Pancreatic Insulinoma Masquerading as Neurological Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment of a Rare Tumor.

Insulinomas are rare functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors that typically manifest with classic hypoglycemic symptoms, such as diaphoresis, palpitations, and tremors. Although infrequent, neuroglycopenic symptoms associated with insulinomas have been reported, often leading to delayed diagnoses. Here, we present the case of a 31-year-old male with pancreatic insulinoma who experienced recurrent episodes of seizures and confusion preceded by diaphoresis, tremors, and palpitations. During these episodes, he was found to be hypoglycemic. Comprehensive evaluations, including brain and abdominal imaging, as well as biochemical and serological testing, were conducted. The findings confirmed a diagnosis of pancreatic insulinoma. The patient underwent surgical resection of the tumor, and a biopsy confirmed the insulinoma diagnosis. He remained asymptomatic during subsequent follow-ups.

Late-Onset Leigh Syndrome With Protracted Gastrointestinal Manifestations: A Rare Case Report.

Although Leigh syndrome (LS) is a neurodegenerative disorder of infancy, adult-onset LS has also been rarely reported. We report a case of late-onset LS in a 42-year-old female who presented with protracted gastrointestinal manifestations, chronic headaches, ataxia, and loss of consciousness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hyperintensities in the bilateral basal ganglia and brain stem. Serum and cerebrospinal fluid lactate levels were significantly raised. Muscle biopsy showed reduced cytochrome oxidase (COX) activity. She was diagnosed with probable diagnosis of late-onset LS based on her clinical features, radiological findings, biochemical results, and biopsy findings. She responded well to intravenous thiamine, and her symptoms gradually improved.

A Systematic Review of Perinuclear Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody-Associated Glomerulonephritis Following Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccination: A 2024 Update.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis (GN) is an immune-mediated kidney disease characterized by the inflammation of small blood vessels in the kidney, leading to renal impairment and potentially irreversible damage. Concerns have been raised over the reports of myeloperoxidase/perinuclear (MPO/p) ANCA GN following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination. Our study provides a comprehensive insight into perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) GN after COVID-19 vaccination. We conducted a comprehensive literature search on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE using the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms related to "covid-19 vaccine," "glomerulonephritis," "p-ANCA," and "MPO-ANCA" up to March 5, 2024, to include cases of p-ANCA-associated GN following COVID-19 vaccination. Of the 4,102 articles, we included 29, reporting 35 patients demonstrating COVID-19 vaccine-induced p-ANCA GN, with 23 (65.7%) females and a median age of 69 years (mean ± SD = 63.22 ± 16). Twenty-six (74.28%) patients received the mRNA vaccine (Pfizer = 19, Moderna = 7). Seventeen (48.57%) patients presented with p-ANCA GN after the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with a median gap of 19 days (1-84 days). Constitutional symptoms (54.28%) and acute kidney injury (42.85%) were the most reported initial presentations, and elevated serum creatinine (mean peak serum creatinine = 4.98 ± 5.02 mg/dL), hematuria, and proteinuria were the laboratory findings. MPO/p-ANCA was positive in 31 (88.6%) patients. All patients underwent renal biopsy, and crescentic GN was the most common finding among 27 (77.14%) patients. Management of p-ANCA GN included steroids in 30 (85.71%) patients, followed by rituximab (28.57%), and plasmapheresis (22.86%). Most patients responded well to treatment, with complete remission in 29 (82.86%) and relapse in four (11.42%) patients. Two patients did not achieve remission and became dialysis dependent. ANCA-associated GN is a rare and life-threatening complication of the COVID-19 vaccine, necessitating urgent evaluation and management. COVID-19 vaccine-induced p-ANCA GN should be included in the differential diagnoses of patients presenting with kidney injury after vaccination.

Acute Transverse Myelitis as an Unusual Complication of Dengue Fever: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Dengue fever, the most prevalent arbovirus disease, has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from asymptomatic to dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. Dengue fever has the potential to involve the nervous system. Acute transverse myelitis is a life-threatening complication of dengue fever, though rarely reported. We report a case of dengue fever-induced transverse myelitis in a 51-year-old male who presented with progressive paraplegia, sensory disturbance, and urinary retention preceded by a febrile illness, vomiting, and retro-orbital pain two weeks before. His serology was positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) to dengue virus and non-structural protein (NS-1). Magnetic resonance imaging revealed hyperintense signals suggestive of acute transverse myelitis. After ruling out all other possible causes, a possible diagnosis of dengue fever-induced transverse myelitis was made. His condition improved gradually after starting methylprednisolone.

Neurosarcoidosis and Transverse Myelitis: Life-Threatening Manifestations of Sarcoidosis.

