Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis in a long-term propranolol user

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of bowel obstruction that is characterized by the encasement of the small bowel by a thick, whitish, and fibrous membrane. The pathophysiology of SEP is poorly understood and preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Previous reports suggest that SEP may be linked to the chronic use of β-adrenergic blockers. A 46-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis presented with recurrent abdominal pain and borborygmi. He had been taking propranolol to prevent bleeding from gastroesophageal varices for the past 15 years. Abdominal computed tomography showed ileal loops encapsulated by soft tissue with dilatation of the proximal small bowel on the right side of the abdomen. Barium follow-through showed conglomerated distal ileal loops with a cauliflower-like appearance. Explorative laparotomy revealed a thick, fibrous, whitish capsule encapsulating the ileal loops. The covering membrane was dissected and excised, resulting in an improvement in symptoms after surgery. Accordingly, a final diagnosis of SEP was made. Due to the lack of other apparent causes for SEP, we conclude that in this case, the long-term use of propranolol may be associated with the development of SEP.

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis in a long-term propranolol user

Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) is a rare cause of bowel obstruction that is characterized by the encasement of the small bowel by a thick, whitish, and fibrous membrane. The pathophysiology of SEP is poorly understood and preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Previous reports suggest that SEP may be linked to the chronic use of β-adrenergic blockers. A 46-year-old man with liver cirrhosis and end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis presented with recurrent abdominal pain and borborygmi. He had been taking propranolol to prevent bleeding from gastroesophageal varices for the past 15 years. Abdominal computed tomography showed ileal loops encapsulated by soft tissue with dilatation of the proximal small bowel on the right side of the abdomen. Barium follow-through showed conglomerated distal ileal loops with a cauliflower-like appearance. Explorative laparotomy revealed a thick, fibrous, whitish capsule encapsulating the ileal loops. The covering membrane was dissected and excised, resulting in an improvement in symptoms after surgery. Accordingly, a final diagnosis of SEP was made. Due to the lack of other apparent causes for SEP, we conclude that in this case, the long-term use of propranolol may be associated with the development of SEP.

Comparison between Midazolam Used Alone and in Combination with Propofol for Sedation during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an uncomfortable procedure that requires adequate sedation for its successful conduction. We investigated the efficacy and safety of the combined use of intravenous midazolam and propofol for sedation during ERCP. METHODS: A retrospective review of patient records from a single tertiary care hospital was performed. Ninety-four patients undergoing ERCP received one of the two medication regimens, which was administered by a nurse under the supervision of a gastroenterologist. Patients in the midazolam (M) group (n=44) received only intravenous midazolam, which was titrated to achieve deep sedation. Patients in the midazolam pulse propofol (MP) group (n=50) initially received an intravenous combination of midazolam and propofol, and then propofol was titrated to achieve deep sedation. RESULTS: The time to the initial sedation was shorter in the MP group than in the M group (1.13 minutes vs. 1.84 minutes, respectively; p<0.001). The recovery time was faster in the MP group than in the M group (p=0.031). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to frequency of adverse events, pain experienced by the patient, patient discomfort, degree of amnesia, and gag reflex. Patient cooperation, rated by the endoscopist as excellent, was greater in the MP group than in the M group (p=0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of intravenous midazolam and propofol for sedation during ERCP is more effective than midazolam alone. There is no difference in the safety of the procedure.

A Case of Lactic Acidosis Caused by Linezolid Treatment of Persistent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia / 대한내과학회지

Linezolid is an antibiotic in the oxazolidinone family that works as a bacterial protein synthesis inhibitor. It is used for the treatment of Gram-positive, multidrug-resistant bacteria. Adverse effects of linezolid include bone marrow suppression, peripheral or optic neuropathy, and, less commonly, lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis usually occurs as a result of cardiopulmonary failure or sepsis, but it is sometimes caused by drugs, such as linezolid, and treatment of such lactic acidosis involves cessation of the drug. We report a case of lactic acidosis caused by the use of linezolid for the treatment of persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, which occurred after endoscopic sclerotherapy of gastic varices.

