A Case of Hemobilia Caused by Chronic Acalculous Cholecystitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Hemobilia is a status of bleeding into the biliary tract and occurs when the communication between the biliary tract and blood vessels was injured. Almost all the hemobilia orginated in the gallbladder were related to gallstones and rarely it was reported to be associated with acalculous cholecystitis. A 61-year-old man visited due to continuous right upper quadrant pain and endoscopy revealed oozing blood around the ampulla of Vater. Eighteen days later, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and pathologic examination of the resected gallbladder disclosed acalculous cholecystitis and no stone was found. We report a case of hemobilia with acalculous cholecystitis.

Two Cases of Metronidazole-induced Encephalopathy / 대한소화기학회지

Metronidazole is a 5-nitroimidazole compound known as an antimicrobial agent widely used for the treatment of protozoal infection, anaerobic infection, Helicobacter pylori infection and hepatic encephalopathy. It may produce a number of neurologic side effects including peripheral neuropathy, seizure, encephalopathy, ataxic gait and dysarthritic speech. There have been ten or more reports of metronidazole-induced encephalopathy in the literatures including a few reports of brain imaging changes by magnetic resonance images (MRI). However, none of the case of metronidazole-induced encephalopathy in patients with hepatic encephalopathy has been reported yet. Recently, we experienced two cases of metronidazole-induced encephalopathy in patients with liver cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B, which were diagnosed by brain MRI and MR spectroscopy. In this report, we present 2 cases of metronidazole-induced encephalopathy with MR imaging and MR spectroscopic changes including follow- up imaging performed after the discontinuation of the metronidazole with a review of the literatures.

A Case of Biliary Ascariasis Associated with a Common Bile Duct Stone / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Ascaris lumbricoides is the commonest intestinal parasite. The parasites are the most numerous intestinal parasites in less-developed countries and in areas with poor sanitation. However, it's prevalence is very low in Korea recently. A. lumbricoides produces no symptoms in most patients but sometimes it may give rise to intestinal obstruction or pancreatobiliary disease. Highly motile mature worms may enter the ampulla of Vater and migrate into the bile or pancreatic ducts and can cause cholangitis, biliary stone, cholecystitis, pancreatitis and liver abscess. The cases of biliary ascariasis are rare in Korea. We report a 59-year-old female, who presented with intermittent epigastic pain, diagnosed as biliary ascariasis associated with common bile duct stone after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The common bile duct (CBD) stone was removed by sphincterotomy and lithotripsy, and then we directly removed ascaris with a basket without any complication.

Effects of preoperative cisplatin and adriamycin chemotherapy for non-metastatic osteosarcoma / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy is the most accepted treatment for localized osteosarcoma. We studied the effectiveness of preoperative cisplatin and adriamycin combination chemotherapy in non-metastatic osteosarcoma. METHODS: Twenty four cases of patient with osteosarcoma were divided into two groups except four patients treated only conservatively. Group A (14 patients) received chemotherapy before operation and Group B (6 patients) received chemotherapy after operation. The chemotherapy regimen consisted of cisplatin (120 mg/m2 on day 1) and adriamycin (adriamycin 25 mg/m2 on days 2 to 4). RESULTS: The average age of the 20 patients was 27.5 years and the median follow-up duration was 39.3 months. 12 patients of group A were treated with limb-salvage operation and 2 patients with amputation because of tumor growing. According to Kaplan-Meier's plot, one year, three year overall survival rate were 100%, 85% in Group A and 100%, 75% in Group B. Histologic responses were assessed in patients received preoperative chemotherapy. Tumor necrosis over 90% is noted in 9 patients, under 90% necrosis is noted 5 patients. Their mean survival was 82 months and 25 months, respectively (p>0.05). CONCLSUION: Adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin and adriamycin was feasible in non-metastatic osteosarcoma and clinically significant adverse effect was neutropenia.

Overexpression of c-met Protein in Gastric Cancer and Role of uPAR as a Therapeutic Target / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: One of the members of the tyrosine kinase receptor family is the protein product of the c-met proto-oncogene, which is the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). HGF is known as a potent mitogen and motogen for many kinds of carcinoma cells, and has been found to simulate the growth and progression of gastric cancer cells through HGF-receptors. In addition, the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and receptor (uPAR) also play important roles in the invasion and metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of c-met protein was investigated using immunohistochemical staining of 50 paraffin embedded gastric cancers, and by measuring the serum uPAR levels, before and after an operation, in gastric cancer patients using an ELISA assay. RESULTS: Of the 50 cases, 32 (64%) expressed the c-met protein. The c-met protein expression was significantly correlated with the TNM staging (p or=3257.8 pg/ml, control+/-mean 2SD) were observed in 9 (34.6%) of 26 gastric cancer patients, but in none of control subjects. Average serum uPAR levels were 2980.8+/-616.2 pg/ml before the operation and 2404.7+/-455.9 pg/ml after, and decreased significantly after surgical resection (p<0.05). The serum uPAR level correlated significantly with lymph node metastasis and vessel invasion (p<0.05) CONCLUSION: The expression of c-met protein, and the level of uPAR, may be prognostic factors in gastric cancer.

