Osteomalacia during von Recklinghausen disease is a rare presentation of an uncommon condition and has a poorly understood mechanism.The treatment of oncogenic osteomalacia includes tumour removal which, however, is not always possible.Administration of calcitriol alone is not sufficient and phosphorus intake is mandatory to improve symptoms.A 79-year-old woman presented with left retro-orbital pain, headache and blurred vision. Based on negative radiological tests, life-threatening conditions like subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) were ruled out and outpatient follow-up was planned. However, the patient returned to the hospital that night because of progressively declining consciousness and was diagnosed with SAH by head computed tomography. The diagnosis of SAH is often challenging, especially in cases with negative radiological results. We describe some strategies, other than radiological examination, for ruling out SAH, such as performing a lumbar puncture and repeating tests to take account of disease progression, and describe biases which can affect clinical decision-making.

A high diagnostic error rate highlights the difficulty in diagnosing subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).Headache together with oculomotor nerve palsy is an important symptom of SAH.If SAH is suspected, further diagnostic measures including lumber puncture are warranted.A strategy of repeating tests to take account of disease progression would also be effective.

A high diagnostic error rate highlights the difficulty in diagnosing subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH).Headache together with oculomotor nerve palsy is an important symptom of SAH.If SAH is suspected, further diagnostic measures including lumber puncture are warranted.A strategy of repeating tests to take account of disease progression would also be effective.Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a multisystemic autoimmune disease which presents with thromboembolic disease, pregnancy complications and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. There are some reports of arterial dissections in different sites of the body associated with APS. We describe two patients with APS who developed ischaemic stroke as a result of vertebral artery dissection in the absence of acquired and genetic risk factors for arterial dissection. We also conducted a systematic review of the literature for cases of arterial dissection associated with APS. We suspect that APS may be a potential cause of vasculopathy and arterial dissection. Further research is needed to explore this possible association.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a major risk factor for stroke in young patients.APS may be associated with vasculopathy and arterial dissection.Patients should meet both clinical and laboratory criteria for a diagnosis of APS.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a major risk factor for stroke in young patients.APS may be associated with vasculopathy and arterial dissection.Patients should meet both clinical and laboratory criteria for a diagnosis of APS.

A 67-year-old man was admitted with progressive heart failure due to blood culture-negative endocarditis of the aortic valve. Urgent aortic valve replacement was needed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of samples of the explanted aortic valve revealed

. The patient received ceftriaxone, followed by long-term co-trimoxazole. Recent arthralgia may have been a diagnostic clue.

Whipple’s endocarditis should be considered in patients with arthralgia and blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNIE).

Whipple’s endocarditis should be considered in patients with symptoms of arthralgia and blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNIE).Serum polymerase chain reaction is the main diagnostic test.Both physician awareness and multidisciplinary management by regional endocarditis teams are recommended strategies to provide optimal patient care.

Whipple’s endocarditis should be considered in patients with symptoms of arthralgia and blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNIE).Serum polymerase chain reaction is the main diagnostic test.Both physician awareness and multidisciplinary management by regional endocarditis teams are recommended strategies to provide optimal patient care.Chronic neutrophilic leukaemia is a very rare disease with diagnosis based on persistent leucocytosis >25×103/μl and monocytes

The presence of a CSF3R gene mutation is diagnostic for chronic neutrophilic leukaemia (CNL).The monocytosis in this patient might have been a new variant of CNL.

The presence of a CSF3R gene mutation is diagnostic for chronic neutrophilic leukaemia (CNL).The monocytosis in this patient might have been a new variant of CNL.A 74-year-old patient anticoagulated with rivaroxaban for chronic atrial fibrillation presented to the emergency department with acute lumbar pain with progressive weakness of the lower limbs and inability to stand up. No previous trauma was reported. Neurological examination was consistent with a complete spinal cord syndrome at the level of T6. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the presence of spinal cord compression associated with signs of extensive intramedullary inflammation secondary to a haematoma. The patient underwent thoracic laminectomy with evacuation of an intradural haematoma. Kynurenic acid No intraoperative complications were described, but no clinical improvement had been achieved 15 days after the surgical intervention.

Apixaban could be preferred as the first choice for direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) in older patients.DOACs can have important side effects even if the switch from vitamin K antagonist to this group is correctly carried out.

Apixaban could be preferred as the first choice for direct oral anticoagulation (DOAC) in older patients.DOACs can have important side effects even if the switch from vitamin K antagonist to this group is correctly carried out.Abdominal cocoon syndrome (sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis) is a rare condition associated with clinical signs of intestinal dysfunction, episodes of small bowel obstruction and sometimes a palpable abdominal mass. We present the case of a 46-year-old male patient with clinical signs of intestinal obstruction caused by primary sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis.

Abdominal cocoon syndrome is rare condition with repeated episodes of intestinal obstruction.Radiological investigations combined with a high index of suspicion are mandatory for establishing the diagnosis.Proper and timely diagnosis can lead to successful conservative treatment.

Abdominal cocoon syndrome is rare condition with repeated episodes of intestinal obstruction.Radiological investigations combined with a high index of suspicion are mandatory for establishing the diagnosis.Proper and timely diagnosis can lead to successful conservative treatment.