Chronic esophagitis evolving to verrucous squamous cell carcinoma: possible role of exogenous chemical carcinogens.

Background & Aims: A patient exposed to aerosolized lye and ingested kerosene was followed up for 16 years with chronic esophagitis before developing verrucous esophageal squamous carcinoma. The aim of this study was to elucidate the pathogenesis of the carcinoma.

Methods: Multiple biopsy specimens were graded according to the severity of esophagitis and dysplasia.

Disseminated aspergillosis in a patient with cystic fibrosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is a well-known complication of cystic fibrosis (CF), with an estimated incidence of up to 11%. In patients with CF, the diagnosis of ABPA must be based on significant elevation of Aspergillus fumigatus (Af) antibody and total serum IgE, since it is common to already have other clinical and laboratory features of ABPA (Laufer et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol.

Fever in pheochromocytoma.

Background: Fever is an infrequently reported finding in patients with pheochromocytoma. Fever in patients with pheochromocytoma may be caused by the tumor, an infection or other factors, each of which will dictate different treatment strategies.

Methods: To determine the incidence, cause, and significance of fever in patients with pheochromocytoma, we reviewed the medical records of 50 hospitalizations of 48 patients.

Postpartum hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with antiphospholipid antibodies. A case report and review of the literature.

Postpartum hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is described in a woman with a history of spontaneous abortions and both circulating lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody (ACA). After termination of her pregnancy because of severe preeclampsia, ACA blood levels increased simultaneously with the onset of a microangiopathic process associated with severe hypertension and renal failure. Plasma exchange resulted in a rapid decline in ACA levels and immediate improvement in her clinical condition.