A Case of Eneropathy-associated T-cell Lymphoma Presenting with Persistent Abdominal Pain and Diarrhea / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is an unusual primary gastrointestinal lymphoma, and it is particularly associated with celiac sprue. These patients typically suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or weight loss. Primary intestinal T-cell lymphoma without celiac sprue is known to be rare. We report here on a case of EATL that presented with persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea, but this patient was without celiac sprue.

A Case of Eneropathy-associated T-cell Lymphoma Presenting with Persistent Abdominal Pain and Diarrhea / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is an unusual primary gastrointestinal lymphoma, and it is particularly associated with celiac sprue. These patients typically suffer from abdominal pain, diarrhea and/or weight loss. Primary intestinal T-cell lymphoma without celiac sprue is known to be rare. We report here on a case of EATL that presented with persistent abdominal pain and diarrhea, but this patient was without celiac sprue.

An Evaluation of Web-based Informations about Gastroesophageal Reflux Diseases in Korea / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Internet has become an important source of medical information not only for medical personnels but also for patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of internet based medical information about 'gastroesophageal reflux' or 'reflux esophagitis' in Korea. METHODS: The first 15 internet sites using the key words 'gastroesophageal reflux' or 'reflux esophagitis' were retrieved from the 7 most frequently used internet search engines. The quality of information from a total of 108 websites was evaluated using a checklist. RESULTS: Among total 108 sites related to 'gastroesophageal reflux' or 'reflux esophagitis', fifty-six sites (51.8%) were made by hospitals or clinics and 94 sites (87.0%) were made for patients. Of the 108 sites, eleven web sites (10.1%) had more than three JAMA benchmarks (authorship, references, currency, and disclosure). Higher quality sites (at least three JAMA benchmarks) were less likely to contain inaccurate information than lower quality sites (fewer than three JAMA benchmarks)-3/11 (27.2%) vs. 60/97 (61.9%) (p<0.01). Despite the fact that articles in the literature emphasized an insufficient evidence to support an association between the lifestyle, dietary behaviors, and GERD, such guidelines continue to be recommended as first-line therapy in most websites. CONCLUSIONS: Informations about gastroesophageal reflux disease were incomplete in the majority of medical web sites. These would bring about confusion to patients seeking for an information about GERD through the internet. There is a need for better sources in evidence based informations about gastroesophaeal reflux diseases on the web.

Clinicopathlogic characteristics of multiple synchronous early gastric cancers / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: With the progress of limited surgery and endoscopic treatment for early gastric cancer (EGC), multiple synchronous EGCs, a cause of recurrence, become more important. The objective of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of multiple synchronous EGCs with an emphasis on features of preoperatively undiagnosed lesions. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 496 patients who underwent a gastrectomy for EGC at our institution between January 2004 and December 2004. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (4.8%) had multiple synchronous EGCs with 24 main and 27 accessory lesions. Multiple synchronous EGCs showed male predominance (p=0.03). Other characteristics including lymph node metastasis were the same as with single EGC. Out of 27 accessory lesions, six lesions (22%) were not detected preoperatively in six patients (25%). Macroscopically five lesions were flat and one lesion was depressed. Five lesions were located at the anterior or posterior wall of the middle and low third portion and one lesion was located at the lesser curvature side of the upper third portion of the stomach. Two lesions were 4 mm, one lesion was 8 mm, two lesions were 12 mm and one lesion was 15 mm in size (mean diameter = 9.1 mm). Histologically, four lesions were of the differentiated type and two lesions were of the undifferentiated type. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple synchronous EGCs have same clinicopathologic features as a single EGC except for male predominance. Considering the possibility of a synchronous lesion, one should examine the entire stomach precisely with special attention to the anterior, posterior wall and lesser curvature side of the same or neighboring area of a known EGC lesion before treatment.

A Case of Autoimmune Pancreatitis Diagnosed by Immunohistochemical Staining of IgG4 / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Autoimmune pancreatitis is a distinct entity with characteristic morphological, histological and clinical features. Since the first report in 1961, there have been many reports on autoantibodies associated with autoimmune pancreatitis. Lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with fibrosis is the characteristic histological feature of autoimmune pancreatitis. Elevation of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4), a subtype of IgG, can be seen in autoimmune pancreatitis. A few reports of autoimmune pancreatitis based on immunostaining of IgG4 have been published, but no reports have been published in Korea. We present here the first report of autoimmune pancreatitis, based on an increased serum IgG4 level and plasma cell infiltration that showed IgG4 positivity by immunohistochemical staining of the major papilla.

