United States

Bilateral synchronous testicular tumors are a relatively uncommon occurrence, especially when they involve germ cell tumors of different histology. In this context, we present a compelling case report of a male patient who was diagnosed with bilateral synchronous germ cell testicular tumors, with one being a seminoma and the other a non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). The coexistence of two distinct histological types, seminoma and NSGCT, necessitates a comprehensive diagnostic approach to accurately identify and characterize each tumor. This underscores the importance of clinical history, physical examination, imaging techniques, and histopathological analysis to establish an appropriate diagnosis. Careful consideration must be given to factors such as tumor stage, histological subtype, and individual patient characteristics to determine the most suitable treatment strategy. Treatment options may encompass a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, tailored to each tumor&#39;s specific characteristics and the patient&#39;s overall health. By highlighting this unique case, we aim to underscore the significance of meticulous evaluation and accurate diagnosis when confronted with bilateral synchronous testicular tumors of different histology.

AMA Research Challenge 2023


Exceedingly Rare Bilateral Synchronous Germ Cell Testicular Tumors With Different Histopathological Features

Bilateral synchronous testicular tumors are a relatively uncommon occurrence, especially when they involve germ cell tumors of different histology. In this context, we present a compelling case report of a male patient who was diagnosed with bilateral synchronous germ cell testicular tumors, with one being a seminoma and the other a non-seminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT). The coexistence of two distinct histological types, seminoma and NSGCT, necessitates a comprehensive diagnostic approach to accurately identify and characterize each tumor. This underscores the importance of clinical history, physical examination, imaging techniques, and histopathological analysis to establish an appropriate diagnosis. Careful consideration must be given to factors such as tumor stage, histological subtype, and individual patient characteristics to determine the most suitable treatment strategy. Treatment options may encompass a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, tailored to each tumor's specific characteristics and the patient's overall health. By highlighting this unique case, we aim to underscore the significance of meticulous evaluation and accurate diagnosis when confronted with bilateral synchronous testicular tumors of different histology.

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Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) occurs when tumor cells lyse and empty their contents into the bloodstream. TLS can occur in response to therapy or spontaneously, and it is most commonly seen in high-grade lymphomas, acute leukemias, and other rapidly proliferating tumors. For multiple myeloma (MM), the risk of RLS is less than one percent, and the risk of spontaneous TLS is even rarer. Therefore, we present a rare case of spontaneous TLS in MM. This case met the 2004 Cairo-Bishop laboratory criterion as well as the clinical TLS criterion for diagnosis and was treated with rasburicase as per guideline recommendations. We hope to educate others on such a presentation especially given the emergent nature of treatment and the increasing incidence of this disease.

A Rare Case of Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Multiple Myeloma

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) is a rare autoimmune disorder related to aquaporin-4 IgG (AQP4-IgG) antibody. Sometimes, NMOSD patients don't have this antibody, called seronegative NMOSD. Extremely rarely, this condition presents as a paraneoplastic syndrome. This presentation illustrates a case of paraneoplastic AQP4-IgG seronegative NMOSD.

A Rare Case of Paraneoplastic AQP4-IgG Negative Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Factors 8 and 9 play pivotal roles in the activation of factor 10 in the coagulation cascade. In acquired factor 8 inhibitor, IgG autoantibodies bind to factor 8 molecules causing a functional factor 8 deficiency. Incidence is exceedingly rare at one to four per million per year. We discuss a case of severe acquired factor 8 defiency and discuss the diagnostic and treatment approach.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Complexities in a Case of Severe Acquired Factor 8 
Deficiency

