Infectious Diseases
- Crowned dens syndrome: Caution about asymptomatic calcification
An 88-year-old man developed fever, headache, and posterior neck pain resistant to initial therapy.
- Calcium pyrophosphate deposition and crowned dens syndrome
Patients are typically over age 65, often with significant leukocytosis and dramatically elevated inflammatory markers.
- Is it safe to start steroids at home for a COPD exacerbation after virtual assessment in the COVID-19 era?
Yes. Corticosteroids are beneficial, and virtual visits are appropriate, especially in this pandemic.
- A cutaneous clue to HIV infection
A retired trucker presented with fever, cough, dyspnea, and a rash on his forehead.
- Imaging to evaluate suspected infective endocarditis
What if echocardiographic findings are initially negative and the patient continues to have bacteremia?
- Severe thrombocytopenia in a patient with otherwise asymptomatic COVID-19
A young woman, seemingly healthy, presented with easy bruising.
- COVID-19 diagnostic testing and the psychology of precautions fatigue
Overuse of special precautions can lead to diminished vigilance.
- Cryptosporidiosis in an immunosuppressed patient with persistent diarrhea
A 29-year-old lung transplant recipient presents with diarrhea lasting 1 month.
- COVID-19 coagulopathy
Skepticism of high-intensity prophylaxis for patients with D-dimer ≥ 3.0 µg/mL.