Interstitial granulomatous dermatitis and granulomatous arteritis in the setting of PD-1 inhibitor therapy for metastatic melanoma

Checkpoint inhibition has become an important target in the management of malignant melanoma. As anti-CTLA4 inhibitors and anti-PD1 antibodies are increasingly utilized, reports of immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) are becoming more frequent. Common noted cutaneous IRAEs are morbilliform, lichenoid, bullous, granulomatous, psoriasiform, and eczematous eruptions. We report a case of interstitial granulomatous dermatitis and granulomatous arteritis in the setting of nivolumab (anti-PD1) monotherapy for metastatic melanoma. There are many different causes for granulomatous vasculitis, such as herpes virus infection, lymphoproliferative disorders, systemic vasculitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. This report adds to the growing literature on granulomatous IRAEs due to checkpoint inhibition.     

Appendicitis in children less than 3 years of age: a 28-year review

Appendicitis is the most common surgical abdominal emergency in the pediatric population, but is rarely considered in children less than 3 years of age. The goal of this study was to identify the presenting symptoms and signs in this age group and examine their subsequent management and outcome. A 28-year experience of a single pediatric surgeon in academic practice was reviewed; 27 children less than 3 years old (mean 23 months) comprised 2.3% of all children with appendicitis in his series. The most common presenting symptoms were vomiting (27), fever (23), pain (21), anorexia (15), and diarrhea (11). The average duration of symptoms was 3 days, with 4 or more days in 9 children. Eighteen children were seen by a physician before the correct diagnosis was made; 14 were initially treated for an upper respiratory tract infection, otitis media, or a urinary tract infection. The most common presenting signs were abdominal tenderness (27), peritonitis (24), temperature 38.0 °C or more (21), abdominal distension (18), Leukocytosis (<12.0 × 10³/mm³) was found in 18, tenderness was localized to the right lower quadrant (RLQ) in 14 and was diffuse in 10. Abdominal radiographs demonstrated findings of a small-bowel obstruction (SBO) in 14 of 21 patients, a fecalith in 2, and a pneumoperitoneum in 1. Contrast enemas were performed in 6 children, 5 of whom had a phlegmon or an abscess. Perforated appendicitis was found in all 27 patients. An appendectomy was performed in 25 and a RLQ drain was placed in 18. Postoperative antibiotics were administered to 17 children for an average of 6 days. Two patients underwent interval appendectomies, 1 following treatment with IV antibiotics and 1 following surgical drainage. The average time to resume oral intake was 7 days and the average hospital stay was 21 (median 15) days. Sixteen patients had 22 complications, which included 6 wound infections, 4 abscesses, 4 wound dehiscences, 3 pneumonias, 2 SBOs, 2 incisional hernias, and 1 enterocutaneous fistula. Perforated appendicitis was found in all children less than 3 years old, resulting in very high morbidity (59% complications), which may be attributed to the 3–5-day delay in diagnosis. Although appendicitis is uncommon in this age group, it should be seriously considered in the differential diagnosis of children under the age of 3 years who present with the triad of abdominal pain, tenderness, and vomiting.