Ascending Colon Cancer with Pathologically Confirmed Tumor Thrombosis of Superior Mesenteric Vein: A Case Report

Colon cancer is very rarely accompanied by tumor thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). A 46-year-old patient had been diagnosed with SMV tumor thrombosis related to colon cancer without hepatic metastasis and underwent right hemicolectomy with SMV tumor thrombectomy. Tumor thrombosis was pathologically confirmed as metastatic colon cancer. There has been no recurrence for 12 months with 12 cycles of adjuvant-chemotherapy.

A Case of Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis Complicated by Hypocalcemia / 대한내과학회지

We report a case of acute suppurative thyroiditis complicated by idiopathic hypoparathyroidism. The patient was a 49-year-old female who visited our clinic with a painful goiter on the left lobe of the thyroid gland. She was hypocalcemic, which was accompanied unusually by acute suppurative thyroiditis. She also suffered from tetany of both hands and legs. She had undergone a right subtotal thyroidectomy at another hospital 23 years previously due to a benign thyroid nodule. Intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were increased, but other laboratory findings were normal. No special treatment was administered for the acute suppurative thyroiditis, except antibiotics, to observe its natural course. Her PTH levels decreased and serum calcium returned to normal. The complication of acute suppurative thyroiditis suggested the possible involvement of idiopathic hypoparathyroidism.

Erratum: A Case of Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis Complicated by Hypocalcemia / 대한내과학회지

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Colon Cancer After Acute Diverticulitis Treatment

Diverticulitis is the most common clinical complication of diverticular disease, affecting 10-25% of the patients with diverticula. The prevalences of diverticulitis and colon cancer tend to increase with age and are higher in industrialized countries. Consequently, diverticulitis and colon cancer have been reported to have similar epidemiological characteristics. However, the relationship between these diseases remains controversial, as is the performance of routine colonoscopy after an episode of diverticulitis to exclude colon cancer. Recently, we experienced three cases of colon cancer after treating acute diverticulitis, based on which we suggest the importance of follow-up colonoscopy after acute diverticulitis.

Anomalous Separate Origin of Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery: Presented as Acute Anterior Myocardial Infarction

Coronary artery anomalies are rare presentations in primary percutaneous coronary interventions of acute myocardial infarction. Herein, we report the case of a 59-year-old man with acute anterior myocardial infarction who had anomalous separate origin of left anterior descending artery (LAD) and left circumflex artery (LCX) from the left coronary aortic sinus. Coronary angiography showed a normal right coronary artery and LCX, but no visualization of the LAD. After several unsuccessful attempts to cannulate the LAD, we found the LAD ostium located by the side of the LCX ostium. There was total occlusion at proxymal LAD. Coronary computed tomography angiography demonstrated the precise, separate origin of LAD and LCX from the left coronary aortic sinus.

Cut-Off Value and Factors Associated with a False Positive D-Dimer Result for Venous Thromboembolism in Koreans / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The D-dimer value is a simple blood test used to evaluate venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, due to its low specificity, another test is needed for a definite diagnosis, such as a radiographic test. We evaluate the factors associated with a false positive D-dimer test and propose a new cut-off value for detecting VTE more effectively in Koreans. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational study. From January 2009 to December 2009, 2,047 patients (988 men, 63 +/- 15 years) had the D-dimer value checked to evaluate VTE. The main outcome of interest was a positive D-dimer test. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were determined using logistic regression analysis. The new D-dimer cut-off was evaluated using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. RESULTS: The result was positive in 1,093 patients (53%), for a false positive percentage for VTE of 95% and a false negative percentage for VTE of 1%. Significant false positive predictors for a positive D-dimer were increasing age, trauma, postoperative, acute infection, tuberculosis, stroke, malignancy, chronic renal failure, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, and lung disease. The discriminative value of the D-dimer test was assessed using ROC curve analysis. A D-dimer value of 0.68 mg/L on admission was the best cut-off value for predicting the development of VTE with a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 57%. CONCLUSIONS: Many factors affect the D-dimer value and we must consider these factors before using the D-dimer value to evaluate VTE. A D-dimer value of 0.68 mg/L appears to be a good cut-off value for evaluating VTE more effectively in Koreans.

Advanced Gastric Cancer Associated with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Successfully Treated with 5-fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin

Gastric cancer patients with acute disseminated intravascular coagulation experiences a rare but severe complication resulting in a dismal prognosis. We report a case of advanced gastric cancer complicated with disseminated intravascular coagulation with intractable tumor bleeding which was successfully treated with chemotherapy consisting of 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. The patient was a 63-year-old man who complained of abdominal pain, melena, and dyspnea on 24 November 2010. We diagnosed stage IV gastric cancer complicated by disseminated intravascular coagulation. Gastric tumor bleeding was not controlled after procedures were repeated three times using gastrofiberscopy. With the patient's consent, we selected the 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin combination chemotherapy for treatment. After one cycle of 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin therapy, symptoms of bleeding improved and the disseminated intravascular coagulation process was successfully controlled. The primary tumor and multiple metastatic bone lesions were remarkably shrunken and metabolically remitted after eight cycles of chemotherapy. In spite of progression, systemic chemotherapy is effective in disease control; further, the patient gained the longest survival time among cases of gastric cancer with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

A Case of Hepatic Recurrence of Low Risk Duodenal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in 11 Years after Curative Resection

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. It is mainly found in the stomach and small intestine. Based on tumor size and mitotic index, it is classified into very low risk, low risk, intermediate risk and high risk. Generally, the recurrence of low risk GIST is extremely rare, but the recurrence rate can be different according to its location. Recently, it has been reported that the recurrence rate of low risk small bowel GIST is higher than the recurrence rate of low risk stomach GIST. We report a hepatic recurrence of low risk duodenal GIST that was removed completely through pancreaticoduodenectomy 11 years earlier. Regular long term follow-up must be considered, even for low risk GISTs.

A Case of Hepatic Recurrence of Low Risk Duodenal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor in 11 Years after Curative Resection

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. It is mainly found in the stomach and small intestine. Based on tumor size and mitotic index, it is classified into very low risk, low risk, intermediate risk and high risk. Generally, the recurrence of low risk GIST is extremely rare, but the recurrence rate can be different according to its location. Recently, it has been reported that the recurrence rate of low risk small bowel GIST is higher than the recurrence rate of low risk stomach GIST. We report a hepatic recurrence of low risk duodenal GIST that was removed completely through pancreaticoduodenectomy 11 years earlier. Regular long term follow-up must be considered, even for low risk GISTs.