Ischemic gastropathy with "leopard skin" stomach.

Ischemic gastropathy is a rare, underreported phenomenon that is associated with a poor prognosis. Patients often present with signs of shock, gastrointestinal bleeding, and anemia. We describe a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis who presented after a fall in hemorrhagic shock. Initial endoscopy revealed evidence of ongoing bleeding, with subsequent endoscopy revealing the "leopard skin" appearance in the stomach. The patient was treated supportively but eventually succumbed to his condition. Prompt diagnosis, treatment, and awareness of the delayed changes on upper endoscopy are imperative in diagnosing ischemic gastropathy. Patients with risk factors for the condition need to be given additional consideration for this diagnosis.

Ventricular arrhythmias in Kearns-Sayre syndrome: A cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample database 2016-2019.

BACKGROUND: Degeneration of the cardiac conduction system resulting in complete heart block (CHB), ventricular arrhythmias (VA), and sudden cardiac death (SCD) is recognized in patients with Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS) and is potentially preventable with permanent pacemaker (PPM) implantation. However, other mechanisms for SCD have been proposed, and the efficacy of implanting a defibrillator instead of PPM remains to be investigated. METHODS: We utilized the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database 2016-2019 to investigate the risk of VA or dysrhythmic cardiac arrest (dCA) in KSS patients. We compared the outcomes of KSS to myotonic dystrophy (MD), a more common genetic disorder with similar clinical cardiac features and course. RESULTS: We identified 640 admissions for KSS. VA or dCA were lower in admissions for KSS than MD patients (2.3% vs. 4.5%, p = .009). Device implantation differed between study groups. Approximately, 70% of cases with KSS and conduction abnormalities had pacemaker (± defibrillator) on hospital discharge, compared to 35% in MD. Conduction abnormalities were associated with higher rates of VA or dCA in both study groups. None of the admissions for KSS patients who developed VA or dCA had a pacemaker, and all of them had conduction abnormalities. One-third of admissions for MD patients who developed VA or dCA had a device already implanted prior to the event. CONCLUSION: Despite its effectiveness in preventing VA, PPM remains underutilized in patients with KSS or MD who have conduction abnormalities. PPM alone do not fully prevent VA in MD patients; therefore, addition of defibrillator capacity might be necessary.

Atrial Septal Aneurysm: An Incidental Finding or a Clinically Significant Anomaly?

Atrial septal aneurysm (ASA) is a condition involving the bulging of the interatrial septum into one or both of the atrial chambers. We present the case of an ASA found on transesophageal echocardiogram in a patient who presented with exertional dyspnea. This case report aims to highlight the growing clinical association of ASA with arterial embolism through various mechanisms and emphasize the unknown aspects of clinical management for such patients. While there are currently no clear recommendations on whether to start anticoagulation after an ASA is diagnosed, many suggest a careful patient-centered approach for such decisions due to the reported increased risk of thromboembolic events. Further studies regarding the significance of ASA and cardioembolic events are needed.

The Diagnostic and Treatment Challenges of Concomitant Mantle Cell Lymphoma and IgM Myeloma.

It is rare for IgM multiple myeloma (MM) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) to coexist. Furthermore, it is challenging to demonstrate if there are two distinct types of neoplasia or if plasma cell differentiation of MCL is present. We discuss the case of a patient concomitantly diagnosed with MCL and IgM MM, and the subsequent diagnostic and management difficulties, and the positive treatment outcome. LEARNING POINTS: Due to the rarity of simultaneous multiple myeloma (MM) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), it is challenging to investigate a possible association.This report will draw attention to the condition's rarity, diagnostic and treatment hurdles, and hopefully inspire future research into therapeutic alternatives.Several recent developments indicate a bright future for treating refractory malignancies such as MM and MCL, such as the advent of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR T-cell) therapy.

Epidemiology and Determinants of Survival for Primary Intestinal Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Population-Based Study.

Background: Gastrointestinal tract is the most common site of extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (EN-NHL). Most of the published data have been on gastric NHL with limited studies on primary intestinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (PI-NHL) considering rare incidence. We performed epidemiological and survival analysis for PI-NHL from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 database. Methods: A total of 9,143 PI-NHL cases of age ≥ 18 years were identified from the SEER 18 database for the period 2000 - 2015. Totally, 8,568 patients were included for survival analysis. Cause-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) analysis were done for PI-NHL and PI-diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PI-DLBCL) using sex, age of onset, treatment, histology, stage, and year of diagnosis. Survival analysis was done by using Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan-Meier plot with log-rank test. Results: The percentage of PI-NHL of all the intestinal cancers and EN-NHL were 1.35%, and 10.52%, respectively. The age-adjusted incidence was 0.9145/100,000 population for the study population. PI-NHL was more common among patients aged ≥ 60 years, male and non-Hispanics Whites. Majority of patients were diagnosed at stage 1 and 2 (74%), and DLBCL (44.8%) was the most common histology. Overall median survival was 111 (95% confidence interval (CI): 105 - 117) months. In OS analysis, significant increased risk of mortality was seen with T-cell NHLs vs. DLBCL (hazard ratio (HR): 2.56), patients aged ≥ 60 vs. < 60 years (HR: 2.87), stage 4 vs. stage 1 (HR: 1.93), male vs. female (HR: 1.17), with best outcome seen in patient treated with combination of chemotherapy and surgery vs. none (HR: 0.45). Similar results were seen in CSS and for PI-DLBCL as well. Significant improvement in outcomes was observed for PI-DLBCL patients receiving chemotherapy with/without surgery. Conclusions: Findings from our large, population-based study reveal PI-NHL is a rare type of intestinal malignancy with significant difference in survival based on histological and epidemiological characteristics.

