Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitis that primarily affects the elderly, and can cause visual impairment, requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment. The global impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been substantial. Although vaccination programs have been a key defense strategy, concerns have arisen regarding post-vaccination immune-mediated disorders and related risks. We present a case of GCA after COVID-19 vaccination with 2 years of follow-up. A 69-year-old woman experienced fever, headaches, and local muscle pain two days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Elevated inflammatory markers were observed, and positron emission tomography (PET) revealed abnormal uptake in the major arteries, including the aorta and subclavian and iliac arteries. Temporal artery biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of GCA. Treatment consisted of pulse therapy with methylprednisolone, followed by prednisolone (PSL) and tocilizumab. Immediately after the initiation of treatment, the fever and headaches disappeared, and the inflammation markers normalized. The PSL dosage was gradually reduced, and one year later, a PET scan showed that the inflammation had resolved. After two years, the PSL dosage was reduced to 3 mg. Fourteen reported cases of GCA after COVID-19 vaccination was reviewed to reveal a diverse clinical picture and treatment response. The time from onset of symptoms to GCA diagnosis varied from two weeks to four months, highlighting the challenge of early detection. The effectiveness of treatment varied, but was generally effective similarly to that of conventional GCA. This report emphasizes the need for clinical vigilance and encourages further data collection in post-vaccination GCA cases.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the characteristics of Epstein–Barr virus associated-hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) and HLH caused by a severe form of infectious mononucleosis (IM-HLH) compared to IM by EBV, and thus also to assist in early diagnosis and providing appropriate treatment. Methods: Data for this analysis were collected from patients at the Department of General Medicine, Nara Medical University, between April 1, 2012, and August 1, 2020. EBV infection was diagnosed using clinical presentation and laboratory tests. HLH diagnosis followed the HLH-2004 protocol, supplemented by plasma EBV DNA detection. A range of clinical and laboratory parameters were collected, including age, sex, clinical outcomes, blood cell counts, hemoglobin, platelets, and various serum values. Plasma EBV DNA levels and flow cytometric analysis (FCM) of bone marrow were performed for HLH cases. Results: Among 1850 hospitalized patients, 14 cases were identified, including 2 HLH cases and 12 IM cases. Comparative analysis revealed distinctive features of HLH, including lower lymphocyte and platelet counts and higher levels of ferritin, soluble interleukin 2 receptor (sIL-2R), and D dimer compared to IM. Notably, one HLH case responded well to corticosteroid monotherapy, while the other case did not, resulting in a fatal outcome. Detection of a cluster of CD5-CD7 lymphocytes in bone marrow is a hallmark of EBV-HLH and useful to distinguish from IM-HLH. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of early differentiation among EBV-HLH, IM-HLH, and IM in adults to guide appropriate treatment strategies. While specific laboratory markers help distinguish HLH from IM, a more detailed analysis of FCM is crucial for precise diagnosis of HLH cases and tailored therapeutic interventions.

Background and Objectives: The Dix–Hallpike test (DHT) is the standard diagnostic maneuver for posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). However, some patients present with positional symptoms compatible with BPPV yet show no observable nystagmus on the DHT. We introduced the Head Rotation Sit-up Test (HRST) as a symptom-based maneuver and hypothesized that it would identify DHT-negative patients who nonetheless benefit from canalith repositioning. This study aimed to explore the potential role of the HRST. It was introduced as a complementary, symptom-based maneuver for evaluating non-classical vertigo presentations. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients clinically suspected of having BPPV by the attending physicians at Nara Medical University Hospital (August 2018–July 2022). All underwent both the DHT and HRST; those positive on either test received the Epley maneuver and were included. Patients were categorized as Group 1: DHT(−)/HRST(+), and Group 2: DHT(+), irrespective of the HRST, for the purpose of comparing patients who were positive on the HRST with those positive on the DHT. Post-treatment symptom severity was assessed on a 0–10 scale, with the patient’s most severe pre-treatment symptom defined as 10, and responder rates (post-Epley score < 5) were compared. Results: Among 179 patients with suspected BPPV, 80 were test-positive and were treated with the Epley maneuver. Group 1 comprised 31 patients, who more commonly reported non-rotational symptoms such as floating or unsteadiness, whereas rotational vertigo predominated in Group 2 (n = 49). Median post-Epley scores were significantly lower after treatment in both groups (Group 1: 2 [IQR 0–3]; Group 2: 3 [IQR 0–5]). Group 1 demonstrated a higher responder rate than Group 2 (90.3% vs. 65.3%, p = 0.016). Within Group 2, outcomes did not differ significantly between DHT(+)/HRST(+) and DHT(+)/HRST(−) subgroups. Conclusions: The HRST identified a clinically relevant subgroup of DHT-negative patients who nevertheless responded favorably to the Epley maneuver. Incorporating the HRST alongside the DHT may expand the diagnostic reach for BPPV, particularly among patients with non-classical symptoms or without observable nystagmus. These findings support the HRST as a useful complementary maneuver for detecting Epley responsive, symptom based positional vertigo.