Pathology of the Stars:  Selena Gomez

The Singer Selena Gomez underwent a kidney transplant for systemic lupus.  Her best friend donated her kidney... now that really is a BEST friend! 

 

I’m very aware some of my fans had noticed I was laying low for part of the summer and questioning why I wasn’t promoting my new music, which I was extremely proud of. So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my Lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health. I honestly look forward to sharing with you, soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you. Until then I want to publicly thank my family and incredible team of doctors for everything they have done for me prior to and post-surgery. And finally, there aren’t words to describe how I can possibly thank my beautiful friend Francia Raisa. She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis. Lupus continues to be very misunderstood but progress is being made. For more information regarding Lupus please go to the Lupus Research Alliance website: www.lupusresearch.org/ -by grace through faith

A post shared by Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) on Sep 14, 2017 at 3:07am PDT

Pathology of the Stars: Model Gigi Hadid reveals that she's battling Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid) on Nov 20, 2017 at 7:44pm PST

When the model Gigi Hadid was asked about her fluctuating weight she responded on twitter with:

For those of you so determined to come up w why my body has changed over the years, you may not know that when I started @ 17 I was not yet diagnosed w/Hashimoto’s disease; those of u who called me “too big for the industry” were seeing inflammation & water retention due to that.

— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) February 11, 2018

Over the last few years I’ve been properly medicated to help symptoms including those, as well as extreme fatigue, metabolism issues, body’s ability to retain heat, etc ... I was also part of a holistic medical trial that helped my thyroid levels balance out.

— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) February 11, 2018

Although stress & excessive travel can also affect the body, I have always eaten the same, my body just handles it differently now that my health is better. I may be “too skinny” for u, honestly this skinny isn’t what I want to be, but I feel healthier internally and (cont)

— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) February 11, 2018

Please, as social media users & human beings in general, learn to have more empathy for others and know that you never really know the whole story. Use your energy to lift those that you admire rather than be cruel to those u don’t.

— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) February 11, 2018

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and destruction of the thyroid gland leading to hypothyroidism. The diagnosis is often made by looking for anti-Thyroid peroxidase / anti-microsomal antibodies.  To manage the hypothyroidism, she must take thyroid hormone replacement.  It's also important to watch her for other autoimmune disorders and NHL.

Editors note: I actually didn't know who she was before seeing her messages on twitter and I'm now a big fan of her for being a great role model and using her fame to help make the world better!!!!

Related Link:  Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Mnemonic

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day-trip’d it to Boston to visit my @reebok family at their brand new HQ & flagship store !!! HAD THE BEST TIME 💚 thank you to the whole team for your warm welcome and love. @ReebokWomen @ReebokClassics pic.twitter.com/uxd59WkJuP

— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) January 19, 2018

UFC Fighter Paige VanZant suffers Midshaft Forearm Fracture

In a UFC fight on Jan 14, 2018,  UFC fighter Paige VanZant suffered a mid-shaft forearm fracture.  She was performing a spinning backfist and her forearm struck the head of her opponent breaking her forearm. Ouch!  Incredibly she continued fighting and finished the 3 round fight!!!

Here's when it most likey happened.  Listen for the the sound of the strike!!!  What an impact!!! :

Spinning back fist from @PaigeVanzantUFC lands, then she gets JRC to the ground! #UFCSTL pic.twitter.com/xh50dh4W4t

— UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2018

Here she is in the hospital with a closed displaced fracture of her right forearm!

Well... I broke my arm in the first! I was able to finish the fight but as you can see, had a hard recovering and throwing my right. I’ll be back better and stronger than ever! 💪🏼🦁 it’s all apart of the fight game. God had other plans for me. 🙏🏼 darn spinning back fist. pic.twitter.com/v5DhSv5YxD

— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) January 15, 2018

Question:  Based on the X-ray shown which bone has she broken?

With a midshaft fracture of the forearm remember to :

• Do a neurovascular assessment to assess the ulnar and radial pulses and to document the ulnar, radial, and median nerve function
• Watch for compartment syndrome
• Get an Orthopedic surgeon

Wishing you a speedy recovery Paige!

