Brevundimonas Species Keratitis in a Patient without Underlying Disease

Purpose@#To report a case of keratitis caused by Brevundimonas diminuta/vesicularis.Case summary: A 20-year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity and glare in his right eye from 2 days earlier. At the first visit, slit lamp examination revealed a 1.5 × 1.5 mm2-sized stromal infiltration, an edematous cornea and endothelial deposits in the center of the right eye. Microbiological examinations were performed from corneal scrapings. Treatment was started with topical eye drops (fortified cefazolin, fortified tobramycin) as empirical antibiotics. After several days, the cultures revealed Brevundimonas diminuta/vesicularis. After treatment with empirical antibiotic eye drops, the symptoms and visual acuity improved. @*Conclusions@#We report a case of infectious keratitis caused by Brevundimonas diminuta/vesicularis, which has never previously been reported in the Republic of Korea.

Analysis of Early Neuroimaging Results in Patients with Acute Isolated Ocular Motor Nerve Palsy

Purpose@#To evaluate the efficacy of early neuroimaging in patients with acute isolated 3rd, 4th, and 6th nerve palsy. @*Methods@#Neuroimaging tests were performed in patients >50 years old with acute isolated 3rd, 4th, and 6th nerve palsy. The frequencies and types of abnormal findings were evaluated. All patients were divided into ischemic and non-ischemic groups and differences in clinical characteristics between groups were analyzed. @*Results@#Of the 55 patients, nine (16.4%) had abnormal findings on brain imaging. Among 26 patients with 6th nerve palsy, four (15.4%) were found to have a cause including brain tumor, cerebrovascular compression, carotid cavernous fistula. Superior oblique muscle atrophy was found in two of 19 patients (10.5%) with 4th nerve palsy. Three of 10 patients (30%) with 3rd nerve palsy had abnormal findings and there were cases of pituitary apoplexy, posterior communicating, and cerebrovascular compression. @*Conclusions@#In patients with acute isolated oculomotor paralysis, early neuroimaging tests play an important role in differential diagnosis and evaluation of causes that may lead to mortality.

Simultaneous Determination of the Flavonoids and Limonoids in Citrus junos Seed Shells Using a UPLC–DAD-ESI/MS

Citrus junos seeds (CS) have been traditionally used for the treatment of cancer and neuralgia. They are also used to manufacture edible oil and cosmetic perfume. A large amount of CS shells without oil (CSS) are discarded after the oil in CS is used as foods or herbal remedy. To efficiently utilize CSS as a by-products, it needs to be studied through chemical analysis. Therefore, we developed an ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)–diode array detection (DAD) method for simultaneous determination and quantitative analysis of five components (two flavonoids and threes limonoids) in CSS. A Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column C18 (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.8 μm) was used for this separation. It was maintained at 40 oC. The mobile phase used for the analysis was distilled water and acetonitrile with gradient elution. To identify the quantity of the five components, a mass spectrometer (MS) with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source was used. The regression equation showed great linearity, with correlation coefficient ≥ 0.9912. Limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) of the five compounds were 0.09 – 0.13 and 0.26 – 0.38 μg/mL, respectively. Recoveries of extraction ranged from 97.45% to 101.91%. Relative standard deviation (RSD) values of intra- and inter-day precision were 0.06 – 1.15% and 0.19 – 0.25%, respectively. This UPLC–DAD method can be validated to simultaneously analyze quantities of marker flavonoids and limonoids in CSS.

Neurosyphilis Mimicking Limbic Encephalitis and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease

No abstract available.

Esophageal Basaloid Squamous Carcinoma Treated by Endoscopic Resection and Radiation / 대한소화기학회지

Esophageal basaloid squamous carcinoma (BSC) is a rare, aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma. BSC is usually diagnosed in advanced stage and its prognosis is relatively poor. A 59-year-old male with subepithelial lesion of the esophagus that was incidentally discovered during health promotion examination was referred to our hospital. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed a 10-mm bulging mucosa with an intact surface at 34 cm from incisor teeth. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a smooth margined homogenous hypoechoic lesion, measuring 11.3×3.9 mm with a submucosal layer of origin. The patient underwent endoscopic mucosal resection of the subepithelial lesion. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen revealed BSC with involvement of vertical margin by tumor. The patient then underwent radiotherapy, and is doing well without recurrence for 35 months. We report a case of esophageal BSC confined to submucosal layer successfully treated with endoscopic resection followed by radiation.

