Other Rheumatic Conditions

The Mystery of IVIg

Eveline Wu, MD, Michael M. Frank, MD | March 8, 2012

Although initially given as replacement therapy for patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiency states, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has proven to be effective in the treatment of various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. This success has led to a dramatic increase in the use of IVIg, with its use as an antiinflammatory agent now vastly surpassing its use in the treatment of immunodeficiencies. Even so, the basis for the antiinflammatory activity of IVIg remains unclear.

Susac’s Syndrome: Confusion, Expressive Aphasia, Gait Instability

Candace H. Feldman, MD, MPH, Gwendolyn Kane-Wagner, MD | March 8, 2012

A 49-year-old man presented to the hospital with confusion, dysarthria, expressive aphasia, and progressive gait instability.

Antiphospholipid Antibody Testing Update

Staff | January 13, 2012

Successes, challenges, and controversies of diagnostic methods for APS

Dermatology Case Review

Joseph F. Merola, MD | January 13, 2012

A 33-year-old woman presents with somewhat pruritic, nodular lesions worsening over the past three months in the site of a newly placed tattoo. The nodules are restricted to certain portions of the tattoo only.

Dermatology Case Answer

Joseph F. Merola, MD | January 13, 2012

Figure 2: Hematoxylin and eosin stain from punch biopsy of lesional skin demonstrated sarcoidal granulomas, inflamed. Review the case… The correct answer is D) Sarcoidosis: This patient’s first presentation of sarcoidosis consisted of skin lesions that were sarcoidal granulomas localized to a single pigment color within her tattoo (note the red pigment areas only are affected)….