A Clinical Study on Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia / 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common form of leukemia in western countries but it has been reported rarely in Korea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment responses and prognosis of the patients with CLL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 17 patients with CLL diagnosed at the Catholic University of Taegu-Hyosung & Kyungpook National University Hospital from Jan. 1986 to Mar. 1996. RESULTS: There were 9 males and 8 females and the mean age was 55 years. The majority of patients had systemic symptoms (77%) and advanced clinical stage (Binet stage C, 70%) at the time of diagnosis. The bone marrow histology was reviewed in 13 cases and patients were subdivided into those with a diffuse (9cases) and nondiffuse (4cases) pattern of bone marrow histology. In patients with advanced clinical stage, diffuse pattern was predominated and showed poor survival. 14 patients were treated with chlorambucil/steroid or combination chemotherapy. Among the 13 evaluable patients, 1 (8%) achieved a complete response and 7 (54%) achieved partial responses, and median survival duration was 18months. 11 patients died after 2~18 months of follow-up and infection was the main cause of death. CONCLUSION: Poor prognostic factors, such as high blood lymphocyte counts, diffuse bone marrow involvement pattern & advanced clinical stage, are common in our patients at presentation & showed poor survival.

Adrenal Myelolipoma Confirmed by Fine Aspiration Biopsy / 대한내분비학회지

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare, benign tumors cornposed of mature fat and bone marrow elements. Most are small, asymptomatic tumors found incidentally at postmortem examination, Fine needle aspiration biopsy can be used to confirm the diagnosis and avoid an unnecessary operation. We report a case of adrenal myelolipoma confirmed by fine needle aspiration biopsy. A 77-year-old woman with complaining of upper abdominal pain for 2 days was found to have an adrenal mass. She took dexamethasone frequently for 3 years due to multiple arthralgia. Ultrasono-graphy showed a 6cm-sized, suprarenal mass and a stone in the gall bladder with thickened wall. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scan also presented a suprarenal mass. Endocrinologic results were within normal limits. Adrenal myelolipoma was confirmed by computed tomography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy without surgery.