A 55-Year-Old Female with a History of Right Foot Drop and Left Hand Weakness

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey A. Cohen ◽  
Justin J. Mowchun ◽  
Victoria H. Lawson ◽  
Nathaniel M. Robbins
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽  
Abrupt Onset ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Foot Drop ◽  
Mononeuritis Multiplex ◽  
Vasculitic Neuropathy ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
Serologic Markers ◽  
History Of

Vasculitic neuropathy often presents as a mononeuritis multiplex pattern. Ischemic nerve injury can lead to abrupt-onset, painful, and multifocal sensorimotor neuropathy. This chapter emphasizes the diagnostic considerations of vasculitic neuropathy, which includes the significant limitations of serologic markers in non-systemic vasculitic neuropathy. Nerve and muscle biopsy are important investigations to consider to make the diagnosis. Keys to management are also reviewed. It is important to manage systemic vasculitis with a rheumatologist. Nonsystemic vasculitis has a much better prognosis; immunosuppressive treatment is less aggressive, but it is recommended to have a rheumatologist’s input. There is no conclusive evidence on how to treat nonsystemic vasculitis. Mild cases may be treated with steroids alone.

scholarly journals Testing, testing, testing: an insidious hypereosinophilia

2013 ◽  
pp. 163-165
Author(s):  
Livia Robbiolo ◽  
Annalisa Carbone ◽  
Fabrizio Favales ◽  
Barbara Spelta ◽  
Fabrizio Colombo
Keyword(s):  
Histopathological Examination ◽  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
Acute Bronchitis ◽  
Emergency Laparotomy ◽  
Rare Entity ◽  
Mononeuritis Multiplex ◽  
History Of ◽  
Strauss Syndrome ◽  
Eosinophil Granulocytes ◽  
Churg Strauss

Aim of the study: This case focuses on the difficulty in recognizing this rare entity characterized by systemic vasculitis in patients with history of asthma. Clinical case: We report a case of a 46-year-old man with history of allergic rhinitis and referred episodes of shortness of breath recognizing as acute bronchitis who presented with fever, skin eruption, peripheral eosonophilia, muscle weakness, abdominal pain and progressively dyspnea. Methods: Chest radiograph and computed tomography on admission showed consolidation in both lung fields and pericardial effusion. P-serum ANCA were positive. Neurological examination revealed mononeuritis multiplex. A skin biopsy was performed with presence of eosinophil granulocytes. The condition did not respond to antibiotics. He was supposed to have vasculitis and steroid treatment was started at a dose of 1 mg/kg; eosinophilia decreased but there was no clinical improvement. Abdominal pains were progressively more severe; emergency laparotomy revealed ileum infiammation, histopathological examination was consistent with Churg-Strauss syndrome.

scholarly journals THU0597 CORNEAL MELT - DON’T ALWAYS BLAME RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 540.3-540
Author(s):  
A. Munir ◽  
C. Sheehy
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Renal Biopsy ◽  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
Lower Lobe ◽  
Visual Outcome ◽  
Eye Drops ◽  
Poor Visual Outcome ◽  
Methyl Prednisolone ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Function

