Cytomegalovirus-Associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome Diagnosed by Liver Biopsy in a Kidney Transplant Recipient

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease in kidney transplant recipients, and is caused by systemic proliferation of macrophages actively phagocytizing other blood cells in the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and the spleen.Here, we report a 40-year-old male kidney transplant recipient who presented with fever, bicytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes 2 months after transplantation. Given that cytomegalovirus antigenemia and real-time polymerase chain reaction tests were positive, liver biopsy was performed under an assumption of cytomegalovirus-induced hepatitis. Hepatic histology revealed multifocal microabscess with cytomegalovirus inclusion bodies, marked Kupffer cell hyperplasia, and erythrophagocytosis by activated macrophages. As laboratory findings such as hyperferritinemia, elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase, low natural killer cell activity, and high soluble interleukin-2 receptor were also compatible with HPS, the recipient was diagnosed as having cytomegalovirus-induced hepatitis combined with reactive HPS. Following intravenous ganciclovir therapy with continuous administration of tacrolimus and corticosteroid, the symptoms resolved and laboratory findings were normalized. As far as we know, this is the first report of cytomegalovirus-induced hepatitis combined with reactive HPS in a kidney transplant recipient that is diagnosed by liver biopsy.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Lumbosacral Orthoses on Early Spine Surgery Patients: A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective@#To compare the convenience and effectiveness of the existing lumbosacral orthoses (LSO) (classic LSO and Cybertech) and a newly developed LSO (V-LSO) by analyzing postoperative data. @*Methods@#This prospective cohort study was performed from May 2019 to November 2019 and enrolled and analyzed 88 patients with degenerative lumbar spine disease scheduled for elective lumbar surgery. Three types of LSO that were provided according to the time of patient registration were applied for 6 weeks. Patients were randomized into the classic LSO group (n=31), Cybertech group (n=26), and V-LSO group (n=31). All patients were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) preoperatively and underwent plain lumbar radiography (anteroposterior and lateral views) 10 days postoperatively. Lumbar lordosis (LS angle) and frontal imbalance were measured with and without LSO. At the sixth postoperative week, a follow-up assessment with the ODI and orthosis questionnaire was conducted. @*Results@#No significant differences were found among the three groups in terms of the LS angle, frontal imbalance, ODI, and orthosis questionnaire results. When the change in the LS angle and frontal imbalance toward the reference value was defined as a positive change with and without LSO, the rate of positive change was significantly different in the V-LSO group (LS angle: 41.94% vs. 61.54% vs. 83.87%; p=0.003). @*Conclusion@#The newly developed LSO showed no difference regarding its effectiveness and compliance when compared with the existing LSO, but it was more effective in correcting lumbar lordosis.

Tamoxifen-Induced Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis Cirrhosis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been observed in over 30% of patients who have received tamoxifen therapy. However, tamoxifen-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis has never been reported in Korea. A 41-year-old woman was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in the left breast. She had well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and chronic hepatitis B. Ultrasonography showed mild fatty liver. Chronic hepatitis B had been treated with clevudine one month before the diagnosis of breast cancer. The patient was diagnosed with NASH cirrhosis 39 months after tamoxifen treatment. Careful observation for the development of NASH cirrhosis is warranted during tamoxifen therapy.

