Publication Details > Case Report Type > Unique/unexpected symptoms or presentations of a disease
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Summary
A 60-year-old woman presented to our clinic with an acute onset 3 months history of right ankle pain. The patient had a history of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer, which was treated with total thyroidectomy, left lateral neck dissection levels II–V and central neck dissection levels VI–VII followed by postoperative I-131 radioactive iodine (131I) ablation therapy 3.7 GBq 6 months ago. The post-131I WBS showed residual iodine-avid thyroid tissue with no other iodine-avid disease or metastasis. SPECT/CT of the neck and chest showed nonavid bilateral pulmonary nodules, discrete nodal masses in mediastinum and nonavid bone lesions. FDG-PET CT scan showed FDG-avid mediastinal lymph nodes (LN), innumerable non-FDG-avid subcentimetric pulmonary nodules and few FDG-avid lytic lesions in the skeleton. X-ray and MRI of the right ankle showed a well-marginated lytic lesion in the posterior body of calcaneus and 5 × 6 cm soft tissue mass lesion, respectively. The histopathology of the calcaneus mass confirmed a positive immunostaining for thyroid origin which includes thyroglobulin and TTF-1 with PAX-8. Endobronchial mediastinal and bronchial LN biopsy confirmed thyroid cancer metastasis. Gene mutation showed HRAS and GNA13 with a high tumor mutational burden. We describe a rare case of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer in a patient who presented with right ankle pain; we confirmed the cause to be a calcaneus metastasis from the thyroid cancer, with calcaneus being an extremely rare site for bone metastases. Gene mutations points toward treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Learning points
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Poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) usually metastasizes to lung and bone but can rarely occur in the calcaneus.
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Patients with distant metastases have significantly worse long-term prognosis.
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Radiotherapy is effective in reducing the metastatic pains as well as reducing the size of the metastasis.
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PAX-8 staining can be used to differentiate thyroid carcinomas from lung adenocarcinomas.
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The importance of searching for gene mutations to decide the treatment of PDTC.
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Summary
Calciphylaxis is a rare disorder characterised by the development of painful necrotic skin lesions. Occlusion of cutaneous arterioles due to ectopic calcification leads to potentially life-threatening widespread skin loss. Most cases occur in patients with chronic renal disease, which leads to dysregulation of calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Only a handful of case reports exist describing calciphylaxis occurring in patients without chronic renal disease but with hypoparathyroidism. We report on a unique case of a 53-year-old man with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 syndrome and acquired hypoparathyroidism due to total parathyroidectomy who went on to develop calciphylaxis following cardiac surgery.
Learning points
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Calciphylaxis most commonly occurs in the context of chronic renal disease but can rarely occur in its absence as a consequence of calcium and phosphate dysregulation.
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Patients who develop necrotic skin lesions in the presence of hypoparathyroidism require an urgent dermatological opinion.
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Mortality from calciphylaxis is high, with the majority of deaths occurring secondary to sepsis.
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Management of calciphylaxis requires a multidisciplinary team approach to manage wound healing, infections and pain.
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Recovery with full rehabilitation from calciphylaxis can take months to years.
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Minamiyamato Hospital, Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan
Search for other papers by Hiroaki Iwasaki in
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Summary
A 73-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus was referred to our department for glycaemic control. Physical examination revealed two subcutaneous hard masses around the left shoulder and the right hip joint. The patient could not fully extend her fingers because of skin sclerosis in both hands. Laboratory studies showed hyperphosphataemia and a high ratio of renal tubular maximum reabsorption of phosphate to glomerular filtration rate. There were no abnormalities in serum calcium, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, and intact parathyroid hormone levels, whereas serum fibroblast growth factor 23 was low. Hyperphosphataemic familial tumoural calcinosis/hyperostosis-hyperphosphataemia syndrome (HFTC/HHS) was diagnosed using whole genome sequencing that revealed a novel frameshift beyond the 584th threonine located in the lectin domain of UDP-N-acetyl-alpha-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 3 associated with a duplication of the 1748th thymine in the coding region of the corresponding gene. Furthermore, anti-nuclear, anti-centromere, and anti-cardiolipin antibodies were positive, implying that comorbid limited type scleroderma might play a role in tumoural calcinosis (TC) development. A low phosphate diet was prescribed with phosphate-lowering medications, including aluminium hydroxide, acetazolamide, and sevelamer hydrochloride. The patient displayed a decrease in serum phosphate levels from 6.5 to 5.5 mg/dL 10 months after the initiation of treatment, but her TC had not improved during treatment for more than 1 year. This case was interesting because the patient with HFTC/HHS exhibited TC despite being over her 60s, and subsequent scleroderma might contribute to the specific clinical course. When HFTC/HHS presents with elderly-onset TC, the involvement of comorbidities in exacerbating TC should be considered.