Background:Corneal melt is a rare inflammatory disease of the peripheral cornea; it may lead to perforation of the globe and visual failure. Corneal melt can be a manifestation of systemic vasculitis in patients with RA and other conditions, such as cancer. Without early and aggressive treatment it may be associated with a poor visual outcome and a high mortality. It has been reported in patients with stable RA.Objectives:A case report in a patient with long standing but well controlled Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and metastatic disease.Methods:A 75 year old male with a background of sero positive Rheumatoid Arthritis for more than 10 years presented to the Eye Casualty with a two week history of a painful left red eye. His other medical history was significant for Stage IIB poorly differentiated cancer of the left lower lobe. Left lower lobectomy with a patch of diaphragm resected. Intratumoural lymphovascular invasion noted. He completed Adjuvant Carboplatin/Vinorelbine chemotherapy September, 2017. He had DVT proximal left leg 22ndof September, 2017. Follow up CT in 2018 demonstrated a right renal upper pole lesion for which he was awaiting biopsy with?metastatic lung disease vs primary renal carcinoma. His RA was well controlled on Methotrexate 10mg weekly. He had been treated by the ophthalmology team for left marginal Keratitis for the prior 2 months with steroid eye drops without significant improvement. On presentation to ED, he described sharp eye pain, waking him from the sleep, associated with watery discharge and photophobia. Examination showed corneal melt in left eye involving 25% of inferior portion of the cornea and spastic entropion with injecting eye lashes. He had no active joints and there were no other signs of vasculitis. CRP was 4.1. He had a negative ANA and ANCA; viral swabs were negative. He was admitted under the medical team. Intravenous Methyl Prednisolone was started. The patient felt better after 5 days of Methyl Prednisolone. Left temporary tarsorrhaphy was done by Ophthalmology. Cyclophosphamide was initiated after discussion with Oncologist pending the result of the renal biopsy. Patient was discharged after 5 days of admission in the hospitalResults:The renal biopsy was positive for metastatic Squamous cell carcinoma of lung. Cyclophosphamide was withdrawn and he was started on Carboplatin/Gemcitabine. The corneal melt improved with complete resolution of his visual symptoms.Conclusion:In this case, although the history of RA was felt by the ophthalmology team to be the most likely association with the corneal melt, we would argue the oncological diagnoses were likely the driving force behind the presentation.References:[1]Sule A, Balakrishnan C, Gaitonde S, Mittal G, Pathan E, Gokhale NS, et al. Rheumatoid corneal melt. Rheumatology (Oxford)2002;41:705–6.[2]S. Yano, K. Kondo, M. Yamaguchi et al., “Distribution and function of EGFR in human tissue and the effect of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibition,” Anticancer Research, vol. 23, no. 5, pp. 3639–3650, 2003.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals P54 Development of ocular toxoplasmosis and panuveitis in a patient receiving infliximab for psoriatic arthritis

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam Malik ◽  
Himashi Anver ◽  
Ernest Wong
Keyword(s):  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Past History ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Immunosuppressive Treatment ◽  
Ocular Toxoplasmosis ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Horse Riding ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Acute Toxoplasmosis

Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii is thought to infect up to a third of world’s population. Incidence rate of 0.4/100,000 has been calculated in Britain, culminating in a life-time risk of 18/100,000. Cats are primary hosts, but humans and warm-blooded animals can be infected by consumption of contaminated food/water. Although in most patients, it’s self-limiting, it can be devastating in immunosuppressed patients and may cause eye manifestations, cerebral abscesses or disseminated infection. Immunosuppressive therapies including treatment with biologics increases the risk and may also cause toxoplasmosis reactivation. Methods This is case of 57 year old lady with psoriatic arthritis. She has past history of congenital vision impairment in the left eye and is HLA B27 negative. She enjoyed horse-riding and had a pet dog. Initially she was started on methotrexate. Sulfasalazine was added later. Due to ongoing active disease, etanercept was used for 6 months, before being switched to cetrolizumab due to ineffectiveness. She had this for 5 months and then switched to infliximab, 3mg/kg, 8 weekly. In May 2019, she was seen by Ophthalmology for 2 weeks history of blurred vision and floaters in right eye. She was diagnosed to have panuveitis and had positive IgM for toxoplasma. Bloods revealed negative TB screen, HIV, Hep B&C, syphilis, lyme and anti-streptolysin antibody tests were negative. Infliximab levels were sub-therapeutic. She was commenced on 30mg prednisolone for possible inflammatory process secondary to seronegative arthropathy, but acute toxoplasmosis could not be excluded. Hence, she was started on azithromycin and had vitreous biopsy. Toxoplasma was detected in the sample, confirming acute infection. Methotrexate and infliximab were stopped. MRI head ruled out intracranial involvement. Following treatment of acute toxoplasmosis, adalimumab is now being considered for management of her inflammatory disease, with close monitoring by local infectious-disease team and specialist ophthalmology unit. Results This lady developed ocular toxoplasmosis and panuveitis, whilst on immunosuppression for psoriatic arthritis. She was a horse-rider and had exposure to dogs. Diagnosing toxoplasma in immunocompromised can be difficult. Isolation of T. gondii in tissue usually confirms diagnosis. Some forms of immunosuppressive treatment may be associated with increased risk of reactivation of toxoplasmosis but there is not much evidence to assess the relative risk of various therapies. Conclusion Ocular toxoplasmosis needs to be considered in patients receiving immunosupression and presenting with inflammatory eye symptoms. Management requires specialist input and close monitoring. Further research into diagnostic techniques, possibility of using prophylaxis in high-risk patients and management guidelines would be helpful. Disclosures M. Malik None. H. Anver None. E. Wong None.

