Splinter haemorrhages and brain infarcts as an unusual presentation of sarcoidosis.

We present an interesting case of a healthy 47-year-old woman who presented to the acute take with symptoms of visual apraxia, splinter haemorrhages and extreme fatigue. This was a diagnostic challenge with other unusual features to this case, which includes brain infarcts on MRI, raised troponin and oeosinophilia. Naturally endocarditis was the top differential but this was ruled out by serial negative blood cultures and a negative transthoracic echocardiogram. Several medical specialties were involved and the initial working diagnosis was ANCA vasculitis (oeosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis). Early administration of intravenous steroids clouded our judgement further and sarcoidosis was not thought as a possible differential. We illustrate the immensely challenging and complicated clinical course involving multiple specialties and investigations. In the end, a complete steroid wean was required to reach an accurate histological diagnosis.

Efficacy and safety of multiple intra-articular corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis-a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy and safety of multiple intra-articular corticosteroid (IACS) injections for the treatment of OA. METHODS: We conducted electronic searches of several databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Standard mean difference was calculated for efficacy, whereas hazard ratio (HR) was used for adverse effects. Results were combined using the random effects model. Heterogeneity was measured using I2 statistics. RESULTS: Six RCTs were included for efficacy assessment. The use of multiple IACS appeared to be better than comparator (standard mean difference for pain -0.47, 95% CI -0.62, 0.31). However, there was considerable heterogeneity (I2 92.6%) and subgroup analysis by comparator showed no separation of regular IACS from placebo, though timing of pain assessments was questionable. Fourteen RCTs and two observational studies were assessed for the safety of multiple IACS. Minor local adverse events were similar in both groups. One RCT found that regular IACS every 3 months for 2 years caused greater cartilage loss compared with saline injection (-0.21 vs 0.10 mm). One cohort study found that multiple IACS injections associated with worsening of joint space narrowing (HR 3.02, 95% CI 2.25, 4.05) and increased risk of joint replacement (HR 2.54, 95% CI 1.81, 3.57). CONCLUSION: Multiple IACS injections are no better than placebo for OA pain according to current evidence. The preliminary finding of a detrimental effect on structural OA progression warrants further investigation. Efficacy and safety of multiple IACS reflecting recommended best practice has yet to be assessed.

Steroid-induced tumour lysis syndrome in small-cell lung cancer.

A 64-year-old male presented to hospital with breathlessness and weight loss. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of supraclavicular lymph node confirmed a diagnosis of small-cell lung cancer. The patient was started on Dexamethasone 8 mg twice daily for symptom control while awaiting urgent oncology assessment. Three days later he was admitted with acute kidney injury and worsening breathlessness. Biochemical changes confirmed tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) that had occurred following steroid therapy. He was given allopurinol followed by rasburicase. His clinical condition continued to worsen and he died of multi-organ failure. To our knowledge, TLS in small-cell lung cancer solely attributed to steroid therapy has not been described before. Due to its rarity, physicians have a very low index of suspicion of TLS in lung cancer when prescribing corticosteroids for palliation of symptoms. Patients with risk factors should be identified and baseline blood tests performed and appropriate prophylaxis commenced.