Up-to-date imaging modalities such as three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (3D CT) and MRI may contribute to detection of hypervascular nodules in the liver. Nevertheless, distinguishing a malignancy such as hepatocellular carcinoma from benign hypervascular hyperplastic nodules (HHN) based on the radiological findings is sometimes difficult. Multiple incidental liver masses were detected via abdominal ultrasonography (US) in a 65-year-old male patient. He had no history of alcohol intake and no remarkable past medical history or relevant family history, and his physical examination results and laboratory findings were normal. 3D CT and MRI showed numerous enhanced nodules with hypervascularity during the arterial phase. After US guided liver biopsy, the pathological diagnosis was HHN. To date, several cases of HHN have been reported in patients with chronic alcoholic liver disease or cirrhosis. Herein, we report on a case of HHN in a patient with no history of alcoholic liver disease or cirrhosis.
Abdomen/diagnostic imaging ; Aged ; Alcoholism/pathology ; Chronic Disease ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Focal Nodular Hyperplasia/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Liver/diagnostic imaging/*pathology ; Liver Diseases/pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

POEMS syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome and there are few reports of polyneuropathy and monoclonal gammopathy associated with kidney dysfunction. Here, we report a case of POEMS syndrome with recurrent acute kidney injury (AKI). A 52-year-old man presented with bilateral aggravating paresthesia and latermotor weakness of the lower extremities accompanied by repeated elevation of serum creatinine. The patient was finally diagnosed with POEMS syndrome on the basis of fulfilling the two mandatory major criteria (polyneuropathy and monoclonal gammopathy), one other major criterion (sclerotic bone lesion), and several minor criteria. A renal biopsy was performed to clarify the cause of AKI and showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis-like lesions with mesangiolysis and endothelial cell injury. This case illustrates that renal manifestations, not included in the diagnostic criteria for POEMS, can be apparent before various other systemic symptoms.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Biopsy ; Creatinine ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Aged ; Paraneoplastic Syndromes ; Paraproteinemias ; Paresthesia ; POEMS Syndrome ; Polyneuropathies*

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM) is defined as the presence of extraluminal gas in the mediastinal space without any clear traumatic cause. It has been reported in association with asthma exacerbation, emesis, childbirth, seizure, excessive shouting, drug inhalation and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). SPM complicated by DKA is infrequently accompanied with chest pain and DKA can lead to changes in respiratory rate and depth; this complication might be underestimated. Here, we report a 21-year-old male with throat pain on swallowing due to SPM complicated by DKA. Clinicians need to consider this complication in differential diagnoses.
Asthma ; Chest Pain ; Deglutition ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Male ; Mediastinal Emphysema* ; Parturition ; Pharynx ; Respiratory Rate ; Seizures ; Vomiting ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: As numbers of maintenance hemodialysis patients are growing, debilitating conditions of muscle wasting and atrophy are becoming some of the greatest concerns in end-stage renal disease patients. Exercise training has various potential benefits in terms of prevention of a sustained decline in functional status. This study aimed to evaluate the physical, psychological, laboratory, and dialysis-related effects of intradialytic exercise. METHODS: We enrolled 22 patients from a hemodialysis center for a 6-month non-randomized prospective trial. Combination of aerobic exercise with bicycle ergometer and anaerobic exercise with elastic bands was conducted during hemodialysis. Data including physical fitness test results, dialysis-related measurements, and biochemical laboratory results were collected at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Depression and quality of life were assessed using Beck Depression Inventory and Short Form-36 health survey. RESULTS: After exercise completion, there were significant improvements in back muscle power, forward and backward trunk flexibility, vertical jump, elbow flexion, sit to stand test, and 6-minute walk test (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in dry weight, blood pressure, Kt/V, and biochemical variables, except for intradialytic hypotension (p < 0.05). For depression, Beck Depression Inventory showed statistically significant enhancement (p < 0.05). Scores of Short Form-36 health survey did not show significant increase in each domain, except for bodily pain (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Combined aerobic and anaerobic exercise training during dialysis was found to be effective on physical health status, intradialytic hypotension, and depression in terms of mental health. Therefore, the findings of the current study may provide an appropriate guidance for encouraging exercise by nephrologists.