Acute Respiratory Failure Caused by Hepatopulmonary Fistula in a Patient with Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 결핵및호흡기질환

A 59-year-old man presented with acute dyspnea following sudden productive cough and expectoration of a full cup of "blood-tinged" sputum. He had been diagnosed with hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma and had received transarterial chemoembolization 5 years ago for a 20-cm hepatic mass; he denied any history of hematemesis and the last esophagogastroduodenoscopy from a year ago showed absence of varix. Chest computed tomography (CT) with angiography showed new appearance of right basal lung consolidation but no bleeding focus. Despite the use of systemic antibiotics, the patient developed respiratory failure on day 7 of hospitalization. After intubation, a massive amount of brown sputum with anchovy-paste-like consistency was suctioned via the endotracheal tube. Bronchoscopic toileting was performed and the patient was extubated. In the ward, he continued to expectorate the brown sputum. On day 25 of hospitalization, a repeat CT scan showed simultaneous disappearance of the pneumonic consolidation and the necrotic fluid within the hepatic mass, suggesting the presence of a fistula. He has continued to receive systemic antibiotics, sorafenib, and entecavir, and follow up by respiratory and hepato-oncology specialists.

Sarcoidosis Presenting with Multiple Lung Parenchymal Nodules / 이화의대지

Sarcoidosis is a multi-organ disease with various clinical manifestations. The lung is the most common site of manifestation; however, unusual findings may delay the correct diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Here we report a case of 32-year-old man with 4-month history of neck mass. Radiological findings revealed multiple pulmonary parenchymal nodules, with initial biopsy results of his neck lymph node showing chronic granuloma with focal necrosis. The patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis medications, but the size of the nodules did not change. Biopsy was performed from one of his pulmonary nodules, which revealed chronic granuloma without necrosis. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. We present a case of sarcoidosis with multiple lung parenchymal nodules that is uncommon in Korea, with an aim to alert physicians of such unusual presentations.

Therapeutic Plasmapheresis Enabling Radioactive Iodine Treatment in a Patient with Thyrotoxicosis

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is one possible treatment for patients resistant to conventional antithyroid drugs or requiring urgent attention for thyrotoxicosis. We report a 35-yr-old man with thyrotoxicosis, ultimately attributed to Graves' disease in whom antithyroid drug used initially was soon discontinued, due to abnormal liver function, and replaced by Lugol's solution. Three weeks later, an escape phenomenon (to Lugol's solution) was apparent, so we performed TPE to control the thyrotoxicosis. Two courses of TPE by a centrifugal type machine resulted in diminished levels of thyroid hormone levels, which then rebounded after another two courses of membrane filtration type TPE. However, the patient could be treated with radioactive iodine therapy without any complications at present.

Successful Treatment of a Large Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformation by Repeated Coil Embolization / 결핵및호흡기질환

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are caused by abnormal vascular communications between the pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins, which lead to the blood bypassing the normal pulmonary capillary beds. Pulmonary AVMs result in right-to-left shunts, resulting in hypoxemia, cyanosis, and dyspnea. Clinical signs and symptoms vary depending on the size, number, and flow of the AVMs. Transcatheter embolization is the treatment of choice for pulmonary AVMs. However, this method can fail if the AVM is large or has multiple complex feeding arteries. Surgical resection is necessary in those kind of cases. Here, we report the case of a patient with a 6-cm pulmonary AVM with multiple feeding arteries that was successfully treated by repeated coil embolization without surgery.

Axillary Nodular Hidradenoma in a 29-Month-Old Girl / 소아외과

Nodular hidradenoma was diagnosed in a 29-month-old girl on her axilla. Hidradenoma, sometimes designated as acrospiroma, is a benign sweat gland neoplasm, which mostly occurs in adults. Very few cases of hidradenoma have been documented in children in their first decade of life. This case demonstrates that when a child develops a skin nodule, nodular hidradenoma can be a diagnostic option.