The American journal of the medical sciences
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Review Case Reports
A 65-year-old Woman With Persistent Dyspnea, Arthritis, and Raynaud's Phenomenon.
Antisynthetase syndrome (AS) is a rare disease that affects patients with inflammatory myopathies such as polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). In patients with AS, up to 95% of patients develop antisynthetase syndrome-associated interstitial lung disease (AS-ILD). Although AS-ILD commonly occurs in patients with a well-established diagnosis of AS, it can be the first or only manifestation of an occult AS. ⋯ A diagnosis of AS-ILD resistant to corticosteroid therapy was made. Her lung function improved with combination therapy of mycophenolate and rituximab. Our case highlights that a detailed history and physical exam, compatible radiologic imaging, and autoantibodies are essential for the diagnosis of AS-ILD.
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Review Case Reports
Neuromyelitis Optica Presenting as Infectious Meningoencephalitis: Case Report and Literature Review.
In this patient-focused review, we present a 34-year-old previously healthy man admitted for fever and headache two weeks after a motor vehicle accident. On admission, his workup was concerning for meningoencephalitis based on elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell count and elevated CSF protein. He was admitted for management of meningoencephalitis. ⋯ Pathologic examination was consistent with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). In this case report and literature review, we explore the presentations of NMOSD that mimic an infection. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of NMOSD masquerading as infectious meningoencephalitis or acute transverse myelitis.