Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Secondary to Subclinical Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Role of Levothyroxine in Improving the Clinical Outcome of ITP.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is the most common cause of isolated thrombocytopenia in healthy people. ITP may rarely coexist with autoimmune thyroid disorders, which may indicate more complex defect in immune system. Primary ITP usually responds well to steroids and intravenous immunoglobulins. However, ITP may be difficult to treat when associated with thyroid autoimmune disorders. In such cases, treating the underlying thyroid disorder may significantly improve platelet count and can either cause remission of disease or improve response to standard ITP therapy. We report a case of 47-year-old male who was diagnosed with ITP and was also found to have subclinical Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism with levothyroxine in our patient significantly improved the platelets, thus successfully bringing the disease in remission.

Staphylococcus aureus Endocarditis with Multivalvular Involvement Secondary to an Atrial Septal Defect.

Infective endocarditis is usually diagnosed using modified Duke's criteria. Our patient had a subacute presentation and a low suspicion for endocarditis during admission, unfortunately leading to her death. Despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic measures including antibiotic therapy and surgical techniques, morbidity and mortality with staphylococcal infective endocarditis remain high. Hence, we stress the significance of having a low threshold for TEE in patients with multisystem involvement due to Staphylococcus aureus that have evidence of persistent infection despite antibiotic treatment, even if the suspicion for endocarditis is low based on Duke's criteria. TEE substantially improves the sensitivity of diagnosis but may not be readily available in many medical centers. Presence of an ASD has been noted to have increased the risk of left sided endocarditis even with conditions that predispose to right sided endocarditis, particularly in patients with hemodialysis and diabetes as morbid risk factors.

EUGLYCEMIC DIABETIC KETOACIDOSIS AND SEVERE ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY SECONDARY TO OFF LABEL USE OF SODIUM GLUCOSE COTRANSPORTER-2 INHIBITOR IN A TYPE-1 DIABETIC PATIENT.

Sodium glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of drug approved for the treatment of type-2 diabetes; however they are also increasingly used off label in type-1 diabetic patients. SGLT2 Inhibitors work by increasing glucose excretion in urine. Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is potentially life threatening side effect as patients have normal glucose and minimal symptoms thus delaying diagnosis and treatment. Our case report highlights the risk of using SGLT2 inhibitors in type-1 diabetes and also supports the need for long term studies to define clear efficacy and complications of SGLT 2 inhibitors in both type-1 and type 2 diabetes mellitis.

High-grade primary myxoid lung sarcoma presenting as recurrent hemorrhagic pleural effusions in a young woman.

Primary lung sarcomas are rare but aggressive tumors accounting for less than 0.5% of all lung tumors. The diagnosis of primary lung sarcoma should only be considered after exclusion of other sites. A 32-year-old female presented with recurrent hemorrhagic pleural effusions, shortness of breath and persistent cough. Pleural effusion was drained twice, and each time its analysis was normal. Patient developed atelectasis of left lung with hemothorax for which she underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A large mass was found compressing the entire lower lobe of left lung with extension into mediastinum, the biopsy of which showed myxoid sarcoma. The tumor was inoperable and options of chemotherapy or radiotherapy were discussed with the patient. Primary lung sarcoma can rarely present with recurrent hemorrhagic pleural effusion. A high degree of suspicion is required for early diagnosis as large hemothorax on computed tomography or chest X-ray may obscure lung mass and make its diagnosis difficult.

Mythmaking in medical education and medical practice.

BACKGROUND: Despite the emergence of evidence-based medicine, gaps in medical knowledge are filled by tradition, common sense, and experience, giving rise to medical myths. METHODS: We explored the origins of and evidence related to four medical myths: patients with shellfish allergies should not receive intravenous contrast, patients with atrial fibrillation of less than 48 hours' duration do not require anticoagulation before cardioversion, patients with suspected meningitis should have a computed tomography (CT) scan before a lumbar puncture, and patients with respiratory disease should not receive ß-blockers. We conducted a literature review to describe each myth's origins and the quality of supporting evidence. RESULTS: All patients with allergies, including but not limited to seafood allergies, are at an increased risk for anaphylactoid reactions to radiocontrast. No conclusive studies indicate that patients with atrial fibrillation of less than 48 hours' duration do not require anticoagulation before cardioversion. A CT scan before lumbar puncture in suspected acute bacterial meningitis is a clinically inefficient precaution. ß-blockers can be safely used in patients with respiratory disease and may even prevent cardiac events in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: These familiar myths have maintained prominent roles in medical thinking because they represent wisdom passed down from eminent sources, they teach physiology and medical skills, and they offer physicians a sense of control in the face of uncertainty. In addition to providing scientific evidence, changing physicians' practice requires acknowledging that even meticulous care cannot always avert bad outcomes.