A rare case of cerebellar degeneration due to primary Sjogren's syndrome.

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune pathology which mainly affects salivary and lacrimal glands. Cerebellar degeneration association with SS is very rare, with only a few cases described. The treatment of SS with central nervous system involvement is not consensual.

An unusual case of osteoarthritis?

Forestier disease is a condition characterized by calcification and ossification of ligaments and entheses particularly affecting axial skeleton. Diagnosis is difficult and mandates a high suspicion level, but unexpensive and accessible examinations like a simple radiography might provide useful diagnostic clues in these challenging clinical scenarios and improve clinical assistance.

Is it just an obstructive pyelonephritis?

Pyelocaliceal obstruction is a diagnostic challenge, and it is important to identify the obstruction cause. Some patients present extra-renal compressive masses that need further imagiologic investigation and a biopsy, to establish the diagnosis.

A case report of idiopathic Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in an immunocompetent adult.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis poses a diagnostic dilemma due to the absence of specific clinical and laboratory findings, especially in adults. Despite greater recognition of the disease, secondary idiopathic forms are still reported.

Is it just a simple pneumonia?

Postobstructive pneumonia is a pulmonary infiltrate distal to a bronchial obstruction. It presents a diagnostic challenge, and full attention should be on recognition of this entity, identify, and treating the obstructive lesion and secondary infection. In adults, malignancy is the main cause; however, others etiologies must be investigated.

Not Always (and Only) Heart Failure-A Case Report of Primary Pleural Lymphoma in an Elderly Patient.

Pleural involvement in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) is well documented, but primary pleural lymphomas are extremely rare, occurring mostly in immunosuppressed patients or associated with chronic pleural inflammation. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches to counteract primary pleural lymphomas are still matter of debate. The authors present the clinical case of an 81-year-old female with respiratory and constitutional symptoms.

An Unexpected Favourable Evolution of Advanced Stage Cirrhosis.

Unlabelled: The elimination of the aetiological factors causing liver injury is an important cornerstone in preventing progression and increasing survival in patients with cirrhosis. The authors present the case of a 63-year-old woman with a history of long-term alcohol abuse and consequent liver cirrhosis. Over the years, the patient presented progressive deterioration with severe malnutrition and had multiple hospital admissions due to decompensated cirrhosis, including refractory ascites, variceal bleeding and an extensive portal vein thrombosis (PVT).

Hard-To-Treat Idiopathic Refractory Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia with Reticulocytopenia.

Unlabelled: Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is an uncommon condition characterized by increased destruction of erythrocytes associated with reticulocytosis in the great majority of cases. We present the case of a 68-year-old woman with jaundice and malaise. Investigation revealed AIHA with reticulocytopenia.

The Use of Thalidomide in Severe Refractory Anaemia Due to Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia (GAVE) in Cirrhosis?

Unlabelled: Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with cirrhosis. The first-line treatment is endoscopic therapy with argon plasma coagulation (APC). There is a high recurrence rate, but some evidence suggests that thalidomide could play an important role in controlling refractory anaemia due to GAVE.

An Acute Blue Finger: A Case of Achenbach's Syndrome.

Unlabelled: Achenbach's syndrome, also known as paroxysmal finger haematoma, is a rare condition that results in spontaneous bruising and pain in one or more fingers. Despite its benign and self-limiting course, the remarkable clinical presentation can suggest serious vascular and haematological disease leading to unnecessary referrals and invasive investigations. The authors present the case of a 60-year-old woman with an acute painful and bruised finger.

[Fiability Study of Diabetes Empowerment Scale: Short Version].

Purpose: To compare the final score of the scale to the levels of HbA1c.

Material And Methods: Cross-sectional observational study by applying the Diabetes Empowerment Scale-Short Form to diabetics at three primary care units in the central region of Portugal. The test-retest (in writing first and, five minutes later, orally) was performed to access Cronbach's alpha in 20 patients not studied in the next phase.