Prospective analysis of factors associated with inadequate bowel preparation for colonoscopy in actual clinical practice

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Inadequate bowel preparation can result in prolonged procedure time and increased missed lesion and complication rates. This prospective study aimed to evaluate bowel preparation quality and identify the predictive factors for inadequate bowel preparation in actual clinical practice. METHODS: We included 399 patients who underwent colonoscopy between June 2015 and July 2016. Using the Aronchick bowel preparation scale, we defined a score ≤2 as adequate preparation and a score >2 as inadequate preparation. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 58.38±12.97 years; 60.6% were male. Indications for colonoscopy included screening (69.7%) and surveillance after polyp removal (21.3%). A split-dose regimen was prescribed to 55.4% of patients. The inadequate bowel preparation rate was 28.1%. Overall, the median time between the last bowel preparation agent dose and start of colonoscopy was 5.0 hours (range, 1.5–16.0 hours); that of the adequate group was 5.0 hours (range, 1.5–16.0 hours); and that of the inadequate group was 5 hours (range, 2–23 hours). The mean bowel preparation scale score of the ascending colon (1.94±0.25) was significantly higher than that of other colon segments. On multivariate analysis, elderly age, history of cerebrovascular disease, history of gastrectomy or appendectomy, and total preparation solution uptake < 2 L were the independent predictors of inadequate bowel preparation. CONCLUSIONS: The inadequate bowel preparation rate was 28.1%. Risk factors included elderly age and history of cerebrovascular disease or abdominal surgery. Patients with these risk factors require special care and education.

Zoster Laryngitis with Multiple Cranial Nerve Palsy Progressed as Ascending Involvement

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster of the head and neck commonly presents with Ramsay Hunt syndrome. However, vesicular eruptions may occur on the pharyngeal or laryngeal area with multiple lower cranial-nerve (CN) palsy. CASE REPORT: We report on the case of a 54-year-old man with herpes zoster of the pharynx and larynx with multiple CN palsy and persistent hiccups. He initially developed progressive dysphagia, hoarseness, and persistent hiccups (CN IX and X). After admission, Dizziness, hearing impairment, and peripheral facial palsy (CN VII and VIII) were complicated. The results of a polymerase chain reaction test of saliva and vesicular fluid from the ear and throat were strongly positive for varicella zoster virus. The progression of CN palsy was in an ascending sequence. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the sequence of CN palsy may be either ascending or descending, depending on the initial site of involvement.

Hashimoto's Encephalopathy with Reversible Diffuse Leukoencephalopathy

BACKGROUND: The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) are variable; images range from having a normal appearance, to showing ischemic lesions, demyelination, or vasogenic edema. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old woman presented with a sudden onset of dysarthria and dizziness. Routine blood tests were normal and the MRI was unremarkable. After admission, she developed aphasic seizures and myoclonus, and eventually became comatose. A follow up MRI showed diffuse high signal intensities at the bilateral cerebral white matter on fluid attenuated inversion recovery imaging. The serum titers of the anti-thyroglobulin antibody and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody were increased. After 5 days of 1,000 mg/day of intravenous methylprednisolone infusion, she recovered rapidly. CONCLUSION: We propose that repeated brain MRIs are necessary for the diagnosis of HE. Diffuse leukoencephalopathy may be a pathologic finding on MRI and, in this case study, was shown to be reversible after applying an appropriate treatment.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing pheochromocytoma presented as Cushing syndrome and complicated by invasive aspergillosis / 영남의대학술지

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)-producing pheochromocytoma has been rarely reported, whereas only a few cases of Cushing syndrome accompanied by opportunistic infections have been reported. We experienced a patient with pheochromocytoma with ectopic Cushing syndrome complicated by invasive aspergillosis. A 35-year-old woman presented with typical Cushingoid features. Her basal plasma cortisol, ACTH, and 24-hour urine free cortisol levels were significantly high, and 24-hour urine metanephrine and catecholamine levels were slightly elevated. The endogeneous cortisol secretion was not suppressed by either low- or high-dose dexamethasone. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a heterogeneous enhancing mass measuring approximately 2.5 cm in size in the left adrenal gland. No definitive mass lesion was observed on sellar magnetic resonance imaging. On fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT, a hypermetabolic nodule was observed in the left upper lung. Thus, we performed a percutaneous needle biopsy, which revealed inflammation, not malignancy. Thereafter, we performed a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy, and its pathologic finding was a pheochromocytoma with positive immunohistostaining for ACTH. After surgery, the biochemistry was normalized, but the clinical course was fatal despite intensive care because of the invasive aspergillosis that included the lungs, retina, and central nervous system.

