Do we need colonoscopy verification in patients with fundic gland polyp?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of colorectal neoplasia in subjects with fundic gland polyps (FGPs) and the relationship between FGPs and colorectal neoplasia in Korea. METHODS: We analyzed 128 consecutive patients with FPGs who underwent colonoscopy between January 2009 and December 2013. For each case, age- (±5 years) and sex-matched controls were identified from among patients with hyperplastic polyps, gastric neoplasms, and healthy controls. Clinical characteristics were reviewed from medical records, colonoscopic findings, pathologic findings, and computed tomography images. The outcome was evaluated by comparison of advanced colonic neoplasia detection rates. RESULTS: Of the 128 patients, seven (5.1%) had colon cancers and seven (5.1%) had advanced adenomas. A case-control study revealed that the odds of detecting a colorectal cancer was 3.8 times greater in patients with FGPs than in the age- and sex-matched healthy controls (odds ratio [OR], 3.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-13.24; P =0.04) and 4.1 times greater in patients with FGPs than in healthy controls over 50 years of age (OR, 4.10; 95% CI, 1.16-14.45; P =0.04). Among patients with FGPs over 50 years old, male sex (OR, 4.83; 95% CI, 1.23-18.94; P =0.02), and age (OR, 9.90; 95% CI, 1.21-81.08; P =0.03) were associated with an increased prevalence of advanced colorectal neoplasms. CONCLUSIONS: The yield of colonoscopy in colorectal cancer patients with FGPs was substantially higher than that in average-risk subjects. Colonoscopy verification is warranted in patients with FGPs, especially in those 50 years of age or older.

A Case of Sequential Lymphoma in an Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patient / 대한내과학회지

Rarely, two different histological types of lymphoma develop in the same person. Sequential lymphoma is defined as two different types of lymphoma occurring in the same person sequentially. A 47-year-old patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection who had been diagnosed with mixed cellularity Hodgkin's lymphoma was treated with adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine combination chemotherapy. After six cycles of chemotherapy, abdominal computed tomography showed multiple liver masses. A percutaneous needle biopsy of the liver and polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism revealed hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. The patient died 3 months after the diagnosis of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma. To our knowledge, this is the first case of the sequential development of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma after Hodgkin's lymphoma in a Korean HIV-infected patient.

Surgical treatment of recurrent pseudochylothorax occurring after therapy of tuberculous pleurisy / 영남의대학술지

Pseudochylothorax is an uncommon pleural effusion disease characterized by the presence of cholesterol crystals or high lipid content not resulting from a disrupted thoracic duct. Most of the cases reported so far had been found in patients with long-standing pleural effusion due to a chronic inflammatory disease such as old tuberculous pleurisy or chronic rheumatoid pleurisy. Authors encountered a case of pseudochylothorax in a 45-year-old man who had been treated for tuberculous pleurisy 6 years before his visit to authors' hospital. After that, he had visited the emergency department many times for removal of pleural effusion. The patient's chest X-ray revealed dyspnea and large left-sided pleural effusion. Although a large amount of pleural fluid was removed with a drainage catheter, massive pleural effusion was likely to recur, and the underlying lung was able to fully re-expand. Accordingly, decortication was done, and the patient's symptom was improved without postoperative complications.

Atypical Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy During Endoscopic Sinus Surgery With Septoplasty in an Elderly Male Patient

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, is caused by emotional or physical stressors and mimics acute myocardial infarction. Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is characterized by acute, reversible left ventricular apical ballooning without significant coronary artery stenosis. New variants of stress-induced cardiomyo pathy with localized wall motion abnormalities or an inverted pattern with a hyperdynamic apex have been reported. We present a rare case of a sudden cardiac arrest due to atypical stress-induced cardiomyopathy (mucosal packing and the injection of epinephrine) in an elderly male patient during elective endoscopic sinus surgery with septoplasty under local anesthesia. In this case, only the basal and midportions of the left ventricle were affected, whereas the apex was completely spared. The patient rapidly and completely recovered without sequelae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscess Complicated With Septic Pulmonary Embolism

