A case of pedunculated hepatic hemangioma mimicking submucosal tumor of the stomach / 대한간학회지

Hepatic hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of the liver. Most such hemangiomas are small, asymptomatic, and have an excellent prognosis. Giant hepatic hemangioma has been reported in the literature, but the exophytic and pedunculated forms of hepatic hemangioma are rare. A 56-year-old woman was referred to our hospital under the suspicion of having a gastric submucosal tumor. Abdominal computer tomography (CT) scans showed a pedunculated mass from the left lateral segment of the liver into the gastric fundus, exhibiting the atypical CT findings of hepatic hemangioma. We therefore decided to perform laparoscopic resection based on the symptoms, relatively large diameter, inability to exclude malignancy, and risk of rupture of the exophytic lesion. The pathology indicated it to be a cavernous hemangioma of the liver. Herein we report a case of pedunculated hepatic hemangioma mimicking a submucosal tumor of the stomach due to extrinsic compression of the gastric fundus.

Prevalence of IgG anti-HAV in patients with chronic hepatitis B and in the general healthy population in Korea / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies have investigated hepatitis A virus (HAV) seroepidemiology in Koreans with chronic liver disease (CLD). This study compared the prevalence of IgG anti-HAV between the general healthy population and patients with hepatitis B virus-related CLD (HBV-CLD), with the aim of identifying predictors of HAV prior exposure. METHODS: In total, 1,319 patients were recruited between June 2008 and April 2010. All patients were tested for IgG anti-HAV, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and antibodies to hepatitis C virus. The patients were divided into the general healthy population group and the HBV-CLD group based on the presence of HBsAg. The seroprevalence of IgG anti-HAV was compared between these two groups. RESULTS: The age-standardized seroprevalence rates of IgG anti-HAV in the general healthy population and patients with HBV-CLD were 52.5% and 49.1%, respectively. The age-stratified IgG anti-HAV seroprevalence rates for ages or =60 years were 14.3%, 11.2%, 45.5%, 90.5%, 97.6% and 98.3%, respectively, in the general healthy population, and 0%, 9.8%, 46.3%, 91.1%, 97.7%, and 100% in the HBV-CLD group. In multivariate analysis, age ( or =60 years: OR=1060.5, 95% CI=142.233-7907.964, P<0.001) and advanced status of HBV-CLD (OR=19.180, 95% CI=4.550-80.856, P<0.001) were independent predictors of HAV prior exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of IgG anti-HAV did not differ significantly between the general-healthy-population and HBV-CLD groups. An HAV vaccination strategy might be warranted in people younger than 35 years, especially in patients with HBV-CLD.

A case of acute eosinophilic fulminant myocarditis associated with paragonimiasis / 대한내과학회지

Fulminant myocarditis is characterized by critical illness at presentation. However, if affected patients recover with pharmacologic therapy and mechanical circulatory support, they may have a better long-term prognosis than patients with other forms of myocarditis. A 31-year-old man was admitted due to chest pain associated with dyspnea. Electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevation in all leads except for aVR and aVL. Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia developed 12 hours after admission. The echocardiography showed diffuse hypokinesia, concentric edematous thickening of the left ventricular wall, and pericardial effusion. Serum cardiac enzymes and absolute eosinophil count were elevated. Since the ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) against Paragonimus westermani was positive, the patient was treated with praziquantel for 2 days. Eosinophil count normalized after 10 days, with conversion to negativity on ELISA after 4 weeks. We concluded that his myocarditis was probably caused by allergic reaction secondary to Paragonimus westermani infection.

A case of intussusception by appendiceal mucocele / 대한내과학회지

Intussusception of the appendix is not only extremely rare but also presents with symptoms similar to appendicitis. Therefore, preoperative diagnosis is unusual. On the other hand, appendiceal mucocele refers to obstructive dilatation of the appendiceal lumen caused by mucus. It has been reported in 0.2~0.3% of appendectomy specimens. A 22-year-old woman visited the Emergency Department because of right lower abdominal tenderness with hematochezia. Abdominal CT scan revealed a target sign in the right lower quadrant area that was suggestive of intussusception. The patient underwent emergency surgical reduction of the intussusception and appendectomy. The pathology showed an appendiceal mucocele.

Long-term follow-up of alpha-interferon treatment in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Data on the long-term effects of interferon alpha (IFN) treatment on disease progression and mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) are limited. To evaluate factors that influence clinical outcome and survival, we performed a follow-up study on hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positive CHB patients treated with IFN. METHODS: A total of 98 patients with biopsy-proven HBeAg-positive CHB were treated with IFN- between 1988 and 2000 and followed. Data were collected by review of medical record, direct contact, or using database from Korea Central Cancer Registry. Sustained response (SR) to treatment was defined as HBeAg loss within 12 months after the end of IFN therapy and maintenance of HBeAg negativity for at least 3 years. We tried to find the factors associated with SR, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and survival. We also compared the cumulative rate of HCC and survival between SR group and non-sustained response (NSR)/nonresponder group. RESULTS: The mean IFN dose was 375+/-205 mega units. Mean follow-up was 92.0 months (SD 45 months). Twenty-six patients (27%) had sustained response to IFN treatment, although transient response was seen in 39% (38 out of 98 patients). Nine patients died of liver-related causes (hepatic failure, variceal bleeding) during follow-up. There were no significant differences of clinical outcomes such as survival and HCC incidence between responders and nonresponders (p=0.18, p=0.10, respectively). However, HCC developed in 6 patients, all of whom were nonresponders with an age older than 39 years. CONCLUSION: Age of 39 years and above at the time of IFN treatment might increase the risk of developing HCC. Therefore, interferon should be applied at the younger age to prevent HCC in patients with HBeAg-positive CHB.