Neck and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy secondary to 9-valent human papillomavirus vaccination

We present two clinical cases of lymphadenopathy after vaccination with the human papillomavirus (HPV) 9-valent vaccine: an asymptomatic 11-year-old boy with inferior cervical and supraclavicular lymphadenopathy, and a 13-year-old girl who presented with lymphadenopathy. In both cases, medical history was unremarkable and there was no recent infection, or other clinical findings. Both adolescents had received the HPV 9-valent vaccine in the previous week. In the first case, blood tests, ultrasonography and biopsy were performed, while in the second, a watchful waiting strategy was adopted. In both cases, the lymphadenopathy resolved spontaneously. The boy received the second dose of the vaccine 6 months later and lymphadenopathy reappeared. The Naranjo scale was applied, classifying the events as definite (in the case of the boy) and probable (girl) adverse drug reactions. The vaccine is safe, but recognising this minor adverse event is important to prevent unnecessary investigation and reduce patient and parental anxiety.

Amiodarone-induced diffuse alveolar haemorrhage: a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of a commonly prescribed medication

Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent that is used commonly in clinical practice. It is associated with many side effects, the most common being pulmonary manifestations. Interstitial pneumonitis is one of the most common complications, however rarely amiodarone can cause diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) too. We describe the case of a 73-year-old woman who presented with shortness of breath and haemoptysis 4 days after starting amiodarone. She was diagnosed with amiodarone-induced DAH based on imaging and bronchoalveolar lavage. She was treated with intravenous and then oral steroids, and amiodarone was discontinued. The patient made a significant clinical and radiological recovery. She was discharged 10 days after her presentation. This case highlights a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of a commonly used medication.

Antifungals in a case of basidiobolomycosis: role and limitations

A 10-year-old Saudi boy was diagnosed to have basidiobolomycosis after a stormy course of his ailment. Therapy was initiated with intravenous antifungal, voriconazole, which was well tolerated for 6 weeks except for local excoriation at the site of ileostomy. He developed drug-induced hepatitis on oral voriconazole, therefore, switched to oral itraconazole following which he experienced severe chest pain. Alternatively, co-trimoxazole (bactrim) an antibacterial with antifungal activity was prescribed but he had the intolerance to it as well. Unfortunately, posaconazole as an alternative antifungal was not available in our centre. We report here a Saudi boy who developed an intolerance to most common antifungals used clinically 6 weeks after the therapy was initiated.

Delayed onset bioabsorbable screw reaction, intact screw extrusion and Pseudomonas aeruginosa tibial tunnel osteomyelitis years after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring graft

Postoperative reaction and infection after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a rare complication. We report two cases of bioabsorbable screw extrusion and Pseudomonas aeruginosa tibial tunnel infection in 17/18-year-old men, 2 and 4 years after ACL reconstruction, respectively. They underwent tibial tunnel debridement, removal of the still intact poly-L-D-lactic acid bioabsorbable screw and subsequent wound closure. Physical examination findings confirmed patency of the hamstring graft. Culture guided antibiotics were completed, and wounds healed unremarkably. Both returned to previous level of activity. Successful treatment is achieved through a logical sequence of management, as well as a multidisciplinary approach to prevent unnecessary secondary procedures and morbidity.

An unusual presentation of ACE inhibitor-induced visceral angioedema

ACE inhibitors (ACEi) are common anti-hypertensive drugs that can cause angioedema. Though classic, or facial angioedema is rare, visceral angioedema is even less common. When angioedema occurs, it typically presents early, within 30 days of initiating therapy. Visceral angioedema most commonly presents with nausea, emesis, abdominal pain and diarrhoea, and thus is often mistaken for an episode of gastroenteritis. When a CT scan is obtained, it typically shows characteristic findings, including ascetic fluid, mild mesenteric oedema and thickening of the small bowel. In this case report, we present a patient who did not experience her first episode of visceral angioedema until after she had been on ACEi therapy for 5-7 years. In addition, she experienced recurrent episodes of visceral angioedema that were separated by approximately 4 years at a time. Both of these features make for a particularly unique presentation.

