Alpelisib-Induced Diabetic Ketoacidosis in a Patient With Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Alpelisib, a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, is a new drug approved for metastatic breast cancer. Hyperglycemia is a known side effect of this medication, however diabetic ketoacidosis is rarely described. We are presenting a 64-year-old female with a known case of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] 5.6% ) controlled by metformin alone. She was also diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She received radiotherapy, trastuzumab and letrozole. Then, she was started on alpelisib as she failed other previous modalities. She presented to the emergency department with a two-week history of polyuria and polydipsia, and laboratory investigation results showed high anion gap metabolic acidosis, ketonemia, and hyperglycemia. She was treated for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). After the resolution of DKA, she was kept on daily insulin subcutaneous injections. She was restarted on a reduced dose of alpelisib, but despite this, her blood sugar readings continued to rise, requiring discontinuation of the medication with a resolution of hyperglycemia. The goal of our case report is to emphasize the importance of close glucose monitoring when starting alpelisib to avoid serious complications like DKA.

An unusual cause of reactive arthritis with urticarial: A case report.

Reactive arthritis (ReA) is a syndrome of arthritis and tenosynovitis with defined extra-articular manifestations following certain infections. Despite being recognized a long time ago, debates still surrounds its definition. It is still unclear if the spectrum of the disease should include arthritis induced by other than the classical organisms. Here, we present an unusual cause of ReA. A young healthy female patient presented with acute polyarthritis and acute urticaria after 2 weeks of diarrheal illness. She was found to have blastocystis in the stool microscopy. Extensive evaluation ruled out other causes of her arthritis. She received metronidazole with a short course of NSAIDS and steroids with complete resolution of her skin and joint symptoms. She was followed for six months with no recurrence of arthritis or urticaria. Blastocystis sp. is a parasite that is prevalent in developing countries. It has been linked to isolated ReA or isolated urticaria among a few other case reports. This is the very first case to have blastocystis induced ReA that coexisted with acute urticaria. Upon review of the literature, we found that blastocystis induced ReA affects mainly young and middle-aged females such as in our case. The arthritis is usually settled with the parasite eradication. Finally, urticaria might be a distinguishing feature for blastocystis induced ReA that requires specific antimicrobial therapy.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Preceded by Tuberculosis.

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm, classically described as a triphasic disease. However, little is known about risk factors for developing CML. Currently, ionizing radiation is the only established risk factor. Here, we report on a 37-year-old man treated for tuberculosis; 2 years later, he developed CML in a chronic phase. We would like to shed light on tuberculosis as a possible risk factor for CML.

A Rare and Challenging Presentation of Empyema Necessitans/Necessitasis Leading to Brachial Plexopathy.

Empyema necessitasis (EN) also referred to as empyema necessitans (EN) is a rare complication of empyema that can involve soft tissues outside the pleural cavity and can lead to brachial plexus injury. Although, brachial plexus injury most commonly occurs as a result of trauma, inflammation, or malignancies, but it has been rarely seen in EN. We are reporting a rare and challenging case of empyema necessitasis (EN) causing impingement of brachial plexus in a 42-year-old, type 2 diabetic patient, who initially presented to the hospital with left-sided pleuritic chest pain and acute onset of left upper limb weakness. Urgent CT brain ruled out an acute neurological insult. Chest radiograph and contrast-enhanced CT thorax revealed left-sided loculated effusion. MRI of the left upper limb showed impingement of brachial plexus by the inflammatory process of surrounding effusion. Ultrasound-guided aspiration of the encapsulated fluid was performed and culture analysis of the fluid was remarkable for Prevotella oris (sensitive strain) growth. After drainage of the infected fluid and with a prolonged course of antibiotics, the patient's neurological symptoms improved significantly. Hospital course was uncomplicated and further follow-up was unremarkable for any deterioration. Our objective is to emphasize on the prompt management with close follow-up in EN, which can present with life-threatening complications as seen in our case. Any delay can compromise the patient's health. As per our limited knowledge, this case has not been reported in the literature.