Korean J Gastroenterol.  2012 Sep;60(3):166-171. 10.4166/kjg.2012.60.3.166.

AIDS-related Gastrointestinal Kaposi Sarcoma in Korea: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Chung CY
• Park SW
• Myung E
• Cho DK
• Song YA
• Park KJ
• Jang HC
• Joo YE

• KMID: 1389725
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4166/kjg.2012.60.3.166

Abstract

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular neoplasm, which is fairly prevalent in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Mucocutaneous and lymph node involvements are characteristic features of KS in AIDS patients. The involvement of gastrointestinal tract occurs in 40% of KS patients and leads to significant morbidity and mortality. In the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era, the rate of AIDS related KS has fallen with control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viremia. However, it is still recognized as the primary AIDS-defining illness, and the proportion of AIDS diagnoses made due to KS ranged from 4.1% to 7.5%. In Korea, AIDS-related KS has been report in low rate incidence. Its gastrointestinal involvements are rarely reported. To date, five cases have been recorded in Korea. Herein, we present an additional case of gastrointestinal KS as the AIDS-defining illness and review of the Korean medical literature.

Keyword

Gastrointestinal tract; Kaposi sarcoma; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

MeSH Terms

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/complications/*diagnosis
Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use
Endoscopy, Digestive System
HIV Infections/complications/diagnosis/drug therapy
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Republic of Korea
Sarcoma, Kaposi/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology
Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Skin lesions. Various sized violet colored papules were noted at the upper extremity (A) and trunk (B).

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  Fig. 2 Abdomen CT findings. Abdomen CT finding showed multiple nodular wall thickening in the stomach (A, B) and concentric wall thickening and enhancement in duodenal 2nd to 3rd portion (C) and jejunum (D).

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  Fig. 3 Endoscopic findings. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed multiple variable sized reddish flat elevated lesions in the esophagus (A), and polypoid masses in the stomach cardia (B), antrum (C) and the duodenal second portion (D).

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  Fig. 4 Pathologic findings of biopsy specimens. (A) Routine histology showed spindle-shaped cell proliferation, extravasated red blood cells and vascular proliferation (H&E, ×200). (B) Immunostaining was positive for Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus, HHV-8 (×200). (C) Immunostaining is positive for the endothelial marker, CD31 (×200).

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