Skin and Soft Tissue Infection due to Rapidly Growing Mycobacteria: Case Series and Literature Review / 감염과화학요법

BACKGROUND: Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitous in soil and water. Most NTM cause disease in humans only rarely unless some aspect of host defense is impaired. Recently, rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) is not uncommon, and the prevalence of RGM infection has been increasing. RGM causes a wide spectrum of pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases and has been shown as an important source for opportunistic infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We report 5 patients of skin and soft tissue infection due to RGM in tertiary medical center in Jeju Island and analyzed 21 patients of skin and soft tissue infection due to RGM in Republic of Korea. Clinical, microbiological and epidemiological data were collected from each patient. NTM isolates were identified using conventional and molecular methods including 16S rDNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: The mean age of the RGM patients (n=26) was 54.9 +/- 15.9 years and 73% were women. Mycobacterium fortuitum complex was the most common (12/26). Antimicrobial resistance for clarithromycin and quinolone were 12% and 60%, respectively. Clarithromycin based therapy was done in 46%. The mean duration of treatment was 21.2 +/- 8.7 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Many cases can be cured after therapy for 4-7 month with at least 2 or 3 antibiotics according to in vitro susceptibility. Recent increasing of NTM cases suggests that species and subspecies identification is epidemiologically important, especially related to medical procedure, and surgery.

A Comparative Study of Microsurgical Clipping and Endovascular Coiling in the Treatment of Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Recently the treatment of endovascular coil embolization is gradually increasing compared to the traditional method of microsurgical clipping. However, both methods carry certain risks. The aim of this study was to compare each method's morbidity and complications in patients with ruptured cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: We investigated patients who underwent surgery for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to cerebral aneurysm rupture between January 2007 to December 2009 in our hospital. Patients' medical records and radiologic images were referenced and initial grade, location and size of aneurysm, treatment method, complications, prognosis, hospital stay and the cost were retrospectively investigated. We divided the patients into two groups according to surgical METHODS: clipping group and coiling group. Treatment results were evaluated using Modified Rankin Scale (MRS). RESULTS: Total 187 aneurysms were treated in 149 patients. Sixty-five and 84 patients were classified as clipping group and coiling group, respectively. The ratio of patients with good outcome in clipping vs. coiling was 83.6% vs. 80.8%. The incidence of vasospasm was significantly lower in the coiling group compared to the clipping group. The length of hospitalization was shorter in the coiling group. The cost and operation time was also less in the coiling group. However, higher numbers of remnant sac and coil compaction were observed in the coiling group. CONCLUSION: Endovascular coil embolization for ruptured cerebral aneurysms had fewer vasospasms and complications. Also, it reduced the hospital stay, operation time, and cost compared with the clipping group. So, in addition to traditional microsurgical neck clipping, we think that endovascular coiling is a good alternative method to treat ruptured aneurysms.

Distal Lenticulostriate Artery Aneurysm Presenting With Spontaneous Intracerebral and Intraventricular Hemorrhage: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

The authors report here on a rare case of aneurysm involving the distal lenticulostriate artery (LSA) in a 66-year-old man who presented with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the right basal ganglia and also intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Three-dimensional computed tomography angiography (3D-CTA) and conventional cerebral angiography showed a 4 mm, round-shaped aneurysm in the right distal LSA and this was combined with moyamoya-like disease. We performed proximal clipping of the aneurysm using a microsurgical technique and we evacuated the hematoma. After the operation, there was recurrent bleeding around the operation site and hydrocephalus gradually developed, and we implanted a ventriculo-peritoneal (V-P) shunt. The patient did well after the final shunt surgery and rehabilitation. Presently, he has no motor weakness or significant neurologic deficit, but mild cognitive dysfunction remains. When spontaneous ICH occurs in an unusual site, a thorough investigation is important to rule out a structural vascular abnormality.

The Effect of Intra-Arterial Low-Dose Nicardipine for the Treatment of Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage-associated Vasospasm / 대한뇌혈관외과학회지

OBJECTIVE: Delayed cerebral ischemia due to vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Recent reports have confirmed that intra-arterial infusion of calcium-channel blockers, which are widely used to counteract vasospasm, is effective for treating SAH with a low risk of complications. Here we report on our experience with intra-arterial nicardipine angioplasty in a consecutive series of 32 patients with SAH. METHODS: This retrospective review evaluated a series of 32 consecutive patients with symptomatic vasospasm that was treated with intra-arterial nicardipine. The patients included in the study were diagnosed with aneurysmal SAH between January 2007 and February 2011. All the patients underwent microsurgical clipping or endovascular coiling. Angioplasty using intra-arterial nicardipine was performed in those patients who were refractory to medical therapy such as triple H therapy. RESULTS: The 32 patients underwent a total of 55 procedures. The total amount of nicardipine used in each angioplasty procedure did not exceed 12 mg, with a maximum dose of 3 mg for each vessel. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score improved in all patients with an average improvement of 2.4 (range : 1~5). During angioplasty, there were no complications such as thromboembolic events and/or acute transitory spasm. The clinical results were evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Good outcomes (mRS 0~2) were determined in 19 (63.3%) of the 30 patients. The 11 patients (36.7%) with poor outcomes initially had a high Hunt and Hess grade (III or IV) or they had intra-operative complications (mRS: 3~6). CONCLUSION: Our study results support the effectiveness and safety of low-dose nicardipine when performing intra-arterial angioplasty for the treatment of vasospasm after aneurysmal SAH.