Intractable Hepatic Hydrothorax: A Successful Outcome following CPAP Treatment.

Unlabelled: Hepatic hydrothorax is an uncommon complication in patients with end-stage liver disease. It may result in dyspnoea, hypoxia and infection, and carries a poor prognosis. Initial treatment is based on a sodium-free diet together with diuretics.

Acute Recurrent Pericarditis as the Inaugural Manifestation of Familial Mediterranean Fever.

Unlabelled: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited autosomal recessive disorder commonly found among individuals of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern descent and caused by Mediterranean Fever gene (MEFV) mutations on chromosome 16. It is the most frequent periodic febrile syndrome among the autoinflammatory syndromes. Typical febrile attacks include serosal inflammation, but although FMF is characterized by recurrent polyserositis, there is a little documentation of pericardial disease among patients.

Reversible Cerebral Vasospasm in Acute Intermittent Porphyria: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Unlabelled: The porphyrias are rare inherited diseases of heme biosynthesis which can involve the nervous system. The most common neurological manifestations of acute intermittent porphyria are autonomic visceral neuropathy, peripheral motor neuropathy, and central nervous system dysfunction. In rare cases, patients with acute intermittent porphyria have presented with cerebral infarction, suggested to be due to vasospasm in cerebral arteries.

Spontaneous Periodic Hypothermia in the Elderly: A Rare or Under-Recognised Syndrome.

Unlabelled: Spontaneous periodic hypothermia is a rare syndrome presenting with recurrent, centrally mediated hypothermia without an identifiable systemic cause or brain lesion. The case of an 88-year-old woman with recurrent hypothermia is reported. Despite intensive investigation, no other manifestations of hypothalamic or autonomic dysfunction were found.

Acquired Haemophilia Associated with Urticarial Vasculitis.

Unlabelled: Acquired haemophilia (AHA) is a rare autoimmune disorder caused by circulating autoantibodies that inhibit the activity of factor VIII (FVIII). Acquired inhibitors against FVIII are rarely seen, with a reported incidence of approximately 1 case per million/year. Clinical conditions and contexts associated with AHA include autoimmune diseases, lymphoproliferative malignancies, drug treatment, pregnancy and infections.

Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome: A Still Under-Recognized Syndrome.

Unlabelled: Cannabis is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the world. Its use is associated with several short- and long-term side-effects such as changes in mood, impaired memory, impaired attention, depression and anxiety, and it is correlated with schizophrenia. Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS) is characterized by chronic cannabis use, cyclic intractable nausea and vomiting, and compulsive hot bathing.

Tetraparesis with Major Hypokalaemia and Rhabdomyolysis Induced by Chronic Liquorice Ingestion.

Unlabelled: Chronic ingestion of liquorice induces a syndrome with findings similar to those for primary hyperaldosteronism. This is characterized by hypokalaemia, hypertension, metabolic alkalosis and suppression of the renin-aldosterone system. We describe a 30-year-old woman who, with a plasma potassium level of 1.

Acute acquired toxoplasmosis presenting as polymyositis and chorioretinitis in immunocompetent patient.

The parasite Toxoplasma gondii mainly encysts in brain, retina, myocardium, and skeletal muscle. It has been implicated in the genesis of inflammatory myopathies for years, but the parasite usually cannot be detected in the muscle. It is established, however, that toxoplasmosis can cause myositis either by recent infection or by reactivation.

Hypoparathyroidism in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disease. The main cause of hypoparathyroidism is postsurgical hypoparathyroidism. However, cases of hypoparathyroidism in patients suffering from SLE exist although it is uncommon.