A Case of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Accompanied by Myasthenia Gravis

Abstract: A 62-year-old female visited our unit complaining of persisting diarrhea. She underwent a thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG) and a thyroidectomy for malignancy at age 58, and she was treated medically for MG fbllowing surgery. She also received a partial ileo-colectomy because of an intramural suppurative abscess of the terminal ileum at age 60. In her laboratory data, the anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody and antinuclear antibody were positive, and IgG as well as IgA were a high titer. X-ray and endoscopic examinations revealed the presence of stiff and narrow lesions accompanied by longitudinal ulcers of the descending colon, and rough and granular mucosa of the rest of the colon and stomach. An elemental diet was not effective, but her condition was relieved by the oral administration of prednisolone. This case was considered a case of inflammatory bowel disease ac-companied by MG and systemic immunological disorders.     

Application of a Circular Polarizing Device to an Electronic Endoscope for the Purpose of Prevention of Catch-Light Phenomenon

Abstract: In recent years the electronic endoscope has been increasingly used by medical practitioners in Japan. However, it has been noted that the problem of too strong light refection, which, not only hampers the procedure but also causes eye exhaustion, at the same time making photographic or computerized image processing difficult, is more frequently experienced and is more serious in magnitude when compared with using a conventional fiberoptic endoscope (catch-light phenomenon). In order to ameliorate this problem the authors experimented with the use of circularly polarized light. The combined use of a circular polarizing device to the efferent light path and a filter which blocks certain types of Circularly polarized light to the afferent path has proved to be very effective in eliminating the incidence of catch-light troubles, thus making the endoscopic procedure smooth and efficient.