Pathology of the Stars: Kathy Bates

Academy award winning actress Kathy Bates is struggling with lymphedema of her upper extremiteis after bilateral mastectomy.  She won the academy award for the movie Misery in 1990.  She also had roles in Fried Green Tomatoes, Delores Clairborne, The Waterboy, American Horror Story,  and she played 'Molly Brown' in Titanic.

 Secondary (obstructive) Lymphedema is caused by the blockage of previously normal lymphatic channels. Lymphatic obstruction leads to edema because of decreased clearance of interstitial fluid. Persistant lymphedema can result in an increased deposition of connective tissue in the interstitium and in severe cases may cause elephantiasis.

Watch the video below to hear Kathy Bates discuss her struggles with lymphedema:

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Kathy Bates

Glen Campbell

Legendary country music song writer and singer has been battling Alzheimer disease since being diagnosed in 2011.  He has written and performed many country hit songs including "Rhinestone Cowboy".  He also had a popular television variety show and has been inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Some classic findings of Alzheimer's displayed in the video below about his farewell tour:

• Difficulty remember recent events
• He plays the same song that he just finished playing.
• He has to be reminded that he has the disease.
• He remembers remote events better then recent ones.
• He relays on a teleprompter to remember the lyrics of his songs.

As his memory fades, he writes his final song... a love song to his wife.    In the song, he still manages to use irony to keep a sense of humor about his terrible disease.... he titled the song "I'm not going to miss you".    Bittersweet...  "tear"

This is a devastating disease.  It effects not only the patient but their families.  Your generation will find ways to stop the progression and hopefully reverse the effects.

America's Next Top Model contestant: Chantelle Brown-Young

Diagnosis: Vitiligo

Related story:  Michael Jackson

Heavy D & the Boyz

Rapper Heavy D (Dwight Arrington Myers), age 44, collapsed outside his Beverly Hills condo and passed away in November 2011.  He complained of difficulty breathing shortly before collapsing and he had recently taken a long plane ride from Europe. 

What is your most likely diagnosis? [Scroll down for the answer]

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Heavy D

Pathology of the Stars: Casey Kasem

"Casey" Kasem (April 27, 1932 – June 15, 2014)

Radio legend "Casey" Kasem passed away at age 82, after suffering from Lewy Body dementia.

He was the voice of “Shaggy” in the Scooby-Doo cartoons and was the host of the American Top 40 music radio show.

His famous sign off was "Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars."

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Casey Kasem

Hugh Jackman

The "Wolverine" Hugh Jackman is currently "regenerating" from removal of a basal cell carcinoma from his nose.  Hugh was smart to listen to his wife who 'suggested' it should be looked at.  Basal cell is the most common tumor in adults and is especially common in fair skinned individuals.  This includes my Aussie friends down under.  The combination of fair skin and sunny skies is a big risk factor for skin cancers including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and the 'dreaded' malignant melanoma.

The question is... did he cut it off himself.... with his retractable claws????  Talk about a shave biopsy!   Or maybe he asked Cyclops to burn it off! 

PS:  He may be the most awesome of the X-men mutants but his spelling of 'Basil' cell needs some attention!!  Maybe he's a fan of the cooking herb basil???  No worries.... 'Basil' cell will resolve with Thyme!!! 

Top 3 ways to Kill Wolverine

# 3.  Take away his healing factor

# 2.  Decapitate him

# 1.  Steal his sunscreen!!!!

UPDATE:  Second tumor removed

PhotoSources:  thehughjackman/Instagram and Nephron

Contributions by Dr. Victor Guevara and Dr. Hayer Said's  13 year old nephew!

Sheryl Crow

Singer/songwriter Sheryl Crow (age 50) was diagnosed in November 2011 with a Meningioma.  She has a history of breast cancer and both tumors are estrogen related.

Pathology of the Stars: Phil Hughes

 The Cricket world mourns his loss 

Popular Australian cricketer Phil Hughes suffered a lethal vertebral artery dissection while playing cricket in Nov. 2014 and passed away at age 25.   He turned his head away when batting and the ball bounced up and struck him in the side of the neck causing the vertebral artery to dissect.  The dissection went up into the brain and ruptured causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage.  At the hospital, a CT scan detected the hemorrhage and emergent surgery was performed to try to relieve the pressure on the brain.  Despite these measures, he failed to improve over the next 48 hours and passed away.

