Unusual Association Research Articles

Unusual associations of bilateral Morgagni hernia in a child with Down’s syndrome: a case report

Morgagni hernia is a rare form of congenital diaphragmatic hernia. It is associated with Down’s syndrome as well as other congenital anomalies. Pediatric patients usually present with respiratory manifestations, the clinical presentation of Morgagni hernia is non-specific. Therefore, Morgagni hernia is mainly diagnosed by radiological imaging. The rarity of this type of hernia along with the vague clinical presentation can lead to missed diagnosis.

Ischemic Stroke Induced by an Electric Shock in a Patient with Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: An Unusual Association of Events

Electrocution is a well-known accident that can lead to a highly variable clinical presentation, including cardiac and neurological complications. Some studies have shown that electric shock contributes to arterial ischemia; either through vasospasm or by inducing thrombotic reactions. Here, we present a 66-year-old male patient with unrecognized cardiac disease who developed brachio-facial paresis related to ischemic stroke immediately after being electrocuted with domestic electricity.

Making connections: ostrich eggshell beads as indicators of precolonial societal interaction in southeastern southern Africa

ABSTRACT Ostriches are peculiar birds and their strangeness has been recognised by southern African hunter-gatherers through multiple symbolic associations. Such qualities are likely to have been enhanced where people had access to beads made from their eggshell but did not have direct knowledge of the birds themselves. Southeastern southern Africa, encompassing the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains, the eastern half of the Eastern Cape Province and much of KwaZulu-Natal is one such area. We review the unusual attributes and associations of ostriches and their eggshell before briefly summarising previous work that has used strontium isotope analysis to investigate past bead exchange networks in this region. Because bead size can be controlled and patently varies through time and space, we then employ it as another potential indicator of the existence and spatial extent of past social networks. Having critically considered previous efforts in this field, we report on our work to build the largest sample of such data yet obtained in southern Africa and compare our preliminary results with other signals of interaction between precolonial hunter-gatherer and (where applicable) agropastoralist communities.

12363 A Unique Case Of hüRthle Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid Gland and Meningioma

Abstract Disclosure: I. Elsayed: None. R. Khan: None. H. Dhaliwal: None. Introduction: MEN1 gene is a tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 11q13 that encodes the nuclear protein menin, which regulates cell growth and cycle. When menin protein is deficient, MEN1 develops. MEN1 mutation usually involves tumors within the parathyroid glands, pancreas, or pituitary. Case Description: A 66-year-old male with past medical history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and coronary artery disease presented with sudden onset dizziness, nausea and vomiting for 1 hour. He had similar symptoms on and off for several months, however on the day of presentation, these symptoms were much more acute and severe. Stroke work-up was done including CT and CTA head which revealed a 1.7cm enhancing lesion to R temporal lobe with surrounding edema with an incidental 3 x 3 cm heterogeneous mass in the large portion of the right thyroid gland. Steroids initiated. MRI brain imaging revealed findings consistent with meningioma with local mass effect and pronounced parenchymal edema. Patient underwent successful resection of the mass and pathology confirmed diagnosis of Meningioma, WHO Grade 1. Ear Nose Throat specialist was consulted for incidental thyroid mass. Ultrasound guided Fine needle aspiration biopsy was, Pathology report returned suspicious for follicular neoplasm, Hürthle cell-type. Patient initially underwent right substernal semi-thyroidectomy. Pathology confirmed diagnosis of Oncocytic (Hürthle cell) carcinoma, minimally invasive, 4.3 cm with a single focus of capsular invasion, negative for lymphovascular invasion Discussion: This case presents a 66-year-old male with a rare coexistence of two distinct tumors: a meningioma and a Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid gland. While meningiomas and Hürthle cell carcinoma are not commonly associated with MEN1 syndrome, there have been reports of atypical cases with unusual tumor associations. MEN1 is usually characterized by abnormalities in at least two affected endocrine glands, but variations can involve other endocrine and non-endocrine tumors as well. 25% of thyroid disease can be seen in MEN 1 syndrome; typically papillary thyroid cancer. Only one case in literature found Hürthle cell carcinoma and meningioma in the setting of MEN-1 phenotype. A second case unique case was Hürthle cell carcinoma with metastases to the meninges. The discovery of both a meningioma and a Hürthle cell carcinoma in this patient emphasizes the importance of clinicians being vigilant for the possibility of multiple neoplasms. This case highlights that there may be a relation between role of MEN1 with atypical neoplasms not commonly seen. Presentation: 6/2/2024