Influence of Gonarthrosis on Sagittal Spinal Alignment

STUDY DESIGN: Research using radiographic findings. OBJECTIVES: To compare spinopelvic parameters in detail between normal subjects and those who had bilateral gonarthrosis with or without spondylosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The relationship between knee joint flexion contracture and hypolordosis in the lumbar spine has been well established. However, spinopelvic parameters in subjects with gonarthrosis without flexion contracture have not been well described in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven male subjects in their 60s with bilateral gonarthrosis over Kellgren-Lawrence grade III were included. They were subdivided into the KS group (with spinal osteoarthritis, n=32) and the KN group (without spinal osteoarthritis, n=25). Normal asymptomatic subjects without disease in their back or leg were analyzed as the control group (NN; n=84). The following spinopelvic parameters were measured and compared; C7 plumbline (C7PL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), and pelvic incidence (PI). RESULTS: In the KS group, the C7PL was significantly anteriorly displaced compared to the KN group (1.7±4.5 cm vs. −0.6±2.9 cm, p=0.031) and the NN group (1.7±4.5 cm vs. −0.5±2.9 cm, p=0.014). TK in the KN group was significantly smaller than in the NN group (25.4±8.8° vs. 30.1±8.3°, p=0.041). The KS group had the smallest value of LL, while the NN group had the largest value of LL (−23.2±48.7° vs. −44.9±33.8° vs. −57.3±8.5°, p<0.001). No significant difference was observed in PI, SS, or PT among the 3 groups. A strong correlation was found between LL and SS in the NN group (R=−0.776, p<0.01), while this correlation was moderate in the KN group (R=−0.355, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Overall balance was maintained in the subjects who had gonarthrosis without spinal osteoarthritis. Subjects with gonarthrosis showed less LL, especially if they had spinal osteoarthritis. Further studies are needed to characterize the differences in these pelvic parameters, and to evaluate changes in individuals with knee joint flexion contracture.

A Novel Roux-en-Y Reconstruction Involving the Use of Two Circular Staplers after Distal Subtotal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Although Roux-en-Y (R-Y) reconstruction after distal gastrectomy has several advantages, such as prevention of bile reflux into the remnant stomach, it is rarely used because of the technical difficulty. This prospective randomized clinical trial aimed to show the efficacy of a novel method of R-Y reconstruction involving the use of 2 circular staplers by comparing this novel method to Billroth-I (B-I) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 118 patients were randomly allocated into the R-Y (59 patients) and B-I reconstruction (59 patients) groups. R-Y anastomosis was performed using two circular staplers and no hand sewing. The primary end-point of this clinical trial was the reflux of bile into the remnant stomach evaluated using endoscopic and histological findings at 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: No significant differences in clinicopathological findings were observed between the 2 groups. Although anastomosis time was significantly longer for the patients of the R-Y group (P<0.001), no difference was detected between the 2 groups in terms of the total surgery duration (P=0.112). Endoscopic findings showed a significant reduction of bile reflux in the remnant stomach in the R-Y group (P<0.001), and the histological findings showed that reflux gastritis was more significant in the B-I group than in the R-Y group (P=0.026). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this randomized controlled clinical trial showed that compared with B-I reconstruction, R-Y reconstruction using circular staplers is a safe and feasible procedure. This clinical trial study was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov (registration No. NCT01142271).

The influence of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist treatment on the body weight and body mass index in girls with idiopathic precocious puberty and early puberty

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the influence of gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment on the weight and body mass index (BMI) of girls who were diagnosed with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP) or early puberty (EP). METHODS: Patients who were younger than 8 years of age at diagnosis were classified as CPP and patients aged between 8 and 9 years at diagnosis were classified as EP. Of 129 patients, 34 were diagnosed with CPP and 95 were diagnosed with EP. The patients were divided according to pretreatment weight status into normal weight group, an overweight group, or an obese group. RESULTS: No significant changes were observed with respect to the weight standard deviation score (SDS) before and after 1 year, 2 years of treatment, respectively (P>0.05, P>0.05) in all patient groups. No significant changes were observed in relation to the BMI SDS before and after 1 year, 2 years of treatment, respectively (P>0.05, P>0.05) in all patient group. Depending on the degree of obesity, differences with respect to the weight SDS and BMI SDS were observed. CONCLUSION: BMI SDS increased in the GnRHa-treated patients as a whole group, but was not statistically significant. But BMI SDS increased significantly in the normal weight group after 2 years of GnRHa treatment. So, GnRHa treatment may affect the change of BMI SDS depending on degree of obesity.

Corrigendum: Correction of the IRB Approval Number. Accuracy of Preoperative Local Staging of Primary Colorectal Cancer by Using Computed Tomography: Reappraisal Based on Data Collected at a Highly Organized Cancer Center

The IRB approval number should be corrected.

