Background: Paracentesis is a commonly performed bedside procedure in hospitalized patients. It is often necessary for patients who are taking anticoagulant therapies and/or have disorders of hemostasis. Concerns about bleeding complications often lead to care delays, blood product transfusions, medication changes, and costly labs. Purpose: This study evaluates the safety and clinical outcomes for a [...]

Case Presentation: A 75 year-old man with recently diagnosed bladder cancer presented with fever and dyspnea, one month after a laparoscopic cystectomy, radical prostatectomy, lymph node dissection, and urinary diversion via ileal conduit. On arrival, he was febrile to 38.4 C, heart rate of 110 bpm, tachypneic on 2L supplemental oxygen. His abdomen was nontender [...]

Case Presentation: A 65-year-old man presented with anasarca and dyspnea on exertion that progressively worsened over three weeks. He had no known cardiac, renal, or liver disease prior to presentation. Physical exam revealed elevated jugular venous distention, bibasilar crackles, tense ascites, scrotal edema, and pitting edema in bilateral lower extremities extending to the abdomen. Investigation [...]

Case Presentation: A 58 year old female with past medical history of microcytic hypochromic anemia and thrombocytosis presented with progressive abdominal distention and pedal edema of 5 months duration. There was no significant history of asbestos exposure.Initial diagnostic paracentesis and peritoneal fluid cytology was negative for malignant cells but showed atypical cells, but tumor markers [...]

Case Presentation: A 78 y/o M with PMH of papillary thyroid CA, BPH, and primary myelofibrosis of the bone marrow (has JAK2 mutation, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis, has not received therapy to date) presented with 8 day history of early satiety, fatigue, and new increasing ascites. An inItial diagnostic paracentesis showed SAAG = 1.1, total protein [...]

Case Presentation: A 71 year-old female presented to the emergency department with six weeks of worsening nausea and emesis. Her symptoms were associated with anorexia, 10-pound unintentional weight loss, and urinary incontinence. Past medical history was significant for right-sided breast cancer, status post partial mastectomy and radiation, 25 years prior to presentation. Physical examination showed [...]