A Case of Multiple Symmetric Lipomatosis / 결핵

Multiple symmetric lipomatosis ( Madelung's disease ) seems to represent a relatively common disease in Europe but has not been described in the Korean literature. It is characterized by highly typical symmetric deposits of subcutaneous fat on the neck, arms, and upper part of the trunk. The localized increase of adipose tissue is hyperplastic in nature and probably results from a local defect in adrenergic stimulated lipolysis. Multiple symmetric lipomatosis is frequently, but inconstantly, associated with alcoholism, liver disease, glucose intolerance, and hyperuricemia, but their etiologic role remains to be established. Clinical importance is the apparent high incidence of malignant tumors of the upper airways requiring through ear, nose, and throat and internal examination of all patients. Another importance is possibility of airway obstruction due to mass effect. Dietary treatment and weight loss are of limited value. Surgical treatment gives only temporary relief and should be restricted to patients with functional impairment. We report a case of a 63-year-old man with multiple symetric lipomatosis and alcoholism.

Lower Lung Field Tuberculosis / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Postprimary pulmonary tuberculosis is located mainly in upper lobes. The tuberculous lesion involving the lower lobes usually arises from the upper lobe cavity through endobronchial spread. When tuberculosis is confined to the lower lung field, it often masquerades as pneumonia, lung cancer, bronchiectasis, or lung ahscess. Thus the correct diagnosis may be sometimes delayed for a long time. METHODS: We carried out, retrospectively, a clinical study on 50 patients confirmed with lower lung field tuberculosis who visited the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Hanyang University Hospital from January 1992 to December 1994. The following results were obtained. RESULTS: Lower lung field tuberculosis without concomitant upper lobe disease occurred in fifty patients representing 6.9% of the total admission with active pulmonary tuberculosis over a period of 3 years. It occurred most frequently in the third decade but age distribution was relatively even. The mean age was 43 years old. Female was more frequently affected than male (male to female ratio 1:1.9). The most common symptom was cough(68%), followed by sputum(52%), fever(38%), and chest discomfort(30%). On chest X-ray of the S0patients, consolidation was the most common finding in 52%, followed by solitary nodule(22%), collapse(16%), cavitary lesion(l0%), in decreasing order. The disease confined to the right side in 25 cases, left side 20 cases, and both sides 5 cases. Endobronchial tuberculosis (1) Endobronchial involvement was proved by bronchoscopic examination in 20 of S0patients. (2) Mean age was 44years old and female was more affected than man (male to female ratio 1 : 3). Sputum AFB stain and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture were positive only in 50% of cases unlikely upper lobe tuberculosis, additional diagnostic methods were needed. In our study, bronchoscopic examination and percutaneous fine needle aspiration biopsy increased diagnostic yield by 18% and 32%, respectively. The most common associated condition was diabetes mellitus(18%) and others were anemia, anorexia nervosa, stomach cancer, and systemic steroid usage. CONCLUSION: When we find a lower lung field lesion, we should suspect tuberculosis if the patient has diabetes mellitus, anemia, systemic steroid usage, malignancy or other immune suppressed states. Because diagnostic yield of sputum AFB smear & Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture was low, additional diagnostic methods such as bronchoscopy and fine needle aspiration biopsy were needed.

The Clinical Characteristics of Mycoplasmal Pneumonia in Adults / 결핵

BACKGROUND: The incidence of mycoplasmal pneumonia is predominantly at childhood and early adulthood, but in adults, its incidence is low and its symptoms and physical findings are nonspecific. The definite diagnosis of M. pneumoniae pneumonia can be made by sputum culture, but requires several weeks for positive results, and the early diagnosis must initially be based on the serologic tests and appropriate clinical findings. Thus, we evaluated the clinical aspects of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in the adults patients. METHOD: Among the admitted patients due to pneumonia, the definite diagnosis is anti-M. pneumoniae antibody titer of > 1:40 and a single cold agglutinin titer of > 1:64. The presumptive diagnosis is anti-M. pneumoniae antibody titer of > 1:40 or a single cold agglutinin titer of > 1:64 and the clinical characteristics or chest X-ray findings are compatible with M. pneumoniae pneumonia. We studied the age and sex distribution, seasonal distribution, clinical symptoms, physical findings, serologic test, chest X-ray findings, treatment and its progression. RESULTS: 1) The age distribution was even and the ratio of male to female was 1:1. 2) The monthly distribution was most common in January(16.7%) and the seasonal distribution in autumn and winter(autumn: 30%, winter: 33.3%). 3) The cold agglutinin titers were higher than 1:64 in 12 cases(40%), and reached the peak level around 2 weeks from onset and antimycoplasma antibody titers were higher than 1:160 in 5 cases(16.7%). 4) On the chest X-ray, pulmonary infiltration was noted in 28 cases(93.3%) among 30 cases and right lower lobe involvement was the most common(33.3%) and both lower lobe involvement was noted in 7 cases(23.3%). 5) The mean treatment duration was most common(33.3%) in 1 week to 2 weeks after admission and 26 cases(86.7%) were improved within 4 weeks. 6) On admission, there was fever(> or =38.9degreesC) in 17 cases(56.7%), and the fever subsided in 12 cases(70%) within 3 days after treatment using erythromycin. CONCLUSION: The mycoplasmal pneumonia in adults shows milder clinical patterns than that in childhood and can be completely recovered without complication by early diagnosis and treatment.

A Case of Chemical Pneumonitis Caused by Acetic acid Fume Inhalation / 결핵

Many organic and nonorganic agents can cause chemical pneumonitis. Chemical pneumonitis induced by inhalation of acetic acid is a rare clinical condition. As acetic acid is a water soluble agent, it causes chemical irritation to respiratory tract and causes variable symptoms. We experienced a case of acute lung injury due to inhalation of acetic acid fume. A 56-year-old male patient was admitted due to dyspnea with vomiting for one day. After he inhaled acetic acid fume in occupational situation, he had chest tightness, chilling sense, and productive cough. Our case was good response to oxygen inhalation, antibiotics, and systemic steroids.