Management of Iron-Deficiency Anemia on Inpatients and Appropriate Discharge and Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were to identify appropriate supplementation of iron for inpatients and to identify factors involved in appropriate discharge documentation and follow-up. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 103 patients at a community hospital in New York City. RESULTS: A total of 57 (57/103, 55.3%) patients were admitted due to symptomatic anemia. Twenty (20/103, 19.4%) of those with iron-deficiency anemia had either esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy. Gastroenterologist or hematologist was consulted for 45/103 (43.7%). Inpatient iron supplementation was given for 62/103 (60.2%) of patients; and 43/103 (41.7%) had blood transfusion. Upon discharge, 50/103 (48.5%) had appropriate documentation of iron-deficiency anemia on discharge paperwork. Appropriate follow-up was done for 54/103 (52.4%). Iron supplementation was provided for 53/103 (51.5%) of patients. Having inpatient esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy, blood transfusion, or symptomatic anemia had a statistical significance for likelihood of appropriate discharge documentation. CONCLUSIONS: Iron-deficiency anemia can have high rates of mortality and morbidity in the population. Appropriate discharge of patients with iron-deficiency anemia and factors related to this are paramount for clinicians in order to have the best patient outcomes.

Eikenella Corrodens and Streptococcus anginosus co-infection causing skull base osteomyelitis and internal carotid artery lesion.

A 35-year-old male presented with headaches and fevers. MRI of his head showed skull-based infection of the clivus extended to the right internal carotid artery. Blood and sinus cultures were positive for Eikenella corrodens and Streptococcus anginosus. He had intravenous antibiotics and sinus washout. The patient had full neurological recovery following this.

Streptococcus Oralis meningitis from right sphenoid Meningoencephalocele and cerebrospinal fluid leak.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus oralis belongs to the Streptococcus mitis group and is part of the normal flora of the nasal and oropharynx (Koneman et al., The Gram-positive cocci part II: streptococci, enterococci and the 'Streptococcus-like' bacteria. Color atlas and textbook of diagnostic microbiology, 1997). Streptococcus oralis is implicated in meningitis in patients with decreased immune function or from surgical manipulation of the central nervous system. We report a unique case of meningitis by Streptococcus oralis in a 58-year-old patient with cerebral spinal fluid leak due to right sphenoid meningoencephalocele. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old female presented in the emergency department due to altered mental status, fevers, and nuchal rigidity. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus oralis. Magnetic resonance stereotactic imaging of head with intravenous gadolinium showed debris in lateral ventricle occipital horn and dural thickening/enhancement consistent with meningitis. There was also a right sphenoidal roof defect, and meningoencephalocele with cerebrospinal fluid leak as a result. The patient was treated with ceftriaxone and had endoscopic endonasal repair of defect. She had complete neurologic recovery 3 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrospinal fluid leak puts patients at increased risk for meningitis. Our case is unique in highlighting Streptococcus oralis as the organism implicated in meningitis due to cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Rare Case of Duodenal Metastasis From Pulmonary Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma is the second most common non-small cell malignancy of the lung. It commonly metastasizes to the adrenal glands, bone, liver, brain, and kidneys. Most occurrences of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma involving the gastrointestinal tract originate from primary lung tumors. Metastasis to the duodenum, however, is exceedingly rare, with very few cases of stomach or duodenal involvement described in the literature. We report the case of a patient with stage IV pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma metastasizing to the duodenum with an uncommon presentation to add to the paucity of literature available regarding this rare finding.