Development and validation of the NCC‐BC‐A scale to assess patient‐reported outcomes for breast cancer patients in China

Background:The commonly used international patient‐reported outcome scales for breast cancer were developed before the advent of multiple targeted therapies and immunotherapies,rendering them potentially insufficient for current clinical practices.Therefore,it is necessary to develop a specific patient‐reported outcome scale tailored for breast cancer patients in China to optimize the management model for these patients.Methods:A comprehensive literature search was performed in the PubMed,Embase,Wanfang,and CNKI databases to extract dimensions and items for a potential patient‐reported outcome scale.The Delphi method was used to modify,add,subtract,and adjust the language of items until the experts reached a consensus on the first draft.This draft was further refined using a cognitive test and a presurvey.The optimized scale was used for a formal survey,and the items were further analyzed and screened using metrics such as the coefficient of variation,correlation coefficient,internal item consistency,factor analysis,reliability,and validity.Results:A total of 10,954 articles were analyzed,and 237 were used to create a pool of 277 patient‐reported outcome items.Through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation,the experts'authority coefficients were 0.739 and 0.826.After a cognitive test,several items were adjusted to enhance understanding.Further adjustments were made following a presurvey of 200 advanced breast cancer patients,resulting in a 38‐item patient‐reported outcomes scale,termed NCC‐BC‐A.In the national formal survey,588 advanced breast cancer patients participated.Principal component analysis showed good consistency among the items and sufficient difference between the dimensions.The results were normally distributed with good variation.The Cronbach'sαcoefficient of the scale was 0.925 and the test–retest reliability was 0.9041.Conclusion:The NCC‐BC‐A scale has high validity and reliability.It comprehensively considered the characteristics of systemic treatment for breast cancer,and the specific context within China.Its implementation may help clinicians to pay more attention to quality of life of breast cancer patients and to optimize the system for managing this condition.

Targeted gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of patients with gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Gallbladder neuroendocrine carcinoma(NEC)represents a subtype of gallbladder malignancies characterized by a low incidence,aggressive nature,and poor prognosis.Despite its clinical severity,the genetic alterations,mechanisms,and signaling pathways underlying gallbladder NEC remain unclear.CASE SUMMARY This case study presents a rare instance of primary gallbladder NEC in a 73-year-old female patient,who underwent a radical cholecystectomy with hepatic hilar lymphadenectomy and resection of liver segments IV-B and V.Targeted gene sequencing and bioinformatics analysis tools,including STRING,GeneMANIA,Metascape,TRRUST,Sangerbox,cBioPortal and GSCA,were used to analyze the biological functions and features of mutated genes in gallbladder NEC.Twelve mutations(APC,ARID2,IFNA6,KEAP1,RB1,SMAD4,TP53,BTK,GATA1,GNAS,and PRDM3)were identified,and the tumor mutation burden was determined to be 9.52 muts/Mb via targeted gene sequencing.A protein-protein interaction network showed significant interactions among the twelve mutated genes.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were used to assess mutation functions and pathways.The results revealed 40 tumor-related pathways.A key regulatory factor for gallbladder NEC-related genes was identified,and its biological functions and features were compared with those of gallbladder carcinoma.CONCLUSION Gallbladder NEC requires standardized treatment.Comparisons with other gallbladder carcinomas revealed clinical phenotypes,molecular alterations,functional characteristics,and enriched pathways.

Systemic thrombosis with prothrombin Belgrade mutation in a Chinese patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Thrombophilia contributes to a significant increased risk of venous thromboembolism and can be either inherited or acquired.Hereditary thrombophilia may arise from various gene mutations,some of which have not even been adequately reported or poorly understood.Previous studies reported a rare and novel missense mutation in the prothrombin gene(p.Arg596Gln),known as prothrombin Belgrade.The mechanisms and therapeutic strategies associated with prothrombin Belgrade mutation have not been fully elucidated.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 26-year-old woman with recurrent systemic thrombosis induced by prothrombin Belgrade mutation.The patient suffered from cerebral venous sinus thrombosis that rapidly progressed to systemic thrombosis,alongside a family history of cerebral thrombosis,and no traditional risk factors or abnormal coagulation function.Whole-genome sequencing detected a novel and rare heterozygous prothrombin missense mutation,c.1787G>T(p.Arg596Gln),which was responsible for the major etiology of the systemic thrombosis.CONCLUSION This case strengthens our understanding about hereditary basis of thrombophilia and provokes considerations for therapeutic options on prothrombin Belgrade mutation.

