A Case of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Pancreatic Metastasis

Solitary pancreatic metastasis of esophageal cancer is extremely rare. We report the case of a 58-year-old male admitted with esophageal cancer. Additional asymptomatic solitary hepatic and pancreatic masses were observed in the staging work-up for esophageal cancer. The hepatic mass was confirmed as a primary hepatocellular carcinoma with an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. An esophagectomy with a distal pancreatectomy and radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma were performed. Histologically, the pancreatic mass was confirmed to be a metastasis from the esophageal cancer. The patient has been followed up with chemotherapy.

A Case of Cholangiocarcinoma and Colorectal Cancer Diagnosed Simultaneously in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis and Concurrent Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) accompanied by a risk to develop colorectal dysplasia and cancer. Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is strongly associated with UC and there are some distinguishing clinical features between UC patients with PSC (UC-PSC) and UC patients without PSC. The most important feature is that UC patients with concomitant PSC are at a significantly increased risk of developing colorectal dysplasia or cancer. Furthermore, it has been suggested that patients with UC and PSC are also at an increased risk of cholangiocarcinoma. We report a case of cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer diagnosed simultaneously in a patient with UC and concurrent PSC. He was diagnosed with UC and PSC 13 years ago and had been treated irregularly. Surveillance colonoscopy and biopsies were performed and one of the biopsied specimen confirmed adenocarcinoma. He underwent abdominal computed tomography (CT) because of the abnormal liver function test and the CT showed cholangiocarcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of a UC-PSC with cholangiocarcinoma and colorectal cancer at the same time in Korea.

A case of extrahepatic bile duct hepatocellular carcinoma with no detectable primary hepatic tumor / 대한내과학회지

Obstructive jaundice associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an uncommon symptom caused by intraductal tumor growth, the migration of tumor necrosis, blood clots within the biliary tract, or compression of the biliary tract by the tumor. Most cases of icteric-type HCC involve a main tumor in the liver parenchyma. Bile duct HCC without a primary hepatic tumor is extremely rare, but because it shows similar clinical manifestations and imaging results to extrahepatic bile duct cancer, it is possible to misdiagnose this condition as a primary bile duct tumor or choldocholithiasis. Recently, we experienced a case of obstructive jaundice associated with an extrahepatic bile duct tumor in a 69-year-old woman. Upon radiologic studies and endoscopic cholangiography, the cause of obstructive jaundice was initially attributed to the bile duct tumor itself. However, subsequent analysis indicated that the condition was, in fact, due to bile duct thrombi associated with extrahepatic bile duct HCC.

A Case of Granulomatous Liver Disease Combined with Crohn's Disease / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Crohn's disease is a chronic intestinal inflammation and its etiology and pathogenesis have not been defined. Clinical manifestations of Crohn's disease involve abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, intestinal stenosis, presence of fistulas and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Crohn's disease is also associated with a variety of extraintestinal manifestations such as ankylosing spondylitis, uveitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis. We report a case of Crohn's disease associated with noncaseating granulomatous liver disease that is rare in Korea.

Association between Gastroesophageal Flap Valve and Gastroesophageal Reflux / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic grading of the gastroesophageal flap valve (GEFV) was suggested to be a good predictor of the gastroesophageal reflux status. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the GEFV and gastroesophageal reflux. METHODS: A total of 599 patients (245 men and 354 women; mean age 51.0 +/- 0.5 years) who underwent endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and ambulatory pH monitoring were included. GEFV was graded I through to IV using Hill's classification. The GEFV was classified into main 2 groups: the normal GEFV (grade I and II) and the abnormal GEFV groups (grade III and IV). The findings of endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and ambulatory pH monitoring were compared. RESULTS: An increased GEFV grade was significantly associated with reflux esophagitis and Barrett's epithelium (p < 0.001). The LES pressure was significantly lower in the abnormal GEFV group (p < 0.001). All variables showing gastroesophageal reflux in the probe were significantly higher in the abnormal GEFV group (p < 0.001). The frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was higher in the abnormal GEFV group (p < 0.001). CONSLUSIONS: There is an association between the altered geometry of the GEFV and the presence of GERD. The endoscopic grading of the GEFV is easy and provides useful information on the gastroesophageal reflux status.

A case of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis presenting with a fulminant clinical course associated with small intestinal perforation / 대한내과학회지

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a fatal complication of long-term continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. A 55-year old male presented with abdominal pain and a turbid dialysate. He had been maintained on CAPD for 52 months without signs of ultrafiltration failure and had two previous episodes of peritonitis. We removed the peritoneal catheter because of refractoriness to intraperitoneal antibiotic therapy. Immediately after the removal of the peritoneal catheter, he presented with a palpable abdominal mass. An abdominal CT showed loculated fluid collection, enhancement/thickening of peritoneum and tethering of the small bowel. We started total parenteral nutrition, and corticosteroid and tamoxifen therapy. He complained of persistent abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, despite the therapy. Unexpectedly, om the 10th day after the therapy he died of septic shock as a result of a small intestinal perforation. We report a case of EPS presenting with a fulminant clinical course associated with small intestinal perforation.

