We describe the case of a patient with known history of psoriasis that presented with 1 year of unexplained fever, muscle weakness and marked weight loss, suspicious for B symptoms of a malignant origin. [(18)F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans demonstrated an unusual serpiginous pattern of uptake in the fascia and muscles as well as lymph node activity. Multiple histological samples, including a final PET-probe guided lymph node surgical resection, excluded malignancy and confirmed the diagnosis of reactive inflammatory changes, with a plausible diagnosis of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome with associated lymphadenitis, fasciitis and myositis, possibly mediated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. To our knowledge, there is no evidence of a previously reported FDG uptake pattern of fascia and muscle involvement in psoriatic arthritis.
Many patients with hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) end up receiving a combined liver and kidney transplant (CKLT) with preservation of native kidneys, specially type 1 HRS since is characterizes by a very rapid deterioration of renal function. Eventually, most of the patients regain renal function, but it is unknown if this is due to the transplanted kidney, the recovery of native renal function, or both. The aim of this study is to evaluate if there is recovery of native renal function in patients with HRS following CKLT. 22 patients (16 men; 6 women) with history of HRS and status post CKLT were studied. Mercapto-acetyltriglycine-3 renograms in the anterior and posterior views with the three kidneys in the field of view were simultaneously acquired. The renograms were analyzed by creating regions of interest around the transplanted and native kidneys. Relative contribution to the renal function, clearance, and effective renal plasma flow for the transplanted and native kidneys were obtained. 1/22 (4.5%) patients presented with a very poor functioning transplanted kidney, in 15/22 (68%) cases the combined native renal function was markedly poorer than the transplanted renal function and in 6/22 (27%) native kidneys showed a contribution to the renal function similar to the transplanted kidney. In conclusion, our series show that around 32% of the HRS patients recovered their native renal function after CKLT. Identification of common factors that affect recovery of native renal function may help to avoid unnecessary renal transplants, significantly reducing morbidity and cost, while facilitating a reallocation of scarce donor resources.
We describe the case of a 32-year-old healthy man who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with vomiting, dizziness, and diaphoresis in addition to transient episodes of loss of consciousness on the day of admission. The patient's past medical history was unremarkable. Once in the ED triage vitals showed a heart rate of 254 beats per minute and an initial Electrocardiogram (EKG) showing stable monomorphic ventricular tachycardia. After conversion to sinus rhythm the patient was admitted where and after a long array of tests, the patient was diagnosed with cardiac sarcoidosis. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators (ICD) was implanted and he was started on corticosteroids. The medical management of the patient's treatment with corticosteroids was very challenging. Fludeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) was the most helpful tool and the test of choice for the follow up in his medical management.
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