Successful Endoscopic Treatment of Difficult Common Bile Duct Stones Using Various Interventional Techniques: A Case Report / 대한췌담도학회지

Clearance of a difficult biliary stone can be obtained using various interventional techniques such as endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation, mechanical lithotripsy, peroral cholangioscopy-assisted intraductal electrohydraulic/laser lithotripsy, temporary plastic stent insertion, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy, and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. We hereby describe the successful endoscopic treatment using various currently available interventional techniques in a case with multiple difficult common bile duct stones. Furthermore, we discuss the countermeasures to overcome the hurdles of each procedure.

Successful Pallidal Stimulation in a Patient with KMT2B-Related Dystonia

Although the KMT2B gene was identified as a causative gene for early-onset generalized dystonia, the efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in KMT2B-related dystonia has not been clearly elucidated. Here, we describe a 28-year-old woman who developed generalized dystonia with developmental delay, microcephaly, short stature, and cognitive decline. She was diagnosed with KMT2B- related dystonia using whole-exome sequencing with a heterozygous frameshift insertion of c.515dupC (p.T172fs) in the KMT2B gene. Oral medications and botulinum toxin injection were not effective. The dystonia markedly improved with bilateral pallidal DBS (the Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale score was reduced from 30 to 5 on the dystonia movement scale and from 11 to 1 on the disability scale), and she could walk independently. From this case, we suggest that bilateral globus pallidus internus DBS can be an effective treatment option for patients with KMT2B-related generalized dystonia.

Development of a HA1-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay against pandemic influenza virus A H1N1

PURPOSE: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has been used in the diverse field to evaluate influenza virus infection; for the surveillance, diagnosis, efficacy evaluation, and development of the vaccine. The aim of this study was to establish an ELISA for detecting HA strain-specific antibodies using recombinant pandemic A H1N1 (pH1N1) HA1 (rHA1) protein. MATERIALS AND METHODS: rHA1 was produced in baculovirus system. The clinical performance of the developed ELISA was validated using human serum samples, by comparison with standard methods for detecting a neutralizing antibody; hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay and microneutralization test (MNT). The ability of the ELISA system to evaluate the efficacy test of an influenza vaccine was explored by measuring antibody levels in the serum of vaccinated mice. RESULTS: Our ELISA could detect anti-rHA1 antibody in influenza-infected patients and vaccinated subjects. Compared to HI assay and MNT as reference methods, our method showed good performance in detection of anti-rHA1 antibody. Detection of the anti-rHA1 antibody in vaccinated mice and its correlation with titers in HI assay was also proved in a mice model. CONCLUSION: An ELISA system using rHA1 of pH1N1 influenza virus was developed, and showed good clinical performance in diagnosis of influenza virus infection and evaluation of the vaccination efficacy in both human and animal models.

The Effect of Globus Pallidus Interna Deep Brain Stimulation on a Dystonia Patient with the GNAL Mutation Compared to Patients with DYT1 and DYT6

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of globus pallidus interna deep brain stimulation (GPi-DBS) for treating dystonia due to the GNAL mutation. METHODS: We provide the first report of a dystonia patient with a genetically confirmed GNAL mutation in the Korean population and reviewed the literature on patients with the GNAL mutation who underwent GPi-DBS. We compared the effectiveness of DBS in patients with the GNAL mutation compared to that in patients with DYT1 and DYT6 in a previous study. RESULTS: Patients with the GNAL mutation and those with DYT1 had higher early responder rates (GNAL, 5/5, 100%; DYT1, 7/7, 100%) than did patients with DYT6 (p = 0.047). The responder rates at late follow-up did not differ statistically among the three groups (p = 0.278). The decrease in the dystonia motor scale score in the GNAL group was 46.9% at early follow-up and 63.4% at late follow-up. CONCLUSION: GPi-DBS would be an effective treatment option for dystonia patients with the GNAL mutation who are resistant to medication or botulinum toxin treatment.

Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation and Attempts in Adolescents

OBJECTIVE: Although suicide is a serious public health concern for adolescents, there is a lack of studies that explore its risk factors in the Republic of Korea. The present study aims to investigate risk factors associated with suicidal behaviors in Korean adolescents. METHODS: Participants consisted of 2258 middle and high school students who completed a series of questionnaires regarding suicide ideation or attempts, non-suicidal self-injuries, depression, impulsivity, drinking behaviors, and negative life events, including peer bullying. RESULTS: Among the participants, 8.3% of students reported suicide ideation, while 3.2% reported a history of a suicide attempt in the past 12 months. Depression, peer-victimization, internet-related delinquency, and positive attitudes toward suicide were associated with suicidal ideations and attempts. Adverse life events were also associated with suicide ideation, but not attempts, while not living with both parents and poor family relationships were associated with suicide attempts, but not ideations. Non-suicidal self-injuries were associated with both suicide ideations and attempts. Students with suicidal ideations and attempts can be differentiated depending on the presence of self-injury. CONCLUSION: In addition to depression or behavioral problems, non-suicidal self-injuries and lack of support from family may also play significant roles in suicide attempts in adolescents. To facilitate the prevention of suicide in adolescents, longitudinal studies should be followed to confirm the risk factors identified in this study.

