Background: Despite their elevated baseline risks for infection and thrombosis, hospitalized medical patients with active malignancy commonly receive multi-lumen peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs). We sought to assess the relationship between number of catheter lumens and risk of PICC-related complications among patients with active malignancy. Methods: Trained abstractors collected patient level information, including number of [...]

Case Presentation: 59-year-old female with no significant past medical history presented to the hospital with worsening dizziness, vertigo, and diplopia in the right eye. Vital signs were unrevealing. On physical exam, she appeared nontoxic but uncomfortable with eyes closed resting on the bed. The neurologic exam revealed severe nystagmus in the right eye, intact CN [...]

Case Presentation: A healthy 64-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of crampy lower abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Physical examination showed a soft, distended abdomen with lower abdominal tenderness and multiple waxy, brown to tan colored papules and plaques on the back, resembling “raindrops,” consistent with seborrheic keratoses. This skin finding was new; her [...]

Case Presentation: 69 y/o female presents to the emergency department with acute on subacute low back pain in the setting of fall 12 weeks prior. Treated outpatient with conservative therapy including topicals, NSAIDs, tramadol, Flexeril and physical therapy. PMH of asthma, migraines, breast cancer in remission (s/p lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation in 2015, last annual [...]

Case Presentation: A 72-year-old male with a history of tobacco use (12 pack-years) presented to the hospital with 4 months of a progressive nonproductive cough. He experienced coughing spells lasting minutes with positional changes. The patient additionally endorsed night sweats, unexpected weight loss of 11 pounds, and dyspnea on exertion. In the days prior to [...]