Pancreatic Endocrine Tumors: A Report on a Patient Treated with Sorafenib

A 31-yr-old man with abdominal pain was diagnosed with a pancreatic endocrine tumor and multiple hepatic metastases. Despite optimal treatment with interferon alpha, a somatostatin analog, local therapy with high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation for multiple hepatic metastases, and multiple lines of chemotherapy with etoposide/cisplatin combination chemotherapy and gemcitabine monotherapy, the tumor progressed. As few chemotherapeutic options were available for him, sorafenib (800 mg/day, daily) was administered as a salvage regimen. Sorafenib was continued despite two episodes of grade 3 skin toxicity; it delayed tumor progression compared to the previous immunotherapy and chemotherapy. Serial computed tomography scans showed that the primary and metastatic tumors were stable. Thirteen months after beginning targeted therapy, and up to the time of this report, the patient is well without disease progression. We suggest that sorafenib is effective against pancreatic endocrine tumors.

A case of plexiform neurofibroma involving the mediastinum and abdomen in a patient with neurofibromatosis / 대한내과학회지

Plexiform neurofibroma is a benign proliferation that arises from the peripheral nerves and represents one of the diagnostic features of neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1). They are commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, and intrathoracic neurofibroma is relatively uncommon. Ultimately, this tumor grows along the length of any single nerve and may involve multiple fascicles or branches of major nerves. Here, we report a case of multiple-site plexiform neurofibromas in a 40-year-old man previously diagnosed with NF-1. Although he had no perceptible symptoms, contrast-enhanced CT revealed massive diffuse neurofibromas that involved the mediastinum, periportal region, retroperitoneal space, and the mesentery. Histopathological studies of the neck, skin, and intra-abdominal soft tissue showed loose spindle cells and collagen bundles. The microscopic appearance was typical of a plexiform-type neurofibroma. It was decided that we would observe the patient without surgical management, because the neurofibromas were asymptomatic.

A Case of Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Ventriculitis Successfully Treated with Intrathecal Colistimethate / 감염과화학요법

Acinetobacter species is a non-fermentative aerobic gram-negative coccobacillus that is an important pathogen found in nosocomial infections. Recently, multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) infections have been increasing and pose a serious problem. Most such infections present as bacteremia, pneumonia, or a wound infection; however, CNS infections are very rare. We herein present a case of ventriculitis caused by MDR-AB in a 37-year old man after a neurosurgical intervention. The patient was successfully treated with intrathecal colistimethate.

A Case of Acute Pyelonephritis Complicated with Renal Vein Thrombosis / 대한신장학회지

Acute pyelonephritis is a common disease in clinical practice. Renal vein thrombosis in acute pyelonephritis has become a rare complication at present because of the advances of antibiotics. The trend in management has shifted to non-surgical therapies, particularly systemic anticoagulation, except in highly selected group of patients. Here we report the case of a 67-year-old woman who got hospitalized for fever and chilling. Acute pyelonephritis was diagnosed by clinical manifestation and positive urine and blood cultures. Computed tomography demonstrated left pyelonephritis and ipsilateral renal vein thrombosis. She was fully recovered after treatment with antibiotics, low molecular weight heparin and warfarin for 8 weeks.

A Case of Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Ventriculitis Successfully Treated with Intrathecal Colistimethate / 감염과화학요법

Acinetobacter species is a non-fermentative aerobic gram-negative coccobacillus that is an important pathogen found in nosocomial infections. Recently, multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB) infections have been increasing and pose a serious problem. Most such infections present as bacteremia, pneumonia, or a wound infection; however, CNS infections are very rare. We herein present a case of ventriculitis caused by MDR-AB in a 37-year old man after a neurosurgical intervention. The patient was successfully treated with intrathecal colistimethate.