Facial edema as the initial presentation of Henoch-Schonlein purpura in a 5-year-old boy.

The appearance of nonthrombocytic purpura is an important clue for the diagnosis of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). However, this classic skin lesion may be preceded by other symptoms such as abdominal pain and arthralgia, and the diagnosis may be delayed. Facial edema as a manifestation of HSP is typically observed in children younger than 2 years.

Promoter methylation of p16 and EDNRB gene in leukemia patients in Taiwan.

Both epigenetic and genetic alternations are involved in cancer formation. In this study, we have identified the methylation frequency of p16 and endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) of 26 leukemia patients and 8 randomly selected normal blood donors in Taiwan. Promoter methylation of p16 was detected in 85% of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 83% in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) whereas no methylation was detected in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in blast crisis.

Fetal congenital lobar emphysema.

Objective: To report a rare fetal congenital lung anomaly characterized by over inflation of a pulmonary lobe.

Case Report: A 28-year-old systemic lupus erythematous mother, gravida 1 para 0, who had normal prenatal care in our department, was admitted for labor pain and an abnormal fetal heart location was noted incidentally during labor. The baby showed rib retraction in room air but no obvious cyanotic change after delivery.

Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver complicated with rupture in a child.

Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare hepatic tumor and mainly occurs in children. It usually has cystic changes on computed tomography scan, which represents areas of necrosis and hemorrhages. UESL is a rapidly growing tumor and tumor rupture does occur.

Acute exudative tonsillitis caused by Shewanella algae in a healthy child.

Shewanella algae, mainly found in marine environments, is a rare pathogen in humans, especially in healthy children. Here we report a previously healthy boy presenting with acute exudative tonsillitis after traveling to the coast, and S. algae was isolated from the throat swab culture.