Michel Chalhoub

Neonatal Thyroid Function: Effect of a Single Exposure to Iodinated Contrast Medium in Utero

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of in utero exposure to a single dose of water-soluble intravenous iodinated contrast medium on thyroid function at birth. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board, with waiver of consent, and was HIPAA compliant. Maternal and newborn records were retrospectively reviewed. All pregnant women who underwent multidetector pulmonary computed tomographic angiography because they were suspected of having pulmonary embolism between 2004 and 2008 and newborns resulting from the index pregnancy were included. In all examinations, iohexol was used as the contrast agent. Dose and amount of contrast agent and gestational age at the time of administration of the contrast agent were collected, and thyroxine (T(4)) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured at birth. A total of 344 maternal and 343 newborn records were reviewed. A descriptive analysis was performed, and means, standard deviations, and confidence intervals were reported. RESULTS Mean gestational age at the time of administration of the contrast material was 27.8 weeks +/- 7.4. The mean dose of total iodine administered was 45,000 mg/L +/- 7321. All newborns had a normal T(4) level at birth; only one newborn had a transiently abnormal TSH level at birth, which normalized at day 6 of life. This newborn was born to a mother who had many drug exposures during pregnancy. CONCLUSION A single, high-dose in utero exposure to water-soluble, low-osmolar, iodinated intravenous products, such as iohexol, is unlikely to have a clinically important effect on thyroid function at birth.

Cement pulmonary embolism after percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty: An overview

BACKGROUND Because of the aging of the American population, osteoporotic vertebral fractures are becoming a common problem in the elderly. Minimally invasive percutaneous vertebral augmentation techniques have gained a great deal of importance in relieving the pain associated with these fractures, and are becoming the standard of care. METHODS These procedures involve the injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) into the vertebral body. However, these techniques have their complications, and among these, pulmonary embolism is one of the most feared. It is attributable to the passage of cement into the pulmonary vasculature. After encountering a case of PMMA embolism in our practice, we decided to highlight this topic and discuss the incidence, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of cement pulmonary embolisms.

The use of the PleurX catheter in the management of non-malignant pleural effusions:

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the PleurX catheter in the management of recurrent non-malignant pleural effusions. Methods: All subjects who underwent a PleurX catheter placement between 2003 and 2009 were evaluated. General demographic data, time to pleurodesis, complications, and a satisfaction questionnaire were collected. The subjects were divided into two groups. Group I included patients with non-malignant effusions and group II included patients with malignant effusions. Results: A total of 64 subjects were included in the final data analysis. A total of 23 subjects were included in group I and 41 subjects were included in group II. The diagnoses in group I included congestive heart failure (CHF; 13), hepatic hydrothorax (8), traumatic bloody (1), and idiopathic exudative (1). The diagnoses in group II included lung cancer (20), breast cancer (11), colon cancer (5), prostate cancer (2), B-cell lymphoma (2), and mesothelioma (1). The time to pleurodesis was 36 ± 12 days for group II compared to 110.8 ± 41 days for group I (p < 0.0001). The mean satisfaction score was similar in both groups (3.8 ± 0.4). Time to pleurodesis was significantly shorter in hepatic hydrothorax compared to CHF (73.6 ± 9 days vs. 113 ± 36 days, p = 0.006). There was one case of exit site infection in a patient with hepatic hydrothorax. Among subjects who were alive at 3 months after the catheter removal, none had recurrence of their pleural effusion. Conclusion: The Denver catheter was effective in achieving pleurodesis in non-malignant pleural effusions. The complication rate was low and patient satisfaction was high.

Gastroduodenal artery aneurysm, diagnosis, clinical presentation and management: a concise review

Gastroduodenal artery (GDA) aneurysms are rare but a potentially fatal condition if rupture occurs. They represent about 1.5% of all visceral artery (VAA) aneurysms and are divided into true and pseudoaneurysms depending on the etiologic factors underlying their development. Atherosclerosis and pancreatitis are the two most common risk factors. Making the diagnosis can be complex and often requires the use of Computed Tomography and angiography. The later adds the advantage of being a therapeutic option to prevent or stop bleeding. If this fails, surgery is still regarded as the standard for accomplishing a definite treatment.

