Ectopic Cushing's syndrome in a patient with metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Ectopic Cushing syndrome (ECS) is a rare condition commonly associated with neuroendocrine tumors (NET), mainly bronchial carcinoids. The association of paraneoplastic syndrome with Merkle cell carcinoma (MCC) is limited to individual case reports. CASE SUMMARY: In this article we report an unusual and striking presentation of ECS in a patient with known metastatic MCC. An elderly patient presented with new onset severe hypertension, hyperglycemia and hypokalemia, muscle wasting, and peripheral edema. A diagnosis of adrenocorticotropic hormone dependent, non-pituitary, Cushing syndrome was established. Medical therapy inhibiting adrenal function was promptly started but unfortunately the patient survived only a few days after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of an aggressive form of ECS in patients with NET should be recognized as an ominous event. To our knowledge, the association of this complication in a patient with MCC had not been reported.

Is fasting still necessary prior to contrast-enhanced computed tomography? A randomized clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: There is very limited evidence to support the common practice of preparative fasting prior to contrast-enhanced computerized tomography (CT). This study examined the effect of withholding fasting orders, prior to contrast-enhanced CT, on the incidence of aspiration pneumonitis and adverse gastrointestinal symptoms. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial enrolled hospitalized patients referred for non-emergency, contrast-enhanced CT scan to either at least 4 h of fasting or to an unrestricted consumption of liquids and solids up to the time of CT. The primary outcome was incidence of aspiration pneumonitis and the secondary outcomes were rates of adverse gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea and/or vomiting). RESULTS: After excluding participants with incomplete follow-up, a total of 1080 participants were assigned to the fasting group and 1011 were assigned to the non-fasting group. Aspiration pneumonitis was not identified in either group. The mean time of fasting in the fasting group was 8.4 ± 1.6 h. Rates of nausea and vomiting were not statistically different between the fasting group compared with the non-fasting group, 6.6% vs. 7.6% (p = 0.37) and 2.6% vs. 3.0% (p = 0.58), respectively. A subgroup analysis of patients who were required to drink oral contrast agent (n = 1257) showed that rates of nausea and vomiting were not statistically different between the fasting and non-fasting groups, 6.8% vs. 8.0% (p = 0.42) and 2.6% vs. 3.6% (p = 0.3), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Withholding fasting orders prior to contrast-enhanced CT was not associated with a greater risk of aspiration pneumonitis or a significant increase in rates of adverse gastrointestinal symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT03533348 KEY POINTS: • Is fasting necessary prior to contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT)? • In this randomized clinical study including 2091 participants referred to non-emergency contrast-enhanced CT scan, withholding preparative fasting was not associated with a greater risk of aspiration pneumonitis or clinically significant increase in rates of adverse gastrointestinal symptoms. • Eating and drinking prior to contrast-enhanced CT can be allowed and are not associated with an increased risk of aspiration pneumonitis.

Trends in admission serum albumin and mortality in patients with hospital readmission.

AIMS: To determine the relationship between trends in admission serum albumin and long-term mortality in medical patients with hospital readmission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a cohort of patients admitted to five departments of internal medicine during 3 years. Survival analysis was performed based on mean admission serum albumin levels and trends in albumin values from recurrent admissions. RESULTS: A total of 5396 patients had 16 640 admissions (readmission cohort), another 9422 patients were admitted only once (single admission cohort). Readmitted patients with low mean albumin were older, predominantly females and had higher comorbidity index than patients with normal mean albumin. The 6-month all-cause mortality rate of the normal and low mean albumin groups was 5.2% and 24.2%, respectively (P < 0.001). Survival analysis showed that patients with persistently normal albumin levels had the highest survival rates at 6 months (97.7%), compared with patients who had hypoalbuminemia at index admission but normalised their albumin levels in subsequent admissions (92%), patients with declining albumin trends (85.6%) and patients with persistently low albumin levels (68.9%) (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum albumin is strongly associated with long-term mortality in readmitted medical patients. Persistent hypoalbuminemia during recurrent admissions is associated with increased risk of long-term mortality.