Allogenic Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplant-Induced Membranous Glomerulonephropathy as Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease / 대한내과학회지

Heavy proteinuria in the nephrotic range is an uncommon, often unrecognized manifestation of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A few isolated case reports have been published in the Korean literature involving a small number of patients who developed membranous nephropathy as GVHD after peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). A 17-year-old female was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Following remission, she underwent allogeneic PBSCT. Shortly thereafter, she developed acute GVHD, which was managed by medical therapy with prednisolone and cyclosporine. Approximately 13 months following PBSCT, the patient developed proteinuria without peripheral edema. Pulsed steroid therapy was initiated three times, but her condition did not improve. Twenty months after PBSCT, she developed nephrotic range proteinuria. A renal biopsy was performed, and the diagnosis was histologically consistent with membranous nephropathy. Because the response to steroids was not satisfactory, the dose of cyclosporine was increased. Approximately 3 months after renal biopsy, the proteinuria disappeared. Given the recent increase in the incidence of GVHD-mediated renal disease, in particular, renal biopsy is indispensable to the diagnosis of nephropathy and to the prevention of disease progression.

Three Cases of Osteomalacia with Fractures Induced by Adefovir in Chronic Hepatitis B / 대한골다공증학회지

Adefovir dipivoxil is used antiviral agent in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. This drug is recommended for patients infected with lamivudine-refractory hepatitis B. Many studies of low-dose adefovir have shown little evidence of renal tubular dysfunction. However, hypophosphatemic osteomalacia has recently been reported in patients treated with adefovir. We report three cases of low dose adefovir-induced hypophosphatemic osteomalacia with fractures. All three patients had been receiving adefovir due to lamivudine-refractory hepatitis B, presented multiple bone pain. The laboratory tests revealed hypophosphatemia and phosphaturia. Bone scintigraphy showed increased uptake in multiple lesions. They were diagnosed as adefovir induced hypophophatemic osteomalacia. Changing the antiviral agent and administration of calcitriol and phosphates improved hypophosphatemia and clinical symptoms. Patients with hepatitis B virus treated with adefovir should be monitored with the serum phosphate levels and presenting symptoms of diffuse bone pain, clinicians need to suspect this infrequent complication.

Fulminant and Fatal Multiple Organ Failure in a 12-Year-Old Boy With Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mp) is a unique pathogen that causes not only pulmonary but also extrapulmonary manifestations that must be rapidly diagnosed. A 12-year-old boy, with no relevant medical history, presented with fever, severe epigastric pain, and vomiting. Laboratory findings showed fulminant and cholestatic hepatitis, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, acute myocardial infarction, and rhabdomyolysis. His clinical condition rapidly deteriorated during intubation and continuous renal replacement therapy. Despite intensive treatment, he did not recover. We report a case of fulminant and fatal multiple organ failure in a previously healthy boy with Mp infection, describing the possible pathomechanisms of multiple organ failure involved in the disease.

Clinical Features of Pokeweed Intoxication Experienced in a University Hospital

PURPOSE: Although Pokeweed intoxication is relatively less severe, thereis little data onthe clinical presentation ofPokeweed intoxication in Korea. This study examined the clinical aspectsto providebasic data for evaluating Pokeweed intoxication. METHODS: A retrospective study by a chart review was performedon 19 patients who ingested Pokeweed and presented to anacademic emergency department with an annual census of 40,000 between March 2012 and May 2012. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were identified. All patients wereintoxicated unintentionally. The most common symptoms were vomiting with diarrhea and abdominal pain. The onset time varied, but occurs 30 minutes to 5 hours post ingestion of Pokeweed. All patients were discharged without fatal complications. CONCLUSION: Compared to previous reports, mostpokeweed poisoning patients complain of gastrointestinal symptoms. Supportive care is the mainstay of the management of pokeweed intoxication. All symptoms were resolved over a 24 to 48 hour period.

A Case of High Dose Oseltamivir Treatment in an Influenza A (H1N1) Infected Patient with Severe Graft Versus Host Disease / 임상소아혈액종양

Influenza A (H1N1) infection has been noted to be common in the young and high-risk groups for influenza infection, including transplant candidates and recipients. However, the optimal dosage and duration of oseltamivir for severely immunocompromised patients have not been defined. We report the case of a patient with relapsed neuroblastoma who was infected with influenza A (H1N1) and suffered from skin and lung graft versus host disease after he had received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a matched sibling donor. During the immunosuppressant therapy, he was diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1) infection by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). He recovered after oseltamivir treatment with a dosage of 90 mg twice a day for two weeks, which was two times of the standard dose until influenza A (H1N1) RT-PCR was proven to be negative.

