With the recent advancements in molecular biology research, epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) have emerged as excellent therapies for patients with EGFR-mutant cancers. However, these patients inevitably develop cross-acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Transformation to small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) is considered a rare resistance mechanism against EGFR-TKI therapy. Here, we report a case of TKI resistance due to SCLC transformation and demonstrate its mechanisms and clinical features.
A 54-year-old Chinese man with a history of smoking for 40 years complained of an intermittent cough in March 2019.
Transbronchial lung biopsy was performed on the basal segment of the left lower lobe, which confirmed lung adenocarcinoma. In January 2020, repeat biopsy was performed, and the results of immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining showed TTF-1 (+), CK7 (+), napsin A (+), syn (+), and CD56 (+), with a Ki-67 (+) index 80% of small cell carcinomas. Infiltrating adenocarcinomas and sistance. Serum neuron-specific enolase levels may also be useful for detecting early SCLC transformation.
Our case highlights the possibility of SCLC transformation from EGFR-mutant adenocarcinoma and the importance of repeat biopsy for drug resistance. Serum neuron-specific enolase levels may also be useful for detecting early SCLC transformation.
Acquired neuromyotonia syndrome is a rare form of peripheral nerve hyperexcitability syndrome. It is characterized by spontaneous and continuous muscle contractions. Acquired neuromyotonia syndrome is mainly observed in patients with autoimmune diseases or tumors, but it is a rare neurological clinical manifestation in patients with mercury poisoning.
A 56-year-old woman presented with continuous and involuntary muscle twitching in her legs for 2 months; it was accompanied by a burning sensation in the lower limbs, insomnia, fatigue, and night sweats. These symptoms did not disappear during sleep.
Toxicological blood analysis via atomic fluorescence spectrometry revealed that the level of mercury was 0.07 μmol/L (normal level <0.05 μmol/L). Her urinary mercury level measured using the cold atomic absorption method was 217.50 μmol/mol creatinine, which was considerably higher than the reference range (0-2.25 μmol/mol creatinine for people not in contact with mercury, 0-20 μmol/mol creatinine followingperipheral nerves, resulting in spontaneous and continuous muscle contraction. Mercury poisoning should be considered in patients with neuromyotonia syndrome. Early detection of mercury poisoning can prevent unnecessary examinations and treatments.
Successful removal of an airway foreign body (FB) in some intractable cases can be very challenging, because of tracheal anomalies, unstable respiratory status of the patients, and the location of FB. The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) support for the treatment of a FB is extremely rare.
We present a case of a 39-month-old previously healthy girl who was admitted to our hospital for suspected FB aspiration (FBA). Initially, the attempt for removal of the FB by conventional bronchoscopy failed because of hypoxic intolerance.
Bronchoscopy revealed tracheal anomalies and subsequent computed tomography angiography demonstrated the presence of a pulmonary artery sling (PAS), which confirmed the diagnosis of PAS accompanied with FBA.
With the assistance of CPB, multidisciplinary treatment involving the respiratory, cardiothoracic and anesthetic teams were involved and the bronchial FB was removed by flexible bronchoscopy successfully and then PAS was corrected by surgical intervention.
The patient remained asymptomatic, without shortness of breath or wheezing during the 15 months follow-up.
This case highlights that in a complicated case of FBA, bronchoscopy and computed tomography imaging are of great importance to achieve an accurate diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary treatment approach is essential for a satisfactory outcome. If the patient is unstable for bronchoscopy, CPB can be temporarily used in the stabilization of the patient to allow safe removal of the FB.
This case highlights that in a complicated case of FBA, bronchoscopy and computed tomography imaging are of great importance to achieve an accurate diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary treatment approach is essential for a satisfactory outcome. If the patient is unstable for bronchoscopy, CPB can be temporarily used in the stabilization of the patient to allow safe removal of the FB.
Respiratory muscle paralysis due to low cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) can lead to dysphagia. selleck kinase inhibitor Noninvasive positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy can effectively treat this type of dysphagia. High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy can generate a low level of positive airway pressure resembling PAP therapy, it may improve the dysphagia.
The patient was an 87-year-old man without preexisting dysphagia. He suffered a CSCI due to a dislocated C5/6 fracture, without brain injury, and underwent emergency surgery. Postoperatively (day 2), he complained of dysphagia, and the intervention was initiated.
Based on clinical findings, dysphagia in this case, may have arisen due to impaired coordination between breathing and swallowing, which typically occurs in patients with CSCI who have reduced forced vital capacity.
HFNC oxygen therapy was started immediately after the surgery, and swallowing rehabilitation was started on Day 2. Indirect therapy (without food) and direct therapy (with food) were applilowing and respiratory function.
Mucinous cystadenoma is a benign tumor that is commonly found in the pancreas, ovaries, or appendix, but is rarely encountered in the lungs. Worldwide, only a few reported cases of these tumors originate in the lungs. Herein, we analyzed the imaging features of a case of pulmonary mucinous cystadenoma (PMCA). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of PMCA complicated by significant infection.