Klebsiella pneumoniae has been reported to be the most common pathogen causing pyogenic liver abscess. K. pneumoniae liver abscess occurs fairly often in patients with diabetes mellitus, and is commonly associated with metastatic infections such as brain abscess, endophthalmitis, lung abscess, osteomyelitis, prostatitis, necrotizing fasciitis and infection in other sites. Although septic pulmonary embolism (SPE) is uncommon, it is a serious metastatic complication of K. pneumoniae liver abscess. Chest computed tomography (CT) scans are crucial in making the early diagnosis of SPE; however, it does not provide the basis for a definitive diagnosis. A 70-year-old man was referred to the Department of Pulmonology due to cough and an abnormal chest radiography. The chest CT scans revealed relatively well-demarcated, round multiple nodules with peripheral preponderance, cavitary mass in the right upper lobe of the lung and low-density hepatic cystic masses. Bronchoscopic examination and percutaneous needle aspiration of the lung were performed, but there was no evidence of malignancy. Finally, K. pneumoniae was grown from a bronchial washing specimen and blood culture. Intravenous carbapenem was administered over a 3-week period and follow-up CT scans showed improvement in both the lung and the liver. We report a case of K. pneumoniae liver abscess complicated with SPE requiring differential diagnosis of hematogenous metastatic malignancy on CT scans in an elderly patient.

Guideline adherence to chemotherapy administration safety standards: a survey on nurses in a single institute / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the guideline adherence of nurses to chemotherapy administration guidelines. We determined the guideline adherence of nurses to the Chemotherapy Administration Safety Standards and the relationship between demographic characteristics and guideline adherence. METHODS: Survey sheets containing two questions on demographic characteristics and 16 questions on the guideline adherence of nurses regarding chemotherapy administration were distributed to all in-patient departments in our hospital in which chemotherapy was performed. All clinical nurses in the department were recommended to respond. RESULTS: Of 202 nurses, 123 responses were collected (61% response rate). The guideline adherence rate was >70% for 15 of 16 questions, but 55% of respondents indicated that there was no competency monitoring for nurses. Nurses with >7 years of clinical nursing experience felt more competent in performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) than nurses with <7 years of clinical nursing experience (p=0.032). CONCLUSION: The guideline adherence rate of nurses with respect to chemotherapy administration was high, with the exception of the absence of a competency monitoring for nurses. A significant number of nurses with <7 years of clinical nursing experience felt incompetent in performing CPR.

Factors Related to Success in Relactation

PURPOSE: An increase in the breastfeeding rate has been followed by an increase in the number of mothers seeking help in relactation. We investigated the factors related to successful relactation by assessing the impact of medications, supplementer, consultations, and family support. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records and telephone survey of mothers who had visited the relactation clinic were conducted from January 2004 to April 2007. RESULTS: Data from 84 mothers were analyzed to identify the factors associated with success in relactation. Seventy-five percent of the mothers succeeded in obtaining exclusive breastfeeding. Success in relactation was associated with informed referral from medical personnel, the use of galactogogues, and family support. CONCLUSION: This study provides new and noteworthy insights concerning relactation. This highlights the need to inform the mothers about the data of relactation, to use galactogogues, and to have their families involved for psychological support and endurance during visits to the relactation clinic.

Factors Related to Success in Relactation

PURPOSE: An increase in the breastfeeding rate has been followed by an increase in the number of mothers seeking help in relactation. We investigated the factors related to successful relactation by assessing the impact of medications, supplementer, consultations, and family support. METHODS: A retrospective review of the medical records and telephone survey of mothers who had visited the relactation clinic were conducted from January 2004 to April 2007. RESULTS: Data from 84 mothers were analyzed to identify the factors associated with success in relactation. Seventy-five percent of the mothers succeeded in obtaining exclusive breastfeeding. Success in relactation was associated with informed referral from medical personnel, the use of galactogogues, and family support. CONCLUSION: This study provides new and noteworthy insights concerning relactation. This highlights the need to inform the mothers about the data of relactation, to use galactogogues, and to have their families involved for psychological support and endurance during visits to the relactation clinic.

Normal blood pressure values and percentile curves measured by oscillometric method in children under 6 years of age / 소아과

PURPOSE: Hypertension is defined as average systolic blood pressure and/or diastolic blood pressure that is > or =95th percentile for gender, age, and height on > or =three occasions. Knowing that blood pressure values increase in children as they grow older, the purposes of this study were to measure blood pressure by an oscillometric device and to determine normal values and percentile curves for children. METHODS: Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured twice with an oscillometric device in 3,545 boys and 3,145 girls under six years of age, in Seoul. Using this data, we determined average blood pressure values and percentile curves based on gender and age; we subdivided these values into blood pressures of 50th, 90th, 95th, and 99th percentiles, by percentile of height. The regression coefficients and standard deviations of the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values were obtained from linear regression models. RESULTS: Older boys and girls had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. Older boys and girls in the same percentile of height for age had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. Taller boys and girls within the same age group had higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. CONCLUSION: Blood pressure standards based on gender, age, and height were obtained via an oscillometric method. Llimitation of this study is that the study population was not from the whole country, but exclusively from Seoul. Nonetheless, the data from this study will be helpful in diagnosing and managing hypertension in Korean children.

