Sixth Nerve Palsy From Multiple Myeloma in Central Nervous System: Case Series and Review of Current Literature.

We reported two cases of the central nervous system (CNS) multiple myeloma (MM) with unusual presentation of sixth nerve palsy. The first patient developed in the setting of newly diagnosed MM and the second patient in the relapsed refractory setting. One underwent surgery, and the other received radiation.

Acute Pancreatitis Secondary to Pembrolizumab-Induced Hypertriglyceridemia.

Pembrolizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeted against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) receptor of lymphocytes. It is used alone or in combination with many chemotherapy regimens for a wide variety of cancers. It has been reported to cause various side effects including endocrinopathies, colitis, rash, and pneumonitis.

Trends and Outcomes of TAVI and SAVR in Cancer and Noncancer Patients: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: Patients with severe aortic stenosis and cancer are often denied surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) due to a prohibitive risk of perioperative mortality.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe aortic stenosis and cancer.

Methods: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample database (2002-2018) was used to study the outcomes of TAVI vs SAVR in patients with active or prior history of prostate, lung, colorectal, breast, and renal cancer.

Thromboprophylaxis in multiple myeloma.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in multiple myeloma (MM) can be secondary to patient-, disease-, and/or treatment-related factors. The development of VTE may result in significant morbidity with the highest risk during the first year after diagnosis. This clinical review provides an evidence-based summary to guide practicing oncologists in the use of anticoagulation to prevent VTE in multiple myeloma and includes anticoagulation efficacy and adverse effect profile.

A Rare Case of Pancreatic Cancer: Undifferentiated Carcinoma of the Pancreas With Osteoclast-Like Giant Cells.

Ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is the most common pancreatic cancer, but undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells (UC-OGCs) is an exceedingly rare tumor. Microscopically, this tumor is characterized by the presence of two different cellular elements, namely, spindle or ovoid mononuclear cells and osteoclast-like giant cells (OGCs). Here, we report a rare case of UC-OGCs in a 79-year-old male with a one-month history of epigastric abdominal pain and unintentional weight loss.

Feasibility of Outpatient Stem Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma and Risk Factors Predictive of Hospital Admission.

High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) remains the standard of care for multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Although outpatient ASCT has been shown to be safe and feasible, the procedure is overall rare with most patients in the US undergoing inpatient ASCT. Furthermore, hospitalization rates for patients that undergo outpatient ASCT remain high.

Comparative analysis of revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention versus coronary artery bypass surgery for patients with end-stage renal disease: a nationwide inpatient sample database.

Background: The role of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) vs coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and concomitant end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains unknown.

Research Design & Methods: The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) (2002-2017) was queried to identify all cases of CAD and ESRD. The relative merits of PCI vs CABG were determined using a propensity-matched multivariate logistic regression model.

Meta-analysis comparing valve-in-valve TAVR and redo-SAVR in patients with degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valve.

Introduction: The comparative efficacy and safety of valve-in-valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (ViV-TAVR) and redo-surgical AVR (redo-SAVR) in patients with degenerated bioprosthetic aortic valves remain unknown.

Method: Digital databases were searched to identify relevant articles. Unadjusted odds ratios for dichotomous outcomes were calculated using a random effect model.

Predictability of CRP and D-Dimer levels for in-hospital outcomes and mortality of COVID-19.

Background: Systemic inflammation elicited by a cytokine storm is considered a hallmark of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to assess the clinical utility of the C-reactive protein (CRP) and D-Dimer levels for predicting in-hospital outcomes in COVID-19.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed to determine the association of CRP and D-Dimer with the need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), dialysis, upgrade to an intensive care unit (ICU) and mortality.

Gemcitabine induced pneumonitis: a case report and review of literature.

We are reporting a case of pneumonitis in an 81 year old-aged woman due to gemcitabine who was successfully managed with steroids. We also reviewed the literature and found previous case reports of gemcitabine induced pneumonitis.We reported this case to alert physicians to be aware of this infrequent and sometimes fatal complication from gemcitabine.

False, Reversed but Not True: A Curious Case of Hyperkalemia.

Falsely elevated potassium levels are common in routine laboratory tests and should be differentiated from true hyperkalemia. If the patient is inappropriately treated for hyperkalemia, the resulting hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. We present the case of a 67-year-old woman with a past medical history of stable chronic lymphocytic leukemia, who presented for chest pain and had an elevated potassium level of 5.

A Case of Docetaxel-Induced Rhabdomyolysis.

Docetaxel is an antimicrotubule agent with activity in a variety of cancers. Its toxicity profile includes myelosuppression, fluid retention/edema, and peripheral neuropathy. It is also associated with myalgias but the frequency and extent of this toxicity are not well described.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: a rare complication of acute viral gastroenteritis.

Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM) is characterized by a transient but reversible ventricular dysfunction in post-menopausal females following, but not always, a recent emotional or physical stress. Typically, chest pain is reported as a presenting symptom in the majority of patients. The severe diarrheal illness secondary to acute viral gastroenteritis is not commonly reported as the stressor event prior to TCM.

Immune-mediated Colitis from Dual Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Melanoma is a deadly disease with immunotherapy treatment options that emerged in the last few years and have changed the disease outcome. However, it is associated with immune-related toxic effects despite improving survival. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman who had two weeks of diarrhea after she was treated with dual immunotherapy agents for her advanced melanoma.

Hypercalcemia Due to Paraneoplastic Production of 1,25- Dihydroxyvitamin D in a Young Female with Dysgerminoma.

Humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy (HHM) can be caused by ectopic paraneoplastic production of 1, 25 dihydroxy vitamin D due to the hyperactivity of the 1 alpha-hydroxylase enzyme. We present a case of a 19-year-old female who was admitted with bilateral dysgerminomas and significant hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia was initially managed medically and then resolved with the surgical resection of the tumors.

Combined Immunotherapy in Metastatic Melanoma with Unknown Primary.

Melanoma is skin cancer arising from melanocytes. It may metastasize to unusual areas of the body. Metastatic melanoma with unknown primary (MUP) is relatively uncommon.

Optic Neuritis: A Rare Paraneoplastic Phenomenon of Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a hematological disorder that has a high cure rate. It usually presents as asymptomatic lymphadenopathy or a mass on chest radiograph along with constitutional symptoms ("B" symptoms such as fever, night sweats, or unintended weight loss) in less than half the cases. Optic neuritis is a demyelinating condition that is rarely associated with HL.

Fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced Cardiomyopathy.

Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a pyrimidine analog widely used in oncology. It is mainly used in the treatment of solid tumors. It is also used along with radiotherapy because of its radiosensitizing properties.