Transient extreme insulin resistance in a critically ill patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Acute hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance is common in critically ill patients,typically managed with insulin infusion.However,the occurrence of transient extreme insulin resistance(EIR)requiring exceptional high-dose insulin is rare.CASE SUMMARY We present the case of a 68-year-old woman with pneumonia who suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest,subsequently developing transient EIR following a new episode of sepsis.Remarkably,insulin resistance rapidly reversed when the insulin infusion rate peaked at 960 units/hour(a total of 18224 units on that day),and it was promptly titrated down to zero upon achieving the target glucose level.CONCLUSION Exceptional high-dose insulin infusion may be required in critically ill patients with stress-related EIR,which is typically transient.Clinicians should be aware of the phenomenon and cautious to avoid hypoglycemia and fluid overload during the steep titration of high-dose insulin infusion.

Application of Dorzagliatin in peritoneal dialysis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus:A case report

BACKGROUND Treating diabetes in dialysis patients remains a challenge,with many hypoglycemic drugs requiring dose adjustments or avoidance in these patients.CASE SUMMARY This report describes an 83-year-old female patient with a 30-year history of type 2 diabetes(T2DM)who had struggled to control her blood sugar for more than a year.She had a history of high blood pressure for 30 years,had undergone continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for more than two years,was 163 cm tall,weighed 77 kg,and had a body mass index of 28.98 kg/m2.Despite intensive insulin therapy at a daily dose of 150 units,adding Dorzagliatin at a dosage of 75 mg orally twice daily led to immediate blood sugar improvement and a gradual reduction in insulin dosage.After one month of follow-up,the fasting plasma glucose was 6-8 mmol/L,and the 2-hour postprandial glucose was 8-12 mmol/L.CONCLUSION To our knowledge,this report is the first to use Dorzagliatin to treat type 2 diabetes peritoneal dialysis patients with challenging glucose control.Dorzagliatin,a novel glucokinase activator primarily metabolized by the liver,exhibits no pharmacokinetic differences among patients with varying degrees of chronic kidney disease.It has a high plasma protein binding rate and may not be cleared by peritoneal dialysis,potentially offering a new glycemic control option for Type 2 diabetic patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Pulmonary artery stent thrombosis and symptomatic pulmonary hypertension following COVID-19 infection in Alagille patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Alagille syndrome is a multisystem disease that results in various vascular anomalies,commonly involving the cardiac and pulmonary systems.To the best of our knowledge,there is no literature regarding the cardiovascular outcomes of these patients in association with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).CASE SUMMARY A 34-year-old woman with a history of Alagille syndrome who underwent successful atrial septal defect with partial anomalous pulmonary veins and patent ductus arteriosus repair,as well as left pulmonary artery catheterization and stenting in childhood due to pulmonary stenosis.The patient was without any respiratory symptoms and was a dancer prior to contracting COVID-19.Several weeks after her COVID-19 infection,she developed left pulmonary artery stent thrombosis and subsequent symptomatic pulmonary hypertension.A treatment strategy of anticoagulation alongside pharmacological agents for pulmonary hypertension for 3 months followed by balloon pulmonary artery angioplasty to reopen the stenosis was unsuccessful.CONCLUSION In the era of COVID-19,patients with pulmonary vascular malformations and endovascular stents are at an increased risk for chronic thromboembolic disease.Patients may benefit from prophylactic antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapy.Stent thrombosis is a devastating phenomenon and should be treated urgently and aggressively with balloon pulmonary angioplasty,and/or a thrombolytic agent.

Patient-centric periodontal research:A pioneering application of patient-reported outcome measures

Conventional dentistry or periodontal research often ignores the human component in favor of clinical outcomes and biological causes.Clinical research is driven by the statistical significance of outcome parameters rather than the satisfaction level of the patient.In this context,patient-centric periodontal research(PCPR)is an approach that considers the patient´s feedback concerning their functional status,experience,clinical outcomes,and accessibility to their treatments.It is argued that data self-reported by the patient might have low reliability owing to the confounding effect of their personal belief,cultural background,and social and economic factors.However,literature has shown that the incorporation of“patient-centric outcome”components considerably enhances the validity and applicability of research findings.Variations in the results of different studies might be due to the use of different and non-standardized assessment tools.To overcome this problem,this editorial enlists various reliable tools available in the literature.In conclusion,we advocate that the focus of researchers should shift from mere periodontal research to PCPR so that the results can be effectively applied in clinical settings and the therapeutic strategy can also change from mere periodontal therapy to patient-centric periodontal therapy.

