Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a bleak prognosis, especially for the majority of patients diagnosed with metastatic disease. The primary option for palliative treatment is chemotherapy, and responses beyond first-line treatment are rare and typically short. Here, we report a case of a 63-year-old woman with PDAC in the head of the pancreas who was initially successfully treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine. However, disease recurrence with liver and para-aortic lymph node metastases was detected only two months after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy. First-line palliative chemotherapy with gemcitabine-nab/paclitaxel was commenced. The results were discouraging, with disease progression (liver and lung metastases) detected at the first evaluation; the progression-free survival was just two months (64 days). Surprisingly, the response to second-line palliative chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil-oxaliplatin was excellent; in combination with the ablation of a liver metastasis, this treatment regimen resulted in a complete radiological response and an 11-month treatment-free interval with a sustained good performance status. Copyright © 2020 Hakon Blomstrand et al.Pylephlebitis is a condition in which there is septic thrombophlebitis of the portal-mesenteric venous system. It is a rare condition that usually arises as a complication of an intra-abdominal infection or inflammation. Being rare, it may be overlooked as a differential in cases of abdominal pain when the more common causes have been excluded. We present a case of a 37-year-old Hispanic male who presented with acute abdominal pain and loose stools. He was initially treated for acute gastroenteritis but his clinical condition deteriorated. He was eventually diagnosed with pylephlebitis with associated inferior mesenteric vein thrombosis. He was successfully treated with IV antibiotics and warfarin. Pylephlebitis should not be overlooked as a differential in an appropriate clinic setting as it has a high mortality rate. Copyright © 2020 Mohamed Abdallah et al.We describe a case of worsening Graves’ orbitopathy due to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) in a 38-year-old HIV-infected male after beginning ART (antiretroviral therapy). Two years after initiation of ART, the patient developed symptoms of hyperthyroidism and thyroid eye disease (TED) or Graves’ orbitopathy (GO). Thyroid iodine uptake scan was consistent with Graves’ disease. click here The CT scan of the orbits revealed minimal right-sided proptosis, consistent with GO. He was treated with methimazole and a short course of high-dose prednisone for GO. Thyroid function tests normalized, and eye symptoms eventually stabilized. This case demonstrates the importance of awareness and early recognition of IRIS in its many forms, as it has significant therapeutic implications. Copyright © 2020 Ravali Nallu et al.Lithium therapy has been associated with several endocrine disorders including thyroid dysfunction, diabetes insipidus, and hyperparathyroidism. While its suppressive effect on thyroid function is well known, it is very rare to observe lithium-induced hyperthyroidism especially in the pediatric population. Here, we describe a case of lithium-induced hyperthyroidism in an adolescent female with bipolar disorder. The patient is a 17-year-old female who was treated with lithium for bipolar disorder and presented with symptoms and laboratory findings consistent with hyperthyroidism. Since thyroid autoantibodies were negative, thyroid dysfunction was attributed to lithium toxicity. Indeed, her clinical and biochemical hyperthyroid state resolved after stopping lithium therapy. Lithium-associated hyperthyroidism can occur in the pediatric population. We propose close monitoring of thyroid hormone levels in children on lithium therapy. Copyright © 2020 Pratibha Rana et al.Descending necrotizing mediastinitis and pharyngeal perforation are uncommon complications of pharyngitis that are associated with high morbidity and mortality. This case report describes a previously healthy 18-year-old male who presented to the emergency room with 5 days of severe sore throat, intermittent fevers, and vomiting and was found to have extensive posterior pharyngeal and mediastinal air along with extravasation of contrast on computed tomography, consistent with perforation of the left aryepiglottic fold as well as descending necrotizing mediastinitis. The patient had a complicated hospital course including multiple operative interventions, abscess formation, and development of pericardial and pleural effusions. Successful treatment required swift resuscitation including broad-spectrum antibiotics and significant coordination of emergent operative intervention between otolaryngology and cardiothoracic surgery. It is important to recognize descending necrotizing mediastinitis as a clinical entity that may result from oropharyngeal infections as early intervention significantly decreases subsequent complications and mortality. Furthermore, pharyngeal perforation is an extremely rare complication which requires either CT with oral contrast or esophagram for diagnosis. Copyright © 2020 Alexandra Pulst-Korenberg and Stephen C. Morris.Background Cutis laxa is a rare dermatosis that is inherited or acquired and clinically features loose, wrinkled, and redundant skin with decreased elasticity. This heterogeneous connective tissue disorder may be localized or generalized, with or without internal manifestations. Generalized cutis laxa often has a cephalocaudal progression and is attributed to inflammatory cutaneous eruptions, medications, and infections. Cutis laxa is also associated with several other conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and plasma-cell dyscrasias. Case Presentation. We report an unusual case of a 35-year-old male with progression of generalized acquired cutis laxa and vasculitis that occurred over a period of one year. No cutaneous inflammatory eruption preceded or accompanied his decreased skin elasticity, and a biopsy of the skin showed elastolysis. His cutaneous manifestation led to systemic evaluation and an eventual diagnosis of smoldering multiple myeloma accompanied by aortitis and anemia.