A Case of Rectal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Mistaken for Rectal Adenocarcinoma / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

We report a case of anal squamous cell carcinoma extended to the rectal mucosa that was clinically mistaken for rectal adenocarcinoma and literature reviwed. Sigmoidoscopic finding showed spherical shaped elevated lesion with central ulceration, interpreted as rectal adenocarcinoma in the distal portion of rectum. Anal squamous cell carcinoma is very rare among gastrointestinal cancer. Pathological study of the biopsy specimen demonstrated squamous cell carcinoma and normal rectal glands. Sigmoidoscopic finding of the presented case showed the ulcerarive lesion contineuosly extended from anal verge upward to the rectum. We postulate that the presented case is primarilly originated from the anal squamous cell carcinoma extended proximally to the rectum. Immunohistochemical stain(p-63) of the biopsy specimens showed squamous cell carcinoma. This patient has been completely recovered after treartment of chemoradiation and trans-anal excision. We present a case of anal squamous cell carcinoma invading rectal mucosa clinically mistaken for rectal adenocarcinoma and literature reviewed.

Extrahepatic Portal Vein Aneurysm in a Non-cirrhotic Patient / 대한내과학회지

Portal venous aneurysm (PVA) is an unusual venous malformation and its etiology is not fully understood. Most PVAs are diagnosed incidentally by non-invasive abdominal imaging techniques; indeed, recently, PVAs have frequently been discovered in this way. Most PVAs remain stable, without complications, in patients with no clinical symptoms of portal hypertension or intrinsic liver disease. However, if PVA is discovered in these patients by chance, close imaging follow-up of portal vein aneurysms is recommended. In the case of aneurysm growth or the development of complications related to the aneurysm, medical or surgical approaches are advised but there is no consensus on the use of prophylactic antiplatelet or anticoagulation medications. We report a case of incidental PVA identification in a patient without underlying liver disease by routine investigation. A review of the literature is also provided.

A Case of Perforated Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis Presenting as Biloma / 대한소화기학회지

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is an unusual inflammatory disease of the gallbladder characterized by severe proliferative fibrosis and the accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages in areas of destructive inflammation. Its macroscopic appearance may occasionally be confused with gallbladder carcinoma. We present a case of perforated xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis presenting as biloma. An 80-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a 1-week history of abdominal pain and febrile sensation. Abdominal CT showed a biloma in the subhepatic area. The follow-up CT showed that the biloma increased in size. Therefore, ultrasonography-guided aspiration was performed. The aspirated fluid/serum bilirubin ratio was greater than 5, which was strongly suggestive of bile leakage complicated by perforated cholecystitis. She underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with cyst aspiration and adhesiolysis. A histological diagnosis of perforated xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis was made.

A Case of Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar State Associated with Graves' Hyperthyroidism: A Case Report

Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state (HHS) is an acute complication mostly occurring in elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Thyrotoxicosis causes dramatic increase of glycogen degradation and/or gluconeogenesis and enhances breakdown of triglyc-erides. Thus, in general, it augments glucose intolerance in diabetic patients. A 23-yr-old female patient with Graves' disease and type 2 DM, complying with methimazole and insulin injection, had symptoms of nausea, polyuria and generalized weakness. Her serum glucose and osmolarity were 32.7 mM/L, and 321 mosm/kg, respectively. Thyroid function tests revealed that she had more aggravated hyperthyroid status; 0.01 mU/L TSH and 2.78 pM/L free T3 (reference range, 0.17-4.05, 0.31-0.62, respectively) than when she was discharged two weeks before (0.12 mU/L TSH and 1.41 pM/L free T3). Being diagnosed as HHS and refractory Graves' hyperthyroidism, she was treated successfully with intravenous fluids, insulin and high doses of methimazole (90 mg daily). Here, we described the case of a woman with Graves' disease and type 2 DM developing to HHS.

Determination of Urinary Myo-/Chiro-Inositol Ratios from Korean Diabetes Patients

Of two major forms (myo- and chiro-inositol) of inositols, only chiro-inositol enhances the activity of proteins involved in intracellular glucose metabolism. This study aims to determine the urinary myo-/chiro-inositol ratio in type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients and compare its ratio with the normal control group. The 24-hour urinary myo- and chiro-inositols in 71 Korean diabetes patients and 39 control subjects have been quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography, and their ratios have been evaluated as indices of insulin resistance. The level of 24-hour urinary myo-inositol was significantly higher in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes than with the control group, whereas the urinary chiro-inositol in type 1 or type 2 diabetes was lower than that in normal subjects. The myo-/chiro-inositol ratio in diabetes patients was higher than that in the control group. Twenty four-hour urinary myo-/ chiro-inositol ratios were significantly elevated in type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients compared to the control group, suggesting that a high ratio of urinary myo-/chiro- inositol in type 2 diabetes patients might be used for an index of insulin resistance.