Oral cyclophosphamide-induced posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient with ANCA-associated vasculitis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) manifests many neurological symptoms with typical features on neuroimaging studies and has various risk factors. Cyclophosphamide is one of the therapeutic agents for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. Cyclophosphamide as the sole cause of PRES has been reported in only a few cases. Herein, we report a unique case of early-onset oral cyclophosphamide-induced PRES in a patient with ANCA-associated vasculitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 73-year-old man was transferred to our hospital for sepsis due to acute cholangitis. He had already received hemodialysis for two weeks due to septic acute kidney injury. His azotemia was not improved after sepsis resolved and perinuclear-ANCA was positive. Kidney biopsy showed crescentic glomerulonephritis. Alveolar hemorrhage was observed on bronchoscopy. He was initially treated with intravenous methylprednisolone and plasma exchange for one week. And then, two days after adding oral cyclophosphamide, the patient developed generalized tonic-clonic seizures. We diagnosed PRES by Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography. Seizures were controlled with fosphenytoin 750 mg. Cyclophosphamide was suspected to be the cause of PRES and withdrawal. His mentality was recovered after seven days and brain MRI showed normal state after two weeks. CONCLUSION: The present case shows the possibility of PRES induction due to short-term use of oral cyclophosphamide therapy. Physicians should carefully monitor neurologic symptoms after oral cyclophosphamide administration in elderly patients with underlying diseases like sepsis, renal failure and ANCA-associated vasculitis.

Rhabdomyolysis associated with single-dose intravenous esomeprazole administration: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Proton pump inhibitors are usually safe, although serious adverse effects can occur. We report the first case of rhabdomyolysis associated with single-dose intravenous esomeprozole administration. METHODS: A 45-year-old Korean male visited our emergency room because of persistent lower chest discomfort that started 10 hours before. He had been diagnosed with diabetes and coronary heart disease, but discontinued oral hypoglycemic agents 1 month earlier. He continued to take medications for coronary heart disease. There was no abnormality on an electrocardiogram or in cardiac enzymes. Initial laboratory findings did not show abnormalities for muscle enzymes. Esomeprozole 40 mg was administrated intravenously for the control of his ambiguous chest discomfort. Then, 12 hours later, he complained of abrupt severe right buttock pain. An area of tender muscle swelling 8 cm in diameter was seen on his right buttock area. Creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase were elevated to 40,538 and 1326 U/L, respectively. A bone scan using 20 mCi of Tc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate was compatible with rhabdomyolysis. RESULTS: His muscular symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings improved markedly with conservative management, including hydration and urine alkalinization. He is being followed in the outpatient department with no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: We should keep in mind that single-dose intravenous administration of esomeprazole can induce rhabdomyolysis.

Prognostic impact of sarcopenia in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is known to be related to an increased risk of chemotherapy toxicity and to a poor prognosis in patients with malignancy. We assessed the prognostic role of sarcopenia in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). METHODS: In total, 187 consecutive patients with DLBCL treated with induction rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (R-CHOP) immunochemotherapy were reviewed. Sarcopenia was defined as the lowest sex-specific quartile of the skeletal muscle index, calculated by dividing the pectoralis muscle area by the height. Clinical outcomes were compared between the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic groups. A nomogram was constructed from the Cox regression model for overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Treatment-related mortality (21.7 vs. 5.0%, P = 0.002) and early discontinuation of treatment (32.6 vs. 14.9%, P = 0.008) were more common in the sarcopenic group than in the non-sarcopenic group. The 5 year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 35.3% in the sarcopenic group and 65.8% in the non-sarcopenic group (P < 0.001). The 5 year OS rates were 37.3% in the sarcopenic group and 68.1% in the non-sarcopenic group (P < 0.001). Sarcopenia and the five variables of the International Prognostic Index (IPI) were independent prognostic factors in a multivariate analysis for PFS and OS and were used to construct the nomogram. The calibration plot showed good agreement between the nomogram predictions and actual observations. The c index of the nomogram (0.80) was higher than those of other prognostic indices (IPI, 0.77, P = 0.009; revised-IPI, 0.74, P < 0.001; National Comprehensive Cancer Network-IPI, 0.77, P = 0.062). CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia is associated with intolerance to standard R-CHOP chemotherapy as well as a poor prognosis. Moreover, sarcopenia itself can be included in prognostic models in DLBCL.

Population-Based Regional Cancer Incidence in Korea: Comparison between Urban and Rural Areas.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate differences in organ-specific cancer incidence according to the region and population size in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data of the cancer registration program of Gyeongnam Regional Cancer Center between 2008 and 2011. Age-standardized rates of cancer incidence were analyzed according to population size of the region and administrative zone. RESULTS: Incidence of thyroid cancer has been increasing rapidly in both urban and rural areas. However, the thyroid cancer incidence was much lower in rural areas than in urban areas and megalopolis such as Seoul. Gastric cancer was relatively more common in rural areas, in megalopolis near the sea (Ulsan, Busan, and Incheon), and other southern provinces (Chungcheongnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do). A detailed analysis in Gyeongsangnam-do revealed that rural areas have relatively low incidence of thyroid and colorectal cancer, and relatively high incidence of gastric and lung cancer compared to urban areas. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that there are some differences in cancer incidence by population size. Thyroid and colorectal cancer incidence was increasing, and gastric and lung cancer was slightly decreasing in urban areas, whereas gastric and lung cancer incidence still remains high in rural areas.