BACKGROUND: Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) is a condition characterized by episodic bursts of vomiting and abdominal pain linked to cannabis use. The clinical picture mimics an acute abdomen and is often misdiagnosed, especially when the patient avoids reporting their cannabis use for legal reasons. CASE REPORT: We report on the case of a 33-year-old man that was brought to the emergency room with a history of 3 days of non-bloody, non-projectile, and non-bilious brownish vomit, coupled with severe epigastric and left hypochondriac pain, and a slight fever. He was a daily cannabis user for several years and had stopped using a week or so before the onset of the symptoms, as he was traveling to a country with more restrictive cannabis laws. His condition deteriorated rapidly, followed by emergency room attendance, thorough diagnostic work-up, and unsuccessful interventions, including intravenous treatment with the anti-emetic Ondansetron. The patient was referred to a psychiatrist after a suspected psychogenic etiology by the medical team. The history was suggestive of CHS and also included anxious, depressed mood with ‘brain fog’. The abdominal pain was the most severe complaint. A combination of tramadol, promethazine, and mirtazapine given on an outpatient basis led to full recovery within 10 days. CONCLUSION: CHS can occur soon after the interruption of chronic cannabis use and overlap with withdrawal symptom. A combination of anti-histaminergic, opioid-based medication, and antidepressant mirtazapine seemed an effective treatment of CHS, which resulted in a relatively quick recovery.
Primary CNS melanoma is an extremely rare and aggressive malignancy, especially in pediatric patients. We present the case of a 12-year-old girl who initially presented with sudden-onset severe headache and neurological deficits, and imaging revealed a left frontotemporal mass, suspected to be an arteriovenous malformation. After developing spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, she underwent emergency craniectomy and partial resection, with pathology confirming primary CNS melanoma. Despite treatment with immunotherapy, her condition deteriorated, leading to progressive hydrocephalus and leptomeningeal metastasis, ultimately resulting in her death. This case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of primary CNS melanoma in children, emphasizing its rapid progression, limited treatment efficacy, and the need for early recognition, multidisciplinary management, and further research for definitive treatment.
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder associated with an elevated risk of both benign and malignant tumors. In rare cases, it involves the lungs in a condition known as neurofibromatosis-associated diffuse lung disease (NF-DLD), marked by cystic and emphysematous changes even in nonsmokers. We report a case of a 53-year-old female with NF1 who presented with progressive chest pain and dyspnea. Imaging revealed a 6.0 × 3.1 cm left posterior chest wall mass with osseous erosion and emphysematous lung changes consistent with NF-DLD. Multidisciplinary management, including surgical resection of the chest wall mass, led to symptom relief and an uneventful recovery. This case underscores the importance of recognizing NF-DLD in NF1 patients with respiratory symptoms and the need for ongoing surveillance for malignancies to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate intervention.