BackgroundHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a frequently fatal and likely underdiagnosed disease. It is a rare occurrence in adults and usually secondary to an insult such as viral infections, bacterial infections, autoimmune connective tissue disorders, malignancies and immunocompromised states, in contrast to its childhood counterpart, which is due to a genetic defect but may share some of same genetic etiologies. It is characterized by multisystem inflammation due to unregulated proliferation and infiltration of macrophages and CD8 T cells in the bone marrow, which leads to phagocytosis of red blood cells, platelets, lymphocytes and their precursors.Case presentationA 40-year-old Sri Lankan woman presented with a high-grade fever of 2 weeks’ duration and the initial workup, including a thorough clinical examination, and all the investigations, including a septic screen, were normal. On the 18th day of hospital admission, she was found to have yellowish retinal lesions, which were confirmed as choroid tubercles by the consultant eye surgeon. Two days later she became pancytopenic and a bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. She was treated with conventional category-1 antituberculous drugs and an initial 2 weeks with high-dose oral dexamethasone. All the choroid tubercles gradually disappeared and she recovered completely without any complications.ConclusionsIn an adult patient with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, it is pivotal to understand the underlying etiology, as it needs extensive immunosuppression. If this patient had been treated with immunosuppressants without antituberculous medications, it would have been lethal with disseminated or central nervous system tuberculosis. So, in areas where tuberculosis is endemic, if no underlying cause is found, it may be worth considering antituberculous treatment for these patients. Re-evaluation with thorough clinical examination is of utmost importance in any patient with pyrexia of unknown origin as well as in any disease with unusual manifestations.
Introduction Primary extraosseous osteogenic sarcoma is one of the rarest forms of malignant tumor of the breast. It can arise as a result of osseous metaplasia of a preexisting neoplasm or from a none-phyllodes sarcoma of a previously normal breast. Due to its rarity, the natural history and optimal treatment methods remain unclear. Case presentation A 60 years old patient presented to the surgical casualty with a large breast abscess. Abscess wall histology revealed an osteosarcoma of the breast. Left total mastectomy with axillary clearance was performed. Histology and subsequent immunohistochemical studies confirmed the diagnosis of osteogenic sarcoma without lymph nodal metastasis. Patient was referred to the oncologist for further management. Conclusion Rare types of breast tumors can be presented as breast abscess. Incision and drainage together with wall biopsy aid to exclude associated sinister pathologies. Diagnosis of primary osteosarcoma of the breast was made using histological and immunohistochemical findings once the possible primary from the bones of sternum and ribs was excluded. Treatment is as for sarcomas affecting other locations and should comprise a multidisciplinary approach. How to cite this article Nawarathna NJ, Chandrasekara D, Kumarasinghe NR, Balasooriya RS, Rathnayake P, Seneviratne RJ. Primary Osteosarcoma of the Breast presenting as a Large Breast Abscess. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2016;50(2):96-99.
Occult thyroid carcinoma presenting with clinically apparent metastasis is rare and is a diagnostic challenge. Here, we report a 67-year-old male who presented with a left side chest wall mass resembling a soft tissue sarcoma of 1 year duration. The mass showed rapid enlargement at the latter end of its course, following an initial asymptomatic period. Imaging studies showed a soft tissue mass eroding into several ribs. Wide local excision with primary reconstruction was performed. Histological studies and immune staining revealed metastasis from a follicular thyroid carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy followed, confirming the diagnosis. Postoperatively, radioisotope ablation (I 131 ) was done. A suppression dose of thyroxin was continued with regular thyroglobulin assays. Painful bone metastasis responded well to analgesics, bisphosphonates and external beam radiotherapy. Follicular carcinoma comprises 10 to 15% of thyroid malignancies. Localized thyroid carcinoma has a very good prognosis, 10 years survival rates reducing by 50% with metastatic disease. Commonly, thyroid cancer presents as detectable thyroid nodules, 25% having metastasis. In contrast, metastatic manifestations are reported in less than 5% of occult thyroid cancers.
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