The Diagnosis of Metastatic Malignant Melanoma Incidentally Found during a National Health Screening Endoscopy: A Case Report / 대한소화기학회지

Malignant melanoma is one of the most common malignant diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It has been reported that the malignant melanoma metastasizes not only to the small intestine due to the abundant blood supply, but also to the stomach, colon, and esophagus. Gastrointestinal metastasis is usually suspected depending on the clinical symptoms, as well as based on radiological or endoscopic findings. Imunohistochemical stains, such as Melan-A/Melanoma antigen recognized by T cell-1 or human melanoma black-45, are useful for confirming the diagnosis of malignant melanoma. A 44-year-old male received an operation due to a malignant melanoma at the left thumb two years ago. On the national health screening endoscopy, a submucosal tumor with hyperemic change on the top was found. The final diagnosis was a metastatic malignant melanoma in the stomach, pancreas, and pelvic bone. We recommend that endoscopists should consider the potential malignancy of subepithelial tumor with mucosa change, despite the tumor size being less than 1 cm.

Hypopituitarism Presenting as Adrenal Insufficiency and Hypothyroidism in a Patient with Wilson's Disease: a Case Report

Wilson's disease typically presents symptoms associated with liver damage or neuropsychiatric disturbances, while endocrinologic abnormalities are rare. We report an unprecedented case of hypopituitarism in a patient with Wilson's disease. A 40-year-old woman presented with depression, general weakness and anorexia. Laboratory tests and imaging studies were compatible with liver cirrhosis due to Wilson's disease. Basal hormone levels and pituitary function tests indicated secondary hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency due to hypopituitarism. Brain MRI showed T2 hyperintense signals in both basal ganglia and midbrain but the pituitary imaging was normal. She is currently receiving chelation therapy along with thyroid hormone and steroid replacement. There may be a relationship between Wilson's disease and hypopituitarism. Copper deposition or secondary neuronal damage in the pituitary may be a possible explanation for this theory.

Hypopituitarism Presenting as Adrenal Insufficiency and Hypothyroidism in a Patient with Wilson's Disease: a Case Report

Wilson's disease typically presents symptoms associated with liver damage or neuropsychiatric disturbances, while endocrinologic abnormalities are rare. We report an unprecedented case of hypopituitarism in a patient with Wilson's disease. A 40-year-old woman presented with depression, general weakness and anorexia. Laboratory tests and imaging studies were compatible with liver cirrhosis due to Wilson's disease. Basal hormone levels and pituitary function tests indicated secondary hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency due to hypopituitarism. Brain MRI showed T2 hyperintense signals in both basal ganglia and midbrain but the pituitary imaging was normal. She is currently receiving chelation therapy along with thyroid hormone and steroid replacement. There may be a relationship between Wilson's disease and hypopituitarism. Copper deposition or secondary neuronal damage in the pituitary may be a possible explanation for this theory.

New Diagnostic Criterion of Ankle Brachial Index for Peripheral Arterial Disease

BACKGROUND: The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a simple, inexpensive diagnostic test for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However the diagnostic criterion of 0.9 has shown variable accuracy for identification of stenosis. We investigated more specific and sensitive diagnostic criterion of ABI for the diagnosis of PAD. METHODS: Among 5,379 patients who performed ABI test, 398 patients with abnormal ABI results or PAD symptoms underwent computed tomography angiography to confirm PAD. Each ABI results were compared with its sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values. ROC analysis and cross-tabulation analysis were performed to yield proper ABI criterion. RESULTS: ABI of 0.9 showed very high level of sensitivity (92.2%) and very low specificity(59.3%). ABI of 0.84 showed high level of specificity (81.4%), sensitivity (82.2%) and diagnostic correspondent rate (0.607). CONCLUSION: The ABI of 0.84 could be more accurate and useful diagnostic Criterion for identifying PAD.

A Case of Seizure and Metabolic Acidosis Due to Renal Adjustment Dosage of Isoniazid in an Elderly Woman / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

Isoniazid is one of the most commonly used antituberculosis drug. Acute into xication is characterized by repetitious convulsions, high anion gap metabolic a cidosis and coma. The basis of theraphy consists of parental pyridoxine admi nistration in a dose equivalent to that of isoniazid ingested. Here we present a case of seizure and metabolic acidosis due to only renal adjustment dosage of Isoniazid in an elderly woman.

Myxedema Coma Successfully Treated by Low Dose Oral Levothyroxine

Myxedema coma is a severe life-threatening form of hypothyroidism that is associated with a high mortality rate. It is known to be common in the elderly, and is mainly accompanied with cardiogenic shock, respiratory failure, central nervous system dysfunction, and body temperature regulation defects. Thus, immediate management is required in order to prevent fatal complications in myxedema coma. However, early detection is difficult and further, it is easily misdiagnosed due to its low incidence rate and nonspecific symptoms. We report a case of myxedema coma which was misdiagnosed for heart failure. The patient was successfully treated with intensive care and oral low dose levothyroxine.

A Case of Renal Tubular Acidosis Associated With Graves' Disease

Renal tubular acidosis (RTA) is a metabolic acidosis caused by impaired excretion of hydrogen ions or reabsorption of bicarbonate. Disorders caused by impairment of bicarbonate reabsorption in the proximal tubule are classified as proximal RTA, whereas those resulting from impairment of hydrogen ion secretion at the distal tubule are called distal RTA. The most common causes of distal renal tubular acidosis in adults are autoimmune disorders including Sjogren syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune thyroiditis. Of the thyroiditis states, Graves' disease-associated RTA is a rare disease. We experienced and managed one case of hypokalemic muscle weakness associated with Graves' disease and distal renal tubular acidosis.

Association between Genetic Polymorphisms of CYP2D6 and Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients with Tamoxifen Treatment

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6 and outcomes in breast cancer patients with tamoxifen treatment. We evaluated the CYP2D6 genetic polymorphisms in 766 breast cancer patients. Among them, 110 patients whose samples were prospectively collected before surgery and treated with tamoxifen were included to evaluate the association between CYP2D6 and outcomes. The genotypes of CYP2D6 were categorized as extensive metabolizer (EM), intermediate metabolizer (IM), and poor metabolizer (PM) according to the activity score. The clinicopathologic features of 110 patients were not significantly different among the three groups except for the T-stage and nodal status. The high T-stage and axillary metastasis were more frequent in the PM group. While recurrence-free and overall survival in the PM group was poorer than the other groups, there was no significant difference between the EM and the IM group. The difference between the PM and the other groups on univariate analysis disappeared on multivariate analysis. These conflicting results suggest that the clinical value of CYP2D6 polymorphisms is still unclear and more large-sized and comprehensively designed trials are necessary.