A case of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor effectiveness in epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive squamous cell carcinoma.

A 71-year-old non-smoker woman was admitted to our hospital because of left front chest pain. A computed tomography scan showed a large mass of >7.0 cm in the lower left part of the lung and multiple organ metastases in the liver, brain, bone, and left adrenal gland. Pathological analysis of a resected specimen obtained by bronchoscopy revealed keratinization. In addition, p40 was positive and thyroid transcription factor-1, synaptophysin, CD56, and chromogranin A were negative by immunohistochemistry. Programmed cell death ligand 1 expression was 1%-10%, and exon 19 deletion was detected. We diagnosed the patient with stage IVB lung squamous cell carcinoma and administered osimertinib. Osimertinib was later replaced with afatinib because of grade 3 skin rash. Overall, the size of the cancer was decreased. Furthermore, her symptoms, laboratory data, and computer tomographic findings markedly improved. In summary, we experienced a case of epidermal growth factor receptor-positive lung squamous cell carcinoma that was responsive to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Purulent pericarditis with concurrent detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae and malignant squamous cells in pericardial fluid.

Pneumococcal pericarditis complicated by a malignant effusion has not been reported previously. We experienced an independent 62-year-old man with lung cancer who was hospitalized for acute onset of atrial flutter and moderate pericardial effusion. He was afebrile; however, pericardiocentesis showed Streptococcus pneumoniae and malignant squamous cells in purulent pericardial fluid. This case shows that clinicians should keep in mind the possibility of afebrile bacterial pericarditis in cancer patients with pericardial effusions and that cultures of pericardial fluid should be performed in such patients along with cytological examinations.

[Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of ADH following chemoradiation therapy].

We report a 69-year-old female patient with pulmonary adenocarcinoma complicated by the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone(SIADH)following systemic chemotherapy with cisplatin(CDDP)and vinorelbine(VNR). She was admitted to our hospital for chemo-radiotherapy for advanced lung cancer, and became restless 4 hours after the administration of CDDP and VNR. Symptoms such as restlessness and incontinence were worsening despite the massive infusion that was completed. Laboratory examinations on day 6 after chemotherapy showed severe hyponatremia(107mEq/L)with decreased serum osmolarity(227mOsm/L)and increased urine osmolarity(452mOsm/L). The serum anti-diuretic hormone(ADH)level was elevated to 16. 7 pg/mL despite severe hyponatremia. She was diagnosed with SIADH and was treated with hypertonic saline infusion and fluid restriction. Her restlessness and other psychiatric symptoms were improved. The use of carboplatin and VNR in the subsequent course did not develop SIADH, indicating that the SIADH was induced by CDDP. Although SIADH following CDDP administration is rare, the electrolyte balance should be carefully monitored throughout the clinical course of chemo-radiation therapy, when psychiatric symptoms are found in patients with lung cancer.

Combination of electroconvulsive therapy with skin graft surgery for a schizophrenic patient with burns.

We report on the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on a patient with schizophrenia immediately after skin graft surgery for extensive burns. The patient was 22 years old and had been burned in more than 33% of his body because of a suicide attempt. After his admission to a burn unit, he continued to make repeated suicide attempts. Electroconvulsive therapy with a muscle relaxant and intubation was administered after scheduled skin graft surgery. His hallucinations diminished after a series of ECT treatments, and his behavior improved. This combination avoids an anesthetic procedure and makes it possible for physicians to administer ECT earlier for burned psychopharmacological treatment-resistant psychiatric patients. The combination treats a patient's physical and mental illnesses simultaneously.

Surgical treatment of blepharoptosis caused by chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia.

UNLABELLED: Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) is a neuromyopathic disorder characterized by progressive weakness of the extraocular and levator muscles, which causes blepharoptosis and impairment of ocular motility. Because of the risk of worsening of lagophthalmos and exposure keratitis due to an associated poor Bell phenomenon or weak orbicularis function, surgical treatment of the blepharoptosis caused by CPEO is problematic. We present our experience with a case of blepharoptosis in CPEO. CASE: A 61-year-old woman presented with slowly progressive bilateral blepharoptosis. A muscle biopsy of the rectus femoris revealed mitochondrial abnormalities, which satisfied the definition of the diagnosis of CPEO as mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. The lid opening was 2 mm, with maximal frontalis contraction, the levator function was zero, and the eyeball movement was severely limited. The blow movement was about 6 mm. Combination of modest blepharoplasty and frontalis suspension using a monofilament suture was performed. The postoperative result was satisfactory, and the patient's quality of life was markedly improved.