Learning points
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HFTC/HHS occurs on an autosomal recessive basis, but its clinical course and manifestations differ significantly throughout the cases.
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HFTC/HHS may be undiagnosed until later in life because of its rarity, unfamiliarity, and phenotype diversity; therefore, HFTC/HHS should be included in the differential diagnosis of elderly patients with unexplained hyperphosphataemia or ectopic calcinosis.
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Comorbidities, including rheumatologic disorders, may contribute to developing HFTC/HHS-associated calcinosis.
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Summary
New-onset primary adrenal insufficiency is rare in pregnancy. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency such as nausea, vomiting and dizziness may be attributed to the pregnancy itself, which can lead to a delay in the diagnosis. The presence of hypotension, hypoglycemia or hyperkalemia should raise the suspicion for adrenal insufficiency. We report the case of a 25-year-old woman who presented with tachycardia, left flank pain and vomiting at 36 weeks’ gestation. She was found to have primary adrenal insufficiency and started on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone with resolution of the vomiting and tachycardia. MRI of the abdomen revealed an acute nonhemorrhagic infarct of the left adrenal gland. The contralateral adrenal gland was normal. Autoimmune and infectious etiologies of primary adrenal insufficiency were ruled out and the adrenal insufficiency was attributed to the unilateral adrenal infarction. Adrenal insufficiency persisted after delivery and then resolved at approximately 16 months post partum. This case highlights the need to test women with unilateral adrenal infarction in pregnancy for the presence of primary adrenal insufficiency.
Learning points
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Adrenal insufficiency should be considered when a pregnant woman develops nausea, vomiting and dizziness in association with hypotension or hypoglycemia. Hypovolemic hyponatremia related to vomiting can occur in pregnancy, but the failure to correct hyponatremia despite adequate IV hydration should raise the suspicion for adrenal insufficiency.
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Adrenal infarction should be in the differential diagnosis for unilateral flank pain in pregnancy. Other common etiologies for flank pain in pregnancy include nephrolithiasis, pyelonephritis and acute cholecystitis.
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Unilateral adrenal infarction in pregnancy can lead to the development of primary adrenal insufficiency. Following delivery, these patients need to be monitored for the resolution of the adrenal insufficiency.
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Summary
Primary hyperparathyroidism most commonly presents with hypercalcaemia. Rarely, parathyroid apoplexy or haemorrhage mimicking a thyroid bleeding cyst is the first presentation of a parathyroid adenoma. A woman presented with a sudden-onset painful ‘goitre’. Ultrasound showed a cystic nodule located posterior to rather than in the right thyroid lobe, suggesting parathyroid adenoma bleeding. Biochemistry showed mild primary hyperparathyroidism. 99mTc-pertechnetate/sestamibi showed no uptake in the nodule, which was interpreted as a cold thyroid nodule. 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT showed uptake in the nodule, suggestive of a parathyroid adenoma. Persistent mild primary hyperparathyroidism complicated by nephrolithiasis and osteopenia favoured parathyroidectomy over a wait-and-see approach. The patient was referred for parathyroidectomy along with right thyroid lobectomy. Pathology showed an adenoma, with an eccentrically located cystic structure filled with red blood cells surrounded by a thickened fibrous capsule. In conclusion, cervical pain/haemorrhage with hypercalcaemia points to the diagnosis of parathyroid apoplexy, mimicking a thyroid bleeding cyst. Workup with ultrasound and, if available, 18F-choline PET/CT allows for timely surgery, minimizing the risk of recurrent and severe bleeding.
