Publications by authors named "Christeebella Akpala"
Article Synopsis
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are revolutionizing cancer treatment but pose risks for severe skin reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), which need more study.
- This systematic review examined 158 cases to analyze factors related to SJS/TEN in ICI patients to improve risk assessment and clinical management.
- Findings show that SJS/TEN typically occurs in older males, often linked to PD-1 inhibitors, and highlights significant morbidity and mortality risks, though limitations exist in the data reporting and consistency.
Article Synopsis
- There is a lack of research on the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine for treating lichen sclerosus, a condition that can lead to significant health issues if untreated.
- The study analyzed 70 patients who received hydroxychloroquine, focusing on demographics, treatment responses, and outcomes, finding that a majority were female and itching was the most common symptom.
- Results indicated a high response rate (84.6%) for anogenital lichen sclerosus, while extragenital lichen sclerosus had a lower rate (50%), though the study’s limitations suggest more extensive research is needed to confirm these findings.
Secukinumab (Cosentyx), an interleukin-17A-targeting biological agent, is commonly prescribed for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and spondyloarthritis (SpA). Alopecia areata (AA), an IL-17-mediated autoimmune disorder characterized by nonscarring hair loss, particularly in an ophiasis pattern, represents a rare adverse effect associated with secukinumab therapy. We present a case of a 46-year-old female with SpA undergoing secukinumab treatment, who developed an ophiasis pattern of AA, subsequently experiencing regrowth upon medication discontinuation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCholesterol embolization syndrome (CES) is a rare but systemic severe disease caused by the distal showering of cholesterol crystals after angiography, major surgery, thrombolysis, or anticoagulation. Here, we present a case of a 74-year-old male with a history of coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease, peripheral vascular disease, antiphospholipid syndrome, and right internal carotid artery occlusion who developed purple discoloration and ulceration involving several toes two months after coronary artery bypass surgery. A broad differential diagnosis for blue toes was considered, and a biopsy was obtained, which revealed an arterial lumen filled with large cholesterol crystal spaces, confirming the diagnosis of CES.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To investigate and describe the patterns of regional metastases and recurrences after surgical treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC).
Materials And Methods: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed with OPSCC from 2006 to 2021 at a tertiary referral center. Only patients treated with surgery including a neck dissection were included.