Severe Case of Oral Baclofen Withdrawal Resulting in Mechanical Ventilation.

Abrupt baclofen withdrawal may be life-threatening with varied neuropsychiatric manifestations. We present a case of baclofen withdrawal necessitating intubation. A 58-year-old female with a history of undiagnosed muscle spasticity presented with worsening extremities tremors, paresthesia, and weakness for 2 days. Initial vitals included temperature 103 F, tachycardia, hypertension, and tachypnea. Examination revealed coarse tremors of all extremities. Inflammatory markers, blood, and urine culture were negative. Head and spine imaging were non-diagnostic. Meningitis and seizure were ruled out. She continued worsening with hallucinations, hyperpyrexia, ocular clonus, and profound muscle rigidity. The patient was intubated for respiratory distress and transferred to intensive care unit (ICU). Further history revealed running out of oral baclofen 3 days ago. Baclofen was restarted with symptomatic improvement. The patient was extubated after 2 days and discharged to a rehabilitation facility. Oral or intrathecal baclofen is thought to inhibit spinal nerves reducing muscle spasm and pain. Abrupt stoppage causes activation of dopamine and noradrenergic receptors causing muscle spasms, tremors, hyperpyrexia, delusions, hallucination, and delirium. Severe cases can mimic meningoencephalitis, seizure disorder, or neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Symptoms usually develop in 1 to 3 days of cessation and can be life-threatening if unrecognized timely. Treatment includes supportive therapy, re-administration of baclofen, or use of benzodiazepines, propofol, dexmedetomidine; however, no specific guidelines have been established. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first case of oral baclofen withdrawal requiring intubation. We found only 3 reported cases of intrathecal baclofen withdrawal necessitating intubation.

Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia as the Initial Presentation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is an acquired disorder resulting in the presence of antibodies against red blood cell (RBC) antigens causing hemolysis. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia is of 2 types, Warm antibody mediated and cold agglutinin disease. Warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia (warm agglutinin disease) usually presents with fatigue and other constitutional symptoms and is diagnosed by the presence of IgG antibodies. The disease can occur as idiopathic or secondary to other autoimmune diseases, infections, or even malignancies. The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease prevalent in young females. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia can occur as a part of the SLE spectrum however warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia as the initial manifestation of SLE is extremely rare. CASE REPORT Here, we describe a unique case of a 32-year-old woman who presented with vague clinical presentation found to have warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia and further immunological and inflammatory work-up during and after hospitalization lead to the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus. CONCLUSIONS The systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune chronic inflammatory disease with unclear etiology affecting multi organs. Variable presentation in addition to the lack of definite pathognomonic features or tests makes the diagnosis of SLE challenging. On the whole autoimmune hemolytic anemia can not only be part of other disease processes but can be an initial presentation, highlighting the importance of thorough work-up in patients presenting with autoimmune hemolytic anemia to aid in timely diagnosis and management of underlying secondary conditions. It is important for providers to be aware of various disease spectrums that contain autoimmune hemolytic anemia for day-to-day clinical practice.

Recurrence of Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma, Two Decades Post-Treatment.

Endometrial stromal cell sarcomas (ESS) are a unique subtype of uterine malignancy. Recurrent low grade endometrial stromal sarcomas (LESS) is identified in half of the patients. Here, we discuss a case of a 76-year-old Asian female with a past medical history of adenomyosis and hypertension who presented to the outpatient clinic with a chief complaint of painless hematuria for one day. Computed tomography scan of abdomen and pelvis with contrast showed a new right-sided mixed cystic and solid pelvic mass measuring up to 6 cm, obstructing and invading the distal right ureter, which was concerning for malignancy. Positron emission tomography (PET scan) demonstrated a right pelvic mass with increased radiotracer activity consistent with malignancy. She underwent laparotomy with excision of the right-sided pelvic mass with an abdominal washout and at the same time, also underwent cystoscopy with right ureteral stent placement. Tissue pathology was consistent with spindle cell neoplasm with staining and histologic features consistent with a recurrent stromal cell sarcoma. Uterine sarcomas tend to have an aggressive nature but there are key features about ESS that distinguish it from other uterine sarcomas. ESS has a more indolent clinical course and can reoccur years after initial diagnosis. They usually relapse locally, although relapses in extra-uterine sites have also been reported. Treatment of ESS depends on the grade and stage at the time of diagnosis. The main line of treatment for ESS consists of a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) and salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO). The significance of this case demonstrates that, although remission can be obtained after the initial diagnosis, recurrence can happen. Even when patients seem to be disease-free, clinicians should follow them closely; early diagnosis is important as treatment for this type of entity has a high survival rate.

When Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Fails: A Case of Anti-Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibody Negative Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a vasculitis of small and medium-sized vessels and presents with varying signs and symptoms. It includes upper and lower airway manifestations and glomerulonephritis with a positive antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) in serology in 90% of cases. However, about 10% of cases with GPA can have negative serology, often resulting in a diagnostic delay. Obtaining a tissue pathology is needed to confirm GPA. Here we present a 77-year-old male who presented with generalized weakness and loss of appetite and was found to have glomerulonephritis and bilateral opacities in the lungs with a negative ANCA. He was diagnosed with ANCA negative granulomatosis with polyangiitis after a renal biopsy revealed necrotizing inflammation with crescent formation. He was successfully treated with systemic glucocorticoids and rituximab. In conclusion, prompt diagnosis and treatment of ANCA negative vasculitis are required to decrease mortality.

Biosimilars as a Future, Promising Solution for Financial Toxicity: A Review with Emphasis on Bevacizumab.

A biosimilar is a biochemical product like another already approved biologic agent, known as the reference agent. To be endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), biosimilars must demonstrate that they are as safe and effective as their reference item, with no clinical distinction. Humanized monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are revolutionizing the treatment of gastrointestinal and gynecologic malignancies. Bevacizumab, trastuzumab, cetuximab, rituximab, and pegfilgrastim are the most widely used mAb products with oncologic indications. Due to the complexities of the regulatory system, it may take time for anti-cancer biosimilars to play a significant game-changing role. Over the last decade, the use of generics has saved billions of dollars every year, and it is expected that biosimilars will soon prove to be a cost-effective alternative and can play an important role in driving down healthcare costs globally. In this review, we provide a critical appraisal of biosimilars with an emphasis on bevacizumab-awwb (Avastin) and its clinico-pharmacologic characteristics, safety, efficacy, interchangeability, regulatory and oncologic perspectives, and overall clinical perception.

Pancytopenia as a Complication of Low-Dose Methotrexate in a Septuagenarian: A Rare Presentation.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite that was initially developed as a chemotherapeutic agent to treat malignancies but later used extensively to treat rheumatological conditions. MTX-induced toxicity is dose- and duration-dependent. Myelosuppression is a rare but fatal complication of MTX that can occur even with low doses used for inflammatory conditions. Multiple factors such as age, renal impairment, and nutritional status increase the risk of developing MTX toxicity. Frequent monitoring of symptoms and lab values are the hallmarks of prompt diagnosis and prevention of complications. Clinicians should have a high degree of suspicion to diagnose pancytopenia secondary to MTX especially in patients with multiple confounding comorbidities. We present the case of a 79-year-old male who presented with mucositis and pancytopenia diagnosed to be secondary to weekly MTX for giant cell arteritis leading to anemia and septic shock causing death.

Drug-Induced Immune Hemolytic Anemia due to Amoxicillin-Clavulanate: A Case Report and Review.

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is a rare cause of anemia. It is often difficult to distinguish from other causes of hemolytic anemia, thereby delaying diagnosis and treatment. Antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins, are the drugs most often implicated in the development of DIIHA. Discontinuation of the offending agent is often sufficient for treatment. Here, we review the case of a 25-year-old Caucasian female who presented with jaundice and generalized weakness in the setting of outpatient treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate due to sinus infection. Laboratory testing revealed transaminitis and hemolytic anemia. Direct antiglobulin test (DAT) revealed negative IgG and positive anti-C3. Cold agglutinin titer and Donath-Landsteiner test were negative. The patient was diagnosed with DIIHA most likely due to amoxicillin. She improved with drug cessation and a short course of glucocorticoids. Mechanism of DIIHA, workup, and management are subsequently reviewed.