Comparative Usefulness of Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and C-reactive Protein in Assessing the Severity of Ulcerative Colitis / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is included as a laboratory parameter in Truelove and Witts' classification, C-reactive protein (CRP) is also used for severity assessment in ulcerative colitis (UC). Frequently, the discordance between ESR and CRP is observed in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine which parameter is more related with clinical activity in UC patients. METHODS: A total of 155 patients with UC were identified from January 2004 to March 2005. Their medical records were reviewed within these patients, a total of 541 assessments of disease activity were made. Correlation of clinical activity and laboratory tests were evaluated by Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficients of ESR and CRP with clinical symptoms were 0.376 and 0.258, respectively. The correlation coefficient between ESR and CRP was 0.403 (p=0.000). A total of 131 (24.2%) assessments revealed discordance between ESR and CRP. When discordance occurred, the correlation coefficients with clinical symptoms were 0.338 for ESR (p=0.000) and 0.034 for CRP (p>0.01). Dividing discordant patients into high ESR/low CRP group and low ESR/high CRP group, the coefficients were 0.420 for ESR and 0.226 for CRP in high ESR/low CRP group, and 0.333 for ESR and 0.068 for CRP in low ESR/high CRP group. CONCLUSIONS: The correlation analysis indicates that ESR appears to be a more reliable laboratory parameter of disease activity than CRP in assessing the severity of UC. In particular, when the level of ESR and CRP is discordant, ESR is more useful in assessing the disease activity in UC patients.

A Case of Primary Iliopsoas Abscess Presented as Femoral Neuropathy in a Hemodialysis Patient / 대한신장학회잡지

Primary iliopsoas abscess is a rare but potentially serious condition. The diagnosis is frequently delayed due to its variable and nonspecific features and occult clinical course. The delayed diagnosis and treatment of iliopsoas abscess is the major poor prognostic factor. We report a rare case of primary iliopsoas abscess that presented as a femoral neuropathy in a patient on hemodialysis. A 49-year-old man with end stage renal disease was admitted due to pain in the left inguinal area, and weakness and hypoesthesia of left lower leg. Left iliopsoas abscess was confirmed by CT and MRI. Left femoral neuropathy was diagnosed with electrodiagnostic study. Iliopsoas abscess with femoral neuropathy was completely treated with CT-guided aspiration, antibiotics and prolonged physical therapy of hip and knee joints. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of primary iliopsoas abscess presented as a femoral neuropathy in a patient on hemodialysis in Korea.

TnI, cTnT, and CK-MB in patients with chronic renal failure / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Nonspecific elevations of CK-MB, cTnT have been well known in patients with chronic renal failure(CRF) on maintenance hemodialysis. It has been suggested that recently developed cTnI seldom shows nonspecific elevations in these patients. Status of CRF patients can be divided into three groups: predialysis group, hemodialysis group and peritoneal dialysis group. Until now, most researchers have studied CK-MB, cTnT and cTnI only in CRF patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis. No previous studies have ever compared the differences of the nonspecific positivity of CK-MB, cTnT and cTnI according to the different status of CRF patients. METHODS: Nonspecific positive ratios of cTnI, cTnT, & CK-MB in were evaluated 20 predialysis patients, 13 CAPD patients and 20 hemodialysis patients. No one had had any evidence of myocardial ischemia during the previous 3 months before the study entry. The predialysis group was again divided into two groups according to the cut off level of serum creatinine of 3.0 mg/dl. Authors also compared the nonspecific positive ratios of cTnI, cTnT, CK-MB between diabetic CRF group and non diabetic CRF group. The sensitivity, specificity and false positive ratios of each enzymes were examined on and 6 hours after arrival in 21 CRF patients who visited the emergency room with the complaint of chest pain. RESULTS: 1) There were no nonspecific significant elevations of cTnI in CRF patients regardless of the status of CRF. But there were significant nonspecific elevations of CK-MB, cTnT in them. It was more marked in cTnT especially with the cut-off value of 0.1 ng/ml. 2) Nonspecific positive ratios of cTnT was significantly increased in diabetic CRF patients. 3) The sensitivity and specificity of cTnI were 100% and 93.3% each, which were significantly higher than those of CK-MB(83.3%, 66.7%) & cTnT(66.7%, 53.3%). CONCLUSION: In CRF patients, the nonspecific positive ratios of CK-MB, cTnT were higher than that of cTnI, and only cTnI did show significant specific elevations in all the CRF patients with acute myocardial infarction. It is likely that the status of CRF patients, dialysis mode, the sampling time point would not give significant changes in the nonspecific positive ratios of CK-MB, cTnT and cTnI.