7443 Severe Hypothyroidism and Adrenal Insufficiency in a 27-Year-Old Male with Klippel-Feil Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract Disclosure: S. Almardini: None. F. Haddadin: None. L. Aoun: None. F. Saliba: None. J. Zaidan: None. Background: Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by improper segmentation of the cervical vertebrae. The classical clinical triad consists of short neck, low posterior hairline, and limited neck mobility. It is uncommonly associated with endocrine abnormalities. We present a rare case of KFS with severe primary hypothyroidism. Case Presentation: A 27-year-old male with KFS presented for evaluation of profound fatigue and lack of energy. His vital signs revealed a heart rate of 50 and a borderline low blood pressure. On physical exam patient was noted to be lethargic and icteric, thyroid exam was limited due to patient short neck. Labs were consistent with severe hypothyroidism TSH of 825 mIU/L, total T4 <0.4 mcg/dL, low 8 AM cortisol of 4.3 mcg/dL, elevated LDL at 333 mg/dL, elevated liver enzymes AST 491 U/L, ALT 294 U/L, neutropenia with WBC 2.69 x10^3/uL 20% neutrophils and anemia Hb 12 g/dL. TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies were positive at 149.0 and 109.0 IU/mL respectively, 21 hydroxylase antibodies were negative. Thyroid Ultrasound showed small and diffusely heterogenous thyroid. Patient was started on Levothyroxine 125 mcg daily and hydrocortisone with improvement in his symptoms as well as normalization of his lipid panel, liver enzymes and neutropenia. The patient was continued on levothyroxine 125 mcg, hydrocortisone was tapered and repeat cortisol levels were normal. Discussion: This case demonstrates an unusual association between KFS and hypothyroidism secondary to Hashimoto thyroiditis, likely representing an incidental finding rather than a causative relationship. The cervical spinal abnormalities and short neck characteristic of KFS could potentially lead to compression of neurological and vascular structures in the neck. However, this is unlikely to fully explain our patient's hypothyroidism. There are few published case reports of KFS with endocrine disorders in the literature that describe incidental findings like autoimmune thyroiditis and hypoparathyroidism, but there is no known biological mechanism linking KFS and endocrine dysfunction. Moreover, there is no evidence in either our patient's case or in existing literature to suggest a higher occurrence of autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto in such individuals. Conclusion: we present a novel case of KFS found incidentally with primary hypothyroidism. While these endocrine disorders could compound the growth delay and developmental issues typically seen in KFS, they do not appear to be causally related. This case highlights the need to monitor endocrine function in KFS patients and serves as a reminder that common conditions may co-occur simply by chance. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Artificial intelligence-based prediction of pathogen emergence and evolution in the world of synthetic biology.

The emergence of new techniques in both microbial biotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) is opening up a completely new field for monitoring and sometimes even controlling the evolution of pathogens. However, the now famous generative AI extracts and reorganizes prior knowledge from large datasets, making it poorly suited to making predictions in an unreliable future. In contrast, an unfamiliar perspective can help us identify key issues related to the emergence of new technologies, such as those arising from synthetic biology, whilst revisiting old views of AI or including generative AI as a generator of abduction as a resource. This could enable us to identify dangerous situations that are bound to emerge in the not-too-distant future, and prepare ourselves to anticipate when and where they will occur. Here, we emphasize the fact that amongst the many causes of pathogen outbreaks, often driven by the explosion of the human population, laboratory accidents are a major cause of epidemics. This review, limited to animal pathogens, concludes with a discussion of potential epidemic origins based on unusual organisms or associations of organisms that have rarely been highlighted or studied.

