Pyoderma gangrenosum developing after chest tube placement in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Diagnosis of a neutrophilic dermatosis, such as pyoderma gangrenosum (PG), often is challenging at onset because it can be impossible to distinguish clinically and histopathologically from an acute infection in an immunosuppressed patient, necessitating a detailed patient history as well as correlation pathology with microbial tissue cultures. The dermatologist's ability to distinguish a neutrophilic dermatosis from active infection is of paramount importance, as the decision to treat with surgical debridement, in addition to an antibiotic regimen, can have grave consequences in the misdiagnosed patient. We present a case of PG occurring at a chest tube site in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and highlight the challenges and therapeutic importance of arriving at the correct diagnosis.

Complement Regulatory Genetic Mutations in the Setting of Autoimmune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Case Series.

Objective: To explore the benefits of adding eculizumab for the treatment of refractory autoimmune thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (iTTP) with complement dysregulation.

Patients And Methods: From January 1, 2014, through July 1, 2017, we identified patients with iTTP defined by ADAMTS13 (disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13) levels less than 5% and the presence of ADAMTS13 inhibitor. Patients who progressed after receiving standard of care management for iTTP were subjected to a comprehensive evaluation to look for evidence of complement activation.

Targeting nano drug delivery to cancer cells using tunable, multi-layer, silver-decorated gold nanorods.

Multifunctional nanoparticles have high potential as targeting delivery vehicles for cancer chemotherapy. In this study, silver-decorated gold nanorods (AuNR\Ag) have been successfully used to deliver specific, targeted chemotherapy against breast cancer (MCF7) and prostate carcinoma (PC3) cell lines. Doxorubicin, a commonly used chemotherapy, and anti-Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (anti-EpCAM) antibodies were covalently bonded to thiolated polyethylene glycol-coated AuNR\Ag, and the resultant system was used to deliver the drugs to cancer cells in vitro.

Clinical characteristics, molecular profile and outcomes of myeloid sarcoma: a single institution experience over 13 years.

Background: Myeloid sarcoma (MS) is characterized by extramedullary infiltration by immature myeloid cells. Owing to rarity of this disease, the clinical features and overall outcomes are yet to be clarified.

Objective: To define clinical characteristics, epidemiology, pathologic findings, treatment options and outcomes in MS.

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome successfully treated with eculizumab.

Acquired idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a life-threatening disease with a mortality of up to 90%, if not promptly recognized and treated. We report a 64-year-old woman with this condition who presented with left-sided weakness and seizure-like activity preceded by headache and easy bruising. She did not achieve optimal response to plasma exchange, corticosteroids, rituximab, and vincristine.

Pruritus Reduction with Systemic Anti-lymphoma Treatments in Patients with Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma: A Narrative Review.

Unlabelled: Cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) are a heterogeneous and relatively rare group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas arising from neoplastic skin-homing memory T cells. There is no known cure for CTCL, and current treatments focus on achieving and maintaining remission, controlling symptoms, limiting toxicities and maintaining or improving quality of life. Patients with CTCL often suffer from pruritus (itching), which can be debilitating and can have a significant impact on physical well-being and quality of life.

Integrating Collaborative Learning and Competition in a Hematology/Oncology Training Program.

New educational methods and structures to improve medical education are needed to face the challenge of an exponential increase and complexity of medical knowledge. Collaborative learning has been increasingly used in education, but its use in medical training programs is in its infancy, and its impact is still unknown; the role of competition in education is more controversial. We introduced these pedagogical methods to the hematology/oncology fellowship program at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to improve attendance and performance at didactic activities and different educational outcomes.

Successful management of a possible antibiotic-related acquired factor V inhibitor: a case report and review of the literature.

Acquired factor inhibitors are rare. We report a case of an elderly male who presented with a bleeding diathesis associated with an elevated prothrombin time and an activated partial thromboplastin time. Work-up revealed undetectable factor V activity and a factor V inhibitor level of >50 Bethesda units.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-associated angioedema of the stomach and small intestine: a case report.

This is a case report on a 45-year old African-American female with newly diagnosed hypertension, who was started on a combination pill of amlodipine/benazapril 10/5 mg. The very next day, she presented at the emergency room (ER) with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Physical exam, complete metabolic panel, and hemogram were in the normal range.