CureusPub Date : 2024-10-27eCollection Date: 2024-10-01DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72480
Matthew T Eisenberg, Joshua W Hustedt
{"title":"Alginate Use in Orthopedics and Peripheral Nerve Repair: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Matthew T Eisenberg, Joshua W Hustedt","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72480","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72480","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of alginate, a derivative of seaweed, has been proposed for multiple orthopedic indications. We aimed to review the current use of alginate in orthopedics and to focus on the future applications of alginate for peripheral nerve repair. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify biomechanical, laboratory, animal, and human studies where alginate has been utilized for orthopedic or nerve repair indications. A systematic review of orthopedic indications was conducted for safety and efficacy, and a specific focus was placed on alginate for use in peripheral nerve repair and reconstruction. Thirty-two studies were identified. Alginate has a strong history and safety profile for usage in orthopedic surgery. Its primary usage has been for the repair of articular cartilage, although it has also been used for disc regeneration of the lumbar spine and for cushioning joints in osteoarthritis. The primary indication in peripheral nerve repair is to create an environment that encourages Schwann cell migration and repair in nerve injuries while blocking fibrotic scar tissue formation by inhibiting the activity of fibroblasts. Alginate hydrogel may serve as a potential conduit for nerve regeneration in nerve injuries with small to medium-sized gaps.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11536484/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142585218","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}
CureusPub Date : 2024-10-26eCollection Date: 2024-10-01DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72407
Katsuhiko Maruyama, Masaki Tanito, Takefumi Yamaguchi, Jun Shimazaki
{"title":"Corneal Endothelial Graft Failure After Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation: A Case Report.","authors":"Katsuhiko Maruyama, Masaki Tanito, Takefumi Yamaguchi, Jun Shimazaki","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72407","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72407","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We report a case of corneal endothelial graft failure that developed after endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) for elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) following Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK). The patient was a 69-year-old Japanese woman with primary angle-closure glaucoma who had undergone phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation and goniosynechialysis for peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS), followed by trabeculectomy, repeat bleb revisions, Baerveldt glaucoma implant surgery, and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation with tube insertion into the anterior chamber in the past two years. Subsequently, she developed bullous keratopathy, and the first DSAEK was performed in July 2020. Subsequently, iris adhesion and atrophy progressed around the tube, and PAS became severe, resulting in graft failure. A second DSAEK combined with pupilloplasty was performed in November 2021, after which the graft transparency was maintained. Since March 2022, IOP has increased despite treatment with maximum medication; therefore, ECP was performed to reduce IOP in September 2022. IOP decreased after ECP; however, the patient developed graft failure within a few months. A third DSAEK was performed in July 2023. In conclusion, for eyes with borderline corneal endothelial cell decompensation, the indications for ECP should be decided with caution.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11513220/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142523895","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}
CureusPub Date : 2024-10-26eCollection Date: 2024-10-01DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72457
Shingo Hosomi, Rie Oyama, Chizuko Isurugi, Takanori Sato, Tsukasa Baba
{"title":"Pregnancy Complicated by Extrahepatic Portal Vein Occlusion and Portal Vein Thrombosis: A Case Report.","authors":"Shingo Hosomi, Rie Oyama, Chizuko Isurugi, Takanori Sato, Tsukasa Baba","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72457","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72457","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We report the case of a 38-year-old woman with a history of extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) who became pregnant and developed portal vein thrombosis. She gave birth after intervention by gastroenterology and cardiology. She was referred to our department due to significant leg edema at eight weeks of gestation, and we noticed EHPVO, portal vein thrombosis, and left pulmonary arteriovenous fistula by contrast-enhanced CT. Therefore, subcutaneous heparin injections of 10,000 units/day were started as a preventive anticoagulant therapy. We performed an emergency cesarean section at 36 weeks of gestation. After surgery, the mother was administered a continuous heparin infusion. On the 11th day after surgery, the postoperative progress was good, so heparin was switched to oral warfarin, and the patient was discharged on the same day. During pregnancy, the risk of varicose vein rupture, hyperammonemia, and pulmonary hypertension increases due to an increase in circulating blood volume. This was a case in which careful perinatal management was performed in collaboration with other departments, resulting in a live birth.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11512749/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142516835","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}
