Search

Background: Autoimmune hyperlipidemia (AIH) is a rare cause of secondary hyperlipidemia. A few cases of AIH have been reported in multiple myeloma., Material and Methods: A female in her fifties was referred to the outpatient clinic presenting with headache, blurred vision and skin rash. Physical examination with subsequent laboratory and histological examinations revealed severe hyperlipidemia secondary to secretory multiple myeloma with monoclonal IgG kappa protein and erythrocytosis secondary to a erythropoietin secreting adenoma in the liver., Results and Interpretation: Treatment for multiple myeloma (induction treatment and autologous hematological stem cell transplantation) gained partial remission and was associated with normalization of serum lipids. There was no need for further medical treatment of the hyperlipidemia. Three years after the initial treatment, serum concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol increased in parallel with monoclonal IgG kappa protein. Total cholesterol and triglycerides decreased and remained within the reference ranges after retreatment with a second autologous stem cell transplantation. Surgical removal of the hepatic adenoma caused normalisation of the erythropoietin concentration and resolution of the erythrocytosis. The present case reports two rare complications (AIH and erythrocytosis) to multiple myeloma and hepatic adenoma, with regression of complaints and normalisation of laboratory tests after adequate treatment of underlying diseases.

Background: The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) ranges between 15 and 40% for patients hospitalized for certain medical conditions. Clinical studies have shown that prophylactic treatment with low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) reduces the risk of VTE from 15 to 6%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of thromboprophylaxis among hospitalized medical patients after the introduction of clinical guidelines., Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted among patients hospitalized for pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure at Tromsø University Hospital during 2000-2001 and 2003-2004, i.e. before and after introduction of guidelines for thromboprophylaxis. Demographic data, risk factors for VTE and use of thromboprophylaxis were recorded., Results: 434 hospitalizations were included. According to the guidelines, prophylaxis was indicated in 307 (71%) hospitalizations, and LMWH was prescribed in 62 (20%) hospitalizations. There was a non-significant increase in the use of prophylaxis from 18% to 23% after the introduction of clinical guidelines (p = 0.3). Acute myocardial infarction, acute infection and immobilization were significant predictors for prophylaxis., Interpretation: This study indicates insufficient adherence to clinical guidelines for thromboprophylaxis to patients at risk of VTE in internal medicine. There is potential for improvement of prophylactic treatment to avoid serious VTE among hospitalized medical patients.

Background: Despite recent advances in the understanding and treatment of the acute coronary syndromes, the extent to which this progress is applied in clinical practice in Norway is uncertain., Material and Methods: We performed a nation-wide retrospective survey in 17 Norwegian hospitals to delineate the characteristics and treatment of these patients. During the last quarter of 2000, data on 913 consecutive patients who were discharged with a diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were analysed., Results: The women (37%) were on average older (median 77 years) than the men (median 69 years), they more often had hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Men were more frequently treated with statins and had a history of smoking. A similar proportion of each gender had acute myocardial infarction (68%). Coronary angiography was performed in 338 (37%). Medical treatment was similar for both genders, but women were less frequently offered angiography (27%) than men (43%), p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis the gender difference was significant for the youngest patients. Patients treated at community hospitals where less likely to undergo angiography (26%) than patients treated at regional hospitals (57%), p < 0.001., Interpretation: This survey reveals significant differences in the management of acute coronary syndrome patients even in a public health care system. Women and patients treated at community hospitals were to a lesser degree offered coronary angiography.

Background: Polycythaemia vera is a chronic myeloproliferative disease with no single diagnostic marker. The Polycythaemia Vera Study Group used a combination of major and minor diagnostic criteria. In the presence of newer diagnostic tools, low serum erythropoietin level has been proposed as an important diagnostic criterion for polycythaemia vera, whereas an elevated erythropoietin value contradicts the diagnosis. We report a case of polycythaemia vera with extreme haemoconcentration in which the serum level of erythropoietin was above the upper reference limit., Material and Methods: A 53-year-old man with erythrocytosis (packed cell volume 0.68, hemoglobin 23.6 g/dl), thrombocytosis, leukocytosis and no underlying disease had a serum level of erythropoietin of 29.0 U/l (normal range 1.3-21.5 U/l)., Results and Interpretation: The patient was treated with venesection. After one month the haemoglobin level had decreased to 15.7 g/dl and packed cell volume to 0.48. The symptoms of polycythaemia disappeared and the serum level of erythropoietin declined to low normal values (2.2 U/l after five weeks and 5.4 U/l after 1.5 year). We propose that local hypoxia in the kidneys might be responsible for the elevated erythropoietin value at the time of diagnosis. The present case shows that high erythropoietin values may not necessarily exclude the diagnosis of polycythaemia vera.

Background: Vena cavasuperior syndrome is a well-known complication to ventriculoatrial shunts in children and adults. The basis for this is thrombosis., Material and Methods: A patient with hydrocephalus had a ventriculoatrial shunt in his first month of life. More than 30 years later he developed vena cava superior syndrome following abdominal surgery. Diagnostic venography revealed thrombosis in the proximal veins of his arms, neck and vena cava superior., Results and Interpretation: He was treated with catheter-directed thrombolysis with antegrade infusion of alteplase (Actilyse). Evaluation of thrombolytic treatment after one day revealed a significant stenosis in the superior caval vein in the same area as the shunt had ended. Venoplasty and stent implantation were performed, and an intraluminal diameter of 10 mm was reached. Complete thrombolysis was achieved after 48 hours' infusion of alteplase. His swellings subsided the following two weeks and control venography 6 months later showed no signs of rethrombosis or restenosis. His life-threatening condition was successfully treated with local thrombolytic therapy, venoplasty and stent implantation.