The Forgotten Complication of Nasogastric Tube Insertion: Esophageal Perforation and Associated Hydropneumothorax and Hydropneumoperitoneum.

Nutritional support is essential for critically ill patients to reduce mortality and length of stay. Frequently nasogastric (NG) tubes are used to provide enteral nutrition. A very rare risk of NG tube placement is esophageal perforation, most commonly in the thoracic portion of the esophagus. Here we describe a case of a 41-year-old male with multiple risk factors for esophageal integrity disruption who initially presented for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) requiring intubation. Following intubation, an NG tube was placed for nutritional support. The following day the patient developed hydropneumothorax and hydropneumoperitoneum. He was taken emergently for surgical correction of suspected perforation. It was found that the patient had esophageal perforation from the distal esophagus to the proximal portion of the lesser curvature of the stomach. The NG tube transversed the proximal portion of the tear and re-entered at a distal site. The distal portions of the esophagus showed necrotic superficial layers with viable muscularis layers. The patient gradually improved after surgical intervention and was discharged to a long-term acute care facility. It is essential as medical providers to be familiar with complications of NG tube placement and risk factors that could increase the risk of esophageal perforation.

Mild Pancreatitis Induced by Linagliptin Revealed by a Medication Review.

As dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors are becoming more utilized in the treatment of diabetes, it is important to recognize their side effects and become more familiar with them. As these side effects arise, physicians are more prepared to recognize and discontinue these medications. This case report describes a 34-year-old male who initially presented with a hemoglobin A1c greater than 16%. After titration of his diabetic medications, he presented with pancreatitis diagnosed by symptoms and imaging. Common causes of pancreatitis were ruled out, including biliary pathology, alcohol use, tobacco use, elevated calcium levels, and hypertriglyceridemia. The patient followed up in the clinic with persistent symptoms. A review of his medication list revealed pancreatitis as a side effect of linagliptin. After holding this medication, his symptoms improved over the course of a month.

Acute Viral Pericarditis Complicated by Cardiac Tamponade as a Result of COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly cause respiratory symptoms but cardiovascular complications from COVID-19 have been documented in the literature. Acute pericarditis has been known to be caused by COVID-19 but severe cardiac complications, such as cardiac tamponade, have rarely been reported. Early diagnosis and treatment with pericardiocentesis are imperative, as this can improve patient outcomes. A 56-year-old female presented with chest pain and recurrent episodes of presyncope. The patient tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. The patient was hypotensive on arrival and the initial workup with electrocardiogram was significant for sinus tachycardia with low voltage QRS complexes in the precordial and limb leads. A transthoracic echocardiogram was also done and showed a large circumferential pericardial effusion with chamber collapse of the right atrium and right ventricle during diastole indicative of tamponade physiology. The patient's clinical course was complicated by pulseless electrical activity cardiac arrest during which a pericardiocentesis was done. One hundred (100) mL of serous pericardial fluid was drained and a return of spontaneous circulation was obtained after roughly 10 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Further infectious and noninfectious workups, including malignant and rheumatologic etiologies for acute pericarditis, were negative. The patient was subsequently treated with high-dose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine for viral pericarditis. The patient's clinical course improved, and the patient was subsequently discharged after a prolonged hospital course to a subacute rehabilitation facility to undergo physical therapy.

Vancomycin-Induced Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis: A Rare Complication From a Commonly Used Medication.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is a cutaneous small vessel vasculitis that is characterized by the development of a non-blanching palpable purpura. Diagnosis is made by skin biopsy and histopathology which shows subepidermal acantholysis with dense neutrophilic infiltrate leading to fibrinoid necrosis of the dermal blood vessels. Etiology is generally idiopathic in most cases but secondary causes include chronic infections, malignancies, systemic autoimmune conditions, and medication use. Treatment involves supportive measures in the case of idiopathic LCV, and treatment of the offending condition or agent in LCV due to a secondary cause. A 59-year-old male presented with purulent ulcers on the plantar surface of the right foot. Radiograph of the right foot showed soft tissue swelling without evidence of osteomyelitis. Empiric antibiotic treatment with vancomycin was initiated. A wound culture was obtained from the purulent drainage which grew positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). On the fourth day of treatment with vancomycin, multiple symmetric, purpuric lesions arose on the patient's trunk and extremities. Skin biopsy with histopathology showed subepidermal acantholysis with neutrophil-predominant inflammatory infiltrate consistent with leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Vancomycin was discontinued and the patient's exanthem began to regress, with full resolution after 30 days post withdrawal of the antibiotic.