Usefulness of Double Esophageal Stent for Malignant Esophageal Stricture / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic self expandable metallic stent (SEMS) has become the palliative treatment of choice for inoperable malignant esophageal stricture. However, covered and uncovered stents carry limitations such as stent migration and tumor ingrowth, respectively. A double esophageal stent has been developed to overcome these problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of double esophageal stent (outer uncovered stent and inner covered stent) for palliation of malignant esophageal stricture. METHODS: Between February 2001 and November 2006, 32 patients with malignant esophageal stricture were treated with double esophageal stents. The patients were retrospectively assessed for the technical outcome, the clinical outcome and the complications of the process. RESULTS: Stent implantation was successful in all 32 patients (100%). The dysphasia score significantly improved from a mean of 3.22 to 1.63 (p<0.001) for all 32 patients. Eight patients had recurrent dysphagia due to stent overgrowth (6/32, 18%), stent migration (1/32, 3%) and tumor ingrowth (1/32, 3%). Symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux occurred in six patients (18%). Aspiration pneumonia occurred in two patients (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Double esophageal stent is effective for symptomatic relief of malignant esophageal stricture. It seems to reduce tumor ingrowth and stent migration, but it has limitations such as tumor overgrowth and GERD.

Adenocarcinoma Surrounding Emphysema Mimicking Cavitary Pneumonia / 결핵및호흡기질환

Adenocarcinoma presenting as a solitary mass with a cavity in chest computed tomogram is rare. A few reports have suggested an association between lung cancer and emphysema. We report a case of adenocarcinoma surrounding pulmonary emphysema that mimicked fungal pneumonia. This case highlights the need for cliniclians to be aware of the potential development of lung cancer in patients with emphysema.

Adenocarcinoma Surrounding Emphysema Mimicking Cavitary Pneumonia / 결핵및호흡기질환

Adenocarcinoma presenting as a solitary mass with a cavity in chest computed tomogram is rare. A few reports have suggested an association between lung cancer and emphysema. We report a case of adenocarcinoma surrounding pulmonary emphysema that mimicked fungal pneumonia. This case highlights the need for cliniclians to be aware of the potential development of lung cancer in patients with emphysema.

Unusual Presentation of Cystic Lymphangioma of the Gallbladder

Cystic lymphangioma of the gallbladder is quite a rare tumor with only a few cases having been reported in the literature. We describe here a rare case of cystic lymphangioma of the gallbladder, which was unusual in that the patient presented with biliary pain and an abnormal liver test. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed a multi-septated cystic mass in the gallbladder fossa and an adjacent compressed gallbladder. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed there was no communication between the bile tract and the lesion, and there were no other abnormal findings with the exception of a laterally compressed gallbladder. After performing endoscopic sphincterotomy, a small amount of sludge was released from the bile duct. The histological findings were consistent with a cystic lymphangioma originating from the subserosal layer of the gallbladder. This unusual clinical presentation of a gallbladder cystic lymphangioma was attributed to biliary sludge, and this was induced by gallbladder dysfunction that was possibly from compression of the gallbladder due to the mass.

Effectiveness and Complications of Combination Therapy with Interferon Alpha and Ribavirin in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The effectiveness of combination therapy with conventional or pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C is well understood. However, the profound investigation about complications of the treatment has been rarely reported in Korea, where patients have broader spectrum of disease manifestations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and complications of the combination therapy of interferon alpha and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: Two hundred and forty patients with chronic hepatitis C were included. All patients were treated with interferon alpha (3 million units thrice a week) in combination with ribavirin (800-1,200 mg, depending on body weight). Patients were treated for 6 or 12 months according to the genotypes (genotype 1; 12 months, non-1; 6 months). We retrospectively evaluated ETR (end of treatment response) and SVR (sustained virologic response) on the basis of intent-to-treat in patients completing the therapy. RESULTS: In 154 patients who had completed the therapy, ETR was 79.2% and SVR was 61.0%. Multivariate analysis showed that genotype and early virologic response at 3 months of treatment were indepedent predictive factors of SVR. Due to insufficient response, 11.3% of the patients discontinued the therapy. In addition, 24.5% of the patients prematurely discontinued the therapy due to adverse events including aggravated liver function (15.4%), failure to return (7.9%), and others (1.2%). Dose modifications of interferon alpha or ribavirin were required due to anemia (15.4%), neutropenia (8.8%), or thrombocytopenia (4.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The overall SVR of patients who had completed the combination therapy with interferon alpha and ribavirin was 61.0%. However, about one third of the patients discontinued the therapy prematurely due to insufficient response, adverse events and/or noncompliance.

