Seizure, A Shocking Effect of a Lightning Strike on Aerodrome: A Case Report.

Lightning injuries have a high morbidity and mortality because of the electrical effects on the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Most lightning-related deaths occur immediately after injury due to fatal arrhythmias or respiratory failure. We describe the case of a patient who experienced a seizure and respiratory distress secondary to a lightning strike and how our team was able to stabilize and transport the patient. Ultimately, in this particular case study, the patient survived with minimal residual neurologic and hemodynamic effects. Based on this clinical vignette, we review the pathophysiology of lightning injuries and the predictive factors of positive outcomes in such unusual accidents.

Cancer in Moroccan elderly: the first multicenter transverse study exploring the sociodemographic characteristics, clinical profile and quality of life of elderly Moroccan cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Moroccan incidence of cancer is increasing with the lengthening of life expectancy. Data regarding elderly Moroccan cancer patients are lacking. In the context of our project aiming to develop an adapted version of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment CGA to the Moroccan population, we launched the first Moroccan multicenter transverse study to explore the characteristics of elderly Moroccan cancer patients. METHODS: The study was conducted in nine Moroccan medical oncology departments. Patients were enrolled over 4 months. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 65 years or over with verified solid cancer. The questionnaire included four sections: socio-demographic and economic data, clinical data, vulnerability and EORTC-QLQ C30. We explored the entire included population. Then, we compared the results according to age (65-70 years old and ≥ 71 years old) and sex. We also explored the correlation between G8 scores and the ability to practice religion as an indicator of fitness level. RESULTS: In total, 164 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 73.18 ± 6.01 years. The majority of patients were married, lived with their children and received their financial income from them. Fifteen percent of families asked to hide the diagnosis from the patient. Breast (23%), colorectal (15.9%) and lung (14%) cancers were the most frequent, and 83.5% had an abnormal G8. The majority of the patients were independent for basic daily activities. Female patients had poorer social and economic conditions. Abnormal G8 was correlated with religious practice and quality of life scores. CONCLUSION: This is the first multicenter prospective study designed to collect data on the lifestyle and clinical profiles of elderly Moroccan cancer patients as an Arab and Muslim population. Our study shows that it is a well-cared-for population with strong social ties. However, there is deep economic vulnerability, especially among women, requiring urgent care. Religious practice is an important daily activity for our elderly patients and should be included in the Moroccan CGA.

A Case of Well-Differentiated Papillary Mesothelioma of the Male Peritoneum: Successful Treatment by Systemic Chemotherapy.

Well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum (WDPMP) is a rare subtype of epithelioid mesothelioma, which is usually seen in young women without a history of asbestos exposure, and generally, has an indolent course. The relative rarity of this neoplasm in males prompted us to report this case of a well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum in a 36-year-old man. The patient, who had no history of asbestos exposure, presented with abdominal pain and ascites of unknown etiology. Computed tomography showed abundant ascites with nodules of the peritoneal cavity. Laparoscopic examination revealed a large number of white miliary nodules diffusely covering the peritoneum. Pathology revealed a diagnosis of well-differentiated papillary mesothelioma of the peritoneum, based on histomorphology and immunohistochemistry. The patient started chemotherapy with cisplatin and pemetrexed. After six cycles of chemotherapy, the effectiveness of this chemotherapy was checked by only the computed tomography. PET scan was not used because it is not routinely recommended in WDPMP. Few data are currently available in the literature regarding the performance of the PET scan in WDPMP. Nine months later, the patient was free of symptoms. Based on reviewing the literature and our observations in this case, consultation of other pathologists is highly recommended to discern WDPMP from other disseminated peritoneal diseases, in order to offer the most effective and safe therapeutic strategy. Chemotherapy should be strongly considered if the tumor is unresectable and accompanied by symptoms. Cisplatin and pemetrexed chemotherapy could be a promising therapeutic choice.

An Uncommon Case of Renal Metastasis from Cervical Cancer.

Metastases to the kidney are a rare entity. Among solid tumors, it is known that lung and colorectal cancers can metastasize to the kidney. Renal metastases from cervical cancer are exceptional; only 12 cases were previously reported. We report a case of a right renal metastasis from a cervical squamous cell carcinoma, occurring in the context of a metastatic relapse two years after completing primary treatment.

Exophthalmos Revealing a Krukenberg Tumor: A Case Presentation and Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Krukenberg tumor is a well-known ovarian metastasis, usually of signet ring cell carcinoma in female patients. In the literature, there are a few documented cases of ocular metastasis in patients with Krukenberg tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 35-year-old single Moroccan woman. She presented chronic pelvic pain, hematemesis and blurring of vision in the left eye. Clinical examination showed a pelvic mass and an exophthalmos with a divergent strabismus in the left eye. Pelvic and abdominal ultrasound showed a right tissular ovarian mass. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed an ovarian tumor and bone metastasis. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a hypertrophy of the left inferior rectus muscle behind the exophthalmos. Stomach endoscopy revealed an ulcerated and protruded mass of the antro-fundic junction. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry showed an infiltration of the gastric mucosa by atypically isolated signet ring cells similar to the tumor cells found in the ovarian histopathological exams. DISCUSSION: Krukenberg tumor is an uncommon metastatic tumor of the ovary. This article provides an overview of the major pathological manifestations of Krukenberg tumor, patient characteristics, clinical and laboratory features of the disease, prognostic factors, and current knowledge about its pathogenesis.

