RESUMEN
Background: Hypercalcemia is a rare metabolic disorder in the pediatric population, with several differential diagnoses that resemble hematologic malignancies. In cases of severe hypercalcemia, therapeutic strategies other than hyperhydration, such as the use of bisphosphonates, have been described. Case presentation: We present the case of a previously healthy 12-year-old boy who was admitted to the emergency department due to fatigue, hypo-responsiveness, and progressively worsening poor appetite for the previous 19 days. Initial laboratory tests revealed severe hypercalcemia (total calcium: 19â mg/dl), hyperphosphatemia, elevated creatinine, and hyperuricemia. Management with hyperhydration and xanthine oxidase inhibitor (allopurinol) was provided. The patient was transferred to the pediatric intensive care unit where treatment with furosemide, systemic corticosteroid, and zoledronic acid was started. Metabolic, infectious, renal, and endocrinological causes were excluded. Follow-up paraclinical studies showed a progressive hematologic involvement with heterogeneous hypochromic microcytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated lactic dehydrogenase. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy were performed, which confirmed the diagnosis of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Hypercalcemia was resolved 72â h after the application of bisphosphonates. Conclusion: Hypercalcemia as an oncological metabolic emergency in the onset of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is uncommon in children. The use of intravenous bisphosphonates is an effective therapy in the early resolution of the condition. We present the case of a 12-year-old patient with malignant hypercalcemia who responded favorably to the use of a single dose of bisphosphonates.
RESUMEN
Chronic diarrhea is a common chief complaint in the pediatric population with a wide range of diagnostic differentials; as such, whilst suspecting common causes, less prevalent conditions tend to be overlooked, such as neuroendocrine tumor pathologies. VIPomas are characterized by hypersecretion of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), causing watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria. Nonetheless, its low incidence rate in children makes it an easily unnoticed pathology. Herein, we report a case of a 14-year-old female patient and a review of relevant literature. The patient complained of 7-month history of watery diarrhea, multiple emetic episodes, and relevant past medical history of multiple hospitalizations. Chronic diarrheal disease work-up studies, including a high VIP scintigram, showed a lesion suggestive of a VIPoma-type neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor. A distal pancreatectomy was performed with a complete resolution of the symptoms. When faced with a pediatric patient presenting with chronic secretory diarrhea and whose work-up studies rule out the most common pathologies, the possible presence of a neuroendocrine tumor as VIPoma should be considered.
RESUMEN
Urinary lithiasis is the most frequent urological consultation to the emergency room due to renoureteral colic. Complications include hematuria, anuria due to bilateral or unilateral obstruction in solitary kidney, and sepsis. Recurrence occurs in up to 50% of patients after 5 years from the first episode, and those will need metabolic studies and calculi analysis. Pharmacological management and dietary measures will prevent new episodes. We aim to describe each metabolic disorder associated with its respective type of calculi, and its management based on prevention of recurrence of urinary lithiasis.
La litiasis urinaria es la consulta urológica más frecuente para la sala de emergencias debido al cólico renoureteral. Las complicaciones incluyen hematuria, anuria debido a la obstrucción bilateral o unilateral en el riñón solitario y la sepsis. La recurrencia ocurre en hasta el 50% de los pacientes después de 5 años desde el primer episodio, y aquellos paciente requieren estudios metabólicos y análisis del cálculo. El manejo farmacológico y las modificaciones dietéticas evitarán nuevos episodios. Nuestro objetivo es describir cada trastorno metabólico asociado con su respectivo tipo de cálculo y su manejo basado en la prevención de la recurrencia de la litiasis urinaria.