Thursday, July 14, 2016

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

Clinical Manifestations:

Hemolysis --> fatigue
Cytopenias
Venous thrombosis --> acute abdominal pain, esp. portal vein thrombosis

Workup:

CBC (find hypoplastic/aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia)
Lactate dehydrogenase: elevated
Haptoglobin: Low (due to hemolysis)
Indirect bilirubin: elevated
UA: hemoglobinuria
Flow cytometry: absent CD55 & CD 59 (allow autoimmune MAC complexes)

Treatment: Iron, folate, Eculizumab (inhibs complement activation)


Thyroiditis Diseases

Thyroiditis

Disease-Clinical features-Testing: includes TPO Ab, Radioiodine test, ERS, CRP

Hashimoto Thyroiditis- Predom. hypothyroid features, diffuse goiter- Positive TPO Antibody, Variable radioiodine uptake

Silent thyroiditis=painless thyroiditis-Mild, brief hyperthyroid phase, spontaneous recovery, small painless goiter-pos. TPO Ab, Low radioiodine uptake

Subacute thyroiditis (de QuerVains)- from Virus, fever, hyPERthyroid, painful goiter-Elevated CRP, Elevated ESR, low radioiodine uptake.

Post-Viral Pneumonia, pts usually get S. Aureus.

Post-Viral Pneumonia, pts usually get S. Aureus.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Well's Criteria (Modified) for Pulmonary Embolism, PE

Score > 4 means PE is likely.

3 Points:

  • Clinical Signs of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis), 
  • Alternative Diagnosis is less likely than PE


1.5 Points:

  • Previous PE or DVT
  • HR > 100
  • Recent immobilization


1 Point:

  • Hemoptysis
  • Cancer
To confirm PE, do CT Chest with IV contrast.

2nd to 4th Metatarsal Fracture Algorithm

1. Encounter Metatarsal pain with no displacement (w/ or w/o redness and swelling, no trauma necessary). If non-reducible displacement, surgery.
2. Get an X-ray to look for fracture.
3. If no fracture found, get an MRI or Bone Scan to look for fracture. If frx found, go to 4.
4. Prescribe rest, hard-soled rubber shoe, and analgesics. If patient returns with persistent pain, 5.
5. Cast the foot, going from distal to proximal.

Notes: Reserve surgery for Jones fractures (of 5th metatarsal), or displaced fractures. We can start conservatively since the surrounding metatarsals act as splints for metatarsals 2-4.