Optic shrinkage and retraction in opacified hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens: an anterior segment optical CT-based observation

Intraocular lens (IOL) opacification is a rare phenomenon noted with hydrophilic acrylic IOLs. We report a case of advanced IOL opacification appreciated on anterior segment optical CT (ASOCT)as a shrunken biconcave optic retracted away from the posterior capsule (PC), unlike the other eye which had a clear biconvex IOL of similar material abutting the PC. After IOL exchange, the affected eye was noted to have more folds and Elschnig's pearls on the PC when compared with the other eye. Our case points towards rare IOL changes seen in advanced cases of opacification, their association with posterior capsular changes and the aid of ASOCT as a non-invasive tool in diagnosing them correctly.

Remission of treatment-resistant depression with tardive akathisia with electroconvulsive therapy

This report presents a case of drug-induced severe tardive akathisia developing after the combination of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and an antipsychotic, in a woman with severe major depression. The trial and combination of multiple medications is common practice in treatment-resistant patients with depression. With the increase in the prevalence of treatment-resistant depression, adverse effects of medication such as tardive akathisia are becoming more common. Tardive akathisia persists even after the withdrawal of the causative agent and is very challenging to treat. The patient did not respond to any standard medications indicated for drug-induced akathisia. As a result, the patient became suicidal and extremely distressed with all treatment options exhausted. Guidelines on the management of drug-induced tardive akathisia are non-existent. This reflects the importance of this case study, which reveals the complete remission of both tardive akathisia and all the patient’s depressive symptoms after electroconvulsive therapy. This report provides evidence of an established treatment intervention used in a new situation.

Vancomycin induced DRESS syndrome (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) in a patient with tricuspid endocarditis

A 57-year-old man presented for an elective pacemaker upgrade, complicated by the discovery of device infection. He had a background of complex congenital heart disease, including replacement of heart valves, and was treated for presumed infective endocarditis that was later confirmed by echocardiography. Antibiotic treatment, with intravenous vancomycin, was given as per the tissue sample sensitivities. On day 24 of treatment he deteriorated clinically, with the evolution of recurrent fever, epigastric pain, diarrhoea, widespread pruritic rash, lymphadenopathy and severe hypoxia over the subsequent 7-10 days. Blood tests revealed development of a marked eosinophilia, transaminitis and rising inflammatory markers. Further radiological imaging was non-diagnostic. On the basis of these clinical and biochemical features a diagnosis of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms syndrome was made. This led to the cessation of vancomycin, the offending agent and the referral for specialist immunology advice. He was subsequently treated with oral prednisolone and made a full recovery.

Imatinib-induced pericardial effusion in a child

A 12-year-old boy presented with central chest pain, shortness of breath and type 1 respiratory failure. He had a background of graft versus host disease (GvHD), which was currently managed with imatinib therapy. A focused bedside ultrasound scan was performed revealing a large pericardial effusion. The child was referred to a tertiary paediatric cardiology centre where he underwent emergency pericardiocentesis, draining a total of 800 mL of pericardial fluid. Fluid analysis excluded infection, and with no other concerns for a GvHD flare the diagnosis of an imatinib-induced pericardial effusion was made. On terminating the therapy, the pericardial collection did not reaccumulate. Tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced pericardial and/or pleural effusion should be considered as a differential diagnosis in paediatric patients on this therapy presenting in a similar manner.

DPP-4 inhibitor (sitagliptin)-induced seronegative rheumatoid arthritis

Sitagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus for glycaemic control. Concerns have arisen regarding adverse events caused by this drug, particularly concerning arthralgias. Here, we report on a 56-year-old man being treated with sitagliptin who developed inflammatory arthritis after taking the drug for 6 months. The patient presented with pain, swelling and erythema in multiple joints and was eventually diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis (RA) under the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria. His symptoms continued for several months after stopping sitagliptin and eventually went into remission after a tapered course of steroids, hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate. Furthermore, the patient is HLA-DRB3 positive, a genetic marker that is still being investigated for its role in the pathogenesis of RA and that may have been a predisposing factor in the development of this patient's inflammatory arthropathy.

