Small Bowel Variceal Bleeding in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis Treated with Transarterial Embolization: Case Series / 대한소화기학회지

Small bowel variceal bleeding is a rare cause of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, with clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic incidental findings to life-threatening conditions. The diagnosis and management of small bowel bleeding are challenging because of the localization of the lesion and the difficulty of the procedure. Trans-arterial embolization (TAE) is a secure and straightforward method for treating ectopic varices. On the other hand, there have been limited local studies on the outcomes of TAE for patients with small bowel variceal hemorrhage. This paper reports patients diagnosed with small bowel variceal bleeding and treated with TAE.

Transcatheter Removal of Bone Cement Embolism in the Right Atrium after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: The Embolus Broke in Half and Migrated to the Right Pulmonary Artery Intraoperatively

Bone cement embolism often occurs during percutaneous vertebroplasty. Bone cement pulmonary arterial embolism generally requires no treatment because of the small size and asymptomatic manifestation. Intracardiac bone cement embolisms are rare but associated with a risk of severe complications. Intracardiac bone cement embolisms are mainly removed through open heart surgery. To the best of our knowledge, only three cases of intracardiac bone cement embolisms removed with interventions have been reported. Here, we report another case of successful transcatheter retrieval of a 6-cm-long cement embolism in the right atrium after percutaneous vertebroplasty. The embolus broke in half and migrated to the right pulmonary artery intraoperatively. Using two snares and a filter retrieval device, we advanced from opposite directions. Further, we gently grasped and pulled the fragments of the right pulmonary artery and aligned them in a linear fashion directly into the sheath for uneventful removal.

Transcatheter Removal of Bone Cement Embolism in the Right Atrium after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty: The Embolus Broke in Half and Migrated to the Right Pulmonary Artery Intraoperatively

Bone cement embolism often occurs during percutaneous vertebroplasty. Bone cement pulmonary arterial embolism generally requires no treatment because of the small size and asymptomatic manifestation. Intracardiac bone cement embolisms are rare but associated with a risk of severe complications. Intracardiac bone cement embolisms are mainly removed through open heart surgery. To the best of our knowledge, only three cases of intracardiac bone cement embolisms removed with interventions have been reported. Here, we report another case of successful transcatheter retrieval of a 6-cm-long cement embolism in the right atrium after percutaneous vertebroplasty. The embolus broke in half and migrated to the right pulmonary artery intraoperatively. Using two snares and a filter retrieval device, we advanced from opposite directions. Further, we gently grasped and pulled the fragments of the right pulmonary artery and aligned them in a linear fashion directly into the sheath for uneventful removal.

Useful Ultrasound Findings of Pediatric Patients with Equivocal Results of Appendicitis: Analysis Based on a Structured Report Form

Purpose@#To identify the features that can be used for differentiating appendicitis from non-appendicitis in pediatric patients with equivocal ultrasound (US) results. @*Materials and Methods@#A total of 53 pediatric patients (≤ 18 years old) with equivocal results on US examination for suspected appendicitis between November 2012 and October 2017 were included. US evaluation was conducted based on information retrieved from a predefined structured report form. Then, the likelihood of appendicitis was prospectively classified into five categories. The equivocal results were considered as grade 3 (indeterminate) and grade 4 (probably appendicitis). @*Results@#Of the 53 patients, 25 (47.2%) and 28 (52.8%) were classified into grade 3 and 4 groups, respectively. Among the individual US findings, increased vascularity of the appendiceal wall and peri-appendiceal fat infiltration were independent findings associated with the diagnosis of appendicitis (p = 0.005, p = 0.045, respectively) in the multivariate logistic regression analysis and showed the highest diagnostic accuracy (69.8% and 62.3%, respectively). @*Conclusion@#Increased vascularity within the appendiceal wall and peri-appendiceal fat infiltration were significant predictors of appendicitis in patients with equivocal US findings.

