S. Sangam, Sehrish Malik, Franc Hodo, Bhawesh Patel, V. Bengualid, Shorabh Sharma
{"title":"A case of Legionella pneumonia with rhabdomyolysis, with extremely high creatinine kinase without acute kidney injury in an adult","authors":"S. Sangam, Sehrish Malik, Franc Hodo, Bhawesh Patel, V. Bengualid, Shorabh Sharma","doi":"10.12890/2024_004539","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12890/2024_004539","url":null,"abstract":"Legionella pneumophila is a bacterium that usually causes pulmonary disease but can rarely present with extrapulmonary manifestations, such as rhabdomyolysis. This is a case of Legionella infection with significant rhabdomyolysis but a lack of acute kidney injury. A 38-year-old male with a history of epilepsy presented to the emergency department after a seizure episode with confusion, fever, emesis and bruises. He also complained of a productive cough and scant haemoptysis for the past two months. Chest X-ray showed retrocardiac and left upper lobe opacities; urine was positive for Legionella antigen and myoglobinuria. Creatinine phosphokinase was 242,488 U/l and creatinine was 0.5 mg/dl. The patient was managed with oxygen therapy, aggressive IV hydration and IV azithromycin, and later IV levofloxacin until his symptoms resolved. Rhabdomyolysis may be a sign of Legionella infection. Rapid testing of Legionella antigen, especially in populations at risk, may be crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment. Kidney function may be preserved in the early stages of disease, but early treatment with antibiotics and aggressive hydration are an effective way to prevent deterioration in kidney function.","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141679151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Thomas Matthews, Noah Salzberg, Trisheekeshan Thayeswaran, Nikhil Jacobs, Niall S. Colwell
{"title":"Not all patients with a headache need a CT scan, but they should be listened to, and also with a stethoscope: a report of a large arteriovenous malformation with a loud cranial bruit","authors":"Thomas Matthews, Noah Salzberg, Trisheekeshan Thayeswaran, Nikhil Jacobs, Niall S. Colwell","doi":"10.12890/2024_004669","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12890/2024_004669","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are abnormal direct connections between arterial and venous systems, without an interposed capillary bed. This permits high-flow arteriovenous shunting, which precipitates structural changes in the afferent and efferent vessels, namely arterial smooth muscle hyperplasia and thinning of venous walls. Patients with intracranial AVMs typically present with a haemorrhage, headache or seizure. Treatment is either via medical management aimed at control of seizures, headache and blood pressure, or interventional via surgical, radiation or radiologically guided embolisation. Case description: We report the case of a woman in her early 40s presenting with a tonic-clonic seizure against a background of a 31-year history of migraine and an 18-month history of tremors in her right arm. The clinical examination was remarkable for an extremely loud cranial bruit and a right homonymous hemianopia. Imaging diagnosed an 8 cm Martin-Spetzler grade V intracranial arteriovenous malformation in her left parietal lobe, which was deemed unsuitable for operative or radiotherapy-based intervention. Conclusion: The patient was managed through observation and relatively good control of her breakthrough seizures was achieved through the addition of brivaracetam to her lamotrigine and carbamazepine-based therapy, six years after her initial presentation.","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141686996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Vascular threads and nephron nests: exploring the association between Takayasu arteritis and membranous nephropathy","authors":"Sameen Aamer, Anand Rajan, Swati Arora","doi":"10.12890/2024_004557","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12890/2024_004557","url":null,"abstract":"Takayasu arteritis (TA) primarily causes ischaemic nephrosclerosis but can occasionally be associated with glomerulopathy. We report a case of a female in her twenties with PLA2-negative, THSD7A-positive membranous nephropathy (MN) refractory to rituximab, who presented with neck pain and new-onset hypertension. Blood work showed elevated inflammatory markers. Imaging of the head and neck revealed focal dilation and irregularity of the vertebral arteries, consistent with TA. The patient was started on treatment with steroids, followed by mycophenolate mofetil, which led to the resolution of symptoms and nephrotic syndrome. This case highlights an uncommon sequence of events, with MN presenting before TA, underscoring the need to consider TA in differentials for patients with MN. Notably, this is the first reported case in a young female, emphasising the need for further