Splenic infarction: An uncommon presentation of acute infectious mononucleosis

Splenic infarction is a relatively uncommon diagnosis. It occurs when the splenic artery or one of its sub-branches is occluded with an infected or bland embolus or clot. Splenic infarction may be caused by atrial fibrillation, bacterial endocarditis, sickle cell disease, antiphospholipid syndrome, and trauma whereas an infectious etiology is uncommon. It is considered a rare presentation of acute infectious mononucleosis. Currently, its pathogenesis is still unclear. We describe a 24-year-old African American female who was admitted for evaluation of left-sided chest pain. Chest imaging, abdominal ultrasound, and initial laboratory data were normal, followed by a negative hypercoagulability panel. Signs and symptoms of infectious etiology were absent, however, both IgM and IgG antibodies for Ebstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigen were high. Contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography revealed splenomegaly and multiple infarcts in the spleen, which eventually led to the diagnosis of infectious mononucleosis-associated splenic infarction, resolving the diagnostic dilemma

A Rare Case of Metastases from a High-grade Astrocytoma to the Pleura, Bones, and Liver within Six Months of Diagnosis

High grade astrocytomas such as anaplastic astrocytoma and glioblastoma multiforme are aggressive central nervous system malignancies with a poor prognosis. Due to shortened survival times, their devastating effects are usually localized intracranially and rarely metastasize outside of the central nervous system. When metastases occur, they usually present in patients with longer survival times and they typically coincide with a primary site recurrence. We present a rare case of metastases from a high-grade astrocytoma/glioblastoma to the pleura, bones and liver within six months of diagnosis, without primary site recurrence

Primary Retroperitoneal Melanoma Presented in a Rare Extracutaneous Site for Malignant Melanoma

Malignant melanoma, as the name implies, is a malignant tumor of melanocytes, found in the skin, eyes, meningeal lining and the mucosal epithelium of the aero-digestive and genitourinary tracts. Malignant melanoma is typically skin malignancy, which rarely presents at extracutaneous site. Here we present a rare case of primary retroperitoneal melanoma and review the findings in comparison with other cases described in literature

Cutaneous presentation of Double Hit Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), representing approximately 25% of diagnosed NHL. DLBCL is heterogeneous disease both clinically and genetically. The 3 most common chromosomal translocations in DLBCL involve the oncogenes BCL2, BCL6, and MYC. Double hit (DH) DLBCL is an aggressive form in which MYC rearrangement is associated with either BCL2 or BCL6 rearrangement. Patients typically present with a rapidly growing mass, often with B symptoms. Extranodal disease is often present. Though there is a paucity of prospective trials in this subtype, double hit lymphoma (DHL) has been linked to very poor outcomes when patients are treated with standard R-CHOP. There is, therefore, a lack of consensus regarding the standard treatment for DHL. Several retrospective analyses have been conducted to help guide treatment of this disease. These suggest that DA EPOCH-R may be the most promising regimen and that achievement of complete resolution predicts better long-term outcomes

Subdural Hygroma: A Morbid Complication of Intrathecal Chemotherapy in a Patient with B-Cell Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

A subdural hygroma is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the subdural space that may occur secondary to trauma and surgery, or for iatrogenic reasons, such as a lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture is a procedure used commonly for intrathecal chemotherapy for patients with B-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (B-ALL) though subdural hygroma is a very rare complication. We present a case of a fatal, refractory subdural hygroma in a patient with B-ALL

Extraosseous Ewing Sarcoma Presenting with Inferior ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Systemic Emboli due to Tumor Thrombus and Invasion of the Left Atrium

Extraosseous Ewing sarcoma is an uncommon entity in the adult population. Cardiac metastases or local invasion of a tumor into the heart is a known but also infrequent occurrence for most malignancies. We present a case of a patient with a history of extraosseous Ewing sarcoma who presented to the emergency room with chest pain and was found to have an inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction and systemic emboli and was found to have recurrence of sarcoma invading the left atrium

Leukemia cutis in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia presenting as bilateral helical nodules

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the most common adult leukemia worldwide, is considered an indolent but incurable non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Leukemia cutis is an uncommon manifestation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We present a case of an adult patient who presented with skin lesion of bilateral ears, which led to the diagnosis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. We also reviewed the cases of auricular involvement in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients reported in the literature. Local treatment is indicated in case of leukemia cutis; however, systemic treatment is recommended when there are systemic signs and symptoms. Better awareness of disease evolution and prompt diagnosis of this leukemia cutis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia will improve the effectiveness and outcome of its management

Primary retroperitoneal melanoma presented in a rare extracutaneous site for malignant melanoma

Malignant melanoma, as the name implies, is a malignant tumor of melanocytes, found in the skin, eyes, meningeal lining and the mucosal epithelium of the aero-digestive and genitourinary tracts. Malignant melanoma is typically skin malignancy, which rarely presents at extracutaneous site. Here we present a rare case of primary retroperitoneal melanoma and review the findings in comparison with other cases described in literature