Syed Mahmood

An easily missed diagnosis: flank pain and nutcracker syndrome

A 27-year-old woman presented to her primary care doctors office with left flank pain. CT of the abdomen showed an isolated left renal vein thrombus. The clot was initially attributed to her oral contraceptive use; however, closer inspection of CT images revealed nutcracker phenomenon (compression of the renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta). Intravascular ultrasound imaging confirmed the diagnosis. Nutcracker syndrome is a rare condition, which if left untreated may cause damage to the left kidney. Although under diagnosed, there are several treatment options available ranging from simple surveillance to surgical resolution.

Efficacy and Safety of High-Specific-Activity I-131 MIBG Therapy in Patients with Advanced Pheochromocytoma or Paraganglioma

Patients with metastatic or unresectable (advanced) pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) have poor prognoses and few treatment options. This multicenter, phase 2 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of high-specific-activity 131I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (HSA 131I-MIBG) in patients with advanced PPGL. Methods: In this open-label, single-arm study, 81 PPGL patients were screened for enrollment, and 74 received a treatment-planning dose of HSA 131I-MIBG. Of these patients, 68 received at least 1 therapeutic dose (∼18.5 GBq) of HSA 131I-MIBG intravenously. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with at least a 50% reduction in baseline antihypertensive medication use lasting at least 6 mo. Secondary endpoints included objective tumor response as assessed by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.0, biochemical tumor marker response, overall survival, and safety. Results: Of the 68 patients who received at least 1 therapeutic dose of HSA 131I-MIBG, 17 (25%; 95% confidence interval, 16%–37%) had a durable reduction in baseline antihypertensive medication use. Among 64 patients with evaluable disease, 59 (92%) had a partial response or stable disease as the best objective response within 12 mo. Decreases in elevated (≥1.5 times the upper limit of normal at baseline) serum chromogranin levels were observed, with confirmed complete and partial responses 12 mo after treatment in 19 of 28 patients (68%). The median overall survival was 36.7 mo (95% confidence interval, 29.9–49.1 mo). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea, myelosuppression, and fatigue. No patients had drug-related acute hypertensive events during or after the administration of HSA 131I-MIBG. Conclusion: HSA 131I-MIBG offers multiple benefits, including sustained blood pressure control and tumor response in PPGL patients.

Migration of a Lumen-Apposing Metal Stent into the Colon

The introduction of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) has been an important development in the management of pancreatic fluid collections. Stent migration out of pancreatic fluid collections into the stomach has been reported, despite the special anti-migratory design of the bi-flanged stent. Data on stent migration rates remain sparse, with some studies suggesting a migration rate of 3.3–5%. There have been no reported cases of LAMS migration outside of the stomach. We describe the first reported case of a transgastric LAMS migrating from the stomach and passing into the colon.

Rectal Pain and the Colonic Crunch Sign.

A 31-year-old man presented to a local hospital with lower abdominal and rectal pain. He reported consuming a large bag of sunflower seeds (described as chewing and sucking unshelled seeds). The day after ingestion he noted progressive abdominal pain and difficulty passing stool. Due to the pain, he attempted a self-disimpaction with inability to clear a palpable mass, prompting him to present to the emergency room. Vital signs were stable on presentation and bedside physical examination revealed a non-tender abdomen.