PD-1/PD-L1-negative tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma: A case report and systematic review of the literature

Background: Tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a rare form of non-small cell lung carcinoma and is defined as a tumor characterized by a combination of squamous, mucus-secreting, and intermediate cell types. This carcinoma is usually located in the lobar or segmental bronchus. Currently, surgery is the preferred treatment for this disease, which includes pneumonectomy, lobectomy, and sleeve lobectomy. Case presentation: A 50-year-old Chinese male presented with cough, shortness of breath and hemoptysis, and the effect of antibiotic therapy was not good. Subsequently, the airway occupied lesion was found by chest CT, and he was transferred to our hospital for surgical resection. Histologically, the tumor contained squamous epidermal cells, mucoepidermoid cells and intermediate cells. Immunohistochemistrically, the tumor cells were positive for p63, CK5/6, CK7 and Ki67. However, the tumor is generally negative for TTF-1 and neuroendocrine markers. The patient had no recurrence 15 months after the surgery. Conclusions: We report a rare case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the distal trachea in which the surgery was difficult and could not be performed like a traditional pulmonary resection. We first provide a comprehensive description of airway management and anesthesia intubation. After surgery, we reviewed the literature and found that PD-1/PD-L1 detection had never been reported in tracheal mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Therefore, we studied the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in this patient, and the results were negative, which may indicate that potential adjuvant therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is not useful in this case.

Conus myelitis associated with Covid 19 infection – a rare complication

Covid 19 pandemic has taken away millions of lives. Our understanding of this disease, till to date, is not complete. This disease has a wide variety of neurological manifestations. Acute transverse myelitis is one such rare neurological complication of Covid 19. The exact etiology is not clear. Auto immunity might be one of the possible mechanisms. We report a case of 39-year-old lady, who had recent history of high-grade fever and cough. This was followed by weakness of both legs and in- ability to pass urine. SARS-CoV-2 (PCR) from nasopharyngeal swab was positive. She was found to have features of acute non compressive myelopathy. MRI brain and MRI cervical spine with contrast was normal. MRI dorso lumbar spine with contrast was suggestive of diffuse hyper intensity of conus medullaris with contrast enhancement suggestive of conus myelitis. CSF analysis ruled out infection and autoimmune causes. She was pulsed with high dose steroids. There was some transient improvement in symptoms. Learning points: 1) Physicians should not consider Covid as a respiratory illness only. It can present with a variety of extra pulmonary manifestations. 2) Acute transverse myelitis is a rare complication of Covid 19 infection. Timely recognition and treatment can prevent permanent neurological damage and residual disability. 3) Conus myelitis might not present with classic upper motor neuron signs. Any new onset bladder dysfunction in a setting of a recent covid infection should be taken seriously and requires urgent imaging of the spine.

Autologous Tenocyte Implantation (ATI) and the Use of Collagen Scaffolds: a Case Report of a Novel Surgical Treatment for Gluteal Tendon Repair

Background: Ortho-biological therapies such as platelet-rich plasma and autologous tenocyte implantation injections are hypothesized to introduce cellular mediators such as growth factors into tendons, promoting natural healing. Methods: This case introduces a 63-year-old female with an extensive history of lateral hip pain and treatment refractory tendinopathy with tearing. She underwent open surgery to repair the gluteus medius tendon, using supplementary autologous tenocyte implantation (ATI) in conjunction with a Celgro (Orthocell, Perth, Australia) collagen scaffold. Level of evidence: 4 Results: She had normal function in the hip at 12 months. MRI scans post-operatively at 12 months showed a marked reduction in inflammation, an intact tendon and a reduction in atrophic changes in the muscle belly. Conclusion: Surgical repair of a large degenerate tear of the gluteus medius tendon, augmented with autologous tenocyte implantation in a collagen scaffold led to an excellent patient outcome and MRI findings demonstrated tendon healing with improved tendon structure and reduced inflammation.