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate treatment outcomes, complications, and the clinical course of thrombocytopenia in patients with TAFRO syndrome. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients treated at Nara Medical University Hospital from 2015 to 2023. Diagnosis of TAFRO syndrome was made according to the 2015 or 2019 criteria, and disease severity was assessed based on the updated disease severity classification. Clinical characteristics and laboratory and histological data were analysed. Results: Seven patients were included, with four classified as very severe, two as severe, and one as slightly severe. All the patients received early combination therapy (various combinations of glucocorticoids, tocilizumab, cyclosporine, and rituximab), with the second therapy added a median of 5 days after the first. Six patients received eltrombopag. Despite intensive treatment, thrombocytopenia persisted for a prolonged period, with a median time to platelet count normalization of 54 days. Cytomegalovirus reactivation occurred in six patients during treatment but resolved with appropriate antiviral therapy. All the patients achieved remission and survived. Conclusions: Thrombocytopenia in TAFRO syndrome persists long term despite intensive combination therapy. Early combination therapy was associated with excellent survival outcomes, suggesting that intensifying treatment solely for thrombocytopenia may not be necessary given its prolonged course.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are part of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Since PE can be fatal, early diagnosis in DVT patients is crucial. Diagnosing PE is often difficult due to non-specific symptoms. D-dimer testing is commonly used to exclude PE but is less effective in DVT patients because they generally have elevated D-dimer levels. Additionally, imaging, such as contrast-enhanced CT, may not be feasible for all patients. This study focused on soluble fibrin (SF), an early marker of thrombus formation that reflects thrombin generation, instead of D-dimer. Among 133 acute DVT patients who underwent imaging, 71 had PE (PE group), and 62 did not (no-PE group). All patients, except one patient in the no-PE group, exhibited elevated D-dimer levels, with no significant difference in the proportion of patients with normal D-dimer levels between the groups ( P = .466). In contrast, 26 of 62 patients in the no-PE group had normal SF levels, while only 5 of 71 in the PE group showed normal SF levels. The proportion of patients with normal SF was significantly lower in the PE group ( P < .0001). Multivariate analysis indicated that normal SF was the only independent factor in excluding PE (OR 8.86, 95%CI 2.94-26.7, P = .0001). These findings suggest that DVT patients with normal SF levels are unlikely to have PE. SF might be more useful than D-dimer in excluding PE and could help reduce unnecessary imaging in DVT patients when used alongside standard diagnostic methods.

Pustulotic arthro-osteitis (PAO) is a chronic inflammatory disorder associated with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) and characterised by osteoarticular manifestations. Although several immune-mediated comorbidities have been reported in association with PPP/PAO, polyarteritis nodosa occurring in patients with PPP/PAO has not been described previously. We report a case of a 56-year-old woman with a long-standing history of PPP and PAO who developed worsening osteoarticular symptoms in close temporal proximity to purpura, lower-extremity pain, and sensory disturbance, followed by paraesthesia in the fingers. Neurological examination revealed mild weakness of the left tibialis anterior muscle. Laboratory testing showed elevated inflammatory markers, whereas myeloperoxidase- and proteinase 3-antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies were negative. Musculoskeletal imaging revealed bilateral sternoclavicular joint synovitis, inflammatory changes adjacent to the right patellar tendon insertion with infrapatellar bursitis, and right peroneal tenosynovitis. Nerve conduction studies in the lower extremities suggested mononeuritis multiplex. A skin biopsy of a purpuric lesion demonstrated fibrinoid necrosis and inflammatory infiltration in medium-sized arteries within the subcutaneous tissue. The patient was diagnosed with an exacerbation of PAO complicated by polyarteritis nodosa and was treated with oral prednisolone followed by methotrexate, resulting in rapid normalisation of inflammatory markers and improvement in osteoarticular symptoms, purpura, and finger paraesthesia, although lower-extremity neurological symptoms persisted at discharge. When patients with PAO develop atypical features such as purpura or neuropathic symptoms suggestive of mononeuritis multiplex, concomitant vasculitis, including polyarteritis nodosa, should be considered in the differential diagnosis.