Internal medicine
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We herein report an autopsy case of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) with disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple cerebral infarctions induced by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis in an 84-year-old male. Pathological examination revealed sepsis with hemophagocytosis in the reticular system and intravascular bacteria in multiple organs, originating from bacterial necrotizing fasciitis of the lower extremities. The brain MRI findings showed a diffusion weighted imaging-fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery mismatch, whereas the pathology was almost normal, thus supporting a hyperacute phase of cerebral infarction. The findings in this case help to elucidate the pathogenesis of STSS and develop appropriate treatment strategies.
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Lemierre's syndrome can be fatal if diagnosed late or not treated appropriately. We herein report a 40-year-old woman with a fever and pain with tenderness in her palms after the administration of antibiotics for pharyngotonsillitis. ⋯ In this case, the palmar lesions indicated septic emboli and were an important finding in recognizing Lemierre's syndrome. Lemierre's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with a persistent fever following oropharyngeal infection, even if they have received antimicrobial therapy, resolved pharyngeal symptoms, and negative culture results.
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Objective The efficacy of anamorelin in pancreatic cancer (PC) patients with a poor performance status (PS) is uncertain, as previous trials have excluded such patients. This study evaluated the efficacy of anamorelin in PC patients with a poor PS (2) compared with those with a good PS (0-1). Methods We retrospectively reviewed consecutive PC patients with cachexia who received anamorelin at our institution. ⋯ A poor PS was associated with early discontinuation of anamorelin. Conclusion The efficacy of anamorelin is extremely limited in PC patients with a poor PS. Patients with PC with a poor PS may not be good candidates for anamorelin compared to those with a good PS.
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Although sarcoid-like reactions are uncommon in colorectal cancer, they can coexist with other cancers. We herein report a 50-year-old woman with sigmoid adenocarcinoma and osseous sarcoid-like reactions that resembled metastases. ⋯ Bone and lymph node biopsies revealed epithelioid non-caseating granulomas with bone trabeculae, resulting in a final diagnosis of pathological T2N2aM0, Stage IIIB. When the expected depth of invasion differs from that of typical bone metastases, colorectal cancer-associated bone lesions should be evaluated for sarcoid-like reactions.
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A 16-year-old girl presented with a high fever that had persisted for more than 4 weeks. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a 4-cm mass in the left adrenal gland. Clinically, there were no obvious symptoms of adrenal hormone excess; however, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein levels were significantly elevated. ⋯ The tumor was pathologically diagnosed as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), with a Weiss score of 5/9. The tumor cells were immunoreactive for IL-6. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of symptomatic IL-6-producing ACC that initially presented with a persistent fever.