Successful treatment for intra-abdominal bleeding due to spontaneous rupture of huge liver cyst using transcatheter arterial embolization: a case report

Background: Non-parasitic simple liver cysts are one of the most common benign hepatic lesions. Although most liver cysts are asymptomatic and remain silent throughout the patient’s life, extremely large cysts can become symptomatic by direct compression to adjacent organs. Herein, we report a case of a spontaneously ruptured simple liver cyst, which is a rare presentation of a benign liver cyst. The patient’s liver cyst re-ruptured and was treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE). Case report: A 62-year-old man presented to our hospital complaining of acute-onset lower abdominal pain. He had undergone laparoscopic fenestration of a huge liver cyst in another hospital 2 years prior. Computed tomography (CT) scan showed spontaneous rupture of a large liver cyst. Laparoscopic exploratory laparotomy showed no signs of ongoing intra-abdominal bleeding from the liver cyst; therefore, the operation was completed with peritoneal lavage. The patient was discharged from our hospital on postoperative day 5. Twelve days after the initial presentation, the patient was re-admitted to our hospital complaining of recurrence of lower abdominal pain. CT scan showed an enlargement of the previously ruptured liver cyst, with intra-abdominal bleeding and massive hematoma in the cyst. Extravasation of the cyst’s wall was also detected. Under the diagnosis of intra-abdominal bleeding from the artery in the wall of the huge cyst, emergent TAE was performed. Although the exact spot of extravasation was not detected, the anterior segment branch of the right hepatic artery, which corresponds to extravasation shown on the CT scan, was embolized. The patient was discharged from our hospital after 7 days, and the liver cyst remained stable without abdominal pain for more than 2 months. Conclusions: This case highlights a rare presentation of spontaneous rupture of a liver cyst with massive bleeding and the efficacy of TAE for the conservative treatment of ruptured liver cysts.

The emergence of bladder dysfunction secondary to lupus cystitis in a patient with established lupus nephritis: the first case from Pakistan

Lupus cystitis is an uncommon manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe the case of a 23-year-old woman with lupus that complained of abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea for one week. Two years back, she was brought with an affirmative history that satisfied the clinical criteria of SLE which was renal biopsy-proven (class V membranous lupus nephritis). On radiologic workup, she was found to have bilateral hydronephrosis and a thick-walled bladder with diverticula. Immunosuppressive therapy was commenced however augmentation cystoplasty had to be opted for as the symptoms did not subside with medical therapy alone.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 by real time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction assay in pleural effusion

SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2) is a novel coronavirus identified for the first time in Wuhan (China) in 2019, responsible of the current pandemic infection known as Coronavirus-19 disease (COVID-19). Wide range of clinical presentation of COVD -19 has been observed, from asymptomatic carriers to ARDS. The common signs and symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection include fever, fatigue, dry cough, and dyspnoea; the severity of the disease is due to the impairment of the respiratory function. The radiological findings include a large variety of lesions; bilateral interstitial pneumonia is the most concerning presentation of COVID-19. Pleural involvement has been described in a minority of cases: pleural thickening had been observed in 32% of cases whereas pleural effusion is uncommon being described in only 5%. Furthermore, pleural involvement has been significantly associated with a worse prognosis. Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), beyond the nasopharyngeal swab, has been detected in other samples; up to now, data about RT-PCR specific results in the pleural fluid of patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 5 (COVID-19) are very limited. The current gold standard for diagnosis is nucleic acid detection by real time Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) in nasopharyngeal swab. In this report, a case of a positive RT-PCR for Sars-Cov-2 in the pleura fluid and in the naso- pharyngeal swab of a patient affected by bilateral interstitial pneumonia and severe respiratory failure is described. As the presence of SARS-Cov-2 in the pleural fluid seems to be associated to a poor prognosis, physicians should carry out the specific RT-PCR assay both in the nasopharyngeal swab and in the pleural sample also when the fluid amount is very scarce and not recognizable in the chest X ray. Furthermore, the analysis of multiple samples allows to increase the test reliability.