Lipoid pneumonia: a challenging diagnosis.

Lipoid pneumonia is a rare medical condition, and is usually classified into two groups, ie, exogenous or endogenous, depending on the source of lipids found in the lungs. Exogenous lipoid pneumonia may result from the aspiration of food and lipids. Although most cases are asymptomatic, common symptoms include cough, dyspnea, chest pain, pleural effusions, fever, and hemoptysis. Radiologically, lipoid pneumonia can manifest as consolidations, pulmonary nodules, or soft-tissue densities. These presentations involve a wide differential diagnosis, including lung cancer. Other rare causes of fatty pulmonary lesions include hamartomas, lipomas, and liposarcomas. The avoidance of further exposures and the use of corticosteroids, antibiotics, and lavage comprise the mainstays of treatment. The exclusion of mycobacterial infections is important during diagnosis, in view of their known association. Generally, acute presentations run a benign course, if promptly treated. Chronic cases are more persistent and difficult to treat. Although the radiologic and pathologic diagnosis is fairly reliable, more research is needed to clarify the optimal treatment and expected outcomes. We report on a 54-year-old man presenting with progressively worsening cough, hemoptysis, and dyspnea over a few weeks. The patient underwent multiple computed tomographies of the chest and bronchoscopies. All failed to diagnose lipoid pneumonia. The diagnosis was finally established using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Most of the paraffinoma was resected during this surgery. He was treated with antibiotics and steroids, and discharged from the hospital in stable condition.