understanding of TA-associated glomerular diseases. Additionally, the presence of THSD7A in MN, despite negative malignancy workup, is also noteworthy.","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141686418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Catamenial haemorrhagic pleural effusion caused by thoracic endometriosis, which was controlled by surgery undertaken after failed medical management","authors":"Mahmoud Farouk Kamel Hassanein, Venessa Herminie, Nuhu Teri James, Danisela Chetty","doi":"10.12890/2024_004613","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12890/2024_004613","url":null,"abstract":"Haemorrhagic pleural effusion can be a challenging diagnosis that requires a thorough investigation and sometimes a multidisciplinary team of physicians to reach the underlying aetiology. Causes can include pulmonary malignancy, pulmonary infections, connective tissue diseases, asbestos associated, intra-abdominal conditions such as pancreatitis and ovarian tumours, cardiovascular disorders such as ruptured aneurysms and pulmonary infarction, as well as other miscellaneous causes. One such cause is endometriosis in the thoracic cavity. Endometriosis is a chronic illness associated with the occurrence of endometrial tissue outside the endometrium. Insertion of endometrial tissue in the thoracic cavity is rare, with only a few cases described. This case report gives detail of a 30-year-old nulligravida suspected of having thoracic endometriosis following a history of catamenial dyspnoea and associated pleural effusion. The diagnosis was confirmed through the histopathological study of tissue obtained via thoracoscopic surgery. Excision of the endometrial tissue was done, and the patient then continued medical treatment with progestins and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists. Following therapy, the index patient was asymptomatic. A multidisciplinary approach is often needed in the diagnosis and management of thoracic endometriosis, involving both medical and surgical specialities. Minimally invasive surgery is the gold standard of diagnosis, allowing for direct visualisation of implants and nodules and should be followed by medical treatment to reduce the risk of recurrence. Medical therapy alone is associated with higher rates of recurrence. Physicians must have a high degree of suspicion as thoracic endometriosis is a disease that can often be missed.","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141694785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rachelle Hamadi, Imad Karam, Salman Khan, Sylvester Homsy, Carol Luhrs Carol Luhrs
{"title":"Tumour-to-tumour metastasis: a rare case of prostate cancer metastasising to primary lung adenocarcinoma","authors":"Rachelle Hamadi, Imad Karam, Salman Khan, Sylvester Homsy, Carol Luhrs Carol Luhrs","doi":"10.12890/2024_004579","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12890/2024_004579","url":null,"abstract":"Tumour-to-tumour metastasis (TTM) is a rare phenomenon that clinicians should be aware of when evaluating patients with a history of prostate cancer. We present the diagnosis and management of an 80-year-old former smoker with high-risk prostate cancer, who developed a lung nodule consistent with TTM. The patient had concurrent primary lung adenocarcinoma and metastatic prostate cancer, making this a unique case of dual primary and metastatic malignancies. The complexity of this case highlights the need for comprehensive evaluation and interdisciplinary management in patients with multiple malignancies. The literature review reveals that these are extremely rare occurrences, with most cases involving metastasis to the second primary tumour. Despite the challenges in diagnosing preoperatively, it is important to consider TTM as a possibility in patients with prostate cancer who present with a lung nodule. This report presents one of the few documented cases of TTM. It also reviews relevant cases in the literature and discusses the current situation in relation to established criteria for classifying combination tumours.","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141698972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Gaddameedi, Malay Rathod, J. Ravilla, Ojas Chinchwadkar, Anoohya Vangala, Ben Terrany, Doantrang Du