Vitamin B12 responsive developmental and epileptic encephalopathy due to a novel mutation in the FUT2 gene: a case report

BackgroundVitamin B12 deficiency is a recognised cause of neurological manifestations, including peripheral neuropathy, behavioural changes, and seizures. However, developmental and epileptic encephalopathy due to vitamin B12 deficiency is very rare. Here, we report an infant with vitamin B12-responsive developmental and epileptic encephalopathy due to a novel mutation in the fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) gene responsible for vitamin B12 absorption.Case presentationAn 11-month-old girl of non-consanguineous parents presented with recurrent episodes of seizures since four months. Her seizures started as flexor epileptic spasms occurring in clusters resembling infantile epileptic spasms syndrome with hypsarrhythmia in the electroencephalogram. She was treated with multiple drugs, including high-dose prednisolone, vigabatrin, sodium valproate, levetiracetam and clobazam, without any response, and she continued to have seizures at 11 months. She had an early developmental delay with maximally achieving partial head control and responsive smile at four months. Her development regressed with the onset of seizure; at 11 months, her developmental age was below six weeks. On examination, she was pale and had generalised hypotonia with normal muscle power and reflexes.Her full blood count and blood picture revealed macrocytic anaemia with oval and round macrocytes. Bone marrow aspiration showed hypercellular marrow erythropoiesis with normoblastic and megaloblastic maturation. Due to the unusual association of refractory epilepsy and megaloblastic anaemia, a rare genetic disease of the vitamin B12 or folate pathways was suspected. The whole exome sequencing revealed a homozygous missense variant in exon 2 of the FUT2 gene associated with reduced vitamin B12 absorption and low plasma vitamin B12 levels, confirming the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. She was started on intramuscular hydroxocobalamin, for which she showed a marked response with reduced seizure frequency.ConclusionWe report a novel variant in the FUT2 gene associated with vitamin B12-responsive developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and megaloblastic anaemia. This case report highlights the importance of timely genetic testing in children with refractory developmental and epileptic encephalopathy to identify treatable causes.

Report of an unusual association of Oropouche Fever with Guillain-Barré syndrome in Cuba, 2024.

Oropouche virus is the aetiological agent of Oropouche fever. At present, this is currently considered one of the most important vector-borne diseases in Latin America. On 27 May 2024, the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba reported the first ever outbreak of Oropouche fever. In this report, we describe three human cases of Oropouche virus infection with symptoms and signs of neurological disease and clinical diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome. This study offers insights regarding that Oropouche virus is a causal agent of neurological disorders and it could be involved in the etiology of the Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Structural studies of KCTD1 and its disease-causing mutant P20S provide insights into the protein function and misfunction

Members of the KCTD protein family play key roles in fundamental physio-pathological processes including cancer, neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric, and genetic diseases. Here, we report the crystal structure of the KCTD1 P20S mutant, which causes the scalp-ear-nipple syndrome, and molecular dynamics (MD) data on the wild-type protein. Surprisingly, the structure unravels that the N-terminal region, which precedes the BTB domain (preBTB) and bears the disease-associated mutation, adopts a folded polyproline II (PPII) state. The KCTD1 pentamer is characterized by an intricate architecture in which the different subunits mutually exchange domains to generate a closed domain swapping motif. Indeed, the BTB of each chain makes peculiar contacts with the preBTB and the C-terminal domain (CTD) of an adjacent chain. The BTB-preBTB interaction consists of a PPII-PPII recognition motif whereas the BTB-CTD contacts are mediated by an unusual (+/−) helix discontinuous association. The inspection of the protein structure, along with the data emerged from the MD simulations, provides an explanation of the pathogenicity of the P20S mutation and unravels the role of the BTB-preBTB interaction in the insurgence of the disease. Finally, the presence of potassium bound to the central cavity of the CTD pentameric assembly provides insights into the role of KCTD1 in metal homeostasis.

Low triiodothyronine (T3) levels predict worse outcomes in autoimmune encephalitis-A meta-analysis of current literature.

