Bullous pemphigoid is the most common of the blistering disorders. It is most commonly found in the elderly and is diagnosed based on clinical, histologic, and immunologic criteria. It presents clinically with diffuse eczematous, pruritic, urticaria-like lesions, with the later appearance of tense bullae or blistering lesions typically filled with clear fluid. Histologically, a sub-epidermal blister is seen and immunofluorescence shows immunoglobulin G antibodies directed against the structural components of the keratinocytic hemidesmosomal proteins BP180 and BP230. Multiple treatment modalities are present for this condition, including anti-inflammatory medications, medications that reduce antibody formation, and treatments to increase the elimination of antibodies. The aim of this case report is to present a classic case of this condition, to highlight an awareness of differing treatment options, and to advocate referral to a dermatologist given its potential severity.

Hiatal hernia is a not uncommon anatomic disorder resulting in portions of the bowel occupying space in the thoracic cavity. There are a number of antecedent risk factors including obesity but not hiatal hernias resulting in symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can include chest pain, nausea, abdominal pain, and gastroesophageal reflux. Cardiac arrhythmias have also been reported as associated conditions resulting from a hiatal hernia. To date, however, a complete heart block secondary to a hiatal hernia has not been reported. An 88-year-old female with a history of GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) was found to have a large hiatal hernia at endoscopy after she presented to the emergency department with nausea and abdominal pain. Prior to her scheduled surgical repair, she developed symptomatic third degree heart block which resolved with nasogastric tube deflation of the gastric contents. After surgical repair of the hiatal hernia, she developed episodes of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response and was started on diltiazem. She eventually converted back to normal sinus rhythm and remained dysrhythmia free. In addition to other known arrhythmias associated with hiatal hernia, a complete heart block can also be seen. Acute management requires deflation of the chest occupying hernia. This appears to be the one of the first reported cases of complete heart block caused by hiatal hernia.

Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is a rare, fatal human prion disease that is characterized by progressive dementia and neurologic degeneration. It can mimic multiple other neurological disorders, and a high index of clinical suspicion is necessary to make a diagnosis. A 74-year-old woman with a 3-month history of a stroke and progressive neurologic deterioration was found to have sCJD. She expired within a week of her diagnosis. Autopsy revealed spongiform encephalopathy consistent with prion disease, and genetic analysis revealed 129 polymorphism and no pathologic mutation, confirming the diagnosis of nonfamilial human prion disease. No pathologic evidence of a stroke was found. Awareness of the disease by clinicians is important not only at the time of initial presentation but also during the following months. Since there is no treatment, invasive medical procedures should be limited to only those that are required for either diagnosis or hospice care.