A 29-year-old male patient, with no prior known medical or dermatological comorbidities or any drug allergy, was diagnosed as a case of Stage IIIB testicular cancer. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography chest, and abdomen was suggestive of the lobulated lesion in paraaortic region with multiple bilateral lung nodules, mediastinal, and hilar lymphadenopathy []. Preoperative tumor marker analysis revealed serum alpha-feto protein level 12,100 ng/ml, serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) level 2.39 mIU/ml, and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level 819 U/L. He underwent right high inguinal orchiectomy in May 2015. Final histopathology report was suggestive of mature cyctic teratoma of right testis with associated features of intratubular germ cell neoplasia []. Postoperative tumor marker analysis revealed serum alpha-feto protein level 126 ng/ml, serum beta-HCG level 2.39 mIU/ml and serum LDH level 292 U/L. Patients pulmonary and renal function tests were normal. He was started on bleomycin (30 units on days 1, 8, and15), etoposide (100 mg/m2 on day 1–5), and cisplatin (20 mg/m2 on day 1–5) based chemotherapy (BEP chemotherapy) as per our institutional protocol. However, after 3 cycles of chemotherapy, the patient started complaining of pruritic linear rashes which patient noticed first over the trunk and then gradually increased to involved skin over the chest, back, shoulder, and bilateral upper and lower limbs []. On physical examination, linear and streaked pigmentation were seen on bilateral upper limbs, lower limbs, and over chest and back. No other skin lesions were noted. There was no mucosal involvement or systemic upset. A clinical diagnosis of bleomycin-induced flagellate rash and postinflammatory pigmentation was considered. Routine laboratory investigations, including liver and renal function tests, were normal. Bleomycin was withheld from subsequent chemotherapy cycles, and the patient was prescribed betamethasone dipropionate ointment for local application twice a day for 2 weeks. On subsequent follow ups, the itching sensation was reduced was mild hyperpigmentation remained [].
A 45-year-old woman was admitted to our heart center with severe mitral stenosis and left atrial clot. The patient gave a history of shortness of breath on minimal exertion for one week and no cerebral symptoms, including headache, dizziness, transient ischemic attacks, or strokes. She was found to be fully conscious, alert, and oriented with stable vital signs. Blood pressure was 110/80 mmHg, and diastolic murmur was audible over the mitral area. Physical examination revealed intact cranial nerves, motor power, and sensation. There was no evidence of vasculitis such as Osler’s nodes, Jane way pad, palmer erythema, or cyanosis of fingers. Blood investigation showed an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of 4 mm with no leukocytosis and a white blood cell (WBC) of 10.000 mm3. The electrolytes and kidney and liver function were within normal limits. Chest X-ray showed prominence of the left cardiac border due to left atrial enlargement. Electrocardiography was indicative of no change, but two–dimensional echocardiography revealed a large bulky non-mobile thrombosis in the left atrium with severe mitral stenosis. The mitral valve area was 0.6 cm2, and the other cardiac valves were normal. Pre- and postoperative laboratory measurements included negative antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor, and elevation of C4 & C3 components of complement; in addition, HBS Antigen (especially in polyarteritis nodosa) was negative.\nThe patient underwent open heart surgery via the ascending aorta and bicaval cannulation. The aorta was cross-clamped, and the heart was arrested with cold cardioplegia by achieving systemic hypothermia at 30 °C on the cardiopulmonary bypass. Intraoperatively, the stenotic mitral valve was found to have a bulky clot attached to the valve and wall of the left atrium. The diseased mitral valve and the clot were excised, and the left atrial cavity was irrigated with copious amounts of normal saline and a valve was thereafter implanted. The left ventricle was then filled completely with saline and blood and fully deaired. The patient was weaned successfully off cardiopulmonary bypass with inotropic support and transferred to the intensive care unit. After 6 hours, blood pressure dropped and central venous pressure elevated and the extremity became cool and cyanotic. Inotropic support was commenced with dobutamine and adrenaline (2 and 1 mic/kg/min, respectively). On the third postoperative day, the inotropic drugs were tapered and blood pressure stabilized. By this point, however, the cyanosis had changed to gangrene and on the 12th postoperative day the acral part of the extremity was amputated and the specimen was sent for histopathological examination. In the histopathological examination, there was only non-specific vasculitis with thrombosis. The patient did not regain full consciousness on the following morning and was found to be quadriplegic with non-voluntary movements of the four limbs and face. The eyes could move only on the vertical plane, with both pupils having become small and fixed. After 72 hours, she managed to respond to questions only by blinking or moving her eyes vertically. Brain MRI revealed multiple infarction of the brainstem. Prolonged ventilatory support was maintained and eventually a tracheostomy was performed to facilitate tracheobronchial suctioning and weaning. Acute renal failure with anemia was managed and the kidneys recovered completely. However, the patient remained in this locked-in state for 4 weeks with no neurological improvement despite all ventilatory, nutritional, and nursing support. She eventually expired from hepatic failure and generalized sepsis.