Hepatic Pseudolymphoma Mimicking a Hypervascular Tumor: A Case Report

Hepatic pseudolymphoma is a rare benign liver mass that is characterized by proliferation of non-neoplastic lymphocytes extranodally. To the best of our knowledge, only 46 cases have been reported in the English literature. We described the case of a 75-year-old woman with hepatic pseudolymphoma mimicking a hypervascular tumor. After the histological confirmation of the rectal neuroendocrine tumor, CT scan revealed a 1.0 cm-sized, poorly-defined and low-density nodule in the liver. On MRI, the hepatic nodule showed an arterial enhancement and a low-signal intensity on the hepatobiliary phase. On diffusion-weighted imaging, the hepatic nodule showed a high signal intensity on a high b-value. On fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT, it revealed a high standardized uptake value nodule. The US showed the hypoechoic nodule and the US-guided biopsy confirmed the hepatic pseudolymphoma.

Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Seminal Vesicle: a Case Report

Primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the seminal vesicle is an extremely rare disorder, with only two cases reported in the English literature. Here, we present imaging findings of a case of primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the seminal vesicle. On transrectal ultrasonography, the mass presented as a 3.0-cm-sized heterogeneous, hypoechoic lesion in the right seminal vesicle. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass with rim-like enhancement in the right seminal vesicle. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the tumor showed iso-signal intensity on T1-weighted images and heterogeneously intermediate-high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The tumor showed rim-like and progressive enhancement with non-enhancing portion on dynamic scanning. Diffusion restriction was observed in the mass. On fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) imaging, a high standardized uptake value (maxSUV, 23.5) by the tumor was noted exclusively in the right seminal vesicle.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the appendix: a case report with an emphasis on sonographic findings

In this report, we present a rare case of primary signet-ring cell carcinoma of the appendix in a 51-year-old woman with right lower quadrant pain. Since non-specific concentric appendiceal wall thickening was found in a radiologic evaluation, it was misdiagnosed as non-tumorous appendicitis. An in-depth examination of the correlation between sonographic and histopathologic findings demonstrated that a single markedly thickened hypoechoic layer was well correlated with the diffuse infiltration of tumor cells in both the submucosal and muscle layers. If this sonographic finding is observed in certain clinical settings, such as potential ovarian and peritoneal metastasis, submucosal infiltrative tumors, including signet-ring cell carcinoma, should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Supradiaphragmatic Liver Confirmed by a Hepatocyte-specific Contrast Agent (Gd-EOB-DTPA): A Case Report

Supradiaphragmatic liver is a rare condition. Establishing an accurate preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Operative exploration is necessary to differentiate this lesion from intrathoracic masses, such as a pleural based tumor, diaphragmatic tumor and peripheral lung tumor. However, with the aid of the hepatocyte-specific magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA), functional hepatocytes in the lesion can be identified in the hepatobiliary phase, potentially allowing an accurate and non-invasive diagnosis. We report a case of supradiaphragmatic liver diagnosed by Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.

A Case of Acquired Factor V Deficiency Treated with Corticosteroids and Cyclophosphamide / 대한내과학회지

Acquired factor V deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder, the severity of which ranges from mild to fatal. There are various suggested treatments, including transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or platelets, plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive therapy. We encountered a case of idiopathic acquired factor V deficiency with fatal retroperitoneal bleeding treated with steroid and cyclophosphamide.

A Case of Castleman's Disease Mimicking a Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review of Literature / 대한소화기학회지

Castleman's disease is a rare disease characterized by lymph node hyperplasia. Although Castleman's disease can occur wherever lymphoid tissue is found, it rarely appears in the abdominal cavity, and is especially rare adjacent to the liver. Here, we report a rare case of Castleman's disease in the portal area that mimicked a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a chronic hepatitis B patient. A 40 year-old woman with chronic hepatitis B presented with right upper quadrant discomfort. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging results showed a 2.2 cm-sized, exophytic hypervascular mass in the portal area. HCC was suspected. However, histologic examination revealed Castleman's disease. We suggest that Castleman's disease should be included as a rare differential diagnosis of a hypervascular mass in the portal area, even in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

A Case of Acquired Factor V Deficiency Treated with Corticosteroids and Cyclophosphamide / 대한내과학회지

Acquired factor V deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder, the severity of which ranges from mild to fatal. There are various suggested treatments, including transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or platelets, plasmapheresis and immunosuppressive therapy. We encountered a case of idiopathic acquired factor V deficiency with fatal retroperitoneal bleeding treated with steroid and cyclophosphamide.