Background
This case presented with symptomatic anemia shortly after being diagnosed in NOV/2021 with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in the left breast T4N2M0. She had chest pain, dry cough, epigastric pain, nausea and generalized fatiguability 3 weeks prior, no past medical history, but significant positive family history for non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. However, finding compatible blood units was very challenging and transfusion dependency was developed. The main approach is to reach clinical stability when she can receive the first cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods
A complete blood profile, hemolysis indicators, Hb electrophoresis, CT scan of the abdomen was required to evaluate the case and bone marrow aspiration, biopsy, and immunohistochemistry study. Numerous PRBC units were given to support the patient under close monitoring with oral prednisolone, cyclophosphamide, and IVIg.
Result
She shows a hemolytic pattern with hemoglobin level at 6.3g/dl, with mild neutrophilia, normal platelets, reticulocytosis, indirect hyperbilirubinemia, positive direct Coomb’s test and high serum ferritin at 1045ng/L . However, the haptoglobin was not detected, MCV was normal, LDH level was not elevated at 170 U/L, normal vitamin B12, liver enzymes, urea and electrolytes and uric acid,. Her blood group was A+, the HB electrophoresis showed HbA 97.5%, HbA2 2.5% and CT scan of abdomen revealed mild hepatosplenomegaly. The peripheral blood film shows Anisocytosis, neutrophilia and normal platelet, and bone marrow biopsy showed no malignant infiltration. An immunohistochemistry study shows that the malignant cells are positive for CK (Creatine kinase) and Mammaglobin while they are negative for LCA, CD20, CD3 and GCDFP15.

Conclusion 
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is recognized relatively rare with solid tumors as a paraneoplastic syndrome. However, in this case due to her family history, lymphoma must be excluded by bone marrow biopsy and immunohistochemistry study. Patient did respond well to prednisolone nevertheless complicated by diabetes mellitus and gouty arthritis and received numerous units of packed red blood cells, her anemia was corrected and patient was fit to

A case report of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a newly diagnosed patient with breast cancer Challenging transfusion dependency that interferes with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

We present a patient with antiphospholipid syndrome and thrombocytopenia that was found to have a rare mutation in the Vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 which altered his response to Warfarin therapy. The patient had experienced multiple prior thrombolic events, however his low platelet count put him in danger of having a severe bleeding event. We describe below how we found a balance in managing both his clotting and bleeding risks.

Management of Recurrent Arterial Clots in Antiphospholipid Syndrome with Thrombocytopenia and Warfarin Resistant Gene

Background
Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an isolated autoimmune condition most often heralded by viral infections such as HIV, Hepatitis C, and H. pylori. Few cases of documented ITP with influenza vaccinations and many cases with COVID-19 vaccines. However, reported cases of concomitant vaccine administration with ITP are not only rare but rather make it difficult to find the culprit vaccine. 

Case Presentation
A 92-year-old male with history of history of prostate cancer in remission, hyperlipidemia, & hypertension admitted for a fall. Patient had no recollection of his history. Vitals showed a hemodynamically stable patient with physical exam positive for generalized petechiae with concomitant ecchymoses all over his body. CBC showed platelets (PLTs) < 10,000. Imaging was negative. He was on chronic medications including simvastatin, losartan, and nifedipine. Immunization records indicated inactivated influenza and concomitant covid-19 Pfizer vaccination 1 week prior to admission. Investigations showed no history of thrombocytopenia, no recent hospital admission(s), no recent heparin or other antiplatelet/anticoagulant usage, no new medications, and no recent illnesses. Outpatient CBC showed PLT count of 266,000 and prior to 1 year ago showed a CBC with PLT count of 322,000. Blood smear showed normocytic, normochromic anemia with polychromasia, marked thrombocytopenia with occasional megakaryocyte, and no evidence of schistocytes, dysplasia, and or blast cells. Liver enzymes, acute hepatitis screen, immunoglobulins, & HIV viral panel were all negative including echo. Diagnosis of ITP was confirmed while ruling out other causes leading to eventual culprit being concomitant dual vaccination 1 week prior to patient presentation. In agreement with hematologist, patient was started on dexamethasone 40 mg daily and supportive care. 

Discussion

Overall, there are total 239 out of 482 cases of ITP with the Pfizer-BioNtech mRNA covid-19 vaccinations and 1 case of ITP with influenza quadrivalent FluBlok vaccination reported to the vaccine adverse reporting system (VAERS) to the Center for Diseases Prevention. Our patient showed improvement in his PLTs and was discharged, but quickly returned with refractory ITP to steroids further requiring intravenous immunoglobulin administration and induction with monoclonal antibody rituximab. In another systematic review of 77 patients showed de novo ITP related to covid-19 vaccination treated as traditional ITP. Despite safety and efficacy of these vaccines, healthcare personnel should self-educate about complications of vaccine related complications to further understand the treatment and management of such fatal complications. Furthermore, data needs to be collected to establish this cause-effect relationship so that the CDC can develop guidelines for safe co-administration.

