Angiotropic large cell lymphoma presenting as fever of unknown origin

BACKGROUND: Fever has never before been described as the chief complaint and major finding in angiotropic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). ALCL is a rare and usually fatal intravascular tumor characterized by a widespread proliferation of malignant mononuclear cells within vessels of small caliber, causing their blockage. The majority present as high-grade, B-cell lymphomas with a predilection for the central nervous system and the skin. CASE REPORT: We report a 61-year-old woman who presented with a fever of unknown origin (FUO) that lasted 9 weeks from onset to death. To our knowledge, this is the first case of ALCL to present solely as a FUO, and the second case of ALCL to be diagnosed by muscle biopsy. CONCLUSION: We suggest that this rare malignancy (ALCL) be considered in the differential diagnosis of FUO.     

Angiomyolipoma presenting as fever of unknown origin

A case of renal angiomyolipoma presenting as fever of unknown origin unassociated with tuberous sclerosis is described. Important features include (1) infrequent occurrence in absence of tuberous sclerosis, (2) angiographic appearance suggesting neoplasm, (3) absence of documented malignant tissue transformation, and (4) presenting symptoms most frequently included abdominal pains, palpable flank mass and hematuria. Surgical removal of the lesion in this instance was associated with cessation of fever.     

Vancomycin allergy presenting as fever of unknown origin

A 37-year-old woman receiving long-term hemodialysis was admitted to the hospital with a fever of unknown origin (6 weeks of unexplained, persistent, low-grade fever). Although she had received vancomycin hydrochloride 5 days before the onset of fever, the drug was not suspected as the cause because of the duration of fever, the administration of vancomycin on prior occasions without incident, and the lack of allergic stigmata. After hospitalization, vancomycin and gentamicin sulfate were administered empirically. Immediately thereafter, her temperature rose to 40 degrees C, and over the ensuing 24 hours, eosinophilia and a maculopapular rash developed that resolved entirely when antibiotic therapy was stopped and low-dose steroid therapy was instituted. The prolonged hypersensitivity reaction after a single dose of vancomycin is consistent with the greatly extended half-life of this drug in the population with end-stage renal disease and should alert physicians to the possibility of such persistent idiosyncratic reactions in this group.     

Aortic dissection presenting as fever of unknown origin

Acute aortic dissection may have variable presentations, making the diagnosis clinically challenging. Although fever is a common accompanying feature, it rarely dominates the clinical setting. We report the case of a patient who sustained a prolonged spiking fever with unknown origin following acute aortic dissection. The case serves as a reminder that prolonged fever may be the principal residual sequelae after acute aortic dissection or one of the protean clinical manifestations of painless aortic dissection.     

以不明原因发热为首发表现的恶性肿瘤69例临床分析

目的探讨以不明原因发热（FUO）为首发表现的恶性肿瘤患者的病因及临床特征。方法回顾性分析我院2000年1月～2007年12月间以FUO为首发表现的69例恶性肿瘤患者的病因、诊断方法和临床表现。结果69例恶性肿瘤患者男女比例为3．06：1,淋巴瘤最多见（占56．5％）,肺癌次之（占24．6％）。多部位穿刺活检有助于淋巴瘤明确诊断,淋巴瘤患者PPD试验阳性率低于结核病,但差异无显著性;89．7％（35／39）的患者有血象下降改变,其中三系细胞均下降比例最高,占36．4％（14／39）,83．9％（26／31）的患者乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）增高。所有肺癌患者均合并有阻塞性肺炎。结论以不明原因发热为首发表现的恶性肿瘤患者中淋巴瘤居首位,肺癌其次,仔细寻找线索有助于明确诊断。     

Multiple myeloma presenting as fever of unknown origin

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) itself is not considered to be responsible for fever and is not usually listed among the causes of fever of unknown origin (FUO). METHODS: We report three cases of MM presenting with specific fever that we analyze in combination with the three previously published cases. RESULTS: MM could easily be suspected in most, but not all, cases, emphasizing that bone marrow aspiration should be a part of 'standard' FUO investigations. All patients underwent extensive, sometimes potentially harmful, investigations. Conventional treatment of MM produced a sustained improvement in the temperature curve and inflammatory syndrome in all cases within a few months. Fever recurred during nearly all relapses. Six patients died, one after a disease course of more than 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: This series shows that MM may present as a FUO and that useless and hazardous investigations may be avoided given the possibility of specific fever in this disease. Chemotherapy must be considered without much delay after a reasonable work-up to eliminate any associated process, especially infections.     