Learning points
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A bleeding cyst may be located posterior to rather than in the thyroid, suggesting a parathyroid haemorrhage.
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Neck pain and/or haemorrhage along with primary hyperparathyroidism point to parathyroid apoplexy.
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A two-step presentation has been described, with a first phase of local symptoms to be followed by visible and possibly life-threatening compressing bleeding.
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Therefore, an expedited workup is needed, allowing for timely surgery.
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Summary
There is a scarcity of literature relating to post-bariatric hypoglycaemia (PBH) in pregnancy. Recurrent hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia can have significant consequences for both the mother and the developing fetus. We describe a case of a young pregnant woman who was diagnosed with symptomatic PBH in the second trimester of pregnancy using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) 3 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Instigating a low glycaemic index and complex carbohydrate diet significantly improved the patient’s glycaemic excursions. Given that this condition is likely underdiagnosed as a complication of RYGB surgery, a greater awareness of this complication is needed. Patients should be adequately consented pre-operatively for this relatively frequent late surgical complication to enable patients to identify symptoms of this condition at an early stage and seek medical treatment.
Learning points
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PBH is an important diagnosis in patients post-RYGB surgery, particularly in women of childbearing age when consequences of both hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia during pregnancy can adversely affect both mother and the fetus.
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Adverse outcomes of recurrent hypoglycaemia to the fetus can include small for gestational age, intrauterine growth restriction and possible impairment of beta cell function.
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Providing adequate carbohydrate intake to allow growth of the fetus during pregnancy while also attempting to resolve both hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia associated with PBH by reducing the intake of simple carbohydrates and high glycaemic index foods can prove challenging.
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Patients should be adequately consented for late complications of RYGB surgery such as PBH in order to allow early recognition of symptoms and enable prompt treatment.
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Summary
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disorder caused by the destruction of the pancreatic beta cells, which produce insulin. Individuals with T1DM usually require at least 3-5 years to develop microvascular complications in comparison to people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), who may develop complications even before the diagnosis of diabetes. We discuss a patient who presented with proliferative diabetic retinopathy subsequently diagnosed with T1DM and diabetic neuropathy following investigations. Diabetic retinopathy or other microvascular complications as the presenting feature of T1DM is rarely known or reported in the literature. A 33-year-old healthcare worker had been seen by the opticians due to 1-week history of blurred vision. The ophthalmology assessment had confirmed proliferative retinopathy in the right eye and severe non-proliferative retinopathy in the left eye with bilateral clinically significant macular oedema. His BMI was 24.9 kg/m2. The nervous system examination revealed bilateral stocking type peripheral neuropathy. The random venous glucose was 24.9 mmol/L. Plasma ketones were 0.7 mmol/L and HbA1c was 137 mmol/mol. On further evaluation, the anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody was positive, confirming the diagnosis of T1DM. He was started on aflibercept injections in both eyes, followed by panretinal photocoagulation. Subsequent nerve conduction studies confirmed the presence of symmetrical polyneuropathy. The pathogenesis of the development of microvascular complications in T1DM is multifactorial. Usually, the development of complications is seen at least a few years following the diagnosis. The occurrence of microvascular complications at presentation is rare. This makes the management challenging and extremely important in preventing the progression of the disease.
Learning points
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The pathogenesis of the development of microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus is multifactorial.
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The development of complications is seen at least a few years following the diagnosis.
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Occurrence of microvascular complications at presentation is rare.
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This makes the management challenging and extremely important to prevent the progression of the disease.
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IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, R. Jorge de Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, R. Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Centro Hospitalar Universitário São João, Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, R. Alfredo Allen 208, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
IPATIMUP - Instituto de Patologia e Imunologia Molecular da Universidade do Porto, Rua Júlio Amaral de Carvalho 45, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade do Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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Summary
We report a 61-year-old male patient without personal history of thyroid carcinoma or radiation exposure. In 2011, he presented with a cervical mass whose biopsy diagnosed a papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in a lymph node metastasis (LNM). Total thyroidectomy with lymphadenectomy of central and ipsilateral compartment was performed. Histopathology identified a 2 mm follicular variant of PTC and LNM in 25/25 lymph nodes. The patient was treated with 150 mCi of radioactive iodine (RAI), followed by levothyroxine suppressive therapy. In 2016, a retrotracheal mass was diagnosed, suggesting local recurrence; patient was submitted to surgical excision and RAI therapy (120 mCi). Due to seizures, in 2019, a brain CT was performed that diagnosed brain metastases. The patient underwent debulking of the main lesion. Histopathology analysis confirmed a metastatic lesion with variated morphology: classical PTC and follicular pattern and hobnail and tall cell features. Molecular analysis revealed BRAFV600E in LNM at presentation and BRAFV600E and TERT promoter (TERTp) mutations in the recurrent LNM and brain metastasis. Based upon this experience we review the reported cases of subcentimetric PTC with brain metastases and discuss the molecular progression of the present case.
Learning points
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Papillary microcarcinoma (PMCs) usually have very good prognosis with low impact on patient survival.
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PMCs presenting in elderly patients with LNM at diagnosis may carry a guarded outcome.
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Brain metastasis although rare indicate aggressive phenotypic features.
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Patient risk stratification of PMCs based on histopathological analysis and genetic testing may have a significant impact on prognosis providing therapeutic markers, that may predict disease progression and overall outcome.
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Summary
The etiology of foot drop is diverse from various diseases to mechanic injuries and includes neuropathy of the peroneal nerve. Peroneal neuropathy might also be one of the forms of diabetic neuropathy, very rarely reported as the first sign of diabetes. We describe three cases of children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes (TID) who developed unilateral peroneal nerve palsies and tibial nerve palsies, presenting clinically as a foot drop. In two of our cases, the symptoms of foot drop occurred shortly after starting treatment for severe diabetes ketoacidosis. In the third patient, food drop was a reason for the initial medical consultation, but eventually, TID was diagnosed. The presented cases highlight that neuropathy can be observed not only as a chronic complication of T1D, but it can also appear at the time of disease manifestation. The incorrect position of the lower limb during a keto coma may contribute to the development of neuropathy.
Learning points
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Neuropathy can be observed not only as a chronic complication of type 1 diabetes (T1D), but it can also appear at the time of disease manifestation.
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The incorrect position of the lower limb causing external pressure during a keto coma may contribute to the development of neuropathy.
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It is important to examine the glycemia in patients with acute peroneal neuropathy, as this kind of peripheral neuropathy can be associated with newly diagnosed T1D. Normalization of glycemia might lead to rapid neuronal recovery.
Clinic for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine/Metabolism Laboratory, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Münster, Germany
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Summary
Traditional guidelines for type 1 diabetics do not restrict carbohydrates to improve clinical outcomes for patients. This paper highlights the favorable blood glucose control outcomes when a type 1 diabetic focuses on caloric intake from protein and healthy fats instead of the traditional carbohydrate-focused meals. We followed a male type 1 diabetic in his 20s adopting a ketogenic diet through a process of slowly lowering total daily carbohydrate intake. Diabetes-related biomarkers were measured throughout the process. Diabetes-related biomarkers saw massive improvements and ended up in the official non-diabetic range. Total daily insulin requirements dropped by 70%. The patient also experienced great improvements in his quality of life. This study demonstrates the possibility of improving diabetes-related biomarkers through dietary changes, which have positive effects on health outcomes in patients living with this disease.
Learning points
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The adaptation of a ketogenic diet improved diabetes-related biomarkers in this patient.
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Diabetes-related biomarkers, such as HbA1c, are the main risk factors for developing complications in diabetics.
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The ketogenic diet is a feasible approach to minimizing the risk of developing complications in diabetics.
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Total daily insulin requirements dropped by 67% adapting a ketogenic diet.
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The patient experienced enormous changes in the quality of life after adapting to the new diet.
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The safe and physiological state of ketosis might be associated with additional benefits for the patient