A Large Intrathoracic Meningocele in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis-1

A large intrathoracic meningocele, a saccular protrusion of the meninges through a dilated intervertebral foramen or a bony defect of the vertebral column, was diagnosed in a 41-year-old female patient showing clinical features of neurofibromatosis-1 (NF-1), including cafe-au-lait spots, cutaneous neurofibromas, and axillary frecklings and Lisch nodules on the iris. Her daughter and son also had similar manifestations of NF-1. Regular follow-up with periodic imaging was recommended without surgical treatment because there were no signs or symptoms. Meningocele should be differentiated from posterior mediastinal tumors such as neurofibroma, neuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma because NF-1 has a high risk of tumor formation. We report on this case with a brief review of the literature.

Gefitinib-Related Interstitial Pneumonia / 결핵및호흡기질환

Gefitinib is a novel drug used to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer. However, drug-related interstitial pneumonia is a major life-threatening side effect, which has a worldwide prevalence of 0.3-0.4%. In Japan, the prevalence is high as 3-4% but the actual frequency in Korea has not been officially assessed. We report two cases of gefitinib-induced interstitial lung disease during the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. High-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) of one case showed nonspecific ground glass opacity and the chest x-ray of another case showed diffuse bilateral ground glass opacity. The former patient showed a rapid good response to corticosteroid treatment whereas the latter died despite receiving aggressive treatment with high dose corticosteroid and empirical antibiotics.

Radiologic findings of truncus arteriosus; incidence and associated anomalies

Truncus arteriosus is characterized by a single arterial vessel arising from the base of the heart and giving origin to the systemic, pulmonary and coronary circulation. To evaluate the incidence, types, and associated anomalies, 18cases of truncus arteriosus diagnosed by angiocardiography, were reviewed and were compared with other reports. Ten of them were confirmed by operation. The overall incidence of truncus arteriosus was 0.127%. Accordin to Collett and Edwards classification. Type I was encountered in 11cases(61%), type II in 4cases(22%), and type III in 3cases(17%), All the patients had subtruncal ventricular septal defects. Eight patients showed truncal valve regurgitation and valve stenosis was noted in one case. A right aortic arch was present in 9 cases. Associated anomalies were atrial septal defect(8cases), patent ductus arteriosus(3cases), coarctation of the aorta(2cases), isolation of the left subclavian artery(2 cases), and right aortic arch with an aberrant left subclavian artery(1case). Truncus arteriosus is an uncommon congenital cardio vascular malformation. In the group of cases which we encountered, type I was the most common anomaly. Frequently associated anomalies were right aortic arch, incompetent truncal valve and atrial septal defect.

MR imaging of intramedullary tumors of the spinal cord: comparison with surgical findings

No abstract available.