A case of acute lithium poisoning and hypermagnesemia involving advanced colon cancer-induced colonic obstruction.

An 83-year-old woman presented with disturbance of consciousness and hand tremor. She had taken lithium carbonate 300 mg/day for bipolar disorder and magnesium oxide 660 mg/day for constipation. Blood tests revealed lithium poisoning, hypermagnesemia and acute kidney injury. Computed tomography showed colonic obstruction caused by cancer of the descending colon. In the outpatient section, her blood pressure decreased to 89/54 mmHg, and her heart rate dropped to 40 bpm. We considered that the obstructive ileus induced intravascular dehydration, which led to toxic serum concentrations of lithium and magnesium, triggering the emergence of severe arrythmia induced by sinus dysfunction. The patient was treated with fluid resuscitation and hemodialysis, followed by endoscopic stent replacement for the descending colon cancer obstruction. These treatments improved her general condition and alleviated the lithium poisoning, hypermagnesemia and colonic obstruction. Such a case is considered extremely rare.

Risk factors associated with relapse after methotrexate dose reduction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving golimumab and methotrexate combination therapy.

AIM: To identify risk factors for relapse after methotrexate (MTX) dose reduction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving golimumab (GLM)/MTX combination therapy. METHOD: Data on RA patients ≥20 years old receiving GLM (50 mg) + MTX for ≥6 months were retrospectively collected. MTX dose reduction was defined as a reduction of ≥12 mg from the total dose within 12 weeks of the maximum dose (≥1 mg/wk average). Relapse was defined as Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C-reactive protein level (DAS28-CRP) score ≥3.2 or sustained (≥ twice) increase of ≥0.6 from baseline. RESULTS: A total of 304 eligible patients were included. Among the MTX-reduction group (n = 125), 16.8% of patients relapsed. Age, duration from diagnosis to the initiation of GLM, baseline MTX dose, and DAS28-CRP were comparable between relapse and no-relapse groups. The adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of relapse after MTX reduction was 4.37 (95% CI 1.16-16.38, P = 0.03) for prior use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and the aORs for cardiovascular disease (CVD), gastrointestinal disease and liver disease were 2.36, 2.28, and 3.03, respectively. Compared to the non-reduction group, the MTX-reduction group had a higher proportion of patients with CVD (17.6% vs 7.3%, P = 0.02) and a lower proportion of prior use of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (11.2% vs. 24.0%, P = 0.0076). CONCLUSION: Attention should be given to RA patients with history of CVD, gastrointestinal disease, liver disease, or prior NSAIDs-use when considering MTX dose reduction to ensure benefits outweigh the risks of relapse.

Efficacy of sulfasalazine for the prevention of Pneumocystis pneumonia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A multicentric self-controlled case series study.

INTRODUCTION: Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) is an opportunistic lung infection and has been reported among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). An animal study revealed that sulfasalazine enhances Pneumocystis clearance from the lung by accelerating macrophage activity. METHODS: The self-controlled case series (SCCS) method was used to investigate the association between sulfasalazine use and PCP development in patients with RA without the effect of time-invariant, interpatient confounders. PCP episodes which developed in patients with RA at five hospitals between 2003 and 2019 were identified. PCP was defined by the following criteria: 1) detection of Pneumocystis jirovecii in respiratory specimens by polymerase chain reaction; 2) clinical symptoms (pyrexia, dry cough, dyspnea or hypoxia); 3) diffuse interstitial infiltrate on chest imaging; and 4) absence of PCP prophylaxis. The PCP incidence rate ratio (IRR) was compared between periods with and without sulfasalazine use by conditional Poisson regression. RESULTS: Fifty episodes of PCP were identified in 49 patients. Thirty patients received sulfasalazine at some point during their observation. While 49 episodes of PCP developed in 170.3 person-years without sulfasalazine use, only one episode of PCP developed in 103.7 person-years with sulfasalazine use. Sulfasalazine use was associated with a decreased PCP risk (adjusted IRR <0.01; 95% confidence interval <0.01-0.03) after adjusting for age and glucocorticoid, methotrexate, and tumor necrosis factor inhibitor administration. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated a preventive effect of sulfasalazine against PCP in patients with RA.

Fatal case of pancreatic panniculitis caused by occult neuroendocrine tumor in the corresponding organ: A case report and review of the published work.