Herpes simplex virus encephalitis in a patient receiving ustekinumab associated with extensive cerebral oedema and brainshift successfully treated by immunosuppression with dexamethasone

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis affects 2-4 people per million/year. Immunocompomised patients can have atypical presentations of HSV encephalitis, including a lack of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis. We present the case of a patient who was receiving ustekinumab therapy for psoriasis which inhibits interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 signalling pathways. The initial presentation was suggestive of encephalitis, but he was discharged prior to the reporting of HSV positivity due to the lack of CSF pleocytosis. On representation, he had worsening symptoms and imaging showed midline shift, indicating cerebral oedema despite the immunosupressant effects of ustekinumab. He required intensive care unit support and treatment with high dose aciclovir and dexamethasone; after a month of treatment he made a good recovery. This case is the first to report a link between ustekinumab and HSV encephalitis, and also emphasises that imunocompromised patients can lack CSF pleocytosis and develop significant cerebral oedema which responds to immune suppression.

A rare case of Miller Fisher variant of Guillain-Barr Syndrome (GBS) induced by a checkpoint inhibitor

With the recent development of novel, more potent cancer treatment, in particular, immune 'checkpoint inhibitors', cases of neurological immune-related adverse events are on the rise. Although rare, this includes Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). We present the case of a 68-year-old male who was admitted with sudden onset of worsening neurological symptoms following immunotherapy treatment. These symptoms progressed quickly to respiratory failure requiring intubation and admission to the intensive care unit. He was thoroughly investigated and is believed to have an axonal neuropathy in the form of Miller Fisher Syndrome (MFS) variant of GBS, secondary to immunotherapy treatment. He was initially treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, and later, perhaps more effectively, with high dose steroids which significantly improved his symptoms. This case of checkpoint inhibitor-induced MFS is one of few in the literature and is an important reminder of the potential for new immunotherapeutic agents to cause significant neurotoxic effects. These should be promptly and thoroughly investigated, in particular, as the management of these patients can differ from standard treatments used in these conditions.

Retrograde ejaculation associated with quetiapine and treatment with low-dose imipramine

Sexual side-effects are common among those using antipsychotic medication and may result in poor compliance and reduced quality of life. Retrograde ejaculation (RE) has been described occurring with a number of antipsychotic medications (thioridazine, risperidone, iloperidone and clozapine) but there are no guidelines regarding management of antipsychotic-associated RE. Imipramine has been suggested as a treatment for antipsychotic-associated RE in one small study of patients prescribed thioridazine and a case series of patients prescribed iloperidone. Quetiapine is a commonly used antipsychotic and is thought to be associated with less sexual side-effects relative to other antipsychotic medications. This case report describes a 25-year-old man with first episode psychosis who developed RE during treatment with quetiapine which improved with low-dose imipramine. This is the first description of RE occurring with quetiapine and successful treatment of quetiapine-associated RE with imipramine.

Myoclonic status epilepticus induced by cefepime overdose requiring haemodialysis

We report a case of cefepime neurotoxicity characterised by myoclonic status epilepticus with coma, in a context of acute renal failure and requiring one discontinuous conventional haemodialysis. Cefepime is a fourth-generation broad-spectrum cephalosporin mainly used to treat hospital-acquired Gram-negative infections. Acute neurotoxicity is an increasingly reported adverse effect which occurs predominantly in patients with renal impairment. Renal replacement therapy has been proposed to treat this condition.

Skin staining following intravenous iron infusion

This report describes the case of a 36-year-old woman, gravida 3, para 2, at 11 weeks' gestation, who received a ferric carboxymaltose infusion for iron deficiency anaemia after medical management of a miscarriage. The following morning, light brown skin staining was noted at the infusion site, and the staining was present 2 months later at follow-up. Skin staining following intravenous iron infusion is a rare but important side effect. The skin staining is potentially permanent but may fade in time. Such an adverse effect may have cosmetic consequences for the patient.

