Serum Lipoprotein(a) Concentration in patients with Diabetic Microangiopathy & Neuropathy / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Several epidemiological studies have shown that high plasma concentration of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is associated with an increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and works as an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. But, the significance of Lp(a) in diabetic microangiopathy & neuropathy is unclear essentially due to a paucity of relevant studies. This study was designed to evaluate whether Lp(a) concentration may be increased in patients with diabetic microangiopathy & neuropathy. METHODS:We studied 96 patients who visited the department of internal medicine in Pusan National University Hospital from May 1995 to May 1996. The patients were grouped according to the presence of diabetic complications(microangiopathy and neuropathy, microangiopathy included retinopathy and nephropathy) and therapeutic modalities(diet, insulin, insulin with oral hypoglycemic agent, and oral hypoglycemic agent). RESULTS: 1) Concentration of Lp(a) was significantly higher(p or = 50 mg/dl was significantly correlated with diabetic retinopathy & nephropathy, but was not significantly correlated with diabetic neuropathy. Duration of diabetes(> or =7 years) and total cholesterol(> or =240 mg/dl) were significantly correlated with diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) concentration is increased in patients with diabetic microangiopathy and neuropathy compared with patients without these complications. So, Lp(a) may works as risk factor for diabetic microangiopathy and neuropathy, and further study to evaluate the role of Lp(a) as a risk factor of such complications would be necessary in large number of patients.

A Case of Mucinous Ductal Ectasia of the Pancreas Presented with Acute Pancreatitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

We have experienced a case of mucinous ductal ectasia of the pancreas. The patient visited hospital with the symptoms of acute pancreatitis. The plasma levels of amylase and lipase checked at hospital were elevated. Abdominal ultrasonography and CT scan showed cystlike, intrapancreatic defects localized in the uncinate process of pancreatic head, On duodenoscopy, bulging ampulla of Vater and patulous papillary orifice were seen. Mucin leaked out of the patulous opening. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography was performed and the localized, grape-like cyatic dilatation of the side branch of a main pancreatic duct on the uncinate process was shown. The main pancreatic duct was also dilated and had multiple filling defects in it. Whipple' s operation was performed and the histologic diagnosis was a benign intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas.

Plasma Glucose, Insulin and C-Peptide in Essential Hypertension

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure is prevalent in obesity and diabetes, especially noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus, and both conditions are insulin resistant state. METHOD: To test whether resistance to insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and hyperinsulinemia are involved in the pochogenesis of hypertension, author measured glucose, insulin and C-Peptide reponse after oral glucose loading in 52 cases of essential hypertension and 62 cases of normal controls who had been admitted to the ward of internal medicine, Pusan National University Hospita. RESULTS: Basal plasma glucose, insulin and C-Peptide levels in control subjects were 92.1+/-36.8mg/dl, 8.7+/-5.5microu/ml and 2.2+/-1.8ng/ml and in hypertensive subjects were 95.7+/-32.6mg/dl, 12.2+/-5.3microu/ml and 2.9+/-1.6ng/ml. The basal insulin level was markedly higher than tat of control subjets (p<0.05). The basal glucose and C-Peptide levels in hypertensive patioents were higher than controls but statistically not significant. Plasma glucose levels in time course after glucose load in hypertensive patients showed significantly higher levels in 60,90minutes than controls. Plasma insulin levels in hypertensives in 90 minutes were significantly higher. The C-Peptide levels in hypertensives showed significantly higher in each times 30,60,90,120 minutes than controls. In hypertensive patients, body weight, blood pressure levels and duration of hypertension were not significantly correlated with responses of glucose, insalin and c-peptioce. Hypertensive patients aboce the age of 50 showed significantly higher glucose levels in 60,90,120 minutes than under age of 50. CONCLUSION: These results indicate some tendency of disturbed glucose turnover or insulin-resistant state in essential hypertension. This metabolic disturbance in essential hypertension should be considered in the management of hypertensive patients.

A Case of Chronic Sclerosing Mediastinitis / 결핵

Chronic sclerosing mediastinitis is a rare disease of unknown etiology, pathologically characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of mediastinal soft tissue. The process is often progressive and can occur either focally or diffusely throughout the mediastinum. This can result in compression of adjacent mediastinal structures, most commonly the low-pressure superior vena cava but also the pulmonary artery and vein, trachea and bronchi, esophagus and can result in a variety of functional and roentgenographic manifestation and occasionally death. We experienced a case of chronic sclerosing mediastinitis of unknown cause, which was confirmed by biopsy with thoracotomy, so reported it with a review of literature.