scholarly journals CHEK2∗1100delC Mutation and Risk of Prostate Cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Hale ◽  
Maren Weischer ◽  
Jong Y. Park
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Prostate Cancer Screening ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Prostate Cancer Risk ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of ◽  
Cancer Studies

Although the causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown, previous studies support the role of genetic factors in the development of prostate cancer.CHEK2plays a critical role in DNA replication by responding to double-stranded breaks. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of the role of a genetic variant, 1100delC, ofCHEK2on prostate cancer risk and discuss the implication for potential translation of this knowledge into clinical practice. Currently, twelve articles that discussedCHEK2∗1100delC and its association with prostate cancer were identified. Of the twelve prostate cancer studies, five studies had independent data to draw conclusive evidence from. The pooled results of OR and 95% CI were 1.98 (1.23–3.18) for unselected cases and 3.39 (1.78–6.47) for familial cases, indicating thatCHEK2∗1100delC mutation is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. Screening for CHEK2∗1100delC should be considered in men with a familial history of prostate cancer.

scholarly journals Levamisole/Cocaine Induced Systemic Vasculitis and Immune Complex Glomerulonephritis

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lohit Garg ◽  
Sagar Gupta ◽  
Abhishek Swami ◽  
Ping Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Immune Complex ◽  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
Renal Involvement ◽  
Morphological Properties ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Cocaine Use ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
History Of ◽  
Psychotropic Effects ◽  
Complex Deposition

Levamisole is an antihelminthic and immunomodulator medication that was banned by the USFDA in 1998. It has been increasingly used to adulterate cocaine due to its psychotropic effects and morphological properties. Adverse reactions including cutaneous vasculitis, thrombocytopenia, and agranulocytosis have been well described. Despite systemic vasculitis in this setting, renal involvement is uncommon. We report here a case of ANCA positive systemic vasculitis with biopsy proven immune complex mediated glomerulonephritis likely secondary to levamisole/cocaine. A 40-year-old Caucasian male with no past medical history presented with 3-week history of fatigue, skin rash, joint pains, painful oral lesions, oliguria, hematuria, worsening dyspnea on exertion, and progressive lower extremity edema. He had a history of regular tobacco and cocaine use. Lab testing revealed severe anemia, marked azotemia, deranged electrolytes, and 4.7 gm proteinuria. Rheumatologic testing revealed hypocomplementemia, borderline ANA, myeloperoxidase antibody, and positive atypical p-ANCA. Infectious and other autoimmune workup was negative. Kidney biopsy was consistent with immune mediated glomerulonephritis and showed mesangial proliferation and immune complex deposition consisting of IgG, IgM, and complement. High dose corticosteroids and discontinuing cocaine use resulted in marked improvement in rash, mucocutaneous lesions, and arthritis. There was no renal recovery and he remained hemodialysis dependent.

