4 CASE REPORTThyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is an uncommon disorder characterized by simultaneous thyrotoxicosis, hypokalaemia, and paralysis and is the most common acquired form of periodic paralysis. It is usually associated with low plasma potassium levels and is often precipitated by physical activity or ingestion of carbohydrates. We presented a 35-year-old man with hyperthyroidism who admitted applied to the emergency department with an episode of flaccid quadriparalysis following oral diclophenac sodium usage for lumbar disk hernia and the review of the literature on this subject. Physical and laboratory examination revealed sinus tachycardia, diffuse toxic goiter, flaccid quadriparalysis, a low serum potassium level (1.51 mmol/L), ST segment depression, coincidental horseshoe kidney. Potassium chloride was admitted via both parenteral and orally. Meanwhile antithyroid treatment (propylthiouracil and propranolol) was also given. Early diagnosis is important for planning antithyroid treatment, protecting the patient from further episodes of paralysis and avoidance of precipitating factors. In our patient, electrolyte imbalance appeared secondary to polyuria and vomiting, serious pain and physical stress may have triggered TTP.

Thrombocytosis is frequently encountered as an incidental laboratory finding. The most common etiology is reactive (secondary) thrombocytosis due to infections, trauma, surgery, or occult malignancy. Even though thrombocytosis is benign and self-limiting in most cases, it can result in hemorrhage or thrombosis. The hypercoagulable state is characterized by episodes of thrombosis and can be due to inherited or acquired conditions. Extreme thrombocytosis may result in thrombotic events such as acute myocardial infarction, mesenteric vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. It is important for physicians to be familiar with the complications associated with thrombocytosis. Postsplenectomy reactive thrombocytosis has an incidence of about 75% to 82%. Thrombosis in association with elevated platelet count after splenectomy is well recognized, with an incidence of approximately 5%. This case report describes a 61-year-old patient who underwent emergent splenectomy and presented 1 week later with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction. Severe thrombocytosis, which was not present prior to splenectomy, was noted, and a diagnosis of reactive thrombocytosis was initially made. Involvement of the right coronary artery led to emergent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Essential thrombocytosis was considered when treatment with hydroxyurea failed to lower the platelet count. A review of arterial and venous thrombosis in patients with severe thrombocytosis is presented, and the approach to the management of such patients is discussed.

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With the aim of determining if specialty type or the amount of geriatric training during primary care residencies correlated with the rate of and comfort with dementia identification and management in patients 65 years and older, physician practice patterns were compared through a web-based survey. The survey was sent to family medicine, internal medicine, and geriatric physicians in Dallas County and the HealthTexas Provider Network as well as third-year family medicine and internal medicine residents in Texas. Chi-square analyses revealed no relationship between the quantity of geriatric training and either dementia screening rates or comfort with dementia diagnosis. However, there was a significant difference in these areas based on specialty: more geriatricians reported asking senior patients about memory problems and being very comfortable in making a diagnosis of dementia, while fewer family medicine and internal medicine physicians reported being very comfortable in making the dementia diagnosis. Most physicians surveyed supported instituting routine screening and evaluation of senior patients during residency training. Further research is needed to determine if brief screening modalities, enhanced training, and institution of national guidelines would result in earlier identification and management of dementia in primary care.

We report a case of splenic abscess with multiple brain abscesses caused by Streptococcus intermedius in a healthy young man without any identifiable risk factors, which resolved with percutaneous drainage and antibiotics. Streptococcus intermedius, a member of the Streptococcus anginosus group, is a common commensal organism of the oral cavity and gastrointestinal tract, and it is a known cause of deep-seated infections. Suppurative infections caused by Streptococcus anginosus group are sometimes associated with bacteremia, but hematogenous spread of infection from an occult source leading to concurrent splenic abscess and multiple brain abscesses has never been previously reported in a healthy young individual.