The Effect of Remdesivir and Convalescent Plasma in Severe COVID-19 in Pregnancy

There are limited data regarding treatment options for pregnant women with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the use of convalescent plasma therapy and remdesivir in was reported to be successful in the management of a critically ill obstetric patient with novel coronavirus 2019 infectio

Does the type and size of Amplatzer vascular plug affect the occlusion time of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations?

PURPOSE:Occlusion time (OT) is an important factor in the treatment of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) since it can lead to serious complications. The purpose of our study is to calculate the OT of Amplatzer vascular plug (AVP, St Jude Medical), and correlate it to the type of the device used (AVP or AVP 2) and the percent of device oversizing. Technical success rates and complications were also recorded.METHODS:We retrospectively studied a total of 19 patients with 47 PAVMs who received percutaneous transcatheter embolization therapy using either AVP or AVP 2. We recorded the location, type, feeding artery diameter, AVP device used, and OT of each PAVM. We correlated the percent of device oversizing and the type of AVP with the OT. We also studied the rate of persistence of PAVM for both devices.RESULTS:Forty-six (98%) of the PAVMs were simple. Device diameters ranged from 4.0–16.0 mm with device oversizing ranging between 14% and 120%. There was a statistically significant difference in the OT of AVP and AVP 2 (3 min 54 s vs. 5 min 30 s, P = 0.030). There was a weak positive correlation between OT and device oversizing for AVP (r=0.246, P = 0.324) and AVP 2 (r=0.261, P = 0.240). No major complications were identified. Immediate technical success rate was 100%CONCLUSION:The use of AVP 2, and increase in device oversizing were not associated with reduction in the OT of PAVMs. There was no reported difference in safety between the two devices, and no major complications were noted

A rare type of primary CD19-negative diffuse large B-cell lymphoma presenting as an infraorbital mass in the maxillary sinus

A 38-year-old male recently diagnosed with acute on chronic rhinosinusitis and orbital cellulitis presented with a right painful infraorbital mass and swelling. Fine needle aspiration of the mass demonstrated atypical lymphoid infiltrate highly suggestive of lymphoma. Flow cytometry and immunophenotypic analysis detected an abnormal lymphocytic population characterized by positive CD20, CD38, and CD10, however, the CD19 marker was negative. Whole-body positron emission tomography showed a sizeable hypermetabolic mass centered at the right maxillary sinus, extending into the right orbit, and several hypermetabolic lymph nodes in the right neck. A diagnosis of high-grade CD19-negative DLBCL was made and the patient was initiated on R-HyperCVAD (Rituximab- cyclophosphamide, vincristine, Adriamycin, dexamethasone) chemotherapy protocol.The diagnosis of paranasal lymphoma may remain elusive for months leading to delays in treatment, thus a high index of suspicion is warranted. The loss of CD19 expression in DLBCL represents a diagnostic challenge because this surface marker is widely used to gate the B cells for immunophenotyping and flow cytometry analysis. It also leads to therapeutic limitations to CD19 targeting therapies

Use of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with end-stage renal disease: safety and clinical outcomes from real-world data

Use of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with end-stage renal disease: safety and clinical outcomes from real-world dat