Atypical Weight Loss in Two Patients with Schizophrenia Treated with Clozapine: A Case Report

Clozapine is widely recognized as an effective antipsychotic medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but it is typically associated with significant weight gain. This case report presents two unusual cases of patients with schizophrenia who experienced substantial weight loss while on long-term clozapine therapy. The first case involves a 35-year-old male who lost 21.3% of his initial body weight, and the second case describes a 54-year-old female who lost 30.2% of her initial weight, despite having comorbid hypothyroidism. Both patients showed improvement in psychiatric symptoms concurrent with the weight loss. Comprehensive investigations did not reveal other clear etiologies for the weight reduction. These cases challenge the conventional understanding of clozapine’s metabolic effects and highlight the potential for atypical responses in some individuals. The report discusses possible mechanisms for this unusual phenomenon, including genetic factors and altered pharmacokinetics. It also emphasizes the need for individualized monitoring and management strategies in clozapine therapy. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that metabolic responses to clozapine may be more complex and varied than previously thought, underscoring the importance of personalized approaches in schizophrenia treatment.

Noteworthy effects of a long-pulse Alexandrite laser for treatment of high-risk infantile hemangioma: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND We have previously proved that treatment of thick/deep infantile hemangiomas (IHs) with a long-pulse Alexandrite laser was clinically effective and safe. This article aims to investigate the efficiency of long-pulse Alexandrite laser use in treating thick and high-risk IHs located in particular anatomic areas and provides some new data on this issue. CASE SUMMARY A two-month-old girl with a thick and high-risk IH covering most of the right labia majora was examined in this study. The infant received four treatment sessions at 4- to 6-wk intervals with a long-pulse Alexandrite laser with settings as follows: 3 ms pulse duration, 8 mm spot size, 45 to 50 J/cm2 fluences, and dynamic cooling device (DCD) spray duration of 90 ms with a delay of 80 ms. Following each of the four treatment sessions, the IH showed a remarkable reduction in thickness and size without any sign of relapse. Ten months after the last treatment, the IH had completely regressed without adverse effects. During the laser treatment, no severe side effects were observed;blistering occurred only immediately after treatment and then scabbed over the next day, gradually improving in the following days. CONCLUSION Long-pulse Alexandrite laser treatment may be considered one of the first-line noninvasive therapeutic options for the treatment of thick IH.

Successful treatment of invasive fungal rhinosinusitis caused by Cunninghamella: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Invasive fungal rhinosinusitis(IFR) caused by Cunninghamella is very rare but has an extremely high fatality rate. There have been only seven cases of IFR caused by Cunninghamella reported in English and, of these, only three patients survived.In this article, we present another case of IFR caused by Cunninghamella, in which the patient was initially treated successfully but then deteriorated due to a relapse of leukemia 2 mo later.CASE SUMMARY A 50-year-old woman presented with a 2-mo history of right ocular proptosis,blurred vision, rhinorrhea and nasal obstruction. Nasal endoscopic examination showed that the middle turbinate had become necrotic and fragile. Endoscopic sinus surgery and enucleation of the right orbital contents were performed successively. Additionally, the patient was treated with amphotericin B both systematically and topically. Secretion cultivation of the right eye canthus showed infection with Cunninghamella, while postoperative pathology also revealed fungal infection. The patient's condition gradually stabilized after surgery. However, the patient underwent chemotherapy again due to a relapse of leukemia 2 mo later. Unfortunately, her leukocyte count decreased dramatically,leading to a fatal lung infection and hemoptysis.CONCLUSION Aggressive surgical debridements, followed by antifungal drug treatment both systematically and topically, are the most important fundamental treatments for IFR.

Treatment of severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by Mallory-Weiss syndrome after primary coronary intervention for acute inferior wall myocardial infarction: A case report

BACKGROUND Upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB) after an acute myocardial infarction(AMI) is not an uncommon complication. Acute UGIB caused by Mallory-Weiss syndrome(MWS) is usually a dire situation with massive bleeding and hemodynamic instability. Acute UGIB caused by MWS after an AMI has not been previously reported.CASE SUMMARY A 57-year-old man with acute inferior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction underwent a primary coronary intervention of the acutely occluded right coronary artery. Six hours after the intervention, the patient had a severe UGIB,followed by vomiting. His hemoglobin level dropped from 15.3 g/d L to 9.7 g/d L. In addition to blood transfusion and a gastric acid inhibition treatment,early endoscopy was employed and MWS was diagnosed. Bleeding was stopped by endoscopic placement of titanium clips.CONCLUSION Bleeding complications after stent implantation can pose a dilemma. MWS is a rare but severe cause of acute UGIB after an AMI that requires an early endoscopic diagnosis and a hemoclip intervention to stop bleeding.

