1/3. An unusual cause of new-onset atrial flutter: primary cardiac lymphoma.Primary cardiac lymphoma is a rare disease with a high mortality rate due to the advanced stage of myocardial involvement at presentation. The diagnosis is extremely difficult to make because of the rarity of the disease, variability of clinical manifestations, limited noninvasive diagnostic techniques available, and difficulties and/or delays in the use of invasive measures. The incidence of the disease is increasing, especially among immunocompromised patients, with those suffering from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome accounting for the greatest increase. We report the case of an immunocompetent 76-year-old black woman who presented with near-syncopal episodes. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a right atrial mass. Surgical resection was performed, and a diagnosis of large B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was made. Primary cardiac lymphoma should be considered in any patient with a cardiac mass. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of primary cardiac lymphoma is imperative for survival.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Actinomycotic suppurative thyroiditis in a child.AIM: To present a rare case of actinomycotic suppurative thyroiditis in an infant with provision of the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical findings and treatment of this rare disease. DESIGN: A report of an 18-month-old female infant who presented with fever, erythema, induration and tenderness of the neck. The patient had the diagnosis of acute suppurative thyroiditis after a series of laboratory evaluation. RESULT: She was treated successfully with surgical debridement and intravenous penicillin g. CONCLUSION: Although rare, actinomyces spp. should be considered in the etiology of acute suppurative thyroiditis. Because of its fastidious nature the probability of positive culture is low, thus, the microbiology laboratory should be called in advance to make preparations before culture and transport.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Three cases of pyogenic sacro-iliitis, and factors in the relapse of the disease.Pyogenic sacro-iliitis (PS) is a rare disease in childhood. Three cases of PS are reported that were difficult to diagnose. Scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were useful for diagnosis. One patient suffered from an episode of relapse. Seventeen other cases of PS were reviewed in the literature to investigate the incidence of abnormal imaging findings and various factors in disease relapse. It was found that the incidence of abnormal findings by scintigraphy was significantly higher than that by computed tomography (P = 0.0057). The duration of intravenous antibiotic administration of the relapse group (14.7 /- 4.7 days) was significantly shorter than that of the non-relapse group (24.3 /- 10.7 days; P = 0.0376). The statistical analysis suggested that intravenous antibiotic administration is necessary at least for 20 days to prevent a relapse of PS.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = rare disease (Clic here for more details about this article) |