Colorectal cancer: current trends in initial clinical manifestations

Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a common cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in the United States. There continues to be controversy regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of various screening programs for CRC. To determine how cases of CRC are currently detected, we reviewed a series of 246 consecutive patients with well-documented pathologic staging and clinical presentation. Patients with low stage CRC (0 or A) had smaller tumors, were less likely to be anemic at presentation, and were more likely to have tumors located in the left side of the colon than patients with tumors at stage B or higher. Thirty-two of the 246 tumors were detected in asymptomatic patients through screening. These tumors were more likely to be of a lower stage than those in patients with active gastrointestinal symptoms. In our experience active screening programs detect a relatively small number of CRCs. A majority (66%) of CRCs are still detected from symptoms referable to the gastrointestinal tract.     

6例以肺部表现为首发症状原发性小血管炎的临床特点分析

目的:探讨以肺部症状为首发表现的原发性小血管炎的临床特征和影像学表现。方法:对6例以肺部症状为首发表现并诊断为原发性小血管炎的患者进行回顾性分析,分析其临床表现、肺部影像学特征、实验室资料。结果:肺部受累的首发症状主要是咳嗽、咳痰、发热、气促、咯血、胸闷和胸痛。影像学特征性表现为肺部多发性斑片状影、间质纤维化或两肺弥漫性网格状改变。肺外其他系统伴随症状常见有血尿4例(其中1例为肉眼血尿),管型尿2例,贫血4例,高血压3例,皮肤损害1例,关节肌肉症状1例,肝功能异常3例,肾功能异常4例。全部病例抗中性粒细胞胞浆抗体阳性,且均为核周型。3例经肾活检确诊。结论:原发性小血管炎常累及肺部,且可以肺部为首发症状,其临床症状及肺部影像学表现多无特异性,亦常累及口、鼻、肾脏、皮肤等器官。     

Severe initial manifestations of psoriasis in staphylococcal infections]

Psoriasis vulgaris is a chronic disease with certain restrictions of life quality, but rarely life threatening. However, psoriatic erythroderma or pustular psoriasis can be a diagnostic or therapeutic challenge, especially when it arises as the primary manifestation of disease. Here we report on two patients with severe clinical course of pustular psoriasis or psoriatic erythroderma, both possibly induced by Staphylococcus aureus. This microorganism was cultivated from skin scrapings in both patients, in the patient with pustular psoriasis from the blood, and in the patient with erythroderma from the nose. Both patients had anti-staphylolysin antibodies. Both patients showed resolution of their disease only by the action of systemic antibiotics. We suggest that staphylococcal superantigens which activate T-cells might play an important role in severe psoriasis by inducing a systemic K?bner phenomenon and thus a progression of disease.     

Gastric manifestations of aids: Radiographic findings on upper gastrointestinal examination

The radiographic findings in the stomach in the upper gastrointestinal examination in 11 patients with the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) were reviewed. Four cases of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) showed multiple submucosal nodular filling defects; in one of these cases, ulceration of some of the nodules was present. Gastric lymphoma occurred in two cases and appeared as one or several large nodular masses; one of these involved the esophagogastric junction. Five cases of infectious gastritis, caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV),Cryptosporidium, andToxoplasma, were manifested as thickened gastric folds and/or antral narrowing. Thus, in patients with AIDS, gastric neoplastic lesions can be suggested when nodular filling defects or masses are identified, whereas inflammatory processes tend to show thickened gastric folds or antral narrowing. However, endoscopic biopsy is required to enable proper treatment.     

症状学理论教学中的临床诊断思维培养

目的探讨在症状学理论教学中开展基于临床诊断思维培养的教学效果。 方法选择2019年3月至7月于南方医科大学接受《临床诊断学》课程的临床医学专业本科大三学生，共350人，按照整群抽样的原则，随机抽取2个班，分为试验组和对照组，共100例，均接受《临床诊断学》课程中症状学内容的授课。试验组40例，采用基于临床诊断思维培养的教学改革方式，整合教学内容，综合应用思维导图、翻转课堂、案例教学等教学方法；对照组60例，进行传统讲授式教学。采用理论知识考核及学生对教学方法反馈的评价模式评估两种方式的教学效果。 结果试验组理论考核总成绩[(85.33±15.44)分]优于对照组[(70.05±18.51)分]，差异有统计学意义(t＝8.66，P<0.01)。试验组学生反馈评价总分[(79.68±5.56)分]高于对照组[(48.08±6.45)分]，差异有统计学意义(t＝20.42，P<0.01)。 结论基于临床诊断思维培养的教学方式更能提高教学效果，学生的反馈评价更高。     

Neurological manifestations as the initial presentation of acute myelogenous leukemia

This case report illustrates neurological deficits as an unusual presentation of acute myelogenous leukemia. Neurological deficits are rare early in this disease. Our patient presented with anorexia, malaise, headache, and multiple cranial nerve palsies. A high WBC count and abnormal peripheral smear led to the diagnosis of leukemia. This report demonstrates that, although rare, CNS symptoms may be the initial manifestation of leukemia. Blood dyscrasias should not be overlooked in patients with the acute onset of neurological symptoms. A complete blood count and differential should be obtained under those circumstances.     

