Two Cases of Perforated Typhlitis in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

급성 림프구성 백혈병에 합병된 천공성 typhlitis

The authors, over the last 6 months, have treated 2 patients with perforated typhlitis complicating acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) with good outcome. The first patient was a 13-year-old male who developed intermittent high fever, abdominal pain, abdominal distention and diarrhea during the course of maintenance chemotherapy. The peripheral leukocyte ranged from 230-470/$mm^3$. Serial ultra sonograms and CT scans demonstrated irregular thickening of the cecal and ascending colonic walls and subsequent ragged perforation of the posterior wall of the cecum. He survived after treatment by right hemicolectomy and aggressive supportive measures. The patient case was a 3 year-old female who developed intermittent high fever, right lower abdominal pain, a mass, and watery diarrhea during the course of maintenance chemotherapy. Serial ultra sonograms and CT scans demonstrated irregular thickening of the cecal wall (6-15mm in thickness) and subsequent small perforation of the posterior wall of the cecum with thick-walled localized abscess. She has recovered completely after aggressive medical management. We learned two lessons from our experience treating these patients:1) early diagnosis provided by a high index of suspicion and the use of ultra sonogram or CT scan is essential. And 2) although perforation is one of the surgical indications for the treatment of typhlitis, it is possible to manage the perforation nonoperatively in selected cases with localized abscess.

소아 ALL 환자 2례에서 천공성 맹장염을 경험하였다. 주요 증상으로 고열, 복통, 복부팽만 설사가 있었으며, 혈액 검사에서 백혈구 감소증 및 혈소판 감소증이 있었다. 진단은 초음파검사와 콤푸터 단층촬영으로 비정상적인 장벽 비후를 봄으로 가능하였다. 1예는 수술적 치료를 함으로 1예는 내과적 치료로 좋은 결과를 얻었다. 백혈병환자에서 항암 치료 중 고열, 하복부 동통이 있고 백혈구 감소증이 있을 경우는 맹장염의 기능성을 생각하고 조기에 초음파 검사 또는 컴퓨터 단층촬영을 하여 적절히 대처하여야 할 것으로 생각된다. 그리고 비록 천공성 맹장염이라도 증상이 국소적 일 때는 내과적 치료를 시도해 볼 필요가 있다고 생각된다.