Accuracy of Preoperative Local Staging of Primary Colorectal Cancer by Using Computed Tomography: Reappraisal Based on Data Collected at a Highly Organized Cancer Center

PURPOSE: In patients with colorectal cancer, preoperative staging using various imaging technologies is important for establishing the treatment plan and predicting the prognosis. Although computed tomography (CT) has been used most widely, the versatility of CT accuracy was primarily because of the lack of specialization. In this study, we aimed to identify whether any advancement in abdominal CT accuracy in the prediction of local staging has occurred. METHODS: Between December 2014 and November 2015, patients with colorectal cancer were retrospectively enrolled. All CT findings were retrospectively reported. A total of 285 patients were included, and their retrospectively collected data were retrospectively reviewed, focusing on a comparison between preoperative and postoperative staging. RESULTS: The overall prediction accuracy of the T stage was 55.1%, with overstaging occurring in 63 (22.1%) and understaging in 65 patients (22.8%). The sensitivity and specificity were 90.0% and 68.4%, respectively. The overall prediction accuracy of the N stage was 54.7%, with overstaging occurring in 89 (31.2%) and understaging in 40 patients (14.1%). The sensitivity and specificity were 71.9% and 63.2%, respectively. The CT accuracies by pathologic stage were 0%, 62.2%, 25.3%, and 81.2% for stages 0 (Tis N0), I, II, and III, respectively. CONCLUSION: CT has good sensitivity for detecting colon cancers with tumor invasion beyond the bowel wall. However, detection of nodal involvement using CT is unreliable. In our opinion, abdominal CT alone has limitations in predicting the local staging of colorectal cancer, and additional technologies, such as CT plus positron emission tomography and/or colonography, will improve its accuracy.

A Case of Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome in a 16-year-old Girl Presented with Iron Deficiency Anemia / 임상소아혈액종양

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a rare condition that is most commonly characterized by rectal pain and bleeding. It can be accompanied by diarrhea or constipation, tenesmus, and rectal prolapse. Considering its non-specific symptoms, it is often difficult to diagnose, particularly in children. The underlying etiology of SRUS is not fully understood; however, it may be secondary to ischemic changes in the rectum associated with paradoxical contraction of the pelvic floor and external anal sphincter muscles and rectal prolapse. The macroscopic appearance of the rectal lesion may vary from hyperemia to ulceration or a polypoid lesion that can mimic carcinoma, although the histological findings are characteristic, with fibromuscular obliteration of the lamina propria and disorientation of muscle fibers. We report an adolescent case of SRUS developed in a 16-year-old adolescent girl who presented with iron deficiency anemia.

Comparison of Surrogate Markers as Measures of Uncomplicated Insulin Resistance in Korean Adults / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is known to increase the risk of various cardiometabolic diseases and in-sulin resistance (IR) has known to have central role in the development of MS. Many surrogate indices of IR have been proposed and the detection of MS might be a suitable model for assessing the accuracy of surrogate indices. The aims of our study are to invest the most appropriate index by assessment of the diagnostic capacity of IR among each surrogate index and identifying cut-off values for discriminating uncomplicated MS in Korean adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed, assessing 294 Korean adults, 85 of whom were diagnosed with uncomplicated MS. The sensitivities and specificities of five surrogate IR indices were compared to discriminate MS from healthy subjects; these included fasting serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, McAuley index, and Disse index. Correlations between each index value were assessed using Pearson's and Spearman's correlation methods. RESULTS: The McAuley index showed the highest area under the curve (0.85), specificity (86.12%), accuracy (82.31%), positive predictive value (68.13%), and negative predictive value (88.67%) to distinguish MS, with a cut-off point of 5.3 defined. Correlation coefficients of the five indices showed that the McAuley index had the strongest correlation with IR. CONCLUSION: The McAuley index showed the best accuracy in the detection of MS as a surrogate marker of IR. To establish more effective and accurate standards of measuring IR, comprehensive and multi-scaled studies are required.

