Episodes of hypoglycaemia can be caused by solid tumours and this case is an example involving a renal sarcoma causing non-islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia via excess IGF-II secretion. The authors discuss the likely mechanisms. When a nephrectomy cures hypoglycaemia […]
Category: Editors choice
Comments from Dr Dean Jenkins on the Editor’s choice case report of the week.
A 14-year-old girl with a sudden arm swelling after axillary depilatory wax
“Some presentations are not what they seem especially when there is a coincidental relationship with some event in the history. This case describes the challenge of diagnosing the unusual in the younger person and the authors identify some useful learning points.” A 14-year-old girl with a sudden arm swelling after axillary depilatory wax […]
Human syngamosis: an unusual cause of chronic cough in travellers
“Sometimes it takes a great deal of investigations before the correct diagnosis is made. In this case the authors describe a rare cause of cough due to a parasite in a recent traveller. They point out that the travel and the rapid onset of cough were key factors pointing to an infective / parasitic cause.” […]
Internet diagnosis of digitalis toxicity
As electronic connectivity improves so the opportunity of correct and timely diagnosis is made possible. In this example the authors describe how a web-connection helped identify digitalis toxicity and the diagnosis was made whilst the patient was still at home. Internet diagnosis of digitalis toxicity […]
Scurvy induced by obsessive–compulsive disorder
This case highlights how old diseases may present in new ways. Fad diets or grossly abnormal diets due to behavioural and psychological illness may induce nutritional deficiencies and these can be a challenge for the clinician. Scurvy induced by obsessive–compulsive disorder […]
Crohn disease in Nepal: true rarity or gross underdiagnosis?
The authors describe an unusual case of Crohn’s disease in Nepal. Unusual on two accounts – Crohn’s disease appears to be virtually unknown in Nepal and this case presented with bowel perforation. Exploring both these factors, this case report makes for very interesting reading and reminds us that we only see what we look for. […]
Bilateral breast metastases of a renal carcinoma
Although rare – this is only the second case report of bilateral breast metastases from renal carcinoma – it has a strong clinical message that recognising the possibility of metastases can save the patient from more radical surgery. It also reminds us all of the importance of the past medical history. In this case Ganapathi […]
What shall we do with case reports?
Case reports are popular and well-known but they have attracted criticism. They can distract the reader with the unusual. They are often not cited and mainstream journals are reluctant to publish them since they may lower impact factor. Their conclusions are rarely investigated further and may not be relevant outside the novelty of the case. […]