A Case of Anaphylaxis Induced by Contact with Young Radish (Raphanus sativus L)

Young radish (Raphanus sativus L), a member of the mustard family (Cruciferae), is a common ingredient of Kimchi. Although few reports have described anaphylaxis to cruciferous vegetables, we report the case of anaphylaxis induced by contact with young radish. A 46-year-old female with a history of contact allergy to metal presented to our emergency room (ER) with dizziness, generalized eruption and gastrointestinal upset. Her symptoms developed after re-exposure to young radish while chopping it. Hypotensive blood pressures were noted. Three days prior, the patient had experienced generalized urticaria with pruritus immediately after chopping the fresh young radish, which resolved spontaneously. In the ER, her symptoms improved by the administration of epinephrine (0.3 mL), antihistamine (chlorpheniramine) and isotonic saline hydration. A skin prick test with young radish extract showed positive reactivity. The same skin test was negative in five adult controls. IgE-mediated hypersensitivity could be an important immunologic mechanism in the development of young radish-induced anaphylaxis.

Increased Risk of Asymptomatic Gallstones in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The relationship between Crohn's disease and gallstones is established. However, the prevalence and risk factors for gallstones in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are not yet well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of gallstones in patients with UC. METHODS: This study was a retrospective single center study. A total of 87 patients with UC and 261 healthy controls were enrolled. Age, sex, and body mass index were matched. To investigate risk factors, the extent of UC, duration of disease, number of hospital admissions, and number of steroid treatments in patients with UC were evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of gallstones in patients with UC was 13.8%, whereas that in healthy controls was only 3.1% (P or =50 years of age had a 3.6-times higher risk of gallstones compared to that in those <50 years of age, and the difference was statistically significant (odds ratio, 3.60; confidence interval, 1.03-12.61) in univariate analysis. There were no statistically significant disease-related risk factors for gallstones in UC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of gallstone prevalence in Korean UC patients. In this study, patients with UC had a higher prevalence of gallstones compared to that in well-matched healthy controls. Age seemed to be a possible risk factor, and more studies are needed. Further prospective, large-scale studies will be required to confirm the risk factors for gallstones in UC patients.

Increased Risk of Asymptomatic Gallstones in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The relationship between Crohn's disease and gallstones is established. However, the prevalence and risk factors for gallstones in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are not yet well understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of gallstones in patients with UC. METHODS: This study was a retrospective single center study. A total of 87 patients with UC and 261 healthy controls were enrolled. Age, sex, and body mass index were matched. To investigate risk factors, the extent of UC, duration of disease, number of hospital admissions, and number of steroid treatments in patients with UC were evaluated. RESULTS: The prevalence of gallstones in patients with UC was 13.8%, whereas that in healthy controls was only 3.1% (P or =50 years of age had a 3.6-times higher risk of gallstones compared to that in those <50 years of age, and the difference was statistically significant (odds ratio, 3.60; confidence interval, 1.03-12.61) in univariate analysis. There were no statistically significant disease-related risk factors for gallstones in UC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study of gallstone prevalence in Korean UC patients. In this study, patients with UC had a higher prevalence of gallstones compared to that in well-matched healthy controls. Age seemed to be a possible risk factor, and more studies are needed. Further prospective, large-scale studies will be required to confirm the risk factors for gallstones in UC patients.

Primary Amyloidosis with Involvement of Stomach, Duodenum and Colon

We report the case of a 57-year-old woman with abdominal discomfort. The patient had anemia and hypoalbuminemia. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy revealed diffuse infiltrative lesions at the stomach, duodenum, and ascending colon. Multiple biopsies were taken and histological examination of the biopsies from the stomach, duodenum and colon showed amyloid deposits stained positively with Congo red. Immunohistochemistry study showed positive sign of kappa and lambda chain at light chain stain. In addition, monoclonal components at serum electrophoresis confirmed the diagnosis of amyloid light-chain amyloidosis. The patient was treated with thalidomide and dexamethasone.