Northern Hemisphere Glaciation, African Climate and Evolution

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin H. Trauth ◽  
Asfawossen Asrat ◽  
Nadine Berner ◽  
Faysal Bibi ◽  
Verena Foerster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Abrupt Onset ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Scientific Idea ◽  
Gradual Process ◽  
Before And After ◽  
History Of ◽  
Change Point Models ◽  
Original Interpretation

<p>The hypothesis of a connection between the onset (or intensification) of Northern Hemisphere Glaciation (NHG), the stepwise increase in African aridity (and climate variability) and an important mammalian (including hominin) species turnover is a textbook example of the initiation of a scientific idea and its propagation in science. It is, however, also an example of the persistent popularity of a hypothesis despite mounting evidence against it. The first part of our work analyzes of the history of the scientific idea by seeking its roots, including coincidental meetings and exchanges between of scientists, at project meetings, conferences and workshops. The consequences of this idea are examined and its influence on subsequent scientific investigations both before and after it has been falsified. In the second part of our investigation, we examine why the idea that the high latitudes have a major control on the climate of the low latitudes and thus early human evolution persists. For this purpose, an attempt is made to understand the original interpretation of the data, with special consideration of the composition of the scientific team and their scientific backgrounds and persuasions. Some of the key records in support of the hypothesis of a step-wise transition will be statistically re-analyzed by fitting change-point models to the time series to determine the midpoint and duration of the transition – in case such a transition is found in the data. A critical review of key publications in support of such a connection and a statistical re-analysis of key data sets leads to three conclusions: (1) Northern Hemisphere Glaciation is a gradual process between ~3.5–2.5 Ma, not an abrupt onset, either at ~2.5 Ma, nor at ~2.8 Ma, or any other time in the Late Cenozoic Era, (2) the trend towards greater aridity in Africa during this period was also gradual, not stepwise in the sense of a consistent transition of a duration of ≤0.2 Ma, and (3) accordingly, a step-wise change in environmental conditions cannot be used to explain an important mammalian (including hominin) species turnover.</p>

Medicolegal evaluation of pontine hemorrhage at autopsy- Highlights from a case and an overview

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 77-85
Author(s):  
Pawan Mittal
Keyword(s):  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Abrupt Onset ◽  
Excited Delirium ◽  
Vertebrobasilar System ◽  
Pontine Hemorrhage ◽  
Severe Atherosclerosis ◽  
Medicolegal Autopsy ◽  
History Of ◽  
Intracerebral Hemorrhages ◽  
The Subject

One in ten non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhages (ICH) is located in the pons with chronic arterial hypertension as the leading etiology. In the forensic context, deaths related to a pontine hemorrhage (PH) are usually encountered in situations of drug abuse, excited delirium, trauma, as well as in sudden natural deaths where some hypertensive catastrophe is the usual underlying mechanism. The clinical presentation of PH may be variable, causing a failure in timely diagnosis that, if presents with unexplainable circumstances, may become the subject of medicolegal concern. The present case relates to a middle-aged man with a long history of hypertension and presents during an afternoon with an abrupt onset of deleterious symptoms. The patient was managed conservatively but succumbed to his illness and expires during treatment. A questionable diagnosis and the case circumstances, however, directed the doctors to inform the police. A medicolegal autopsy was therefore carried out that leads to the discovery of a lethal pontine hemorrhage rupturing into the fourth ventricle and involving the adjacent cerebellar tissues as well. Severe atherosclerosis of the basal arteries constituting Circle of Willis and Vertebrobasilar system was seen along with their hallmark effects that became evident during brain sectioning. Pathological stigmata of well established hypertension were found in the heart and kidneys. A clinic pathological correlation of the physical characteristics and topography of the hematoma to its severity was also carried out, based upon the known CT and autopsy findings. The possibility of a drug related or traumatic and secondary brainstem/Duret hemorrhage was ruled out.