A vertebral artery dissection leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage is a very rare injury.  When Phil swung the bat, his body and neck turned, so the bouncer struck him in the side of the neck where the face shield doesn't cover.  The blunt force trauma crushed the vertebral artery leading to the dissection.  The artery dissected up into the brain where it ruptured causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage.

A freak accident... so tragic! 

Copyright © 2014 Thunderpath Media Inc.

Source:  http://www.espncricinfo.com/australia/content/story/803763.html

Photo credit:  YellowMonkey Multi-license with GFDL and Creative Commons CC-BY-SA-3.0 and older versions (2.5, 2.0 and 1.0);  Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body 20th Edition

Thanks to Saad Mumtaz

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The "Ritter Rules" for Aortic Dissection

On September 11, 2003, John Ritter developed severe chest pain and was rushed to the hospital. While being treated for a MI, he passed away from an unsuspected aortic dissection. 

To raise awareness of aortic dissection, The Ritter Rules   where created. Because of it's high mortality, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for acute aortic dissection.

Colin Farrell's son James has Angelman's Syndrome

What are the key features of Angelman's?

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Colin Farrell

Venus Williams diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome

Tennis superstar was diagnosed in Sept 2011 with the autoimmune disorder Sjogren's Syndrome.

Serena Williams has emergency surgery for Pulmonary Embolism

Tennis superstar Serena Williams was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism which required emergency surgery.

Pathology of Bollywood Stars compiled by Vishnu Ravi MD

View The Slideshow

Kim Kardashian Diagnosed with Skin Disorder

On an episode of "Keeping up with the Kardashians",  Kim  Kardashian is diagnosed with Psoriasis!  Apparently, her mother also has it as well.

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Kim Kardashian

Shaquille O'Neal diagnosed with Sleep Apnea

Watch Video (4 minutes)

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Shaquille O'Neal

Michael Douglas Diagnosed with Throat Cancer

Academy award winning actor Michael Douglas (age 65) announced on August 16^th 2010 that he is battling throat cancer.  Michael Douglas has had many famous roles including “Basic Instinct”, “Fatal Attraction”, “Romancing the Stone”, and “Wall Street” for which he won an academy award.  

Ironically, he can often be seen smoking and drinking in many of his movies.  He is married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones.  According to People magazine,  “his doctors expect the Wall Street star to make a full recovery” and Douglas stated “I am very optimistic.”  In an interview on David Letterman, he stated that he had stage 4 disease but that it hadn't spread to the rest of the body.

Douglas' latest movie called "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" is due to open in theaters on September 24^th.

For more information about throat cancer see my blog entry on Jack Klugman

Copyright 2010 John Barone MD. All rights reserved.

Laryngeal cancer survivor Jack Klugman speaks about oral cancer

Jack Klugman is the actor who played “Quincy”,  the medical examiner who solved crimes on the TV show “Quincy, M.E.” that ran during the 70’s and 80’s.  This show was basically the original “CSI” and the first to make forensic science and pathologists cool!!!  He was also famous for playing the messy roommate on the “Odd Couple” during the 1970’s.

He was a heavy smoker and was originally diagnosed with laryngeal cancer in 1974 after developing hoarseness which is a common early sign.  After the surgery, he continued to smoke. In 1989, he was found to have cancer again, requiring surgery that removed one his vocal cords.  After a long recovery, he continues to perform as an actor but was left with a soft, raspy voice that you will hear in this public service announcement for oral cancer.

How many of these questions can you answer?

What is the most common histologic type of laryngeal cancer?

Do you remember the typical progression of mucosal lesions on the path towards cancer?

What are the risk factors?

What are the presenting signs of carcinoma of the larynx?

How do we make the diagnosis and what treatment modalities are used?

Why is vigilant follow-up important?

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Jack Klugman

NBA Star and Humanitarian Manute Bol Dies at age 47

Former NBA star, 7foot 7inch tall, Manute Bol died on 6/19/2010 from complications of acute renal failure and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.  He was hospitalized with acute renal failure and developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome most likely due to medications given during his hospitalization.  Manute was one of the tallest players ever in the NBA and excelled at blocking shots.  He spent 10 seasons in the NBA playing for the Washington Bullet’s, Golden State Warrior’s, Philadelphia 76’s, and the Miami Heat.  He was born in Sudan and will be remembered as a humanitarian who was dedicated to his country.

