Biomedical subjects
Chien-Han Chen
Publications and source records attributed to Chien-Han Chen.
Ureteral obstruction caused by L-asparaginase-induced pancreatitis in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
L-asparaginase, an effective antileukemia and antilymphoma agent, is toxic to many organ systems. We report a case of ureteral obstruction caused by L-asparaginase via the inflammatory complication of acute pancreatitis. The patient was an 11-year-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Six days after completing a 4-week induction therapy containing 9 doses of L-asparaginase, severe left abdominal pain developed. Abdominal computed tomography showed phlegmon formation anterior to the pancreatic head and in the left posterior pararenal space. The strands of inflammatory soft tissues encased the upper third of the left ureter, causing left hydroureter and left hydronephrosis. The ureteral obstruction resolved after insertion of a double-J catheter that remained in place for 66 days. This case suggests that L-asparaginase may play a role in the pathogenesis of ureteral obstruction in children receiving chemotherapy.
Disseminated tuberculosis presenting as multiple hepatosplenic microabscesses and pancytopenia in a teenage boy.
Disseminated tuberculosis usually occurs in immunocompromised hosts. Involvement of bone marrow, liver, and spleen is infrequent. A previously healthy 15-year-old boy presented with body weight loss, prolonged fever, neck lymphadenopathy, pancytopenia, and hepatosplenic microabscesses within the recent month and was transferred to our hospital. Bone marrow studies showed hypocellular marrow. Based on his clinical manifestations, hemophagocytic syndrome was initially suspected. Pancytopenia resolved after administration of intravenous immunoglobulin but caseous necrosis and/or positive acid-fast stain were subsequently demonstrated in the lymph node biopsy and sputum. Cultures from these 2 specimens grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Fever continued in a low-grade pattern even under antituberculous therapy with rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol. Five months after admission, fever subsided after splenectomy and liver wedge resection. Microscopic examinations of both the liver and spleen showed mycobacteria-related granulomatous inflammation and caseating necrosis. This report suggests that tuberculosis infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with prolonged fever, pancytopenia and hepatosplenic abscesses.
A child with primary sclerosing cholangitis successfully treated by liver transplantation.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) happens mainly in middle-aged men and is seldom diagnosed in children. Childhood PSC undergoing liver transplantation is rarely reported. Here we present a 12-year-old girl who was admitted with a 6-day history of fever, abdominal pain, fatigue, jaundice, and splenomegaly. Liver histological examination revealed the destroyed bile ducts and bridging fibrosis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed beaded appearance of right intrahepatic ducts and absent left intrahepatic ducts. PSC was diagnosed. Because of decompensated liver function, she received a living-related orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The post-transplantation course was uneventful during the 12-month follow-up. She experienced neither additional episode of cholangitis nor recurrence of liver cirrhosis after OLT.