Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Associated with Tophaceous Deposition in Flexor Digitorum Tendons

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy. We report on the first Korean case of carpal tunnel syndrome induced by tophaceous deposition in flexor digitorum tendons of a patient with chronic gout. A 63-year-old male suffered from numbness, decreased sensation over both median nerve distribution, and weakness of thenar muscle for 3 years. Physical examinations revealed positive Tinel's sign and Phalen's test and thenar qjmuscle atrophy was found on both hands. In nerve conduction study, there was no action potential of the sensory and motor of the bilateral median nerve. Ultrasonography showed increased cross-sectional area of median nerve due to tophaceous deposition in flexor digitorum tendons in the carpal tunnel. Dual-energy computed tomography showed diffuse multifocal green color coding tophaceous deposition within the carpal tunnel. His neuropathic symptoms improved after injection of triamcinolone into the carpal tunnel and administration of oral medication including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and colchicine.

Evaluation of Transnasal Esophagogastroduodenoscopy as a Surveillance Endoscopy in a General Medical Checkup

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (T-EGD) has been reported to be well tolerated and is known to reduce patient discomfort that occurs with conventional EGD (C-EGD) performed via an oral route. We aimed to evaluate factors that influence preferences for T-EGD as a surveillance EGD in a general medical checkup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 658 subjects (median age, 49 years; 45% men) underwent T-EGD procedures by 8 endoscopists using a 5.2-mm diameter endoscope. All examinees and endoscopists were asked to assess the T-EGD examinations using the post-endoscopy questionnaire. The post-endoscopy questionnaire included a 10-point visual analogue scale, which asked the patient to place a cross on the line according to examinee's or endoscopist's experience of the endoscopy procedure. Zero represented the worst experience and 10 the best experience. RESULTS: T-EGD was feasible in 96.6% of the subjects. Younger age ( or =35 years) or male examines preferred T-EGD as the modality for the next examination. The endoscopist's overall discomfort level was higher in the beginner group than in the expert group. CONCLUSIONS: The T-EGD may be better tolerated than C-EGD and offers a more comfortable surveillance endoscopic procedure to older (> or =35 years), male, or sedated C-EGD-experienced examinees in a general medical checkup. More experience with and education about T-EGD may help to improve the tolerance of the beginner group of endoscopists.

A Case of Organizing Pneumonia Associated with FOLFIRI Chemotherapy / 결핵및호흡기질환

The combination chemotherapy of irinotecan with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (FOLFIRI regimen) was recently proven to be beneficial in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Pulmonary toxicity is very rare in adverse effects of irinotecan. No case of organizing pneumonia (also known as bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia) associated with FOLFIRI chemotherapy has been reported. We experienced a case of a 62-year-old man who presented persistent dry cough and progressive dyspnea after receiving chemotherapy with FOLFIRI regimen. After surgical lung biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with FOLFIRI chemotherapy-induced organizing pneumonia which was successfully treated with steroid therapy.

A Case of Recurrent Small Bowel Obstruction caused by a Mesodiverticular Band of Meckel Diverticulum / 대한내과학회지

Meckel diverticulum is the most common congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal system. Although it is commonly asymptomatic in adults, Meckel diverticulum can lead to intussusception, volvulus, inflammatory adhesions, or an internal hernia. However, small bowel obstruction due to a mesodiverticular band of Meckel diverticulum is rare. We report a case of a 24-year-old man who complained of abdominal pain and vomiting caused by recurrent small bowel obstruction. He had undergone no previous abdominal surgery. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a transition point at the mid-to-distal ileum. To identify the cause of the obstruction, we performed single-balloon enteroscopy, which revealed extrinsic compression at the proximal ileum 100 cm from the ileocecal valve. After marking the obstruction site, subsequent laparoscopy revealed a Meckel diverticulum with a mesodiverticular band, which entrapped a bowel loop and caused the recurrent small bowel obstruction. The patient was treated successfully with laparoscopic diverticulectomy.

Metastatic Pulmonary Calcification in a Patient with Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma / 대한내과학회지

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a highly aggressive disease that is geographically clustered, mirroring areas endemic for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 infection. Most patients with ATLL present with aggressive manifestations such as severe hypercalcemia, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and bone marrow involvement with progressive thrombocytopenia. We herein report a case of a patient with ATLL exhibiting increased uptake in both lungs as shown on a bone scan using 99mTc-methylene diphosphonate. This finding is thought to have been caused by metastatic calcification associated with ectopic parathyroid hormone production.