The elevation of IL-18 in the peritoneal fluid of endometriosis patients and the induction of COX-II in peritoneal monocytes by IL-18 suggest that IL-18 plays a pathogenic role in endometriosis.

Background: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is caused by hemolysis induced by the reaction of autoantibodies with red blood cells. AIHA is usually classified as either warm antibody or cold antibody-mediated AIHA. In addition, AIHA caused by infection is classified as secondary AIHA. It is well-known that alteration of various cytokine levels is closely associated with a variety of disorders such as infectious diseases. In addition, it is known that IL-10/ IL-12 imbalance is an indicator of Th2-dominat conditions and a progressive marker of AIHA. Case presentation: A 82-year-old Japanese man was brought to the emergency room with pneumonia and heart failure. After admission, we started antibiotics therapy. Next day, he had symptoms of jaundice and his total bilirubin level was elevated. Five days after admission, his inflammation markers were further elevated and he had hemolytic anemia. We finally diagnosed him as severe warm-type AIHA associated with pneumoniae infection. Seven days after admission, his severe leucocytosis was further aggravated, and then he suddenly had cardiac arrest and respiratory failure, and finally died of multiple organ failure. Unfortunately, we failed to rescue him from severe AIHA induced by pneumonia infection.

BackgroundBronchial inflammatory polyps are usually treated by surgical operation or with steroids and/or antibiotics, and it is quite rare that such polys spontaneously disappear without any treatment. This report shows a rare case with a bronchial inflammatory polyp which caused massive hemoptysis but spontaneously disappeared without any treatment.Case PresentationA 66-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus and a history of cough and asthma suddenly developed massive hemoptysis while smoking and was brought to an emergency room in our institution. In bronchoscopy on admission, a polypoidal elevated lesion was observed in the left upper lobe bifurcation. Pulsatile hemorrhage from a polypoidal elevated lesion was observed upon stimulation of passage of the bronchoscope. Bronchoscopy performed 25 days after discharge showed no evidence of active bleeding and a tendency toward reduction of the elevated lesion. In bronchoscopy performed 106 days after the initial hospitalization, the bronchial inflammatory polyp completely disappeared.ConclusionsWe should bear in mind the possibility of spontaneous disappearance of bronchial inflammatory polyps causing some serious symptoms such as massive hemoptysis and repeated bloody sputum. Finally, we should select the best therapy for bronchial inflammatory polys based on each patient's background and conditions in clinical practice.

No abstract

Rationale: Hyperthyroidism, such as Basedow disease, causes fluid retention, although the common cause is volume overload due to congestive heart failure. In addition, hyperthyroidism and Basedow disease are known to cause pulmonary hypertension. Edematous thickening of the gallbladder wall is caused by venous blood congestion. The feature of edematous wall thickening of the gallbladder on abdominal computed tomography (CT) is subserosal edema and is often accompanied by a periportal collar sign. Patient concerns: A 30-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of liver dysfunction, edematous gallbladder wall thickening, and fluid retention. In addition, the patient developed hyperthyroidism and heart failure. Enhanced abdominal CT revealed edematous wall thickening of the gallbladder and a periportal collar sign. Diagnosis: We suspected that fluid retention and congestion were caused by hyperthyroidism and Basedow disease. Interventions: On admission, we started thiamazole therapy for Basedow disease, and her thyroid hormone levels normalized. Outcomes: Abdominal CT revealed disappearance of edematous wall thickening of the gallbladder, which was likely associated with an improvement in thyroid function. The patient was discharged 10 days after admission. Lessons: We encountered a case of hyperthyroidism and Basedow disease accompanied by edematous wall thickening of the gallbladder and various fluid retentions as the first symptoms. Such edematous wall thickening of the gallbladder and various fluid retentions were reduced, together with the improvement of hyperthyroidism.