Comparison of bicarbonate values from venous blood gas and chemistry panels measured at the time of diagnosis and resolution of diabetes ketoacidosis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if bicarbonate values from venous blood gas (VBG) and plasma chemistry samples provided agreement in determining the bicarbonate criteria for the diagnosis and/or resolution of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of data from patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital with a diagnosis of DKA over a four year period was performed. Paired bicarbonate values from a VBG and chemistry panel, if drawn within 60 minutes of each other, were compared. RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis of DKA, 197 paired bicarbonate values were available for analysis with the mean difference between the two methods of testing of 2.5 mmol/L. 16 of the 197 (8%) paired values were discordant in meeting criteria for diagnosis of DKA. At the time of resolution of DKA, 83 paired bicarbonate samples were compared. The mean difference was 2.3 mmol/L. 20 of the 83 (24%) paired bicarbonate values showed discordance with regards to meeting the bicarbonate criteria for resolution of DKA. CONCLUSION: Discordance between bicarbonate results from different analysis methods may lead to different determinations as to whether or not a patient meets the biochemical definition for diagnosis and resolution of DKA.

LACK OF A THRESHOLD SIZE FOR AUTONOMOUSLY FUNCTIONING THYROID NODULES THAT EXCLUDES HYPERTHYROIDISM.

Objective: To correlate the size of autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs) with thyroid function tests. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of data from patients with a diagnosis of a single AFTN who were seen in a university-based endocrinology clinic between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2015. Patients with a nuclear thyroid scan confirming the presence of an AFTN without significant cystic degeneration were included in the study. Results: The volume of the AFTN and the corresponding thyroid function tests were compared in 32 patients who met inclusion criteria. There was no correlation between the volume of the AFTN and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels (r2 = 0.044). There was also no volume threshold below which an AFTN was always associated with a TSH within the reference range. Conclusion: The results agree with the findings of other recent studies comparing the volume of AFTNs with TSH levels, suggesting that smaller nodules can still demonstrate subclinical and overt hyperthyroidism and that a normal TSH level does not preclude the presence of an AFTN. Abbreviations: AFTN = autonomously functioning thyroid nodule; T3 = triiodothyronine; T4 = thyroxine; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Community acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia leading to rhabdomyolysis: a case report.

Community-acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is considered an underreported entity in India. In this case report, the authors describe a thirty-five year old immunocompetent male presenting with severe respiratory distress requiring intubation. On further work up, a CT thorax showed features consistent with necrotizing pneumonia. The morphology and sensitivity pattern of the organism found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and blood culture were consistent with MRSA. The patient's stay in the hospital was complicated by acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis with CPK levels of 9995 U/L. The patient was started on dialysis and improved there after. This case brings to light that CA-MRSA is becoming a problem in developing nations where antibiotics are frequently used empirically with little laboratory guidance. It also is a rare reporting of rhabdomyolysis due to CA-MRSA.

Five factors contributing to severe rhabdomyolysis in a 21 yr old IV drug abuser: a case report.

Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening condition resulting from the release of large quantities of myocyte breakdown products into the circulation, following injury to striated muscles. There are several causes of rhabdomyolysis - traumatic and non-traumatic. We present a 21-year-old male intravenous drug abuser, who was referred to us with fever, altered sensorium and seizures. He developed severe rhabdomyolysis following a mixed meningeal infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This patient's examination and investigation suggested a combination of factors leading to the severe rhabdomyolysis which proved fatal. The patient's creatine phosphokinase was elevated to 167,000 U/L, following hyperpyrexia, seizures, meningitis (pneumococcal and tuberculous), pentazocine and alcohol abuse. The increase in mortality rate with the onset of rhabdomyolysis warrants immediate cessation of the insult and aggressive management.