Duplication of AKT2 Gene in Ovarian Cancer: A Potentially Novel Mechanism for Tumor-Induced Hypoglycemia.

Severe hypoglycemia occurs with different types of tumors, including islet cell and non-islet cell tumors. Non-islet cell tumor hypoglycemia (NICTH) is a rare and potentially life-threatening complication of malignancy. The primary underlying mechanism of NICTH proposed in the literature includes paraneoplastic overproduction of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2), the production of autoantibodies against insulin or its receptors, or the presence of extensive metastatic burden replacing hepatic tissue or adrenal glands.

A Case Report of Autoimmune Phenomena With Underlying Breast Cancer: Occam's Razor Versus Hickam's Dictum.

The association between malignancies and autoimmunity had been well-established. The proposed pathophysiology and causality can be bidirectional. For example, a paraneoplastic syndrome can be triggered by an underlying malignancy or vice versa, where chronic inflammation of organs affected by autoimmunity can induce malignant transformation such as the case with inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer or primary sclerosing cholangitis and hepatobiliary cancer.

Primary Hypoparathyroidism Presenting as Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in a Patient With Barakat Syndrome.

Unlike hyperparathyroidism, hypoparathyroidism is rarely encountered in clinical practice. Usually, it results from surgical resection, an autoimmune phenomenon, or an infiltrative process. Under certain circumstances, one may encounter a genetic etiology of hypoparathyroidism, often combined with myriad other syndromic manifestations.

Hypercalcemia in a 67-Year-Old Female Following the Use of Calcium Sulfate Beads: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

While the milk-alkali syndrome is traditionally viewed as the sole cause of exogenous hypercalcemia, the wide use of calcium sulfate (CS) in orthopedic procedures introduced another important item to be considered in the differential diagnosis. Calcium sulfate beads are increasingly used as void fillers and prophylactic measures to prevent postoperative hardware infections. However, hypercalcemia secondary to rapid calcium absorption from calcium sulfate beads is generally an underrecognized adverse effect and likely underreported.

Diabetes Mellitus Manifests As Focal Dystonia.

Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases affecting over 400 million patients worldwide, many of which are affected with devastating macrovascular and microvascular complications. Diabetes affects both the peripheral and the central nervous systems. One of the unusual effects of hyperglycemia is involuntary movement, termed hyperglycemia-induced involuntary movement (HIIM).

Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction Following the Use of Dexmedetomidine.

Dexmedetomidine is a preferred agent for light sedation with minimal adverse effects. We report a case of acute colonic pseudo-obstruction following dexmedetomidine use in a patient with alcohol withdrawal. He was treated with benzodiazepines first to control the withdrawal symptoms, then escalated to dexmedetomidine once delirium tremens ensued.