ABSTRACT
Collagenous and lymphocytic colitis are two inflammatory conditions of the colon that are often collectively referred to as microscopic colitis. The present report describes what is believed to be the third published case of familial microscopic colitis. A 55-year-old woman who suffered from chronic diarrhea was diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis on colonic biopsy. Subsequently, her 36-year-old daughter was diagnosed with collagenous colitis. The familial occurrence of these diseases may support an immunological hypothesis for their etiology. In addition, it supports the assumption that collagenous and lymphocytic colitis are two manifestations of the same disease process rather than two completely separate entities. The familial tendency of this disease may make a case for early colonoscopy and biopsy in relatives of patients diagnosed with microscopic colitis if they present with suggestive symptoms.
Subject(s)
Colitis/genetics , Colitis/pathology , Abdominal Pain/etiology , Adult , Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/therapeutic use , Biopsy , Colitis/complications , Colitis/drug therapy , Colitis/immunology , Colonoscopy , Constipation/etiology , Diarrhea/etiology , Female , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Humans , Mesalamine/therapeutic use , Middle Aged , PedigreeABSTRACT
Small catheters containing 20 MHz transducers have recently become available for high resolution endoluminal ultrasound. We report our early use of this technique to image and stage esophageal carcinoma. Fifteen patients undergoing high resolution endoluminal ultrasonography for suspected esophageal carcinoma were studied. Twelve of these patients also underwent computed tomography and pathologic correlation was available in seven. Satisfactory esophageal examination was possible in 14 of 15 patients. Of those with pathologic correlation, the depth of tumor invasion was correctly staged by high resolution endoluminal ultrasonography in six of seven patients and by computed tomography in only three of seven patients. Lymph node assessment correlated poorly with pathologic findings for both high resolution endoluminal ultrasound and computed tomography. With the increasing use of preoperative radiation therapy, we believe these early results predict a potential role for high resolution endoluminal ultrasonography in the staging of esophageal carcinoma.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/diagnostic imaging , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/diagnostic imaging , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Staging/methods , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To report a case of probable ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis. CASE SUMMARY: A 76-year-old man with no known history of liver disease developed painless jaundice approximately 3 weeks after starting ticlopidine 250 mg bid. After ticlopidine was discontinued, the jaundice resolved and serum liver enzyme concentrations returned toward normal. A diagnosis of probable ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis was made. The patient was not rechallenged with ticlopidine. DISCUSSION: A literature search produced 6 case reports describing 7 patients in whom probable ticlopidine-induced cholestatic hepatitis had been diagnosed. Only 1 of these reports appeared in the North American literature. Jaundice developed within 1 to 3 months of starting ticlopidine at less than or equal to the recommended daily dose. In all cases, jaundice resolved and serum liver enzyme concentrations normalized over a period of months after drug discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Routine monitoring of serum liver enzyme concentrations is not recommended. However, patients should be instructed to watch for signs and symptoms of liver injury. Should they occur, patients should stop taking the ticlopidine and consult their physician immediately.
Subject(s)
Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/etiology , Cholestasis/chemically induced , Ticlopidine/adverse effects , Aged , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
A 47-yr-old male with known Crohn's disease involving the third and fourth part of the duodenum and terminal ileum presented to hospital with nausea and vomiting due to duodenal obstruction. An upper gastrointestinal series revealed a clinically unsuspected fistula joining the duodenum and pancreatic duct. He subsequently underwent vagotomy and gastroenterostomy to bypass the obstructed segment of duodenum. The duodenopancreatic fistula was not disturbed. Post-operatively, his symptoms resolved, he gained 30 pounds of weight, and manifested no ill effect secondary to the fistula. A repeat upper gastrointestinal series 9 months postoperatively revealed the fistula to have closed, although marked duodenal narrowing remained.
Subject(s)
Crohn Disease/complications , Duodenal Diseases/etiology , Intestinal Fistula/etiology , Pancreatic Fistula/etiology , Duodenitis/complications , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The major cytologic features seen in fine needle aspirates from two cases of fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma were: liver-like tumor cells, characterized by plump, polygonal forms with eosinophilic, granular cytoplasm; large oval nuclei with extremely prominent solitary nucleoli; and parallel bands of fibrous tissue and fibrocytes seen within the tumor fragments. Other helpful features included intracytoplasmic hyaline globules and well-delineated pale bodies. Clinically, the tumors occurred in young patients with noncirrhotic livers and ran a more favorable course than do other types of hepatocellular carcinoma.
