Effect of Previous Abdominal or Pelvic Surgery on Colonoscopy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A number of studies have reported wide variability in the colonoscope insertion time among patients who had prior abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of abdominal surgery on colonoscope insertion time. METHODS: The subjects were 192 patients with prior abdominal surgery, among 3,600 patients who underwent a colonoscopy at Samsung Changwon Hospital from May 2008 to May 2010. We collected the following data: insertion time, age, gender, height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, method of abdominal surgery, and the degree of bowel cleanliness. Previous abdominal operations were divided into colectomy, non-colectomy abdominal surgery, pelvic surgery, and laparoscopic surgery groups. RESULTS: The average colonoscope insertion time in patients with prior abdominal surgery (7.73+/-5.95 min) was longer than that of the non-surgery group (6.4+/-3.88 min). Patients in the colectomy groups were older and had a shorter insertion time (5.11+/-3.32 min) than patients in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Insertion of a colonoscope in patients with previous abdominal surgery was more difficult than that in the control group, except the colectomy group.

Cowden's Disease Detected by Gastric Polyposis during Endoscopy in a Routine Check Up: A Case Report / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Cowden's disease, a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by benign hamartomatous overgrowth of various tissues, increases the risk of cancer of the thyroid, breast, endometrium, prostate, and possibly other organs. Generally, germline mutations in the coding sequence for PTEN are found in 80% of patients with Cowden's disease. Here we report a rare case of incidentally discovered gastric polyposis during esophagogastroscopy for medical screening in a patient with a history of surgery for breast and thyroid cancer. Identifyng the mutation in the PTEN gene to a diagnosis of Cowden's disease.

A Case of ANCA-positive RPGN after Propylthiouracil Treatment / 대한신장학회지

Anti neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive vasculitis and crescentic glomerulonephritis has been rarely reported in patients suffering from Graves' disease and treated with Propylthiouracil. We experienced a case of ANCA-positive crescentic glomerulonephritis presenting good prognosis after discontinuing Propylthiouracil. A 40-year-old female visited due to the proteinuria and hematuria in urinalysis. She had been medicated Propylthiouracil for 3 years. Blood pressure was 100/60 mmHg. BUN and serum creatinine were 24.7 mg/dL, and 1.9 mg/dL, respectively. Urinalysis revealed protein 1481 mg/day, many RBC's/HPF (dysmorphic 80%), Serological ANCA was positive, anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody 1,922 AAU/ mL (normal <150 AAU/mL). The histologic finding showed crescentic glomerulonephritis on light microscopy, but no immuno deposit on immunofluorescence and light microscopy. So we diagnosed ANCA positive pauci-immune glomerulonephritis. Propylthiouracil was discontinued and steroid, cyclophosphamide was medicated within about 1 month, but stopped due to cytopenia. Patient's creatinine level was maintained 1.3 mg/dL and showed stable progress for about over 18 months. We report this case that showed good prognosis after discontinuation of Propylthiouracil.

A Case of Invasive Aspergillosis Limited to Renal Allograft / 대한신장학회지

Though the development of immunosuppressive agents has increased the survival rate of transplanted kidneys, the opportunistic infection has increased in transplant recipients. Aspergillus may cause invasive aspergillosis via sino-pulmonary route in immunocompromized patients. We report a rare case of invasive aspergillosis of a transplanted kidney without having disseminated disease. A 41 year-old female, who underwent cadaveric renal transplantation 10 months ago, presented with diarrhea and anemia. Ultrasound examination and CT scan revealed an abscess lesion in the transplanted kidney. Surgical curettage and percutaneous drainage were performed. Because, microscopic examination demonstrated fungal hyphae consistent with Aspergillus species, antifungal agents were prescribed. Later, partial transplant nephrectomy and embolization of the remnant kidney were performed.

A Case of Primary Renal Amyloidosis with Fulminant Hepatic Failure / 대한신장학회지

We report the case of a patient with primary renal amyloidosis, who was progressed to fulminant hepatic failure. A 68-year-old man visited our hospital for evaluation of anorexia, weight loss and hepatomegaly. Laboratory examination revealed proteinuria and azotemia. He was confirmed to have primary amyloidosis by renal biopsy. His renal function progressed to deteriorate rapidly with marked deterioration of liver function with cholestasis. Peritoneal dialysis and steroid therapy were started for reduction of urine output and rapid progression of azotemia, and aggravation of liver function. Azotemia was improved after peritoneal dialysis but the liver function worsened leading to hepatic failure, causing death. If jaundice has progressed in any patients with primary amyloidosis, liver transplantation and stem cell transplantation should be considered for preparation of hepatic failure.