An unusual association between thyroid dysfunction and autoimmune encephalitis (AE) was noticed when patients presented with low free triiodothyronine (fT3) levels and antithyroid antibodies. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate whether thyroid dysfunction, that is, lower fT3 levels are associated with worsening clinical manifestations and prognosis in patients with AE. Literature search of five electronic databases was performed till April 5, 2023. Inclusion criteria were as follows: Observational studies reporting patients with all subtypes of AE and assessing thyroid dysfunction categorized as low fT3 and non-low fT3. Primary endpoints included modified Rankin scale (mRS) at admission, abnormal magnetic resonance imaging, length of stay, seizures, and consciousness declination. Comprehensive literature search resulted in 5127 studies. After duplicate removal and full-text screening, six observational studies were included in this analysis. Patients with low fT3 were 2.95 times more likely to experience consciousness declination (p=.0003), had higher mRS at admission (p<.00001), had 3.14 times increased chances of having a tumor (p=.003), were 3.88 times more likely to experience central hypoventilation, and were 2.36 times more likely to have positivity for antithyroid antibodies (p=.009) as compared to patients with non-low fT3. The findings of our study suggest that low fT3 levels might be related to a more severe disease state, implying the significance of thyroid hormones in AE pathogenesis. This finding is crucial in not only improving the early diagnosis of severe AE but also in the efficient management of the disease.

Recurrent Focal Myositis of the Thigh in a Patient With End-Stage Kidney Disease: An Unusual Association

Recurrent Focal Myositis of the Thigh in a Patient With End-Stage Kidney Disease: An Unusual Association

Bochdaleck hernia and pulmonary sequestration: case report of an unusual association

Bochdaleck hernia and pulmonary sequestration: case report of an unusual association

Transient binocular vision loss and pain insensitivity in Klippel–Feil syndrome: a case report

BackgroundKlippel–Feil syndrome is a rare congenital bone disorder characterized by an abnormal fusion of two or more cervical spine vertebrae. Individuals with Klippel–Feil syndrome exhibit diverse clinical manifestations, including skeletal irregularities, visual and hearing impairments, orofacial anomalies, and anomalies in various internal organs, such as the heart, kidneys, genitourinary system, and nervous system.Case presentationThis case report describes a 12-year-old Pashtun female patient who presented with acute bilateral visual loss. The patient had Klippel–Feil syndrome, with the typical clinical triad symptoms of Klippel–Feil syndrome, along with Sprengel’s deformity. She also exhibited generalized hypoalgesia, which had previously resulted in widespread burn-related injuries. Upon examination, bilateral optic disc swelling was observed, but intracranial pressure was found to be normal. Extensive investigations yielded normal results, except for hypocalcemia and low vitamin D levels, while parathyroid function remained within the normal range. Visual acuity improved following 2 months of calcium and vitamin D supplementation, suggesting that the visual loss and optic nerve swelling were attributed to hypocalcemia. Given the normal parathyroid function, it is possible that hypocalcemia resulted from low vitamin D levels, which can occur after severe burn scarring. Furthermore, the patient received a provisional diagnosis of congenital insensitivity to pain on the basis of the detailed medical history and the findings of severe and widespread loss of the ability to perceive painful stimuli, as well as impaired temperature sensation. However, due to limitations in genetic testing, confirmation of the congenital insensitivity to pain diagnosis could not be obtained.ConclusionThis case highlights a rare presentation of transient binocular vision loss and pain insensitivity in a patient with Klippel–Feil syndrome, emphasizing the importance of considering unusual associations in symptom interpretation.

Giant Intracranial Cavernous Malformations: A Review on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics.

Background Intracranial cavernous malformations (CMs), commonly known as cavernomas or cavernous angiomas, are low-flow, well-circumscribed vascular lesions composed of sinusoidal spaces lined by a single layer of endothelium and separated by a collagenous matrix without elastin, smooth muscle, or other vascular wall elements. A diameter greater than 3 cm for a CM is unlikely. These lesions may have atypical appearances on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI with advanced techniques such as a susceptibility-weighted image or T2-gradient echo, a diffusion-weighted image and corresponding apparent diffusion coefficient map, and diffusion tensor tractography have revolutionized the diagnostic approach to these lesions. Materials and Method The present study reviews the etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, MRI strategy, and MRI appearances of the CMs, with a few examples of the giant CMs from our archive. Results Intracranial giant CMs may have unexpected locations, sizes, numbers, and varied imaging appearances due to repeated hemorrhages, unusual enhancement patterns, intense perifocal edema, and unusual associations, making the differential diagnosis difficult. Conclusion Familiarity with the MRI appearances of the giant intracranial CMs and the differential diagnosis improves diagnostic accuracy and patient management.

