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Objective: To evaluate influence of asthma on polysomnographic variables of patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Methods: A longitudinal retrospective study using data collected from the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS).Results: All 2822 patients included had OSA, 2599 were non-asthmatic whereas 223 were asthmatics. Average BMI for non-asthmatics was 28.8 kg/m2 whereas asthmatics had 29.5 kg/m2. Median pack-years of smoking was 1.42 vs. 1.98 in non-asthmatic and asthmatic groups, respectively. Sex distribution, age (in years), BMI, FEV1, FVC, AHI ≥ 4% (all apneas, hypopneas with ≥4% oxygen desaturation or arousal per hour of sleep), RDI ≥ 3% (overall respiratory distribution index at ≥3% oxygen desaturation or arousal), sleep latency, percentage of sleep time in apnea/hypopnea and Epworth sleep scale score were all statistically significant. Non-asthmatics had greater AHI (12.63/hr) compared to asthmatics (11.34/hour), p = 0.0015. RDI in non-asthmatics and asthmatics was (23.07 vs 20.53; p = 0.009). Sleep latency was found to be longer in asthmatics 19.8 minutes vs. 16 minutes (p = 0.008). Epworth sleepiness scale score was high in asthmatics (9 vs. 8, p = 0.002).Conclusion: OSA was found more severe in non-asthmatic subgroup, but asthmatics had statistically significant higher Epworth sleepiness scale score and sleep latency. Clinicians should be vigilant and keep low threshold to rule out OSA particularly on patients with difficult to control asthma, smoker, GERD, obese and nasal disease.
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We describe a previously healthy young man who presented with headaches, diplopia with right lateral gaze palsy, dysphagia, and hoarseness over a 2-month period. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed a small enhancing mass at the prepontine cistern and chest CT showed a left mediastinal mass. Mediastinoscopy and lymph node biopsy were performed. DNA probe and culture of the biopsy specimen were confirmed to be Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Resolution of neurologic symptoms was noted after 6 weeks, in addition to regression of brain stem and mediastinal lesions after 12 weeks of antituberculous therapy.
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We present a case of a middle-aged male who manifested with low-grade fever and lower back pain. MRI and bone scan of the spine were suggestive of vertebral osteomyelitis. Blood cultures were persistently positive for Enterococcus faecalis and echocardiogram revealed tricuspid valve endocarditis. There was no history of IV drug use and urine toxicology was negative. EKG showed Mobitz type II AV block and a transesophageal echocardiogram revealed no valve ring or septal abscesses. The heart block persisted despite antibiotic therapy and an epicardial pacemaker was placed. This is a rare presentation of high-grade AV block with tricuspid endocarditis in the absence of echocardiographic evidence of perivalvular extension of infection. Also, unique in this case is the finding of E. faecalis hematogenous vertebral osteomyelitis.
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Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in America. Frequent sites of metastasis include the Hilar lymph nodes, adrenal glands, liver, brain, and bone. The following case report is of a primary lung cancer with metastases to the breast and skin. Case. A 48-year-old African American male with a past medical history of poorly differentiated left breast cancer status after modified radical mastectomy (MRM), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and smoking (20 pack-years) presents to the ER with progressive shortness of breath on exertion, upper back pain, and weight loss for 2 months in duration. On physical examination he is found to have a MRM scar on his left breast and a left periumbilical cutaneous mass. Chest X-ray and chest CT reveal a right upper lobe mass and biopsies from the breast, lung, and the periumbilical mass indicate a poorly differentiated carcinoma of unclear etiology; all tumor markers are negative. The patient is male and a chronic smoker; therefore the diagnosis is made as lung carcinoma with metastases to the breast and skin. Conclusion. A high index of suspicion for cutaneous metastases should be cast when investigating cutaneous pathologies in patients at risk for primary lung malignancy.
