In patients undergoing hemodialysis, catheter-related bacteremia results in expensive hospitalizations. In our study, the mean cost was $23,451 per hospitalization. When itemized, housing ("bed-related") costs accounted for 66% of the total; laboratory costs accounted for 4%, radiologic costs accounted for 9%, and procedure-related costs accounted for 21%. Hypoalbuminemia and bacteremia due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are associated with higher healthcare costs; bacteremia due to MRSA is also associated with poor survival rates.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell disorder with related organ dysfunction, including hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, anemia, and bone disease. Osteolytic bone lesions that result in pain and pathologic fractures are a major source of morbidity and the use of bisphosphonates is generally safe and effective treatment in reducing myeloma-related skeletal fractures and associated morbidity. We present a 73-year-old African American woman with MM in remission and on intravenous (IV) bisphosphonate therapy in the past five years who reported gradually worsening bilateral thigh pain of six months duration. A bone survey showed no neoplastic focus, and bilateral hip X-rays showed incomplete insufficiency stress fractures with characteristic features suspicious for bisphosphonate-related atypical femoral fracture (AFF). Increasingly reported in the literature, bilateral AFF is a unique and serious adverse effect for patients on bisphosphonates. Our case illustrates the distinct challenges in managing a patient with MM on long-term bisphosphonate therapy who suffered bilateral atypical femoral fractures, an uncommon presentation of a relatively rare phenomenon. It is important to balance the established benefits of bisphosphonate therapy with potential fracture risk and be particularly vigilant about adverse effect monitoring and timely intervention.
Background Exceptional responders to immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are rare. Furthermore, the optimal duration of immunotherapy in patients who achieve complete remission and the benefit of rechallenge after recurrence remain unknown. Studying the clinical course of exceptional responders can help identify potential predictors of response to immunotherapy and further fine-tune our management algorithms in the absence of standard of care in challenging scenarios. Case Presentation We highlight the case of a 73-year-old Vietnam War Veteran with active tobacco dependence who achieved complete response with nivolumab for metastatic NSCLC after four prior lines of chemotherapy. Nivolumab was discontinued after 10 cycles due to immune-mediated hepatitis that resolved with steroids. He remained in complete remission for 14 months while off therapy. Then, his tumor recurred twice locally in the mediastinum and he again achieved complete and durable responses after each recurrence with radiotherapy. Due to recurrence in both lungs one year later, he was rechallenged with nivolumab and achieved partial response after two months of therapy. He continues to do well five and a half years since his initial diagnosis of de novo metastatic NSCLC. Conclusion Optimal management of exceptional responders to immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic NSCLC is largely unknown. Our case report adds to the limited data supporting the use of localized therapy for oligometastatic recurrences and rechallenge with immunotherapy for widespread disease in achieving disease control and long-term survival.
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