Thrombocytopaenia successfully treated by a multilocular thymic cyst resection

The multilocular thymic cyst (MTC) is a rare, acquired disease caused by inflammatory changes in the thymus, and is associated with autoimmune diseases. We report a case of MTC with thrombocytopaenia, which improved following surgical resection. A 45-year-old man developed thrombocytopaenia with an anterior mediastinal tumour. Thrombocytopaenia due to an autoimmune mechanism, associated with thymoma or thymus-related disease, was suspected. Pathologic analysis following thoracoscopic thymectomy confirmed MTC. The platelet level recovered postoperatively. Our findings suggested a relationship between the acquired formation of MTC and the development of autoimmune antibodies. However, further investigation is needed to obtain more information.

Unilateral morphea following unilateral vitiligo: a rare occurrence

<p>Morphea and vitiligo are two different conditions for which etiology is unknown. Many pathogenic mechanisms have been postulated for these two conditions, of which autoimmune mechanism is common to both. We here by present a case of a 36 years old female with occurrence of unilateral morphea following unilateral vitiligo. <strong></strong></p>

Occurrence of autoimmune pancreatitis after chronic immune thrombocytopenia in a Caucasian adolescent

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a rare, distinct and increasingly recognized form of chronic inflammatory pancreatic disease secondary to an underlying autoimmune mechanism. We report on a 14-year-old boy who developed autoimmune pancreatitis, while he was under treatment with eltrombopag for chronic immune thrombocytopenia. Therapy with corticosteroids resulted in complete remission of both. This is the first report on the co-occurrence of autoimmune pancreatitis and chronic immune thrombocytopenia in childhood, and clinicians should be aware of this rare association, because early diagnosis and therapy of autoimmune pancreatitis may prevent severe complications.

Disorders of Increased Muscle Stiffness or Overactivity

Increased muscle stiffness or overactivity (which differs from parkinsonian rigidity or dystonia) can be caused by a variety of disorders of central or peripheral nervous system origin and genetic, autoimmune, or infectious etiology. Increased muscle stiffness may be the cause of some joint movements, particularly when such stiffness is associated with stimulus sensitivity that causes involuntary movements. The conditions discussed in this chapter include stiff person syndrome, progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM), acquired neuromyotonia (Isaacs syndrome), hereditary neuromyotonia, tetanus (which has an infectious etiology), Satoyoshi disease, neuromyotonia, and rippling muscle disease. Many of these cases are caused by decreased synaptic inhibition through an autoimmune mechanism.

Thrombocytopaenia and thyroiditis: coincidence?

Thrombocytopaenia can be associated with an autoimmune mechanism. Immune thrombocytopaenia can be associated with thyroid autoimmune disease. The authors present a case of a teenager with a history of thrombocytopaenia who complained of tiredness. Laboratory investigation showed thyroid autoantibodies. The co-existence of thrombocytopaenia and thyroiditis lead to further investigation and antibodies against platelet glycoprotein IIbIIIa were found. This case illustrates the association of the overlap aspects between thyroid and platelet autoimmunity.

Delayed diagnosis of postcardiac injury syndrome

Postcardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) is a rare condition that is considered to have a trauma-induced autoimmune mechanism triggered by damage to pericardial and/or pleural tissues. We report a case of PCIS accompanied by systemic oedema after thymectomy. A 73-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for dyspnoea and oedema, 9 months after thymectomy. Evaluation revealed the presence of pericardial effusion, pleural effusion and systemic oedema. Differential diagnosis included constrictive pericarditis (secondary to tuberculosis), serositis caused by collagen disease and malignancy. Detailed investigations led to the diagnosis of PCIS, which was successfully treated with prednisolone. This report focuses on the diagnostic approach to PCIS. Since it took time to make a final diagnosis in our patient, we analysed several past case reports and series to determine the cause of the delay in diagnosis.