Exercise rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening medical condition if not adequately managed early. With the increase in the popularity of indoor cycling, known as Spinning®, over recent years, there has been an increased occurrence of spin-related rhabdomyolysis observed among previously fit adults after undertaking their first spin bike class session.They present with the triad of myalgia, muscle weakness, and dark tea-colored urine within a week of their first spin session. This case series highlights several admissions to the hospital with spin-related rhabdomyolysis and their clinical management.
Introduction: Drug allergies are often self-reported but of unknown accuracy. We carried out a prospective study to examine the utility and safety of formal allergology evaluation, and to identify factors associated with accurate drug allergy labels.
Method: All patients who underwent drug allergy evaluation in our clinic during the study period were recruited. Baseline demographics, characteristics of index hypersensitivity reaction and outcomes of evaluation were recorded.
Results: A total of 331 patients from March 2019 to June 2021 completed drug allergy evaluation to index drugs of concern. There were 123 (37%) male patients, and the mean age was 49 years (standard deviation 17). There were 170 beta-lactam antibiotics, 53 peri-operative drugs, 43 others, 38 non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and 27 non-beta-lactam antibiotic evaluations. Index reaction occurred within 5 years in 165 (50%) patients, with latency of less than 4 hours in 125 (38%) patients. The most common index reactions were rash, angioedema and urticaria. There were 57 (17%) evaluations stratified as low risk, 222 (67%) moderate risk, and 52 (16%) high risk based on multidisciplinary consensus. Allergy label was found to be false (negative drug evaluation) in 248 (75%) patients, while 16/237 (7%) skin tests, 44/331 (13%) in-clinic graded challenge, and 23/134 (17%) home prolonged challenges were positive (true drug allergy). The most common evaluation reactions were rash and urticaria. No cases of anaphylaxis were elicited.
Conclusion: Seventy-five percent of drug allergy labels are inaccurate. Risk-stratified, protocolised allergy evaluation is safe. Prolonged drug challenge increases the sensitivity of drug allergy evaluation and should therefore be performed when indicated.
Keywords: Drug allergy, drug hypersensitivity, graded challenge, prolonged drug provocation, skin testing
Schwannomas are nerve sheath tumors that occur in Schwann cells. They are usually benign, but malignant transformation can occur. Symptomatology depends on the involvement of the surrounding tissues or the mass effect of the tumor. We describe a case of a 28-year-old man who initially presented with right iliac fossa pain associated with radiating pain over the anterior and lateral aspect of his right knee. Following subsequent investigations, we found a retroperitoneal schwannoma of the right lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. The key to our diagnosis was the referred pain to his right knee, which gave us a clue of possible neuropathic pain. Our patient highlights the need to consider a unified diagnosis when faced with an incongruent set of symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic modality of choice for the diagnosis of schwannomas. Treatment is directed towards symptomatic control. Surgery, radiation, and, in rare instances, chemotherapy are the major treatment modalities employed.
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