High 30-day readmission rates associated with Clostridiumdifficile infection.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a leading cause of community-onset and healthcare-associated infection, with high recurrence rates, and associated high morbidity and mortality. We report national rates, leading causes, and predictors of hospital readmission for CDI. METHODS: Retrospective study of data from the 2013 Nationwide Readmissions Database of patients with a primary diagnosis of CDI and re-hospitalization within 30-days. A multivariate regression model was used to identify predictors of readmission. RESULTS: Of 38,409 patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of CDI, 21% were readmitted within 30-days, and 27% of those patients were readmitted with a primary diagnosis of CDI. Infections accounted for 47% of all readmissions. Female sex, anemia/coagulation defects, renal failure/electrolyte abnormalities and discharge to home (versus facility) were 12%, 13%, 15%, 36%, respectively, more likely to be readmitted with CDI. CONCLUSIONS: We found that 1-in-5 patients hospitalized with CDI were readmitted to the hospital within 30-days. Infection comprised nearly half of these readmissions, with CDI being the most common etiology. Predictors of readmission with CDI include female sex, history of renal failure/electrolyte imbalances, anemia/coagulation defects, and being discharged home. CDI is associated with a high readmission risk, with evidence of several predictive risks for readmission.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis, a rare cause of food impaction: case report and review of the literature.

Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis (EIPD) is a rare, benign condition of uncertain etiology and pathogenesis, which usually presents with either progressive or intermittent dysphagia. Acute presentation with food impaction, requiring emergency esophago-gastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is rare. We report a case of EIPD presenting as food bolus impaction in an elderly black female. The patient had no previous history of dysphagia or odynophagia. Currently accepted risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, chronic alcoholism, and reflux esophagitis, were not present in our patient. Emergency EGD established the diagnosis and also dislodged the food bolus. Histopathological evaluation of the mucosa diagnosed co-existent acute candidal infection. Medical treatment with proton pump inhibitor and azole antifungal led to resolution of her symptoms. Review of the literature revealed that stenosis, strictures, perforation, gastro-intestinal bleed, and fistula formation are potential complications of EIPD. Multiple motility abnormalities have been described but are not consistent. Treatment of the underlying inflammatory and or infectious condition is the mainstay of management of this unusual condition.

Primary lymph node gastrinoma. A diagnosis of exclusion. A case for duodenotomy in the setting of a negative imaging for primary tumor: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is caused by uninhibited secretion of gastrin from a gastrinoma. Gastrinomas most commonly arise within the wall of the duodenum followed by the pancreas. Primary lymph node gastrinomas have also been reported in the literature. This is a case of ZES where preoperative localization revealed a gastrinoma in a solitary portacaval lymph node, presumed to be a primary lymph node gastrinoma. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient is a 57 year old female diagnosed with ZES, suspected of having a primary lymph node gastrinoma. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy and excision of a portacaval lymph node with a frozen section which was positive for gastrinoma. Intraoperative sonography of the pancreas, upper endoscopy with transillumination of the duodenum, and a duodenotomy with bimanual examination of the duodenal wall were also performed. The patient was found to have a 4mm duodenal mass near the pylorus, which was excised. DISCUSSION: Pathology showed that the duodenal mass was primary gastrinoma. Serum gastrin levels taken four months postoperatively were normal and the repeat octreotide scan did not show any evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Primary lymph node gastrinoma is a diagnosis of exclusion. The duodenum and pancreas must be fully explored to rule out a primary gastrinoma that may be occult.

Early predictors of severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding and adverse outcomes: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Unlike in upper tract bleeding, prognostic factors for ongoing or recurrent bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract have not been well-defined. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding and for significant adverse outcomes. METHODS: All patients seeking attention at a university emergency department for gastrointestinal bleeding were prospectively identified during a 3-year period. Ninety-four of 448 (21%) admitted patients had lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Clinical predictors available in the first hour of evaluation were recorded. The primary outcome, severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding, was defined as gross blood per rectum after leaving the emergency department associated with either abnormal vital signs (systolic blood pressure < 100 mm Hg or heart rate > 100/min) or more than a 2-unit blood transfusion during the hospitalization. Significant adverse outcomes, including death, were tabulated. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (39%) had severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Independent risk factors for severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding were initial hematocrit 100/min) 1 hour after initial medical evaluation (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.4-12.5); and gross blood on initial rectal examination (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.2-13.2). Nineteen patients (20%) experienced a significant adverse outcome, including 3 deaths. The main independent predictor of adverse outcomes was severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding (OR, 5.3; 95% CI, 1.7-16.5). CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors are available in the first hour of evaluation in the emergency department to identify patients at risk for severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Severe lower gastrointestinal bleeding is a significant risk factor for global adverse outcomes.