Pegaspargase Induced Hypertriglyceridemia Resulting in Severe Fatal Pancreatitis

Pegaspargase is used to treat acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Pegaspargase definitely has its benefits in treating ALL; however we cannot lose sight of one of its very rare but potentially deadly complications, acute pancreatitis. Clinicians should monitor triglycerides while the patient is on treatment with Pegaspargase and suspect acute pancreatitis if the patient develops abdominal pain. If pancreatitis occurs, therapy should be stopped immediately and not reinstituted. For patients with hypertriglyceridemia without pancreatitis, discontinuation of therapy should be considered

Factors predicting early discharge and mortality in post-percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to ascertain factors that favor early discharge and predict mortality in post-percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) patients. METHODS: Successive patients who underwent successful PEG placement during a 10-year period in a single New York City hospital were included in the study. Data was retrospectively extracted from hospital electronic medical records. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty-four patients underwent successful PEG placement. Forty-six patients (16%) were discharged within 3 days of PEG placement (early discharge). Two hundred and thirty six patients (84%) remained in hospital from 4 to 244 days (median 13.5) after PEG insertion (late discharge). Twenty-six (9%) patients died in-house after PEG placement. A serum albumin level <2.2 g/dL (P=0.007) and presence of 2 or more co-morbidities (P=0.019) were predictors of late discharge. A dementia indication was twice as likely to result in an early discharge compared to a stroke indication (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.07-5.36; P=0.033). Female sex, positive urine cultures and low serum albumin levels were independent predictors of in-house mortality. CONCLUSION: Clinical and laboratory markers may predict post-PEG mortality as well as early patient discharge

Acute hepatitis E presenting with clinical feature of autoimmune hepatitis

A 32-year-old immigrant man presented with new onset jaundice. His past medical history was significant for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. His initial laboratory finding and liver biopsy were suggestive of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The plan was to start steroids pending negative results for viral serology, but it came back positive for hepatitis E virus. The patient's liver function test and clinical condition improved significantly on conservative management over a period of 1 month. Therefore, we suggest testing for hepatitis E especially in immigrants or recent travelers to endemic areas who presents with clinical features suggestive of AIH

Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the rectum: a case report and literature review

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the rectum is a rare occurrence with an incidence rate of 0.1–0.25% per 1,000 cases. Herein, we report a case of a 52-year-old female who presented with a 2-month history of diffuse lower abdominal pain and hematochezia. Abdominal CT scan revealed a 7-cm irregular rectal mass, and the biopsy showed SCC