A Persistent Parvovirus Infection Causing Anemia in an HIV Patient Requiring Intravenous Immunoglobulin Maintenance Therapy.

Anemia is a common finding in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patient with a wide range of possible causes and is a significant risk factor for mortality in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Opportunistic parvovirus infection-causing pure red cell aplasia is one of its uncommon causes. It has been suggested that immunocompromised patients with abnormal antibody production are more susceptible to acquiring a chronic parvovirus infection requiring long-term intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment; however, there are no specific guidelines for it. Here, we present a case of an HIV patient with persistent parvovirus infection resulting in chronic anemia requiring long-term maintenance immunoglobulin therapy with an excellent therapeutic response.

A Trilogy of Submassive Pulmonary Embolism, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer with Brain Metastasis, Kartagener's Syndrome and its Management with Aspiration Thrombectomy.

Venous thromboembolism is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Given the bleeding risks, determining treatment for malignancy-related thrombosis is challenging, especially in the case of submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) because the risk-benefit ratio in terms of bleeding risk is uncertain. Here we discuss the case of a 53-year-old man with Kartagener syndrome with situs inversus totalis and stage IV non-small cell lung cancer with a recent brain mass resection, presenting with dyspnoea and palpitations. The patient was diagnosed with a submassive PE and only underwent suction thrombectomy through the left internal jugular vein with excellent response. In conclusion, when treating submassive PE, aspiration thrombectomy without thrombolysis is preferable to thrombolysis, which may be contraindicated due to the higher risk of bleeding. LEARNING POINTS: Anticoagulation and thrombolysis should be started after carefully weighing the risks and benefits in cancer patients.In some patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE), thrombolysis may be contraindicated due to the increased risk of bleeding, but aspiration thrombectomy can be a preferred treatment modality.Further research evaluating the risks and benefits of different therapeutic approaches for submassive PE could aid in determining the best course of action and establishing treatment guidelines.

A Case of Angioimmunoblastic T-cell Lymphoma Hidden in Plain Sight: A Delay in Diagnosis and Management.

Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) is an uncommon type of cluster of differentiation (CD)4 T-cell peripheral lymphoma. The varied clinical presentations of AITL present a challenge for accurate diagnosis. We present a case of a 57-year-old female with a history of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in May 2020, who presented to the hospital in the summer of 2021 with shortness of breath for 3 months. She underwent an extensive workup for lymphadenopathy while in Canada involving multiple core lymph node biopsies, which were inconclusive. Here in our institution, several tests for infectious diseases were unremarkable. Imaging tests revealed bilateral pleural effusion, lymphadenopathies, and rectal thickening. Results from rectal biopsy and excisional cervical lymph node biopsy revealed findings typical of AITL. Due to worsening hypoxia with pleural fluid accumulation, bilateral chest tubes (PleurX catheter) were placed. Steroids and chemotherapy were started. She was discharged in stable condition to follow-up care. An integrated and persistent approach comprising clinical, morphologic, excisional biopsy, immunophenotyping, and molecular tests is essential in reaching a correct diagnosis of AITL. Through our consistent effort to obtain further imaging and tissue biopsies, we came to the diagnosis which allowed her to begin appropriate life-saving treatments.

Dysphagia as a Rare Presentation of Cervical Cancer with Mediastinal Metastasis.

Dysphagia has a broad aetiology and so it is essential to identify the precise cause. Cervical cancer metastasis is distinctive in that it usually involves local lymph node invasion; however, approximately 1% of cases have mediastinal involvement, which can cause severe compressive symptoms in rare situations. To highlight an uncommon severe manifestation of cervical cancer relapse, we describe a case of dysphagia in a woman with a history of cervical cancer. After a thorough investigation that included endoscopy, endoscopy with ultrasound, an oesophagogram and fine needle aspiration, we eventually reached the diagnosis of mediastinal metastatic cervical cancer. Following interventions, the patient's condition gradually improved, both clinically and radiographically. LEARNING POINTS: Mediastinal lymph node enlargement causing dysphagia can be a presenting sign of a metastatic lesion from treated cervical cancer.A PEG tube is helpful in relieving dysphagia caused by metastatic mediastinal lymph node enlargement and as bridge for nutrition during chemotherapy.The VEGF inhibitor bevacizumab can be used in advanced metastatic cervical cancer.Check-point inhibitors like pembrolizumab can be used in metastatic cervical cancer.

