ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The recurrence rate of patients with Graves' disease (GD) is estimated to be 50-55% after withdrawal of antithyroid drug therapy, and relapse is frequent in the first year after discontinuing the medication. Follow-up examination of these patients frequently reveals laboratory findings consistent with subclinical thyrotoxicosis in the first year after stopping the antithyroid agents. We investigated the risk of recurrence of GD among patients with resurfacing subclinical thyrotoxicosis state after remission of initial GD with antithyroid treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the patients diagnosed with GD who visited the Department of Endocrinology at two tertiary medical centers: Wonju Severance Christian Hospital and Gangneung Asan Hospital. We enrolled patients whose GD was completely treated after initial treatment with antithyroid agents who then developed subclinical thyrotoxicosis after discontinuation of antithyroid agents. RESULTS: We reviewed a total of 44 patients (29 females, 15 males; age, 48.93±18.04; range, 17-85 years). The recurrence rate was 27.3% (12/44 patients), and recurrence occurred 3 months to 12 months later resurfacing of subclinical thyrotoxicosis. Patients with recurred GD was significantly older than non-recurred patients (44.63±17.75 years vs. 58.58±15.48 years, p=0.02). Other clinical parameters measured at the time of initial diagnosis were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The recurrence rate of GD in patients with resurfacing subclinical thyrotoxicosis after initial remission of the disease was less than 30%. A close monitoring is recommended in these subgroup patients, especially in older patients.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Antithyroid Agents , Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Endocrinology , Follow-Up Studies , Graves Disease , Recurrence , ThyrotoxicosisABSTRACT
Dermatomyositis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic muscle inflammation that results in specific dermatological signs and decreased muscle strength. It is known to have a strong association with malignancy. Most neuroendocrine tumors arise from the gastrointestinal tract, with less than 1% of cases occurring at the ampulla of Vater. While cases of dermatomyositis associated with neuroendocrine tumors have been reported internationally, to date there have been no cases reported in Korea. This case report presents a 33-year-old male who had undergone pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for a neuroendocrine tumor located at the ampulla of Vater, and had been followed at the hospital after his procedure. Three years post-surgery, the patient developed serious muscle weakness in his upper-right and lower-left extremities, and was subsequently diagnosed with dermatomyositis. This paper presents the first domestic case of dermatomyositis developing in the context of a neuroendocrine tumor at the ampulla of Vater. A literature review on this subject follows in the discussion.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Ampulla of Vater , Autoimmune Diseases , Dermatomyositis , Extremities , Gastrointestinal Tract , Inflammation , Korea , Muscle Strength , Muscle Weakness , Neuroendocrine Tumors , PancreaticoduodenectomyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: There are no established guidelines for bowel preparation formulation for bowel cleansing, nor is there an optimal method of dealing with inadequate bowel cleansing. This study investigated bowel preparation formulation preferences and responses to bowel preparation situations using surveys. METHODS: The study surveyed 221 Korean lower gastrointestinal endoscopists from January to March 2015 and assessed their responses. RESULTS: The analysis indicated that 2-L polyethylene glycol (PEG) plus ascorbic acid (Asc) was the preferred method (76.5%) and most responders expressed satisfaction with the formulation in both potency and safety. To address poor bowel preparation on the day of colonoscopy, the majority of physicians chose to order ingestion of additional preparations and proceed with the colonoscopy as scheduled (56.6%). In addition, concerns about renal safety and electrolyte stability were raised regarding oral sodium phosphate. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that 2-L PEG+Asc was preferred for potency and safety, and that Korean endoscopists preferred to proceed with colonoscopy in poor bowel preparation situations rather than choose an alternate diagnostic modality.
Subject(s)
Ascorbic Acid , Cathartics , Colonoscopy , Eating , Methods , Polyethylene Glycols , SodiumABSTRACT
Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis is an uncommon diffuse cystic lung disease in adults. In rare cases, it can involve extrapulmonary organs and lead to endocrine abnormalities such as central diabetes insipidus. A 42-year-old man presented with polyphagia and polydipsia, as well as a dry cough and dyspnea on exertion. Magnetic resonance imaging of the hypothalamic-pituitary system failed to show the posterior pituitary, which is a typical finding in patients with central diabetes insipidus. This condition was confirmed by a water deprivation test, and the patient was also found to have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Computed tomographic scanning of the lungs revealed multiple, irregularly shaped cystic lesions and small nodules bilaterally, with sparing of the costophrenic angles. Lung biopsy through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery revealed pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis. On a follow-up visit, only 1 year after the patient had quit smoking, clinical and radiological improvement was significant. Here, we report an uncommon case of pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis that simultaneously presented with diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Biopsy , Cough , Diabetes Insipidus , Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic , Diabetes Mellitus , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 , Dyspnea , Follow-Up Studies , Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell , Lung , Lung Diseases , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Polydipsia , Smoke , Smoking , Smoking Cessation , Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted , Water DeprivationABSTRACT
Rarely, surgical clips can migrate into the biliary tract after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and work as a nidus for biliary stone formation. We report a case of the development of a common bile duct (CBD) stone induced by surgical clip in a 57-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy 10 years ago. On computed tomography, a CBD stone with a metallic material was found, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed a CBD stone including a metallic clip. The stone was removed completely by ERCP, and the surgical clip was found along with the stone.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Biliary Tract , Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde , Cholecystectomy , Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic , Common Bile Duct , Gallstones , Surgical InstrumentsABSTRACT
Inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP) is an uncommon benign tumor and a proliferative disease localized to the submucosal area of the gastrointestinal tract. IFP has been detected more frequently with the increasing use of endoscopy. Histologically, gastric IFP is mostly limited to the submucosa, rarely invading the muscle layer. However, we experienced a case of gastric IFP invading the proper muscle layer. A 62-year-old man was referred for evaluation of epigastric pain. Contrast enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen and endoscopic examination revealed a stomach mass. IFP was histologically confirmed by surgical resection, and the patient was discharged without complication. IFP originating in the stomach that invades the muscularis propria is rare compared to that originating in the large or small intestine. The incidence of gastric IFP is relatively low. Invasion of the muscularis propria by IFP depends not only on the location but also the size of the IFP. There have been no published reports on the outcomes of gastric IFP invading the muscularis propria, therefore close follow-up of the present patient is important.
Subject(s)
Humans , Middle Aged , Abdomen , Endoscopy , Follow-Up Studies , Gastrointestinal Tract , Incidence , Intestine, Small , Leiomyoma , Polyps , StomachABSTRACT
We report a case of a 61-year-old man who presented with a cough and abdominal discomfort. CT scan of the chest showed two lesions across both lungs, and an abdominal CT scan revealed multiple hypodense lesions in the spleen with cystic lesions on the splenic hilum. Upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy found creamy yellowish discharge through a fistula between the stomach and splenic hilum. Under fluoroscopic guidance, forceps was inserted into the fistula tract, and forcep biopsy was done. The pathology was consistent with tuberculosis, and a nine-month anti-tuberculosis medication regimen was started. Imaging performed three months after finishing medication indicated improvement of splenic lesions, and the gastro-splenic tract was sealed off. This case is a very rare clinical example of secondary splenic tuberculosis with a gastro-splenic fistula formation in an immunocompetent patient.