Vitiligo-like rash in a patient with lung cancer caused by sintilimab: A case report

BACKGROUND This article discusses a case involving a 63-year-old man with non-small cell lung cancer,who was treated with a combination of chemotherapy and immunothe-rapy.The patient was treated with five cycles of chemotherapy(pemetrexed and carboplatin)combined with sintilimab,a programmed death 1 inhibitor.CASE SUMMARY After the fifth cycle of treatment,the patient developed skin itching and a vitiligo-like rash,which are known side effects of immunotherapy.Despite dermatologi-cal consultation and treatment with topical corticosteroids,the rash worsened while the itching subsided.The patient continued with the treatment,and after 15 cycles,the tumor showed a response with a reduction in size.The vitiligo-like rash increased,but the antitumor treatment remained effective.CONCLUSION The case highlights the use of immunotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and the potential side effect of vitiligo-like rash.The patient’s tumor res-ponded well to the treatment,and despite the skin reaction,the treatment was not discontinued due to its effectiveness.The article suggests that further studies are needed to understand the mechanism behind vitiligo in patients with lung cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors and whether the development of vitiligo-like rash after immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is associated with improved prognosis.The case also underscores the importance of managing immune-related adverse events in the context of effective antitumor treatment.

Catatonia induced by antipsychotics in an adolescent male patient with systemic lupus erythematosus:A case report

BACKGROUND Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)can affect multiple organs or systems.The involvement of the central nervous system can result in the manifestation of epilepsy,an acute confusional state,and other rare neuropsychiatric presentations,such as catatonia.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of an adolescent male patient with first-onset SLE who presented with neuropsychiatric symptoms including epilepsy and delirium.The initial utilization of olanzapine to alleviate symptoms of agitation precipitated the emergence of catatonia,which was mitigated by discontinuing olanzapine and supplementing with lorazepam.In this case,whether the catatonia was secondary to the utilization of antipsychotics or to an organic disease is a question that warrants differential diagnosis.CONCLUSION Multidisciplinary collaborative management is the cornerstone for the successful management of severe cases of SLE.

Alive Strongyloides stercoralis in biliary fluid in patient:A case report

BACKGROUND Strongyloides stercoralis(S.stercoralis),is a prevalent parasitic worm that infects humans.It is found all over the world,particularly in tropical and subtropical areas.Strongyloidiasis is caused mostly by the parasitic nematode S.stercoralis.Filariform larvae typically infest humans by coming into contact with dirt,such as by walking barefoot or through exposure to human waste or sewage.CASE SUMMARY A 35-year-old male presented to our department with a 10-year history of abdominal pain and diarrhea,which had recently recurred for the past 3 months.A computed tomography(CT)scan revealed acute cholecystitis accompanied by a gallbladder stone.Additionally,a 5 mm stone was found obstructing the lower portion of the common bile duct,resulting in dilatation of both the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts to 8 mm,in contrast to a previous CT scan.Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a prominent echogenicity in the lower portion of the common bile duct.Consequently,an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was conducted via endoscopic sphincterotomy and balloon dilatation.The microscope revealed the presence of viable S.stercoralis rhabditiform larvae in the biliary fluid.We documented an uncommon instance of S.stercoralis infection in the biliary fluid of a patient suffering from gallstones and cholangitis.CONCLUSION The film we created provides a visual representation of the movement of the living S.stercoralis in biliary fluid.