Combination treatment with intrahepatic arterial infusion and intratumoral injection chemotherapy in patients with far-advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and arterioportal or arteriovenous shunts: preliminary results / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Combination treatment consisting of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with epirubicin and cisplatin (HAIC-EC) and systemic infusion of low-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are sometimes effective against advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is no effective treatment for advanced HCCs with arterioportal shunts (APS) or arteriovenous shunts (AVS). METHODS: We investigated a response and adverse events of a new combination protocol of repeated HAIC-EC and percutaneous intratumoral injection chemotherapy with a mixture of recombinant interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and 5-FU (PIC-IF) in patients with far-advanced HCCs with large APSs or AVSs. RESULTS: There was a complete response (CR) for the large vascular shunts in all three patients and for all tumor burdens in two patients. Significant side effects were flu-like symptoms (grade 2) and bone marrow suppression (grade 2 or 3) after each cycle, but these were well-tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the combination of HAIC-EC and PIC-IF is a new and promising approach for advanced HCC accompanied by a large APS or AVS.

A Case of Multiple Organ Failure Complicating Hepatitis A Virus Superinfection in a Chronic Hepatitis B Patient / 대한내과학회지

Hepatitis A virus is a major cause of viral hepatitis worldwide. The prevalence of hepatitis A in young adults has recently been increasing in Korea. Hepatitis A infection rarely complicates fulminant hepatitis, acute pancreatitis, and acute renal failure. We experienced a case of multiple organ failure involving fulminant hepatitis, acute pancreatitis, and acute renal failure complicating a hepatitis A superinfection in a chronic hepatitis B patient. The patient was a 38 year old man who presented with febrile sense and myalgia. He was initially alert, but became confused and developed acute renal failure and acute pancreatitis. He received continuous renal replacement therapy and conservative treatment and completely recovered from the multiple organ failure. It is important to consider a variety of potential complications in hepatitis A patients, especially in those with underlying chronic liver disease.

A case of pylephlebitis with Streptococcus viridans and Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia secondary to diverticulitis / 대한내과학회지

Pylephlebitis, a septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein or one of its tributaries, is a life-threatening complication of intra-abdominal infection. The causes of pylephlebitis include acute diverticulitis, appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, necrotizing pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and bowel perforation. Although pylephlebitis is an unusual complication of diverticulitis, its morbidity and mortality remain high. Therefore, early diagnosis and initiation of adequate antibiotic therapy is important for improving the long-term prognosis of patients suffering from this rare disease. We report a case of pylephlebitis with Streptococcus viridans and Bacteroides fragilis bacteremia secondary to diverticulitis with a review of the literature.

A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Pulmonary Metastases Treated Successfully with a Combination of Repeated Hepatic Arterial Infusion Epirubicin and Cisplatin Chemotherapy and Systemic Low-Dose Infusion of 5-Fluorouracil

We report a case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with pulmonary metastases treated with repeated hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) comprising epirubicin and cisplatin, and systemic infusion of 5-fluorouracil (a modified EC/F protocol), which led to complete remission. A 49-year-old man with compensated liver cirrhosis experienced intrahepatic recurrence of HCC with extensive lung metastases. The modified EC/F therapeutic protocol, which was applied at the tenth cycle every 4-5 weeks, resulted in disappearance of the pulmonary metastases and normalization of serum alpha-fetoprotein levels. A single small HCC lesion was found in the left lobe of the liver 13 months after the final chemotherapy session. HAIC with the same regimen was conducted again, followed by percutaneous intratumoral chemoinjection therapy with 5-fluorouracil and interferon-gamma. Thereafter, there was no evidence of recurrence in either the liver or the lung, as evidenced by image analysis and expression of tumor markers. The disease-free intervals for the liver and lung were 41 and 54 months, respectively.

A Case of Escherichia Coli Empyema Preceded by Acute Pyelonephritis / 감염과화학요법

We experienced a case of acute pyelonephritis which progressed to Escherichia coli bacteremia and later complicated by empyema in a 65-year-old female. She was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage of empyema.

