Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Colitis: How Long Does the Threat Last?

Delayed immune-related events (DIRE) occur after ≥90 days of discontinuation of immunotherapy. Pembrolizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor of lymphocytes and is used frequently in the management of multiple cancers. Immunotherapy-related adverse events (irAE) are common; most occur six to seven weeks after starting immunotherapy. However, DIRE could also arise months after the stopping therapy. Although many cases of immunotherapy-induced colitis have been reported, data on colitis DIRE is limited. We present the case of a 76-year-old gentleman with bladder cancer who received pembrolizumab and developed significant diarrhea after four months of discontinuation of immunotherapy. His workup included a sigmoidoscopy with a biopsy showing evidence of immune-related colitis. In addition, the patient received steroids achieving complete resolution of diarrhea.

Dyshidrotic Eczema: A Common Cause of Palmar Dermatitis.

Dyshidrotic eczema (DE) or acute palmoplantar eczema is a common cause of hand and foot dermatitis in adults. It is a recurrent vesicular eruption affecting the soles, palms, or both. It is very pruriginous and generally appears suddenly. It creates vesicles that, on physical examination, can look similar to "tapioca pudding", which is the characteristic clinical feature of this disorder. It is more common in young adults and affects men and women equally. In this report, we present the case of a 56-year-old man with no relevant past medical history who presented to the hospital with vesicular lesions in his hands and maculopapular lesions in his arms and legs. The patient had characteristic lesions in his right hand consistent with DE and negative workup for bullous pemphigoid, scabies, and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections.

Bile Cast Nephropathy Secondary to Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis With Liver Failure.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication seen in patients with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). More than half of patients with HLH require renal replacement therapy (RRT). There are four main causes of kidney dysfunction in HLH, which include acute tubular necrosis (ATN), hypoperfusion, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), and HLH-related glomerulopathies. Bile cast nephropathy (BCN) is a known cause of kidney injury in patients with liver failure and hyperbilirubinemia. We present the case of a 58-year-old man who presented to the hospital with painless jaundice, choluria, acholia, and generalized malaise and was found to have hyperbilirubinemia and kidney injury in the setting of HLH, who underwent a renal biopsy showing bile salt casts with degenerating tubular lining cells consistent with BCN. This case highlights the importance of considering BCN as a cause of kidney injury when a patient with HLH presents with liver failure and elevated bilirubin levels.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome Caused by Unrecognized Richter's Transformation of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Treatment With Venetoclax for Suspected Disease Progression.

Richter's transformation (RT) is defined as the transition of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or small lymphocytic leukemia (SLL) into an aggressive lymphoma. The conversion generally leads to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), but more aggressive forms such as Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) can also occur. RT is a rare complication of CLL. RT can be confused with CLL progression. Its identification is crucial because the management of lymphoma and CLL differ from each other. Furthermore, the use of certain agents for CLL such as venetoclax increases the risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) in neoplasms with rapid replication such as DLBCL or CLL with hyperleukocytosis (blast crisis). We present the case of a 76-year-old man with a history of CLL on chemotherapy who developed fatigue, malaise, night sweats, chills, and unintentional weight loss for which he was started on treatment with venetoclax due to suspected clinical progression of his disease. The patient developed TLS, requiring hospitalization, and he was found to have an acute blast crisis. Also, his CLL was found to have been transformed into an aggressive DLBCL. This case highlights the importance of differentiating a true progression of CLL from RT into an aggressive lymphoma given that treatment would be different for the two and the prognosis with the transformation is worse.

Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis: An Early Skin Biopsy Makes a Difference.

Leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LCV) is an uncommon condition with a broad differential diagnosis. Although the clinical history, physical examination, and laboratory workup are pivotal when formulating a differential diagnosis of LCV, a skin biopsy is required in most cases to elucidate the cause. The diagnostic yield of a skin biopsy increases within the first 24 to 48 hours of the lesion onset indicating the importance of obtaining a prompt skin sample. We present the case of a 60-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a three-day history of fevers, headaches, and a painful skin rash. He endorsed rhinorrhea and sore throat a week ago. Physical examination was notable for an erythematous papular rash with palpable violaceous purpura located mainly at the distal right leg and thigh. He also complained of painful bilateral hand edema. His complete blood count and chemistries were unremarkable. His C-reactive protein was 147 mg/L (normal value <8 mg/L), and sedimentation rate was 51 mm (normal value <15 mm). Immunoglobulin A was 509 mg/dL (normal value 82-460 mg/dL). Further workup including viral hepatitis serologies, antinuclear antibodies, complements, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, cryoglobulins, rheumatoid factor, and blood cultures yielded negative results. Therefore, it was believed that his rash was likely associated with his recent upper respiratory infection. A skin biopsy done on the first day of admission was positive for LCV without immunoglobulin A deposition. He was managed with prednisone and anti-inflammatory medications with improvement of his rash.

Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome Due to Endometrial Carcinoma.

Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a rare condition in solid tumors, particularly in endometrial carcinoma. Spontaneous TLS occurs without the use of cytotoxic therapy but is observed particularly in hematologic malignancies. Given the high morbidity and mortality associated with spontaneous TLS, it is crucial to identify and treat it promptly. There have been only four cases of spontaneous TLS reported to date in the literature from a uterine source. We present a 59-year-old female with a recently diagnosed endometrial carcinoma with neuroendocrine features by dilation and curettage who presented to the hospital with somnolence, decreased oral intake, and lower abdominal pain of three days duration. She was found to have sepsis secondary to endometritis and spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome by clinical and laboratory definitions (hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperuricemia, and hypocalcemia). Signs of disease progression were found such as worsening retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy that corresponded with the suspected increased tumoral activity. We report the case of a solid tumor (endometrial) presenting with spontaneous TLS, which highlights the importance of the early identification and initiation of treatment.