Homeopathy-medicine induced severe alcoholic hepatitis

We present a teetotaler with compensated non-alcoholic fatty-liver-disease related cirrhosis who presented with acute worsening of his chronic liver disease. The acute event was not discernible even after extensive work up and finally a transjugular liver biopsy revealed features suggestive of severe alcoholic hepatitis. The patient and the family denied occult alcohol use when questioned over multiple times and finally, the culprit 'alcohol' was found to be the homoeopathy medicines that the patient was consuming over a month for treatment of Gilbert's syndrome. We retrieved and tested the homoeopathy drug for alcohol content and found an alarming 18% ethanol in the same, confirming our diagnosis.

Hydroxychloroquine-induced podocytopathy mimicking Fabry disease

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is largely prescribed as an immunomodulator to prevent systemic diseases flares in patients with systemic lupus erythematous, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's disease. Among reported side effects, HCQ can accumulate in lysosomes and induced phospholipidosis. Here, we report an HCQ-induced podocytopathy mimicking Fabry disease (FD). They share the same histological lesions: cytoplasmic vacuolisation of the podocytes and zebra bodies on light and electronic microscopy. FD has been ruled out by measuring enzymatic activity and genetic test. The persistence of proteinuria after immunological remission of a systemic disease treated with HCQ could suggest this HCQ-induced podocytopathy.

Anti-HMGCR myopathy presenting with acute systolic heart failure

Necrotising autoimmune myopathy (NAM) is an immune-mediated myopathy that may be associated with statin use, malignancy or an autoimmune connective tissue disease, but it can also be idiopathic. Anti-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) myopathy is an extremely rare side effect of statin use, occurring in approximately 2-3 out of every 100 000 patients who use statins. Patients typically present with subacute proximal muscle weakness and creatine kinase levels >10 times the upper limit of normal. The diagnosis is suggested by muscle biopsy showing necrotic fibres with minimal inflammation along with positive anti-HMGCR antibodies. Treatment nearly always requires multiple immunosuppressive agents, the earlier use of which is associated with improved outcomes. Reports of statin-induced NAM leading to heart failure are limited. We present the case of a 69-year-old woman with statin-induced NAM who presented with acute systolic heart failure. Early initiation of high-dose corticosteroids and IVIG resulted in significant improvement in her symptoms.

Posaconazole in the treatment of refractory Purpureocillium lilacinum (former Paecilomyces lilacinus) keratitis: the salvation when nothing works

We report a case of a 41-year-old woman, wearer of contact lenses who was presented to the emergency room with a 2-month history of pain and red eye. She presented with a severe keratitis refractory to quinolones, fortified antibiotics and clotrimazole. Due to the risk of perforation, a tectonic penetrating keratoplasty (PK) was performed. Clinical signs of keratitis recurrence were observed and cultures were positive for Purpureocillium lilacinum (former Paecilomyces lilacinus) The patient did not improve on topical amphotericin B and intracameral voriconazole. Worsening of clinical condition required a new PK. Oral posaconazole was initiated postoperatively and suspended at the fourth postoperative month. The cornea remains clear until the last follow-up visit, 12 months after the second graft. To our knowledge, this is the second case report that documents the effectiveness of oral posaconazole in a refractory P. lilacinus keratitis, resistant to other second-generation triazoles and conventional antifungals.

Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction due to in-stent thrombosis after administering tranexamic acid in a high cardiac risk patient

Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic which minimises bleeding and transfusions, with thrombotic risk. Our patient had known coronary artery disease with post-TXA acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) due to in-stent thrombosis. He had five drug-eluting stents (DES): two overlapping DES in mid-LAD (3 years ago), and two overlapping DES in distal right coronary artery and one DES in obtuse-marginal (1.5 years ago). After TXA, both overlapping stent locations thrombosed. Of nine reports of post-TXA acute MI, only one had complex stent anatomy (bifurcation stent to left circumflex/first obtuse-marginal) with other single stents, and only the complex stent thrombosed. Post-TXA MI was more often STEMI caused by arterial thrombosis, rather than non-STEMI caused by blood loss, hypotension or demand ischaemia. Overlapping and bifurcation stents thrombosed; single stents remained patent. In conclusion, overlapping stents, bifurcation stents, excessive stent length and previous in-stent restenosis/thrombosis may increase thrombotic risk. TXA should be administered cautiously with complex stent anatomy.

