Journal of medical case reports
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Case Reports
Severe abdominal pain and diarrhea - unusual multiple myeloma presentation with a severe prognosis: a case report.
Multiple myeloma is a hematologic disease with high mortality rates all over the world. The diagnosis has always been challenging since the first case was reported in 1844. For that reason the diagnostic criteria have evolved over years to include the features of the disease more comprehensively. Unusual presentations are infrequent and a diagnostic challenge. For this reason we report this rare case in which diarrhea and abdominal pain were the initial presenting symptoms of multiple myeloma with a plasmacytoma. ⋯ This case illustrates the protean initial manifestations of multiple myeloma and the importance of an accurate diagnosis. Our patient's initial presentation with gastrointestinal complaints is rare and the plasmacytoma location is even rarer, providing a challenging diagnostic problem. Prompt recognition of multiple myeloma is critical to institute appropriate therapy and prevention of disease progression.
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Review Case Reports
Coexistence of chronic myeloid leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with antecedent chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a case report and review of the literature.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia are the most common types of adult leukemia. However, it is rare for the same patient to suffer from both. Richter's transformation to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is frequently observed in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Purine analog therapy and the presence of trisomy 12, and CCND1 gene rearrangement have been linked to increased risk of Richter's transformation. The coexistence of chronic myeloid leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the same patient is extremely rare, with only nine reported cases. Here, we describe the first reported case of concurrent chronic myeloid leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a background of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. ⋯ In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, progressive leukocytosis and splenomegaly caused by emerging chronic myeloid leukemia can be easily overlooked. It is unlikely that chronic myeloid leukemia arose as a result of clonal evolution secondary to fludarabine treatment given the very short interval after receiving fludarabine. It is also unlikely that imatinib contributed to the development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; rather, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma arose as a result of Richter's transformation. Fludarabine, trisomy 12, and CCND1 gene rearrangement might have increased the risk of Richter's transformation in this patient.
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Case Reports
Tracheal injury detected immediately after median sternotomy by inexperienced surgeons: two case reports.
Although median sternotomy is standard during cardiac surgery, the procedure is associated with a risk of injury to mediastinal organs. Here, we discuss two cases of tracheal injury following median sternotomy during cardiac surgery. ⋯ Tracheal injury represents a potential complication following median sternotomy, especially when performed by inexperienced surgeons or in cases of short sternotracheal distance. Anesthesiologists should consider this rare yet potentially lethal complication.
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Novel immune checkpoint inhibitors have been often utilized for different types of malignancies as salvage therapy with varying success. One obstacle to immune checkpoint inhibitor use is the higher incidence of immune-mediated side effects that can prompt discontinuation of therapy. Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema has been described with immune checkpoint inhibitors only once previously. We report a case of a patient who developed remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema related to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and stress that these symptoms can be managed without cessation of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy. ⋯ In conclusion we present the first case of nivolumab-induced remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema that is controlled by maintenance low-dose orally administered corticosteroids allowing for continuation of nivolumab therapy. Clinicians who encounter mild-to-moderate immune checkpoint inhibitor immune-mediated adverse effects can consider maintaining immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy with concomitant low-dose corticosteroids rather than abrupt cessation of the immune checkpoint inhibitor.
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The aim of the study was to analyze characteristics of patients with bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis in our department during a 1-year period. Internal jugular vein thrombosis refers to an intraluminal thrombus occurring anywhere from the intracranial internal jugular vein to the junction of the internal jugular vein and the subclavian vein, which form the brachiocephalic vein. It can occur spontaneously or as a complication of head and neck infections, surgery, central venous lines, local malignancy, polycytemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, neck massage, or intravenous drug abuse. Spontaneous bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis may occur as a result of a neoplasm, a condition called Trousseau's syndrome. ⋯ Diagnosing internal jugular vein thrombosis requires a high degree of suspicion. Our study underlines that bilateral internal jugular vein thrombosis is a risk indicator for malignancy. In our literature review of internal jugular vein thrombosis, 85% of patients exhibited unilateral thrombosis, whereas the remaining patients had bilateral thrombosis (15%). The knowledge of predictive factors of internal jugular vein thrombosis seems to be of utmost importance to improve patient management.