Internal medicine
-
Case Reports
A Case of Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis in a Patient Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis and Glucocorticoid Therapy.
Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a fatal complication of peritoneal dialysis. A 68-year-old man undergoing peritoneal dialysis for 10 years started receiving daily 50 mg of glucocorticoids for idiopathic pulmonary sclerosis. ⋯ Afterward, over 5 mg daily glucocorticoids were required to avoid the recurrence of EPS. These findings suggest that glucocorticoids may conceal peritoneal inflammation, a main contributor to EPS.
-
A 44-year-old man with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and nephrotic syndrome relapse was admitted to our intensive-care unit for respiratory failure. Despite receiving mechanical ventilation and immunomodulators, the patient experienced refractory hypoxemia, necessitating venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) therapy. Due to a worsening renal function, continuous hemodiafiltration was initiated. ⋯ The kidney function and proteinuria improved, and hemodialysis was subsequently discontinued. The patient was discharged 64 days after admission. This case highlights the potential benefit of early ECMO application in dramatically promoting recovery in severe COVID-19 cases.
-
Objective Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), such as dapagliflozin, have a diuretic effect, and their early initiation to treat acute heart failure (AHF) may improve outcomes; however, the significance of the timing of starting dapagliflozin after hospital admission remains unclear. Methods We performed a post hoc analysis of a prospective, observational registry. Participants were divided into the early (E) group and late (L) group using the median time to the initiation of dapagliflozin (6 days) as the cut-off. ⋯ The hospital stay was significantly shorter in group E [median, 16.5 days; interquartile range (IQR): 13-22 days] than in group L (median, 22 days; IQR: 17-27 days; p=0.002). A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the early initiation of dapagliflozin was independently associated with a shorter hospital stay, even after multiple adjustments. Conclusion Early initiation of dapagliflozin after hospital admission is associated with a shorter hospital stay, suggesting it is a key factor for shortening hospital stays.
-
We report a case of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) presenting with hypertrophic pachymeningitis with a huge brain tumor-like lesion. A 57-year-old man acutely developed consciousness disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right frontal lobe mass with thickened, contrast-enhanced dura. ⋯ Histopathology of the excised brain tissues revealed thrombovasculitis with heavy neutrophilic infiltration in the pachy- and leptomeninges covering an ischemic cerebral cortex. The patient improved with corticosteroids and rituximab. Our case warrants considering GPA as a cause of hypertrophic pachymeningitis with brain-tumor like lesions.
-
Case Reports
Complete Circumferential Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Esophageal Cancer Leaving an Island of Normal Mucosa.
Esophageal stricture caused by complete circumferential endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of extensive esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a major concern and can result in a low quality of life. Normal mucosa may remain within a complete circumferential lesion of ESCC in some cases. We herein report a case of ESCC in which a complete circumferential lesion was treated with ESD while leaving an island of normal mucosa within it. This case demonstrates that preserving areas of normal mucosa within lesions during complete circumferential ESD is not technically difficult and may be an effective measure for preventing esophageal stricture.