ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Carmustine (BCNU), 1, 3-bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitosourea, is an alkylating agent which is commonly used as a part of conditioning regimen for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Despite the widespread use of BCNU therapy in adults, cardiopulmonary toxicity presenting with cardiac tamponade has not been reported. CASE REPORT: We present a patient who received BCNU as part of her conditioning regimen followed by autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. This patient subsequently developed bilateral upper lobe pulmonary infiltrates with bilateral pleural effusions and a large pericardial effusion which was a result of BCNU toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Early institution of glucocorticoids for patients receiving high dose BCNU containing chemotherapeutic regimens has shown to significantly reduce BCNU induced cardio-pulmonary toxicity.
Subject(s)
Androstadienes/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Carmustine/toxicity , Lymphoma, T-Cell/drug therapy , Pericardial Effusion/chemically induced , Pleural Effusion/chemically induced , Adult , Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating/toxicity , Echocardiography , Female , Fluticasone , Humans , Lymphoma, T-Cell/surgery , Pericardial Effusion/diagnostic imaging , Stem Cell Transplantation , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Intussusception occurs rarely in adults. It presents with a variety of acute, intermittent, and chronic symptoms, thus making its preoperative diagnosis difficult. CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis usually reveals the diagnosis of intussusception in adults. Surgical resection of the intussusception without reduction is the preferred treatment in adults, as almost half of both colonic and enteric intussusceptions are associated with malignancy. However, the choice and timing of operation will depend on the clinical condition of the patient and the status of the invaginating tumor. Colon cancer in young individuals is usually aggressive, with a dismal prognosis.
