Two Cases of Stress Cardiomyopathy during Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is considered a relatively safe procedure. However, the procedure and the materials used in EGD with conscious sedation can cause stress to the patient. Adverse events during EGD have been reported, represented by cardiopulmonary complications. To date, five cases have reported worldwide to be associated with gastrointestinal endoscopy. Stress cardiomyopathy (SCMP) is a reversible cardiomyopathy that typically occurs in postmenopausal women due to stress and may resolve within a few weeks. SCMP resembles acute myocardial infarction but differs in terms of treatment and prognosis. Here, we describe two cases of SCMP with shock during EGD with conscious sedation.

A Primary Duodenal Angiosarcoma with Lung and Bone Metastases: A Case Report and Literature Review / 대한내과학회지

An angiosarcoma is a rare soft-tissue neoplasm that develops anywhere in the body, and most commonly presents cutaneously in elderly white males, involving the head and neck, particularly the scalp. The neoplasm occurs only very rarely in the gastrointestinal tract. A patient was initially admitted to our hospital for treatment of dyspnea and hemoptysis. Both lungs contained multiple nodules, and a computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy was performed. Endogastroduodenoscopy used to evaluate the anemia revealed a duodenal polypoid tumor. Microscopic examination showed that the tumor was a primary angiosarcoma of the duodenum with metastasis to the lung. In addition, positron emission tomography/CT revealed metastasis to the femur and the pelvic bone. Thus, we report a case of primary duodenal angiosarcoma with metastases to the lung and bone.

A Case of Lead Poisoning with Drug-induced Liver Injury after Ingestion of Herbal Medicine / 대한소화기학회지

A 61-year-old male patient was admitted because of unexplained abdominal pain and anemia. His past medical history was unremarkable except for having taken herbal medicine to treat facial palsy two months ago. The result of health examination performed about a month ago showed increased serum aspartate and alanine aminotransferase level, and he was diagnosed with toxic hepatitis by herbal medicine. When the patient presented to the outpatient department three weeks ago, follow-up liver function test results showed improvement but he complained of abdominal pain. Despite extensive blood chemistry tests and computed tomography, the cause of pain could not be found. After much deliberation, serum lead level and herbal medicines analysis was performed based on the fact that he took herbal medicine two months ago, and he could finally be diagnosed with lead poisoning. Since the serum lead level was high enough to be indicated for lead chelating therapy, conservative management was given. When a patient with toxic hepatitis due to herbal medication presents with abdominal pain, the possibility of lead poisoning should always be taken into consideration.