Immune thrombocytopenia associated with sarcoidosis / 영남의대학술지

Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease of unknown cause involving multiple organs and is characterized by noncaseating granuloma. Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disease characterized by increased peripheral platelet destruction due to the presence of an antibody to the platelet and abnormal platelet production. There is no known pathogenesis that occurs concurrently with ITP and sarcoidosis. However, considering together of 2 known pathogenesis, abnormal immune response triggers either ITP or sarcoidosis. The disease that develops first stimulates secondary disease. After development of secondary disease, they stimulate each other. A few cases of ITP associated with sarcoidosis are well documented in English; however, the disease has rarely been reported in Korea. Here, we report on a case of ITP with sarcoidosis in a 29-year-old man. He suffered from easy bruising. The chest X-ray and the contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed bihilar lymphadenopathy and reticulonodular infiltrates. Bone marrow study and fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous needle biopsy were performed and the patient was diagnosed with sarcoidosis and ITP. He was put on 400 mg/kg of intravenous immunoglobulin for 5 days and administered oral steroids and further follow-up will be carried out. He has shown a good response without significant bleeding event. However, administration of more oral steroid and additional follow-up is required than for single disease, whether sarcoidosis or ITP.

A Case of Type 1 Neurofibromatosis Associated with Multiple Metastatic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / 영남의대학술지

Type 1 neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen's disease, NF-1) is an autosomal-dominant neurocutaneous-disorder characterized by systemic cafe'-au-lait spots, multiple cutaneous neurofibromas, axillary or inguinal freckling, and Lisch nodules (pigmented iris hamartomas). Approximately 10-25% of NF1 patients have gastrointestinal neoplasms. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in patients with neurofibromatosis is most commonly found in the small bowel and the stomach, and approximately 60% of such patients have multiple tumors or multiple tumor sites. Although, the increased incidence of GIST in patients with neurofibromatosis is well documented in pathology literature in English, but has rarely been documented in Korea. Here, we report a case of multiple GISTs in a 48-year-old woman accompanied by NF1. She was admitted to Yeungnam University Hospital with complaints of melena and dyspnea. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan revealed that multiple soft tissue masses were occupying the entire peritoneal cavity. An ultrasonogram- guided biopsy was performed and the tumors were found to have been composed of tumor cells that were positive for c-kit protein. The patient was put on Imatinib mesylate treatment, and further follow-up will be carried out.

Argyria Accompanied by Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

A 54-year-old man ingesting silver solution over 4 years presented with cognitive impairment and progressive gait disturbance. He had diffuse gray pigmentation on his face and fingertips, suggesting argyria. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed hydrocephalus and high concentration of silver ion is in blood. This is the first case occuring hydrocephalus associated with the neurotoxicity of silver.

Long-Term Complete Remission in an Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patient with Isolated Central Nervous System Relapse after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 영남의대학술지

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is considered the optimal curative treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but some patients develop bone marrow relapse due to remnant leukemia, and few patients develop extramedullary relapse without bone marrow relapse. Isolated extramedullary relapse (IMER) is defined as extramedullary relapse without bone marrow relapse. IMER has been reported in various sites, including the skin, soft tissue, and central nervous system(CNS). Isolated CNS relapse is relatively rare and is associated with poor prognosis due to the absence of an optimal treatment for it. Reported herein is a case involving an adult AML woman who suffered from isolated extramedullary relapse in the CNS after allogeneic HSCT. She was treated with intrathecal chemotherapy and whole-brain and spine radiotherapy, followed by systemic chemotherapy. She is currently well, with no evidence of leukemia recurrence for over six years.