Granular Cell Tumors of the Cecum: Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature / 계명의대학술지

A granular cell tumor (GCT) is a relatively rare benign tumor that has been seldom reported since Abrikossoff first described it as a granular cell myoblastoma in 1926. While GCTs can occur anywhere in the human body, they are very rarely observed in the gastrointestinal tract and are especially rare in the large intestine. Most GCTs are small and asymptomatic and are often found by endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal series, and autopsy. We report two cases in which a submucosal tumor in the cecum was accidentally discovered by colonoscopy and was subsequently removed by colon polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection. Immunohistochemical analysis of the samples confirmed both cases as GCT. The literature review and reports of other growths in the gastrointestinal tracts support the necessity for proper identification of GCTs within the body to differentiate them from more malignant tumors.

Granular Cell Tumors of the Cecum: Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature / 계명의대학술지

A granular cell tumor (GCT) is a relatively rare benign tumor that has been seldom reported since Abrikossoff first described it as a granular cell myoblastoma in 1926. While GCTs can occur anywhere in the human body, they are very rarely observed in the gastrointestinal tract and are especially rare in the large intestine. Most GCTs are small and asymptomatic and are often found by endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal series, and autopsy. We report two cases in which a submucosal tumor in the cecum was accidentally discovered by colonoscopy and was subsequently removed by colon polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection. Immunohistochemical analysis of the samples confirmed both cases as GCT. The literature review and reports of other growths in the gastrointestinal tracts support the necessity for proper identification of GCTs within the body to differentiate them from more malignant tumors.

Asymptomatic Cholecystocolic Fistula Diagnosed Accurately before Surgery / 대한췌담도학회지

Cholecystocolic fistula (CCF) is a rare and late complication of gallbladder disease. The cause of CCF is known to be peptic ulcer, gallbladder disease, malignant tumor, trauma, and postoperative complications. The proper treatment method is to perform cholecystectomy and to identify and alleviate the CCF. However, cholecystectomy is not always possible owing to technical difficulties and disease severity. CCF is difficult to diagnose preoperatively, and CCF operation without an accurate preoperative diagnosis can lead to a more complicated surgery and cause surgeons to face more difficult situations or to endanger patients' lives. We report a case of asymptomatic CCF successfully treated with laparoscopic surgery after accurate diagnosis before surgery.

Thyroid Tuberculosis Diagnosis by Core Needle Biopsy Associated with Lymph Node Enlargement / 계명의대학술지

Tuberculosis of thyroid gland is rare. We experienced a case of tuberculosis of the thyroid gland with contralateral lymph node enlargement in a 45-year-old female patient. She had no clinical respiratory symptom and no weight change. Thyroid sonography demonstrated 5.4 × 3.8 mm sized round low echogenic mass on lower pole of left thyroid gland and right cervical lymph node enlargement. Core needle biopsy of thyroid showed epithelioid chronic granuloma in the caseous necrosis. She was administrered anti-tuberculosis therapy for 24 weeks. After medication, thyroid sonographic finding improved and thyroid mass and right cervical lymph node enlargement disappeared.

Encephalopathy Associated with Autoimmune Thyroid Disease Accompanied by Graves' Disease / 대한내과학회지

A patient with encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroid disease (EAATD), which is one of the most important differential diagnoses of treatable dementia, presents with various neurological symptoms, such as repetitive epileptic seizures, altered mental status, and cognitive dysfunction. Steroid treatment is effective for EAATD. The incidence of EAATD increases considerably with age, particularly in female patients. Most patients with EAATD have normal thyroid function test results or mild hypothyroidism. Patients with EAATD with Graves' disease are very rarely reported. Here, we report a case of a 63-year-old woman who complained of declining cognitive ability and ataxia. She was diagnosed with EAATD accompanied by Graves' disease. Her neurological symptoms improved after intravenous steroid administration.

Hemangioma in Renal Pelvis / 계명의대학술지

Hemangioma in the renal pelvis is a very rare benign tumor that may be mistaken for renal cell carcinoma. We present a case of a 59-year-old woman with a renal mass, that was diagnosed as a cavernous hemangioma in the renal pelvis.

A Case of Single Mass Forming Hepatic Tuberculoma / 계명의대학술지

Tuberculosis mainly develops in the lung, but may also rarely invade other parts of the abdominal region. Abdominal tuberculosis is associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in approximately 15% of cases, and abdominal tuberculosis primarily develops in the terminal ileum and lymphatic gland. Moreover, hepatic tuberculosis is uncommon and is usually accompanied with active pulmonary or miliary tuberculosis. Hence, the development of primary hepatic tuberculoma as a single liver mass is very unusual. In the present report, we describe the case of a 63-year-old man with a solitary hepatic tuberculoma; the 6.4 cm mass was incidentally detected during abdominal computed tomography in the asymptomatic patient, and the diagnosis was confirmed by liver biopsy through ultrasonography-guided fine-needle aspiration.

An Elderly Female Non-smoker with Primary Small Cell Carcinoma of the Urinary Bladder / 계명의대학술지

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) primarily arises in the lung. Cases of primary extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma are uncommon, and may develop in various different organs. In particular, small cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder is very rare in female nonsmokers, and its prognosis is poor. The main part of treatment in SCC is a chemotherapy, which is a critical factor in its prognosis. In the present report, we describe the case of an 82-year-old female non-smoker who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) without chemotherapy for small-cell carcinoma of the bladder, and experienced a relapse at a same area to the primary tumor site.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Rhabdomyolysis Associated With Acute Renal Failure in Hypothyroidism

Myopathy due to hypothyroidism can be detected in its early stage, but as the symptom is mild, complications such as rhabdomyolysis are rare. Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in hypothyroidism is not yet clearly defined, and rare cases of it are reported. Reported herein is a case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and rhabdomyolysis associated with acute renal failure in hypothyroidism. A 70-year-old male was admitted to the hospital due to general weakness and muscle pain. Later, based on the laboratory findings, he was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis associated with acute renal failure and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura combined with hypothyroidism. Initially, he was treated with fluid resuscitation due to rhabdomyolysis combined with acute renal failure but eventually, the levothyroxine supplement lowered the thyrotropin-stimulating hormone level. As a result, the patient recovered from rhabdomyolysis and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura without receiving plasmapheresis treatment.