Differentiating between immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced myocarditis and cardiac metastasis in a cardio-oncology patient presenting with myocardial infarction: A case report

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular diseases and cancer are leading causes of morbidity and mortality.Patients with malignancies are at increased risk for cardiovascular complications including acute coronary syndromes,chemotherapy or radiation therapy related complications and cardiac metastasis.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of a 47-year-old female with metastatic cancer on immuno-therapy presented with anterior ST elevation myocardial infarction followed by emergent percutaneous coronary intervention in the left anterior descending artery.Echocardiography after 72 hours showed thickening of inferior wall and cardiac magnetic resonance depicted inflammation and necrosis attributable to either cardiac metastasis or immunotherapy induced myocarditis.Biopsy was not performed because of treatment with antiplatelet drugs and a definite diagnosis was achieved after probationary administration of high-dose intravenous methyl-prednisolone that led to recovery.CONCLUSION In patients with malignancy,chemotherapy-induced cardiovascular complications and cardiac metastasis are common concerns and may coexist with common acute cardiovascular diseases including acute coronary syndromes.In such cases clinical suspicion aided by multimodality imaging is crucial for the diagnosis.A multidisciplinary team approach is required for prompt initiation of the appro-priate treatment.

HIPPO artificial intelligence:Correlating automated radiographic femoroacetabular measurements with patient-reported outcomes in developmental hip dysplasia

BACKGROUND Hip dysplasia(HD)is characterized by insufficient acetabular coverage of the femoral head,leading to a predisposition for osteoarthritis.While radiographic measurements such as the lateral center edge angle(LCEA)and Tönnis angle are essential in evaluating HD severity,patient-reported outcome measures(PROMs)offer insights into the subjective health impact on patients.AIM To investigate the correlations between machine-learning automated and manual radiographic measurements of HD and PROMs with the hypothesis that artificial intelligence(AI)-generated HD measurements indicating less severe dysplasia correlate with better PROMs.METHODS Retrospective study evaluating 256 hips from 130 HD patients from a hip preservation clinic database.Manual and AI-derived radiographic measurements were collected and PROMs such as the Harris hip score(HHS),international hip outcome tool(iHOT-12),short form(SF)12(SF-12),and Visual Analogue Scale of the European Quality of Life Group survey were correlated using Spearman's rank-order correlation.RESULTS The median patient age was 28.6 years(range 15.7-62.3 years)with 82.3%of patients being women and 17.7%being men.The median interpretation time for manual readers and AI ranged between 4-12 minutes per patient and 31 seconds,respectively.Manual measurements exhibited weak correlations with HHS,including LCEA(r=0.18)and Tönnis angle(r=-0.24).AI-derived metrics showed similar weak correlations,with the most significant being Caput-Collum-Diaphyseal(CCD)with iHOT-12 at r=-0.25(P=0.042)and CCD with SF-12 at r=0.25(P=0.048).Other measured correlations were not significant(P>0.05).CONCLUSION This study suggests AI can aid in HD assessment,but weak PROM correlations highlight their continued importance in predicting subjective health and outcomes,complementing AI-derived measurements in HD management.

Improved super-elastic Ti-Ni alloy wire for the angle class III patient with anterior open bite:A case report

BACKGROUND Orthodontic treatment for open bite and crossbite cases is always challenging.In this paper,we demonstrate a skeletal class III patient with anterior open bite and crossbite whose problem was successfully corrected with improved super-elastic Ti-Ni alloy wire(ISW).CASE SUMMARY A 19 years old male came to our clinic with a chief complaint of anterior open bite and crossbite and not able to chew food well.Clinical examination revealed an angle class III malocclusion with anterior open bite,crossbite and spaced arch.Ra-diographic and clinical examination showed a skeletal class III pattern.We used ISW to level the upper and lower arch and to correct the anterior open bite and crossbite.Intermaxillary elastics were also used to achieve a better interdigitation.Finally,adequate overbite,overjet and a desirable occlusion were achieved.The active treatment time took 2 years and 2 months.CONCLUSION In a case of class III angular malocclusion with open bite and crossbite in the ante-rior teeth,ideal results were achieved using the ISW technique and the patient was satisfied with the outcome.

Differences in insomnia-related self-reported outcomes among elderly hospitalized patients