{"title":"Acute pancreatitis after EGD: case presentation and literature review of this rare post-procedure complication","authors":"S. Gaddameedi, Malay Rathod, J. Ravilla, Ojas Chinchwadkar, Anoohya Vangala, Ben Terrany, Doantrang Du","doi":"10.12890/2024_004680","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.12890/2024_004680","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Acute pancreatitis is a common cause of hospitalisation characterised by inflammation of the pancreas. While mechanical, toxic and iatrogenic factors typically cause it, post-oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) pancreatitis is extremely rare. This report examines a case of acute pancreatitis following EGD, aiming to highlight this rare but significant complication. Case description: A 46-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer, anxiety, vitamin D deficiency and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease underwent an EGD, which revealed and led to the removal of duodenal polyps. Six hours post-procedure, she presented with severe abdominal pain radiating to her back, accompanied by nausea. Laboratory results indicated elevated lipase levels, and a computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed acute pancreatitis. The patient was managed with aggressive fluid resuscitation, bowel rest and pain management, leading to an improvement in her condition and subsequent discharge. We believe that the pancreatitis was likely caused by the use of cautery during the endoscopic mucosal resection of duodenal polyps. Conclusion: This case underscores the need for clinicians to recognise acute pancreatitis as a potential complication of EGD, especially in the absence of other common risk factors.","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141713861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Unforeseen Complications of Pembrolizumab in Breast Reconstruction Post-Mastectomy.","authors":"Murad Aldarayseh, Sohail Singh Sodhi, Gamal Musleh, Dyuti Kumar, Michelle Cholankeril","doi":"10.12890/2024_004675","DOIUrl":"10.12890/2024_004675","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A 53-year-old post-menopausal Indian female presented with invasive ductal carcinoma, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and pembrolizumab due to a PD-L1 combined positive score of 5. Following a right mastectomy and axillary dissection, she received a breast expander and AlloDerm™ graft. After resuming pembrolizumab and paclitaxel postoperatively, she developed severe breast redness and high-grade fever, necessitating expander removal due to suspected pembrolizumab-induced complications. This case underscores the unique and severe adverse effects of pembrolizumab on breast reconstruction, highlighting the need for careful monitoring and management in patients undergoing similar treatments.</p><p><strong>Learning points: </strong>Among patients with early triple-negative breast cancer, the combination of pembrolizumab with neoadjuvant chemotherapy enhances outcomes compared to chemotherapy alone.Early recognition is essential for managing pembrolizumab-induced complications, as demonstrated by the need for expander removal and debridement in this case.The unique adverse effects observed in this case underscore the importance of tailoring cancer treatment plans to individual patients, taking into account the potential risks associated with immunotherapy in the context of reconstructive surgery.</p>","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11229478/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141562977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Noel Lorenzo-Villalba, Charlene Habib, Léa Docquier, Edward Nasco, Alessio Imperiale, Emmanuel Andrès, Jean Edouard Terrade
{"title":"Polymyalgia Rheumatica During the Course of Limited Cutaneous Scleroderma: An Unusual and Challenging Coexistence.","authors":"Noel Lorenzo-Villalba, Charlene Habib, Léa Docquier, Edward Nasco, Alessio Imperiale, Emmanuel Andrès, Jean Edouard Terrade","doi":"10.12890/2024_004709","DOIUrl":"10.12890/2024_004709","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A 50-year-old patient with a history of limited cutaneous scleroderma began with polyarthralgia (left shoulder, elbows and hips) without stiffness or associated inflammatory syndrome. Treatment with oral anti-inflammatory drugs was started on suspicion of peripheral spondyloarthritis with partial response. This progressed with the appearance of stiffness and functional limitation of the hips as well as an increase in the inflammatory syndrome two weeks after onset. It was decided to perform an <sup>18</sup>F-FDG-PET scan compatible with polymyalgia rheumatica. The patient was treated with oral corticosteroids with an excellent response after one week of treatment.</p><p><strong>Learning points: </strong>Polymyalgia rheumatica should be considered, even in young adults, with atypical clinical presentation.Post-infectious and paraneoplastic inflammatory rheumatism should be ruled out before considering the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica.<sup>18</sup>F-FDG-PET plays an important role in the positive diagnosis of PMR and in the differential diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11229463/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141562973","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniel Arturo Martínez-Piña, Ana Laura Calderón-Garcidueñas, Elizabeth Gama-Lizárraga, Kevin Giuseppe Enríquez-Peregrino, José María Curiel-Zamudio
