Internal medicine
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Case Reports
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 with a Giant Diffuse Plexiform Neurofibroma Invading the Liver: A Case Report.
Plexiform neurofibromas (PNs) occur in approximately 50% of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). PNs are rare in the abdominal cavity and especially rare in hepatobiliary lesions. ⋯ Because the tumor had invaded along the intrahepatic portal vein, surgical resection was deemed difficult, and the patient was followed up with imaging studies. The patient remained asymptomatic without tumor growth.
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Case Reports
A Case of Severe Legionella Pneumonia in Which Serial Testing by Ribotest® Legionella was Useful for the Diagnosis.
A 79-year-old man presented with chest pain, and urinary antigen tests for Legionella pneumophila (ImmunoCatch® Legionella and Ribotest® Legionella) were negative on admission. The next day, rapid respiratory failure suggested Legionella pneumonia, and levofloxacin was added. ⋯ Urinary antigen tests for Legionella pneumophila became positive on day 5. In the present case, retesting with Ribotest® Legionella, which could be negative early after the disease onset, was useful for diagnosing Legionella pneumonia, which led to the discontinuation of unnecessary steroid treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy and Safety of Synbiotics in Patients Undergoing Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Randomized, Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Pilot Study.
Objective High-dose chemotherapy with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) is an effective treatment option for relapsed and refractory aggressive malignant lymphoma. However, patients frequently experience treatment-induced gastrointestinal symptoms. Synbiotics, including live microorganisms and nondigestible food ingredients, reportedly ameliorate chemotherapy-induced mucosal damage. ⋯ The oral intake and quality of life regarding diarrhea and anorexia improved in the synbiotic group after engraftment. Synbiotic infections, including bacteremia, were not observed. Conclusion Synbiotics may reduce gastrointestinal toxicity, thereby reducing nutritional problems and improving the quality of life of patients undergoing auto-HSCT, without severe adverse events.