Herpes simplex virus is an infection that can result in a variety of symptoms ranging from blistering or ulcers to severe, systemic manifestations. We report a case of patient who underwent elective spinal surgery and developed invasive herpes as well as candidiasis postoperatively without any direct evidence of immunosuppression.

Goblet cell carcinoid (GCC) tumor is a rare appendiceal carcinoma that has had several names throughout its history. Often found incidentally on pathology following an appendectomy, treatment includes a right hemicolectomy and possible adjuvant chemotherapy. Survival rate has been shown to be correlated with the histological features. Here, we report a 45-year-old African American male who presented with signs and symptoms consistent with acute appendicitis, but was ultimately diagnosed with GCC. After undergoing a right hemicolectomy, he continues to undergo long-term surveillance with his oncologist. Due to the rarity of this tumor, we describe the history of GCC and our recommendations for surgical and long-term management.

Testicular choriocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive subtype of nonseminomatous germ cell tumors accounting for <1% of all germ cell tumors. We report an unusual case of testicular choriocarcinoma metastasis that presents as hemorrhagic shock. Diagnosis was unsuspected and difficult with vast other potential causes. This case highlights the importance of proper foundational workup and management that ultimately led to the appropriate definitive treatment of unusual manifestations of undiagnosed metastatic choriocarcinoma in a critical patient.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia is defined as protrusion of bowel or an abdominal organ through a disruption of musculature and fascia following a severe blunt trauma. We report a case of a patient who had a delayed presentation of a traumatic, superiorly located paralumbar hernia months after the initial admission.

Tension pneumothorax is a condition that can present with a myriad of symptoms, including chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and tachycardia. If left untreated, these signs and symptoms can progress to shock causing haemodynamic collapse and even death. At times, it may be difficult to identify tension pneumothorax. We present the case of a 59-year-old male with a prolonged initial hospital course that eventually led to a diagnosis of tension pneumothorax with the use of CT scans rather than traditional X-rays. This case reinforces the idea that clinicians should have a wide differential diagnosis in mind when dealing with vague symptoms and should not hesitate to use different diagnostic modalities to help confirm a diagnosis. Keywords: Pneumothorax, Intestinal volvulus, Covid-19, Pulmonary fibrosis, Pneumoperitoneum.