Must pilots permanently quit flying career after treatment for colorectal cancer?-Medical waiver for Air Force pilots with colorectal cancer: Three case reports

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC)could seriously threaten the physical and mental health of pilots.Shall they end their flying after treatment of CRC?With this study,we investigated the possibility of a gradual medical waiver for such pilots to fly aircrafts again after treatment of CRC.CASE SUMMARY We analyzed the medical waiver and clinical data of 3 pilots with CRC,who had accepted the treatment at the Department of General Surgery,Air Force Medical Center(formerly,Air Force General Hospital)between 2013 and 2018.All 3 cases underwent a series of comprehensive treatment courses,including radical resection of CRC,sequential radiotherapy,and chemotherapy.The follow-up results were satisfactory.After passing through the high-risk period of recurrence and metastasis of CRC,they all were given a medical waiver for flying again.Medical observation showed that their flying operations were safe.CONCLUSION The CRC treatment shall follow the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment and should simultaneously protect the combating capabilities of pilots as much as possible.It is safe for pilots with CRC,who are continuously monitored under medical observation after passing through the high-risk period of recurrence and metastasis,to undertake military flight missions again.

Vein of Galen aneurismal malformations-clinical characteristics,treatment and presentation: Three cases report

BACKGROUND The vein of Galen aneurismal malformations(VGAM) are rare arteriovenous malformations of the embryonic choroid plexus. They represent about 30% of paediatric neurovascular disorders and show diverse characteristics. The VGAM is constituted by a midline dilated venous structure that receives blood from abnormal macroscopic or microscopic arteriovenous shunting vessels. Two types of VGAM exist, the choroidal and the mural. The treatment represents a challenge with the therapeutic objective to preserve the normal brain development without creating new neurological deficits.CASE SUMMARY We present three cases of VGAM in the early postnatal period and their treatment. All patents were treated with the endovascular technique, which was successful. According to our experience, the endovascular technique is a safe and efficient mode of VGAM treatment.CONCLUSION The objective of treatment aims to child's normal neurological development. A proper selection of patients and a thorough diagnostic workup is of vital importance. When the endovascular treatment is performed, the primary aim is not a complete VGAM exclusion at one time, which could produce a sudden reversal of blood flow with consequent venous infarction and ischemia. The aim is therefore to occlude as much of the VGAM as needed to relieve the congestive cardiac failure, to gain time and to create the conditions for a normal maturation of the neurovascular system. With the use of endovascular techniques, which represent not only the first choice of treatment but also the only safe therapeutic modality, the natural history of VGAM and their risks may be avoided safely.

Multidisciplinary treatment of a patient with necrotizing fasciitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus: A case report

BACKGROUND Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe bacterial skin infection that spreads quickly and is characterized by extensive necrosis of the deep and superficial fascia resulting in the devascularization and necrosis of associated tissues.Because of high morbidity and mortality,accurate diagnosis and early treatment with adequate antibiotics and surgical intervention are vital.And timely identification and treatment of complications are necessary to improve survival of patient.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in a patient using high doses of glucocorticoid and suffering from secondary diabetes mellitus.He was admitted to our hospital due to redness and oedema of the lower limbs.After admission,necrotizing fasciitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus was considered,and he was discharged after B-ultrasound drainage and multiple surgical operations.In the process of treatment,multiple organ functions were damaged,but with the help of multi-disciplinary treatment,the patient got better finally.CONCLUSION The key to successful management of necrotizing fasciitis is an early and accurate diagnosis.The method of using vacuum sealing drainage in postoperative patients can keep the wound dry and clean,reduce infection rate,and promote wound healing.Interdisciplinary collaboration is a vital prerequisite for successful treatment.

Acupuncture Treatment for 57 Cases of Hiccup

In recent years, the author has treated 57 cases of hiccup due to radiotherapy, chemotherapy or introducing therapy by acupuncture with satisfactory results as reported in the following.

