Internal medicine
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We mainly refer to the acute setting of meningococcemia. Meningococcemia is an infection caused by Neisseria meningitidis, which has 13 clinically significant serogroups that are distinguishable by the structure of their capsular polysaccharides. N. meningitidis, also called meningococcus, is a Gram-negative, aerobic, diplococcus bacterium. ⋯ Meningococcal infection is a medical emergency that requires antibiotic therapy and intensive supportive care. Management of the systemic circulation, respiration, and intracranial pressure is vital for improving the prognosis, which has dramatically improved since the wide availability of antibiotics. This review of the literature provides an overview of current concepts on meningococcemia due to N. meningitidis infection.
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Crizotinib is highly effective for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it remains unclear whether crizotinib has a beneficial effect on elderly patients with ALK-positive NSCLC with a poor performance status (PS). ⋯ Adverse effects were manageable. Our results indicate that crizotinib could be an important choice when treating elderly patients with ALK-positive NSCLC with poor PS.
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Due to their rarity, the endoscopic features and clinical backgrounds of colorectal follicular lymphoma lesions have not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to reveal the characteristics of this disease entity. ⋯ Colorectal involvement of follicular lymphoma shows no erosions or ulcers. These lesions could be macroscopically observed as papular, polypoid and flat elevated lesions. Making a correct diagnosis of this disease based on the findings of biopsied samples is sometimes challenging. In such cases, multiple biopsies and/or endoscopic mucosal resection is required, in addition to appropriate consultation with pathologists.
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Review Case Reports
Sorafenib-induced Acute Pancreatitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Sorafenib has been approved to increase the survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Acute pancreatitis is an uncommon complication of sorafenib treatment. Only a few cases of sorafenib-induced acute pancreatitis have been reported in the English literature. ⋯ Sorafenib-induced acute pancreatitis was diagnosed after reviewing his history. The sorafenib treatment was discontinued, and his symptoms were resolved seven days later. To date, this case had the shortest duration and the lowest dosage of sorafenib to have induced acute pancreatitis.
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The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a noninvasive method with which to measure respiratory system resistance and reactance during tidal breathing. Recently, its clinical application has spread worldwide with the expansion of commercially available broadband frequency FOT devices, including MostGraph and Impulse Oscillometry. An increasing number of reports have supported the usefulness of the FOT in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Furthermore, reference values are not necessarily available and the interpretation of some measured data is controversial. There is a need to update the international statement for not only technical aspects but also the clinical use of the FOT. In this review, we summarize the previously published studies and discuss how to use the FOT in a clinical setting.