Tolerability profile of bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer: about a Medical Department experience.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, and associated with high mortality rates in our country. The prognosis of patients diagnosed with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has improved markedly over the last 12 years, increasing from 5 months with best supportive care to almost 2 years with combination chemotherapy plus bevacizumab. Bevacizumab is well suited for use in combination with first or second line chemotherapy in the treatment of mCRC because its side effects are predictable and appear not to add to the incidence or severity of the side effects of chemotherapy. The aim of our small study is to explore the tolerability profile of bevacizumab used in daily clinical practice in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in our department.

Spinal cord ischemia secondary to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is accepted worldwide as an effective treatment for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. Although considered relatively safe, TACE has been associated with several complications. Spinal cord ischemia secondary to TACE is an extremely rare but disastrous complication. We report a very rare case of spinal cord injuries after TACE, together with a literature review. During the procedure, the patient suddenly experienced sensory impairment below the T10 dermatome and bilateral lower extremity motor weakness. She was given high-dose steroids and supportive therapy. The sensory deficits nearly improved completely, but motor strength remained unchanged. Thereafter, a chest computed tomography scan showed tumor metastasis to the lungs. The patient is now receiving sorafenib and follow-up.

An unusual case of isolated peritoneal metastases from lung adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Peritoneal metastases from lung cancer are a rare event. In this paper, we report the case of a patient with adenocarcinoma of the lungs who had isolated peritoneal metastases at the time of diagnosis. CASE REPORT: We report a 55-year-old female who presented with shortness of breath, decreased effort tolerance, cough, and weight loss. Her initial chest X-ray and subsequent chest CT showed a 12 × 9 × 8 cm mass in the middle lobe of the right lung. The histopathological examination of her biopsy material was consistent with a thyroid transcription factor-1 positive lung adenocarcinoma. In the abdomen, a 5.3-cm mass was identified. A biopsy and immunohistochemistry revealed a lung adenocarcinoma. The patient was administered chemotherapy based on carboplatin-paclitaxel-bevacizumab, but only with a partial response. Six months later, the patient showed brain metastases. Therefore, a second-line treatment based on pemetrexed was administered for 9 courses, and a clinical and radiological response was observed. The chemotherapy was stopped and the patient did not exhibit any symptoms of progression while waiting for a new evaluation. DISCUSSION: The incidence of peritoneal involvement of lung cancer without metastases in other parts of the body is scarcely encountered in clinical practice. Out of the different types of lung cancers, adenocarcinoma and large cell carcinoma are most likely to metastasize in the peritoneum. Immunohistochemical staining patterns were important in the differential diagnosis with the other etiologies for peritoneal metastasis and the mesothelioma. Peritoneal metastases are indicative of a disseminated disease and prognosis is extremely poor.

Cardiac metastases of renal cell carcinoma revealed by syncope: diagnosis and treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac metastases from renal cell carcinoma are very rare. In this report, we describe a case of ventricular metastases in the absence of vena cava or right atrial involvement. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 60-year-old man who had a past history of heavy tobacco intake and well-controlled arterial hypertension. He experienced sudden-onset palpitations, lost consciousness and, as a result, was involved in an accident on the public highway. Cardiac arrhythmia was suspected and, therefore, transthoracic echocardiography was suggested, which revealed a large right ventricular mass. Chest and abdominal computed tomography demonstrated a mass in the right ventricle, but without contiguous vena cava involvement, and a right renal mass related to the probable neoplasm. An ultrasound-guided renal biopsy showed a clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. A bone scan revealed a metastatic bone disease. The patient was started on sunitinib treatment, which was well tolerated. However, approximately 8 months later, reevaluation showed pulmonary metastases. The patient was subsequently started on treatment with everolimus, which, however, was poorly tolerated. Two months later, the patient died due to terminal respiratory insufficiency. DISCUSSION: Based on the literature and our observations in this case, targeted antiangiogenic therapy should be considered as a viable therapeutic alternative to metastasectomy for patients with inoperable cardiac metastatic disease as long as there is no baseline systolic or diastolic dysfunction. The case also emphasizes the importance of a thorough history review and physical examination in the workup of patients with syncope.

Bevacizumab 5 or 7.5 mg/kg in metastatic colorectal cancer can be infused safely over 10 minutes.

BACKGROUND: Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that blocks vascular endothelial factor. It demonstrated an efficacy in many cancer types. The standard recommendation of administration is the 90-, 60-, and 30-min infusion sequence for all doses. We evaluated in this study the possibility of reducing infusion time to 10 min for bevacizumab given at 5 or 7.5 mg/kg in metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who received bevacizumab for MCRC were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (bevacizumab was given in the 90-, 60-, and 30-min infusion sequence) and group B (bevacizumab was given over 10 min). Patients' medical records were used to identify any hypersensitivity reactions (HSR) possibly related to bevacizumab. RESULTS: There were 38 patients in group A and 43 in group B. In group A, 459 doses of bevacizumab were given (286 doses at 5 mg/kg and 173 doses at 7.5 mg/kg). No HSR occurred in this group. In group B, 527 doses of bevacizumab were given (335 doses at 5 mg/kg and 192 doses at 7.5 mg/kg). Only two events of HSR grade 2 were reported in the 7.5 mg/kg infusions. Both of them were easily resolved with symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Bevacizumab 5 or 7.5 mg/kg in MCRC can be infused safely over 10 min.