Waist-to-height Ratio, a Simple and Practical Index for Screening of Adolescent Metabolic Syndrome Aged 17~19 Years / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the validity and usefulness of the waist circumference-to-height ratio (WHtR) in screening for metabolic syndrome in Korean adolescents aged 17~19 years. METHODS: Data (body mass index, waist circumference, and height) and blood samples were obtained from adolescents in A University Hospital in 2011. This study included 554 adolescents (176 boys and 378 girls) aged 17~19 years. Dependent variables were systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). Using the Pearson's correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis, we measured the WHtR against Body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: An assessment was carried out of the ability of the 2 indexes to 1) account for the variability in each metabolic risk factor and 2) correctly identify adolescents with metabolic risk factors. The results revealed that the predictive abilities of the waist-to-height ratio index were better values. The waist-to-height ratio showed superior values in predicting concentrations of DBP, FBS, TC, TG and LDL-C. However, BMI showed better values in identifying adolescents with high systolic blood pressure and HDL-C. 3) Normal weight adolescents (BMI: 5th or =0.51 in male, > or =0.49 in female). WHtR was better than the BMI index for signaling metabolic risk in the normal-weight adolescents. CONCLUSION: The WHtR is a better predictor for finding metabolic risk factors in adolescents aged 17~19 years with normal BMI. The WHtR is proposed as an alternative, convenient measure of screening metabolic syndrome for adolescents aged 17~19 years independent of age and sex.

A Case of High Dose Oseltamivir Treatment in an Influenza A (H1N1) Infected Patient with Severe Graft Versus Host Disease / 임상소아혈액종양

Influenza A (H1N1) infection has been noted to be common in the young and high-risk groups for influenza infection, including transplant candidates and recipients. However, the optimal dosage and duration of oseltamivir for severely immunocompromised patients have not been defined. We report the case of a patient with relapsed neuroblastoma who was infected with influenza A (H1N1) and suffered from skin and lung graft versus host disease after he had received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from a matched sibling donor. During the immunosuppressant therapy, he was diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1) infection by real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). He recovered after oseltamivir treatment with a dosage of 90 mg twice a day for two weeks, which was two times of the standard dose until influenza A (H1N1) RT-PCR was proven to be negative.

Skill training in internal medicine student clerkship at a university hospital / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study evaluated medical students' experience performing basic clinical skills with real patients in a tertiary hospital and their response to clinical skill training in the Skills Center during their clerkship in internal medicine. METHODS: We surveyed 169 third-year students at the end of the internal medicine clerkship. The questionnaire included questions on their experience sampling blood and inserting intravenous (IV) catheters with real patients, success with their first patient, and the usefulness of the Skills Center during the clinical clerkship. RESULTS: Of the 169 students, 145 (86%) answered the questionnaire. Two (5%) of 39 students had not sampled blood and 22 (56%) had not inserted an IV catheter during the 8 weeks of the internal medicine clerkship. Two (6%) of 35 students had not sampled blood and 8 (23%) had not inserted an IV catheter during 32 weeks of the 3rd-year clinical clerkships. The partial or complete success rate for performing the skills with real patients was 93% for blood sampling and 79% for IV catheter insertion. Ninety (62%) students stated that skill training in the Skills Center during the clinical clerkship improved their basic clinical skills and 62 (43%) agreed that it increased their confidence to perform those skills on real patients. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of medical students do not experience basic clinical skills with real patients during the clinical clerkship in a university hospital, although they had relatively high success rates performing those skills.

The Accuracy of Standardized Patients' Rating according to the Order of Examinees in Clinical Performance Examination / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of standardized patients'(SP) rating according to the order of examinees in clinical performance examination. METHODS: In the clinical performance examination which was administered in 2005 at Seoul National University College of Medicine, each SP evaluated 16 students consecutively. For all 16 SPs(2 SPs per station), accuracy of rating was evaluated by comparing the individual records of each SP to the 'recording keys' made by two SPs from reviewing a video recording of performances by examinees. RESULTS: The average number of items incorrectly rated by SP was 3.8(range, 0~12), 2.8 in female SPs and 4.8 in male SPs(p<0.001). No statistical correlation was observed between the number of errors and the order of examinees(p=0.843). Even after stratification by gender or age of the SPs or domains of examination, the number of items incorrectly rated did not differ significantly according to the order of examinees. CONCLUSION: An increase in SP's rating error with time after the start of examinations was not observed within the 16 consecutive encounters in clinical performance examination. The effect of SP's fatigue on the accuracy of simulation as an examination progresses remains to be studied.