A Case of Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome in a 16-year-old Girl Presented with Iron Deficiency Anemia / 임상소아혈액종양

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) is a rare condition that is most commonly characterized by rectal pain and bleeding. It can be accompanied by diarrhea or constipation, tenesmus, and rectal prolapse. Considering its non-specific symptoms, it is often difficult to diagnose, particularly in children. The underlying etiology of SRUS is not fully understood; however, it may be secondary to ischemic changes in the rectum associated with paradoxical contraction of the pelvic floor and external anal sphincter muscles and rectal prolapse. The macroscopic appearance of the rectal lesion may vary from hyperemia to ulceration or a polypoid lesion that can mimic carcinoma, although the histological findings are characteristic, with fibromuscular obliteration of the lamina propria and disorientation of muscle fibers. We report an adolescent case of SRUS developed in a 16-year-old adolescent girl who presented with iron deficiency anemia.

A Ganglion Cyst Formed after Anterior Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve: A Case Report

In this report, a case of a 70-year-old man with a large ganglion cyst formed after anterior transposition of the left ulnar nerve is presented. Three months after the index surgery, the patient presented with a painless superficial ovoid, soft mass measuring 5x4x2 cm in size located at the posteromedial aspect of the left elbow, the previously operated site. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well demarcated cystic mass with a stalk connecting to the elbow joint. Excisional biopsy was performed and pathologic findings showed that the cystic wall had no definite lining cells with myxoid degeneration compatible with findings of ganglion cyst.

A Ganglion Cyst Formed after Anterior Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve: A Case Report

In this report, a case of a 70-year-old man with a large ganglion cyst formed after anterior transposition of the left ulnar nerve is presented. Three months after the index surgery, the patient presented with a painless superficial ovoid, soft mass measuring 5x4x2 cm in size located at the posteromedial aspect of the left elbow, the previously operated site. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well demarcated cystic mass with a stalk connecting to the elbow joint. Excisional biopsy was performed and pathologic findings showed that the cystic wall had no definite lining cells with myxoid degeneration compatible with findings of ganglion cyst.

MET-Amplified Intramucosal Gastric Cancer Widely Metastatic after Complete Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Intramucosal gastric cancer (IGC) is associated with a very low risk of lymph node metastasis; thus it is the main candidate for minimally invasive surgical procedures, such as endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Herein, we document an extraordinary case of IGC, which showed a very aggressive clinical course. A 66-year-old female underwent ESD for early gastric cancer. Histologically, the tumor consisted mainly of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma measuring 1.6 cm in diameter, and the tumor was confined to the mucosa. Despite annual esophagogastroduodenoscopic follow-up, the tumor recurred, with wide metastasis to multiple lymph nodes and bones throughout the body after three years. Fluorescence in situ hybridization study demonstrated MET gene amplification as well as low grade polysomy 7 in both original and recurrent tumors. The clinical characteristics of metastatic IGCs and the implication of MET amplification are discussed.

Glycogenic hepatopathy in a Korean girl with poorly controlled type 1 diabetes mellitus

Glycogenic hepatopathy (GH) is a rare complication of type 1 diabetes mellitus. We report the case of a 13-year-old diabetic female with poorly controlled blood sugar levels who presented with abdominal pain and distention 1 month in duration. She exhibited tender hepatomegaly, an elevated lipid profile, and elevated serum transaminase levels. Her liver histology was consistent with GH. The pathophysiology and/or underlying genetic background of GH remains unclear. The optimum treatment for GH is optimal glycemic control, and the prognosis is favorable. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of GH and observe the clinical response to optimal glycemic control prior to invasive investigation.

Primary Gastric Histiocytic Sarcoma Reminiscent of Inflammatory Pseudotumor: A Case Report with Review of the Literature

No abstract available.