不同表现甲状腺功能亢进症心脏病患者内皮素和肿瘤坏死因子α的变化

目的观察不同临床表现甲状腺功能亢进症心脏病（简称甲亢心）患者血内皮素（ET）和肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）的变化,探讨ET和TNF-α与甲亢性心脏病临床表现的关系。方法分别测定30例单纯甲亢及150例甲亢心患者（按不同临床表现又分为心律失常、心绞痛及心力衰竭等亚组）血游离三碘甲状腺原氨酸（FT3）、游离甲状腺素（FT4）、ET、TNF-α,与30例正常对照组比较。结果①单纯甲亢及甲亢心组患者血FT3、FT4、ET、TNF-α与对照组比较均显著增高（P〈0．01）,促甲状腺激素（TSH）显著降低（P〈0．01）;甲亢心组患者血FT3、ET、TNF-α与单纯甲亢组比较显著增高（P〈0．01）。②心律失常、心绞痛及心功能Ⅰ／Ⅱ级亚组甲亢心患者血TNF-α比较无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,此后,随着心功能损伤级别增高,TNF-α逐渐增高（P〈0．01）。结论ET、TNF-α与甲亢性心脏病心功能状态密切相关,应用ET、TNF-α受体拮抗剂有可能延缓甲亢心脏病心力衰竭的进展。     

Menopause-associated metabolic manifestations and symptomatology in HIV infection: a brief review with research implications

Many women living with HIV in the United States have entered or will soon enter menopause. Clinical changes including increased visceral fat, reduced muscle mass, and changes in lipids and bone density are seen across the menopause transition among non-infected women. HIV and antiretroviral therapy use have been associated with similar manifestations, including reduced bone density, and changes in lipid metabolism and body composition. Menopause is also associated with changes in mood, quality of life, and vasomotor symptoms. Similar psychological indices are common among women with HIV, and may worsen during menopause transition. Research investigating the presence and acuity of metabolic, psychological, and vasomotor symptoms among perimenopausal women with HIV is limited. An important, yet unknown consideration for researchers and clinicians is how metabolic and psychological co-morbidities associated with HIV will influence changes associated with menopause in this population. Further research is needed to provide answers to these important questions.     

以颈部淋巴结肿大和发热为首发症状的川崎病特征研究

目的:总结一种以颈部淋巴结肿大和发热为首发症状的川崎病的临床特点,旨在提高临床医师对该类型川崎病的认识。方法:对华中科技大学同济医学院附属协和医院2005年1月—2010年5月收治的82例川崎病患儿中的13例以颈部淋巴结肿大和发热为首发症状的川崎病患儿进行了回顾性分析。结果:该调查中共有13例以颈部淋巴结肿大和发热为首发症状的川崎病患儿,其中男9例,女4例。男女比例2.25∶1;其平均年龄5.5岁。起病至确定诊断的平均时间为8.4d。13例患儿在疾病早期全部被误诊为急性淋巴结炎而采用抗感染治疗。其中有9例(69.2%)出现冠状动脉损害。结论:以颈部淋巴结肿大和发热为首发症状的川崎病多见于年龄较大的患儿,往往表现出较强的炎症反应。而且由于其他主要临床表现在病程中出现的时间分散,容易造成川崎病诊断的延误,且其冠状动脉损害的发生率也较高。故临床上对于发热伴颈部淋巴结肿大的年长患儿,应警惕川崎病的发生,使其得到早期及时的治疗。     

Renal failure and hypercalcemia as initial manifestations of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous, multisystem disease. Rarely, sarcoidosis may present with both renal failure and hypercalcemia. A 27-year-old black man presented with severe abdominal pain and renal failure. A kidney biopsy demonstrated features of both interstitial nephritis and membranous glomerulopathy thought to be secondary to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. His renal function and symptoms improved with short-term prednisone therapy. Discontinuation of steroids led to a recurrence of renal failure and severe hypercalcemia. On the basis of an elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme level of 160 U/L and anemia, a bone marrow biopsy was performed. Acid-fast bacillus-negative, noncaseating granulomas suggested the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The patient recovered after restarting prednisone. Sarcoidosis may cause both interstitial and membranous nephritis from direct infiltration. Hypercalcemia results from increased calcium absorption secondary to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production by sarcoid granulomas. Sarcoidosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal failure in black patients. Serum calcium and angiotensin-converting enzyme levels may aid the diagnosis.