A Challenging Case of Refractory Biliary Leak in a Patient With Hydatid Liver Disease

Hydatid liver disease (HLD) is the most common form of hydatid disease, and it is caused by a zoonotic infection with a tape worm. It is endemic mostly in sheep-farming countries and rare in the United States. Liver involvement is usually asymptomatic, but symptoms develop upon growth of the cyst leading to many complications, most common of which is intra-biliary rupture, and less likely biliary obstruction. Diagnosis is clinical, serologic and radiologic. Therapeutic approaches to HLD include surgery, anthelminthic medications and medico-surgical procedures. Here we present a case of HLD that presented in advanced stage leading to grave consequences, complicated course and difficult therapeutic options. Given the rarity of hydatid disease in Northern America, physicians have to keep high index of suspicion especially in a patient with history of travel to endemic areas, as early diagnosis and treatment is important to avoid high morbidity and mortality

Prepubertal exposure to arsenic(III) suppresses circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) delaying sexual maturation in female rats

Arsenic (As) is a prevalent environmental toxin readily accessible for human consumption and has been identified as an endocrine disruptor. However, it is not known what impact As has on female sexual maturation. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of prepubertal exposure on mammary gland development and pubertal onset in female rats. Results showed that prepubertal exposure to 10 mg/kg of arsenite (As(III)) delayed vaginal opening (VO) and prepubertal mammary gland maturation. We determined that As accumulates in the liver, disrupts hepatocyte function and suppresses serum levels of the puberty related hormone insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in prepubertal animals. Overall, this is the first study to show that prepubertal exposure to As(III) acts peripherally to suppress circulating levels of IGF-1 resulting in delayed sexual maturation. Furthermore, this study identifies a critical window of increased susceptibility to As(III) that may have a lasting impact on female reproductive function

ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction as Presenting Feature of C-ANCA Vasculitis: A Case of a Diagnostic Dilemma

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although uncommon, it should be included in the differential diagnosis for middle-aged patients without elevated atherosclerotic vascular disease risk or a family history of cardiovascular disease. SCAD is associated with postpartum women; however, reports noting its association with autoimmune disease and vasculopathy in other populations have recently gained prominence. We report a case of a 41-year-old male who was found to have SCAD after presenting with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction in the context of episodic vision loss, and who later underwent work-up for C-ANCA vasculitis and was successfully treated with corticosteroids