ABSTRACT
We describe the case of a 30-year-old man who presented to our institution with hypoxia and widespread pulmonary infiltrates managed initially as COVID-19 before receiving a new diagnosis of HIV-associated Kaposi sarcoma (KS) with widespread pulmonary and skeletal involvement. Initial differential diagnoses included Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, disseminated mycobacterial infection and bacillary angiomatosis. A bone marrow biopsy showed heavy infiltration by spindle cells, staining strongly positive for human herpes virus-8 (HHV-8) and CD34, suggesting symptomatic, disseminated KS as the unifying diagnosis. The patient commenced cytotoxic therapy with weekly paclitaxel, with a clinical and radiological response. To our knowledge, this case is among the most severe described in the literature, which we discuss, along with how COVID-19 initially hindered developing a therapeutic allegiance with the patient.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , HIV Infections , Herpesvirus 8, Human , Sarcoma, Kaposi , Adult , HIV Infections/complications , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Humans , Male , SARS-CoV-2 , Sarcoma, Kaposi/diagnosis , Sarcoma, Kaposi/drug therapyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in radical changes in the delivery of healthcare worldwide. Our oncology service (at an Irish national cancer centre) rapidly transitioned to the use of telemedicine or virtual clinics (VC) to minimise potential risk of exposure to COVID-19 amongst an immunosuppressed, high-risk population. Our study aimed to evaluate the use of VC in this setting. METHODS: An 18-point questionnaire was designed to investigate the patient experience of VC during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland and compliance with guidelines developed in Ireland to conduct VC and the role of VC in the future. Questionnaires were distributed following the receipt of verbal consent from patients during the VC. Descriptive statistics were utilised for data analysis using SPSS®. RESULTS: One hundred and four patients returned completed surveys (n = 104/164, 63% response rate). Overall satisfaction levels were high with most patients (n = 58/100, 58%; no answer provided (NAP), n = 4) equally satisfied or nearly equally satisfied with VC in comparison to a usual clinic encounter. The majority of patients felt that there should be a role for VC in the future (n = 84/102, 82%; NAP, n = 2). The majority of patients (n = 61/99, 61%; NAP, n = 5) were very relieved to avoid a hospital visit due to perceived risk of potential exposure to COVID-19. CONCLUSION: The majority of oncology patients were satisfied with a VC encounter. VC may have a role in the future of medical care in Ireland post the COVID-19 pandemic.