Advances in the Diagnosis of Venous Thromboembolism: A Literature Review

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is increasing. The increase in suspicion for VTE has lowered the threshold for performing imaging studies to confirm diagnosis of VTE. However, only 20% of suspected cases have a confirmed diagnosis of VTE. Development of pulmonary embolism rule-out criteria (PERC) and update in pre-test probability have changed the paradigm of ruling-out patient with low index of suspicion. The D-dimer test in conjunction to the pre-test probability has been utilized in VTE diagnosis. The age appropriate D-dimer cutoff and inclusion of YEARS algorithm (signs of the DVT, hemoptysis and whether PE is the likely diagnosis) for the D-dimer cutoff have been recent updates in the evaluation of suspected PE. Multi-detector computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and compression ultrasound (CUS) are the preferred imaging modality to diagnose PE and DVT respectively. The VTE diagnostic algorithm do differ in pregnant individuals. The prerequisite of avoiding excessive radiation has recruited planar ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan as preferred in pregnant patients to evaluate for PE. The modification of CUS protocol with addition of the Valsalva maneuver should be performed while evaluating DVT in pregnant individual

Tuberculosis septic shock, an elusive pathophysiology and hurdles in management: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is a rare etiology of the septic shock. Timely administration of the anti-microbial agents has shown mortality benefit. Prompt diagnosis and a high index of suspicion are crucial to the management. We present three cases of TBSS with poor outcome in the majority despite timely and susceptible antibiotic administration. CASE SUMMARY: Sixty-seven-year-old woman with latent TB presented with fever, cough, and shortness of breath. She was promptly diagnosed with active TB and started on the appropriate anti-microbial regimen; she had a worsening clinical course with septic shock and multi-organ failure after initiation of antibiotics. Thirty-three-year-old man immunocompromised with acquired immune deficiency syndrome presented with fever, anorexia and weight loss. He had no respiratory symptoms, and first chest X-ray was normal. He had enlarged liver, spleen and lymph nodes suspicious for lymphoma. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, he succumbed to refractory septic shock and multi-organ failure. It was shortly before his death that anti-TB antimicrobials were initiated based on pathology reports of bone marrow and lymph node biopsies. Forty-nine-year-old woman with asthma and latent TB admitted with cough and shortness of breath. Although Initial sputum analysis was negative, a subsequent broncho-alveolar lavage turned out to be positive for acid fast bacilli followed by initiation of susceptible ant-TB regimen. She had a downward spiral clinical course with shock, multi-organ failure and finally death. CONCLUSION: Worse outcome despite timely initiation of appropriate antibiotics raises suspicion of TB immune reconstitution as a possible pathogenesis for TB septic shock

Purulent Pericarditis: An Uncommon Presentation of a Common Organism.

BACKGROUND In the modern antibiotic era, Streptococcus agalactiae infection of the endocardium and pericardial space is a rare occurrence. However, once the disease spreads it can lead to life-threatening illness despite advances in diagnostic and treatment modalities, partly because the symptoms and signs associated with pericarditis are frequently missing, and due to the rarity of the disease, diagnosis is often overlooked. We report an extremely rare case of purulent pericarditis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae. CASE REPORT A 65-year-old diabetic woman presented with generalized weakness, high-grade fever, and altered mental status. There were no signs or symptoms suggestive of cardiac tamponade on presentation. A computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest showed a small pericardial effusion. She was managed for diabetic ketoacidosis and sepsis. An electrocardiogram was significant for new-onset atrial fibrillation. Her clinical status deteriorated rapidly as she developed acute hypoxic respiratory failure and shock. A bedside echocardiogram showed large pericardial effusion around the right ventricle and right ventricular diastolic collapse. She developed cardiac arrest, and during resuscitation bedside pericardiocentesis was done with drainage of 15 cc of serosanguineous fluid. However, the patient could not be revived. Subsequently, blood cultures grew Streptococcus agalactiae a day after she died. On autopsy, she was found to have findings of infective endocarditis and purulent pericarditis. CONCLUSIONS A high index of clinical suspicion is crucial when acute pericarditis is suspected, for early diagnosis and for timely initiation of appropriate therapy with antibiotics and aggressive pericardial drainage to prevent fatal outcome

A Rare Case of Splenic Pneumocystis jirovecii in a HIV-Positive Patient

Introduction. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals with the CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3 are at risk for opportunistic infections. Pneumocystis jirovecii, a fungal pathogen, is a common cause of opportunistic infections with predominantly pulmonary involvement. Disseminated P. jiroveciii infection presenting with hepatosplenic lesion is extremely rare. Case Summary. A 31-year-old male with HIV with and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) presented with diarrhea for 3 weeks. He had splenomegaly and inguinal lymphadenopathy on physical examination. Laboratory parameters revealed anemia and hypoalbuminemia, while stool studies for infectious etiology and fecal leucocyte were negative. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest and abdomen depicted consolidation of the lungs and a large splenic mass. He underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy which was consistent with P. jirovecii pneumonia. He also had a ultrasound-guided core biopsy of the splenic mass which revealed necrotizing granulomas with Pneumocystis jirovecii infection on Grocott-Gomori's methenamine silver (GMS) stain and was initiated on treatment for P. jirovecii with sulfamethoxazole with trimethoprim. Conclusion. Malignancy and atypical infection are key differentials in patients presenting with hepatosplenic lesions. HIV positive patients are at increased risk of AIDS-related lymphoma. Tissue diagnosis is often required for further evaluation. Disseminated P. jirovecii presenting with splenic mass and liver lesion is extremely rare