Sculpting the Silent Intricacies: A Rare Triad of Syphilitic Aneurysms Unveiled.

This case report revolves around a 73-year-old male patient who initially sought medical attention due to left lower extremity weakness. Suspicions of a potential vascular etiology arose during the initial clinical examination, prompting further investigation. Unexpectedly, computed tomography (CT) imaging of the abdomen and pelvis revealed the presence of three giant aneurysms. Concurrently, positive syphilis titers were identified. The patient's presentation, marked by focal neurological deficits, unveiled the incidental discovery of a triad of aneurysms involving the distal abdominal aorta, right common iliac, and left common iliac. The neurological symptoms observed in the patient were attributed to the compression within the left common iliac artery, leading to compromised blood flow to the lower extremity. Alternatively, the neurological deficits could be linked to neurosyphilis or a combination of both factors. This case underscores the critical role of considering syphilis in patients presenting with neurological symptoms. The unique discovery of extensive aortic abnormalities through imaging studies, specifically CT angiography, emphasized the importance of such diagnostic tools in unraveling complex and potentially life-threatening vascular pathologies. Recognizing the diverse manifestations of syphilis in patients with vast neurological symptoms is crucial for timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary management. This case emphasizes the need to keep a high index of suspicion for syphilis in individuals who have widespread aortic anomalies together with neurological symptoms, to sum up. The triad of aneurysms discovered incidentally in this 73-year-old patient underscores the intricate interplay between vascular and neurological manifestations. The timely diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of both the neurological and vascular aspects of this unique presentation are essential for ensuring optimal patient outcomes.

Unusual Presentation of Post-coital Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a grave medical condition that is defined as a separation of the coronary artery wall layer. This presentation is rare in males and can be triggered by cardio-circulatory stress, such as exercise and emotional stress. Sexual intercourse is considered potent cardiovascular stress that can be strenuous and cause rapid and significant changes in the heart rate and blood pressure which can predispose SCAD. Herein, we are reporting a very rare case of a 41-year-old male gentleman who presented with SCAD after vigorous sexual intercourse. We are reporting this case to encourage physicians to educate their patients on the topic.

Hiccups as a Rare Presentation of Thyrotoxicosis Triaged by an Epidural Steroid Injection.

Thyrotoxicosis manifests when excess levels of thyroid hormone act on different tissues throughout the body. Excess hormone levels can be related to endogenous production or exogenous ingestion and can present differently in patients. It has been theorized that high levels of thyroxine can irritate the neuroanatomical hiccup center leading to persistent hiccups. Although extremely rare, physicians should be aware of this entity to allow for proper diagnosis and management. Here, we discuss a rare case of thyrotoxicosis after an epidural steroid injection presenting with intractable hiccups.

A Rare Case of Severe Lactic Acidosis in a Patient With Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Lactic acidosis is an extremely rare paraneoplastic manifestation of hematological malignancies, and often carries an extremely poor prognosis. Mantle cell lymphoma is an aggressive and rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, it is extremely rare to have severe lactic acidosis in patients with mantle cell lymphoma. In this article, we are reporting a rare case of mantle cell lymphoma diagnosed with typical cluster differentiation (CD markers) in bone marrow examination with persistent lactic acidosis refractory to intravenous hydration that responded well to chemotherapy. Malignant lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that needs rapid evaluation and identification that shows improved prognosis after the introduction of chemotherapy.

Concurrent Serotonin Syndrome and Prolong QT Interval Induced by Paroxetine Overdose With Isotretinoin.

The use of serotonergic drugs has increased in the last decade especially selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) with increased indications. Serotonin syndrome (SS) and QT prolongation are serious adverse reactions of SSRI use, they usually occur with concomitant use of two or more serotonergic medication. Herein, we are presenting an interesting unique case of SS and prolongation of QT interval after a suicidal attempt in a patient on isotretinoin with paroxetine overdosing. The prolongation of QT interval observed in this case could be related to isotretinoin synergistic effect. The risk of suicide and side effects of SSRI with isotretinoin, especially in patient with psychiatric illness would be a huge concern. This case hopes to raise the awareness of the risks when prescribing SSRI and isotretinoin in this group of patients.

Clinical utility of ANA-ELISA vs ANA-immunofluorescence in connective tissue diseases.

We investigated the performance of ANA-ELISA for CTDs screening and diagnosis and comparing it to the conventional ANA-IIF. ANA-ELISA is a solid-phase immune assay includes 17 ANA-targeted recombinant antigens; dsDNA, Sm-D, Rib-P, PCNA, U1-RNP (70, A, C), SS-A/Ro (52 and 60), SS-B/La, Centromere B, Scl-70, Fibrillarin, RNA Polymerase III, Jo-1, Mi-2, and PM-Scl. During the period between March till December 2016 all requests for ANA from primary, secondary, and tertiary care centers were processed with both techniques; ANA-IIF and ANA-ELISA. The electronic medical record of these patients was reviewed looking for CTD diagnosis documented by the Senior rheumatologist. SPSS 22 is used for analysis. Between March and December 2016, a total of 12,439 ANA tests were requested. 1457 patients were assessed by the rheumatologist and included in the analysis. At a cut-off ratio ≥ 1.0 for ANA-ELISA and a dilutional titre ≥ 1:80 for ANA-IIF, the sensitivity of ANA-IIF and ANA-ELISA for all CTDs were 63.3% vs 74.8% respectively. For the SLE it was 64.3% vs 76.9%, Sjogren's Syndrome was 50% vs 76.9% respectively. The overall specificity of ANA-ELISA was 89.05%, which was slightly better than ANA-IIF 86.72%. The clinical performance of ANA-ELISA for CTDs screening showed better sensitivity and specificity as compared to the conventional ANA-IIF in our cohort.

Unusual Case of Spontaneous Postcoital Type A Aortic Dissection.

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that may present as severe acute chest or abdominal pain, especially in high-risk patients, and should raise a high index of suspicion for aortic dissection when occurring after moderate-to-high-intensity activities, such as sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse leads to physiological stress on the body causing an abrupt elevation in blood pressure and shearing force against the vessel wall. This shearing force increases the risk of vessel wall dissection. Below, we discuss a rare case of type A aortic dissection after sexual intercourse and highly recommend physicians to evaluate and educate their high-risk patients regarding aortic dissection with such activities.