A case of polymyalgia rheumatica, microscopic polyangiitis, and B-cell lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
A 73-year-old, previously well woman was admitted to an emergency department because of a 3-month history of severe proximal girdle pain and stiffness with loss of appetite and weight. She was referred to a rheumatologist 10 days after her initial presentation. Within 4 weeks she presented to an outpatient clinic with nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, painful mouth ulcers, rash on her legs and a further decline in appetite; she was readmitted to hospital. Within 4 months of initial presentation she became jaundiced.


METHODS
At initial presentation, physical examination, biochemical, hematological and autoimmune screening, radiography of the pelvis, an abdominal ultrasound, and electromyography were conducted. At referral to a rheumatologist similar tests were repeated. At presentation to the outpatient clinic, hematological and biochemical screening, and a urine dipstick test were conducted. At readmittance to hospital, infectious and autoimmune screening, radiography of the chest, electrocardiogram, ultrasound of the abdomen, and renal biopsy were conducted. At the time of development of jaundice, biochemical and hematological screening, CT of the abdomen and ultrasound-guided biopsy of a pancreatic mass were conducted.


METHODS
Polymyalgia rheumatica, antineutrophil-cytoplasmic-antibody-positive microscopic polyangiitis with renal involvement and B-cell lymphoma of the head of the pancreas.


RESULTS
The patient received oral prednisolone 15 mg daily for polymyalgia rheumatica along with alendronate 70 mg weekly. The patient received intravenous cyclophosphamide 500 mg and methylprednisolone 500 mg every 2 weeks for her microscopic polyangiitis with renal involvement. For B-cell lymphoma of the head of the pancreas, the patient received cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone once monthly.
Kuttikat
Anoop
A
Department of Rheumatology, Harold Wood Hospital, Romford, Essex RM3 0BE, UK.
Keat
Andrew
A
Hughes
Rod
R
Hakim
Alan
A
Chakravarty
Kuntal
K
D000368:Aged; D019386:Alendronate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic / Q000097:blood; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011239:Prednisolone; D019386:Alendronate