Discovery CPC: Blood Is Thicker than Water

In this Discovery Clinical Pathologic Conference (CPC), Dr. Karla Criner, Resident, Department of Medicine, presents the case of a previously healthy 18-year old male with a five month history of abdominal pain and growing distension. Dr. Courtney Miller-Chism, Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology-Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine, serves as the faculty discussant. She reviews the anatomy and physiology of the hepatic portal system and then develops a differential diagnosis to explain the patient’s ascites. 

As part of the Discovery CPC, Dr. Miller-Chism requests laboratory and imaging studies and explains her rationale for each request. She evaluates the lab results in the context of the patient’s history and physical exam findings.

Dr. Dhairyasheel Patel, Resident, Department of Radiology at Baylor College of Medicine, discusses the contrast-enhanced CT scan and abdominal ultrasound performed on the patient. He compares the patient’s imaging with normal imaging and highlights the relevant findings. 

Target Audience

This CME/CE activity is designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, residents, fellows, and community providers.

Faculty and trainees within the Department of Medicine who are involved in the care of patients need to be regularly updated with the recent advances and guidelines in the fields of internal medicine and quality improvement to increase clinical knowledge, and to implement the advances and guidelines in clinical practice to enhance the quality of patient care and outcomes.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the participant should be able to:

  • Create a differential diagnosis for the clinical syndrome of acute abdominal pain and distension.

  • Discuss the laboratory and imaging diagnostic workup for acute abdominal pain and distension.

  • Delineate, from a hematology standpoint, clinical considerations in the presentation of abdominal pain and distension.

Course summary
Available credit: 
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Participation
Course opens: 
08/01/2019
Course expires: 
08/31/2021
Rating: 
0

Richard J. Hamill, M.D., Planning Committee Member 
Professor
Department of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Erica Lescinskas, M.D., Planning Committee Member
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Zaven Sargsyan, M.D., Planning Committee Member
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chirayu Shah, M.D., M.Ed., Planning Committee Member
Associate Professor
Department of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Stephanie Sherman, M.D., Planning Committee Member
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jefferson Triozzi, M.D., Planning Committee Member
Internal Medicine Resident
Department of Medicine
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, Texas
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Baylor College of Medicine designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Available Credit

  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 Participation
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