Search

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a heterogeneous group of lymphoid disorders that are linked to the monoclonal proliferation and expansion of immature lymphoid cells in the bone marrow, blood and organs. The clinical presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia is usually nonspecific, while symptoms typically include fatigue, lack of energy, easy bruising or obvious bleeding, dyspnea, dizziness and infections, and B symptoms such as fever, night sweats or weight loss can occur. Pleural effusion, as the first clinical manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is relatively rare. We present here the case of a 55- year-old female patient diagnosed with T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia based on examinations performed due to pleural effusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensorineural hearing loss, a rare complication in Legionella pneumonia, is said to be attributable to the production of endoctoxin-like substances by Legionella species and their immune-mediated effect. A 43-year-old male patient presented with complaints of fever, chills, wheezing and hearing loss for the past five days. Bilateral widespread ground glass densities and consolidation, including air bronchogram, were detected in a thorax computed tomography. Bilateral moderate sensorineural hearing loss was detected upon a pure audio audiometry. Legionella pneumonia was diagnosed based on the presence of the Legionella antigen in the urine. Clinical and radiological improvement was achieved with fluoroquinolone and corticosteroid treatment. This case is presented to literature as a rare but significant complication of Legionella pneumonia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a method of treatment in which photosensitizer drug is administered to the patient and activated by diode laser used for illumination. It is used for treatment of advanced lung cancer without endobronchial critical stenosis and for early stage lung cancer. PDT application, efficacy, complications, and indications are briefly explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare diffuse lung disease characterized by intra-alveolar accumulation of spherical calcium phosphate concretions (microliths). The disease predominates in a few countries, particularly Turkey, Italy, and Japan. Since most of the patients have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis, the disease is usually diagnosed incidentally during pulmonary radiography for other reasons, as in the current case. The SLC34A2 gene mutations can cause PAM. Characteristic radiographic findings of PAM consist of bilateral, fine, sand-like micronodules typically in the middle and lower zones. Although many authors argue that the typical radiological pattern precludes the requirement for a lung biopsy in most cases, it remains the most definitive procedure for confirmation of PAM. There is no known effective treatment for the disease. We present a case of pathologically diagnosed PAM with a review of the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]