A Case of a Jejunal Ectopic Pancreas Presenting as Obscure Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 대한소화기학회지

A jejunal ectopic pancreas, where pancreatic tissue is found outside of the usual anatomical location, is a rare submucosal tumor that may cause obscure gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. After initial negative endoscopic evaluation of the obscure GI bleeding, including colonoscopy and/or upper endoscopy, it is reasonable to proceed with further evaluation of the small bowel. Diagnostic options for the evaluation of the small bowel may include capsule endoscopy, push enteroscopy, or barium contrast small bowel studies. Here, we report a case of obscure GI bleeding caused by a jejunal ectopic pancreas, diagnosed through capsule endoscopy and barium contrast small bowel studies, which was treated successfully with single incision access laparoscopy.

A case of insulin autoimmune syndrome related to alpha-lipoic acid / 대한내과학회지

Insulin autoimmune syndrome is characterized by spontaneous hypoglycemia, high concentrations of serum immunoreactive insulin, and the presence of autoantibodies to insulin without previous insulin injection. A 71-year-old woman with diabetes, who had been treated with oral hypoglycemic agents, suffered from frequent hypoglycemia. High insulin levels and the presence of insulin autoantibodies were shown, so insulin autoimmune syndrome was diagnosed. Drugs containing sulfhydryl groups play an important role in the pathogenesis of insulin autoimmune syndrome. Alpha-lipoic acid, which contains a sulfhydryl group, was administered before the onset of hypoglycemia. The patient's human leukocyte antigen (HLA) type was HLA-Cw4 and DRB1*0406. There is a strong correlation between HLA-DRB1*0406 and insulin autoimmune syndrome. The patient was treated with prednisolone and has not had a hypoglycemic attack since. We report a case of insulin autoimmune syndrome, possibly associated with alpha-lipoic acid.

The Association between Multiple Myeloma and Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Report of Two Cases / 대한혈액학회지

Multiple myeloma is a malignant disease of plasma cells, whereas ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of axial joints. The relationship between the two diseases is uncertain, but chronic inflammation could trigger multiple myeloma. The authors report the cases of two ankylosing spondylitis patients with a disease duration of more than 20 years, that subsequently developed IgA kappa and IgG lambda chain myeloma, respectively, and discuss the possible pathogenetic relationship between these diseases.

A Case of Hypermagnesemia with Cardio-respiratory Failure in a Patient with Chronic Renal Failure / 대한신장학회지

A 46-year-old woman with chronic renal failure due to polyarteritis nodosa was referred to the hospital for evaluation of abdominal pain. She had been treated with cathartics (magnesium oxidate 2.0 g/day) for constipation for several days. One day before the admission, the patient had been taken magnesium enema twice at another hospital. On admission, she was comatose, suffering from lethargy and respiratory failure. Her serum magnesium and amylase concentrations were markedly elevated (8.2 mg/dL and 1,698 IU/L respectively), and plain abdominal image and abdominal computed tomography revealed acute pancreatitis and non-obstuctive ileus. Thereafter, aggressive cardiopulomonary support with mechanical ventilation and continuous renal replacement therapy using continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH) applied due to cardio-respiratory failure and hypermagnesemia. After 3 days of CVVH treatment, the concentration of serum magnesium was normalized to 3.2 mg/dL, and respiratory failure and abdominal ileus were markedly improved. Four days after aggressive treatment, her hemodynamic and gastroenteric symptoms stabilized. Therefore, we report the case of hypermagnesemia with acute pancreatitis, severe hypotension and respiratory failure after cathartic ingestion and enema containing magnesium oxidate treated with CVVH.

A Benign Ulcer of the Gastric Fundus Reminiscent of a Malignant Submucosal Tumor / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The gastric fundus is a rare site for benign ulcer occurrence as it consists of parietal cells, which secret gastric acid. It is resistant to gastric acid and pepsin, and has an abundant blood supply. Varices or other vascular lesions, such as polyps and submucosal tumors, are more frequently found in the gastric fundus. When an ulcer is found in the gastric fundus, it is important to consider underlying conditions such as a malignancy. In this case, a benign gastric ulcer in the gastric fundus dome formed a protruding mass-like lesion with central necrosis, which was reminiscent of a malignant submucosal tumor. Proper follow-up gastroscopy with endoscopic ultrasonography helped to differentiate these similar lesions. We report here a case of a benign gastric ulcer in the fundus dome that was reminiscent of a malignant submucosal tumor, with a review of the literature.

A Case of Eosionophilic Gastroenteritis Involving EntireGastrointestinal Tract with Eosinophilic Ascites / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare condition of unknown cause characterized by pheripheral eosinophilia and eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. Eosonophilic gastroenteritis is generally classified according to the layer of the gastrointestinal tract that is involved. Serosal eosinophilic infiltration is the rarest form of presentation and can result in the development of eosinophilic ascites. We experienced a case of eosinophlilic gastroenteritis involving the entire gastrointestinal tract in a 34-year-old female patient with abdominal pain that was confirmed by multiple biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract with eosinophilic ascites. The patient was successfully treated with corticosteroids. We report this case with a brief review of the literature.