Ovarian vein thrombosis in the nonpregnant woman: an overlooked diagnosis

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is a rare condition occurring in 1/600 to 1/2000 pregnancies [Dunnihoo et al. 1991; Ortin et al. 2005] mainly in the postpartum setting. It is also known to be associated with other conditions such as malignancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, inflammatory bowel disease, sepsis and recent pelvic or abdominal surgery [Andre et al. 2004; Heavrin and Wrenn, 2008; Jacoby et al. 1990; Klima and Snyder, 2008; Marcovici and Goldberg, 2000; Salomon et al. 1999; Simons et al. 1993]. It is extremely rare to find OVT without identified etiology and, hence, idiopathic OVT is only described as case reports throughout the literature. Here, we report a unique case of idiopathic isolated OVT that presented with right flank pain and an abdominal mass. Although four similar cases of idiopathic isolated OVT have been reported in the literature [Heavrin and Wrenn, 2008; Murphy and Parsa, 2006; Stafford et al. 2010; Yildirim et al. 2005], none of these patients presented with an abdominal mass. The diagnosis of isolated OVT requires a high index of suspicion. If misdiagnosed, OVT can lead to potentially fatal complications such as sepsis and pulmonary embolism. [Benfayed et al. 2003; Kominiarek and Hibbard, 2006; Maldjian and Zurlow, 1997; Wysokinska et al. 2006]. A 53-year-old postmenopausal woman with a past medical history of hypertension presented to the medical clinic complaining of 1-week history of aching right flank pain that was not associated with fever, dysuria, hematuria, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or vaginal discharge. The patient denied any other constitutional symptoms. She is a nonsmoker with no family history of hematologic disorders. On physical examination, she was afebrile, normotensive, without tachycardia. Pelvic exam revealed a nontender, normal size uterus and adnexa. However, a 3 cm tender mass was palpated in the right lower quadrant. Laboratory data revealed a white blood cell count of 4400-cells/mm3 and hemoglobin level 11.9 g/dl. Renal function and electrolytes were within normal limits. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis with intravenous contrast showed right ovarian vein thrombus without extension to the inferior vena cava (IVC) (Figure 1). Figure 1. CT scan at presentation. Further work up for hypercoagulability was negative. Age- and sex-appropriate cancer screenings were all negative. Moreover, screening for ovarian pathology, with pelvic ultrasound and CA-125, was also normal. Shortly after the diagnosis of isolated OVT, the patient was placed on oral anticoagulation. It was elected not to administer antibiotics. Warfarin was continued for 5 months with the International Normalized Ratio (INR) maintained between 2 and 3. A follow-up CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis performed 5 months later showed persistence of the thrombus with no further extension beyond the ovarian vein (see Figure 2). Anticoagulation was discontinued at this point with close clinical follow up. Figure 2. CT scan after 5 months of anticoagulation therapy. Ovarian vein thrombosis was first described by Austin in 1956 [Austin, 1956]. It occurs in the right side in 70–90% of cases, and bilaterally in 11–14% [Baran and Frisch, 1987; Prieto-Nieto et al. 2004]. The most widely accepted hypothesis for the higher incidence on the right is that the right ovarian vein is longer than the left, and lacks competent valves. The typical presentation is the triad of pelvic pain, fever, and a right-sided abdominal mass [Dessole et al. 2003; Dunnihoo et al. 1991; Klima and Snyder, 2008; Prieto-Nieto et al. 2004]. Fever is present in 80% and right iliac fossa pain in 55% of the patients [Prieto-Nieto et al. 2004]. Given the nonspecific presenting symptoms, prompt diagnosis of OVT requires a high index of suspicion. The differential diagnosis includes most conditions that affect the abdominal lower quadrant such as acute appendicitis and inflammatory bowel diseases. Therefore, imaging studies are essential to establish the diagnosis of OVT. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has the highest sensitivity and specificity that approaches 100%. CT scan with intravenous contrast enhancement has a sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 62.5%. Color Doppler ultrasound has the lowest sensitivity of 55.6% and a specificity of 41.5% among other imaging modalities [Kubik-Huch et al. 1999]. A delay in the diagnosis and treatment of OVT can lead to potentially life-threatening complications, such as thrombus extension into the IVC or ileofemoral vessels and eventually the evolution of pulmonary arterial embolization. The incidence of pulmonary embolism is approximately 25% in patients with untreated OVT and the mortality in these patients can reach about 4% [Benfayed et al. 2003; Dunnihoo et al. 1991; Kominiarek and Hibbard, 2006]. Other serious complications include septic thrombophlebitis and, rarely, infectious emboli [Dessole et al. 2003; Heavrin and Wrenn, 2008]. Ovarian vein thrombosis can resolve spontaneously but considering the potential catastrophic consequences, anticoagulation is usually recommended [Wysokinska et al. 2006]. There is no definite guideline regarding the duration of anticoagulation therapy. Wysokinska and colleagues studied the incidence and the recurrence of OVT compared with lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) [Wysokinska et al. 2006]. None of the 35 patients in the OVT group was idiopathic and the recurrence rate was comparable to patients diagnosed with lower extremity DVT (3 per 100 patient years of follow up). The average treatment with warfarin was 5.3 and 6.9 months for OVT and lower extremity DVT, respectively. Based on these findings, the authors suggested the application of lower extremity guidelines for the treatment of OVT. Antibiotics can also be administered for approximately 7 days especially in cases of postpartum OVT [Brown and Munsick, 1971; Dessole et al. 2003; Maldjian and Zurlow, 1997; Wysokinska et al. 2006]. In patients with hypercoagulable disorders, anticoagulation may need to be lifelong therapy [Wysokinska et al. 2006]. In rare cases of persistent OVTs, an IVC filter or surgical intervention to ligate the ovarian vein can be considered [Carr and Tefera, 2006; Clarke and Harlin, 1999]. Our patient was diagnosed with an idiopathic OVT since none of the above predisposing factors for OVT were found. The patient’s abdominal pain subsided few days after starting anticoagulation and she did not develop any worrisome signs such as fever, dyspnea, or chest pain. Five years later, the patient remains asymptomatic while off anticoagulation, without any further thrombotic conditions. To date, four cases of idiopathic OVT were described [Heavrin and Wrenn, 2008; Murphy and Parsa, 2006; Stafford et al. 2010; Yildirim et al. 2005]. None of these cases had abdominal or pelvic palpable masses at presentation. Therefore, our report describes a unique case of idiopathic OVT presenting with one symptom and one sign of the typical triad. The palpable mass in the right iliac fossa was only described in cases of OVT that occur in the postpartum period as well as in other inflammatory and hypercoagulable conditions. OVT is a rare condition with potential life-threatening complications. In female patients presenting with lower quadrant pain, with or without fever or palpable abdominal or pelvic mass, OVT should be considered in the differential diagnosis after ruling out other common conditions. MRA and CT scan with intravenous contrast are the most useful imaging modalities to diagnose this condition. Overlooking this diagnosis can lead to life-threatening conditions, such as pulmonary embolism, sepsis, and even death. Hence, prompt diagnosis of OVT requires a high index of suspicion in order to prevent these outcomes.