A Case of Escherichia Coli Empyema Preceded by Acute Pyelonephritis / 감염과화학요법

We experienced a case of acute pyelonephritis which progressed to Escherichia coli bacteremia and later complicated by empyema in a 65-year-old female. She was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy and percutaneous drainage of empyema.

Primary Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma of the Mesentery: A Case Report

A malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mesentery is rare, and multifocal involvement as a primary tumor is very rare. In this report, a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the mesentery presenting with two masses and multiple peritoneal seeding in a 48-year-old man is described. A physical examination revealed a large, firm, and non-tender mass in the right lower abdomen of the patient. Computed tomography of the lesion revealed a partially, indistinctly marginated and heterogeneously enhancing mass with irregular peritumoral strands in the mesentery of the right lower abdomen, while sonograms of the lesion revealed an ill-defined low-echoic mass. The final pathology demonstrated the presence of a storiform-pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Well-Differentiated Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Triple-Phase Helical CT Findings

PURPOSE: To determine the imaging characteristics of well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), as seen at triple-phase helical CT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight well-differentiated HCCs in 29 patients who underwent surgical resection comprised our study population. Triple-phase helical CT images were obtained at 30 seconds, 70 seconds, and 3 minutes after contrast injection, and HCCs were divided into four groups according to their size: smaller than 1 cm (n=12), 1-2 cm (n=15), 2-4 cm (n=8), and larger than 4 cm (n=3), The enhancement patterns of HCCs at triple-phase helical CT were retrospectively analysed. RESULTS: In the smaller than l cm group, the most common enhancement pattern at all three phases was iso-attenuation (n=8; 67%). In the 1-2 cm group, iso-attenuation (n=10; 67%) was most common during the arterial phase and slightly low attenuation during the portal and equilibrium phases while in the 2-4 cm group, high attenuation (n=6; 75%) was most common during the arterial and portal phases, and low attenuation during the equilibrium phase (n=6; 75%). Two (67%) of three cases in the larger than 4 cm group demonstrated low, including fatty, attenuation. The detection rate was 33% (4/12) in the smaller than 1 cm group, 87% (13/15) in the 1-2 cm group and 100% (11/11) in the 2-4 cm and larger than 4 cm groups. CONCLUSION: At triple-phase helical CT, the enhancement patterns of well-differentiated HCCs were diverse, and the detection rate of those larger than 1 cm was 92% (24/26).

CT of Normal Variations of the Minute Central Skull Base Foramina

PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT appearance of normal variations in the minute central skull base foramina in infants and children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fourteen children under the age of 17 years without skull base abnormality underwent CT scanning. A high spatial frequency algorithm was used, and contiguous axial scanning parallel to the orbitomeatal line was performed from the foramen magnum to the orbital roof, with a 1-mm slice thickness. The presence or absence of eight foramina, pseudoforamina, or ossification centers including anterior presphenoidal foramen, posterior presphenoidal foramen, rostro-orbital pseudoforamen, intralateromedial postsphenoidal pseudoforamen, intrapostsphenoidal pseudoforamen, spheno-occipital pseudo-foramen, canalis basilaris medianus and intrasynchondral ossified bodies was analysed according to age. The presence of foramina or pseudoforamina was indicated if a ring-shaped structure was seen on two or more CT scans at the location anatomically predicted, and intrasynchondral ossified bodies were indicated if linear or dot-like structures with high attenuation accompanied spheno-occipital synchondrosis. RESULTS: CT indicated that within a certain age range, various kinds of foramina, pseudoforamina, and ossification centers were frequent. The anterior presphenoidal foramen was most commonly seen in infants aged 1-12 months (16/17, 94 %); the posterior presphenoidal foramen in children less than 2 years old(27/37, 73 % ) ; the rostro-orbital pseudoforamen in children aged 2 -5 years (9/17, 53%); intrapostsphenoidal pseudoforamen in children 6 -12 years old(20/37, 54%) and spheno-occipital pseudoforamen and intrasynchondral ossified bodies in children aged 13 -16 years. The canalis basilaris medianus was identified in about 20 % of all subjects regardless of age. CONCLUSION: Development of the minute central skull base foramina varied greatly according to age. Knowledge of the CT appearances of such embryologic variants of the central skull base should not only help Provide an understanding of complex skull base anatomy but also identify abnormal skull base development.