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Multiple myeloma is a hematological malignancy characterized by an abnormal proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells. In some occurrences, plasma cell proliferation results in a solitary lesion (solitary bone plasmacytoma or extramedullary plasmacytoma with minimal bone marrow involvement). Approximately 50% of patients with solitary plasmacytoma develop multiple myeloma within 10 years after the initial diagnosis. While back pain and compression fractures are commonly described presentations of multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma, cauda equina syndrome related to plasma cell infiltration is rare and clinical guidelines are limited. Herein, we present a rare case of a woman with acute cauda equina syndrome (CES) secondary to solitary bone plasmacytoma and multiple myeloma.
The Pancoast tumor is an uncommon type of lung cancer that arises from within the superior sulcus. With most clinical manifestations occurring due to mass effect, Pancoast syndrome is a known complication that includes shoulder and arm musculoskeletal pain, Horner's syndrome and neurological complications of the upper extremities, including weakness and atrophy. Even though adenocarcinoma is the most common cause of Pancoast syndrome among lung cancers, other malignancies can be responsible as well. Treatment is similar to that of other standard NSCLC treatments that include chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy and surgery. Here we report a patient with Pancoast syndrome secondary to a poorly differentiated malignant neoplasm composed of anaplastic cells.
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare, life-threatening autoimmune or hereditary thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) that may be difficult to recognize given the wide spectrum of presenting symptoms. The clinical diagnosis of TTP is based on thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and is confirmed by a disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type one motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) <10%. However, the latter confirmation is not rapidly available, and treatment is typically initiated based on the degree of clinical suspicion. The PLASMIC score was recently developed to distinguish between TMA patients with and without severe ADAMTS13 deficiency and used as an adjunct in the diagnosis of TTP when the clinical picture is not clear. Here we present the case of a completely asymptomatic female with no past medical history diagnosed with TTP after evaluation for thrombocytopenia found on a routine wellness visit. A high PLASMIC score was crucial in the decision to initiate treatment given an unusual asymptomatic presentation.
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