A Case of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia with Extramedullary Hematopoiesis Presenting as Liver Mass / 대한혈액학회지

Extramedullary hematopoiesis denotes blood cell production in hematopoietic tissue other than bone marrow. Myeloproliferative disorders, including myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) are the most common cause of extramedullary hematopoiesis. Extramedullary hematopoiesis most commonly occurs in the spleen, liver and lymph nodes but has been reported in almost all sites of the body. Usually extramedullary hematopoiesis has been reported to involve liver, without forming a liver mass in a patient with CML. We report a patient with CML who had extramedullary hematopoiesis presenting as a liver mass established by ultrasound-guided biopsy.

Clinical Efficacy of Combination Chemotherapy with Ifosfamide Cisplatin, and Etoposide(ICE) in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer / 결핵

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of combination chemotherapy using ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-three patients with inoperable NSCLC(stage III b+IV) who had measurable diseases, and had not been treated with chemotherapeutic drugs, were enrolled in this study(from March 1995 to December 1996). The patients received ifosfamide(1500mg/m2/day, a full drop with Mesna on days 1-5), Cisplatin (80mg/m2/day infusion with a hydration on day 2), and Etoposide (100mg/m2/day infusion for 2 hours on days 1-3). The treatment was repeated every 4 weeks. RESULTS: Ten patients showed a partial responses (30.3%). The overall survival time of the responders was longer than that of the non-responders (median 55 vs 22 weeks, p=0.01). The toxicities of this treatment were tolerable. Grade 3 or 4 leukopenia was observed in 21%. There was 1 death related to febrile neutropenia. The non-hematologic toxicity was mild. The relative dose intensity given to the patients was 0.86 ifosfamide, 0.87 cisplatin, and 0.89 etoposide, showing an average dose intensity of 0.87. CONCLUSIONS: A combination regimen of ifosfamide, cisplatin, and etoposide is effective and tolerable for treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

A Case of Multiple Myeloma with Biclonal Gammopathy / 대한혈액학회지

Multiple myeloma is lethal plasma cell proliferation that produces monoclonal M-protein and presents bone pain, pathologic fractures, anemia, hypercalcemia, renal failure, abnormalities of the coagulation system, and dysfunctions of the nervous system. About 1% of the multiple myeloma have more than one such protein (monoclonal M-protein). We experienced a case of mutiple myeloma presented as biclonal gammopathy. Protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis showed biclonal band that consisted of IgG-landa and IgA-k.

The Effect of Intraverious Continuous Infuction Midazolam against Refractory Status Epilepticus in Children

PURPOSE: Refractory status epilepticus refers to patients who do not respond properly to adequate first-line drug treatment such as diazepam, phenytoin, phenobaribital, lorazepam and show longer than 60 minute seizure. This study was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of midazolam given as a continuous infusion in the treatment of status epilepticus in children. METHODS: Midazolam was infused to twelve children with seizures, for whom two time repeated doses of 0.3mg/kg of diazepam, 20mg/kg of phenobarbital, and 20mg/kg of phenytoin failed to bring the episode under control. All patients received a bolus of midazolam(0.15mg/kg) followed by a continuous infusion at 1microgram/kg/min. The dose was increased every 15 min until the episode of seizure was brought under control. Time required to control seizures, infusion rate, and side-effects were monitored. RESULTS: The mean age of the patient population was 6.06 yrs(range 2 months to 16 yrs; 6 females and 6 males). In 11 patients, seizures were controlled in a mean time of 60.1 min(range 15-180 min). The mean infusion rate was 8.5microgram/kg/min(range 1-20). The total treatment duration was 17.6 days(range 1-54 days). One patient who was confirmed to have cortical dysplasia failed to respond. Two of the patients showed respiratory depression and bradycardia. CONCLUSION: Midazolam is an effective and safe drug to control refractory seizures in children with status epilepticus.

Lower leg ulcers associated with long - term hydroxyures therapy / 대한내과학회지

Hydroxyurea is an antineoplastic agent with selective cytotoxicity for cells in the DNA synthesizing phase, or S phase, of the cell cycle. It is commonly used in the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders, e.g., chronic myelogenous leukemia, essential thrombocythemia and polycythemia vera. Its major adverse reactions are reversible and dose dependent marrow suppression and gastroenteric disturbances. Cutaneous side effects such as erythema, hyperpigmentation, lichen planus-like dermatitis, nail discoloration and alopecia, atropy of the skin occur, especially with long-term treatment. Painful leg ulcers in association with hydroxyurea have only rarely been reported. The ulcers were usually extremely painful and typically located near the malleoli but were occasionally found over the tibia, on the dorsal aspect of the feet, calves, knees, heels, and hands. Any minor trauma could precipitate skin breakdown and ulceration and these ulcers tended to heal slowly. No consistent correlation between the dose or duration of hydroxyurea therapy and the occurrence of ulcers. Complete wound healing was achieved by simply discontinuing treatment with hydroxyurea. We describe 2 patients who developed spontaneous painful lower leg ulcers during long-term hydroxyurea therapy for a myeloproliferative disorder(chronic myelogenous leukemia and essential thrombo cythemia). All ulcers were painful and typically located both lateral malleoli. These ulcers healed only after hydroxyurea was withdrawn and with conservative therapy including manual debridement and occlusive dressing.