Single-agent rituximab in treatment-refractory or poor prognosis patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Objective: Rituximab in combination with fludarabine and cyclophosphamide has significantly improved outcomes for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and an improvement in overall survival has recently been shown for the first time in the history of CLL treatment. However, the chemotherapy portion of this regimen may be unsuitable for elderly patients or those with significant comorbidities. We investigated the safety and tolerability of single-agent rituximab in 23 consecutive patients presenting with CLL at a single institution.

Recurrent cerebral embolism associated with indwelling catheter in the presence of anomalous neck venous structures.

Persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common central venous anomaly in the thorax, which may remain asymptomatic throughout life. Indwelling catheters that are increasingly used in oncology practice may result in complications in the presence of PLSVC. The authors report an unusual case of recurrent ischemic attacks each time a portacath was accessed in a patient with breast cancer and PLSVC.

Abdominal aortitis after use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a recombinant human glycoprotein that promotes proliferation and differentiation of granulocytic-committed progenitors. It is commonly used to treat neutropenia and is generally well tolerated. Occurrences of rare but serious adverse events in association with the use of G-CSF have been described.

Renal tubular defects from antidepressant use in an older adult: An uncommon but reversible adverse drug effect.

Adverse drug reactions are common and contribute to significant mortality and morbidity. We report a case study of an elderly woman who manifested with uncommon reversible renal tubular defects following the use of escitalopram. She was initially seen for worsening symptoms of depression and started on escitalopram in addition to her regular medications, which included donepezil, hydrochlorothiazide and mirtazapine.

Gastrostomy, esophagitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding in older adults.

Introduction: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes (PEG) are commonly used in older adults with dysphagia and poor nutrition. The association of PEG with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) and role of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in relation to UGIB in patients with PEG are not well known.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of older patients with PEG, hospitalized for UGIB, during a 1-year period between 1997 and 1998.

Partially successful treatment of a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Hodgkin's disease: case report and literature review.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is rarely associated with Hodgkin's disease (HD). We report a case of nodular sclerosis HD in a patient previously diagnosed with CLL. Reed-Sternberg cells were CD15(+) and CD30(+).