Ro Hyun Sung

An Immunohistochemical Study of the Expression of Adhesion Molecules in Gallbladder Lesions

We investigated the expression of 10 adhesion molecules (α-catenin, β-cate-nin, γ-catenin, CD44, CD44v6, ICAM-1, CD56, CEA, E-cadherin, and CD99) in 46 gallbladder carcinomas, 14 adenomas, 15 low-grade dysplasias, nine intestinal metaplasias, and 20 samples of normal gallbladder epithelium by immunohistochemistry. The expression of adhesion molecules was altered in gallbladder carcinomas and adenomas. In gallbladder carcinomas, increased expression of ICAM-1, CEA, and CD44v6 was observed, together with decreased expression of α/β/γ-catenin and CD99. In adenomas, aberrant expression of CD44v6 and CD56, as well as reduced expression of α/β/γ- and E-cadherins, was noted. Expression of α/β/γ-catenin was reduced in low-grade dysplasia, whereas there was no change in the expression of these adhesion molecules in metaplasia. Expression of ICAM-1, CD99, E-cadherin, and CD56 was correlated with clinical stage. In addition a correlation was noted between expression of ICAM-1 and E-cadherin and lymph node metastasis (p<0.05). These results suggest that altered expression of these adhesion molecules is involved in the progression and metastasis of gallbladder carcinomas.

Bowel infarction due to intestinal mucormycosis in an immunocompetent patient

Mucormycosis is a fatal opportunistic fungal infection that typically occurs in immunocompromised patients. The classical manifestation of mucormycosis is a rhinocerebral infection, and although primary gastrointestinal infection is uncommon, it has an extremely high mortality rate in immunocompromised patients. Furthermore, cases of gastrointestinal mucormycosis in an immunocompetent host are rarely reported. Here, we describe our experience of a male patient, with no underlying disease, who succumbed to a bowel infarction caused by intestinal mucormycosis during mechanical ventilatory care for severe pneumonia and septic shock.

A Novel Germline Mutation in Exon 10 of the SMAD4 Gene in a Familial Juvenile Polyposis

Familial juvenile polyposis (FJP) is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary disorder that is characterized by the development of multiple distinct juvenile polyps in the gastrointestinal tract and an increased risk of cancer. Recently, germline mutations, including mutations in the SMAD4, BMPR1A, PTEN and, possibly, ENG genes, have been found in patients with juvenile polyps. We herein report a family with juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) with a novel germline mutation in the SMAD4 gene. A 21-year-old man presented with rectal bleeding and was found to have multiple polyps in his stomach, small bowel, and colon. His mother had a history of gastrectomy for multiple gastric polyps with anemia and a history of colectomy for colon cancer. A review of the histology of the polyps revealed juvenile polyps in both patients. Subsequently, mutation screening in DNA samples from the patients revealed a germline mutation in the SMAD4 gene. The pair had a novel mutation in exon 10 (stop codon at tyrosine 413). To our knowledge, this mutation has not been previously described. Careful family history collection and genetic screening in JPS patients are needed to identify FJP, and regular surveillance is recommended.

Application of Mini-abdominoplasty after Conservative Excision of Extensive Cesarean Scar Endometriosis

Endometriosis is defined as the presence of functioning endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, and the standard treatment is extensive surgical excision. Cesarean scar endometriosis is a type of cutaneous endometriosis arising on or near a Cesarean section scar. A 44-year-old woman presented with a 9×6 cm sized dark-brown, stony-hard, irregular, lower abdominal mass of four years duration. The patient had a history of two Cesarean deliveries, 14 and 16 years ago. Suspecting endometriosis, we excised the tumor conservatively rather than extensively to prevent incisional hernia considering the benign nature of the tumor and the low possibility of recurrence because the patients age was near menopause, along with simultaneous bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy that was performed in this case. On reconstruction, mini-abdominoplasty was adopted to avoid possible wound complications and cosmetic deformities. The patient was satisfied with the cosmetic results, and neither recurrence nor functional problems occurred during the 1-year follow-up period. Plastic surgeons should keep in mind the possibility of cutaneous endometriosis in an abdominal mass of a female of reproductive age with a previous history of pelvic or intra-abdominal surgery. An optimal result from oncological, functional, and cosmetic standpoints can be achieved with conservative excision followed by mini-abdominoplasty of extensive Cesarean scar endometriosis.

Lymphoepithelial cyst of the pancreas mimicking malignant cystic tumor: report of a case.

Lymphoepithelial cysts of the pancreas are a type of true cyst that can mimic pseudocysts and cystic neoplasms. They are very rare, non-malignant lesions that are unilocular or multilocular cystic lesions lined predominantly by mature squamous epithelium and surrounded by non-neoplastic lymphoid elements. We, herein, present a patient with a cystic pancreas tumor mimicking a malignant cystic neoplasm. The patient was admitted with upper abdominal discomfort. Computed tomography showed a 64×39 mm cystic mass in the pancreas tail. She underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. In the fluid analysis of the pancreas cystic mass, the CEA and CA19-9 were 618 ng/ml and 3.9 U/ml, respectively. The resected pancreas specimen showed a 6.5 cm-sized cyst the pancreas tail. The cyst was well circumscribed and multilocular. The final pathology report of the resected pancreas specimen noted that the cyst was multilocular, and the cyst lining was showing stratified squamous epithelium covering the lymphoid tissue (containing lymphoid follicles), which was consistent with a lymphoepithelial cyst. The patient recovered uneventfully from surgery and has been doing well for the past 3 months. A differential diagnosis of cystic pancreatic lesions is important. We suggest that lymphoepithelial cysts, although very rare, may be included in the differential diagnosis of cystic pancreatic tumors.

Polyarteritis nodosa presented as a dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis of small- and medium-sized arteries in multiorgan systems. PAN may affect the gastrointestinal tract in 14%-65% of patients, but rarely involves the biliary tract and liver. We describe a patient without underlying disease who was diagnosed with PAN during resection of the gallbladder and liver.