Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0016199 (flank pain)
 2,189 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Melioidosis, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, has been increasingly recognized in Taiwan recently. Its isolation in liver abscess is rare compared to pulmonary melioidosis. We report a case of liver abscess due to B. pseudomallei in an immunocompetent 27-year-old male soldier admitted due to fever, sore throat and mild non-productive cough for 1 week. Physical examination was unremarkable except for congestion of the pharyngeal wall, moderate enlargement of the tonsils without pus coating, and palpable tender lymphadenopathy over bilateral submental regions. Antibiotic treatment with cefazolin 1 g every 8 hours intravenously was given without response. Left flank pain, followed by right flank pain associated with epigastric tenderness developed. Sonography and computed tomography scan of the abdomen demonstrated liver abscess. Aspiration of the liver abscess was performed and abscess culture yielded B. pseudomallei. Treatment with ceftazidime 2 g every 8 hours intravenously (4 weeks' duration) followed by oral regimens of amoxicillin-clavulanate was given. The patient was free of symptoms at 8 months' follow-up. Early awareness and definite diagnosis as well as institution of proper antimicrobial agents are imperative for successful treatment of melioidosis.
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PMID:Non-septicemic Burkholderia pseudomallei liver abscess in a young man. 1534 Jun 56

This is a case report involving diagnostic errors that resulted in the death of a 15-year-old girl, and commentaries on the case from her parents and involved providers. Julia Berg presented with fatigue, fevers, sore throat and right sided flank pain. Based on a computed tomography (CT) scan that identified an abnormal-appearing gall bladder, and markedly elevated bilirubin and "liver function tests", she was hospitalized and ultimately underwent surgery for suspected cholecystitis and/or cholangitis. Julia died of unexplained post-operative complications. Her autopsy, and additional testing, suggested that the correct diagnosis was Epstein-Barr virus infection with acalculous cholecystitis. The correct diagnosis might have been considered had more attention been paid to her presenting symptoms, and a striking degree of lymphocytosis that was repeatedly demonstrated. The case illustrates how cognitive "biases" can contribute to harm from diagnostic error. The case has profoundly impacted the involved healthcare organization, and Julia's parents have become leaders in helping advance awareness and education about diagnostic error and its prevention.
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PMID:Learning from tragedy: the Julia Berg story. 3042 78