Carcinoma of colon presenting as fever of unknown origin

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is defined as fever of more than 38.3 degrees C, the cause of which remains elusive after 1 week of intensive investigation. Most cases of FUO are restricted to infections, malignancies, and inflammatory diseases. FUO was previously reported as the presenting symptom of a few solid tumors such as lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Colon carcinoma manifesting as FUO has been rarely reported. We describe three female patients who presented with classical FUO and microcytic anemia. As a control, we retrospectively evaluated 28 matched patients with carcinoma of colon and no fever. The evaluation included review of patient files, clinical and laboratory data, and pathologic specimens. In the three patients (mean age, 58 years) who presented with FUO and had left-sided colon carcinoma and microcytic anemia, pathologic evaluation of the tumor tissues demonstrated a severe organized inflammatory process forming abscesses in the pericolic fat. The 28 control matched patients showed no such histopathologic changes. In patients presenting with FUO, especially those who present with microcytic anemia, even with no bowel disturbances or elevated carcinoembryonic antigen levels, diagnostic workup should include a search for occult colorectal carcinoma. In our three cases, it appears that microabscesses in the pericolic fat are the cause of fever.     

Complex partial status epilepticus presenting as fever of unknown origin

A woman experienced multiple attacks of fever, each lasting 24 to 72 hours, over 1 1/2 years. The patient herself could not relate details of most episodes; her husband reported observing extreme prostration and incoherence during some of the episodes. A thorough investigation at three medical centers failed to reveal any of the usual causes of fever of unknown origin. Finally, another family member observed a sudden loss of responsiveness without loss of consciousness, blank staring, and repetitive arm movements. A diagnosis of complex partial status epilepticus was made, and fever was documented in association with repetitive complex partial seizures on two occasions in the hospital. Both the fever and the seizures were controlled by anticonvulsant medication, and both recurred under observation when the medication was discontinued. A review of the charts of adult patients admitted to the hospital for a primary neurologic disorder showed that those with epilepsy were more likely to experience fever within the first 24 hours than those without epilepsy (13 of 29 vs five of 29) especially if multiple seizures occurred. Fever may occur in association with seizures; occasionally it may be a presenting manifestation.     

以不明原因发热为主要症状的成人恶性肿瘤48例分析

目的探讨成人恶性肿瘤患者中以不明原因发热(FUO)为主要症状者的病因构成及诊断难点。方法回顾性分析1989年～2002年以FUO入院、且最终诊断为恶性肿瘤的48例成人患者的临床资料。结果48例患者中淋巴／造血组织肿瘤35例，占72．9％，其中淋巴瘤18例，恶性组织细胞病13例；实体瘤13例，占27．1％，其中12例位于腹腔，7例为原发性肝癌。初诊与确诊相符者仅5例，占10．4％；有39例被误诊为感染性疾病，占90．7％，其中结核病最多。误诊的主要原因有：(1)症状和体症不典型；(2)人院初的影像学和活组织检查结果不支持；(3)使用肾上腺皮质激素和多种抗生素，一度掩盖病情。结论警惕FUO病人中恶性肿瘤的可能性，尤其是淋巴瘤、恶性组织细胞病和腹腔实体瘤，尽量寻找诊断线索，同时合理使用退热药。     

Intramural haematoma of the aorta presenting as fever of unknown origin

The clinical presentation of aortic intramural haematoma resembles aortic dissection in many aspects, but the underlying pathophysiology is quite different. Chronic aortic dissection may present as a febrile disease, but is seldom in aortic intramural haematoma. Here we report a case with aortic intramural haematoma with an initial presentation of febrile disease. The patient underwent surgical repair of the diseased aorta successfully and the fever resolved shortly after the operation.     