A Case of Pericardial Tamponade in a Korean Man with Pericardial Abscess due to Bacteroides fragilis / 감염과화학요법

Purulent pericarditis is a rare, life-threatening condition and usually involves the whole pericardium. However only few cases have been reported in which a loculated pericardial abscess occurred from purulent pericarditis. The prevalence of acute pericarditis due to bacteria was 6%. Purulent pericarditis due to anaerobic bacteria has been reported less frequently than aerobic bacteria. There was no report about purulent pericarditis due to Bacteroides fragilis in Korea until now. So we report the first case of pericardial abscess due to B. fragilis in 59 year old Korean male with history of chronic renal failure and hemodialysis, that was complicated with pericardial tamponade.

Acute Pyogenic Sacroiliitis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus without Predisposing Conditions / 감염과화학요법

Pyogenic sacroiliits is a rare disease and the diagnosis is difficult because of unawareness of the disease and nonspecific symptoms and signs mimicking septic hip, iliopsoas muscle abscess and herniation of intervertebral disk. There are some predisposing factors related to the disease like trauma, pregnancy, intravenous drug abuse and infection of other systems such as skin, genitourinary system and heart. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative bacteria. Here we describe a case of 27-year-old woman presented with acute onset of back and left buttock pain. Bone scintigraphy revealed increased uptake at left sacroiliac joint and computed tomography of the pelvis showed left sacroiliitis with left iliacus and iliopsoas abscess. There was no history of usual predisposing conditions. S. aureus was grown from blood cultures and the patient improved with 2 weeks of intravenous cefazolin followed by 4 weeks of oral clindamycin treatment.

A Case of Pericardial Tamponade in a Korean Man with Pericardial Abscess due to Bacteroides fragilis / 감염과화학요법

Purulent pericarditis is a rare, life-threatening condition and usually involves the whole pericardium. However only few cases have been reported in which a loculated pericardial abscess occurred from purulent pericarditis. The prevalence of acute pericarditis due to bacteria was 6%. Purulent pericarditis due to anaerobic bacteria has been reported less frequently than aerobic bacteria. There was no report about purulent pericarditis due to Bacteroides fragilis in Korea until now. So we report the first case of pericardial abscess due to B. fragilis in 59 year old Korean male with history of chronic renal failure and hemodialysis, that was complicated with pericardial tamponade.

Acute Pyogenic Sacroiliitis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus without Predisposing Conditions / 감염과화학요법

Pyogenic sacroiliits is a rare disease and the diagnosis is difficult because of unawareness of the disease and nonspecific symptoms and signs mimicking septic hip, iliopsoas muscle abscess and herniation of intervertebral disk. There are some predisposing factors related to the disease like trauma, pregnancy, intravenous drug abuse and infection of other systems such as skin, genitourinary system and heart. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common causative bacteria. Here we describe a case of 27-year-old woman presented with acute onset of back and left buttock pain. Bone scintigraphy revealed increased uptake at left sacroiliac joint and computed tomography of the pelvis showed left sacroiliitis with left iliacus and iliopsoas abscess. There was no history of usual predisposing conditions. S. aureus was grown from blood cultures and the patient improved with 2 weeks of intravenous cefazolin followed by 4 weeks of oral clindamycin treatment.

A Case of an Untreated Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient with Invasive Aspergillosis that Developed at the Colon

Invasive aspergillosis needs to be paid extra attention to these day since chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation bring about immune suppression. The lung is the main portal of entry and once involved, invasive aspergillosis may be delivered by hematogenous spread into the central nervous system, liver, spleen, gut and adrenal gland. However infections through the gastrointestinal track are not common. In these cases, abdominal pain and diarrhea can be the major symptoms and amphotericin B is the treatment of choice. We report here on a patient with untreated acute myeloid leukemia who suffered from bloody diarrhea without any lung lesion; this patient had ulcer close to cecum on colonoscopy, and then he was diagnosed as suffering with aspergillosis with H&E staining and PAS staining on the biopsy specimen.

A Case of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in a Patient with Minimal Change Nephrotic Syndrome

We experienced a 22-year old patient with a documented history of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), and a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was then made for this patient. The patient received standard daily steroid therapy for the treatment of nephrotic syndrome. Cyclosporin A was administered because there was no clinical improvement with steroid therapy. Six years after the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome, the patient was diagnosed with ALL. After chemotherapy for ALL, the patient was in complete remission and he showed clinical improvement of nephrotic syndrome. The hematological malignancies associated with nephrotic syndrome are mainly lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. ALL has rarely been described in combination with nephrotic syndrome. Although the exact mechanism for development of ALL after nephrotic syndrome is unknown, at least two possibilities exist. First, the incidence of leukemia may be increased after immunosuppressive therapy, which may include cyclosporin A. Second, the underlying defect in T-lymphocyte function could account for both nephrotic syndrome and ALL. The possible mechanisms for such a relationship are discussed here along with a review of the relevant literature.