Internal medicine
-
Objective Although the management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has improved, chemoprevention remains a challenge. We recently identified that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is associated with subclinical infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, implying a reduction in the severity of COVID-19. We analyzed a large medical database to assess the utility of UDCA in the reduction of COVID-19 severity. ⋯ The UDCA group had significantly more complications with liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. The UDCA group had a higher in-hospital mortality rate than the non-UDCA group, even after propensity score matching (7.4% vs. 4.3%, p =0.03), whereas there was no difference in the risks of hospitalization, oxygen therapy, or ventilation. Conclusions Although the observed increase in mortality among UDCA users could have been due to unmeasured confounding factors, UDCA did not reduce the severity of COVID-19 in viral hepatitis patients.
-
Lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) is an autosomal recessive disease and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a respiratory complication. A Japanese man in his 30s, diagnosed with LPI in infancy, was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease (ILD) similar to fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (f-NSIP) based on the findings of a transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC). ⋯ Corticosteroid pulse therapy was administered twice, but the patient died approximately one month after emergency hospitalization. This is the first report of a patient with LPI diagnosed with ILD similar to f-NSIP using a cryobiopsy and who was treated with nintedanib.
-
Case Reports
Cholecystocutaneous Fistula Associated with Edwardsiella tarda as a Result of Aggressive Lymphoma Development.
A cholecystocutaneous fistula is a type of external biliary fistula that occurs when there is an abnormal connection between the gallbladder and skin. We report the first case of a cholecystocutaneous fistula that occurred in association with the development of lymphoma in the gallbladder. ⋯ Edwardsiella tarda was cultured from both the abdominal subcutaneous abscess and percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage, demonstrating cholecystocutaneous fistula, and open cholecystectomy revealed lymphoma cell infiltration into the gallbladder. Our case showed unique complications, and its successful management was associated with aggressive lymphoma development.
-
Cryoballoon ablation has been established as an effective method for pulmonary vein isolation and has recently been investigated for its efficacy of substrate modification on the left atrial roof area in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. We herein report the first successful case of left atrial posterior wall isolation including roof line ablation using cryoballoons in a patient with persistent atrial fibrillation, dextrocardia, and situs inversus. Cryoballoon ablation proved to be a safe and straightforward approach to create lasting lesions along the left atrial roof line and left atrial posterior wall, even under challenging anatomical conditions.
-
Case Reports
A 53-year-old Man with Idiopathic Bilateral Chylothorax Refractory to Lymphaticovenular Anastomosis: A Case Report.
A 53-year-old man with chronic dyspnea and bilateral pleural effusion was subsequently diagnosed with idiopathic chylothorax. Lymphatic scintigraphy confirmed lymphatic fluid leakage at the left venous angle, prompting management with lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA). ⋯ Approximately three years and three months after the presentation, the patient succumbed to CO2 narcosis and renal failure. It is crucial to study additional cases in order to uncover new causes and develop pathology-based treatments for this condition.