Comparison of quantifiable electrocardiographic changes associated with severe hyperkalemia.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkalemia (HK) is a life-threatening condition that is frequently evaluated by electrocardiogram (ECG). ECG changes in severe HK (≥ 6.3 mEq/L) are not well-characterized. This study sought to compare and correlate ECG metrics in severe HK to baseline normokalemic ECGs and serum potassium. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 340 severe HK encounters with corresponding normokalemic ECGs was performed. RESULTS: Various ECG metrics were analyzed. P wave amplitude in lead II, QRS duration, T wave slope, ratio of T wave amplitude: duration, and ratios of T wave: QRS amplitudes were significantly different between normokalemic and HK ECGs. P wave amplitude attenuation in lead II correlated better with serum potassium than in V1. T wave metrics that incorporated both T wave and QRS amplitudes correlated better than metrics utilizing T wave metrics alone. CONCLUSION: Multiple statistically significant and quantifiable differences among ECG metrics were observed between normokalemic and HK ECGs and correlated with increasing degrees of serum potassium and along the continuum of serum potassium. When incorporated into a logistic regression model, the ability to distinguish HK versus normokalemia on ECG improved significantly. These findings could be integrated into an ECG acquisition system that can more accurately identify severe HK.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease patients: a 12-year analysis of a national database.

BACKGROUND: Despite inflammatory bowel disease's (IBD) association with hepatobiliary disorders and the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for both diagnostic and therapeutic evaluation of these diseases, it remains a poorly studied area within the literature. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of IBD on the occurrence of adverse events (AE) pertaining to ERCP. METHODS: This project utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, the largest inpatient database in the USA. All patients 18 years or older with and without IBD undergoing ERCP were identified from 2008 to 2019. Post-ERCP AEs were analyzed using multivariate logistic or linear regression controlling for age, race, and existing comorbidities using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). RESULTS: There was no difference in post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) or mortality. IBD patients were also found to have a lower risk of bleeding and decreased length of stay (LOS) despite adjustment for comorbidities. They also underwent less sphincterotomies when compared to the non-IBD cohort. Subgroup analysis between ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) did not find any significant differences in outcomes. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the largest study to date evaluating ERCP outcomes in IBD patients. After adjustment of co-variates, there was no difference in the occurrence of PEP, infections, and perforation. IBD patients were less likely to experience post-ERCP bleeding and mortality and had shorter LOS which may be due to the decreased frequency of sphincterotomy in this population.

Asymptomatic Hepatic Leiomyoma in an Immunocompetent Middle-Aged Woman.

Primary hepatic leiomyomas are rare tumors most commonly in immunosuppressed individuals who are coinfected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). From our literature review, there have been 50 published cases, of which 24 were immunocompetent individuals and only 5 were negative for EBV infection. We report a case of primary hepatic leiomyomas in an asymptomatic middle-aged woman without a history of immunosuppression or EBV infection.

Segmental Colitis Associated With Diverticulosis Masquerading as Polyploid-Appearing Mucosa in the Rectosigmoid Area on Endoscopy and as Focal Thickening on Imaging.

Segmental colitis associated with diverticulosis (SCAD) is an inflammatory disease affecting segments of the large bowel with diverticular disease. SCAD presents several challenges in diagnoses and treatment because it often mimics a range of disorders including inflammatory bowel disease and malignancy. Here, we present the case of a 72-year-old man with lower abdominal pain and bloody stools whose initial abdominal workup showed nonspecific large bowel thickening and concerns for malignancy. Ultimately, the patient was diagnosed with mild SCAD and treated conservatively with a resolution of symptoms. He had no symptoms at the three-month and 1-year follow-ups. This case highlights the importance of including SCAD in the initial differential diagnosis to allow accurate identification and treatment.

Epidemiologic disparities in colon cancer screening and adherence during the COVID-19 pandemic: a retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-leading cause of death in the USA. CRC screening remains underutilized, especially in underinsured populations. Screening has been heavily disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. PURPOSE: The goal is to explore the impact of the pandemic on ethnic and gender disparities in CRC screening. METHODS: Patients were identified 1 year before and after COVID-19 precautions began, using March 1, 2020, as the inflection point. The primary inclusion criterion was an ordered colonoscopy. The outcome of interest was a colonoscopy performed. Differences by year and race were assessed using chi-square analysis. A cohort of 1549 patients (899 in pre-COVID; 650 in post-COVID) between age 45 and 75 for whom a colonoscopy was ordered was selected from EHR at a large institution. RESULTS: There was a 51% reduction in screening colonoscopies performed. White patients had a decrease of 49%, and African Americans had a 55% reduction. Stool testing increased from 47% prior to the pandemic to 94% during the pandemic representing a greater than 100% increase in stool testing uptake. CONCLUSION: The true impact of COVID-19 on colorectal cancer is yet to be uncovered as future mortality estimates from CRC are ongoing. Due to the widespread closure of endoscopy centers and delay in screening, we believe that the pandemic worsened the screening disparities most prevalent among minority populations. Our study points to the drastic reduction of screening for all races, especially for African Americans.