A Case of Lactic Acidosis Caused by Linezolid Treatment of Persistent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteremia / 대한내과학회지

Linezolid is an antibiotic in the oxazolidinone family that works as a bacterial protein synthesis inhibitor. It is used for the treatment of Gram-positive, multidrug-resistant bacteria. Adverse effects of linezolid include bone marrow suppression, peripheral or optic neuropathy, and, less commonly, lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis usually occurs as a result of cardiopulmonary failure or sepsis, but it is sometimes caused by drugs, such as linezolid, and treatment of such lactic acidosis involves cessation of the drug. We report a case of lactic acidosis caused by the use of linezolid for the treatment of persistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, which occurred after endoscopic sclerotherapy of gastic varices.

A Case of Nonketotic Hyperglycemia as a Manifestation of Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus / 대한내과학회지

Seizure is one of the manifestations of nonketotic hyperglycemia (NKH). Partial motor seizures are observed in most cases and, occasionally, with epilepsia partialis continua. Generalized convulsive status epilepticus caused by NKH is rare. In this report, we present a case of a 68-year-old man who developed generalized convulsive status epilepticus as an initial manifestation of NKH.

Clinical Characteristics of Pancreatic Metastases / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Histologically confirmed metastatic pancreatic cancers are infrequent. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical, therapeutic and prognostic features of pancreatic metastases. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated stage of primary malignancies, interval between diagnosis of primary tumors and detection of pancreatic metastases, treatment for metastases to the pancreas, survival rate, and prognostic factors in 31 patients with pancreatic metastases. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of primary cancer diagnosis was 52.4+/-13.2 years. Primary cancers were renal cell carcinoma (n=16), non-small cell lung cancer (n=6), small cell lung cancer (n=3), colorectal carcinoma (n=2), osteosarcoma (n=1), gastric carcinoma (n=1), malignant melanoma (n=1), and thymic carcinoma (n=1). Pancreatic metastases were synchronous in six cases and metachronous in twenty five cases, with median interval time of 40.8 months (range 3-186) between the diagnosis of primary tumor and detection of pancreatic metastases. The median survival after the detection of the metastases was 16 months. In multivariate analysis, non-renal cell carcinoma as primary malignancy and positive symptom related to pancreatic metastases were associated with poor prognosis (hazard ratio [HR], 8.33; 95% CI, 2.1-33; p=0.003, and HR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.27-12.7; p=0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Metastatic tumors to the pancreas have to be kept in mind when a patient with pancreatic mass has a history of other malignancy, even if treated several years before. In the absence of widely metastatic disease, aggressive diagnostic and therapeutic approach may offer the chance of long-term survival in selected patients.

A Case of MELAS Syndrome Diagnosed in a Woman in Her 50s / 대한내과학회지

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes, abbreviated to MELAS, syndrome is a common mitochondrial disease that can present with a wide range of clinical symptoms, including seizures, stroke-like episodes, neuropathy, myopathy, sensorineural hearing loss, and encephalopathy. Although more than 90% of patients present with stroke-like episodes before the age of 40 years, some reports have described patients presenting later in life. Here, we report MELAS syndrome diagnosed in a 52-year-old Korean woman admitted because of altered mentality. She had a history of diabetes, sensorineural hearing loss, and cardiomyopathy. The patient's mentality fluctuated and her lactic acid level was elevated in the hospital. Although she was in her 50s, her medical history, encephalopathy, and lactic acidosis made us strongly suspect MELAS syndrome. The diagnosis was confirmed when a test showed the A3243G mitochondrial DNA mutation.

A Case of Coinfection with Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza and Scrub Typhus with Abnormal Liver Function Test / 결핵및호흡기질환

The pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza outbreak coincided with the typical Scrub typhus season, which can lead to diagnostic difficulties due to their similar and non-specific symptoms. Here we describe a case of laboratory confirmed co-infection of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza and Scrub typhus and discuss the difficulties in distinguishing the two illnesses clinically.