CureusPub Date : 2024-10-26eCollection Date: 2024-10-01DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72419
Vijay Balaji Vadivel, Simran Lamba
{"title":"Acute Intermittent Porphyria: A Diagnostic Conundrum.","authors":"Vijay Balaji Vadivel, Simran Lamba","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72419","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72419","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This case report presents the case of a 20-year-old female patient who sought emergency medical attention for severe abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, tachycardia, hypertension, and discolored urine. Initial diagnostic evaluations yielded no significant abnormalities; however, subsequent analysis revealed elevated urinary porphobilinogen, corroborating a diagnosis of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). The patient's medical history included recurrent urinary tract infections and a prior episode of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), in conjunction with psychiatric comorbidities of anxiety and depression. Management encompassed a multifaceted approach involving supportive therapies, such as hydration and analgesia, alongside the imperative to abstain from using contraindicated pharmacological agents. Following referral to the National Acute Porphyria Service (NAPS), the patient received intravenous Haem arginate, resulting in clinical improvement and subsequent discharge. Nonetheless, she later necessitated further hospitalization due to the recurrence of similar symptoms. This case highlights the exigency of recognizing AIP in young women presenting with nonspecific symptoms, necessitating a high index of clinical suspicion. Furthermore, it accentuates the critical importance of early specialist intervention to avert severe sequelae associated with acute episodes. The integration of targeted educational initiatives within Acute Medicine departments is paramount for fostering awareness and facilitating prompt diagnosis and management of this rare yet significant disorder.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11512492/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142515161","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}
CureusPub Date : 2024-10-26eCollection Date: 2024-10-01DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72448
Mohammed Dablouk, Ahmed Musa
{"title":"Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Following Varicella Infection: A Case Report.","authors":"Mohammed Dablouk, Ahmed Musa","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72448","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72448","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A 38-year-old man presented to the emergency department with a severe frontal headache, which began three days prior without visual, speech, or balance disturbances. His past medical history was unremarkable, apart from raised cholesterol. He confirmed a recent primary Varicella-zoster virus infection (chicken pox) two weeks prior. Clinical examination revealed crusted varicella lesions on the arms, trunk, and thighs. The neurological examination revealed no deficits, neck rigidity, or abnormal gait. Routine blood investigations were unremarkable. Autoantibody screen and HIV serology were negative. CT head non-contrast showed evidence of hyperdense bilateral transverse sinus thrombosis. To confirm the findings, a CT venogram showed extensive and occlusive left transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis with further extension into the left internal jugular vein. The stroke team advised an MRI of the head, which reported no acute infarction, and magnetic resonance venography (MRV), which further confirmed the occlusion in the left transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus, and jugular vein. Hematology was involved and advised to start warfarin and bridging therapy with enoxaparin. His migraines experienced a substantial improvement within 48 hours of commencing treatment. He was subsequently discharged with outpatient follow-up. He continued on warfarin with a therapeutic international normalized ratio (INR) range of two to three for one year. A thrombophilia screen, <i>JAK2</i>, and lupus anticoagulant were checked by hematology as part of outpatient investigations. During the first six months, he experienced mild intermittent headaches; however, for the following six months, his symptoms ultimately resolved. Following a clinic evaluation one year later, his warfarin was discontinued.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11514717/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142523894","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":"One-Year and Five-Year Outcomes in Medication Overuse Headache: A Real-World Study.","authors":"Abouch Krymchantowski, Carla Jevoux, Ana Gabriela Krymchantowski, Rogelio Dominguez-Moreno, Raimundo Pereira Silva-Néto","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72347","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72347","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Medication overuse headache (MOH) is one of the global health-related problems that imposes significant morbidity. Effective management requires the abrupt cessation of the overused medications, transition therapy in the initial days, and initiation of preventive treatment. The objective of this study is to provide one-year and five-year follow-ups of study participants diagnosed with chronic migraine and MOH. The study will examine the efficacy of withdrawal therapy, the use of conventional preventive medication, and the use of anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide (anti-CGRP) monoclonal antibodies.