A case of acute myeloid leukemia in chronic renal failure patient on erythropoietin treatment / 대한내과학회지

Recombinant human erythropoietin is a synthetic glycoprotein hormone and has the effect on bone marrow erythroid progenitor cells. Therefore, recombinant human erythropoietin has been frequently used as an agent treating anemia in chronic renal failure patients. However, Stockenhuber reported that recombinant human erythropoietin also affected other bone marrow progenitor cells (colony- forming unit-granulocyte-erythrocyte-macrophage, colony-forming-gra-nulocyte-macrophage). This reports may suggest a possible casual relationship between acute myeloid leukemia and erythropoietin. Acute myeloid leukemia is a rare disease in patients with chronic renal failure especially on erythropoietin treatment. By this time only a case of acute leukemia in chronic renal failure was reported by Campistrus in 1995. Campistrus's case was on the remission state of acute myeloid leukemia, and erythropoietin was administered to treat anemia of chronic renal failure. Also no previous case of acute myeloid leukemia developed in chronic renal failure patients on erythropoietin treatment was yet reported in Korea. So, we report a case of acute myeloid leukemia developed in a pre-dialysis chronic renal failure patient but on erythropoietin treatment.

A Case of Ruptured Aneurysm of the Sinus of Valsalva into the Left Ventricle with Complete AV Block in Behcet's Syndrome

Behcet's disease is an inflammatory condition of multiple organ systems in witch recurrent oral and genital ulcers are the most typical signs. Less common clinical features include cerebral vasculitis, arterial aneurysm, deep vein phlebitis, aseptic meningitis, and discrete bowel ulcers. The most serious complication of Behcet's disease is arterial involvement especially ruptured arterial aneurysm. The aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva in Behcet's disease is a rare condition. There is no report about it in Korea. We report a case of a aneurysm of the sinus of valsalva with Behcet's disease. The patient had complete AV block and a right coronary sinus of Valsalva aneurysm which ruptured into the left ventricle. The diagnosis was made with transesophageal echocardiography. The patient was implanted with permanent pacemaker for relief of congestive heart failure due to complete atrioventricular (AV) block. He discharged and he is still follow-up in outpatient clinic.

A case of diabetic hyperosmolar coma treated successfully with conversion to hemodialysis in a chronic renal failure patient on CAPD treatment / 대한내과학회지

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) is now the most important and effective therapeutic modality as well as hemodialysis(HD) and renal transplantation in patients with chronic renal failure. It is frequently recommended to diabetic renal failure patients because of poor, athersclerotic vascularity of them. Hyperglycemia and obesity are not uncommon complications of CAPD therapy. But there were only few reports of very severe hyperglycemia or hyperosmolar coma in CRF patients on CAPD therapy, especially with 7% dextrose CAPD dialysate in foreign countries in the past. Moreover, no specific management for hyperosmolar coma is established in those situations yet. In Korea, only three cases of hyperosmolar coma in non diabetic renal failure patient on CAPD therapy have been reported in one case report. And only one case among them whose CAPD therapy was changed to HD survived. Authors also experienced a case of diabetic hyperosmolar coma treated successfully with conversion to HD in chronic renal failure patient on CAPD therapy. So we report this case with a review of literature. Taken together with this case and review of literature, changing CAPD therapy to HD is regarded to be an important part of treatment when hyperosmolar coma develops in chronic renal failure patients.

A case of diabetic hyperosmolar coma treated successfully with conversion to hemodialysis in a chronic renal failure patient on CAPD treatment / 대한내과학회지

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) is now the most important and effective therapeutic modality as well as hemodialysis(HD) and renal transplantation in patients with chronic renal failure. It is frequently recommended to diabetic renal failure patients because of poor, athersclerotic vascularity of them. Hyperglycemia and obesity are not uncommon complications of CAPD therapy. But there were only few reports of very severe hyperglycemia or hyperosmolar coma in CRF patients on CAPD therapy, especially with 7% dextrose CAPD dialysate in foreign countries in the past. Moreover, no specific management for hyperosmolar coma is established in those situations yet. In Korea, only three cases of hyperosmolar coma in non diabetic renal failure patient on CAPD therapy have been reported in one case report. And only one case among them whose CAPD therapy was changed to HD survived. Authors also experienced a case of diabetic hyperosmolar coma treated successfully with conversion to HD in chronic renal failure patient on CAPD therapy. So we report this case with a review of literature. Taken together with this case and review of literature, changing CAPD therapy to HD is regarded to be an important part of treatment when hyperosmolar coma develops in chronic renal failure patients.