Internal medicine
-
The early diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis in the emergency department is challenging. A 70-year-old man presented to the emergency department after falling with new-onset convulsions. ⋯ Brain unenhanced CT on day 2 revealed increased density in the anterior superior sagittal sinus (SSS), namely 'dense inverted triangle sign.' Brain magnetic resonance venography showed a filling defect in the anterior SSS. When interpreting unenhanced brain CT findings in the setting of acute convulsions or cortical stroke, including SAH, cerebral sinus abnormalities near stroke foci should be evaluated carefully.
-
Objective This study explored the predictors of hydroxychloroquine intolerance and propose appropriate methods to initiate hydroxychloroquine in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods This retrospective study registered consecutive patients who were diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus and started treatment with hydroxychloroquine between 2015 and 2021. Any adverse events that required dose reduction or cessation of hydroxychloroquine, indicating intolerance to the drug, were recorded for up to 26 weeks after initiation of hydroxychloroquine. ⋯ Multivariable analyses revealed that the hydroxychloroquine dose per ideal body weight and higher levels of C4 predicted hydroxychloroquine intolerance. In particular, C4 levels were positively correlated with cutaneous reactions, whereas the dose of prednisolone was negatively correlated with gastrointestinal reactions. Conclusion Low-dose hydroxychloroquine may be optimal for induction in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus who have high C4 levels or are taking low doses of steroids.
-
A 34-year-old pregnant woman in the 34th week of gestation with uncontrolled asthma was admitted because of asthma exacerbation. Although she received bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids, respiratory failure rapidly progressed. Chest computed tomography revealed a mass occluding approximately 80% of the tracheal lumen. ⋯ The pathological findings of the resected tumor were compatible with tracheal glomus tumor. Tracheal tumors are often misdiagnosed as asthma, but its complication with asthma is rare. Even if the diagnosis of asthma is definitive, clinicians should consider coexisting diseases, including tracheal tumors, when asthma control is poor.
-
Intravenous bisphosphonate therapy is used to prevent fractures in the management of bone metastasis. However, it may induce renal damage. ⋯ This case shows that chronic renal damage induced by zolendronate can cause osteomalacia. In patients with intravenous zolendronate therapy, close monitoring of renal and bone markers is needed, even under long-term therapy.
-
We encountered an 86-year-old Japanese woman who presented with proteinuria (0.4 g/day) and hematuria (red blood cell sediment >100/high-power field), a decreased renal function (serum creatinine, 1.51 mg/dL), and elevated myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) levels (231 IU/mL) during treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with abatacept (a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 agent) and adalimumab (a tumor necrosis factor-α agent). A kidney biopsy showed pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis, and ANCA-associated vasculitis was diagnosed. Treatment with tocilizumab (an interleukin 6 receptor antibody) monotherapy resulted in the improvement of renal findings and normalization of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and serum ANCA levels. Tocilizumab can also suppress ANCA-associated vasculitis.