A synchronous hepatocellular carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma treated with radio-frequency ablation

Radio-frequency ablation (RFA) is a curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Percutaneous RFA has been shown to be beneficial for patients with small renal cell carcinoma (RCC) lacking indications for resection. We experienced the case of a 53-year-old male who had conditions that suggested HCC, RCC, and alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance image showed liver cirrhosis with 2.8 cm ill-defined mass in segment 2 of the liver and 1.9 cm hypervascular mass in the left kidney. These findings were compatible with the double primary cancers of HCC and RCC. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) was performed to treat the HCC. After the TACE, a focal lipiodol uptake defect was noticed on a follow up CT images and loco-regional treatment was recommended. Therefore, we performed RFAs to treat HCC and RCC. There was no evidence of recurrence in the follow up image after 1 month.

Elevated Hemoglobin A1c Levels Are Associated with Worse Survival in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Patients with Diabetes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pre-existing diabetes mellitus (DM) has been identified as an adverse prognostic variable associated with increased mortality in various cancers. Although DM and hyperglycemia are considered risk factors for pancreatic cancer (PC), antidiabetic treatments for patients with advanced PC have been overlooked. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels on PC survival. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of first-diagnosed patients with advanced PC who were admitted to Konkuk University Medical Center from 2005 to 2011. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were enrolled, and there were 111 deaths (87.4%) within the 7-year observational period. The most common etiology was disease progression (n=108). DM before PC diagnosis was observed in 65 patients (51.1%), including 28 patients with new-onset DM. The overall median survival times in patients with and without DM were 198 and 263 days, respectively (p=0.091). Survival time according to HbA1c was significantly different between the or =7.0% groups (362 and 144 days, respectively; p=0.038). In the HbA1c > or =7.0% group, the median overall survival time was 273 days for the metformin group and 145 days for the nonmetformin oral agent group; however, there was no significant difference between the two groups (p=0.058). CONCLUSIONS: A high HbA1c level may be associated with worse survival in patients with advanced PC with DM. Antidiabetic treatment, metformin in particular, was associated with an improved outcome.

Hepatic Tuberculosis Granuloma Mimicking Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Confirmed by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration / 대한내과학회지

Hepatic tuberculosis is usually associated with active pulmonary or miliary tuberculosis. The occurrence of an isolated hepatic mass-forming tuberculosis with no evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere is rare. We report a case of a 31-year-old male with a solitary hepatic granuloma mimicking a mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography of the abdomen showed a malignant tumor-like lesion. We then conducted endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for confirmation of the hepatic hilar mass, which was found to be a hepatic tuberculosis granuloma as the final diagnosis.

Hepatic Tuberculosis Granuloma Mimicking Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Confirmed by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration / 대한내과학회지

Hepatic tuberculosis is usually associated with active pulmonary or miliary tuberculosis. The occurrence of an isolated hepatic mass-forming tuberculosis with no evidence of tuberculosis elsewhere is rare. We report a case of a 31-year-old male with a solitary hepatic granuloma mimicking a mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography of the abdomen showed a malignant tumor-like lesion. We then conducted endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for confirmation of the hepatic hilar mass, which was found to be a hepatic tuberculosis granuloma as the final diagnosis.

A Case of Anti-LKM 1 Positive Autoimmune Hepatitis Accompanied by Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한소화기학회지

Overlap of autoimmune hepatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a comparatively rare condition. Although both autoimmune hepatitis and SLE can share common autoimmune features such as polyarthralgia, hypergammaglobulinemia and positive ANA, it has been considered as two different entities. We report a case of anti-LKM1 positive autoimmune hepatitis who developed SLE two years later. The presence of interface hepatitis with lymphoplasma cell infiltrates and rosette formation points to the autoimmune hepatitis rather than SLE hepatitis. Autoimmune hepatitis is infrequently accompanied by SLE, therefore, it could be recommended to investigate for SLE in patients with autoimmune hepatitis.

A Case of Diphyllobothrium latum Infection in a Patient with Abdominal Pain / 대한소화기학회지

The growing popularity of eating raw fish has resulted in increase of certain human parasitic infection, such as diphyllobothriasis. Even though, upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy reveal no specific abnormality, if a patient complains of persistent abdominal pain, we should consider the possibility of parasitic infection. Careful history taking and stool examination can avoid further invasive study. We report a case of Diphyllobothrium latum infection in a patient with vague abdominal pain who showed normal finding on endoscopy.