Clinical Characteristics and Computed Tomography Findings in Adult Patients With an Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the prevalence and possible features associated with symptoms in adult patients diagnosed with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA). METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, 386 adult patients were diagnosed with ARSA on chest CT scans performed between June 2016 and April 2021. Patients were grouped by the presence of symptoms, which included dysphagia, shortness of breath, cough, and upper airway wheezing. Four cardiothoracic radiologists reviewed the chest CT scans to assess features of ARSA. Agreement and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to determine interobserver variability and features associated with the presence of symptoms, respectively. RESULTS: The prevalence of ARSA was 1.02% and 81.3% of patients were asymptomatic. Shortness of breath (74.6%) was the most common symptom. Interobserver agreement was acceptable with most variables having an interclass correlation coefficient or κ >0.80. A patient's height > 158 cm (OR: 2.50, P = 0.03), cross-sectional area > 60 mm 2 of ARSA at the level of the esophagus (OR: 2.39, P = 0.046), and angle >108 degrees formed with the aortic arch (OR: 1.99, P = 0.03) were associated with the presence of symptoms on multivariable logistic regression. A distance increase per 1 mm between ARSA and trachea (OR: 0.85, P = 0.02) was associated with decreased odds of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant right subclavian artery is an incidental finding in most adult patients. The cross-sectional area at the level of the esophagus, angle formed with the medial wall of the aortic arch, distance between the ARSA and the trachea, and a patient's height were features associated with the presence of symptoms.

Comparison of Migraine Characteristics in Patients With and Without Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Survey studies have found an increased prevalence of migraine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the clinical characteristics of migraines in this population are unknown. We conducted a retrospective medical record review study to characterize migraines in the IBD population. METHODS: Six hundred seventy-five migraine patients (280 with IBD, 395 without IBD) who were evaluated at Mayo Clinic Rochester, Mayo Clinic Arizona, or Mayo Clinic Florida between July 2009 and March 2021 were included. Patients with ICD codes for migraine and either Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC) were selected. Electronic health care records were reviewed. Patients confirmed to have IBD and migraine were included. Demographic, IBD, and migraine characteristics were collected. Statistical analysis was completed using SAS. RESULTS: Patients with IBD were less often male (8.6% vs 21.3%, P < .001) and had a higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (>2: 24.6% vs 15.7%, P = .003); 54.6% had CD and 39.3% had UC. Patients with IBD had migraine with aura and without aura more frequently ( OR 2.20, P < .001 and OR 2.79, P < .001, respectively) than non-IBD patients. Additionally, those with IBD less commonly had chronic migraine (OR 0.23, P < .001) and less commonly had chronic migraine or treatment for migraine (ORs 0.23-0.55, P ≤ .002). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine with and without aura have increased prevalence in IBD patients. Further study of this topic will be helpful to clarify the prevalence of migraine, establish this population's response to treatment, and better understand the reason(s) for a low rate of treatment.

Extent of eosinophilic esophagitis predicts response to treatment.

Background and study aim The clinical impact of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) limited to the distal esophagus (Lim-EE) vs. diffuse involvement (Dif-EE) is unknown. This study compared clinical characteristics and outcomes of Lim-EE vs. Dif-EE. Patients and methods This retrospective, single-center study of patients with EoE between December 2011 and December 2019 evaluated treatment response based on repeated pathology and/or clinical improvement using comparative statistics. Results 479 patients were identified (126 Lim-EE, 353 Dif-EE). Lim-EE patients had a higher incidence of endoscopically identified esophagitis (23.0 % vs. 14.7 %; P  = 0.04), were older (50.8 [SD 16.2] vs. 46.4 [SD 15.3] years; P  = 0.007), and were more likely to present with iron deficiency anemia (5.6 % vs. 1.7 %; P  = 0.05), dyspepsia (15.1 % vs. 8.8 %; P  = 0.06) or for Barrett's surveillance (10.3 % vs. 3.7 %; P  = 0.02). Patients with Dif-EE presented more frequently with dysphagia (57.2 % vs. 45.2 %; P  = 0.02). Both groups had similar proton pump inhibitor (87.2 % vs. 83.3 %; P  = 0.37) and steroid (12.8 % vs. 21.4 %; P  = 0.14) use. Patients with Lim-EE had a better clinicopathologic response (61.5 % vs. 44.8 %; P  = 0.009). On multivariate analysis, EoE extent predicted treatment response with an odds ratio of 1.89 (95 % confidence interval 1.13-3.20; P  = 0.02). However, treatment response based only on repeat biopsy results showed no statistical difference between Lim-EE (52.5 %) and Dif-EE (39.7 %; P  = 0.15). Conclusions Lim-EE may represent a distinct phenotype separate from Dif-EE, with more overlap with gastroesophageal reflux disease and better treatment response.

Clostridioides difficile infection: a comprehensive review for primary providers.

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is an issue of great concern due to its rising incidence, recurrence, morbidity and impact on healthcare spending. Treatment guidelines have changed in the last few years, and new therapies are being considered. This is a practical review for the primary care practitioner of the latest guidelines for CDI diagnosis, treatment, and emerging therapies.

Use of Pharmacogenomics to Guide Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy in Clinical Practice.

Prescribing the right medication, at the right dose, to the right patient is the goal of every physician. Pharmacogenomic information is an emerging tool that can be used to deliver precision medicine. In this review, we discuss the pharmacogenomics of available PPIs, racial differences of CYP2C19 and how PPI pharmacogenomics affects the treatment of common gastrointestinal diseases. We also provide practical guidance on when to order pharmacogenomic testing, which test to order, and how to modify treatment based on published guidelines.

Renal leiomyosarcoma: a diagnostic challenge.

Renal leiomyosarcoma is a very rare tumor that clinically and radiographically mimics more common renal malignancies. The infrequency of the condition makes it very difficult to diagnose. A 70-year-old male smoker presented with months of hematuria, right-sided flank pain, and weight loss. Imaging revealed a 3.8-centimeter renal mass that had characteristics similar to renal cell carcinoma. Initial biopsy of the mass was negative for malignancy. Two months later, subsequent imaging revealed what appeared to be metastatic bone lesions. Again, a biopsy of one of the lesions was negative for malignancy. Subsequent ureteral pyeloscopy, ureteroscopic renal pelvis biopsy, and brush cytology were negative for malignancy as well. The decision was made to perform nephrectomy for the removal of the mass. Pathologic analysis revealed renal leiomyosarcoma. This case illustrates the difficulty in diagnosing renal leiomyosarcoma. Repeated pathologic sampling was negative because of the tumor heterogeneity. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are very significant as surgical resection at an early stage offers the best prognosis.