{"title":"Hypertrophic Pachymeningitis, Associated with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, and ANCA-Negative Serology.","authors":"Daniel Arturo Martínez-Piña, Ana Laura Calderón-Garcidueñas, Elizabeth Gama-Lizárraga, Kevin Giuseppe Enríquez-Peregrino, José María Curiel-Zamudio","doi":"10.12890/2024_004595","DOIUrl":"10.12890/2024_004595","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) is a disease with diverse aetiologies, including the autoimmune one, either associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies or immunoglobulin G4.</p><p><strong>Case description: </strong>A 65-year-old woman with a history of systemic arterial hypertension, presented with intense progressive headaches. HP and hemispheric vasogenic oedema were observed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study. During the six months before the headache, she had developed progressive hearing loss which she attributed to age. A biopsy of dura mater showed necrotising vasculitis with peripheral inflammatory infiltrate, made up of accumulations of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells, and abundant eosinophils. A final diagnosis of HP with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) was made.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The patient had eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) histology, ANCA-negative serology and HP. This case is important because it shows that EGPA seems to have a spectrum of clinical diseases, including HP with negative serology, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We are facing a wide spectrum of EGPA, breaking the paradigm of only systemic involvement.</p><p><strong>Learning points: </strong>Hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) has several aetiologies; if the systemic investigation is not contributory to a diagnosis, a meningeal biopsy is necessary.This is the first case report of HP, associated with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), and ANCA-negative serology.EGPA is probably a spectrum of diseases with predominant systemic involvement, but there may be cases where there is histological evidence, without the systemic context or positive serology.</p>","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11229462/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141562969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Right Atrial Thrombus Masquerading as Myxoma.","authors":"Shahad Alchalabi, Abdulrahman S Museedi","doi":"10.12890/2024_004660","DOIUrl":"10.12890/2024_004660","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In-situ right atrial (RA) thrombus is a rare occurrence typically associated with heightened inflammatory or hypercoagulable states. Here, we present a case of in-situ RA thrombus mimicking atrial myxoma in a patient with sepsis and bacteraemia.</p><p><strong>Case description: </strong>A 41-year-old man presented with septic arthritis and bacteraemia caused by methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA). A transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed a large pediculated mass resembling atrial myxoma, which was not visible on transthoracic echocardiography performed four days earlier. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging strongly suggested a thrombus, leading to the patient undergoing transcatheter aspiration. Subsequent pathology confirmed an organised fibrin thrombus without evidence of infection.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The patient's in-situ RA thrombus likely developed in response to a heightened inflammatory state associated with sepsis. Limited data exist on in-situ RA thrombi in the absence of atrial fibrillation, though some reports suggest a correlation between heightened inflammation and a hypercoagulable state.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>CMR imaging is invaluable for characterising such masses and can aid in distinguishing a thrombus from a myxoma.</p><p><strong>Learning points: </strong>Differentiating right atrial (RA) thrombus from myxoma: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is essential for distinguishing RA thrombus from myxoma, preventing unnecessary surgeries.Hypercoagulable and inflammatory states: spontaneous in-situ RA thrombi can occur without deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or atrial fibrillation, especially in hypercoagulable and inflammatory conditions.Transcatheter aspiration: this less invasive alternative to surgery is effective for large, mobile RA thrombi, reducing embolisation risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":11908,"journal":{"name":"European journal of case reports in internal medicine","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-06-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11229475/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141562975","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}