A Case of Transient Gestational Hyperthyroidism Complicated With Acute Liver Injury Successfully Treated With Plasma Exchange.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) in pregnancy is rare due to the uncertainty of efficiency and safety in clinical practice. It is experience-based on extrapolation of efficacy and safety in non-pregnant populations than evidence-based. We reported a case of severe refractory hyperemesis gravidarum secondary to transient gestational hyperthyroidism in a first-trimester pregnancy, which was complicated by acute hepatic injury during the clinical course and successfully managed with TPE. Both the clinical picture and objective index were improved dramatically after plasma exchanges. Three sessions of plasma exchange provided a 61% decrease in serum FT4 (free thyroxine) concentration (4.34 ng/dL to 1.71 ng/dL) and 89% decrease in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (647 units/L to 69 units/L). The patient's symptoms improved significantly after TPE. In two weeks follow-up visit, her thyroid function was in the recommended range of 1st-trimester pregnancy (1.06 ng/dL) and her liver function was normalized (ALT 15 units/L, aspartate aminotransferase {AST} 11 units/L). In conclusion, plasma exchange may be used as an alternative therapeutic option in pregnancy to manage transient hyperthyroidism who failed or was unable to tolerate or have contradictions to antithyroid medications and thyroidectomy. Our case provides evidence of TPE in the treatment of thyrotoxicosis in pregnancy.

Association of sirolimus with pericardial effusion in renal transplant patient and discussion of potential mechanism.

Sirolimus is an important immunosuppressive drug in renal transplantation but contains numerous side effects. In this study, we describe a case of renal transplant recipient treated with sirolimus who developed pericardial effusion associated with interstitial pneumonia. An extensive search for alternative causes were all negative, and all symptoms disappeared after sirolimus interruption. Therefore, this case demonstrates that sirolimus can cause pericardial effusion possibly through a proinflammatory mechanism.

Pyoderma Gangrenosum in the Absence of Any Underlying Predisposing Condition: A Diagnostic Dilemma.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare non-infectious skin disease of undetermined origin. It is characterized by a single or multiple painful, necrotic ulcers. Formerly, PG was assumed to be infectious, but eventually, it was established to be an inflammatory disorder that is commonly associated with autoimmune and neoplastic diseases. We report a case of PG in a 70-year-old female who presented on the pretibial area as a single non-healing ulcer. It started as a small induration that worsened over the course of two weeks despite being on antibiotics. We started the patient on corticosteroids and high potency topical steroids that resulted in healing of the ulcer. PG can prove to be a diagnostic dilemma and can be inappropriately treated with antibiotics or even something radical like an amputation if misdiagnosed. Hence, physicians need to think of this entity even in the absence of any predisposing conditions.

A Rare Case of Crohn's Disease Manifesting as a Large Liver Abscess.

Liver abscess is a rare complication seen in Crohn's disease (CD) and has been rarely reported. Our aim is to illustrate a case of liver abscess in a patient with CD and the importance of a complete history and physical examination in identifying the potential cause of a hepatic abscess in an immune competent individual in who the diagnosis of CD was apparently ignored for two years before she presented to us. Although the manifestation of a hepatic abscess without any perianal abscess or fistula in CD is extremely rare, recognition of this would facilitate the diagnosis and appropriate management of abscess and CD.

Myxedema Ascites: A Rare Presentation of Uncontrolled Hypothyroidism.

Less than four percent of patients with hypothyroidism develop ascites. Ascites as the presenting feature of hypothyroidism is uncommon, hence diagnosis is often delayed. Once it is diagnosed, treatment of hypothyroidism leads to quick clinical improvement in ascites. We report a case of a female patient who presented with ascites secondary to severe hypothyroidism and discuss the diagnostic characteristics of the ascitic fluid in myxedema ascites on the basis of literature review.