Bullous cutaneous reactions

Allopurinol (xanthine oxidase inhibitor) is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic hyperuricemia, the treatment of gout and the treatment and prevention of uric and calcium lithiasis. It is one of the leading drugs for severe toxic dermal reactions, such as Lyell Syndrome (NET), Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Dress Syndrome (Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms). We report the case of a 45-year-old woman who was hospitalized for bullous skin rashes, without pathological history, the patient had generalized erythematous and bullous rash (A, B and C) one week after taking allopurinol, prescribed by his rheumatologist for a gout. The diagnosis of bullous Cutaneous reaction due to allopurinol was retained, allopurinol was discontinued and the course was favorable with the disappearance of cutaneous lesions

Hemangioma related to Maffucci syndrome in a man: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Maffucci syndrome is a rare clinical entity (approximately 200 cases have been reported in the medical literature) with a combined occurrence of multiple enchondromas and vascular tumors.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>The case of a 43-year-old Japanese man with multiple chondromas and hemangiomas (Maffucci syndrome) is reported. One of the hemangiomas was removed and examined pathologically. The morphological picture was an admixture of cavernous hemangioma and spindle cell hemangioma without cytological atypia or mitosis. Sheets of vacuolated endothelial cells were also observed.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A rare case of hemangioma associated with Maffucci syndrome, focusing on the pathologic nature of the submitted tissue, is reported.</p

Carbimazol and acenocoumarol, where is the problem?

Acenocoumarol and carbimazole are two drugs widely prescribed, they can sometimes be used in the same time. There is no known drug interaction between the two drugs but we report a case of a serious hemorrhagic complication following the concomitant use of the acenocoumarol and carbimazole. A 70-year old man treated by acenocoumarol for an aortic and mitral valve replacement. For a clinical and biological hyperthyroidism, he began treatment with carbimazole, ten days before admission. Three days later, he developed a mucocutaneous icterus with major hemorrhagic syndrome. The outcome was favourable after stopping medication and the use of vitamin K

Serum vitamin D and vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in Moroccan patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Vitamin D plays an important role in the immunomodulation and could be involved in the development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). The study of the polymorphism of the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene may be of interest in explaining the pathophysiology of SLE.Methods: In this study, we aimed to examine the characteristics of VDR gene BsmI polymorphism for the first time in Moroccan patients with SLE and their relationship with clinical manifestations of the disease. We also measured the serum level of 25-hyroxyvitamin D3 to assess its relation to such polymorphism.Results: The study included 66 SLE patients and 91 healthy controls. Our results showed that there were no differences observed in VDR genotypes and allelic distribution within the two groups. Both groups were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with no significant P values for the observed and expected genotype frequencies. 25-hyroxyvitamin D3 serum levels were the same in the two groups.Conclusions: Based on the results of the present study. We cannot verify any association between VDR gene BsmI polymorphism and SLE. This polymorphism could not be regarded as a genetic marker of the SLE. A larger study examining BsmI and other VDR gene polymorphisms is needed

Spinal Cord Tumors of the Thoracolumbar Junction Requiring Surgery: A Retrospective Review of Clinical Features and Surgical Outcome

PURPOSE: A retrospective review of medical records and imaging studies. To investigate characteristic clinical features and surgical outcomes of spinal cord tumors (SCTs) of the thoracolumbar junction (TLJ). The spinal cord transitions to the cauda equina in the TLJ. The TLJ contains the upper and lower motor neurons of the spinal cord and cauda equina. As a result, the clinical features of lesions in the TLJ vary, and these anatomical characteristics may affect surgical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathological diagnosis, clinical features, neurological signs, and surgical outcomes were investigated in 76 patients surgically treated at our institute for SCTs arising from T11 to L2. The patients were divided into epiconus (T11-12, n=18) and conus groups (L1-2, n=58). RESULTS: Patients in the epiconus group had hyperactive deep tendon reflexes (DTRs), while those in the conus group had hypoactive DTRs (p < 0.05). Nine patients were misdiagnosed with intervertebral disc diseases (IVDs) before correct diagnoses were made. It was impossible to definitively determine the exact cause of symptoms in four patients who had both SCTs and IVDs. CONCLUSION: Among SCTs of the TLJ, the epiconus group displayed upper motor neuron syndrome and the conus group displayed lower motor neuron syndrome. SCTs of the TLJ were frequently misdiagnosed as IVDs due to symptomatic similarities. SCTs of the TLJ should be included in differential diagnosis of back and leg pain, and it is highly recommended that routine lumbar magnetic resonance imaging include the TLJ.ope

Hypercalcemia and huge splenomegaly presenting in an elderly patient with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Hypercalcemia is the major electrolyte abnormality in patients with malignant tumors. It can be due to localized osteolytic hypercalcemia or elaboration of humoral substances such as parathyroid hormone-related protein from tumoral cells. In hematological malignancies, a third mechanism of uncontrolled synthesis and secretion of 1-25(OH)₂D₃from tumoral cells or neighboring macrophages may contribute to the problem. However, hypercalcemia is quite unusual in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>An 85-year-old Caucasian woman presented with low grade fever, anorexia, abdominal discomfort and fullness in her left abdomen for the last six months. She was mildly anemic and complained of fatigability. She had huge splenomegaly and was hypercalcemic. After correction of her hypercalcemia, she had a splenectomy. Microscopic evaluation revealed a malignant lymphoma. Her immunohistochemistry was positive for leukocyte common antigen, CD20 and parathyroid hormone-related peptide.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Immunopositivity for parathyroid hormone-related peptide clearly demonstrates that hypersecretion of a parathyroid hormone-like substance from the tumor had led to hypercalcemia in this case. High serum calcium is seen in only seven to eight percent of patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, apparently due to different mechanisms. Evaluation of serum parathyroid hormone-related protein and 1-25(OH)₂D₃can be helpful in diagnosis and management. It should be noted that presentation with hypercalcemia has a serious impact on prognosis and survival.</p