A Rare Occurrence of Tularemia in New Jersey.

Tularemia has been well described clinically in the United States since the early 1900s. Worldwide, the infection has manifested in a variety of forms through various vectors with geography and local prevalence often considered in the diagnostic work-up. We present a case of a 57-year-old patient who lived in an area with low tularemia infection rates and presented with fever and a tender, swollen elbow. Though initially diagnosed with cellulitis, she was eventually found to have tularemia after further interviewing and questioning, followed by successful treatment with doxycycline. A thorough history including exposures and daily activities should always be considered in an effort to rule out rare infections, even in areas of low disease prevalence.

Primary Cardiac Lymphoma: A Case Report.

Cardiac lymphoma is a rare neoplasm involving heart, pericardium or both, usually seen in immunocompromised patients. We report a 61-year-old male presenting with worsening shortness of breath and 20-pound weight loss. Investigations showed right-sided tumor with interatrial septal wall perforation and left atrial expansion. The diagnosis was confirmed with mediastinal mass biopsy. After receiving the appropriate treatment, there was a steady improvement clinically and on the transesophageal echocardiography.

A Cerebrovascular Accident Presenting With Bilateral Vocal Cord Paresis.

Diagnosing a stroke requires careful attention to clinical indicators on physical exam, especially the more subtle manifestations of cerebellar lesions. An 85-year-old male with vascular risk factors and new-onset atrial fibrillation was admitted for left upper extremity weakness, headaches, and tremors. The patient developed stridor during hospitalization and was found to have a new cerebellar infarct with hemorrhagic transformation on computed tomography (CT) of the head, with laryngoscopy showing bilateral vocal cord paresis. While strokes outside of the cerebellum are a known cause of unilateral vocal cord paresis, cerebellar strokes are a rare culprit and rarely cause bilateral cord paresis. Consideration beyond the more common pulmonary and iatrogenic causes of vocal cord paresis should be considered, with particular attention to stroke.

Kearns-Sayre Syndrome With Persistent Ventricular Tachycardia Refractory to Shocks and Medications.

Cardiovascular conduction delay makes up part of the triad associated with Kearns-Sayre syndrome (KSS). Although there have been a few reported cases of prolonged Qtc and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with this disease, despite the use of automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators (AICD) for secondary prevention, some cases have been reported where the use of AICD did not help. We present a case of a 62-year-old male with KSS who came to the emergency department (ED) after two episodes of syncope. He already had an automatic AICD placed at the age of 34. Our patient had Qtc prolongation which is an unusual finding in KSS. He also had recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) refractory to medications and multiple shocks from his AICD, which progressed to a VT storm. He eventually passed away after the withdrawal of care, as his prognosis worsened. We recommend that a more clear guideline will help manage this devastating disease, resulting in mortality reduction.

Elucidating the Intriguing Association Between Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Cardiovascular Disease.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have demonstrated a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD), resulting in it being one of the leading causes of death in SLE patients. SLE itself acts as a sole risk factor influencing the prevalence and progression of CVD. However, conventional risk factors, such as age, hypertension, smoking, and obesity, play a crucial role as well. Therefore, this systematic review attempts to unravel the association of CVD in SLE patients while evaluating the role of conventional risk factors. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed to search the PubMed database starting from March 2021 systematically. Original studies that evaluated the prevalence and progression of CVD in SLE patients were extracted by two reviewers independently. Quality in Prognostic Studies (QUIPS) tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Most studies have a moderate to low risk of bias. Among 3,653 studies identified by our search, 10 studies were included in the review. Strong epidemiologic evidence of SLE patients having an increased relative risk of CVD compared to controls was found. Traditional CVD risk factors, such as age, hypertension, obesity, and smoking, influence the prevalence of CVD among SLE patients. Several SLE-specific factors such disease activity, duration, and certain medications also acted as influencing factors. However, the relative risk of CVD was still higher in SLE patients after adjustment of certain risk factors. One study found that the odds of having a Coronary Artery Calcification (CAC) score greater than zero in women with SLE aged less than or equal to 45 years was 12.6 times higher than women in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) cohort (95% CI 5.2 to 30.7) (participants of CARDIA cohort acted as control). This finding was made after age, hypertension, total cholesterol levels, and aspirin use were adjusted, and the study was restricted to women. Although conventional risk factors increase CVD prevalence, SLE itself also dramatically increases the prevalence of CVD. Therefore, we recommend that SLE should be treated as a "CVD risk equivalent." SLE patients should be managed more extensively with greater emphasis given to cardiac health for better clinical outcomes.