Erdheim–Chester disease: A rare cause of recurrent fever of unknown origin mimicking lymphoma

Diagnosing a Patient with Erdheim-Chester Disease during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) is a rare hematopoietic neoplasm of histiocytic origin characterized by an insidious course. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put an enormous strain on healthcare systems worldwide both directly and indirectly, resulting in the disruption of healthcare services to prevent, diagnose and manage non-COVID-19 disease. Case Presentation: We describe the case of a 58-year-old male patient with sporadic episodes of self-resolving mild fever and anemia of chronic disease with onset two years before the current presentation. Positron emission/computed tomography scan revealed the presence of moderately hypermetabolic perirenal tissue masses. In order to achieve diagnosis, repeated perirenal tissue biopsies were performed, and the diagnostic evaluation was complicated by the strain put on the healthcare system by the COVID-19 pandemic. The patient contracted SARS-CoV-2 and required hospitalization, but recovered fully. No further ECD target organ involvement was documented. Treatment options were presented, but the patient chose to defer treatment for ECD. Conclusion: A high index of suspicion and multidisciplinary team collaboration is paramount to achieve diagnosis in rare conditions such as ECD. Disruptions in healthcare services in the pandemic milieu may disproportionately affect people with rare diseases and further study and effort is required to better meet their needs in the pandemic setting.

Fever of unknown origin in cancer patients

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) remains a challenging clinical problem, namely in patients with cancer. In cancer patients, FUO may be due to the cancer itself, as it is the case of hematological malignancies; digestive tumors (colon cancer, liver metastases) are significantly associated with FUO and infection can be demonstrated in some cases. Prevention with G-CSF and empirical antimicrobial therapy are essential approaches for the management of FUO in cancer patients. New diagnostic approaches, such as PET imaging, should be further evaluated in cancer patients with FUO.