ABSTRACT
A 54-year-old male diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was effectively treated with methotrexate and adalimumab. He was admitted with fatigue and right lower back pain which had persisted for 1 month. An enhanced abdominal computed tomography scan showed an ill-defined mass with soft tissue attenuation surrounding the right common iliac artery involving the right middle portion of the ureter. Laparoscopic ureterolysis and biopsy were performed. Microscopic evaluation confirmed the presence of fibroblastic proliferation, with a pleomorphic inflammatory cell infiltrate consisting predominantly of lymphocytes, macrophages, and vascular endothelial cells, without granuloma or neoplastic cells. Therefore, our diagnosis was retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF)-associated RA. Clinicians should consider the possibility of RPF in patients with RA who experience lower back pain, abdominal pain, or dysuria, and order suitable imaging studies.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Adalimumab , Abdominal Pain , Arthritis, Rheumatoid , Biopsy , Diagnosis , Dysuria , Endothelial Cells , Fatigue , Fibroblasts , Granuloma , Iliac Artery , Low Back Pain , Lymphocytes , Macrophages , Methotrexate , Retroperitoneal Fibrosis , UreterABSTRACT
Sjogren syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disorder involving the exocrine glands, which often presents with salivary and tear gland dysfunction leading to dry mouth and eyes (sicca symptoms). This disease occurs alone as primary SS, or in the background of connective tissue diseases as secondary SS. Neurological involvement is seen in 20-25% of SS cases. Cerebral involvement is generally heterogeneous both in terms of localization (focal or diffuse) and progression (acute, progressive or reversible) and may resemble the clinical and radiological findings of multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we present the case of a patient with primary SS who experienced acute progressive diffuse MS.
Subject(s)
Humans , Connective Tissue Diseases , Exocrine Glands , Mouth , Multiple Sclerosis , Sjogren's Syndrome , TearsABSTRACT
Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS), known as eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, is a rare type of systemic vasculitis characterized by the presence of asthma, peripheral eosinophilia, and necrotizing vasculitis with eosinophilic infiltration of multiple organs. Approximately 3-4% of all CSS cases are associated with alveolar hemorrhage. Untreated CSS may lead to a poor prognosis, but glucocorticoid and cytotoxic agent treatments may result in clinical remission. The careful diagnosis and understanding of CSS is important for making treatment decisions and providing effective care. Here, we report a case of CSS with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage.