McKittrick Wheelock syndrome secondary to adenocarcinoma of the rectum: case report and diagnostic considerations

Introduction: McKittrick-Wheelock syndrome is a rare entity characterized by chronic diarrhea, acute kidney injury, and hydroelectrolytic imbalance associated with a large rectal tumor, frequently a villous adenoma. Case report: A 69-year-old male with chronic diarrhea with mucus. He underwent a colonoscopy with biopsies, reporting adenocarcinoma of the rectum in situ, and underwent a robot assisted intersphincteric resection with colo-anal anastomosis and a protecitive ileostomy. Discussion: Described in 1954, this syndrome is manifested by electrolyte imbalance and acute renal injury secondary to diarrhea associated with a rectal villous adenoma, often with long lasting symptoms. The most frequent symptom being watery diarrhea with mucus. The definitive treatment consists of surgical resection. Conclusion: Although this is a rare pathology, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of chronic diarrhea associated with water and electrolyte disorders. (AU)

Perianal psoriasis as the first manifestation of the disease

Introduction: Inverse psoriasis affects the skin of flexural areas, such as the groin, axillae, umbilicus, intergluteal fold, and external genitalia. Clinical Case: We herein report the case of a man who presented with anal pruritus and, upon physical examination, a perianal dermatosis was found, which was characterized by erythematous plaques, with fine scaling. The case was initially managed with zinc oxide, and when no improvement was observed, we decided to take an incisional biopsy, which indicated histological changes suggestive of psoriasiform dermatitis. Discussion: Inverse psoriasis affects 3% to 7% of patients with psoriasis, and it manifests with erythematous plaques without the classic scaling appearance. The skin in these areas is susceptible to maceration, irritation, and ulceration, which alter the classic clinical picture. It may present with typical lesions or, less frequently, in isolation in the anogenital region. In the anogenital presentation only, the diagnosis should be made by biopsy, looking for the classic histopathological features of psoriasis. As for the first-line treatment, low- or medium-potency topical steroids are used for short periods of time; the second-line treatment is with emollients and tar-based products; and the third-line treatment uses an immunomodulator. Conclusion: This presentation is infrequent, and it requires a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis, always supported by biopsies, in search of the classic histopathological features of psoriasis. (AU)

Colitis por cytomegalovirus en trasplante renal: Presentación de 2 casos / Cytomegalovirus colitis in kidney transplant recipients: presentation of two cases

Resumen La infección por citomegalovirus (CMV) es un riesgo latente en pacientes inmunocomprometidos por trasplante renal, asociándose con aumento del riesgo de rechazo del injerto y muerte. La infección por CMV puede manifestarse como infección activa o enfermedad por CMV (dividida en síndrome por CMV y enfermedad tisular invasiva por CMV). Presentamos dos casos de enfermedad tisular invasiva por CMV, la cual se presentó entre los primeros siete meses posteriores al trasplante. Ambos casos eran D+/R-; recibieron agentes depletores de linfocitos y micofenolato y profilaxis para CMV de acuerdo con las guías de práctica clínica. Los criterios para enfermedad por CMV incluyeron replicación viral detectable en sangre, hallazgos endoscópicos clásicos y confirmación histopatológica. Hacemos énfasis en la necesidad de identificar los factores de riesgo para la infección por CMV en pacientes con trasplante renal, especialmente el seroestatus donador/receptor y los medicamentos inmunosupresores. Aun cuando las guías de práctica clínica sugieren de uno a tres meses de profilaxis para CMV en casos de alto riesgo, debería considerarse la profilaxis extendida y el ajuste de los medicamentos inmunosupresores.

Abstract Cytomegalovirus infection is a latent risk among immunocompromised kidney transplant recipients and is associated with increased risk of allograft failure and death. CMV infection can manifest as active infection or as CMV disease (divided in CMV syndrome and CMV tissue-invasive disease). We present two cases of tissue invasive CMV disease, presenting within 7 months after kidney transplantation. Both cases were D+/R-, received lymphocyte-depleting agents and mycophenolate, and both received CMV prophylaxis according to General Practice Guidelines. CMV disease criteria included detectable viral replication in blood, classical endoscopic findings and histopathological confirmation. We emphasize the need of categorical identification of CMV infection risk factors among kidney transplantation recipients, specially CMV donor/recipient serostatus and immunosuppressive medication. Although clinical practice guidelines suggest 1 to 3 months CMV prophylaxis in high-risk cases, extended prophylaxis and immunosuppressive medication adjustment should be considered.