A 57-year-old man with a 20-year history of episodic headache, flushing, hypotension, and occasional syncope
Article Abstract:
A 57-year-old man was diagnosed with systemic mastocytosis. He was admitted to the hospital suffering from low blood pressure and tightness in his chest. He had a 20-year history of headaches, flushing, tear discharge, low blood pressure and occasional fainting. The patient had a series of tests in the hospital, but he was discharged without a diagnosis. A follow-up examination found that the patient had an enlarged spleen, and a bone marrow biopsy indicated that he had indolent systemic mastocytosis. Systemic mastocytosis is a disorder in which mast cells, connective tissue cells involved in allergic reactions, move into the skin, lymph nodes, bone, blood, spleen and liver. Patients with this disease have 15- to 30-minute attacks with flushing, lightheadedness and heart palpitations. Other symptoms during attacks include headaches, chest pain, nausea, diarrhea and breathing difficulties. Seventy percent of patients with indolent systemic mastocytosis survive at least 10 years after diagnosis.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1992
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A 65-year-old man with mediastinal Hodgkin's disease and a pelvic mass
Article Abstract:
A 65-year-old man with Hodgkin's disease in the chest and masses around the large intestine was found to have splenosis. Splenosis is the growth of spleen tissue in different parts of the abdomen. The patient had had his spleen and left kidney removed following abdominal trauma 33 years earlier. CT scans showed a chest mass, enlarged lymph nodes, and the abdominal masses. Biopsy of the chest mass indicated Hodgkin's disease, but the CT scan did not suggest that Hodgkin's caused the abdominal masses. Abdominal surgery showed that the masses consisted of purple lobes, one of which was confirmed to contain spleen tissue without Hodgkin's disease. Splenosis may often follow rupture and removal of the spleen. Masses of spleen tissue grow in the abdomen and may often function normally. These masses should therefore not be removed. This patient retained all but one of his splenic masses and was successfully treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy for his Hodgkin's disease.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1995
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