Utility of positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan in detecting residual hepatocellular carcinoma post treatment:Series of case reports

BACKGROUND Multi-phase computed tomography(CT)or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has been the standard of care for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)diagnosis for years.CASE SUMMARY We report a case series of four patients in whom positron emission tomographycomputed tomography(PET-CT)scan complemented the conventional CT/MRI scans in evaluating treatment response.In these four cases the conventional multi-phase CT and MRI failed to identify residual HCC disease post-treatment,while PET-CT complemented and aided in treatment response evaluation.In each case,the addition of PET-CT identified and located residual HCC disease,allowed retreatment,and altered medical management.CONCLUSION This case series suggests that PET-CT should perhaps play a role in the HCC management algorithm,in addition to the conventional contrast-enhanced multiphase scans.

Factors affecting TB case detection and treatment in the Sissala East District, Ghana

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major heal- th problem affecting about a third of the world population despite a number of preventive and control measures taken in the past few decades. Eighty-five percent of all tuberculosis cases are concentrated in Asia and Africa due to lack of education and health care infrastructure. Objective: To determine factors affecting low tuberculosis case detection in the Sissala East district in the Upper West Region of Ghana. Methods: This was a descriptive study where semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 61 respondents;six focus group discussions and 20 in-depth interviews were conducted to generate both qualitative and quantitative data for analysis. Results: Tuberculosis, known locally as Kesibine was identified as a major problem in the district. The two most frequently reported TB related dis-tresses were coughing (96.7%) and chest pains (95.0%). However, these distresses were reported more after probing for them. The most frequently spontaneously reported distress was reduced income (60.7%) for patients. The most prominent cause reported was sexual pollution (72.2%). Suspected tuberculosis patients are stigmatized and are denied sex by their partners as shown in the following narrative;I will not eat or have sex with her or eat any leftover from her plate (male local healer, In-depth interview). Case detection and treatment is hampered by lack of communication between sub-district facilities and the district hospital to aid laboratory diagnosis. Conclusion: There is therefore the need for vigorous health education to inform the people about the biomedical causes of TB and the availability of appropriate treatment for the disease at health facilities. However, the education should not aim at changing the “wrong beliefs” but focus on making people aware of the biomedical causes and see TB as treatable infection, which could be controlled.

TREATMENT OF 25 CASES OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA WITH ABDOMINAL ACUPUNCTURE THERAPY

Trigeminal Neuralgia is often found in female between 40-60 years old, marked by sudden severe pain on the face (a feeling of knife cutting, electric shock), and it is characterized by sudden, paroxysmal and periodical attack and triggered by touch). The attack usually lasts for 1 to 2 minutes with different intervals. The patient’s life quality can be seriously affected. It is mainly treated with orally taken drugs in western internal department but without satisfactory result, and with local closing therapy in surgical department. The problem may reoccur half a year later in most patients complicated with facial paralysis, so western medicine is not likely to be accepted by the patients. The author has tried to apply abdominal acupuncture in the treatment of 25 cases of trigeminal neuralgia with good effect. The result is as follows.

Clinical Observation on Scalp Acupuncture Treatment in 50 Cases of Headache

Headache is frequently encountered in clinic, including vascular headache, cervical headache, traumatic cerebral headache, and tonic headache, which may be seenin many acute or chronic diseases. During the period from Aug. 1996 - Apr. 2000, the author had treated 50 cases of headache by scalp acupuncture therapy and got quite satisfactory therapeutic results as reported in the following. ……

TREATMENT OF 62 CASES OF EXTERNAL HUMERAL EPICONDYLITIS WITH STILETTO NEEDLE

External humeral epicondylitis, also known as brachioradial bursitis, popularly called “tennis elbow” refers to the acute or chronic myofascitis, the injury of the common extensor tendon of the humeral epicondyle. The authors have recently treated 62 cases of the disease by means of stiletto needle, the therapeutic effect of the treatment is so satisfactory, following is the report of the treatment.

TCM Treatment of 18 Cases of Sicca Syndrome with the Heat-Removing and Dampness-Eliminating Method

With rich clinic experience of over 30 years, the author have treated 18 cases of sicca syndrome with the heat-removing and dampness eliminating method, and obtained satisfactory therapeutic results. A report follows.……

Treatment controversies in a rare case of a simultaneous branch retinal artery and vein occlusion secondary to hyperhomocysteinemia and hypertension

Dear Editor,Combined vascular occlusions involving retinal arteries and veins have been reported in the past. Combined occlusion of the central retinal vein （CRVO） and artery （CRAO）is well described;. Cilioretinal artery occlusion along with CRVO is frequently reported and is well characterized;.