Double aortic arch and aortotracheal fistula as cause of fatal massive bleeding: a rare and dangerous association

To present a clinical case with an unusual association of DAA with ATF and to reinforce the importance of maintaining high diagnostic suspicion in patients with massive aerodigestive bleeding without an obvious source. A 32-week preterm newborn who required prolonged mechanical ventilation and presented intermittent episodes of massive oropharyngeal bleeding with hemodynamic compromise associated with lower airway obstruction without pulmonary hemorrhage. The patient underwent upper endoscopy and exploratory laparotomy without evidence of bleeding. Flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy also showed no abnormalities. A CT angiography showed complete DAA with indentation of the left dominant arch over the trachea, without severe stenosis or evidence of a fistula. AEF was suspected, so exploratory surgery was considered. However, the patient died before surgery due to a massive pulmonary hemorrhage. The autopsy revealed the presence of ATF. In patients with massive aerodigestive bleeding without an obvious source, the presence of DAA and possible AEF/ ATF should be considered. Imaging studies have a poor performance for this diagnosis, so surgery should be considered for diagnosis and treatment in these patients.

Isolated dextrocardia and rheumatoid arthritis with mitral stenosis with pulmonary hypertension with atrial fibrillation: A rare association

This case presents a rare occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a 50-year-old woman with concurrent mitral valvular disease and dextrocardia. Diagnosed with seropositive RA 5 years earlier, the patient exhibited fever, cough, and progressive dyspnea. Clinical examination revealed irregular tachycardia, elevated jugular venous pressure, and signs of heart failure. Laboratory results confirmed seropositive RA, anemia, and elevated inflammatory markers. Electrocardiogram and echocardiogram indicated dextrocardia, atrial fibrillation, and moderate mitral stenosis. This case highlights the unusual association of RA with valvular heart disease and the added complexity of dextrocardia. Recognizing diverse cardiac manifestations in RA is crucial, contributing to the growing evidence linking autoimmune disorders to cardiovascular complications. Further research is essential to understand the intricate relationship between RA and unique cardiac abnormalities.

Synchronous ovarian and uterine tumours, case report of an unusual association

Synchronous ovarian and uterine tumours, case report of an unusual association

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of spleen with calcifying fibrous pseudotumor: A rare case with unusual association

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of the spleen is a rare benign vascular lesion of the spleen that was first described in 2004. SANT is associated with other concurrent diseases, mostly malignancies. Calcifying fibrous pseudotumor (CFPT) is a tumor-like lesion usually arising from soft tissue or peritoneal sub-serosa. Both SANT and CFPT are considered to be variants of the inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor. We report the rare case of a 24-year-old female presenting with a left abdominal mass that was clinically diagnosed as an extraintestinal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Histopathological examination revealed SANT of spleen and CFPT. We report this case due to its rarity of occurrence and unusual association of SANT with CFPT.

Once in a blue moon: coronavirus disease complicates pregnancy in a patient with unknown pulmonary hypertension and subsequent left ventricular dysfunction

During COVID-19 pandemic, several clinical manifestations have been described beyond respiratory compromise that characterizes the viral disease. Cardiovascular manifestations are one of the main complications. In this case, we report an unusual association between the novo diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension in a pregnant patient with SARS Cov-2, with subsquent development of left ventricular dysfunction.

Extrapulmonary Sarcoidosis with Concurrent Smouldering Multiple Myeloma Transforming into Plasma cell myeloma: Case Report of an Unusual Association

Extrapulmonary Sarcoidosis with Concurrent Smouldering Multiple Myeloma Transforming into Plasma cell myeloma: Case Report of an Unusual Association