Archive for 'Rheumatology' Category

Kawasaki's Disease for the Boards & Wards

Pathophysiology: necrotizing vasculitis of early childhood possible infectious etiology (parvovirus B19) Workup: CBC –> normocytic anemia followed by thrombocytosis ESR –> elevated CRP –> elevated LFTs –> low albumin Diagnosis: clinical (“CRASH & Burn”) 4 of 5 signs: Conjunctivitis – bilateral nonsuppurative Rash – primarily truncal Adenopathy – cervical, at least 1.5cm Strawberry Tongue – [...]

Rheumatology Pearls

A positive ANCA is meaningless if the patient’s illness doesn’t resemble Wegener’s, MPA or RPGN. Septic arthritis—11% mortality. Underappreciated complications of immunosuppressive therapy: Corticosteroids — infectious complications Anti-TNFs & Rituximab — Heb B flare, acute liver failure. Azathiaprine — hypersensitivity syndrome. Hospital Medicine 2010 April 9 sessions—rheumatology pearls [Notes from Dr. RW]