Insomnia is among the most common sleep disorders worldwide.Insomnia in older adults is a social and public health problem.Insomnia affects the physical and mental health of elderly hospitalized patients and can aggravate or induce physical illnesses.Understanding subjective feelings and providing reasonable and standardized care for elderly hospitalized patients with insomnia are urgent issues.AIM To explore the differences in self-reported outcomes associated with insomnia among elderly hospitalized patients.METHODS One hundred patients admitted to the geriatric unit of our hospital between June 2021 and December 2021 were included in this study.Self-reported symptoms were assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS),Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale-7(GAD-7),Geriatric Depression Scale-15(GDS-15),Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness(MUNSH),Barthel Index Evaluation(BI),Morse Fall Scale(MFS),Mini-Mental State Examination,and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire(SF-36).Correlation coefficients were used to analyze the correlation between sleep quality and self-reported symptoms.Effects of insomnia was analyzed using Logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Nineteen patients with AIS≥6 were included in the insomnia group,and the incidence of insomnia was 19%(19/100).The remaining 81 patients were assigned to the non-insomnia group.There were significant differences between the two groups in the GDA-7,GDS-15,MUNSH,BI,MFS,and SF-36 items(P<0.05).Patients in the insomnia group were more likely to experience anxiety,depression,and other mental illnesses,as well as difficulties with everyday tasks and a greater risk of falling(P<0.05).Subjective well-being and quality of life were poorer in the insomnia group than in the control group.The AIS scores positively correlated with the GAD-7,GDS-15,and MFS scores in elderly hospitalized patients with insomnia(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that GDS-15≥5 was an independent risk factor for insomnia in elderly hospitalized patients(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The number of self-reported symptoms was higher among elderly hospitalized patients with insomnia.Therefore,we should focus on the main complaints of patients to meet their care needs.

Mimicking aneurysm in a patient with chronic occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery:A case report

BACKGROUND With the popularization of various cerebrovascular imaging methods and increased attention to the field,more cerebrovascular diseases are being detected in asymptomatic patients.Different cerebrovascular diseases are typically isolated but occasionally occur simultaneously,causing difficulties in diagnosis and treatment.Morphological changes in the collateral circulation of blood vessels in chronic cerebral artery occlusion patients are slow and dynamic,intercepting morphological development at a specific moment.Excessive reliance on single imaging tests such as digital subtraction cerebral angiography(DSA)can lead to misdiagnosis.CASE SUMMARY We report a 52-year-old male who was admitted to our department for treatment of an unruptured aneurysm during a follow-up examination for brain trauma after 1 mo.Computed tomography(CT)scan was negative,but CT angiography(CTA)revealed a sac-like bulge at the bifurcation of the left middle cerebral artery.DSA revealed an unruptured aneurysm with unique scapular morphology.The stump of a middle cerebral artery occlusion was observed during exposure during aneurysm clipping surgery,and the diagnosis of chronic cerebral artery occlusion was confirmed intraoperatively.This case was confusing because of the peculiar morphology of the arterial stump and compensatory angiogenesis due to multiple cerebral artery stenoses observed on preoperative CTA and DSA.The surgery did not cause secondary damage to the patient,and medical treatment for risk factors was continued postoperatively.CONCLUSION Multiple cerebral arterial stenoses can occur in conjunction with aneurysms or arteriovenous malformations,and their unique morphology can lead to misdiagnosis.

Multi-systemic melioidosis in a patient with type 2 diabetes in nonendemic areas:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Melioidosis,an infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei(B.pseudomallei),occurs endemically in Southeast Asia and Northern Australia and is a serious opportunistic infection associated with a high mortality rate.CASE SUMMARY A 58-year-old woman presented with scattered erythema on the skin of her limbs,followed by fever and seizures.B.pseudomallei was isolated successively from the patient’s urine,blood,and pus.Magnetic resonance imaging showed abscess formation involving the right forehead and the right frontal region.Subsequently,abscess resection and drainage were performed.The patient showed no signs of relapse after 4 months of follow-up visits post-treatment.CONCLUSION We present here a unique case of multi-systemic melioidosis that occurs in nonendemic regions in a patient who had no recent travel history.Hence,it is critical to enhance awareness of melioidosis in non-endemic regions.

Cytokine release syndrome triggered by programmed death 1 blockade(sintilimab)therapy in a psoriasis patient:A case report

BACKGROUND In recent years,immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)have demonstrated remarkable efficacy across diverse malignancies.Notably,in patients with advanced gastric cancer,the use of programmed death 1(PD-1)blockade has significantly prolonged overall survival,marking a pivotal advancement comparable to the impact of Herceptin over the past two decades.While the therapeutic benefits of ICIs are evident,the increasing use of immunotherapy has led to an increase in immune-related adverse events.CASE SUMMARY This article presents the case of a patient with advanced gastric cancer and chronic plaque psoriasis.Following sintilimab therapy,the patient developed severe rashes accompanied by cytokine release syndrome(CRS).Fortunately,effective management was achieved through the administration of glucocorticoid,tocilizumab,and acitretin,which resulted in favorable outcomes.CONCLUSION Glucocorticoid and tocilizumab therapy was effective in managing CRS after PD-1 blockade therapy for gastric cancer in a patient with chronic plaque psoriasis.

