Nonsurgical Approach to Isolated Pancreatic Metastatic Malignant Melanoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Isolated pancreatic metastases from melanoma are rare with high mortality rate and account for less than 1% of metastatic melanomas. Treatment options are limited with highest overall survival reported in those with complete surgical resection. Of cases reported in the literature with nonsurgical management, highest length of survival was reported to be 10 months. We report a case of malignant melanoma with isolated pancreatic metastasis treated with interferon therapy and immunotherapy, with evidence of progressive tumor shrinkage and survival at 38 months.

Novel Presentation of Terminal Ileitis Associated with Secukinumab Therapy.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psoriasis are chronic inflammatory immune-mediated diseases. The interleukin-23- (IL23-) T helper (Th)17 pathway has been implicated in their pathogenesis, with multiple biologic therapies targeting this pathway. IL-17, the main proinflammatory cytokine produced by (TH)17, has been targeted by antibodies and IL-17 receptor blockers with favorable outcomes in treating psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. However, their role in IBD is unpredictable as studies reported worsening of IBD with agents targeting IL-17 and rare case reports with new-onset IBD. We present a case of Crohn's-like severe terminal ileitis and worsening diverticulitis complicated by intestinal perforation requiring total parenteral nutrition shortly after being started on secukinumab.

A Rare Twist of the Forgotten Disease: A Case of Fusobacterium necrophorum Sepsis with Portomesenteric Thrombosis and a Review of the Literature.

Abdominal variants of Lemierre's syndrome presenting with pylephlebitis are rare, and the role of anticoagulation in treatment is controversial. We hereby report a case of pylephlebitis secondary to F. necrophorum bacteremia in a 57-year-old female originating from bacterial translocation secondary to colitis, who developed a favorable outcome with prompt treatment with antibiotics and anticoagulation. We also perform a literature review on similar cases in the literature and discuss management options of this rare but potentially fatal complication.

Prevalence of venous thromboembolism in admissions and readmissions with and without syncope: a nationwide cohort study.

AIMS: The Pulmonary Embolism in Syncope Italian Trial reported 17.3% prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients admitted with syncope. We investigated the prevalence of venous thromboembolism [VTE, including PE and deep vein thrombosis (DVT)] in syncope vs. non-syncope admissions and readmissions, and if syncope is an independent predictor of VTE. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted an observational study of index admissions of the 2013-14 Nationwide Readmission Database. We excluded patients <18 years, December discharges, died during hospitalization, hospital transfers, and missing length of stay. Encounters were stratified by the presence or absence of DVT/PE and syncope diagnoses. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between syncope and VTE. There were 38 655 570 admissions, of whom 285 511 had syncope. In the overall cohort, syncope occurred in 1.6% of VTE and 1.8% in non-VTE admissions. In a multivariable model, syncope was associated with a lower prevalence of VTE [odds ratio (OR) 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75-0.78; P < 0.001]. In index syncope vs. non-syncope admissions, the prevalence of DVT, PE, and VTE were 0.4 ± 0.06% vs. 1.3 ± 0.12%, 0.2 ± 0.04% vs. 1.2 ± 0.11%, and 0.5 ± 0.07% vs. 2.1 ± 0.14% (all P < 0.001), respectively. At 30 days, the prevalence of DVT, PE, and VTE in syncope vs. non-syncope were 2.2 ± 0.14% vs. 2.1 ± 0.14% (P = 0.38), 1.4 ± 0.12% vs. 1.2 ± 0.11% (P = 0.01), and 2.6 ± 0.17% vs. 3.0 ± 0.17% (P = 0.99), respectively. CONCLUSION: Syncope admissions were associated with a lower prevalence of VTE as compared to non-syncope admissions. Syncope should not trigger an automatic PE workup, rather, should be put into context of patient presentation.

Rothia dentocariosa Endocarditis in an Unsuspecting Host: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Rothia dentocariosa, a gram-positive coccobacillus, is a commensal bacterium that is part of the oropharynx and respiratory tract. In the past, it was known to be a cause for periodontal disease, but in recent years, Rothia dentocariosa has been found to be the cause of several other infectious entities, of which endocarditis is the most predominant. We present the case of a healthy 62-year-old female who, after undergoing routine dental cleaning two months prior, developed subacute bacterial endocarditis of the mitral valve, with subsequent cerebral septic emboli causing an occipital hemorrhagic cerebrovascular accident, all secondary to Rothia dentocariosa.

Acute liver failure secondary to severe systemic disease from fatal hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: Case report and systematic literature review.