Acute ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Presenting With Persistent Vomiting.

Atypical presentations of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have been commonly known to occur but are often excluded in the differential when other diagnoses seem more likely. Female gender, patients with diabetes, hypertension, age greater than 55, and a history of smoking are some of the risk factors that have been associated with noncharacteristic presentations of ACS. This often leads to misdiagnosis and overall increased mortality. Patients with risk factors for atypical presentations of myocardial infarctions should mandate a low threshold for suspicion and undergo evaluation with EKG and troponins for prompt diagnosis and early intervention.

Esophageal Schwannoma: An Important Differential Diagnosis for Esophageal Subepithelial Lesions.

Esophageal schwannoma is a rare tumor and is classified as one of the esophageal subepithelial lesions (SELs). Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) evaluation is the gold standard for evaluating subepithelial lesions. Differentiation through EUS-guided fine needle aspiration is sometimes important to exclude lesions with malignant potential. Immunohistochemistry differentiates schwannoma from other subepithelial lesions. Strong and diffuse positivity for S100 is characteristic. The decision for conservative management versus endoscopic or thoracoscopic intervention is made based on the tumor size, location, and symptoms.

Pancreatic Plasmacytoma: A Case of Recurrent Disease.

Pancreatic plasmacytoma is a rare entity of extramedullary plasmacytomas (EMP). It is important to consider pancreatic plasmacytoma in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) presenting with obstructive jaundice. We present a case of pancreatic plasmacytoma in a patient with previously diagnosed multiple myeloma and extramedullary plasmacytoma in remission. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) were of great diagnostic and therapeutic value for acute management.

Sickle Cell Intrahepatic Cholestasis: Extremely Rare but Fatal Complication of Sickle Cell Disease.

Sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis (SCIC) is a rare but potentially fatal complication of sickle cell disease (SCD), with high mortality, observed mainly in patients with homozygous sickle cell anemia. Herein, we have reported a case of severe SCIC with a poor outcome despite aggressive measures including exchange transfusion and use of vasopressors. The patient was admitted with generalized weakness, confusion, rigors, chills, and signs of hepatic failure, such as hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and coagulopathy. There was no evidence of viral hepatitis or biliary obstruction. The patient received two exchange transfusions, but he continued to deteriorate clinically despite exchange transfusion and developed hemorrhagic shock and multiorgan failure. The patient was made comfort care as per family wishes. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis of sickle cell intrahepatic cholestasis and poor prognosis despite aggressive measures.

Juvenile Hemochromatosis in an Asymptomatic Patient-Importance of Early Diagnosis.

Juvenile hemochromatosis is a rare inherited disorder of iron regulation leading to iron overload, which usually presents before the age of 30. One of the most serious clinical characteristics associated with early-onset iron overload is liver disease with eventual cirrhosis, often associated with a reduced life expectancy even after treatment. This case report summarizes an asymptomatic pediatric patient with persistently elevated transaminase levels, which led to a diagnosis of juvenile hemochromatosis relatively early in the course of his disease. The aim of this case report is to increase awareness and stress the importance of early diagnosis and treatment, as it is vital to prevent life-threatening complications and optimize patient outcomes. Consideration should be taken to recognize potential manifestations despite the rarity of the condition. Patients with signs of hepatocellular injury without explanation should prompt evaluation including consideration for iron overload after other common causes are ruled out.