March 2025 Medical Image of the Month: An Unusual Case of Pulmonary Infarction

By: Ali A

Abstract: No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. A 62-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, hypothyroidism, alcohol use, unexplained weight loss, and anorexia (for which she had been prescribed megestrol 3 months earlier) presented with alarming swelling in her left lower extremity. The swelling started in the left leg but progressively involved the entire left lower extremity over the course of a week. Patient also reported worsening chest pain and shortness of breathing starting 3 days prior to presentation. No cough or hemoptysis, no fevers or chills. She had a 45 pack-year smoking history. Her physical exam showed sinus tachycardia with heart rate 108 beats per minute, blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg, SpO2 was reading at 88% on room air. There was no jugular venous distention. Her heart sounds were normal, and her chest was clear upon auscultation. Patient was placed on supplemental oxygen. A chest X-ray (CXR) revealed mass-like cavitary lesions in both lungs. Routine laboratory …

URL: https://www.swjpcc.com/imaging/2025/3/2/march-2025-medical-image-of-the-month-an-unusual-case-of-pul.html

March 2025 Pulmonary Case of the Month: Interstitial Lung Disease of Uncertain Cause

By: Wesselius LJ

Abstract:

No abstract available. Manuscript truncated after 150 words. 

History of Present Illness

A 58-year-old man complained of gradually increasing shortness of breath. He denied any cough. An outside chest x-ray is reported as showing mild bilateral interstitial changes.

Past Medical History, Social History, and Family History

• He has a history of rheumatoid arthritis and has complaints of mild joint stiffness and soreness. He has taken mycophenolate for several years which has made no difference in his symptoms.
• He has never smoked and denies any occupational exposure.
• There is no family history of lung disease.

Physical Examination

• Vital Signs: SpO2 95% on room air but declined to 88% with ambulation.
• Chest: A few scattered inspiratory crackles noted.
• Cardiovascular: Regular rhythm without murmur.
• Extremities: No clubbing or edema. No evidence of synovitis or joint inflammation
• Skin: Slightly raised, pink, scaly lesions on elbows and knees.

Which of the following are indicated?

1. Dermatology consult
2. Pulmonary function testing
3. Connective ...

URL: https://www.swjpcc.com/pulmonary/2025/3/1/march-2025-pulmonary-case-of-the-month-interstitial-lung-dis.html

February 2025 Imaging Case of the Month: A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

By: Stib MT, Gotway MB

Abstract: 

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. Clinical History: A 72-year-old man presents to his physician with chest pain. The patient awoke 2 weeks earlier with right-sided chest pain, thought to be the result of a pulled muscle. However, the pain did not remit over the next 2 weeks. The patient also complained of a mild cough productive of white sputum and some mild intermittent shortness of breath improving with albuterol. The patient denied fever.

The patient’s past medical history was remarkable for seasonal allergies, especially dust exposure, treated with fluticasone, and occasional wheezing, treated as needed with an albuterol inhaler. The patient was also diabetic and had hypertension and a history of hypothyroidism. The patient’s past surgical history included right knee total arthroplasty and lithotripsy for renal stones. The patient denied allergies, smoking, and illicit drug use. His medications included fluticasone, albuterol, amlodipine, atorvastatin, ramipril, sitagliptin-metformin, levothyroxine, and probiotics.   

The patient’s vital signs included a blood …

URL: https://www.swjpcc.com/imaging/2025/2/1/february-2025-imaging-case-of-the-month-a-wolf-in-sheeps-clo.html

Trump Administration Assaults NIH and WHO-RFK Jr’s Nomination Hearing Scheduled

By: Robbins RA

Abstract: 

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. Given all the commotion that has been occurring in Washington over the Gaetz and Hegseth nominations, preparations for mass deportation, birthright citizenship, and government DEI programs, several healthcare news stories have flown under the radar. Below is a summary.

Science is reporting that yesterday the Trump administration imposed several restrictions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) which will have an impact on grants and scientific exchange (1). These included the abrupt cancellation of meetings including grant review panels, communications “pause”, a freeze on hiring, and an indefinite ban on travel. The moves have generated extensive confusion and uncertainty at the nation’s largest research agency, which has become a target for Trump’s political allies. For example, officials halted midstream a training workshop for junior scientists, called off a workshop on adolescent learning minutes before it was to begin, and canceled meetings of two advisory councils. Panels that were scheduled to …

URL: https://www.swjpcc.com/news/2025/1/23/trump-administration-assaults-nih-and-who-rfk-jrs-nomination.html

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Nominated as HHS Secretary: Choices for Senators and Healthcare Providers

By: Robbins RA

Abstract: 

No abstract available. Editorial truncated after 150 words. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated several controversial figures for cabinet positions. On November 14, Trump announced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his choice for Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary (1). Although several of Trump’s nominees are marginal, I could not have imagined a worse choice than Kennedy. As many cringe at the thought of a number of Trump’s nominees, I join many of my fellow healthcare providers and scientists in their abhorrence at Kennedy’s nomination.

Kennedy has long promoted anti-vaccine misinformation and public-health conspiracy theories (2,3). Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has emerged as a leading proponent of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation (4). Many of his false public health claims have targeted prominent figures such as Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates, and Joe Biden. He has written books, including The Real Anthony Fauci (5) and A Letter to Liberals (6), perpetuating his lies. Kennedy has insinuated that HIV …

URL: https://www.swjpcc.com/editorials/2025/1/7/robert-f-kennedy-jr-nominated-as-hhs-secretary-choices-for-s.html