Israel Medical Association Journal

Background: In developed countries, hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection occurs mainly in adults. It is usually symptomatic and may cause acute liver failure (ALF). In patients with chronic liver disease, serum ferritin levels (SFL) can predict short-term prognosis.

Objectives: To determine whether admission SFL can serve as a prognostic marker in patients with HAV infection.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 33 adults with HAV infection was conducted. Because none of our patients presented with ALF, the parameter "length of hospital stay," was used as a surrogate marker of disease severity.

Results: The mean (± SD) at admission SFL was 2529 ± 4336 ng/ml. SFL correlated with the levels of international normalized ratio (INR), liver enzymes, and degree of hemolysis that occurred during the disease course. SFL did not correlate with the levels of either albumin or bilirubin or with the length of the hospital stay. The mean length of hospital stay was 5.1 ± 2.0 days, which correlated with the levels of INR, albumin, and bilirubin as well as the degree of hemolysis. However, in multivariate analysis only albumin and bilirubin predicted the length of the hospital stay. Follow-up SFL, which were available only in eight patients, decreased during the hospital stay.

Conclusions: In adults with acute HAV infection, SFL may be increased. SFL correlated with the degree of liver injury and hemolysis that occur during the disease. However, in our cohort of HAV patients, who had a relatively benign disease course, SFL were of no prognostic value.

Background: Recurrent miscarriages are associated with a high prevalence of thrombophilia. Use of a calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) can serve as a universal test for thrombophilia.

Objectives: To examine whether thrombin generation measured by CAT is elevated during the first trimester in women with unexplained recurrent miscarriages.

Methods: This study comprised 25 pregnant women with recurrent pregnancy loss referred for thrombophilia screening and treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). Thrombin generation parameters were measured in women who had miscarriages or live births and who were diagnosed as positive or negative for thrombophilia.

Results: Of the pregnancies, 76% resulted in live birth and 24% ended in miscarriages. Among the women, 76% were positive for thrombophilia. Thrombin generation parameters between pregnancies that ended in miscarriage compared to live births were not significantly different, and CAT parameters failed to predict pregnancy outcome. Although the CAT parameters demonstrated a trend toward a hypercoagulable state in women with thrombophilia, there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Women with unexplained pregnancy loss demonstrated similar thrombin generation in the first trimester, regardless of the pregnancy outcome. CAT parameters failed to predict pregnancy outcome in women with recurrent unexplained pregnancy loss. Our results should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of participants.

Background: C-reactive protein (CRP) blood level is associated with clinical outcomes of several diseases. However, the independent predictive role of CRP in the heterogeneous population of patients admitted to internal medicine wards is not known. 

Objectives: To determine whether single CRP levels at admission independently predicts clinical outcome and flow of patients in general medicine wards.

Methods: This study comprised 275 patients (50.5% female) with a mean age of 68.25 ± 17.0 years, hospitalized with acute disease in a general internal medicine ward. The association between admission CRP levels and clinical outcomes including mortality, the need for mechanical ventilation, duration of hospitalization, and re-admission within 6 months was determined.

Results: A significant association was found between CRP increments of 80 mg/L and risk for the major clinical outcomes measured. The mortality odds ratio (OR) was 1.89 (95% confidence interval (95%CI, 1.37–2.61, P < 0.001), mechanical ventilation OR 1.67 (95%CI, 1.10–2.34, P = 0.006), re-admission within 6 months OR 2.29 (95%CI, 1.66–3.15 P < 0.001), and prolonged hospitalization >7 days OR 2.09 (95%CI, 1.59–2.74, P < 0.001). Lower increments of10 mg/L in CRP levels were associated with these outcomes although with lower ORs. Using a stepwise regression model for admission CRP levels resulted in area under the receiver operating characteristics curves between 0.70 and 0.76 for these outcomes.

Conclusions: A single admission CRP blood level is independently associated with major parameters of clinical outcomes in acute care patients hospitalized in internal medicine wards.

Background: Data suggest that subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is associated with progression of chronic renal disease; however, no study to date has assessed the possible relation between SCH and acute deterioration of renal function.

Objectives: To investigate the possible relation between SCH and acute kidney injury (AKI) in a large cohort of patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with primary coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We evaluated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free T4 levels of 1591 STEMI patients with no known history of hypothyroidism or thyroid replacement treatment who were admitted to the coronary care unit (October 2007–August 2017). The presence of SCH was defined as TSH levels ≥ 5 mU/ml in the presence of normal free T4 levels. Patients were assessed for development of AKI ( 0.3 mg/dl increase in serum creatinine, according to the KDIGO criteria).

Results: The presence of SCH was demonstrated in 68/1593 (4.2%) STEMI patients. Patients presenting with SCH had more AKI complications during the course of STEMI (20.6% vs. 9.6 %; P = 0.003) and had significantly higher serum creatinine change throughout hospitalization (0.19 mg/dl vs. 0.08 mg/dl, P = 0.04). No significant difference was present in groups regarding baseline renal function and the amount of contrast volume delivered during coronary angiography. In multivariate logistic regression model, SCH was independently associated with AKI (odds ratio = 2.19, 95% confidence interval 1.05–4.54, P =0.04).