Serum transferrin as a liver fibrosis biomarker in patients with chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transferrin and alpha-1 antitrypsin are reportedly associated with liver fibrosis. We evaluated the usefulness of serum transferrin and alpha-1 antitrypsin as new liver fibrosis markers in patients with chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: The study included 293 patients with chronic hepatitis B who underwent a liver biopsy between October 2005 and June 2009, and who had no history of hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum markers and liver fibrosis stages were compared. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that age (P<0.001), serum platelet count (P<0.001), and serum alkaline phosphatase level (P=0.003) differed significantly between the patients with and without liver cirrhosis. Serum transferrin levels were significantly lower in advanced fibrosis than in mild fibrosis in both univariate analysis (P=0.002) and multivariate analysis (P=0.009). In addition, the serum transferrin level was significantly lower in cirrhotic patients than in noncirrhotic patients (P=0.020). However, the serum level of alpha-1 antitrypsin was not significantly associated with liver cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. CONCLUSIONS: Serum transferrin could be promising serum marker for predicting advanced liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Clinical application of sentinel lymph node mapping in colon cancer: in vivo vs. ex vivo techniques

PURPOSE: Clinical usefulness of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in colorectal cancer remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the SLN mapping technique using serial sectioning, and to compare the results between ex vivo and in vivo techniques. METHODS: From February 2011 to October 2012, 34 colon cancer patients underwent SLN mapping during surgical resection. Eleven patients were analyzed with the in vivo method, and 23 patients with the ex vivo method. Patient characteristics and results of SLN mapping were evaluated. RESULTS: The SLN mapping was performed in 34 patients. Mean age was 67.3 years (range, 44-81 years). Primary tumors were located in the following sites: 13 in the right colon (38.2%) and 21 in the left colon (61.8%). SLN mapping was performed successfully in 88.2% of the patients. There was no significant difference in the identification rate between the two methods (90.9% vs. 87.0%, P = 1.000). Both the mapping methods showed a low sensitivity and high rate of skip metastasis. CONCLUSION: This study showed that SLN evaluation using serial sectioning could not predict the nodal status with clinically acceptable accuracy despite the high detection rate.

Use of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) in the Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the equality between author key words used in the Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association and controlled vocabulary or medical subject headings (MeSH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1,058 English key words in 320 papers (average 3.3 words in a paper) from 2009 to 2012 were eligible for this study. We classified them according to matched, partially matched, and non-matched terms. The partially matched terms were further dissected into entry terms, qualifiers, anteriorly or posteriorly matched, abbreviations, and pleurals. After descriptive analysis, we assayed patterns of errors in using MeSH, and reviewed frequently used non-MeSH terms. RESULTS: The rate of matched terms was 23.5% for an average of four years, and 34.8% for 2013, which is on the rise by year. The rate of partially matched terms was 34.8%, and that of non-matched terms was 41.7% for an average of four years. The most frequently used key words were Knee and Total knee arthroplasty (17 times), followed by Osteoarthritis (9), Femur, Hip, and Total hip arthroplasty (8). CONCLUSION: Use of proper keywords aligned with the international standards such as MeSH is important to be properly cited. The authors should pay attention and be educated on correct use of MeSH as key words.

Conventional Cytology Is Not Beneficial for Predicting Peritoneal Recurrence after Curative Surgery for Gastric Cancer: Results of a Prospective Clinical Study

PURPOSE: The role of peritoneal washing cytology in determining further treatment strategies after surgery for gastric cancer remains unclear. One reason for this is the fact that optimal procedures to increase the accuracy of predicting peritoneal metastasis have not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cytology using samples harvested from two different abdominal cavity sites during gastric cancer surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively recruited 108 patients who were clinically diagnosed with locally advanced gastric cancer (higher than cT1 stage disease). Peritoneal washing fluids were collected from the pouch of Douglas and the subphrenic area. Patients were prospectively followed up for 2 years to determine the recurrence and survival rates. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients dropped out of the study for various reasons, so 75 patients were included in the final analysis. Seven patients (9.3%) showed positive cytology findings, of whom, three showed peritoneal recurrence. Tumor size was the only factor associated with positive cytology findings (P=0.037). The accuracy and specificity of cytology for predicting peritoneal recurrence were 90.1% and 94.2%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity was 50.0%. The survival rate did not differ between patients with positive cytology findings and those with negative cytology findings (P=0.081). CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal washing cytology using samples harvested from two different sites in the abdominal cavity was not able to predict peritoneal recurrence or survival in gastric cancer patients. Further studies will be required to determine whether peritoneal washing cytology during gastric cancer surgery is a meaningful procedure.