Intramucosal esophageal dissection after esophagogastroduodenoscopy: two case reports

Introduction: Intramucosal esophageal dissection (IED) is an uncommon disorder, described as the separation of the mucosa and/or submucosa from deeper muscular layers due to abrupt increase in intraesophageal pressure. Case presentation: The first case il that of a 52 – years old female patient who underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy for control. After the procedure an extensive subcutaneous emphysema of the neck and a massive pneumomediastinum occurred. The patient was successfully treated with a conservative approach. The second case is that of a 43-years old male patient affected by Down’s Syndrome, who underwent an esopagogastroduodenoscopy because of persisting dysphagia. The endoscopic showed the presence of a serrated stricture at 20 centimeters from dental arcade. After the procedure he fell dysphagia. A neck-chest TC-SCAN showed superior and posterior pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema, without signs of mediastinitis. The patient was successfully treated with conservative approach. After a few days, a new chest CT-SCAN showed the presence of an anomalous right subclavian artery arising from the descending part of the aortic arch, causing dysphagia lusoria. Discussion: The causes of IED include iatrogenic instrumentation, hemostatic applications, mucosal injuries from ingestion of sharp foreign body, or spontaneous. A fluoroscopic upper gastrointestinal series or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy has been widely used to diagnose IED. CT and magnetic resonance are useful for differential diagnosis. In the absence of signs of mediastinitis management is conservative. Conclusion: CT SCAN should be the first exam to perform in the suspicion of IED. The first line treatment should be conservative. In case of the onset of complications and in patients who are refractory to conservative management, endoscopic or surgical treatment are indicated.

Efficacy and safety of Bosutinib in Patient with Chronic myeloid leukemia who was intolerant to DASTANIB,NILOTUNIB -Case report

Treatment for Chronic myeloid leukemia has been revolutionized because of availability of different tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Each TKI come with its on toxicity profile as this needs to be taken in account before starting therapy with particular agent in a patient. Most of the adverse effects related to TKI are mild and can be managed by either symptomatic treatment or either by dose reduction. But some patients can become intolerant and to switch to other TKI remains the only option. Bosutinib is currently approved for treatment of chronic phase CML in patients who are either resistant or intolerant to previous TKI. We present a case of 59 year old male patient with CML who was intolerant to Dastanib and Nilotinib but showed excellent hematological and major molecular response to bosutinib

Giant hydronephrosis in an 82-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities: a case report

Giant hydronephrosis is a rare urinary tract disorder characterized by a collection arising from the kidney. Because of its complications, surgery remains the main treatment. Here we report the case of an 82-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities and diagnosis of giant hydronephrosis. After multidisciplinary concertation between urologists and geriatricians, no specific treatment was initiated. This case report highlights a non-specifically presentation of this rare disorder, including no symptom. The presence of multiple comorbidities has changed the management commonly reported in the literature.

Double PTEG (percutaneous trans-esophageal gastro-tubing) was useful in nutrition and decompression for a gastric cancer patient with pyloric stenosis: a case report

Background For gastric cancer patients with strong pyloric stenosis, decompression by nasogastric tube insertion for gastric distension and central venous nutrition management have been performed. However long-term indwelling of the nasogastric tube is accompanied by pain, and Central venous catheter placement is inferior to enteral nutrition from infection risk and nutritional viewpoint. Furthermore, these generally require management in hospitalization. Case presentation An 81-year-old male was referred to our hospital for gastric cancer accompanied by pyloric stenosis. Blood test resulted in low nutrition and anemia. CT showed thickening of the wall from the anterior gastric part to the pylorus and enlargement of 50mm in the regional lymph node, and gastric distention. We planned resection after preoperative chemotherapy. We performed double PTEG (Percutaneous Tran Esophageal Gastro-tubing) from cervical co-wound for decompression and nutrition management of the stomach. Total laparoscopic gastrectomy was performed on day 114 after insertion of the double PTEG. During which time he had been good nutrition and no gastric distention with stayed at home for 42 days. On the 10th postoperative day, he was clinically released from hospital without any complications. Conclusions We conducted a new management to reduce and nourish patients with gastric cancer who had a pyloric stenosis by double PTEG (percutaneous trans-esophageal gastro-tubing), and can perform curative surgery after preoperative chemotherapy including home management period.