Conclusions: Among STEMI patients treated with PCI, the presence of SCH is common and may serve as a significant marker for AKI.

Background: Isolated fallopian tube torsion (IFTT) is a rare gynecological entity and its diagnosis is challenging.

Objectives: To compare clinical characteristics, sonographic findings, surgical management, and outcomes of women with surgically verified IFTT compared to those diagnosed with adnexal torsion.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study in a university hospital was conducted. Thirty-four women with surgically verified IFTT between March 1991 and June 2017 were compared to 333 women diagnosed with adnexal torsion within the same time period.

Results: Both groups presented primarily with abdominal pain, which lasted longer prior to admission among the IFTT group (46.8 ± 39.0 vs. 30.0 ± 39.4 hours, P < 0.001). Higher rates of abdominal tenderness with or without peritoneal signs were found in the adnexal torsion group (90.3% vs. 70.6%, P < 0.001). Sonographic findings were similar; however, an increased rate of hydrosalpinx was found among the IFTT group (5.9% vs. 0.0%, P = 0.008). Suspected adnexal torsion was the main surgical indication in only 61.8% of IFTT cases compared with 79.0% in the adnexal torsion group (P = 0.02). Salpingectomy with or without cystectomy was more commonly performed in the IFTT group (35.3% vs. 1.5%, P < 0.001). The leading pathological findings among the IFTT group were hydrosalpinx and paraovarian cysts.

Conclusions: The clinical signs and symptoms of IFTT and adnexal torsion are similar. Although sonographic imaging demonstrating a paraovarian cyst or hydrosalpinx may be helpful in diagnosing IFTT, it is rarely done preoperatively.

Background: Whole-body integrated positron emission tomography / contrast-enhanced computed tomography (PET/CT) scan is increasingly used in cutaneous lymphomas. However, the value of PET/CT in the detection of cutaneous lesions in primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL) has barely been investigated.

Objectives: To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT in tracking cutaneous involvement in PCBCL.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 35 consecutive patients diagnosed with cutaneous B-cell lymphoma according to the World Health Organization classification who were evaluated with PET/CT as the initial staging procedure before treatment.

Results: Thirty-five patients met the study criteria. In two patients extracutaneous disease was detected by PET/CT and CT and confirmed by biopsy. Of the 33 patients with PCBCL, 26 (79%) had small cell PCBCL (18 marginal-zone, 8 follicle-center lymphoma) and 7 (21%) had large cell PCBCL (3 follicle-center, 3 leg-type, 1 indeterminate). PET/CT detected skin lesions in 3 of 26 patients (12%) with small-cell PCBCL as compared to 6 of 7 patients with large-cell PCBLC (86%), a 7.4-fold detection risk (95% confidence interval, 2.4–22, P = 0.004). The PET-positive subgroup was characterized by larger lesion size (P < 0.001) and a higher Ki-67 proliferation index (P < 0.001).

Conclusions: The sensitivity of PET/CT for detecting cutaneous involvement of lymphomas is low for small-cell PCBCL but high for large-cell types, and thus may facilitate therapeutic strategies.

Background: Cryptosporidium is a major threat to water supplies worldwide. Various biases and obstacles in case identification are recognized. In Israel, Cryptosporidiosis was included among notifiable diseases in 2001 in order to determine the burden of parasite-inflicted morbidity and to justify budgeting a central drinking water filtration plant.

Objective: To summarize the epidemiologic features of 14 years of Cryptosporidium surveillance and to assess the effects of advanced water purification treatment on the burden of disease.

Methods: From 2001 to 2014, a passive surveillance system was used. Cases were identified based on microscopic detection in stool samples. Confirmed cases were reported electronically to the Israeli Ministry of Health. Overall rates as well as age, gender, ethnicity and specific annual incidence were calculated per 100,000 population in five age groups: 0–4, 5–14, 15–44, 45–64, > 65 years.

Results: A total of 522 Cryptosporidium cases were reported in all six public health districts. More cases were detected among Jews and among males, and mainly in young children, with a seasonal peak during summer. The Haifa sub-district reported 69% of the cases. Most were linked to an outbreak from the summer of 2008, which was attributed to recreational swimming pool activity. Cases decreased after installation of a central filtration plant in 2007.

Conclusions: As drinking water in Israel is treated to maximal international standards, the rationale for further inclusion of Cryptosporidium among mandatory notifiable diseases should be reconsidered. Future surveillance efforts should focus on timely detection of outbreaks using molecular high-throughput testing.

Background: Ocular trauma in the pediatric population may lead to cataract formation. Managing traumatic cataracts in a visually immature child is a major challenge and can result in poor visual outcome.

Objectives: To review our long-term surgical experience with childhood unilateral traumatic cataracts.

