8 Interesting Facts of Carcinoid Tumors Carcinoids are rare, slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors that originate primarily in enterochromaffin cells, especially in the lungs and gastrointestinal tract Most cases are subclinical and diagnosed incidentally on investigation for an unrelated complaint Symptomatic patients may present with nonspecific symptoms that resemble those of asthma (pulmonary carcinoids) or irritable bowel …
Episodic diarrhea Irritable bowel syndrome Functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by episodes of abdominal pain and altered bowel habits Like carcinoid syndrome, may be associated with episodes of diarrhea; irregular bowel habits and abdominal pain may also occur with gastrointestinal carcinoids Not associated with rectal bleeding or progressive symptoms that can be seen with carcinoids; postprandial …
3 Interesting Facts of Intermittent wheezing Chronic respiratory disease characterized by intermittent airflow obstruction and bronchial hyperreactivity Like carcinoid syndrome, present with wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and dyspnea; however, no associated flushing or diarrhea Differentiated on basis of history, physical examination, and response to bronchodilators Acute asthmatic bronchospasm can be reversed by treatment with β-agonists; …
4 Interesting Facts of Systemic mastocytosis Myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by abnormal mast cell proliferation Like carcinoid syndrome, typically presents with cutaneous flushing, abdominal discomfort, and diarrhea Unlike carcinoid syndrome, may be associated with vomiting, pruritus, and anaphylactoid reactions Diagnosis suggested by presence of anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, and elevated serum tryptase; confirmed histologically by the presence …
7 Interesting Facts of Nephritic syndrome Nephritic syndrome is a clinical manifestation of glomerulonephritis, characterized by hematuria, proteinuria, impaired renal function, hypertension, and edema Causative diseases include infection (especially streptococcal upper respiratory infection), IgA glomerulopathy, IgA vasculitis (Henoch-Schönlein purpura), and anti–glomerular basement membrane disease Initial diagnosis can be established based on urinalysis (including sediment examination), …
7 Interesting Facts of Atheroembolic kidney disease Cholesterol plaque embolizing to the kidneys may, if extensive, cause a rapid decline in renal function associated with oliguria and hypertension; in some cases, microscopic hematuria and hypocomplementemia are observed In many cases, an identifiable precipitating event (eg, interventional vascular procedure or imaging) or evidence of emboli elsewhere …
3 Interesting Facts of Discoloration mimicking hematuria Foods: aloe, beets, blackberries, fava beans, rhubarb Medications Antibiotics: rifampin, metronidazole, nitrofurantoin, sulfonamides Antipyretics: salicylates, ibuprofen Anticonvulsants: phenytoin Laxatives: phenolphthalein, senna Antimalarial agents: quinine, chloroquine Tranquilizers/sedatives: propofol, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, prochlorperazine Miscellaneous: phenazopyridine, methyldopa, levodopa, doxorubicin, deferoxamine Others Globins (myoglobin, hemoglobin) Porphyrins