Transient exercise-induced water intoxication and rhabdomyolysis.

Water loading only rarely results in adverse effects due to the high efficiency of the kidney in excreting free water. However, when renal diluting ability is impaired, such as in inappropriate vasopressin secretion, water intoxication can occur in otherwise normal individuals. We report the case of a 19-year-old man with acute voluntary water intoxication following exercise, which resulted in a transient defect in renal diluting capability.

Liver failure and the sea-blue histiocyte/adult Niemann-Pick disease. Case report and review of the literature.

Niemann-Pick disease is a metabolic disorder resulting in accumulation of sphingomyelin in visceral organs. The adult form (type B) is characterized by the sparing of brain involvement, allowing those affected to have a relatively benign course. Although the abnormal lipid accumulation in the liver is commonly recognized, hepatocellular compromise is extremely rare.

Quotation accuracy: fact or fiction?

Results from original studies are not always correctly represented in subsequent medical publications. In this study, randomly selected quotations from Israeli medical journals were examined. Less than 80% of the examined statements were in complete agreement with the original source.

Right ventricular outflow tract obstruction due to extrinsic compression by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma: importance of echocardiographic diagnosis and follow up.

Acquired right ventricular outflow tract obstruction due to extrinsic compression of the pulmonary artery is a rare manifestation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). We report a case of a 17 year old boy who was referred for evaluation of a large anterior mediastinal mass, causing dyspnea and cough and resulting in a harsh systolic murmur. Echocardiography demonstrated compression of the pulmonary artery by the mass, with a severe pressure gradient.

Late cardiovascular and pulmonary complications of therapy in Hodgkin's disease: report of three unusual cases, with a review of relevant literature.

With the advent of modern therapeutic approaches, even patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease have high cure rates today. Therefore, more attention is gradually being focused upon the late complications of chemotherapy and irradiation, appearing long after the patient is in remission and thought to be cured. In this report, we review the incidence and presentation of some of the cardiovascular and pulmonary complications which may appear later in the course of the disease.

Embryonal germ-layer antigens: target for autoimmunity.

Histopathological analysis of some systemic autoimmune diseases and syndromes led us to the conclusion that the common feature of the organs involved might be their embryonal origin. We suggest that organs derived from the same germ layer express common germ-layer-specific antigens. Such antigens could serve as target antigens for the autoimmune response.

Acute colchicine intoxication--possible role of erythromycin administration.

A 29-year-old patient with familial Mediterranean fever and amyloidosis involving the kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal tract received longterm colchicine, 1 mg daily. In the last year she developed diarrhea and abdominal pain, that coincided with toxic colchicine blood levels. After 2 weeks of oral erythromycin therapy she was hospitalized for acute, life threatening colchicine toxicity, with fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, myalgia and lower extremity parasthesias and later convulsions and alopecia.

Colchicine intoxication: clinical pharmacology, risk factors, features, and management.

The use of colchicine for acute gouty arthritis dates to ancient times. In recent years, colchicine also has been used successfully for various other rheumatic and nonrheumatic conditions. Colchicine is a safe drug when used according to established therapeutic guidelines.

Inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone in Sheehan's syndrome: a rare cause of postpartum hyponatremia.

A 27-year-old woman experienced hemorrhagic shock after delivery. One week later she was seen in an obtunded state of consciousness. The results of laboratory evaluation were consistent with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion caused by hypopituitarism.

Lupus refractory pleural effusion: transient response to intravenous immunoglobulins.

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by refractory bilateral pleural effusions is described. High dose corticosteroids with azathioprine, as well as intrapleural instillation of corticosteroids, proved ineffective in management. As our patient remained severely symptomatic and required repeated thoracocentesis, a therapeutic trial of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) was attempted.

[Captopril-induced liver dysfunction].

Captopril is widely used for congestive heart failure and arterial hypertension. Its main side effects are cough, neutropenia, and renal injury. Liver dysfunction has rarely been described.