Fatal intratumoral hemorrhage in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma following successful treatment with atezolizumab/bevacizumab:A case report

BACKGROUND Atezolizumab/bevacizumab is emerging as the new standard for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),with ongoing real-world implementation to study its effectiveness.As the use of atezolizumab/bevacizumab increases,various side effects have been reported in clinical practice,most notably increased bleeding caused by bevacizumab.CASE SUMMARY In this case report,we present a rare and fatal case of intratumoral hemorrhage in a patient with advanced HCC following successful treatment with atezolizumab/bevacizumab.A 63-year-old male diagnosed with HCC initially underwent four cycles of intra-arterial chemotherapy.However,follow-up abdominal computed tomography(CT)revealed disease progression.Subsequently,the treatment plan was modified to atezolizumab/bevacizumab.After the fifth cycle of atezolizumab/bevacizumab,CT showed partial regression of HCC.One week later,he visited the emergency room due to severe abrupt abdominal pain.Abdominal CT revealed focal rupture of HCC in the medial segment inferior portion with active bleeding and a large amount of hemoperitoneum.Angiography was performed on the same day,and embolization of A4 and A8 branches using lipiodol and gelfoam was implemented.Despite successful hemostasis,the patient subsequently developed liver failure and died.CONCLUSION Atezolizumab/bevacizumab for advanced HCC suggests that intratumoral hemorrhage may be crucial despite good tumor response after immunotherapy,emphasizing the continuous monitoring of this side effect.

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to portal hypertension in a patient with primary myelofibrosis:A case report

BACKGROUND Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common medical emergency that has a 10%hospital mortality rate.According to the etiology,this disease can be divided into acute varicose veins and nonvaricose veins.Bleeding from esophageal varices is a life-threatening complication of portal hypertension.Portal hypertension is a clinical syndrome defined as a portal venous pressure that exceeds 10 mmHg.Cirrhosis is the most common cause of portal hypertension,and thrombosis of the portal system not associated with liver cirrhosis is the second most common cause of portal hypertension in the Western world.Primary myeloproliferative disorders are the main cause of portal venous thrombosis,and somatic mutations in the Janus kinase 2 gene(JAK2 V617F)can be found in approximately 90% of polycythemia vera,50% of essential thrombocyrosis and 50% of primary myelofibrosis.CASE SUMMARY We present a rare case of primary myelofibrosis with gastrointestinal bleeding as the primary manifestation that presented as portal-superior-splenic mesenteric vein thrombosis.Peripheral blood tests revealed the presence of the JAK2 V617F mutation.Bone marrow biopsy ultimately confirmed the diagnosis of myelofibrosis(MF-2 grade).CONCLUSION In patients with acute esophageal variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension and vein thrombosis without cirrhosis,the possibility of myeloproliferative neoplasms should be considered,and the JAK2 mutation test should be performed.

Novel approach of ultrasound-guided lateral recess block for a patient with lateral recess stenosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Ultrasound guide technology,which can provide real-time visualization of the needle tip and tissues and avoid many adverse events,is widely used in mini-mally invasive therapy.However,the studies on ultrasound-guided Lateral recess block(LRB)are limited,this is probably because there is no recognized standard method for ultrasound scanning.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided LRB in patients with lateral recess stenosis(LRS).CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old patient complained of low back pain accompanied occasionally by pain and numbness in the left lower limb.Physical examination showed ten-derness on the spinous process and paraspinal muscles from L1 to S1,extensor hallucis longus and tibialis anterior weakness(muscle strength:4-),and a positive straight leg raising test in the left lower limb(60°).Magnetic resonance imaging showed L4–L5 disc degeneration with left LRS and nerve root entrapment.Subsequently,the patient was diagnosed with LRS.This patient was treated with a novel ultrasound-guided LRB approach.The patient’s symptoms significantly improved without any complications at 1 wk postoperatively and at the 3-month follow-up.CONCLUSION This is the first report on the LRS treatment with ultrasound-guided LRB from the contralateral spinous process along the inner side of the articular process by out-plane technique.Further studies are expected to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided LRB for patients with LRS.