Clinical Manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Infants / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

PURPOSE: M. pneumoniae is knwon as a common causative agents of respiratory infection in school children. But, it tends to occur in infants and younger children recently. This study was performed to evaluate the incidence and clinical manifestations of M. pneumoniae pneumonia in infants. METHOD: A total of 142 children(33 infants{Group I : Infants group; 0-2 years} and 109 children{Group II : Children group; 3-6 years}) was admitted with M. pneumoniae pneumonia from January through December 1998. We reviewed medical records and evaluated the incidence, clinical manifestations and laboratory findings. RESULT: Number of patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia in 0 to 2 years of age(infants group) comprised 23.2% of the total in contrast to 57.1% in 3 to 6 years of age group and 19.7% in 7 to 12 years of age group. Seasonal distribution showed the highest frequency in autumn in infant and children groups(45.5% and 39.4% respectively). The most frequent symptom was cough(90.9% and 96.3%, respectively), followed by sputum(81.8% and 90.8%, respectively), fever(72.7% and 66.0%, respectively) and rhinorrhea(72.7% and 64.0%, respectively). The common physical findings on admission were crackle(84.8% and 80.7%, respectively), wheezing(30.3% and 18.3%, respectively) and throat injection(39.4% and 35.8%, respectively). WBC count was within normal range in both groups(90.9% and 89%, respectively) and CRP was lower than 0.8 mg/dL in 63.6% of infant group and 54.1% of children group. The most common radiologic finding was bronchopneumonia in both groups (47% and 38%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Number of the patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in infants age from 0 to 2 years comprised 23.2% of the total. Clinical manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumonia in infants were similar to those of older children. We recommened Mycoplasma pneumoniae should be considerd as a causative agent even in infant with respiratory infection.

The Role of Initial Relative Renal Function in Unilateral Hydronephrosis

Glassy cell carcinoma is an unusual neoplasm of the uterine cervix with highly aggressive clinical behavior. On cervico-vaginal smear examination, the tumor has well confused of atypical repair cell of the endocervix. Recently, we have experienced two cases of glassy cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, diagnosed on cervico-vaginal smears and confirmed on following histologic sections. The cervico-vaginal smears revealed abundant clusters with well defined boarders. The cell clusters were composed of large tumor cells. The tumor cells had distinct granular cytoplasm and eosinophilic macronucleoli. Characteristic cytologic features of this tumor were discussed in view of differential diagnosis.

Sequential Radiographic Changes of Nodules in Patients with Miliary Pulmonary Tuberculosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate sequential changes in miliary nodules, as seen on chest radiographs in patients withmiliary tuberculosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed sequential changes in miliary nodules,as seen on the chest radiographs of 13 patients with miliary tuberculosis who recovered completely ofterantituberculous medication. Two were children and 11 were adults, and their ages ranged from 2 monts to 73years(mean, 38 years). In cases in which miliary tuberculosis had been diagnosed from initial chest radiographs,follow-up chest radiographs were obtained 5 to 15(mean, 10) months later. After complete resolution of miliarynodules, as seen on chest radiographs, high-resolution CT scanning was performed in three patients. RESULTS: Asseen on follow-up chest radiographs obtained at one week, the number and size of miliary nodules had decreased ineight of nine patients (89%), and on those obtained at one month, these decreases were seen in all 13 patients.The mean duration of complete resolution of miliary nodules was 6.3 months ; in children, this was 3.5(range, 2-5)months, and in adults, 6.8 (range, 3-10) months. In all three patients involed, high-resolution CT scans obtainedafter complete radiographic resolution of miliary nodules showed no recurrence. CONCLUSION: In patients withmiliary tuberculosis, the size and number of nodules had decreased within one month of adequate chemotherapy andon chest radiographs, complete resolution was seen at 6.3 months, on average.

A Case of Acute Suppurative Thyroiditis in Pediatric Patient

Acute suppurative thyroiditis(AST) and thyroid abscess are uncommon in children. The remaining pyriform sinus tract with fistula is well known underlying abnormality of AST in pediatric patients. AST or thyroid abscess in children can be caused by infection through pyriform sinus fistulae which usually originate from the tip of the left pyriform sinus. The left-sided predominance of involvement and frequent recurrence are characteristic findings. We present a case history that include a left sided thyroid lesion of a 5-year-old girl and radiologic evidence of pyriform sinus fistula. The pus culture revealed the bacterial etiology as Staphylococcus epidermidis. Our discussion focused on the etiology and the management of AST and thyroid abscess in children.

Congenital Nephrotic Syndrome / 대한신장학회잡지

Congenital nephrotic syndrome(CNS) is a rare disease defined by nephrotic syndrome at birth or within the 1st year of life. This study is performed to investigate a classification based on clinicopathology and to evaluate the clinical course and prognosis according to types of CNS. We performed retrospective clinical study with chart review in 8 patients who were diagnosed as CNS from 1980 to 1995. The results were as follows: Their ages at the onset of illness ranged from birth to 7 months (median 2.2 months) and there were 7 males and 1 female. There were proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and edema in all cases, accompanied with ascites(7cases), hematuria(5cases), hepatosplenomegaly(2cases), umbilical hernia(1case) and inguinal hernia(1case). A classification of these based on clinicopathology showed CNS of Finnish type in 2 patients, congenital syphilitic nephrotic syndrome in 2, mesangial glomerulosclerosis, minimal change disease, Drash syndrome and undefined CNS in 1 each. Of the 8 patients with CNS, 3 died of sepsis and renal failure, 1 responded to steroid and cyclosporin therapy and is alive at 20 months, 1 responded to penicillin, 1 discharged voluntarily, and 2 were lost to follow-up. In conclusion, it had been considered that all forms of CNS except the secondary ones have a very poor prognosis. But if the appropriate management including early renal transplantation is established under the definite diagnosis which is based on clinicopathology, we can expect long term survival, normal growth and development for the child of CNS.