A 57-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with blood in sputum for more than 2 months. Serum laboratory examination showed significantly elevated leukocyte and tumor marker, carcinoembryonic antigen. Enhanced thoracic computed tomography and whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed a cystic-solid ill-defined mass in the right upper lung.
The tumor was considered malignant, both clinically and radiologically.
The patient underwent right upper lobe tumor resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection.
Postoperative specimen pathology was diagnosed as PMCA with infection. The patient was not administered any further treatment. The patient was alive without any recurrence or metastasis of the tumor after 2 years of follow-up.
Preoperative diagnosis of PMCA with atypical imaging and clinical manifestations is extremely difficult. This is the first reported case of PMCA complicated by a significant infection that was misdiagnosed preoperatively as a malignancy.
Preoperative diagnosis of PMCA with atypical imaging and clinical manifestations is extremely difficult. This is the first reported case of PMCA complicated by a significant infection that was misdiagnosed preoperatively as a malignancy.
Several renal diseases are associated with infectious endocarditis. However, there are few reports on patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) associated with infectious endocarditis, and there is no consensus for appropriate treatment.
A 35 -years-old man with congenital ventricular septal defect presented severe anemia, hematuria and proteinuria. The blood and urine examinations showed elevated white blood cells (12,900 cells/μL), C-reactive protein level (13.1 mg/dL) and proteinase 3-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA) level (11.0 IU/mL), severe anemia (hemoglobin 6.1 g/dL) and renal dysfunction [estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 12.7 ml/min.1.78 m2 with hematuria and proteinuria].
The patient was diagnosed with crescentic glomerulonephritis with histological features of GPA associated with infectious endocarditis by renal biopsy and transthoracic echocardiography.
Antibacterial drugs (ampicillin-sulbactam) were administrated. No immunomodulating agents were used because immunosuppressive drugs may worsen infectious endocarditis. Subsequently, renal function and urinary findings improved. However, infectious endocarditis was not improved. Therefore, valve replacements and ventricular septal closure surgery were conducted.
Thereafter, his postoperative course was uneventful, renal function improved (eGFR 64.3 ml/min.1.78 m2), and PR3-ANCA level normalized.
We reported a case report of PR3-ANCA positive glomerulonephritis with histological features of GPA associated with infectious endocarditis. Physicians might note this renal complication when they manage infectious endocarditis.
We reported a case report of PR3-ANCA positive glomerulonephritis with histological features of GPA associated with infectious endocarditis. Physicians might note this renal complication when they manage infectious endocarditis.
Persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA) is a rare and permanent carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomoses. Patients with PPHA usually have higher changes of developing intracranial aneurysms due the high intracranial hemodynamics. link2 Although cases of PPHA alone and PPHA with aneurysms have been reported in literature, cases of fenestrated PPHA harboring a ruptured aneurysm have seldomly be reported in literature. We present a rare occurrence of a fenestrated PPHA harboring a reputed aneurysm.
A 43-year-old woman was presented with a sudden-onset severe headache and nausea.
Computerized tomography scan showed third, fourth, and bilateral ventricular hemorrhages. Computed tomographic angiogram showed a PPHA with fenestration malformation and a cystic protrusion consistent with an aneurysm.
The patient underwent a successful stent-assisted coil embolization via the trans-arterial route under general anesthesia.
Two years follow-up revealed no recurrence of her symptomatology and she is currently well and go about her normal daily life.
Fenestrated PPHAs harboring aneurysms may be more prone to rupture because of the fenestration and connective tissue weakness of the artery as well as changes in hemodynamics of the already malformed and weak artery.
Fenestrated PPHAs harboring aneurysms may be more prone to rupture because of the fenestration and connective tissue weakness of the artery as well as changes in hemodynamics of the already malformed and weak artery.
Left ventricular (LV) myxoma is a rare type of benign cardiac tumor, which may result in unfavorable consequences due to embolism, arrhythmia, obstruction to the outflow tract, and other constitutional symptoms. LV myxoma can be easily misdiagnosed as LV thrombosis. link3 Although some literatures have reported LV myxoma, the echocardiographic features of Left atrial (LA) myxoma with LV myxoma have rarely been reported till date. Here, we report case of LA myxoma with LV myxoma diagnosed by echocardiographic examination.
A 56-year-old male patient suffering from chest tightness and asthma for 6 months and progressive aggravation for 1 month was admitted to our hospital.
Echocardiographic imaging gave the suspicion of LA myxoma with LV myxoma, which was confirmed by pathology.
This patient was treated surgically.
The patient had no postoperative complications and is currently under regular follow-up.
Echocardiography can be an effective imaging method for the evaluation of LV myxoma. The combination of echocardiography and clinical symptoms may help to make an accurate diagnosis.selleck kinase inhibitor
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