The Use of a PleurX Catheter in the Management of Recurrent Benign Pleural Effusion: A Concise Review

Recurrent pleural effusion (RPE) can be encountered in various benign conditions such as inflammatory, infectious, or other systemic diseases (e.g., congestive heart failure (CHF), hepatic hydrothorax, post lung transplants, post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, and chronic exudative pleurisy). Each condition is treated based on its unique pathophysiologic characteristics, and medical management is successful in the majority of patients. In rare circumstances, pleural effusions are rapidly recurring despite optimal medical therapy and patients have frequent hospitalisations that require repeated thoracenteses. Other than medical therapy and repeat thoracentesis, treatment options are limited to chest tube placement and chemical pleurodesis or, rarely, surgical pleurodesis. We conducted a literature review using PubMed and Google Scholar, finding 33 articles that were relevant to our topic over the last 30 years. In patients with recurrent benign pleural effusion that is refractory to medical management, the PleurX catheter seems to be a useful tool in relieving respiratory symptoms, decreasing the rate of hospitalisation and achieving pleurodesis.

Tracheal papillomatosis: what do we know so far?

Tracheal papillomatosis (TP) is a benign condition characterized by papillomatous growth of the bronchial epithelium that involves the trachea. This abnormal growth is a result of infection with human papilloma virus (HPV). Two subtypes of HPV were found in most cases of TP, HPV-6 and HPV-11. TP, presents in two forms, the juvenile onset (JO) or adult onset (AO). The clinical presentation is typically nonspecific and it ranges from mild symptoms like cough to life-threatening conditions like upper airway obstruction. Treatment depends on the location of the papillomas and age of the patient and the plan of therapy is usually made on an individual basis. Treatment can range from observation with symptomatic control to specific medical therapy and multiple surgeries in case of recurrence or progressively worsening disease. The recent invention of HPV vaccine is expected to be the first step in eradicating respiratory papillomatosis.

The Use of Endobronchial Ultrasonography With Transbronchial Needle Aspiration To Sample a Solitary Substernal Thyroid Nodule

Solitary thyroid nodules (STNs) are frequently encountered in clinical practice. When sampling of an STN is deemed necessary, ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (US-FNAB) is the procedure of choice. In substernal STNs, US-FNAB is not feasible, and the patients are usually offered either more invasive diagnostic testing (mediastinoscopy or surgical excision) or follow-up imaging studies based on the clinical suspicion of malignancy. We report a case in which a substernal STN was sampled using endobronchial ultrasonography with transbronchial fine needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). Our patient is a 74-year-old woman who was admitted with an asthma exacerbation. She underwent a chest CT scan with intravenous contrast (CTA) to rule out pulmonary embolism (PE). The CTA was negative for PE but showed a substernal STN that was successfully sampled by EBUS-TBNA without complications. The cytology was consistent with a colloid adenoma. EBUS-TBNA can sample substernal STNs that are not amenable to US-FNAB.

Gastroduodenal artery aneurysm rupture in hospitalized patients: An overlooked diagnosis

Gastroduodenal artery (GDA) aneurysm rupture is a rare serious condition. The diagnosis requires a high level of suspicion with specific attention to warning signs. Early diagnosis can prevent fatal outcomes. In this report, we describe a case of GDA aneurysm rupture presenting as recurrent syncope and atypical back and abdominal discomfort. The rupture manifested as hemorrhagic shock. The diagnosis was made by computed tomography of the abdomen which showed acute peritoneal and retroperitoneal bleeding. Angiographic intervention failed to coil the GDA and surgery with arterial ligation was the definitive treatment.