Shell-Grinder's Asthma

We surveyed 26 employees of a shell-handling factory on whom skin tests with 12 common allergens and shell powder extract were done. Specific bronchial Provocation tests with shell powder extract were performed on the subjects who had respiratory symptoms. Positive skin responders to shell powder extract were 8 among the 26 subjects (30.8%), and subjects who were positive responders to any one of 12 common allergens showed a higher positive rate than negative responders. Among the 8 subjects who had a positive skin response, four had respiratory symptoms. Three subjects were positive bronchial responders to bronchial provocation tests.

A Case of Romano-Ward Syndrome

Since Romano(1963) described Romano-Ward syndrome which is characterized by Q-T prolongation, abnormal T wave, ventricular tachcardia and syncopal attacks, about twenty cases have been reported in various countries of the world, but this case represents the first report of this syndrome in Korea. Authous experienced a case of Romano-Ward syndrome in a 23-year-old man who had been suffering from intermittent paroxysmal palpitation, chest discomfort and dyspnea for 11 years. On admission, he had tachycardia, gallop and engorgement of jugular veins. EKG showed ventricular tachycardia which promptly recurred after repeated attempts of cardioversion. Then, procainamide and digoxin were given. One day later, sinus bradycardia with Q-T prolongation with Deep T wave inversion occured. Therefore, propranol was prescribed under the impression of Romano-Ward syndrome. About 4 months later, EKG was normal except for mild Q-T prolongation and he was able to maintain normal life activity without difficulty.