Severe hypercalcemia and acute renal failure: an unusual presentation of sarcoidosis

Deep lymph node enlargement and renal failure caused by hypercalcemia‑associated sarcoidosis: A case report

Sarcoidosis is a rare disease that severely affects the lungs and superficial lymph nodes. In addition, this disease can also affect the skin, eyes and kidneys to varying degrees. The present report described a 32-year-old male patient who was admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Wuhan, China) due to joint pain in the extremities. He was diagnosed with uncorrectable hypercalcemia. A lymph node biopsy revealed the hypercalcemia to be associated with sarcoidosis, with the patient also demonstrating renal failure and lymph node enlargement. Administration of glucocorticoids provided benefits in terms of both primary and recurrent sarcoidosis, which also improved and preserved renal function. After being prescribed with oral prednisone treatment, blood calcium levels returned to normal, which indicated markedly improving renal function. However, the discontinuation of glucocorticoids for 2 months resulted in increased serum calcium and creatinine levels, both of which returned to abnormal levels. Overall, the present case report suggests that clinicians should actively perform sarcoidosis treatment in clinical practice to overcome any unexpected results associated with organ damage.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization of apatinib and camrelizumab (SHR1210) against liver metastasis from hepatic neuroendocrine tumor: a case report

In this case report, we present the case of a 46-year-old woman with a hepatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET G2)-induced liver metastases. Initially, the left lateral lobectomy of the liver was performed. The post-operative pathological examination revealed NET G2, leading to the post-operative recovery with a general review. Further, the re-examination of liver magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed post-operative changes in the tumor of the left lateral lobe, with multiple liver masses and possible metastasis. Thus, the liver interventional therapy and apatinib-based targeted therapy based on the "camrelizumab + apatinib" regimen were performed, respectively. The 20-month follow-up indicated a slightly increased hepatic hilum and retroperitoneal lymph nodes, accompanied by hand-foot syndrome. Eventually, the overall condition continued to relieve, indicating that the combined treatment could substantially improve the NET G2 conditions-associated liver metastasis.

Renal replacement therapy in sarcoidosis

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Kidney involvement in sarcoidosis may be present in up 25-30% of cases. An early diagnosis and prompt treatment with corticosteroids can improve the prognosis but rarely renal sarcoidosis can lead to kidney failure needing renal replacement therapy (RRT). Acute kidney injury (AKI) in sarcoidosis may be caused by granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) or hypercalcemia. These disorders are usually clinically silent and may lead end stage renal disease (ESKD) if not diagnosed or detected too late. In patients with ESKD, dialysis and renal transplantation can offer results comparable to those observed in patients with other causes of kidney failure. Based on a review of literature, we present an overview of RRT in patients with AKI or chronic kidney disease (CKD) caused by sarcoidosis.

Hypercalcemia, Anemia, and Acute Kidney Injury: A Rare Presentation of Sarcoidosis

We discuss a case of a 61-year-old woman who presented with substernal chest pain. She was found to have elevated calcium levels, anemia, and acute kidney injury. The hypercalcemia persisted despite therapy with fluids and bisphosphonates. She was found to have nonparathyroid hormone (PTH) mediated hypercalcemia. The chest X-ray did not reveal any pathology. Our Initial impression was likely underlying hematologic malignancy such as lymphoma or multiple myeloma. A bone marrow biopsy was performed that revealed nonnecrotizing granulomatous inflammation. Further workup revealed elevated vitamin 1,25 dihydroxy level, beta-two microglobulin level, and ACE levels. Noncontrast computed tomography (CT) scan of chest showed bilateral apical bronchiectasis, but did not show any lymphadenopathy or evidence of malignancy. Subsequently, a fiber optic bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy showed nonnecrotizing granulomatous inflammation consistent with sarcoidosis. After initiating glucocorticoid therapy, the patient's hypercalcemia improved and her kidney function returned to baseline.

Severe hypercalcemia unmasked by Vitamin D in a patient with sarcoidosis

Severe hypercalcemia is uncommon in clinical practice and is usually due to primary hperparathyroidism or malignancy. We present a patient who presented with severe hypercalcemia with renal failure; further evaluation of which revealed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. This case is presented in view of the rarity of presentation of sarcoidosis with hypercalcemic crisis.

Sarcoidosis as a cause of unappreciated hypercalcaemia in a patient with end-stage renal disease on peritoneal dialysis

The differential diagnosis of hypercalcaemia in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing dialysis should be considered for causes related or unrelated to renal failure itself or therapies for renal failure. In particular, peritoneal dialysis may hinder awareness of a clinical problem due to its own peculiarities and effects on homeostasis of the body, thus creating misconceptions in interpreting laboratory data and diagnosing a disease. We describe here a case of systemic sarcoidosis which was delayed due to failure to recognise underestimated hypercalcaemia in a patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis. Clinicians need to remain aware of the change of minerals that may arise from peritoneal dialysis and should perform an extensive investigation for the cause of hypercalcaemia.