Pancreatic panniculitis (PP) is a rare clinical variant of subcutaneous fat necrosis, developing in patients with a variety of pancreatic diseases such as acute or chronic pancreatitis, tumors and cysts. The tumor-associated PP represents a noteworthy skin manifestation of underlying internal malignancies, also known as dermadrome. Among causative pancreatic tumors, acinar cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignancy; however, little is known about how the origin of tumor cells and progression stage of pancreatic tumors potentially contribute to the establishment of panniculitis. Here, we present a 69-year-old Japanese male case of clinically aggressive PP on the bilateral legs, whose skin lesions developed prior to the diagnosis of occult pancreatic tumor and liver metastasis. Moreover, the immunopathology of the pancreatic lesion revealed neuroendocrine tumor (NET), a rare pathological variant. Skin lesions immediately spread to the upper limbs with extensive ulcerations and necrosis, accompanied by high levels of serum lipase and elastase, but not with other pancreatic enzymes. He died 2 months after the initial development of the skin lesion due to rapid deterioration of general condition. We reviewed 14 cases, including ours, of PP with NET in the pancreas thus far reported, to identify the clinicopathological characteristics regarding to what extent this rare complication could reflect the clinical course of pancreatic tumors and overall prognosis. Our published work review found that the disease has a significant male predominance (male : female, 13:1) and cases with occult pancreatic tumors died within 4 months after the development of their skin lesions. Our case was the poorest prognostic outcome. This report emphasizes that dermatologists should recognize PP with NET, reflecting a fatal prognosis, and to make a prompt diagnosis.

Spontaneous resolution of focal eosinophilic myositis of the adductor pollicis complicated by lung lesions.

Eosinophilic myositis is characterised by peripheral blood eosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration in muscles, and is comprised three subtypes: focal eosinophilic myositis (FEM), eosinophilic polymyositis, and eosinophilic perimyositis. Muscle involvement of FEM is usually limited to the lower legs, and pulmonary complications have not been reported. We report a rare case of FEM in the left adductor pollicis complicated by lung lesions. A 37-year-old woman developed swelling of the first web space in the left hand. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the left hand demonstrated increased signal on fat-suppressed T2-weighted imaging in the left adductor pollicis. A muscle biopsy specimen demonstrated perimysial and endomysial infiltration of mononuclear cells and eosinophils, and necrosis and regeneration of muscle fibres. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed upper-lobe-dominant ground-glass opacities (GGO). Both focal myositis and pulmonary lesions improved without treatment. This case suggests that FEM could involve adductor pollicis and have pulmonary lesions. In this case, myositis and GGO resolved spontaneously. Some FEM cases treated with glucocorticoids were reported in the past. Further studies are required to determine whether patients with FEM require therapeutic intervention.

Microscopic polyangiitis associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, is a systemic disease that damages all organs through predominantly affecting small vessels. However, few cases of MPA are related to aneurysms on medium-sized muscular vessels, and whether subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is associated with MPA is still unclear. An 85-year-old woman with rapid progressive glomerular nephritis caused by MPA complained of sudden severe headache due to SAH 2 days after admission and subsequently underwent surgery. Cerebrovascular disease occurring simultaneously with MPA might result in poor prognosis, and the complications exacerbate the condition and lead to high mortality; thus, physicians should pay more attention to cerebral aneurysms concurrent with MPA. Among patients with MPA, it is important to identify priority cases and investigate the intracranial vessel environment. To the best of our knowledge, this is a rare report about SAH associated with MPA. We recommend that the presence of cerebrovascular disease should be considered in patients with MPA to improve their prognosis.

A case of diaphragmatic hernia following colonoscopy.

An 89-year-old woman with a history of traumatic injury was referred to our hospital for further evaluation of anemia. Two days after colonoscopy, she complained of intermittent abdominal pain. An abdominal computed tomography confirmed a left diaphragmatic defect with a herniated transverse colon. She underwent elective laparoscopic repair of the diaphragmatic hernia. Colonoscopy rarely causes or worsens a diaphragmatic hernia. This is a rare case where we observed the development and exacerbation of a diaphragmatic hernia. It is important to pay attention to the development of a diaphragmatic hernia after colonoscopy for patients with a history of traumatic injury.

Cancer antigen-125 plasma level as a biomarker of new-onset atrial fibrillation in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: Plasma cancer antigen (CA)-125 is a tumour marker recently shown to be associated with systolic heart failure and new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after myocardial infarction. However, no reports have described the relationship between CA-125 and new-onset AF in healthy postmenopausal women. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between CA-125 and new-onset AF in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Between 2005 and 2015, 2086 women, including 1012 postmenopausal women, visited our hospital for annual health check-ups. We excluded patients with systolic dysfunction, chronic inflammatory disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, histories of AF or neoplastic diseases. A total of 746 postmenopausal women underwent thorough physical examinations, including those for biomarkers such as brain natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and CA-125. RESULTS: During the 10-year observation period, AF was documented in 31 participants (4.2%). The mean age of participants developing AF (75±6 years) was higher than that of those without AF (68±8 years). Participants developing AF showed significantly higher CA-125 (11.4±6.3 U/mL) and hs-CRP (0.10±0.11 mg/dL) levels than did those without AF (7.7±3.2 U/mL, p<0.01; 0.07±0.08 mg/dL, p<0.05). Cox regression analyses revealed ageing (HR 1.3; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.57; p<0.01) and plasma CA-125 levels (HR 1.29; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.51; p=0.02) as independent predictors of AF. CONCLUSIONS: High CA-125 levels might be associated with new-onset AF in healthy postmenopausal women.