Sarcoidosis, a systemic granulomatous disorder, typically involves the lungs, skin, and lymph nodes. Neurological manifestations are diverse and may include longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM), an uncommon inflammatory disorder of the spinal cord. We present a case of a 62-year-old female with LETM as the initial manifestation of sarcoidosis. The patient exhibited progressive bilateral lower extremity weakness, urinary retention, and sensory disturbances. Diagnostic workup revealed characteristic findings on spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and thoracic biopsy. Treatment with high-dose corticosteroids and subsequent immunomodulatory therapy resulted in significant improvement. Our case highlights the importance of including sarcoidosis in the differentials of LETM, particularly in patients with no respiratory manifestations.

Type 1 Autoimmune Pancreatitis Masquerading as Pancreatic Head Carcinoma.

Obstructive jaundice is a joint clinical presentation with many etiologies, including pancreatic cancer and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Differentiating between these two conditions is pivotal due to the divergent management approaches and prognoses. In this case report, we present a case of a 49-year-old female patient who presented with weight loss, intermittent chronic abdominal pain, and jaundice. She was initially suspected of having pancreatic cancer because of clinical presentation and imaging findings. However, she was ultimately diagnosed with Type 1 AIP due to histopathology findings and elevated immunoglobulin G4. This case highlights the complexities in diagnosis, the role of advanced imaging techniques and tissue sampling, and the lessons learned regarding managing this challenging clinical scenario.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy Following COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Dose: A Case Report.

Although the efficacy and safety of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine have been established, side effects and adverse events related to the COVID-19 vaccine are still coming out. COVID-19 vaccine also has the potential to cause acute and long-term cardiovascular effects, which include myocarditis, pericarditis, myopericarditis, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, thrombotic thrombocytopenia, and pulmonary hemorrhage. Although uncommon, takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) has also been reported following COVID-19 vaccination. We report a case of TCM following the COVID-19 vaccine in a 59-year-old female who presented with intermittent chest pain and dyspnea following the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose. She had no identifiable triggers for TCM, no risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and normal cardiac enzyme levels, ruling out other causes of cardiac dysfunction. The diagnosis of TCM was supported by imaging findings and the absence of obstructive or thrombotic lesions on angiography.

Cardiac Angiosarcoma With Pulmonary Metastasis: A Rare and Challenging Case.

Cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignant tumor arising from the endothelial cells of the heart. It accounts for only a small fraction of all cardiac neoplasms and has a poor prognosis. We present a challenging case of a 20-year-old student who presented exertional dyspnea, palpitation, and occasional chest discomfort. Her clinical picture, radiological and pathological investigations confirm the diagnosis of cardiac angiosarcoma with pulmonary metastasis. This case highlights the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management for improved patient outcomes.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A Possible Rare Complication of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Dysautonomia is a common and severe complication of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), which may manifest as cardiac arrhythmias, labile blood pressure, diaphoresis, and changes in gastrointestinal motility. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a life-threatening manifestation of dysautonomia in patients with GBS, which is not widely underlined in the literature. The association between GBS and TCM has been well-documented in previous studies; however, there are few reported cases with GBS who developed TCM following their diagnosis with GBS. In this case report, we will discuss our experience treating a 59-year-old female patient who became hemodynamically unstable while recovering from an acute GBS infection. She was diagnosed with TCM after undergoing an echocardiogram and coronary angiogram ruling out thrombotic or obstructive coronary disease and myocarditis.

Atrial Myxoma: An Unusual Etiology of Ischemic Stroke in an Adult Patient.

Atrial myxoma is the most frequent primary cardiac tumor; however, it is a rare, substantial cause of cardiogenic emboli causing a stroke, especially in young adults. A cardiac myxoma has no specific clinical presentation, ranging from constitutional symptoms to non-cardiac symptoms and emboli, which leads to a diagnostic challenge in the clinical process. We report a case of a left atrial myxoma in an adult female who presented with sudden onset of right-sided weakness, headache, and numbness. Imaging confirmed cardiogenic emboli from the cardiac myxoma, which was reflected in an ischemic stroke.

Acute Pancreatitis Simulating Myocardial Infarction: A Challenging Case.

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition with varying local and systemic complications and variable severity. Although rare, cardiovascular complications induced by acute pancreatitis are rarely described in the literature. Epigastric pain with acute pancreatitis often simulates electrocardiographic changes in the absence of coronary artery abnormalities, resulting in a diagnostic dilemma for optimal treatment and management. We underline a case of acute pancreatitis complicated by acute coronary syndrome in a patient who presented with chest heaviness, dyspnea, nausea, and worsening epigastric pain associated with vomiting. Clinical and laboratory evaluations and using imaging modalities were suggestive of acute pancreatitis mimicking myocardial infarction (MI) in the absence of coronary artery abnormalities.

Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction As Initial Thrombotic Event of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Rare Challenging Case.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare autoimmune and devastating blood disorder that results in micro-clots throughout the body, leading to tissue damage and organ dysfunction resulting in widespread microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever, and neurological symptoms. TTP patients commonly manifest renal and neurological symptoms; however, cardiovascular involvement is not widely reported in the literature. We report a case of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) as an initial manifestation of TTP. Although rare, TTP complications must be considered among other possible causes of unexpected thrombocytopenia during acute phase treatment of acute coronary syndrome because of high morbidity and mortality.

Immune Thrombocytopenia and Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report.

Mass vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been safe and effective. The ongoing emergence of vaccine-induced complications has challenged the public trust in vaccination programs and, though uncommon, can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) is a rare and fatal complication of the COVID-19 vaccine. We present a rare case of VITT in a young female who presented with worsening headache, body rash with deteriorating neurological deficit after 12 days of the second dose of the ChAdOx1 COVID-19 vaccine. Initial blood tests showed thrombocytopenia with deranged clotting time and D-dimer levels. Her computed tomography venogram showed thrombosis in the left transverse sinus, and she was diagnosed with a provisional diagnosis of VITT. She initially managed with dexamethasone, intravenous immunoglobulins, and apixaban to reverse the autoimmune process. Our case highlights the clinical course, diagnosis, and management of VITT, which will assist physicians in the timely recognition and adequate management of VITT.

Organ Donation and the Dead Donor Rule: A Synopsis of Pressing Ethical Controversies and Practical Questions.

OBJECTIVES: As a result of recent biomedical advancements, organ donation continues to save and enhance countless lives globally.Yet,the gap between the organ supply and demand persists, leading to approximately 17 people dying each day waiting for an organ transplant and another person being added to the transplant waiting list every 9 minutes. This gap persists, in part, because of ethical and practical concerns arising from ambiguities surrounding death determination before donation and the dead donor rule. In this study, we discuss challenges related to defining death in the context of organ donation, critical and tolerant views on the dead donorrule, and possible avenues by which some of the ambiguities and ethicaltensions related to organ donation may be resolved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed literature opinions and data pertaining to cultural and religious influences affecting societal attitudes toward death determination and organ donation and examined the future of deceased organ donation. RESULTS: Cultural and religious influences affect societal attitudes toward death determination and organ donation. There is a plurality of views on the matter that may be assuaged to an extent by standardized death determination criterion that could be implemented globally or by identifying alternative therapies other than human organ transplant. CONCLUSIONS: The debate regarding death and the acceptability of dead donor organs fortransplant does not have a straightforward solution, and efforts are needed to overcome social, cultural and religious objections.

A Systematic Review of COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: A 2023 Update.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a life-threatening transient left ventricular dysfunction triggered by either physical or emotional stressors. Concerns have been raised on reports of TCM after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine. Our study provides comprehensive detail on COVID-19 vaccine-induced TCM. We conducted a systemic literature search using major databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar up to November 2023, to identify cases of COVID-19 vaccine-induced TCM using the MeSH terms and keywords "covid-19 vaccines" and "takotsubo cardiomyopathy". We identified 15 case reports, including 16 patients with COVID-19 vaccine-induced TCM. The mean age was 55.81 ± 19.13 years, and 75% of the patients were female. The most common presentation was chest pain (62.5%), and the average time to first symptom onset was 3.12 ± 2.24 days. COVID-19 vaccine-induced TCM was reported in 43.75% of patients receiving the first and second dose each, and 87% of patients had messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna). The elevated level of cardiac troponins was found in all the patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of <50% in 15 patients, and T-wave inversion (50%) was the most common electrocardiographic finding. The mean length of the hospital stay was 7.27 ± 3.95 days, and 87% of patients were discharged. COVID-19 vaccine-induced TCM is a rare but life-threatening complication. TCM should be included in the differential diagnosis of chest pain or dyspnea in patients recently receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody (ANCA)-Associated Renal Vasculitis Following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is an immune-mediated disorder of small and medium-sized vessels, characterized by the production of autoantibodies that target the neutrophilic antigens leading to mononuclear cell infiltration and destruction of blood vessels in lungs, skin, and kidneys. Although rare, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine may trigger autoimmune vasculitis. We report a rare case of ANCA-associated renal vasculitis following COVID-19 vaccination in a 59-year-old male who presented with flu-like symptoms and deranged renal function tests. He received his second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine 17 days ago. His clinical picture, serological testing, and radiological imaging were concerned with glomerular disease. His serum was positive for ANCAs, and the renal biopsy specimen revealed pauci-immune glomerulonephritis. He was diagnosed with AAV-associated renal vasculitis following COVID-19 vaccination because no other etiology was identified. His clinical improvement after starting rituximab and steroids reinforced the diagnosis.

