No abstract

A formerly healthy 32-year-old womanwas hospitalized for a closer examination of undiagnosed fever with mild headache. Despite lack of distinct findings on physical and laboratory examinations at admission, she suddenly developed anuresis due to acontractile neurogenic bladder. On the basis of her symptoms and the faint nuchal rigidity revealed later, as well as the results of cerebrospinal fluid analyses, a diagnosis of aseptic meningitis was eventually reached. While aseptic meningitis subsided within 3 weeks, about 10 weeks, including a 26-day period of anuria, was necessary for complete restoration of normal voiding function, necessitating intermittent self-catheterization. Acute urinary retention should be considered an uncommonbut critical manifestation of aseptic meningitis. (Internal Medicine41 : 392-394, 2002)

A 64-year-old womanwas admitted with systemic edema and exertional dyspnea. High-output heart failure was diagnosed by right heart catheterization and she was treated with diuretics. After 3 weeks, her symptoms disappeared but a high cardiac output state persisted. A diagnosis of Crow-Fukasesyndromewas madebased on the presence of polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes. Her serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level was markedly elevated after recovery from heart failure. Wesuspect that an elevated VEGFlevel and a high cardiac output state mayplay a role in the pathogenesis of heart failure in Crow-Fukase syndrome. (Internal Medicine 41: 638-641, 2002)

A 37-year-old woman presented with hyperaldosteronism, suppressed renin levels, and a left adrenal mass on CT scanning. Selective adrenal venous sampling indicated a marked rise of the aldosterone level in the right adrenal vein, while the level in the left vein was low. On laparotomy, an aldosterone producing adenoma (APA) of 12x10x5 mm in size was found in the right adrenal gland and was resected, while the left mass was left in situ. The post-operative course showed normalization of both the clinical and biochemical features of primary aldosteronism, with no sign of recurrence or of enlargement of the remaining adrenal mass in 2.5 years of follow up, suggesting the possible coexistence of a "non-functioning" tumor. This case demonstrates the importance of adrenal venous sampling for the localization of APA particularly since the presence of the APA may be masked by a visualized but unrelated adrenal mass.

No abstract