We report the case of a 35-year-old woman who developed severe right-sided hemiplegia and hemisensory loss shortly after emergence from general anesthesia for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Her medical history was significant for migraine with aura and a family history of transient hemiparesis thought to be a result of a transient ischemic attack. The patient's deficits slowly resolved, and she was ultimately diagnosed with familial hemiplegic migraine after a negative workup for cerebrovascular accidents.

Introduction Peripheral nerve injuries are a leading cause of disability within the Military Health System (MHS) patient population. Many peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) are amenable to therapeutic intervention but require a timely diagnosis and prompt referral to a specialty center capable of intervention, as functional outcomes are directly related to the duration between injury and intervention. Even when appropriately identified, PNI management in the MHS is often challenged by the lack of an established pathway for care coordination and a limited awareness of available diagnostic and therapeutic resources. To address these potential shortcomings, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Peripheral Nerve Program (WRNMMC PNP) in Bethesda, MD, has been established to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to peripheral nerve-injured patients across the MHS. Additionally, the WRNMMC PNP provides graduate medical education training in PNI management for multiple residency and fellowship programs, and it facilitates critical peripheral nerve research to advance knowledge within the field. Materials and Methods A retrospective review of all patients evaluated by the WRNMMC PNP between December 2015 and April 2019 was conducted in order to identify pertinent patient demographic information, referral patterns, and PNI etiology data. Results The WRNMMC PNP evaluated 356 patients consisting of active duty, dependents, retirees, and Veterans Affairs patients during the designated study period. These patients were referred by providers from more than nine different specialties from 78 commands across eight countries. The majority of these patients (222 patients) were referred for traumatic PNI. The WRNMMC PNP has also evaluated and treated patients with PNIs stemming from congenital and compressive etiologies. One hundred and one patients referred during this period were treated with surgery, while the remainder were managed through nonoperative means. Conclusions The WRNMMC PNP facilitates comprehensive, patient-centered care for PNI patients within the MHS. Moreover, the program helps to prepare the next generation of providers for evaluating and treating PNI patients through its involvement with graduate medical education training. It also conducts critical peripheral nerve research and lays the foundation for collaborations with other institutions involved with peripheral nerve research. In the years ahead, the WRNMMC PNP aims to expand its outreach and capabilities within the MHS through more expansive use of telemedicine consultation and the establishment of satellite peripheral nerve clinic sites.

A 57-year-old man with a history of diabetes and coronary artery disease was referred to haematology for the evaluation of anaemia in the setting of non-cardiac chest pain, fatigue, dyspnoea and dizziness. Previous investigations into these recurrent symptoms focused on a re-evaluation of his known ischaemic heart disease, which required multiple percutaneous interventions with stenting several years ago. In the year leading up to his referral, the patient required two transfusions during separate hospitalisations. Previously, his chronic anaemia was attributed to chronic inflammation because of unrevealing micronutrient and endoscopic evaluations. The patient underwent a bone marrow biopsy, which demonstrated normal karyotype myelodysplastic syndrome with ringed sideroblasts. This patient was found to have favourable cytogenetics and low-risk disease. His anaemia and associated symptoms improved with the administration of an erythroid-stimulating agent. Now 75 years old, he has remained on single-agent therapy for 10 years without need of transfusion.

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