Mirror hand is a congenital anomaly characterised by duplication of the ulnar ray, resulting in polydactyly and functional disability of the hand. It can cause arthralgias and weakness in intrinsic muscles of the hand. We present a young woman who had a surgically corrected mirror hand and subsequently developed aggressive rheumatoid arthritis, which increased her limitations to a significant degree. Early diagnosis and treatment in such cases is very important to prevent long-term disability.

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A 62-year-old man presented with excruciating joint pains, back stiffness and numbness of his hands and feet. Over the past 18 months, he had experienced similar episodes for which the diagnoses of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and lateral epicondylitis had been made. Physical examination revealed polyarticular arthritis affecting the shoulders, wrists and right knee. Palpable purpura overlying the calves and ankles was present. Laboratory tests showed markedly elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein in the setting of negative blood and urine cultures. Rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibodies were negative. Chest CT demonstrated bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. A punch biopsy of the rash showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Anti-proteinase-3 titers returned strongly positive. A diagnosis of granulomatosis with polyangiitis was made. Treatment with high-dose steroids, followed by rituximab resulted in normalisation of inflammatory markers with subsequent resolution of joint pains, rash and pulmonary infiltrates and improvement of neuropathic symptoms.

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Postcardiac injury syndrome (PCIS) is a rare condition that is considered to have a trauma-induced autoimmune mechanism triggered by damage to pericardial and/or pleural tissues. We report a case of PCIS accompanied by systemic oedema after thymectomy. A 73-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for dyspnoea and oedema, 9 months after thymectomy. Evaluation revealed the presence of pericardial effusion, pleural effusion and systemic oedema. Differential diagnosis included constrictive pericarditis (secondary to tuberculosis), serositis caused by collagen disease and malignancy. Detailed investigations led to the diagnosis of PCIS, which was successfully treated with prednisolone. This report focuses on the diagnostic approach to PCIS. Since it took time to make a final diagnosis in our patient, we analysed several past case reports and series to determine the cause of the delay in diagnosis.

Sudden respiratory distress in association with severe weight loss are unusual features of systemic sclerosis (SSc). We report the case of a 56-year-old Caucasian woman with a 9-year history of a diffuse form of SSc who presented with acute stridor due to vocal cord paralysis and required an emergency tracheostomy. She had sought medical attention only after 4 years of disease onset, presenting with a mask-like face, diffuse skin thickening, acro-osteolysis and severe interstitial lung disease. Even though skin tightness improved after immunosuppressive treatment, several spontaneous facial fractures and episodes of dysphagia and choking occurred in the years that followed. At the time of stridor, she was severely malnourished and a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was required for feeding. Permanent vocal cord damage in combination with severe loco-regional bone resorption resulted in severe disability and impaired nutrition. We hereby highlight the features of SSc for which therapy remains challenging.

A 65-year-old Japanese woman with Parkinson’s disease, later diagnosed with Lewy body disease, presented with a 2-day history of systemic tremors. She also had fever without rigidity or creatine kinase (CK) elevation. She was diagnosed with sepsis caused by pyelonephritis with acute kidney injury and parkinsonism exacerbation. Although antibiotic and fluid therapy improved her pyuria and renal function, her fever and tremors persisted. On the fourth day, her symptoms worsened and resulted in cardiopulmonary arrest; however, quick resuscitation allowed the return of spontaneous circulation. Simultaneously, hyperthermia, altered consciousness, extrapyramidal symptoms, dysautonomia and CK elevation were noted. Thus, dantrolene administration was initiated with a tentative diagnosis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). This caused her fever to subside, and her symptoms gradually improved. It was difficult to distinguish between parkinsonism exacerbation associated with sepsis and NMS. Physicians should consider NMS early on, even if the patient does not fulfil the diagnostic criteria.

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare endocrine emergency. The extent to which hyperglycaemia is a contributory risk factor in the precipitation of pituitary apoplexy is not known. A 38-year-old man with poorly controlled diabetes presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of nausea and headache with drooping of his right eyelid for about 4 days. On physical examination, he had orthostatic hypotension, ptosis of the right eye, lateral and downward positioning of the eye and absent pupillary reflex. Visual field testing of the left eye revealed superolateral quadrantanopia. MRI of the brain showed pituitary macroadenoma with necrosis. Investigations showed hyperglycaemia, decreased T3, T4 with normal Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), low serum Leutinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and low normal serum prolactin levels. About 21% of non-functioning pituitary adenomas present with apoplexy as was seen in our patient. It is likely that his uncontrolled diabetes precipitated this episode of apoplexy as hyperosmolarity and dehydration, caused by hyperglycaemia can lead to changed pituitary microvascular environment increasing the risk of pituitary infarction.

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