[NOT ONLY FOR CANCER PATIENTS - PALLIATIVE CARE FOR NON-ONCOLOGIC PATIENTS AT THE END OF LIFE IN A GERIATRIC - INTERNAL MEDICINE DEPARTMENT].

Aims: This article presents our ongoing experience in the care of palliative patients suffering from non-oncologic diseases.

Background: Palliative care is an approach intended to improve quality of life in patients facing life-threatening illness. This approach entails early identification, thorough assessment and treatment of pain and suffering as well as establishing a goals-directed care plan in order to improve these patients' quality of life.

Case report: Hepatic involvement in antiphospholipid syndrome.

Three cases of hepatic involvement in antiphospholipid syndrome are described. One patient had catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome with haemorrhages and necrosis in the liver parenchyma. The second patient had blood clots in the small hepatic vessels.

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome triggered by trauma.

We describe the first case of catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome triggered by trauma. In contrast to reports that emphasize the devastating nature of the syndrome, our patient's course is less dramatic and more elusive. A possible pathophysiological explanation to the association of antiphospholipid syndrome and trauma is discussed.

Acute eosinophilic interstitial nephritis and uveitis (TINU syndrome) associated with granulomatous hepatitis.

A 23-year-old male presented with renal failure, cholestatic liver enzyme elevation and uveitis. Percutaneous renal biopsy revealed marked eosinophilic infiltration of the renal interstitium, which made the diagnosis of TINU syndrome (Tubulo-Interstitial Nephritis and Uveitis). Percutaneous liver biopsy showed granulomatous hepatitis, which was not described as a part of TINU syndrome.