Methods: A retrospective observational study of children with unilateral traumatic cataracts with minimal follow-up of 5 years was conducted. Main outcomes included final visual acuity (VA) and occurrence of complications.

Results: Of the 18 children included in the study, 83% were male. Mean follow-up time was 12.5 years. Median age at injury was 7.5 years. Eleven patients (61%) presented with penetrating trauma injuries and 7 (39%) with blunt trauma. Sixteen patients (89%) had cataracts at presentation, while in two the cataracts developed during follow-up. Of the 18 total, cataract removal surgery was conducted in 16 (89%) with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in 14 (87.5%), while 2 remained aphakic (12.5%). Two (11%) were treated conservatively. Long-term complications included IOL dislocation in 5 (36%), glaucoma in 8 (44%), and posterior capsular opacity in 10 (71%). No correlation was found between final visual acuity and the time interval between injury and IOL implantation nor between final VA and age at trauma. However, the final VA did correlate with time of follow-up.

Conclusions: Severe complications occurred in over 30% of the patients during a long follow-up (mean 12.5 years). This finding shows the importance of discussions between the operating physician and the parents regarding the prognosis and necessity of scheduled follow-up.

Background: With the recent introduction of high-sensitivity troponin (hsTn), the incremental benefit of stress myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in the evaluation of patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is unclear.

Objectives: To assess the added value of stress MPI in low-risk ACS patients with normal range hsTnI.

Methods: We analyzed all patients who were hospitalized at our medical center from February 2016 to November 2017, who presented with low-risk ACS and underwent stress MPI, and in whom hsTnI was in the normal range after the introduction of hsTnI.

Results: During the study period, 161 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of unstable angina (i.e., ACS with normal range hsTnI) and underwent stress MPI during index admission. The study population included 52/161 patients (31.7%) with low-risk ACS who had no indication for initial invasive strategy. No patients had positive MPI. One patient underwent coronary angiography due to suggestive history; however, he did not have a significant coronary artery disease and had no indication for percutaneous coronary intervention.

Conclusions: In patients with low-risk ACS and normal range hsTnI without additional high-risk features, stress MPI has little additional value for the correct diagnosis and management. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm whether resting hsTnI could serve as a powerful triage tool in chest pain patients in the ED before diagnostic testing and thus, improve patient management.

Background: Young women concerned about a breast cancer diagnosis will visit breast care centers and request breast cancer screening, including imaging studies, on their initial visit.

Objectives: To explore the role of breast examination and breast ultrasound in self-referred asymptomatic women under the age of 40 years.

Methods: We identified 3524 women under the age of 40 at our medical clinic from 1 January 2010 until 1 June 2014. Of this group, 164 women with above average breast cancer risk were excluded and 233 were excluded because of breast complaints. Of 3127 women, 220 underwent breast ultrasound following the initial visit to the clinic and formed the study group.

Results: Of 220 women evaluated with ultrasound, 68 had prior positive clinical findings. Of this group 8 women had no sonographic findings, and in the remaining 60, a total of 30 simple cysts, 15 fibroadenomas, and 15 suspicious solid masses were identified. One infiltrating ductal carcinoma and one ductal carcinoma in situ were found in a biopsy. The remaining 152 of the 220 total women who underwent breast ultrasound without showing prior physical findings did not require follow-up.

Conclusions: In the absence of clinical findings during physical breast examination, the addition of breast ultrasonography does not provide additional information to supplement the physical examination in self-referred women under age 40 who do not have any major risk factors for developing breast cancer.

Aortic stenosis (AS) is a common valvular pathology and is increasing in prevalence. Severe symptomatic AS is associated with serious outcomes if left untreated. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is an innovative modality, which has revolutionized the treatment of AS. With growing experience and technological upgrades, TAVI has become a valid alternative to surgical valve replacement. However, TAVI is associates with increase non-negligible risks of mortality, stroke, physical disability, and healthcare expenditures. Furthermore, imaging modalities have shown new ischemic lesions in most patients following TAVI (silent strokes), which might be related to worse subsequent neurocognitive function. Embolic protective devices are emerging as a safe, technically feasible implements to reduce the burden of periprocedural thromboembolism, and have shown promising results of improved clinical outcomes.

Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare disease that has been classified into two subtypes. Type 1 is believed to be mediated by immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) and type 2 is related to granulocytic epithelial lesions, but the pathogenetic mechanisms in both are still unknown. The patho-mechanism of AIP type 1 is suggested to be secondary to autoimmunity or allergy due to the increased serum IgG4 and immunoglobulin E levels, abundant infiltration of IgG4, plasmacytes and lymphocytes in the pancreas, and fibrosis. Both types of AIP respond to steroid treatment. The relapse rate after remission is high and reaches 30–50% within 6–12 months in AIP type 1; however, in AIP type 2 relapse is rare. The maintenance therapy and therapeutic strategy for relapsing patients with type 1 is managed with low dose steroids, however there are no consensus guidelines. In this review we discuss the current understanding of AIP, highlighting the emerging potential role of eotaxin in pathogenesis, classification, and management of the disease