Background
Tumor lysis syndrome is an oncologic emergency that classically occurs following cancer therapy, although spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome can also occur in malignancies, albeit rarely. Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome has previously been reported in some hematologic malignancies, but it rarely happens in solid tumors and seems to be associated with a higher mortality rate. This is the first case of adrenal adenocarcinoma that developed spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome.
Case presentation
We present a rare case of spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome occurring in a patient previously diagnosed with adrenal adenocarcinoma. The patient was a 64-year-old Persian man with abdominal pain, hypersomnia, and fatigue who was previously diagnosed with right adrenocortical carcinoma and had undergone right adrenalectomy with regional lymph nodes resection 5 months previously. On physical examination, the patient had abdominal distension and mild tenderness at the right upper quadrant. Pitting edema was detected bilaterally in the lower extremities. Initial imaging revealed multiple and large lesions suggestive of liver metastases. The laboratory data showed hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, and elevated serum creatinine level indicative of spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome in the patient. Despite immediate and intensive care with antibiotics, hydration, treatment with a hypouricemic agent, and renal replacement therapy, the patient ultimately died from multiorgan failure.
Conclusions
Tumor lysis syndrome in solid tumors has high mortality. Patients susceptible to spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome must receive aggressive treatment immediately, which is crucial for preventing morbidity and mortality. Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome may be underdiagnosed, and a high degree of clinical suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis and proceed with required interventions. Therefore, clinicians should be aware of this rare phenomenon.
Background and Aims
Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as stress cardiomyopathy, is characterized by acute and transient left ventricular dysfunction and has increased during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Herein, we aim to review studies on TTS that were associated with COVID‐19 infection, vaccine, and other COVID‐19‐related etiologies including psychosocial stressors.
Methods
We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus up to May 12, 2022. We included case reports, case series, and original articles that reported at least one TTS case associated with COVID‐19, or TTS cases after receiving COVID‐19 vaccines, or TTS cases secondary to psychological stress due to the COVID‐19 pandemic. The quality assessment was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.
Results
Sixty‐seven articles including 102 cases were included. Hypertension was the most frequently accompanying comorbidity (
N
= 67 [65.6%]) and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 36.5%. Among COVID‐19 patients, the in‐hospital mortality rate was 33.3%. On the other hand, only one COVID‐19‐negative individual expired (2.3%). The most common presenting clinical symptom was dyspnea in 42 (73.6%) patients. the mean time interval from the first symptom to admission was 7.2 days. The most common chest imaging finding was ground‐glass opacity which was reported in 14 (31.1%) participants. The most common abnormalities were T‐wave inversion in 35 (43.2%) and ST‐segment elevation in 30 (37%). Brain natriuretic peptide and troponin were elevated in 94.7% and 95.9% of participants, respectively.
Conclusion
The TTS in patients with COVID‐19 is almost rare, whereas it could lead to a great mortality and morbidity. An individual with COVID‐19, especially an elderly woman, presented with dyspnea in addition to a rise in brain natriuretic peptide and troponin should be evaluated for TTS.
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