at our hospital and 16,170 patient-days for admissions with at least 2 days, the algorithm saves approximately 2,695 review hours. Conclusion The use of discrete EMR fields with an NLP tool proves to be a timelier, cost-effective yet accurate alternative to manual PNU surveillance review. By allowing an automated algorithm to review PNU, timely reports can be sent to units about individual cases. Compared with traditional CDC surveillance definitions, an automated tool allows real-time critical review for infection and prevention activities. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-28
Author(s):  
Nirmal D Patil ◽  
Sudhir K Srivastava ◽  
Sunil Bhosale ◽  
Shaligram Purohit

<sec><title>Study Design</title><p>This was a double-blinded cross-sectional study, which obtained no financial support for the research.</p></sec><sec><title>Purpose</title><p>To obtain a detailed morphometry of the lateral mass of the subaxial cervical spine.</p></sec><sec><title>Overview of Literature</title><p>The literature offers little data on the dimensions of the lateral mass of the subaxial cervical spine.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>We assessed axial, sagittal, and coronal computed tomography (CT) cuts and anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the lateral mass of the subaxial cervical spine of 104 patients (2,080 lateral masses) who presented to a tertiary care public hospital (King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai) in a metropolitan city in India.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>For a majority of the parameters, males and females significantly differed at all levels (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0.05). Females consistently required higher (<italic>p</italic>&lt;0.05) minimum lateral angulation and lateral angulation. While the minimum lateral angulation followed the order of C5&lt;C4&lt;C6&lt;C3, the lateral angulation followed the order of C3&lt;C5&lt;C4&lt;C6. The lateral mass becomes longer and narrower from C3 to C7. In axial cuts, the dimensions increased from C3 to C6. The sagittal cut thickness and diagonal length increased and the sagittal cut height decreased from C3 to C7. The sagittal cut height was consistently lower in the Indian population at all levels, especially at the C7 level, as compared with the Western population, thereby questioning the acceptance of a 3.5-mm lateral mass screw. A good correlation exists between X-ray- and CT-based assessments of the lateral mass.</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusions</title><p>Larger lateral angulation is required for Indian patients, especially females. The screw length can be effectively calculated by analyzing the lateral X-ray. A CT scan should be reserved for specific indications, and a caution must be exercised while inserting C7 lateral mass screws.</p></sec>


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215013272091373
Author(s):  
Peter Kim ◽  
Jeanette M. Daly ◽  
Sharon Berkowitz ◽  
Barcey T. Levy

Introduction: Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in children from birth through 5 years of age. Application of fluoride varnish (FV) is recommended for children younger than 6 years every 3 to 6 months by the United States Preventive Services Task Force. The purposes of this study were to (1) assess use and reimbursement of Current Dental Terminology (CDT) D1206 and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) 99188 codes, which are the billing codes for FV application; (2) determine when and by whom each FV code was used; and (3) summarize the associated clinical notes. Methods: Using the electronic medical record data warehouse from a single tertiary teaching hospital and its affiliated primary care clinics, the dates of service, departments, provider names, and patient identifiers associated with codes CDT D1206 and CPT 99188 were collected. The content of clinical notes was reviewed and summarized. The study period was from May 1, 2009 through May 17, 2019. Results: During the 10-year time period, CDT D1206 was used 5 times and CPT 99188 was used 35 times. FV was applied exclusively during well-child visits. Only pediatricians, and no family physicians, applied FV in this setting. Discussion: A single pediatrician championing for FV application increased both the completion of procedure and the appropriate billing in 2019. Conclusion: FV application has been likely underutilized in this Midwestern tertiary teaching hospital and its affiliated clinics. For both family medicine and pediatric offices, an advocate for caries prevention is likely needed for successful implementation of FV application at well-child visits.


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