The Significance of Interleukin-6 in Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Nephritis in Children

Carcinsarcoma is an uncommon pulmonary malignancy characterized by carcinmatous parenchyma and sarcomatous stroma. The cytologic, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural features of a case of pulmonary carcinosarcoma suspected by fine needle aspiration cytology is presented. Only bizarre spindle cells arranged in loose groups, in microtissue fragments and in a dissociate fashion were present in the aspiration smears. They were markedly positive for vimentin. The epithelial component was not found, which was probably due to marked paucity of carcinomatous component that was proved by histologic examination of the resected tumor. The diagnosis of pulmonary carcinosarcoma should be conidered whenever poorly differentiated epithelial cell groups with a malignant mesenchymal component set in a myxoid background are seen in a pulmonary cytology specimen.

Risk Factors for Hyperglycemia in Children with Leukemia Receiving L-asparaginase

Hyperglycemia is a well-recognized side effect of L-asparaginase in remission induction therapy of acute lymphocytic leukemia. Since hyperglycemia has preceded fatal diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmotic nonketotic coma in some patients, early detection and treatment of this complication are important. We determined retrospectively the risk of hyperglycemia in 117 patients with leukemia who had received L-asparaginase (& prednisolone). The results were as follows: 1) Twenty (17%) of the 117 patients developed hyperglycemia. 2) Of 47 female patients, 13 developed hyperglycemia, contrast with only 7 of 70 male patients(P<0.05). 3) All 2 obese patients developed hyperglycemia, contrast with 18 of 115 non obese patients (P<0.05). 4) Of 16 patients with a history of previous administration of L-asparaginase 6 (42%) developed hyperglycemia, contrast with only 14 (11%) of the remaining 101 patients (P<0.05). 5) Of the remaining factors analyzed-age, leukocyte counts, family history, dose of L-asparaginase-non had a statistically important influence on the development of hyperglycemia. 6) The mean glucose concentration at onset was 355+/-197.5mg/dl in patient who developed hyperglycemia with peak concentration of 404+/-253.6mg/dl. Hyperglycemia developed between 3 to 20 days after administration of L-asparaginase, and the duration of hyperglycemia was 6.90+/-5.54 days. Since hyperglycemia developed inevitably in a certain proportion of patients given L-asparaginase, we recommend blood glucose monitoring in patients with the risk factors.

The therapeutic effects of dexamethasone in bronchopulmonary dysplasia

We observed clinical features of 18 bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) patients who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in the Severance Hospital of Yonsel University College of Medicine from January 1. 1987 to June 30. 1991. Eight patients in whom ventilator settings were unchanged for more than 5 days because of lack of improvement in pulmonary function. The effects of dexamethasone in ventilator-dependent were included in the short-term dexamethasone therapy. 1) Eighteen BPD patients consisted of 15 premature infants (83%), 1 full-term infant, and 2 post-term infants, The mean gestational age of the patients were 30 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1,420gm. And there were 13 male and 5 female infants. 2) The underlying conditions which necessitated ventilatory support support were hyaline membrane disease in 13 patients (72%), apnea in 2 (11%), and meconium aspiration syndrome in 3. There patients with meconium aspiration syndrome were either full-term or post-term infants, of whom 2 had neonatal persistent pulmonary hypertension. 3) The mean age at the start of ventilator care was 8 hours and the mean PIP was 32 cm H2O. The mean duration of ventilator care of oxygen therapy and of high O2 requirement (FiO2>0.8) were 39 days, 75 days and 20 days, respectively. 4) Patent ductus arteriosus developed in 8 patients during mechanical ventilation, but they were all closed with the use of mefenamic acid, There were also 4 cases of pneumothorax, 2 cases of pulmonary parenchymal emphysema, and 1 case each of pneumomediastinum and pneumoperitoneum. 5) The mean gestational age of the dexamethasone-treated group was 30 weeks and the mean birth weight was 1,320gm, The mean age at which dexamethasone therapy was started was 39 days after birth, and in only 3.3 days 6 patients were successfully weaned from ventilator, In 5 cases the first trial of dexamethasone therapy was enough but the rest needed the 2nd trial for ventilator weaning. 6) In 6 BPD patient who were weaned from the ventilator after dexamethasone therapy, there were significant decreases in MAP (11.1 vs 8.0 cmH2O), and FiO2 (0.73 vs 0.61), but a significant increase in the urine output (2.56 vs 3.7ml/kg/hr) for the pretreatment (5 days prior to therapy) versus posttreatment period (first day of therapy). 7) The complications of dexamethasone treatment were transient hypertension and hyperglycemia in 3 patients, and systemic candidiasis and gastrointestinal bleeding in 2 patients who failed to be weaned after dexamethasone therapy. Our results suggest that the short-term dexamethasone therapy in bronchopulmonary dysplasia patients who are dependent on mechanical ventilation enables weaning in a short period of time. The inspiratory oxygen concentration and the mean airway pressure may be decreased and the urine output may be increased from the first day of medication, improves pulmonary function and decreases pulmonary interstitial edema.

Three cases of acute suppurative thyroiditis in children

Acute suppurative thyroiditis is uncommon in children. The relative rarity of thyroid infection is thought to reflect its complete fibrous encapsulation, generous vascular and lymphatic supply and high local iodine level. The bacterial involvement include the normal oropharyngeal microflora, and broad spectrum antibiotic therapy including anaerobic coverage should be utilized initially. We have experienced three cases of acute suppurative throiditis. All of them had painfull swelling on anterior cervical area and diagnosed by clinical and radiological features. Since two of them occured repeatedly, we report with brief review of literatures.