Influenza & COVID-19 Vaccine Associated Severe Immune Thrombocytopenia

Chronic diarrhoea is not an uncommon presentation in a busy gastroenterology practice, however, it proves to be interesting and challenging to make a correct diagnosis. Some of the common causes of chronic diarrhoea include inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies/ sensitivities, and infections (parasitic or tuberculosis), especially in tropical countries. Rare causes of chronic diarrhoea can include infiltrative disorders of the GI system including eosinophilic enteritis, microscopic colitis, and hemato-lymphoid malignancies. [1] Systemic amyloidosis can rarely present as chronic persistent diarrhoea due to GI infiltration. In this report, we describe a 72-year-old man presenting to the gastroenterology OPD with chronic diarrhoea and significant weight loss. He underwent a detailed evaluation for the causes of chronic diarrhoea. Duodenal biopsy showed light chain amyloid deposits, which led to the diagnosis of AL (light chain) Amyloidosis. Upon further evaluation for the source of amyloidosis; a PET CT followed by an excision biopsy of the lymph node revealed low-grade Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Despite infiltrative disorders being a rare cause of chronic diarrhoea, care should be taken to thoroughly investigate for them when common etiologies for this disease are ruled out.

Key Words: Chronic diarrhoea; amyloidosis, NHL

Chronic diarrhoea as the presenting symptom in systemic AL Amyloidosis secondary to Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma

Background 
Radiation therapy (RT) serves as the mainstay adjuvant therapy in patients that underwent breast-conserving surgery for the management of breast cancer. Radiation induced rib fracture is a rare complication of radiotherapy. 


Case Presentation 
A 57-year-old African American female presented to the hospital after an abnormal screening mammogram demonstrated left breast calcifications. A left breast core biopsy revealed an intermediate- to high- grade ductal carcinoma in situ. The mass was excised. On immunohistochemical receptor assay, the mass was found to be estrogen receptor (+) and progesterone receptor (+). The patient was counselled on the initiation of adjuvant radiotherapy as part of the treatment regimen. 

Six months after her radiotherapy, the patient presented with a month-long discomfort on the left lower quadrant of her left breast, which aggravated with movement, despite the absence of trauma or falls. An X-ray demonstrated a subtle fracture of the tip of the left 10th rib and the lateral aspect of the left 7th rib, and the patient was treated conservatively. 

A PET-CT scan a month later showed a minimally displaced fracture of the left anterolateral 7th rib. The previously noted subtle fracture on the 10th rib was not appreciated on this examination. The patient returned to the clinic reporting a decreased pain intensity. A month later, the patient no longer had chest pain or discomfort and was informed that her subtle fractures have healed. 


Discussion 
Radiation-induced rib fractures (RIRF) refer to the occurrence of rib fractures after radiotherapy to the region close to a rib or within a path of a rib. They are considered pathological fractures, as they happen in underlying abnormal bone affected by radiation therapy. 

RIRFs are rare especially after hypofractionated stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). It was reported that the incidence of RIRF with whole breast dose <50 Gy was 1.5% and >50 Gy was 5.3%. High-dose volume and the maximum dose have a direct relationship with RIRF. The toxic effects of radiation reduce osteoblast function and therefore, decreases bone matrix production leading to pathological fractures. The bones within the radiation portal are weakened, particularly if the primary irradiated tumor is close to the chest wall.

These patients may be asymptomatic or symptomatic and present with chest discomfort or pain after a few months of radiation. These symptoms usually resolve conservatively; therefore, a follow up of the patient and imaging should be considered.

