Warm Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia due to IgA and IgG � A Rare Clinical Scenario

Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA) is a decompensated acquired haemolysis caused by the host immune system producing autoantibodies that bind to the antigens on the surface of circulating erythrocytes, leading to haemolysis and decreased red cell survival. It requires efficient and advanced immunohaematological and transfusion support. Despite advances in medical field, simple test like Direct Antiglobulin Test (DAT) still remains the diagnostic hallmark. The sensitive column gel technology further helps to characterise these antibodies according to class, subclass and titre of antibodies. It is very important to characterize these autoantibodies as there is a relation between strength of DAT and in vivo haemolysis. Serologically, cases are divided into warm (mainly due to IgG), cold (mainly due to IgM) or mixed depending upon the thermal amplitude of the antibody. IgA and IgG antibodies causing warm type of AIHA are rare as monospecific gel cards are not available in all centres. We here report rare case series of warm AIHA caused by dual antibodies IgA and IgG.

Isolated non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the pancreas: case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Isolated primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) is a rare extra-lymphatic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma comprising less than 1% of all extra-lymphatic lymphomas. It is seen in people of advanced age and there is a slight male preponderance. It is difficult to diagnose; the vague presenting symptoms and nonspecific laboratory/radiological findings make it difficult to differentiate the condition from pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Histopathological examination is of paramount importance to conclusively establish the diagnosis since the treatment involves lymphoma protocols, and prognosis and survival in PPL are considerably superior to that in adenocarcinoma pancreas. CASE REPORT: We report a case of isolated PPL diagnosed after Tru-Cut biopsy and immunohistochemistry after a thorough staging workup. RESULT: The patient was treated with multi-agent combination chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy. DISCUSSION: A review of literature was done using a Medline search to determine the incidence and prevalence of isolated PPL and to note the diagnosis and management of previously reported cases. CONCLUSION: An exceedingly rare entity, isolated PPLs need to be differentiated from pancreatic adenocarcinomas by histopathological evaluation since management is on the lines of other extralymphatic lymphomas and prognosis is significantly better.

Malignant pilar tumor of the scalp: a case report and review of literature.

Pilar tumor is a rare neoplasm arising from the external root sheath of the hair follicle and is most commonly observed on the scalp. These tumors are largely benign, often cystic, and are characterized by trichilemmal keratinization. Wide local excision has been the standard treatment. Recent reports have described a rare malignant variant with an aggressive clinical course and a propensity for nodal and distant metastases which, therefore, merits aggressive treatment. In this report, we present a case of malignant pilar tumor of the scalp with multiple nodal metastases at presentation. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations, in the form of adjuvant radiotherapy, are subsequently discussed.