Dermoid Cyst Spillage Resulting in Chemical Peritonitis: A Case Report and Literature Review.

A dermoid cyst, also called a mature teratoma, is a benign tumor of the ovary derived from pluripotent germ cells. It is often asymptomatic; however, it can be expressed by several complications, including infection, adnexal torsion, and rupture. Rarely ovarian dermoid cysts can also transform into malignant degeneration. A ruptured teratoma is a rare and life-threatening complication and may arise spontaneously. However, cystic rupture is often secondary to surgical procedures such as ovarian cystectomy, leading to acute peritonitis and surgical emergency. Herein, we report a case of acute peritonitis in a female resulting from ovarian dermoid cyst spillage. Her clinical picture and radiological imaging were consistent with a ruptured ovarian cyst leading to chemical peritonitis, and a histopathological examination confirmed an ovarian dermoid cyst.

The Mediating Role of Work Engagement in the Relationship between Executive Functioning Deficits and Employee Well-Being.

Executive functioning and its related components have been found to promote well-being. However, there is a limited understanding of the underlying mechanism. Drawing from the job demands-resources and PERMA models, the present study examined the hypothetical mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between executive functioning deficit and well-being among 314 working adults in Malaysia. Participants answered a survey consisting of the Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised (ESQ-R; a new measure of executive functioning deficits for working adults), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, Employee Well-Being Scale, and Self-Rated Creativity Scale. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the ESQ-R score was negatively associated with all other target variables, while the latter was positively related to each other. Moreover, supporting the hypotheses, the results of mediation analysis using PROCESS macro found that work engagement mediated the negative relationship between executive functioning deficits and well-being after statistically controlling for the creativity score. The findings not only replicate the beneficial role of executive functioning in employees' well-being but also shed light on the underlying process of the relationship. Implications and directions for future studies are discussed.

The Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties in the Working Context of Malaysia.

Executive functions (EFs) are a set of high-level cognitive and behavioral monitoring skills that are important to employees' work performance. The 25-item Executive Skills Questionnaire-Revised (ESQ-R) measures executive dysfunction in five dimensions (e.g., emotional regulation). Nevertheless, the usability of this newly developed scale for employees remains unclear. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the adopted ESQ-R for working adults in Malaysia. A total of 325 employees responded to an online survey consisted of the ESQ-R, Executive Function Index (EFI), self-rated creativity scale (SRCS), and 9-item Utretch Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) and Employee Well-being Scale. Several CFAs were conducted to compare three competing models. While all models showed a good fit, the 5-factor second-order model that is in line with the theoretical structure is preferable. The ESQ-R showed excellent internal consistency. Moreover, the ESQ-R score was negatively correlated with EFI, creativity, and UWES-9 scores, supporting the convergent, discriminant, and concurrent validity. The ESQ-R score also explained incremental variance in well-being above and beyond scores of the UWES-9 and SRCS. Taken together, the ESQ-R is a useful tool for assessing employees' executive dysfunction and suggesting intervention programs helping employees with deficits in EFs.

Validation of the Khorana Score to Assess Venous Thromboembolism and Its Association with Mortality in Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Community-based Observational Experience.

INTRODUCTION: Khorana score (KS) stratifies patients into low, intermediate, and high risk groups for venous thromboembolism (VTE). We examined the generalizability of the KS to risk of VTE and association with mortality. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Patients aged 18 years or older undergoing chemotherapy were included. All patients were evaluated for a six-month period. Primary study endpoints were VTE or mortality. RESULTS: Some 277 participants were included with a mean age of 63.95 (standard deviation, SD ± 12.47). The incidence proportion was 6.13% and a total of 17 VTE events were reported over a 2.5-year period. Compared to those with a low KS (0), those with a high KS (3 or above) had 6.4 times (p=0.032) while with an intermediate KS (1-2) had 2.6 times the odds of having a VTE event (p=0.22). Those who had a VTE had 4.03 times the odds of death compared to those who did not have a VTE (p=0.006). Compared to those with a low KS, those with a high KS had 5.7 times (p=0.02) the odds of six-month mortality and 5.04 odds (p=0.001) of mortality at any time. CONCLUSION: High KS was associated with increased odds of VTE and mortality in our study.