Endogenous endophthalmitis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in a patient with COVID-19.

Endogenous endophthalmitis is a rare condition that carries a high risk of vision loss. Risk factors for developing endogenous endophthalmitis include having a systemic source of infection and one or more risk factors for immunosuppression. We present a case of a 34-year-old man with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and COVID-19 pneumonia who was treated with corticosteroids and subsequently developed endogenous endophthalmitis.

Improving Adenoma Detection Rates: The Role of the Fecal Immunochemical Test.

Background There is limited knowledge about adenoma detection rates (ADRs) in patients with a positive fecal immunochemical test (FIT). We hypothesized that colonoscopy performed after FIT would result in higher ADRs. Methods We reviewed ADRs for colonoscopies performed after a positive FIT test and compared them to ADR rates for routine colonoscopy performed without an initial FIT test between November 2014 and March 2017 at multiple endoscopy sites. Results A total of 979 patients underwent a FIT testing in the Texas panhandle, of whom 12.1% (n=119) tested positive. Also, 32.8% (n=39) were found to have one or more tubular adenomatous polyps on final pathological examination. Among these patients, the majority were female (64.1%; n=25). Of the patients, 15.9% (n=19) had a hyperplastic polyp, 1.7% (n=2) had findings consistent with ulcerative colitis, and 0.8% (n=1) were positive for an adenocarcinoma. In the control group of 2,603 patients in whom routine colonoscopy was performed as the initial tool for screening, 719 were found to have one or more tubular adenomas, with an ADR rate of 27.5%. In this group, the cancer rate was found to be 1%. Conclusions There was a significant increase in the ADR when colonoscopy is conducted after a positive FIT test. Recommending colonoscopies after a positive FIT test will not only improve ADRs significantly but also lower the overall healthcare cost for screening colon cancer in this era of escalating healthcare costs.

Gastric Glomus Tumor Diagnosed by Upper Endoscopy.

Gastric glomus tumors (GGTs) are benign tumors that typically occur in the submucosa of the gastric wall. Glomus tumors typically occur in the subungual region of the finger and rarely manifest in the stomach. Diagnosis is challenging as these tumors lack specific clinical features, radiographic findings, and endoscopic findings. In prior cases, endoscopic ultrasound with fine-needle aspiration has been utilized to make a pre-operative diagnosis. In our case, pathology from general endoscopy was consistent with a GGT. Thus, our patient was accurately diagnosed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with conventional biopsy.

Outcomes Following Revision Joint Arthroplasty Among Hemodialysis-Dependent Patients.

BACKGROUND: Hemodialysis (HD) dependence is known to impact the integrity of bone and has long been associated with metabolic bone disease and other adverse events postoperatively. The aim of this study is to analyze postoperative outcomes following revision hip and knee arthroplasty in hemodialysis-dependent (HDD) patients and to characterize the common indications for revision procedures among this patient population. METHODS: A total of 1779 HDD patients who underwent a revision joint arthroplasty (930 revision total knee arthroplasty [TKA] and 849 revision total hip arthroplasty [THA]) between 2005 and 2014 were identified from a retrospective database review. Our resulting study groups of revision TKA and THA HDD patients were compared to their respective matched control groups for hospital length of stay (LOS), 90-day mean total cost, hospital readmission, and other major medical and surgical complications. RESULTS: HD was significantly associated with increased LOS (7.7 ± 8.3 vs 4.8 ± 4.5; P < .001), mean 90-day total cost ($47,478 ± $33,413 vs $24,286 ± $21,472; P < .001), hospital readmission (odds ratio [OR], 2.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96-2.58; P < .001), septicemia (OR, 3.18; 95% CI, 2.70-3.74; P < .001), postoperative infection (OR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.50-1.98; P < .001), and mortality (OR, 3.99; 95% CI, 3.12-5.06; P < .001) following revision TKA. Among revision THA patients, HD was associated with increased LOS (9.4 ± 9.5 vs 5.7 ± 5.7; P < .001), mean 90-day total cost ($40,182 ± $27,082 vs $26,519 ± $22,856; P < .001), hospital readmission (OR, 2.33; 95% CI, 2.02-2.68; P < .001), septicemia (OR, 3.61; 95% CI, 3.05-4.27; P < .001), and mortality (OR, 3.55; 95% CI, 2.86-4.37; P < .001). CONCLUSION: HD remains a significant risk factor for increased LOS, mean total cost, hospital readmission, septicemia, and mortality following revision joint arthroplasty.

Five-Year Follow-Up of Distal Tibia Bone and Foot and Ankle Trauma Treated with a 3D-Printed Titanium Cage.

