The lymphatic system is part of the circulatory system and plays a key role in normal vascular function. Its failure plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of various diseases including liver diseases. Lymphangiogenesis (the growth of lymphatic vessels) and changes in the properties of lymphatic vessels are associated with pathogenesis of tumor metastases, ascites formation, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Despite its significant role in liver diseases and its importance as a potential therapeutic target for those diseases, the lymphatic vascular system of the liver is poorly understood. Therefore, how the lymphatic vascular system in general and lymphangiogenesis in particular are mechanistically related to the pathogenesis and maintenance of liver diseases are largely unknown. This article summarizes: 1) the lymphatic vascular system; 2) its role in liver tumors, liver fibrosis/cirrhosis and portal hypertension; and 3) its role in ascites formation.
Ascites/*etiology ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/complications/pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications/pathology ; Liver Diseases/complications/*pathology ; Liver Neoplasms/complications/pathology ; Lymphangiogenesis ; Lymphatic Vessels/metabolism/physiopathology

Adult ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome ; complications ; drug therapy ; Lymphatic Diseases ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

Peripheral neuropathies occur in lymphoma patients. Causes of neuropathy include chemotherapy, opportunistic infections, and the lymphoma itself. We report a patient with lymphoma whose chief complaint was a sensory loss in the hands and feet. Electrophysiologic studies and sural nerve biopsy showed sensory polyneuropathies. We hypothesize that this neuropathy is associated with lymphoma-related ganglionopathy, and among the possible causes, we suspect that a systemic cause such as a paraneoplastic syndrome is the most likely pathogenic etiology. However, further follow-up will be necessary to see whether sensory symptoms change with lymphoma treatment.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Electrophysiology ; Hodgkin Disease/*complications/*diagnosis ; Human ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Lymphoma/*metabolism ; Male ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/*complications/*pathology ; Sensation Disorders/complications/pathology

Lymphadenopathy is a relatively uncommon finding of minimally differentiated acute myelogenous leukemia (AML-MO). We experienced a case of AML-MO in a 57-year-old man initially presented with multiple cervical lymphadenopathy. Bone marrow aspiration revealed myeloblasts, which were negative for myeloperoxidase, Sudan black B, Periodic acid-Schiff, non-specific esterase and double esterase reaction. In cell surface marker studies, CD13, CD14, CD33, CD34, CD45 and HLA-DR were present. CT scan of neck demonstrated multiple lymphadenopathy at both internal jugular chains, spinal accessory chains and submandibular area. He died about two weeks after diagnosis without specific treatment.
Case Report ; Fatal Outcome ; Human ; Leukemia, Myelocytic, Acute/*complications/pathology ; Lymphatic Diseases/*complications/pathology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Neck ; Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed

We describe a case of a 7-year-old child with Down syndrome who presented with loud snoring and cessation of breath during sleep and was found to have a large calculus (20 mm X 12 mm X 12 mm) in her left tonsil by CT scan for which tonsillectomy with adenoidectomy were done. This is one of the youngest reported cases in the literature.
Adenoidectomy ; Calculi ; complications ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Palatine Tonsil ; pathology ; Pharyngeal Diseases ; Sleep ; Snoring ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tonsillectomy

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a disease characterized by a granulomatous necrotizing vasculitis of small vessels. Although any organ systems can be involved, gastrointestinal involvement in WG is notably uncommon. We present a case of 67-year-old man who was admitted with abdominal pain and diarrhea lasting for 3 weeks. Colonoscopy and abdominal CT scan revealed vasculitis and multiple mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Jejunum and mesenteric lymph nodes biopsies confirmed limited form of WG. The present case indicates that WG might involve only gastrointestinal tract and the histological confirmation is important for diagnosis.
Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gastroenteritis/complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases/complications/*diagnosis/pathology ; Male ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Wegener Granulomatosis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy

Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) is a disease characterized by a granulomatous necrotizing vasculitis of small vessels. Although any organ systems can be involved, gastrointestinal involvement in WG is notably uncommon. We present a case of 67-year-old man who was admitted with abdominal pain and diarrhea lasting for 3 weeks. Colonoscopy and abdominal CT scan revealed vasculitis and multiple mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Jejunum and mesenteric lymph nodes biopsies confirmed limited form of WG. The present case indicates that WG might involve only gastrointestinal tract and the histological confirmation is important for diagnosis.
Aged ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gastroenteritis/complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases/complications/*diagnosis/pathology ; Male ; Prednisolone/therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Wegener Granulomatosis/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy

A 13-yr-old female was admitted to our hospital with fever, seizure, and cervical lym-phadenopathy. Laboratory data showed pancytopenia, elevation of serum transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, triglyceride, and ferritin levels. Lymph node biopsy revealed features of Kikuchi's disease and there were signs of histiocytosis and hemophagocytic phenomenon in bone marrow. She recovered after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids therapy. Hemophagocytic syndrome can be associated with Kikuchi's disease especially in childhood and seems to have a less aggressive clinical course and better prognosis.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism/pathology ; Female ; Ferritin/blood ; Histiocytic Necrotizing Lymphadenitis/*complications/*diagnosis ; Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell/*complications/*diagnosis ; Human ; Immunoglobulins/metabolism/therapeutic use ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/blood ; Lymph Nodes/pathology ; Lymphatic Diseases/diagnosis ; Necrosis ; Pancytopenia/diagnosis ; Prognosis ; Transaminases/blood ; Triglycerides/blood

Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is a commonly used antibiotic that has been associated with drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. DRESS syndrome is characterised by fever, rash, lymphadenopathy, eosinophilia and one or more major organ involvement. Although rare, TMP-SMZ is a recognised cause of fulminant hepatic failure. We report a 17-year-old Chinese male adolescent who presented with fever, myalgia, generalised maculopapular rash and lymphadenopathy after taking TMP-SMZ for acne vulgaris. He subsequently developed hepatic encephalopathy and was worked up for urgent liver transplantation. He responded well to extracorporeal liver dialysis (originally intended as a bridging therapy) and subsequently recovered without the need for liver transplantation. This case report highlights the importance of early recognition of TMP-SMZ-induced DRESS syndrome and the need for early discontinuation of the drug in the affected patient. Extracorporeal liver dialysis and transplantation should be considered in the management of TMP-SMZ-induced fulminant hepatic failure.
Acne Vulgaris ; complications ; drug therapy ; Adolescent ; Anti-Infective Agents ; adverse effects ; Biopsy ; Drug Eruptions ; etiology ; Drug Hypersensitivity Syndrome ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Fever ; etiology ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; etiology ; therapy ; Lymphatic Diseases ; etiology ; Male ; Myalgia ; etiology ; Renal Dialysis ; methods ; Skin ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination ; adverse effects