Radiation-Induced Rib Fracture Post Breast Cancer Radiotherapy: A Case Report

Background
Intravascular large B cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is difficult to diagnose and is exceedingly rare with an incidence of less than 1 in 1,000,000. Known as a great imitator, symptoms can include anything from fever, sensory and motor deficits, vertigo, vision loss, poor circumscribed violaceous plaques, or any variety of organ-specific symptoms. Diagnostic uncertainty and late presentation certainly play a role in the poor prognosis of patients diagnosed with IVLBCL, particularly in those with CNS involvement. 
Case Presentation
We describe a case of IVLBCL in a 56-year-old male which was identified after recurrent strokes. Symptoms included vertigo, hearing loss and tinnitus in the right ear, emesis, diaphoresis, and right facial paresthesia. Vasculitis, hypercoagulability, and cardiology workup for thromboembolism including echocardiogram and Holter test was negative. Despite these negative results, he continued to present with worsening symptoms and MRIs continued to demonstrate new, diffuse cerebral infarcts. Right partial nephrectomy was performed after the patient was stabilized due to a CT scan revealing a right renal mass. Pathology demonstrated renal oncocytoma and IVLBCL cells that were CD20+, PAX5+, CD10 trace+, BCL-6+, BCL-2+, MUM-1+, and negative for BCL-1 and CD34. Ki-67 staining was 100%. Chemotherapy was initiated with R-HyperCVAD (4 odd cycles included high doses of cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone while 4 even cycles had high doses of methotrexate and cytarabine). Rituximab and two doses of intrathecal chemotherapy, one dose each of methotrexate and cytarabine, were utilized in both cycles. The patient achieved complete remission after termination of treatment and has remained in remission for 5 years after diagnosis.
Discussion
This case represents the first known report of R-HyperCVAD with intrathecal methotrexate and cytarabine for the treatment of IVLBCL with neurologic symptoms. R-HyperCVAD with intrathecal methotrexate has previously been described to achieve complete remission in IVLBCL for at least 2 years, but that case demonstrated no neurological symptoms with only a T2-hyperdense pontine lesion. R-CHOP is largely considered the treatment of choice in IVLBCL, however low doses of chemotherapy in this regimen do not pass through the blood brain barrier. R-HyperCVAD, on the other hand, provides ample CNS penetration that led to its use in this case due to the recurrent stroke symptoms. Our case demonstrates resolution of IVLBCL and its associated CNS symptoms for 5 years after diagnosis following treatment with R-HyperCVAD combined with intrathecal methotrexate and cytarabine. 


Intravascular Large B-Cell Lymphoma Masquerading as Stroke Successfully Treated with R-Hyper-CVAD

Background
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common type of leukemia in adults, with a global incidence of about 120,000 cases annually. The incidence has surged by 87% from 1990 to 2017. Common presentation is pallor, fever and bleeding. The occurrence of myeloid sarcoma in extramedullary sites is rare. We present a unique case of AML with an unusual presentation of AML-induced superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome.

Case Presentation
A 26-year-old female with a history of hypertension presented with worsening facial swelling, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The patient’s medical history revealed multiple visits to other healthcare facilities for bilateral arm pain and chest discomfort, but a clear diagnosis had not been established. In her current visit, a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest uncovered a sizable anterior superior mediastinal mass encasing the bilateral brachiocephalic vein and causing obstruction confirming the diagnosis of SVC syndrome. Additionally, deep vein thrombosis was observed in the form of bilateral brachiocephalic vein occlusion. Notably, a blood analysis revealed the presence of 30% blasts, raising suspicion of an underlying hematologic malignancy. The mass was subject to biopsy via cervical mediastinoscopy, and histopathological examination confirmed the presence of myeloid sarcoma, a highly atypical hematolymphoid malignancy positive for CD45, CD43, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), but negative for CD34, CD117, CD3, and CD20. Marrow examination further established the diagnosis of AML, showing 60% marrow involvement. Chemotherapy with cytarabine and daunorubicin was complicated by persistent fevers. The mediastinal mass was debrided, resolving the SVC syndrome. Blood count was closely monitored, and patient received irradiated blood and platelet transfusion. Treatment for complications (tumor lysis syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, neutropenic fever, the pleural effusions) was provided. Future included consolidation therapy with high dose cytarabine (HIDAC) as an outpatient treatment, with the goal of eventual allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT). The patient was educated about alloHSCT as a potential cure, along with its steps, toxicities, importance of suitable donor, and risk of relapse post-transplant; and scheduled for follow-up.

Discussion
This case report highlights that despite its common occurrence, AML may present with diverse and atypical clinical manifestations such as SVC syndrome, posing challenges in its diagnosis and timely management. As literature is scarce of this presentation of the disease, documentation of management is important for future analysis for optimal management. Awareness among medical practitioners and a high degree of suspicion may enhance detection and management of such rare presentations of AML.


Next from AMA Research Challenge 2023

A Rare Case of Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Multiple Myeloma