Large bone defects from trauma or cancer are difficult to treat. Current treatment options include the use of external fixation with bone transport, bone grafting, or amputation. These modes of therapy continue to pose challenges as they are associated with high cost, failure, and complication rates. In this study, we report a successful case of bone defect treatment using personalized 3D-printed implant. This is the longest known follow-up using a 3D-printed custom implant for this specific application. Ultimately, this report adds to existing literature as it demonstrates successful and maintained incorporation of bone into the titanium implant. The use of patient-specific 3D-printed implants adds to the available arsenal to treat complex pathologies of the foot and ankle. Moreover, the technology's flexibility and ease of customization makes it conducive to tailor to specific patient needs.

Pathogenesis of Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis of the Ankle.

Ankle osteoarthritis affects a significant portion of the global adult population. Unlike other joints, arthritis of the ankle often develops as a response to traumatic injury (intra-articular fracture) of the ankle joints. The full mechanism leading to posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the ankle (PTOAA) is poorly understood. These deficits in knowledge pose challenges in the management of the disease. Adequate surgical reduction of fractured ankle joints remains the gold standard in prevention. The purpose of this review is to thoroughly delineate the known pathogenesis of PTOAA, and provide critical updates on this pathology and new avenues to provide therapeutic management of the disease.

Pharmacologic targeting of ß-catenin improves fracture healing in old mice.

ß-catenin protein needs to be precisely regulated for effective fracture repair. The pace of fracture healing slows with age, associated with a transient increase in ß-catenin during the initial phase of the repair process. Here we examined the ability of pharmacologic agents that target ß-catenin to improve the quality of fracture repair in old mice. 20 month old mice were treated with Nefopam or the tankyrase inhibitor XAV939 after a tibia fracture. Fractures were examined 21 days later by micro-CT and histology, and 28 days later using mechanical testing. Daily treatment with Nefopam for three or seven days but not ten days improved the amount of bone present at the fracture site, inhibited ß-catenin protein level, and increased colony forming units osteoblastic from bone marrow cells. At 28 days, treatment increased the work to fracture of the injured tibia. XAV939 had a more modest effect on ß-catenin protein, colony forming units osteoblastic, and the amount of bone at the fracture site. This data supports the notion that high levels of ß-catenin in the early phase of fracture healing in old animals slows osteogenesis, and suggests a pharmacologic approach that targets ß-catenin to improve fracture repair in the elderly.

The Use of Bone Grafts, Bone Graft Substitutes, and Orthobiologics for Osseous Healing in Foot and Ankle Surgery.

Achieving fusion in osseous procedures about the foot and ankle presents unique challenges to the surgeon. Many patients have comorbidities that reduce osseous healing rates, and the limited space and high weightbearing demand placed on fusion sites makes the choice of bone graft, bone graft substitute, or orthobiologic agent of utmost importance. In this review, we discuss the essential characteristics of grafts, including their osteoconductive, osteoinductive, osteogenic, and angiogenic properties. Autologous bone graft remains the gold standard and contains all these properties. However, the convenience and lack of donor site morbidity of synthetic bone grafts, allografts, and orthobiologics, including growth factors and allogenic stem cells, has led to these being used commonly as augments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, expert opinion.

Persistence of bone voids after calcaneal bone-graft harvest.

OBJECTIVES: The complications associated with iliac crest bone-graft harvest have resulted in the development of alternative harvest sites. Lower extremity alternative sites that have been reported for foot and ankle procedures include greater trochanter, proximal tibia, distal tibia, and calcaneus. These sites have been studied in terms of complications, postoperative pain, and quality of the harvested bone. The long-term effect of the harvest on the bone of the calcaneus has not been reported. METHODS: Case report on incidental CT imaging 4 years after bone graft harvest from the calcaneus. RESULTS: This case demonstrates the failure of the calcaneal trabecular bone to regenerate after harvesting cancellous bone graft for foot fusion procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The calcaneal graft site should not be used for a repeat bone-graft harvest without advanced imaging to confirm reconstitution of the harvest bed.

Trichobezoar presenting as a gastric outlet obstruction: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Rapunzel syndrome is a rare intestinal condition that starts with the ingestion of a trichobezoar. The condition is predominately found in females and can be associated with trichotillomania, or the compulsive urge to pull one's own hair out. There are less than 40 cases described in the literature with the prevention of recurrence aimed at psychological treatment. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient is a 7 year-old girl with a history of trichotillomania with trichophagia as a young child who presented with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, consistent with a gastric outlet obstruction. She had an exploratory laparotomy with gastrostomy performed revealing a 18cm by 18cm trichobezoar with extension into the small bowel. DISCUSSION: Bezoars, an already rare entity, can occasionally lead to gastric and small bowel obstructions. Small collections of ingested hair build up in the intestinal tract causing significant symptoms. These obstructions can sometimes be treated through minimally invasive techniques but, in our case described, it is unlikely to have been treated any other way due to the substantial size of the trichobezoar. CONCLUSION: Early consideration of Rapunzel syndrome is important in young females presenting with a gastric outlet obstruction.