Spontaneous psoas haematoma secondary to antiplatelet therapy: a rare cause of atraumatic hip pain

A 92-year-old woman with previous total hip replacement presented with sudden onset of atraumatic hip pain and inability to weight bear. In the absence of radiographic signs of fracture, loosening or biochemical evidence of infection a CT scan of the pelvis and hips was performed, which showed psoas thickening. MRI identified two separate collections related to the psoas and greater trochanteric regions. Ultrasound-guided aspiration was performed to rule out infection and demonstrated a haematoma. In contrast to previously reported cases caused by anticoagulant therapy or inherited coagulopathy, this case was secondary to single antiplatelet agent treatment alone. In the increasingly co-morbid ageing population with associated polypharmacy, aspirin is a common primary and secondary prevention treatment. In patients with atraumatic hip pain, spontaneous psoas haematoma due to antiplatelet therapy should be considered and investigated appropriately.

Insidious-onset, non-wheezing carteolol-induced asthma in an atopic patient without asthma history

Carteolol, a non-selective beta-antagonist with a potential risk of severe bronchial constriction in patients with asthma, is one of the most commonly prescribed medication for managing ocular pressure in glaucoma. We present a case of a 24-year-old woman with a history of atopy but no known asthma who presented an insidious onset of clinical manifestations compatible with drug-induced asthma after the initiation of carteolol for ocular hypertension control. The patient developed progressive chest tightness and dyspnoea for 2 months before the pulmonary function test revealed a positive bronchoprovocation response. She reported significant improvement of respiratory symptoms within 2 weeks after the discontinuation of carteolol, and a negative provocation response was later confirmed by repeat pulmonary function test. In conclusion, eye drops with non-selective beta-antagonising effect can induce asthmatic symptoms in patients without a previous diagnosis of asthma and should be administered with caution in patients with associated risk factors.

Adalimumab-induced IgA nephropathy

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most commonly diagnosed glomerulonephritis worldwide. It is usually idiopathic and may be associated with many other diseases. Recently, biological agents including tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors have been identified as a potential cause for IgAN. We report the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with renal dysfunction and visible haematuria. She had a background of Crohn's disease (CD) and had been on adalimumab for 4 years following a right hemicolectomy. Subsequently, she underwent a renal biopsy that demonstrated IgAN and adalimumab was ceased. Following a flare in her CD, she was commenced on infliximab, which led to remission of the IgAN and CD. This is the first case to demonstrate the occurrence of IgAN as a complication of a TNFα inhibitor (adalimumab) that remained in remission despite the commencement of a second TNFα inhibitor (infliximab).

Acute liver injury induced by red yeast rice supplement

A 64-year-old woman previously taking no medications presented with acute hepatitis 6 weeks after starting a red yeast rice supplement to decrease her cholesterol. Red yeast rice is commonly used for hyperlipidaemia as an alternative to statins as it contains monacolin K, the same active chemical in lovastatin. Infectious, toxic and autoimmune causes for injury were ruled out, and liver biopsy was consistent with drug induced liver injury. Red yeast rice appeared to be the cause of her hepatotoxicity. After stopping the supplement and initiating treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone, liver enzymes decreased towards baseline.

Nivolumab-induced hypophysitis leading to hypopituitarism and secondary empty sella syndrome in a patient with non-small cell lung cancer

We describe the clinical course of a 64-year-old woman with stage IVa lung adenocarcinoma who presented with over 1 month of fatigue, unintentional weight loss and emesis. She initiated treatment with nivolumab immunotherapy 1 year prior and had been tolerating the treatment well. A comprehensive workup revealed multiple endocrinological abnormalities consistent with hypophysitis leading to hypopituitarism in the form of central adrenal insufficiency and hypogonadism as well as a partially empty sella on imaging. This case demonstrates that while receiving novel forms of treatment such as immunotherapy, patients should be monitored closely for a wide range of adverse effects.