Esophageal Melanocytosis

ABSTRACT Esophageal melanocytosis is a rare entity defined by the proliferation of a melanocytic basal layer of the esophageal squamous lining and deposition of melanin in the esophageal mucosa. Esophageal melanocytosis is considered a benign entity of unknown etiology; however, it has been reported as a melanoma precursor. We report a case of esophageal melanocytosis in a diabetic and hypertensive 67-year-old male with recurrent dizziness and syncope for the past 6 months. Given his complaint of dyspepsia, he underwent an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, in which an esophageal biopsy revealed the diagnosis of esophageal melanocytosis. The definitive diagnosis of esophageal melanocytosis can only be made by histological analysis. The histologic differential diagnoses include melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma. Therefore, they need to be ruled out.

Non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome (NIPHS)/Nesidioblastosis as the underlying cause of recurrent hypoglycemia in a diabetic adult

ABSTRACT Non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome (NIPHS), without previous bariatric surgery, is a rare form of hypoglycemia in adult patients and is associated with nesidioblastosis. Adult-onset nesidioblastosis in diabetic patients is rare and histologically identical to "non-insulinoma pancreatogenous hypoglycemia syndrome (NIPHS)". Nesidioblastosis is rare in adults and clinically and biochemically mimics Insulinoma. In the literature, there have only been four cases of adult nesidioblastosis that followed diabetes mellitus. We report a case of nesidioblastosis in a 36-year-old diabetic female presenting with dizziness, sweating, and palpitations for three years. Selective non-invasive techniques failed to detect a tumor. Based on the pursuit of an insulinoma, a distal pancreatectomy specimen was received at our laboratory, and a diagnosis of nesidioblastosis was made. She is currently on follow-up with a favorable outcome. The definitive diagnosis of nesidioblastosis is made on a histological basis. The preferred form of treatment is pancreatic surgical resection. Nesidioblastosis should be taken into consideration in cases where diabetes transforms into hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.

COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) in a pregnant woman

Viral or bacterial co-infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been reported in the literature. However, the knowledge on Aspergillus co-infection among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is limited. COVID‐19‐associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been seen in critically ill COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which has raised concerns about the worsening disease course of COVID-19 and increasing mortality. We describe a clinical case of CAPA infection and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) with a deathly outcome in a previously well, non-immunocompromised pregnant woman with intrauterine death of the fetus. Hence, we suggest that clinicians and pathologists keep alerting the possible occurrence of pulmonary aspergillosis in severe/critical COVID-19 patients, and aggressive investigations should be done to rule out the possibility of CAPA so that early treatment can be administrated.