</p><p><strong>Methodology: </strong>We conducted a single-center, prospective, and descriptive study at a tertiary center in Brazil. The population was included by convenience sampling of consecutive subjects diagnosed with chronic migraine and MOH. Demographics and clinical data at baseline and one-year and five-year follow-ups were collected in the clinical records.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 142 subjects, 116 were females and 26 were males, with a mean age of 42.1±14.3. They were followed for five years. The diagnosis was performed at the mean age of 24.9±14.7 years after the headache onset, and the time with headache ≥15 days per month was 6.3±7.6 years. On baseline, the average number of headache days per month (HDM) was 25.2±5.9. There was a reduction in HDM. At one-year and five-year follow-ups, a ≥75% reduction in HDM was observed, respectively, in 51.4% and 70.4% of the sample.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The five-year follow-up of chronic migraine and MOH treated with the discontinuation of excessive medication, the use of preventative pharmacological agents, and the optional inclusion of anti-CGRP pathway monoclonal antibody led to a significant decrease in the initial occurrence of HDM.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11512657/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142515094","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":"A Rare Case of Meningitis: Can Cellulosimicrobium cellulans Cause Meningitis in a Non-immunocompromised Person?","authors":"Prajna Narayan, Shishir Duble, Anup Shetty, Mithun Sekhar, Rajesh Shetty, Sathish Kumar Govindarajan","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72355","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72355","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infections with Gram-positive soil-dwelling <i>Cellulosimicrobium cellulans</i> bacterium are sporadic. Rarely, do patients with indwelling medical devices or those who suffer from immunosuppression get infected by this pathogen. However, based on routine clinical and laboratory procedures, it is hard to distinguish between the meningitis caused by <i>C. cellulans</i> and that from other bacteria. Here, we report a unique case of <i>C. cellulans</i> infection in a 37-year-old immunocompetent man presenting with meningitis associated with encephalopathy and headache. He presented with severe headaches, altered sensorium, reduced sleep, photophobia, and restlessness, with a feeling of impending doom, but with no neck rigidity and fever. Trans-axial T1 and T2/FLAIR head MRI showed diffused cerebral edema, with bilateral high frontoparietal sulcal enhancement, hyperintensity along the right posterior insula-temporal region, and left parietal deep white matter. Lumbar puncture CSF examination indicated bacterial meningitis, and <i>C. cellulans</i> was identified on culture. The patient was administered intravenous ceftriaxone for seven days and dexamethasone for three days. A follow-up lumbar puncture CSF examination showed no signs of the pathogen, indicating its eradication. To our knowledge, this is the first case of <i>C. cellulans</i> causing meningitis in an otherwise healthy man with no history of indwelling medical devices or immunosuppression. This rare case of meningitis suggests that <i>C. cellulans</i> can infect healthy humans and cause meningitis.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11503734/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142515159","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}
CureusPub Date : 2024-10-25eCollection Date: 2024-10-01DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72393
Jack Tomlins, Stephen Pearson
{"title":"Barriers and Facilitators to Accessing Care and Adhering to Medications in People With Epilepsy in India: Healthcare Workers' Perspectives.","authors":"Jack Tomlins, Stephen Pearson","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72393","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72393","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Introduction Exploring the barriers and facilitators that people with epilepsy face in accessing care and adhering to medications could enable a better understanding of how India's epilepsy treatment gap could be addressed. Furthermore, there is a paucity of research on the topic, and we could not find any studies exploring these barriers from the perspective of healthcare workers. Aim The study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to accessing care and adhering to medications faced by people with epilepsy in India. Methodology Purposive sampling was used to recruit healthcare workers at a private hospital and a non-governmental organization in Pune, India. A total of 13 participants were interviewed, with all of these interviews being audio-recorded. Findings were transcribed and then analyzed by thematic analysis. Findings Several barriers to accessing care were identified, with misconceptions surrounding epilepsy being the most frequently mentioned barrier. Facilitators to accessing care mentioned by participants included higher symptom severity and a higher level of education. Several barriers to medication adherence were discussed, with misconceptions and finances being key themes in participants' responses. Finally, four key themes arose from exploring facilitators to adherence, namely the low cost of medicines, counselling, a good doctor-patient relationship, and a higher education level. Discussion The barriers and facilitators in this study were similar to the barriers and facilitators identified in similar studies. However, some key differences were seen too. For example, this study found financial difficulties to be a key barrier to adherence, but a similar study in South India did not find financial difficulties to be a barrier. Several recommendations can be made based on the findings of this study on how to address India's epilepsy treatment gap. Conclusion People with epilepsy in India face several barriers and facilitators to accessing care and adhering to medications. India's epilepsy treatment gap is a complex and multifactorial issue and will therefore be challenging to address.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11512665/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142515168","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}
CureusPub Date : 2024-10-25eCollection Date: 2024-10-01DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72400
Tong Ren, Alan Kerr, Olu Oyesanmi, Salman Muddassir
{"title":"Impact of Malnutrition on the Length of Stay for Hospitalized Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) Therapy Patients in the United States (2020).","authors":"Tong Ren, Alan Kerr, Olu Oyesanmi, Salman Muddassir","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72400","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72400","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy offers a promising treatment for certain malignancies but can be associated with complications. Malnutrition and cachexia are common in cancer patients and may worsen outcomes. This study investigated the impact of malnutrition on the length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing CAR-T therapy. The analysis focused on different subpopulations, including those with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), multiple myeloma (MM), diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) excluding DLBCL. Methods Utilizing the 2020 National Inpatient Sample (NIS) data, we performed survey-based mean estimation analyses for LOS across various subpopulations of CAR-T therapy patients. These subpopulations were defined by specific diagnoses: ALL, myeloma, DLBCL, and NHL excluding DLBCL. We compared the LOS between patients with and without malnutrition using STATA accounting for the complex survey design. Cachexia was included as disease-induced malnutrition. Results The total CAR-T population used for analyses included 439 patients, and malnutrition was present in 50 (11.39%). The overall CAR-T population demonstrated a significantly longer LOS for patients with malnutrition (30.92 days, 95% CI: 24.30 to 37.54) compared to those without malnutrition (17.97 days, 95% CI: 15.48 to 20.46, p = 0.0002). This trend held true across subgroups. Specifically, the ALL population had a significantly longer LOS with malnutrition (45.25 days, 95% CI: 35.46 to 55.04) compared to non-malnourished patients (27.58 days, 95% CI: 16.74 to 38.42, p = 0.0279). For the DLBCL population, the mean LOS was 24.47 days (95% CI: 19.22 to 29.71) with malnutrition and 17.17 days (95% CI: 13.29 to 21.04, p = 0.0161) without malnutrition. The NHL population excluding DLBCL exhibited a mean LOS of 33.86 days (95% CI: 22.66 to 45.07) for malnourished patients and 17.44 days (95% CI: 14.76 to 20.11, p = 0.0055) for non-malnourished patients. The myeloma population showed a similar trend although not statistically significant, with a mean LOS of 39.00 days (95% CI: -3.54 to 81.54) for malnourished patients and 18.03 days (95% CI: 15.02 to 21.03, p = 0.3337) for non-malnourished patients. These findings highlight significant variations in LOS across different CAR-T-treated cancer subtypes, emphasizing the impact of malnutrition on healthcare resource utilization in oncology. Conclusion Malnutrition is associated with a significantly longer hospital stay among patients undergoing CAR-T therapy. This trend is consistent across various subpopulations, including those with ALL, DLBCL, and NHL (excluding DLBCL). While the impact of malnutrition on LOS was not statistically significant in the myeloma population, this could potentially be attributed to the smaller sample size in this group. Overall, these findings underscore the critical role of nutritional status in managing patients und","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11511674/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142515077","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}
CureusPub Date : 2024-10-25eCollection Date: 2024-10-01DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72379
Taha Al Hassan, Jessica Flores, Adam Bender-Heine, Rachel A Giese
{"title":"Unusual Metastatic Pathways: A Case of Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Presenting as a Cervical Neck Mass.","authors":"Taha Al Hassan, Jessica Flores, Adam Bender-Heine, Rachel A Giese","doi":"10.7759/cureus.72379","DOIUrl":"10.7759/cureus.72379","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Head and neck metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma is exceedingly rare with most cases presenting in the liver, lungs, or peritoneum. This report describes the case of a 53-year-old female patient with a past medical history significant for mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon treated with a right hemicolectomy. She was thought to be in remission but presented a few years later with a new, isolated left cervical neck mass and symptoms of left eye ptosis and dryness. Diagnostic imaging and biopsy confirmed the neck mass to be a metastatic lesion from her prior mucinous adenocarcinoma, with immunohistochemical findings specific for colorectal origin. The case highlights the diagnostic challenges posed by such unusual metastatic sites and the importance of considering colorectal cancer in patients with a history of the disease who present with atypical symptoms. Early recognition of metastatic patterns, even in rare locations like the head and neck, is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies, which may include surgical resection, systemic chemotherapy, or targeted therapies. This report emphasizes the need for further research into the mechanisms of metastasis and the development of effective treatment protocols for rare metastatic presentations.</p>","PeriodicalId":93960,"journal":{"name":"Cureus","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11507272/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142515171","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}