Lincoln Hospital

About: Lincoln Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in New York, New York, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Emergency department. The organization has 1033 authors who have published 929 publications receiving 14486 citations. The organization is also known as: Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center & Lincoln Hospital.

Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as pyoderma gangrenosum-like lesions in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Abstract: A 33-year-old Hispanic woman with newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, a CD4 T-lymphocyte count of 2, viral load of 730,000 copies/mL, candidal esophagitis, seizure disorder, a history of bacterial pneumonia, and recent weight loss was admitted with tonic clonic seizure. On admission, her vital signs were: pulse of 88, respiration rate of 18, temperature of 37.7 degrees C, and blood pressure of 126/76. Her only medication was phenytoin. On examination, the patient was found to have multiple umbilicated papules on her face, as well as painful, erythematous, large, punched-out ulcers on the nose, face, trunk, and extremities of 3 months' duration (Fig. 1). The borders of the ulcers were irregular, raised, boggy, and undermined, while the base contained hemorrhagic exudate partially covered with necrotic eschar. The largest ulcer on the left mandible was 4 cm in diameter. The oral cavity was clear. Because of her subtherapeutic phenytoin level, the medication dose was adjusted, and she was empirically treated with Unasyn for presumptive bacterial infection. Chest radiograph and head computed tomography (CT) scan were within normal limits. Sputum for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear was negative. Serologic studies, including Histoplasma antibodies, toxoplasmosis immunoglobulin M (IgM), rapid plasma reagin (RPR), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) antibodies were all negative. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid was within normal limits without the presence of cryptococcal antigen. Blood and cerebrospinal cultures for bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi were all negative. Viral culture from one of the lesions was also negative. The analysis of her complete blood count showed: white blood count, 2300/microl; hemoglobin, 8.5 g/dL; hematocrit, 25.7%; and platelets, 114,000/microl. Two days after admission, the dermatology service was asked to evaluate the patient. Although the umbilicated papules on the patient's face resembled lesions of molluscum contagiosum, other infectious processes considered in the differential diagnosis included histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and Penicillium marnefei. In addition, the morphology of the ulcers, particularly that on the left mandible, resembled lesions of pyoderma gangrenosum. A skin biopsy was performed on an ulcer on the chest. Histopathologic examination revealed granulomatous dermatitis with multiple budding yeast forms, predominantly within histiocytes, with few organisms residing extracellularly. Methenamine silver stain confirmed the presence of 2-4 microm fungal spores suggestive of Histoplasma capsulatum (Fig. 2). Because of the patient's deteriorating condition, intravenous amphotericin B was initiated after tissue culture was obtained. Within the first week of treatment, the skin lesions started to resolve. Histoplasma capsulatum was later isolated by culture, confirming the diagnosis. The patient was continued on amphotericin B for a total of 10 weeks, and was started on lamivudine, stavudine, and nelfinavir for her HIV infection during hospitalization. After amphotericin B therapy, the patient was placed on life-long suppressive therapy with itraconazole. Follow-up at 9 months after the initial presentation revealed no evidence of relapse of histoplasmosis.

Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Encephalitis: A Review of Current Disease Management with Three Case Reports:

Abstract: Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is the most common cause of lethal sporadic encephalitis. Despite improved therapy with intraveneous acyclovir, HSV-1 encephalitis is associated with persistent sever...

Spontaneous Heterotopic Pregnancy: Dual Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract: Introduction. Heterotopic pregnancy is a rare complication usually seen in populations at risk for ectopic pregnancy or those undergoing fertility treatments. It is a potentially dangerous condition occurring in only 1 in 30,000 spontaneous pregnancies. With the advent of Assisted Reproduction Techniques (ART) and ovulation induction, the overall incidence of heterotopic pregnancy has risen to approximately 1 in 3,900 pregnancies. Other risk factors include a history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), tubal damage, pelvic surgery, uterine Mullerian abnormalities, and prior tubal surgery. Heterotopic pregnancy is a potentially fatal condition, rarely occurring in natural conception cycles. Most commonly, heterotopic pregnancy is diagnosed at the time of rupture when surgical management is required. Case. This paper represents two cases of heterotopic pregnancies as well as a literature review. Conclusion. Heterotopic pregnancy should be suspected in patients with an adnexal mass, even in the absence of risk factors. Clinicians must be alert to the fact that confirming an intrauterine pregnancy clinically or by ultrasound does not exclude the coexistence of an ectopic pregnancy. A high index of suspicion in women is needed for early and timely diagnosis, and management with laparotomy or laparoscopy can result in a favorable and successful obstetrical outcome.

Pain Treatment of Underserved Older African Americans.

Abstract: Older African Americans who experience pain are especially at high risk of underassessment and undertreatment. This study examined patterns and correlates of pain medication use: severity of pain, medical conditions, and access to care. African Americans aged 65 and older were recruited from 16 churches located in south Los Angeles (N = 400). Structured face-to-face interviews and visual inspection of each participant's medications were conducted. More than 39% of participants were aged 75 and older, and 65% were female. Forty-seven percent used at least one type of pain medication. The frequency of pain medication use according to pharmaceutical class was nonopioid, 33%; opioid, 12%; adjuvant, 9%; and other drug, 8%. Seventy-seven percent of nonopioids were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which 25% of participants with hypertension, 28% with stroke, 26% with kidney disease, and 28% with gastrointestinal problems used. Ninety-eight percent of participants who used NSAIDs, 98% experienced potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use, 69% experienced drug duplication, and 65% experienced drug-drug interactions. This study suggests severe mismanagement of pain in underserved older African Americans, particularly those with comorbidity, multiple providers, and limited access to health care. The use of pain medication was associated with drug-drug interactions, drug duplication, and PIM use. The data show that many participants with severe pain are not taking pain medication or experience PIM use. One in four participants was taking NSAIDs, which can cause serious side effects in older African Americans with multiple chronic conditions.