Course: An Incarcerated Individual With Weight Loss and Interstitial Pulmonary Infiltrates
CME Credits: 1.00
Released: 2024-01-08
A 60-year-old man incarcerated in Ohio presented to the emergency department after a syncopal episode. He reported recent exposure to COVID-19 but had no fevers, chest pain, cough, dyspnea, or diarrhea. He had unintentionally lost 13.6 kg over 2 years. His temperature was 37 °C (98.5 °F); blood pressure, 124/75 mm Hg; pulse, 123/min; respiratory rate, 22/min; and oxygen saturation, 96% on room air. Findings on physical examination were unremarkable. His white blood cell count was 3300/?L (reference, 4500-11,000/?L) with an absolute lymphocyte count of 200/?L (reference, 1000-4800/?L). Chest radiograph showed bilateral reticulonodular opacities. He was hospitalized and treated with azithromycin, remdesivir, and dexamethasone despite 3 negative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results. Two days after hospital discharge, he presented to the emergency department with recurrent syncope. His temperature was 38.1 °C (100.6 °F); blood pressure, 122/82 mm Hg; pulse, 135/min; and oxygen saturation, 86% on room air. A computed tomography scan revealed diffuse bilateral pulmonary micronodular opacities, a 2.2-cm nodule in the lingula, and mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy (Figure 1). Results of HIV testing were positive for HIV-1 antibodies.
Educational Objective
Based on this clinical scenario and the accompanying image, understand how to arrive at a correct diagnosis.
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