Herpes Simplex Virus Hepatitis Treated with Acyclovir / 이화의대지

Herpes simplex viruses (HSVs) are the most common cause of mucocutaneous infections with dissemination to visceral organs. HSV-induced hepatitis is a rare but frequent cause of hepatitis in immunocompromised patients, pregnant women, and newborns. However, diagnosis is often difficult because the clinical features are nonspecific. In addition, the HSV-related mortality rate is high. Signs and symptoms of HSV include fever, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or tenderness, leukocytopenia, coagulopathy, and an increase in serum transaminase levels without jaundice. We present a patient who did not correspond to the above symptoms, but survived following prompt intravenous high-dose acyclovir provided early in the course of the disease.

A Case of Pneumonia Caused by Raoultella planticola / 결핵및호흡기질환

Raoultella species are gram-negative, non-motile, aerobic bacilli that are primarily considered as environmental bacteria. Raoultella planticola is reportedly a rare cause of human infections. Also, the definite pathological mechanism of Raoultella planticola is currently unknown. We report a case of pneumonia caused by Raoultella planticola.

Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum Complicating with Asthma / 이화의대지

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is an uncommon disease that is defined as the presence of free air in the mediastinum in the absence of any obvious precipitating cause. This condition occurs as a rare complication of acute exacerbation of asthma. Classic symptoms include retrosternal chest pain, dyspnea and cough, but are not specific. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum complicated by asthma is usually self-limiting and well controlled with conservative management, but this condition can be potentially life threatening. We report a case of 18-year-old woman with asthma who presented with spontaneous pneumomediastinum. The patient was treated conservatively with oxygen and steroid therapy, and her clinical conditions were improved. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum disappeared.

Two Cases of Wernicke's Encephalopathy That Developed during Total Parenteral Nutrition in Colon Cancer Patients Treated with 5-Fluorouracil-based Chemotherapy / 대한소화기학회지

Wernicke's encephalopathy (WE) caused by thiamine deficiency is an acute neurological disorder. Clinically, the classic triad of WE consists of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and mental status changes. Thiamine deficiency is known to occur commonly in chronic alcoholic patients. Sometimes, it can occur in patients after gastrointestinal surgery and in those with malabsorption. In addition, patients undergoing renal dialysis, suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), and being treated with chemotherapeutic agents are also prone to develop thiamine deficiency. Herein, we report two cases of WE that developed following simultaneous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy and TPN in colon cancer patients which was successfully treated with thiamine administration.

Portal and Splenic Vein Thrombosis Successfully Treated with Anticoagulants in Acute Pancreatitis / 이화의대지

Splanchnic vein thrombosis arising from complications of acute pancreatitis is very rare. It usually occurs as a form of portal, splenic and superior mesenteric vein thrombosis, either in combination or separately. It could develop portal hypertension, bowel ischemia and gastrointestinal variceal bleeding. Treatment of splanchnic vein thrombosis includes anticoagulants, thrombolysis, insertion of shunts, bypass surgery and liver transplantation. In some cases, anticoagulation therapy may be considered to prevent complications. However, the standard protocol for anticoagulation in splanchnic vein thrombosis has not been determined yet. We report a case of 43-year-old man who had portal and splenic vein thrombosis in acute pancreatitis. The patient was successfully treated with oral anticoagulants following low molecular weight heparin therapy.

Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene Complicating Escherichia coli Sepsis Associated with Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Lupus Nephritis / 대한내과학회지

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease that involves vascular thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity associated with elevated titers of antiphospholipid antibodies. APS can affect any organ and has a variety of clinical manifestations. Infections can be associated with thrombotic events in APS, including the potentially fatal subset catastrophic APS. We report a case of extensive symmetrical peripheral gangrene complicating Escherichia coli sepsis associated with antiphospholipid antibodies in a patient with lupus nephritis.