Cardiac Arrhythmia Caused by a Kirschner Wire inside the Heart

1997 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. T. HAAPANIEMI ◽  
U. S. HERMANSSON
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Thoracic Surgery ◽  
Cardiac Disease ◽  
Kirschner Wire ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Kirschner Wires ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
Plain Chest ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Right

A 45-year-old woman with no previous history of cardiac disease woke up one morning with an irregular heartbeat and fatigue. An electrocardiogram showed atrial fibrillation and plain chest radiographs revealed the presence of a metallic pin at the position of the heart. A 24 mm-long metallic pin was removed by open thoracic surgery from within the right ventricle of the heart. Postoperative examination of the pin showed it to be one of the 0.8 mm Kirschner wires that had been used for finger osteosynthesis in her left hand 31 months previously.

scholarly journals Susac's Syndrome

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Lian ◽  
Rekha Siripurapu ◽  
Robert Yeung ◽  
Julia Hopyan ◽  
Kenneth T. Eng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corpus Callosum ◽  
White Matter Hyperintensities ◽  
Brain Biopsy ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
Elevated Protein ◽  
Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery ◽  
History Of ◽  
Previous Medical History

A 40-year-old woman with no significant previous medical history presented with a three month history of ataxia, confusion, memory difficulties, and headaches. Physical examination revealed numbness in the left hand, but was otherwise unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (MRI FLAIR) images demonstrated multiple small white matter hyperintensities, including lesions involving the corpus callosum. There were also deep gray nuclei lesions (Figure 1). The corpus callosum lesions involved the central fibers (Figure 2). Post gadolinium T1 images demonstrated enhancement of some of the lesions as well as extensive perivascular and leptomeningeal enhancement (Figure 3). Extensive infectious serology, autoimmune panel, and paraneoplastic antibodies were negative. Lumbar puncture revealed elevated protein (1116 mg/L), but was otherwise normal. Brain biopsy indicated no apparent pathology. The patient was tentatively diagnosed with acute encephalopathy and treated with high dose steroids seven days after presentation. She was subsequently discharged and was sent for rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Roman Terracottas From the Lower City of Olbia from the collection of the National Museum of the History of Ukraine

Archaeology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 108-117
Author(s):  
Roman Kozlenko ◽  
◽  
Olha Puklina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Black Sea ◽  
National Museum ◽  
Roman Army ◽  
Black Sea Region ◽  
Left Hand ◽  
Port Area ◽  
History Of ◽  
Higher Rank ◽  
Roman Military ◽  
The City

The article introduces clay figurines of eagles and terracotta of a Roman soldier, which were found during excavations at the Lower City of Olbia in the 1930—1940-ies, and are kept in the National Museum of the History of Ukraine. The iconography of the eagles is similar to the terracotta statuette of an eagle found in the praetorium building in the Upper City of Olbia. The series of rooms, in which the eagle figurines were found, belong to the Roman garrison structures, which were located in the port area of the city. Terracotta eagle figurines could be used in military sanctuaries, and imitate Roman military standards, or be associated with the worship of Jupiter. Analogies to these products are known from the Roman fortresses on the Danube and in Dacia province. The fragment of terracotta with a shield was a part of a Roman soldier figurine with hanging limbs. The warrior was depicted wearing a Roman military cloak (sagum). This indicates his higher rank, in contrast to the soldiers dressed in tunics. In his left hand he holds a shield (clipeus), which depicts a deity in armor, with rays above his head. The terracotta depicts warriors armed with gladius, and belted with a Roman military belt (cingulum militare). They depict the servicemen of the auxiliary troops of the Roman army — auxilia, or, given the non-standard shape of their shields, the sailors of the Moesian fleet (milites classiarii), whose units were stationed in Olbia, as is known from the epigraphic finds. The places of their finds mark the points of deployment of the Roman troops in the Northern Black Sea region. These terracottas could serve as votives in ritual rites associated with the cult of Mithras, which appears in Olbia as a result of the Roman garrison deployment in the city during the second half of the 2nd — first half of the 3rd c. AD.

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