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Manute Bol

Dennis Hopper dies at age 74 of Prostate Cancer

Actor Dennis Hopper passed away on May 29^th 2010 after a long battle with prostate cancer.  He was best know for his roles in "Easy Rider", "Apocalypse Now", "Hoosiers", and "Blue Velvet".  He often played bizarre and eccentric characters that may have mirrored his private life where he battled alcohol and drug-abuse.  He recently accepted his “star” on the Hollywood “walk of fame”.

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Dennis Hopper

Gary Coleman dies at age 42 from an Intracranial Bleed

Former child actor, Gary Coleman, passed away on May 28^th, 2010 from an intracranial hemorrhage.  Two days earlier he was rushed to the hospital after suffering a fall where he hit his head. It has been reported that he had an initial lucid interval and then slipped into a coma and he never regained consciousness.  He was best know for his role as Arnold on the TV show “Diff’rent Strokes” where his famous catch phrase was “What-“chu” talkin’ ‘bout Willis?”  Throughout his life he was plagued by issues with his health, finances, public and personal life. His past medical history includes kidney disease, two renal transplants, heart surgery, pneumonia, and a seizure earlier this year.

Anyone willing to take a guess which kind of intracranial hemorrhage he had?

Copyright 2010 John Barone MD. All rights reserved.

​ 

Tennis Legend Martina Navratilova is “Cancer Free”

Martina Navratilova announced Monday that she has no trace of breast cancer.  She was diagnosed with a form of Breast cancer called DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ) on February 24^th 2010.  She underwent lumpectomy and is currently receiving radiation therapy.

Martina is nine-time Wimbledon Champion and 18-time Grand Slam tournament singles champion! She is 53 years old and still plays tennis and hockey actively.

How much do you know about DCIS?  Read more and find out.

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Martina Navratilova

“Dexter” Star Michael C. Hall in remission from Hodgkin Lymphoma

On January 13th 2010, Michael C. Hall revealed that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Michael C. Hall, age 38, is known for his role as a serial killer who targets other killers in Showtime’s “Dexter” and for his role on the HBO drama series “Six Feet Under”.

Think You Know Your Lymphomas?  Click HERE to take a short Barone High-Yield Quiz & see if you make the Top 10!

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Michael C. Hall

Barbara Walters recovering from Open Heart Surgery, 05/11/2010

Barbara Walters announced on the TV show “The View” that she will have surgery for a defective heart valve this week. Barbara Walters is famous for her interviews, co-anchor of 20/20, and is currently a host on “The View”. 

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Barbara Walters

Brett Michaels suffers a "Brain Hemorrhage"

"Rock of Love" reality star, "Celebrity Apprentice" contestant, and frontman for the rock group Poison is recovering from a subarachnoid hemorrage (SAH) !!!

Read more: Pathology of the Stars: Bret Michaels

I would like to thank:

My family who supports and inspires me. Without them I would not be!

My mentors who helped me along the way: Dan Luthringer MD, Neil Goldstein MD, Ramesh Doshi MD, Betsy Taub MD, David Bernstein MD, C. Fischer MD, Sanchez MD, and Bill DePond MD.

My BaroneRocks Team who puts in the hard work behind-the-scenes: Vishnu Ravi MD, Brian, Matt.

My partner in Medical Hip Hop, Pramanik MD who helped me find my beat.

My amazing "Rockstar Docs"  Michael Levin MD and David Anguiano MD who make my music come to life.

All of the amazing students that I have had the privilege to meet and befriend. It’s an honor having you in my medical mafia.

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In loving memory of Henry and Linda.

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A Message from Dr Barone:

This blog is dedicated to my medical students, residents, and fellows that I teach at my institutions. Medicine should be fun so why not in cyberspace too!

When diseases strike, they don’t spare the rich and famous.  Because of their popularity, the pathology becomes very memorable. So I like to use “pathology of the stars” to help tattoo the information to your brain.

Every attempt has been made to make sure that the information presented here is accurate. Only public information about celebrity disorders is being used to protect their privacy as much possible. (Whom they are dating is left to other web sites!) 

I'm going to comment on Exam-Relevant topics. If it’s an exam question…. I’ll talk about it. I’m all about points, baby, points!