Clinical characteristics of patients with remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema compared to patients with pure polymyalgia rheumatica.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical features of patients with remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting edema (RS3PE) and patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and to explore the purported association between RS3PE and malignancy. METHODS: We did a retrospective chart review of patients with RS3PE and PMR treated in a community-based hospital between January 2000 and December 2009. Outcomes assessed were clinical course of disease and associated malignancies. RESULTS: We identified 28 patients with RS3PE and 123 with pure PMR. All patients with RS3PE fulfilled PMR criteria as well. Age, comorbidity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, duration and progression of symptoms, treatment response to initial low-dose steroids, and steroid complication rates were similar in both groups. Patients with RS3PE were more likely to be male (79% vs 41%; p = 0.001) and to have a history of smoking (39% vs 15%; p = 0.008) and a higher rate of depression (11% vs 2%; p = 0.044) at diagnosis. Among those with RS3PE, hip pain was less common (39% vs 74%; p = 0.001) than in the PMR group. No patients with RS3PE and 6 patients with pure PMR (4.9%) developed another rheumatological disease during followup. Seven of 9 patients (78%) with concurrent cancer presented slightly more frequently with systemic symptoms compared to patients without cancer (48%; p = 0.098), especially with fatigue (56% vs 22%; p = 0.037) and anorexia (33% vs 9.0%; p = 0.047). Despite rigorous cancer screening in patients with RS3PE, however, the rate of associated malignancy was not statistically different from that of patients with pure PMR [2 (7%) vs 7 (6%), respectively; p = 0.673]. CONCLUSION: Despite evidence that RS3PE is clinically distinct from PMR, we observed characteristics, treatment response, and outcomes like those expected in pure PMR. Compared to patients with pure PMR, patients with RS3PE are more likely to be male, to be depressed, and to smoke. Contrary to earlier studies, no clear association of RS3PE with malignancy was found despite rigorous cancer screening, although clinicians should be aware that patients with concurrent cancer may manifest more systemic signs and symptoms, as well as steroid resistance.

An observational study of tocilizumab and TNF-α inhibitor use in a Japanese community hospital: different remission rates, similar drug survival and safety.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness, drug survival and safety of tocilizumab compared with TNF-α inhibitors in clinical practice. METHODS: Patients in the Cohort of Arthritis Biologic Users at Kameda Institute (CABUKI) registry who were on biologics during July 2003 to October 2010 were included. Remission rates at 6 months, Kaplan-Meier drug survival estimates and serious adverse event (SAE) rates were compared. RESULTS: A total of 247 RA patients were analysed. For first-line biologic users, the 6-month 28-joint DAS (DAS-28)-ESR remission rates were 66.7% for tocilizumab vs 25.8% for TNF inhibitors (P < 0.001, Fisher's exact test). This advantage disappeared with the application of the newly suggested Boolean remission criterion for clinical trials: 0% for tocilizumab vs 8.2% for TNF inhibitors (P = 0.367, Fisher's exact test). Tocilizumab users in DAS-28-ESR remission had lower mean ESR (3.9 mm/h for tocilizumab vs 7.9 mm/h for TNF inhibitors, P = 0.026, t-test) and higher mean swollen joint count (2.6 for tocilizumab vs 1.3 for TNF inhibitors, P = 0.036, t-test), thus failing to meet the more stringent Boolean criteria. First- and second-line tocilizumab users showed similar drug survival and SAE rates compared with TNF inhibitor users. CONCLUSION: Tocilizumab had drug survival and safety profiles similar to those of TNF inhibitors in this Japanese single-centre registry. Tocilizumab was superior to TNF inhibitors when compared at 6 months by DAS-28-ESR remission. However, the newly suggested Boolean criteria are more appropriate measures of effectiveness as DAS-28-ESR remission by tocilizumab was mainly due to very low ESR in our study population.

Common neural processing regions for dynamic and static stereopsis in human parieto-occipital cortices.

We performed functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify the neural processing regions in the parieto-occipital cortices for human dynamic and static stereopsis. The subjects were ten ophthalmologists professionally trained to do microscopic surgery. Visual stimuli for dynamic or static stereopsis were performed with solid stereograms displayed in the image guides of a binocular visual stimulation device that we developed. The dorsal occipital portion and the superior parietal lobule (i.e. dorsal parieto-occipital portion) were activated not only in static stereopsis, but also in dynamic stereopsis. The activation showed a right hemispherical dominancy. On the other hand, the temporo-occipital junction (i.e. human MT (middle temporal area) / MST (medial superior temporal area) complex) was activated in dynamic stereopsis. This demonstrates that the dorsal parieto-occipital portion is a common neural processing region for dynamic and static stereopsis.