Objective: To describe effectiveness of repeat dexamethasone for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to evaluate adverse effects on growth. Study design: Retrospective study of infants treated with 1 or 2 courses of dexamethasone for BPD. Effectiveness was defined as successful step-down in respiratory support by end of treatment. Adverse effects on growth were analyzed and compared to untreated controls. Results: A total of 132 dexamethasone-treated infants were identified. In total, 52% (69/132) of infants treated with initial dexamethasone achieved step-down in respiratory support compared to 38% (20/52) of infants with repeat dexamethasone. Growth trajectory did not significantly differ among infants treated with 1 or 2 courses of dexamethasone compared with controls (weight: P = 0.23, length: P = 0.68, and head circumference: P = 0.77). Conclusions: Repeat dexamethasone for BPD was less effective in weaning respiratory support compared to initial course. Changes in growth parameters to discharge were comparable between controls and infants treated with 1 or 2 dexamethasone courses.
Introduction: Low-grade myxofibrosarcoma (LGMFS) is a neoplasm of soft tissues. According to the World Health Organization, LGMFS is a malignant myofibroblastic tumor arising from deep soft tissues with potential for recurrence and late metastatic spread. The incidence estimates are 0.18/million, accounting for 0.6% of all soft-tissue sarcomas. It can directly invade the bone and metastasize to bone; however, primary osseous low-grade myxofibrosarcoma is a rare entity. Thus, recognizing atypical presentations of uncommon neoplasms are a pertinent skill for the radiologist due to significant implications for management. Case Report: A 40-year-old male with complaints of midfoot pain was referred to radiology department for imaging. Radiographs of the foot showed a lytic mildly expansile lesion in the first metacarpal with wide zone of transition and no sclerotic margin or matrix calcification. Magnetic resource imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) examination demonstrated well defined lobulated lesion which appeared heterogeneously hyperintense on T2W images with cortical breach, extraosseous soft-tissue component, and early rapid progressive enhancement. The radiological diagnosis of enchondroma with pathological fracture was considered. Atypical findings of early progressive enhancement and extraosseous soft-tissue component were, however, incongruous with enchondroma and possibility of an aggressive/malignant etiology was also considered. Hence, the lesion was biopsied and diagnosis of LGMFS was made and subsequently confirmed on excised specimen. Follow-up CT scan post 6 months of surgical resection demonstrated no recurrence. Conclusion: Primary osseous LGMFS is a rare entity and radiologically mimics enchondromas. Both LGMFS and enchondromas show T2W hyperintensity. MRI features that distinguish LGMFS from enchondroma include low apparent diffusion coefficient values and slow progressive enhancement in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.
BackgroundIn downtown Kansas City, patients who face homelessness or unstable housing situations may have been negatively affected by the shutdown of Sojourner Health Clinic (SOJO), a free student-run clinic that provides primary care predominantly to these patients. Research shows that blood pressure (BP) increases within weeks or months of interruption of antihypertensive therapy, especially in patients with advanced age and polypharmacy. Therefore, this study will examine how patients' blood pressure changed after the closure of Sojourner Health Clinic. MethodsThe study population consists of Sojourner Health Clinic patients who were seen both before March 2020 (shutdown) and during/after July 2020 (clinic reopening). Participants are selected at random. No additional data is collected outside of routine treatment for this institutional review board (IRB)-exempt project. A study coordinator reviews charts via Sojourner electronic medical record (EMR) and collects the latest BP available before March 2020 and the first BP available during/after July 2020. No identifying information is collected. The mean systolic pressures, mean diastolic pressures, and mean arterial pressures (MAP) are compared via paired t-test for statistical significance. ResultsThere was a statistically significant decrease in patients' MAP and diastolic BP after the closure of the clinic. However, there was not a statistically significant change found in patients' systolic BP. The clinical significance of these results is limited by the minimal magnitude of change. ConclusionsThese findings run counter to our expectations since we believed that the closure of Sojourner Health Clinic would correlate with worsened markers of health, such as blood pressure control. It may be possible that the sampled patients turned to other sources for health maintenance and antihypertensive therapy during clinic closure. Future studies could explore these possibilities.
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