A Case of Ketorolac-Induced Aseptic Meningitis.

Drug-induced aseptic meningitis is a rare condition that occurs because of an adverse reaction to medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics. Unlike bacterial or viral meningitis, aseptic meningitis is not caused by an infection, but rather by an inflammatory response. This condition creates a challenge since patients with aseptic meningitis often present with classic clinical meningeal symptoms, including fever, headache, and neck stiffness. We present a case of a patient with NSAID-induced aseptic meningitis and highlight the importance for healthcare providers to have a high index of suspicion for drug-induced aseptic meningitis in patients presenting with symptoms of meningitis with negative cerebrospinal fluid analysis and culture.

Lady With the Blue Hair: An Atypical Cause of Myasthenic Crisis.

A myasthenic crisis denotes a severe exacerbation of myasthenia gravis, leading a patient to enter a life-threatening state due to progressing muscle weakness that ultimately results in respiratory failure. A crisis can require intubation, mechanical ventilation, and additional critical care to prevent further decompensation and potentially death. Numerous well-documented precipitating factors exist, such as infections, surgery, stress, and various medications. We present the case of a 43-year-old woman recently diagnosed with myasthenia gravis who has experienced two myasthenic crises since diagnosis without evident triggers such as surgery, changes in medication, or infection. Following an unremarkable initial diagnostic test and continued treatment for the crisis, we sought additional information from the patient's family member at the bedside. We were informed that two weeks prior to both times of crisis with intubation, the patient had dyed her hair blue. The common chemical component in the two different hair dyes used was methylisothiazolinone, which is suspected to have contributed to the exacerbation of the patient's myasthenia gravis. As more evidence for new precipitating factors of myasthenic crises develops, it is crucial for physicians to quickly identify signs and symptoms of a crisis so appropriate intervention can occur in a time-sensitive manner. In addition, myasthenia gravis patients should be made aware to be cautious of precipitating factors of a crisis, including but not limited to new beauty products.

Adenocarcinoma of an Unknown Primary Site: Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management.

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is a rare metastatic disease in which a primary tumor site cannot be identified. CUP is a diagnosis of exclusion requiring prior workup to identify a primary site. We present a case of a 64-year-old male with vague abdominal pain, a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastritis, esophagitis, hepatitis C, alcoholic pancreatitis, liver hemangioma, and Warthin tumor, and family history of cancer that was found to have CUP. The diagnosis was made after an extensive workup was done including serum tumor markers, computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) imaging, flow cytometry, and an array of immunohistochemistry stains positive for only cytokeratin 7.

Cytomegalovirus Esophagitis in an Immunocompromised Patient.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can present with end-organ disease (EOD), particularly in patients with a CD4 cell count <50/mm3. While EOD in immunocompromised patients commonly presents as CMV retinitis (30%) and CMV colitis (5-10%), CMV esophagitis is rare. CMV is the third most common infectious esophagitis following Candida and Herpes Simplex. CMV esophagitis presents with odynophagia, dysphagia, and abdominal pain. Endoscopic exam may reveal large, linear distal esophageal ulcers. Histopathology or serology studies are diagnostic, though serology may be unreliable in the extremely immunosuppressed. Current treatment consists of antivirals such as ganciclovir and valganciclovir. Esophageal disease due to CMV carries a poor prognosis in the immunocompromised. We present the case of a 56-year-old male with a medical history of HIV/AIDS and stage III rectal squamous cell cancer who presented with shortness of breath, weakness, and chronic diarrhea. His HIV was previously well-controlled on antiretroviral therapy. However, due to his malignancy, he was undergoing treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. Initial labs revealed a CD4 count of 42. His clinical course consisted of Escherichia coli septicemia, new-onset atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response, worsening pneumonia, possible metastasis, progressive diarrhea, and potential oropharyngeal candidiasis. Despite several broad-spectrum antimicrobial regimens, he remained symptomatic with new complaints of dysphagia and odynophagia. Eventually, the appearance of vesicular lesions on the lips and a repeat CD4 count of 13 garnered a suspicion of HSV or CMV. This complicated case highlights the necessity for a high index of suspicion of rare manifestations of CMV EOD in an immunocompromised patient presenting with confounding clinical symptoms and extensive diagnoses.