AIM: To systematically review liver disease associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), propose reasonable contraindications for liver transplantation for liver failure in HLH, and report an illustrative case. METHODS: Systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines of hepatic manifestations of HLH using computerized literature search via PubMed of articles published since 1980 with keywords ("hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis" or "HLH") AND ("liver" or "hepatic"). Two authors independently performed literature search and incorporated articles into this review by consensus. Illustrative case report presented based on review of medical chart, and expert re-review of endoscopic photographs, radiologic images, and pathologic slides. RESULTS: A 47-year-old Caucasian male, was hospitalized with high-grade pyrexia, rash, total bilirubin = 45 g/dL, moderately elevated hepatic transaminases, ferritin of 3300 ng/dL, leukopenia, and profound neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count < 100 cells/mm³). Viral serologies for hepatitis A, B, and C were negative. Abdominal computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed no hepatic or biliary abnormalities. Pathologic analysis of liver biopsy revealed relatively well-preserved hepatic parenchyma without lymphocytic infiltrates or macrophage invasion, except for sparse, focal hepatocyte necrosis. Bone marrow biopsy and aspirate revealed foamy macrophages engulfing mature and precursor erythrocytes, consistent with HLH. Interleukin-2 receptor (CD25) was highly elevated, confirming diagnosis of HLH according to Histiocytic Society criteria. Patient initially improved after high-dose prednisone therapy. Patient was judged not to be a liver transplant candidate despite model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score = 33 because liver failure was secondary to severe systemic disease from HLH, including septic shock, focal centrilobular hepatocyte necrosis from hypotension, bone marrow failure, and explosive immune activation from HLH. The patient eventually succumbed to overwhelming sepsis, progressive liver failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Systematic review reveals liver injury is very common in HLH, and liver failure can sometimes occur. Data on liver transplantation for patients with HLH are very limited, and so far the results have shown a generally much worse prognosis than for other liver transplant indications. Liver transplantation should not be guided solely by MELD score, but should include liver biopsy results and determination whether liver failure is from intrinsic liver injury vs multisystem (extrahepatic) organ failure from HLH. CONCLUSION: This case report illustrates that liver transplantation may not be warranted when liver failure associated with HLH is primarily from multisystem failure from HLH. Liver biopsy may be very helpful in determining the severity and pathophysiology of the liver disease.

A Retrospective Study Analyzing the Appropriateness of Initial Treatment of Clostridium difficile in Patients with Active Malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of hospital-associated gastrointestinal illness. Previous studies reported that patients with active malignancy are at high risk for CDIs, and yet they are still classified as nonsevere CDI and initially treated with metronidazole. Our aim is to investigate the need for the escalation of antibiotic therapy in patients with CDI and active cancer treated with oral metronidazole versus oral vancomycin. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of adult patients admitted with CDI and any underlying active malignancy at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan, from January 2008 to December 2014. Inclusion criteria included age > 18 years old, polymerase chain reaction- (PCR-) proven CDI, and active malignancy. RESULTS: 197 patients were included in the final analysis. 44.8% of the metronidazole group required escalation of therapy compared to 15.2% in the vancomycin group (p value = 0.001). 29.8% of the combination group (metronidazole and vancomycin) underwent deescalation of antibiotics, which was significantly higher compared to 2.2% of patients in the vancomycin group (p value < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Our results support the initial use of vancomycin or a combination (metronidazole and vancomycin) versus metronidazole in patients with CDI and active malignancy.

Infectious Aortitis: A Life-Threatening Endovascular Complication of Nontyphoidal Salmonella Bacteremia.

A 65-year-old Japanese man living in the United States presented with pyrexia and chills associated with intermittent lower abdominal and back pain for 5 days. He denied recent travel, rash, diarrhea, or rectal bleeding. Physical examination revealed spiking pyrexia, and routine laboratory tests revealed mild leukocytosis and neutrophilia. Abdominal CT with contrast showed findings highly compatible with aortitis. Comprehensive autoimmune evaluation was negative. Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis was isolated from blood cultures. IV antibiotics were administered, but the patient continued to experience low-grade pyrexia and mild leukocytosis, and follow-up abdominal CT showed progressive aortic inflammation. The patient therefore underwent resection of the affected aortic segment with in-situ graft replacement and lifelong suppressive antibiotics. The patient is asymptomatic with no complications at 18 weeks of follow-up. This case report illustrates that patients with infectious aortitis from nontyphoidal Salmonella may (1) present with nonspecific and nonlocalizing symptoms and signs except for sepsis; (2) have diagnostic blood cultures and abdominal CT findings; and (3) typically require aggressive, prolonged IV antibiotic therapy and surgery for potential cure of this life-threatening infection.