Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of more than 200 conditions with various etiologies that result in a wide range of inflammation and/or fibrosis of the pulmonary interstitium. Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia (COP) is a type of idiopathic ILD that requires a high index of suspicion with an appropriate workup to make the diagnosis. The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has enabled COVID-19 pneumonia to become a top differential diagnosis, which has consequently introduced bias into medical decision-making. We present a case of COP that was misdiagnosed for COVID-19 pneumonia for months despite several negative COVID-19 test results. This case also raises awareness of the cognitive bias that likely allowed for the misdiagnosis, resulting in delayed appropriate treatment for this patient.
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in millions of deaths around the world with a heavy impact on social and health systems. The objective of this study was to analyze not only the profile of cases of deaths that have occurred since the advent of the pandemic in Togo, but also the determinants of their time of occurrence. Method: This was a cross-sectional study in which the Lome-Commune Regional Hospital, a COVID-19 care center, served as the framework for our study. The study population consisted of all patients admitted for COVID-19 confirmed by a positive PCR test for SARS-COV-2, aged 18 years and over and who died during their hospital stay. Results: Sixty-seven patients were included. Males were most represented in 62.7% of cases. Almost six out of 10 patients were over 50 years old. The two main comorbidities found in the patients were hypertension (44.8%) and diabetes (28.4%). The majority of patients had the severe form of COVID-19 in 46.3% of cases. Slightly less than half of the patients (49.3%) died within five days of admission. Degree of glycemia elevation (p<0.01), AST elevation (p = 0.012), and ALT elevation (p<0.01) levels were statistically associated with time of occurrence of deaths. Conclusion: Glycemia and liver enzyme disturbances (AST and ALT) can be used as prognostic predictors in the sorting of patients admitted to hospital for COVID-19 and thus plan the implementation of adequate therapies to safeguard their vital prognosis.
Hodgkin lymphoma counts for 15 to 25% of all lymphomas. Cardiac tumors are divided into primary and secondary tumors. Cardiac Lymphomas whether primary or secondary are rare. The most common imaging modality used to diagnose cardiac tumors is Echocardiography. Trans esophageal Echocardiography is superior to Transthoracic Echocardiography with higher sensitivity and specificity. Positron-emission tomography (PET)/ Computed Tomography scan and cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are other modalities used for diagnosis. Chemotherapy is currently the main treatment option for Lymphomas. We report a case of a 31-year-old-male who presented with abdominal pain, weight loss and intermittent vomiting and was diagnosed to have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma with cardiac involvement. Patient received chemotherapy and showed complete resolution. In this case report, we compare the different imaging modalities including CT scanning, Transthoracic Echocardiography, Trans-esophageal Echocardiography, and the PET/CT Scan that was done for the patient before and after treatment.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical profile of dermatological emergencies admitted to the medical emergency department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital (SO) in Lome. Methodology: This is a retrospective study conducted from January 2014 to December 2016 at the medical emergency department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital of Lome. Results: During the study period, 24225 patients were seen at the medical emergency department of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital, of which 116 dermatological emergencies, i.e. a frequency of 0.47%. The mean age of the patients was 38.43 years (extremes: 16 and 85 years) and the sex ratio (M/F) was 0.68. The dermatological emergencies were: Leg Erysipelas (N=53; 45.68%), Chickenpox (N=21; 18.10%), herpes zoster (N=13; 11.2%), Stevens-Johnson and Lyell syndromes SJS/TEN (N=22; 18.95%), and Angioedema or Quincke’s edema (N=7; 6.03%). Conclusion: This study showed that skin pathologies were extremely rare in the medical emergencies of the Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital, and dominated by infectious causes.
Background: Airway Tract Infections (ATIs) are one of the most common reasons for physician visits and hospitalization is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There are many children suffering from frequent lower airway infections (FLAI). A significant number of congenital heart diseases (CHD) remain behind the FLAI but these could not be diagnosed due to lack of practices, investigation facilities, regularly follow-up and proper knowledge. The aim of the study is to identify the impact of birth-defect in heart among patients with FLAI. Methodology: This was a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Paediatrics in Medical College Hospital over a period of 6 months. Total 50 cases of FLAI were included and data were collected in respect to history, examinations and diagnosis. Results: Out of these 36% of cases were diagnosed as CHD which are related to FLAI and 64% cases were remaining solely FLAI without any CHD. Conclusion: From the study, birth-defect in heart is an important cause of frequent lower respiratory infection. It can be prevented for earlier recognition and effective treatment. The study explores for future research trajectories for improvement of physical condition in children for proper diagnosis and prevention of recurrent attack by proper management.
