Mesenteric Lymphadenitis Due to Yersinia enterocolitica: A case report

Mesenteric lymphadenitis due to Yersinia enterocolitica infection is not common in Korea. Although most cases of Yersinia enterocolitica-induced mesenteric adenitis are self limited, cardinal features of Yersinia enterocolitica-induced mesenteric adenitis are so similar to those of acute appendicitis that some of the patients undergo laparotomy with suspected appendicitis. The findings on laparotomy in such patients are usually enlarged mesenteric nodes with a normal or slightly inflamed appendix. Because histologic examination of the removed mesenteric lymph nodes reveals reactive hyperplasia in most cases, it is usually difficult to suspect Yersinia enterocolitica infection on morphology of the resected nodes. But suppurative granulomata of mesenteric lymph nodes, uncommonly encountered in Yersinia enterocolitica infection, strongly suggest yersinial infection. We report a case of mesenteric lymphadenitis in a 10-year-old boy, who underwent laparotomy with suspected acute appendicitis. The removed lymph node showed several suppurative granulomata in the cortex, suggesting yersinial infection. Serologic study confirmed Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O:3 infection.

Evaluation of the Gallbladder Ejection Fraction by Tc-99m DISIDA Scintigraphy after Gastric Operations

BACKGROUND : Truncal vagotomy produces a reduction in bile flow, an increased gallbladder volume, a delay in gallbladdr emptying, decrease in resting pressure, and decreased contraction following stimulation with cholecystokinin. Retrospective studies have suggested that vagotomy can be responsible for a 4 to 6 fold increase in the 4% to 5% control rate of cholelithiasis noted in the Framingham study. The measurement of the gallbladder ejection fraction by using Tc-99m DISIDA scintigraphy is suitable for the study of the motor functions of the gallbaldder. A gallbladder ejection fraction of less than 35% is highly predictive of the presence of gallbladder disease and is a good indicator of a favorable outcome following a cholecystectomy. METHODS : Between January 1995 and December 1996, 24 patients (truncal vagotomy + pyloroplasty, 5; truncal vagotomy partial + gastrectomy + Billroth I, 4; truncal vagotomy + partial gastrectomy + Billroth II, 12; total gastrectomy, 3) and 18 healthy volunteers were investigated prospectively by Tc-99m DISIDA scintigraphy for the measurement of the gallbladder ejection fraction. RESULTS : In normal subjects, the mean value of the gallbladder ejection fraction was 70.8%, and in patients after a gastric operations, it was 66.0% (p>0.05). Three (25.0%) of the 12 patients with a truncal vagotomy, partial gastrectomy, and Billroth II gastrojejunostomy had gallbladder ejection fractions of less than 35% (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS : There was no difference in the gallbladder ejection fractions between the control group and the patients after gastric operations, including a truncal vagotomy. However there was a significant difference between the patients with a truncal vagotomy, partial gastrectomy, and Billroth II anastomosis and those receiving other gastric operations.