Systemic arteriovenous malformations: a feature of advanced liver disease.

Arterial and arteriovenous abnormalities are reported in association with advanced liver disease, those most commonly recognised are spider naevi, pulmonary arteriovenous shunts, and generalised vasodilatation. The first two cases of peripheral systemic arteriovenous malformations in association with cirrhosis are reported. After liver transplantation in one of these patients the vascular malformation regressed.

Long-term survival associated with metastatic small cell carcinoma of the esophagus treated by chemotherapy, autologous bone marrow transplantation, and adjuvant radiation therapy.

A 44-year-old woman had small cell carcinoma of the esophagus complicated by liver and lymph node metastases. She was treated with aggressive combination chemotherapy, followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation and adjuvant radiation therapy. (The authors believe this to be the first use of autologous bone marrow transplantation for treatment of this condition.

Mycotic aneurysm of left subclavian artery.

Bacterial endarteritis is rare and usually affects the abdominal aorta. A case of bacterial left subclavian arteritis complicated by mycotic aneurysm is presented. An early diagnosis of infective arteritis was made based on a history of fever, sweats, rigors, and a progressive macular rash, polyarthralgia splinter haemorrhage (limited to the left arm), and a loud left subclavian bruit on admission.

Toxic megacolon with late perforation in Campylobacter colitis--a cautionary tale.

We report a case of Campylobacter-induced colitis complicated by toxic megacolon which led to colonic perforation requiring a total colectomy and ileostomy.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura mimicking acute small bowel Crohn's disease.

A 39 year old woman presented with a short history of bloody diarrhoea. She subsequently developed microangiopathic haemolysis, platelet consumption, and renal impairment. Initial investigations suggested underlying Crohn's disease of the terminal ileum complicated by sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation.