A Case of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome Caused by Group A Streptococcus Pneumonia / 대한내과학회지

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is characterized clinically by shock and multiple organ failure, combined with invasive group A streptococcus (GAS) infection. Invasive GAS infection declined with the introduction of modern antibiotics, but has recently arisen again globally with severe presentations like TSS. Cases of streptococcal TSS have been reported in Korea since the 1990s and its prevalence may increase. We report the first case of GAS pneumonia initially presenting as streptococcal TSS, as a warning that this potentially fatal illness requires an early diagnosis and prompt treatment when patients with pneumonia develop shock and multiple organ failure.

Cavitary Form of Lung Metastasis from Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한내과학회지

The most common site of extrahepatic metastasis in cases of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is the lung. A 60-year-old Korean male had been previously diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and was treated several times with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization prior to a regime of sorafenib after multiple bone metastases were detected. Despite 2 months of systemic treatment, the disease progressed, and newly developed cavitary nodules and ground glass opacities were observed on a chest computed tomography scan. Initially the patient was diagnosed with septic pneumonia and was subsequently treated with antibiotics over 2 weeks, with no observable improvement. A percutaneous transthoracic needle aspiration biopsy was performed to ascertain the noninfectious origin of the lung lesions. As a result, a rare form of pulmonary metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma was discovered. Unfortunately, there were no available treatment options for the patient and so end-of-life care was recommended.