Reduced incidence of hyperuricemia, gout, and renal failure following liver transplantation in comparison to heart transplantation: a long-term follow-up study.

Background: Hyperuricemia and gout are common complications of heart transplantation, reaching a prevalence of 84% and 30%, respectively, in heart transplant recipients. In contrast, they are seldom reported following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 75 consecutive liver transplant recipients and 47 consecutive heart transplant recipients, followed for at least 3 years after transplantation in a single transplantation center in Jerusalem, Israel.

Does any lower gastrointestinal bleeding in patients suffering from hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Weber-Rendu) necessitate a full colonic visualization?

Background: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) (the Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by telangiectasias and arteriovenous malformations of the upper and lower respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, skin and central nervous system. Several previous reports have documented the appearance of a concomitant neoplasm in patients with this syndrome.

Aims: To study the occurrence and the clinical characterization of colonic neoplasm in patients with HHT.

Episodic macroglossia as the sole manifestation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema.

We describe a patient who had recurrent life-threatening episodes of isolated macroglossia due to the use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. No associated facial, labial, pharyngeal, or laryngeal edema was noted. Aggressive treatment with epinephrine, steroids, and antihistamines resulted in rapid resolution of the tongue swelling and respiratory distress.

Hyperplastic gastropathy as a presenting manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus.

A patient is described who had severe hyperplastic gastropathy as the presenting manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Aggressive immunosuppressive therapy with systemic corticosteroids and immunoglobulins resulted in complete remission of lupus, and a prompt clinical and radiological regression of hyperplastic gastropathy. Hyperplastic gastropathy is an uncommon gastric illness, which is usually idiopathic but rarely is associated with Helicobacter pylori infection, cytomegalovirus infection or lymphocytic gastritis.

Prolonged ileus as a sole manifestation of pseudomembranous enterocolitis.

Background: Pseudomembranous colitis usually manifests as fever and diarrhea in hospitalized patients treated with systemic antibiotics. We present a case that represents a unique variant.

Case Presentation: The 44-year-old man suffered of several weeks of abdominal pain, low-grade fever, nausea, vomiting, and lack of bowel movements.

Licorice consumption causing severe hypokalemic paralysis.

Hypokalemic paralysis due to licorice consumption is extremely rare, with only 40 cases in the English literature describing paralysis secondary to exposure to licorice in candies, medications, chewing tobacco, and herbal preparations. We describe a patient who suffered life-threatening hypokalemic paralysis caused by consumption of licorice in the form of a tea sweetener superimposed on long-term consumption of licorice candy. Aggressive fluid and potassium replenishment produced complete and lasting recovery.

Constrictive pericarditis complicating endovascular pacemaker implantation.

A patient is described who has 6 months of progressive dyspnea and peripheral edema for 4 years following implantation of an endovascular pacemaker, which was complicated by a large hemorrhagic pericardial effusion. Evaluation was consistent with constrictive pericarditis, which is an extremely unusual complication of pacemaker implantation.