Iodine-induced subacute thyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis presenting as fever of unknown origin

A 26-year-old woman with features of bulimia nervosa presented with fever of unknown origin, hepatomegaly, marked leukocytosis, and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Following prolonged observation, slight tenderness over the thyroid gland and signs of thyrotoxicosis occurred. A thyroid scan demonstrated no isotope uptake and the patient admitted abusing an organic iodine preparation in order to control her weight. The diagnosis of iodine-induced subacute thyroiditis with thyrotoxicosis was, therefore, considered. A brief course of low-dose steroids normalized both thyroid function and hematological parameters. On followup evaluation, urinary iodine excretion and thyroid function tests were normal.     

Uterine intravascular lymphoma as a cause of fever of unknown origin

Primary intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVL) remains a diagnostic challenge because of non-specific clinical, laboratory and imaging findings. The aim of the study was to analyse the major characteristics of IVL with uterine involvement. We retrospectively collected features of IVL with uterine involvement that was proven histologically or demonstrated by significant ¹⁸FDG uptake on ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT. Findings were compared to a comprehensive literature review. Five patients were identified. All of them were admitted for fever of unknown origin (FUO), with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in three cases. None had gynaecological symptom, contrasting with the literature data. Structural imaging (including whole-body CT scan and pelvic RMI) failed to yield any diagnosis. ¹⁸FDG-PET/CT showed intense uterine uptake in all cases. Endometrial biopsy was performed in three cases and was positive in one. Diagnosis was obtained from coelioscopic iliac adenopathy biopsy in one case and from total hysterectomy in another. Punch biopsy of skin lesions led to diagnosis in the two remaining cases. Bone marrow biopsy was normal in all cases. Clinicians should be aware of potential isolated uterine involvement in IVL, especially in elderly women with FUO. Normal structural imaging does not rule out the diagnosis and ¹⁸FDG-TEP/CT should be performed to guide high-yielding biopsy.     

Leiomyosarcoma of the small intestine presenting as fever of unknown origin.

We report a patient with a jejunal leiomyosarcoma who presented with fever of unknown origin. Resection of the tumour resulted in resolution of his symptoms.     

Gallbladder adenomyomatosis presenting as fever of unknown origin: a case report

Gallbladder adenomyomatosis is a rare disorder, characterized by benign hyperplasia of the gallbladder mucosa creating invaginations through the muscular layer, known as Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses. It is considered an acquired disease, with pathophysiology similar to that of the diverticular disease of the colon. Diagnosis is often achieved by ultrasound, but a significant percentage is misdiagnosed as chronic cholecystitis, whereas the diagnosis is finally achieved histologically. We describe a case of gallbladder adenomyomatosis presenting as fever of unknown origin. The patient was a 17-year-old girl with a history of sustained fever of 38.5 degrees C of two months' duration. There were no accompanying symptoms and the whole diagnostic workup, including abdominal ultrasound, was negative. Gallbladder inflammation was evident during an eventual investigatory laparoscopy, and cholecystectomy was performed. The histologic results were consistent with diffuse adenomyomatosis. The patient became afebrile immediately after cholecystectomy. To our knowledge, fever has never been associated with gallbladder adenomyomatosis before in bibliography, nor has adenomyomatosis been mentioned as a cause of fever of unknown origin. We therefore believe that gallbladder adenomyomatosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sustained fever with negative workup.     

Retractile mesenteritis presenting as fever of unknown origin and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia

Retractile mesenteritis is an extremely rare disease characterised by a non-specific inflammatory and fibrotic process of the mesenteric adipose tissue, which is usually accompanied by pain and a variety of other abdominal symptoms. We describe here the case of a patient with retractile mesenteritis presenting with prolonged high-grade fever and autoimmune haemolytic anaemia without abdominal symptoms. The patient's illness was complicated by chylous ascites. Diagnosis was suspected by computed tomography and confirmed histologically following exploratory laparotomy. The patient was treated with prednisone and azathioprine, and he had a rapid improvement in anaemia and fever relief, but no substantial change in the mesenteric lesions. Our case adds autoimmune haemolytic anaemia to the wide spectrum of manifestations of retractile mesenteritis and implies the possible involvement of immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of the disease.