Stone Culture Positive Veillonella in Analysis of Calcium-Based Stones: A Case Report.

Background: Calcium-based urinary stones rarely grow bacteria on stone culture. The presence of an anaerobic bacteria is even more uncommon. We present a case of Veillonella growth from a primarily calcium phosphate-based urinary stone culture. Case Presentation: A 56-year-old Caucasian woman presented with urosepsis and bilateral nephrolithiasis. A nephrostomy tube was emergently placed in the left kidney. After resolution of her urosepsis, she underwent a left percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The stone culture grew Veillonella, a gram-negative anaerobe. Conclusion: Growth of anaerobic bacteria, such as Veillonella, on stone culture of a calcium-based stone is a rare occurrence; the mechanism of this association remains unexplained.

Computerized alcohol screening identified more at-risk drinkers in a level 2 than a level 1 trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol abuse is recognized as a significant contributor to injury. It is therefore essential that trauma centers implement screening and brief intervention (SBI) to identify patients who are problem drinkers. Although, the utility of SBI in identifying at-risk drinkers have been widely studied in level 1 trauma centers, few studies have been done in level 2 centers. This study evaluates the usefulness of SBI in identifying at-risk drinkers and to investigate the pattern of alcohol drinking among level 2 trauma patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of a convenience sample of trauma patients participating in computerized alcohol screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (CASI) in an academic level 1 trauma center and a nearby suburban community hospital level 2 trauma center. CASI utilized Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) to screen patients. We compared the pattern of alcohol drinking, demographic factors, and readiness-to-change scores between those screened in a level 2 and 1 trauma center. RESULTS: A total of 3,850 and 1,933 admitted trauma patients were screened in level 1 and 2 trauma centers respectively. There was no difference in mean age, gender, and language between the two centers. Of those screened, 10.2% of the level 1 and 14.4% of the level 2 trauma patients scored at-risk (AUDIT 8-19) (p < 0.005). Overall, 3.7% of the level 1 and 7.2% of the level 2 trauma patients had an AUDIT score consistent with dependency (AUDIT > =20) (p < 0.005). After adjusting for age, sex, education, and language, the odds of being a drinker at the level 2 center was two times of those at the level 1 center (p < 0.005). The odds of being an at-risk or dependent drinker at level 2 trauma center were 1.72 times of those at the level 1 center (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that SBI is effective in identifying at-risk drinkers in level 2 trauma center. SBI was able to identify all drinkers, including at-risk and dependent drinkers at higher rates in level 2 versus level 1 trauma centers. Further studies to evaluate the effectiveness of SBI in altering drinking patterns among level 2 trauma patients are warranted.

Congenital Aneurysm of the Left Sinus of Valsalva Involving the Left Main Coronary Artery.

Successful surgical management of a case of congenital aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva involving the left main coronary artery has been reported. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing an unusual case of congenital aneurysm of the left sinus of Valsalva, which involves the left main coronary artery.

Distracted Driving, A Major Preventable Cause of Motor Vehicle Collisions: "Just Hang Up and Drive".

For years, public health experts have been concerned about the effect of cell phone use on motor vehicle collisions, part of a phenomenon known as "distracted driving." The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) article "Mobile Device Use While Driving - United States and Seven European Countries 2011" highlights the international nature of these concerns. Recent (2011) estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are that 10% of fatal crashes and 17% of injury crashes were reported as distraction-affected. Of 3,331 people killed in 2011 on roadways in the U.S. as a result of driver distraction, 385 died in a crash where at least one driver was using a cell phone. For drivers 15-19 years old involved in a fatal crash, 21% of the distracted drivers were distracted by the use of cell phones. Efforts to reduce cell phone use while driving could reduce the prevalence of automobile crashes related to distracted driving. The MMWR report shows that there is much ground to cover with distracted driving. Emergency physicians frequently see the devastating effects of distracted driving on a daily basis and should take a more active role on sharing the information with patients, administrators, legislators, friends and family.