Pheochromocytoma with reversal of tako-tsubo-like transient left ventricular dysfunction: a case report

A 59-year-old male was admitted to the emergency department because of sustained chest oppression. Electrocardiography revealed J type ST depression and peaked T wave in leads II, III, aVF, and V4-V6. No stenosis was found in the coronary arteries by urgent coronary angiography. Left ventricular abnormal wall movement with akinesis in the base and hyperkinesis in the apical area was observed and improved on the 12th day. Myocardial scintigraphy with iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine showed completely defective images and decreased accumulation in the base with combined thallium-201 and iodine-123-beta-methyl-p-iodophenyl-pentadecanoic acid. Myocardial biopsy on the 12th day disclosed contraction band necrosis. The diagnosis was catecholamine-induced cardiomyopathy caused by pheochromocytoma.     

Crohn's colitis with extraintestinal manifestations: a case report.

The etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease remains unclear, with various extraintestinal features often found with the disease. Sometimes more than one extraintestinal finding is found in the same patient. In this case report, a patient with more than one extraintestinal manifestation of Crohn's disease is presented. Extensive thrombi in the venous system and pyoderma gangrenosum in the left lower extremity was observed but there was complete recovery following treatment with both systemic and topical agents.     

Malignant lymphoma with various cardiac manifestations: a case report

A 49-year-old woman presented with malignant lymphoma manifesting as dyspnea, palpitation and leg edema. Chest radiography demonstrated cardiomegaly, electrocardiography(ECG) showed first degree atrioventricular block, and echocardiography showed concentric left ventricular hypertrophy with granular sparkling texture and mild pericardial effusion. The diagnosis was malignant lymphoma(B-cell) based on lymph node biopsy. Chemotherapy(CHOP) was performed under a suspected diagnosis of cardiac invasion of malignant lymphoma. Immediately after chemotherapy, ECG showed complete atrioventricular block with sinus arrest, ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation. ECG was normalized after 2 weeks on chemotherapy. Left ventricular hypertrophy was improved and pericardial effusion disappeared. However, she died of recurrence of malignant lymphoma on day 116.     

Multiple myeloma presenting with musculoskeletal manifestations: a case report

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant plasma cell disorder. Musculoskeletal and skin manifestations of this disorder are rare. Here we report a case of a young male patient presenting with polyarthritis and skin rash resembling vasculitis. Detailed investigations revealed that he was suffering from multiple myeloma in which arthritis was a musculoskeletal complication of the disease.     

Thyroid manifestations of sarcoidosis: a case report

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease with many localizations. Thyroid involvement has been often described but rarely confirmed histologically. A common immune mechanism appears to be the cause. Thyroid sarcoidosis should be envisaged in patients with a thyroid nodule and mediastino-pulmonary involvement. We report the case of a 63-year-old woman with no past history who was hospitalized for dyspnea. Explorations evidenced a cold thyroid nodule associated with diffuse interstitial lung disease and mediastinal node enlargement. Pathology examination disclosed the sarcoid nature of the thyroid nodule and the lung lesions.     

White fingers after excessive motorcycle driving: a case report

An 18-year-old male presented with Raynaud's phenomenon which was found to be caused by occlusion of the proper palmar digital arteries on the right hand and obstruction of the superficial palmar arterial arch on the left hand. These lesions in the arteries of both hands resemble those found in patients with vibration-induced white fingers such as in mine or foundry workers. The only likely cause for the pathological vascular findings in our patient was an exposure to vibration due to excessive off-street motorcycle driving. Therapy with intraarterial prostaglandins resolved the ischemic syndrome but it promptly recurred when the patient resumed motor cycle driving. Therefore, we suggest that excessive cross country motor cycle driving may cause vibration-induced white fingers.     

Systemic manifestations of Sweet's syndrome: a case report

Sweet's syndrome belongs to the group of neutrophilic dermatoses. We report the case of a 36-year-old man admitted for stiff neck and fever. He had a history of recurrent oral aphtous ulcers, orchitis, phlebitis, two episodes of febrile acute polyarthritis with interstitial pneumonia. He presented a stiff neck and a temperature of 40 degrees C for two days associated with an erythematonodular eruption of the right periocular region. Laboratory exams showed an inflammatory syndrome with hyperleukocytosis. Skin biopsy showed dermic neutrophilic infiltrates, confirming the diagnosis of Sweet's syndrome. The patient improved dramatically with corticosteroids: the temperature fell and neck stiffness and skin lesions disappeared. In light of this case with a rich cohort of extracutaneous manifestations, we reviewed the literature on the characteristics of Sweet's syndrome. This syndrome is commonly associated with inflammatory and neoplastic diseases.     

Ascites and other extracardiac manifestations associated with right atrial myxoma: a case report

Right atrial myxomas are rare intracardiac tumors that often pose difficulties in diagnosis. Right ventricular failure and ascites ensuing from tricuspid valve orifice obstruction are potentially dangerous complications. Early diagnosis of cardiac myxoma is important since surgical treatment leads to disappearance of all symptoms with a low rate of recurrence and good long-term survival. Nonspecific extracardiac symptoms, signs, complications, and laboratory findings may be the initial manifestations contributing to misdiagnosis of these rare but totally treatable atrial tumors.