Effects of alpha-Lipoic Acid on Bone Metabolism in Rats with Low Bone Mass / 대한내분비학회지

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence has shown a biochemical link between increased oxidative stress and reduced bone density. In our previous study, alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA), a thiol antioxidant, suppressed both osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, and also prevented TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of osteoblast lineages. The effects of alpha-LA were investigated on bone metabolism in rats with a low bone mass. METHODS: An ovariectomy (OVX) or Talc injection (inflammation-mediated osteopenia, IMO) was performed in 12 week old female Sprague-Dawley rats. Diets containing either 0.3%, 0.5% or 1.0% alpha-LA were administered to the OVX rats for 16 weeks, and to the IMO rats for 21 days. The bone mineral densities (BMD) of the anterior-posterior lumbar spine and total femur were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (Hologic QDR 4500-A), with small animal software. The plasma bone specific alkaline phosphatase activity (BSAP) and urinary free deoxypyridinoline concentration (DPD) were determined using enzyme immunoassay methods. RESULTS: The body weights were significantly decreased in the OVX rats on the diets containing 0.3 and 0.5% alpha-LA than in the OVX control. No significant differences in the BMD at either site were noted between rats administered the diets with or without alpha-LA. However, the administration of various doses of alpha-LA noticeably decreased the level of urinary DPD in both the OVX and IMO rats. High doses of alpha-LA (0.5% and/or 1.0%) also decreased the levels of plasma BSAP in both models. CONCLUSION: Although no increase in BMD was demonstrated by the administration of alpha-LA, these results suggest that alpha-LA suppresses the rates of bone turnover in rats with a low bone mass

The Relationship between Activities of Daily Living and Cognitive Function, Anxiety, Stress, Depression in Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between activities of daily living (ADL) dependence and psychological parameters in the adult hemiplegic stroke patients. METHODS: The subjects were total 122 stroke patients who underwent rehabilitation therapy. Patients were surveyed with questionnaires for anxiety, stress, and depression. Cognitive functions were assessed by mini-mental status examination and their ADL functions were evaluated by modified Barthel index. The correlation between ADL function and psychological parameters was statistically analyzed by Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: Results were as follows: The average stress score of stroke patients was 76.7 which was relatively high. Fourty-seven percent of stroke patients suffered from depression, and it was more frequent in the left hemiplegics. As the result of the Pearson's correlation test, ADL function is closely correlated with intrapersonal stress level, but not with the level of anxiety or depression. The cognitive function has correlation with intrapersonal stress level, but not with depression. CONCLUSION: Understanding of the relationship between psychological status and ADL function in the stroke patients will be helpful to the physician for conducting efficient rehabilitation of these patients.

The Prevalence and Characteristics of Cumulative Traumatic Disorders

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the current status and the basic information of cumulative traumatic disorder among workers. METHOD: The subjects were 198 workers, consisted of 100 shipspublisher workers, 155 telephone operators and 43 light workers. Workers were surveyed with a standardized self- administered questionnaire and examed by the occupational medicine doctors and physiatrists for the cumulative traumatic disorders. Laboratory tests, nerve conduction studies and X-rays of the C-spine and shoulders were performed in all subjects. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Myofascial pain syndrome was the most frequent problem in the shipspublisher and telephone operators. As a result of the multiple logistic regression analysis, cycle time, palm pinch, lumbar and neck flexion were the significant variables accounting for the musculoskeletal symptoms.

Clinical Utility of the Diaphragmatic Needle Electromyography in Patients with Respiratory Dysfunction

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the clinical utility of diaphragmatic needle electromyography (EMG) in patients with respiratory dysfunction. METHOD: Needle electorode was inserted into the muscle just above the lower costal margin between anterior axillary and medial clavicular lines. Case 1 who showed no response bilaterally in a phrenic NCS and a complete denervation of the diaphragm on needle EMG was unable to be weaned off from the ventilator. Case 2 who showed normal electrodiagnostic findings was successfully weaned off from the ventilator. Case 3 who showed a respiratory insufficiency from organophosphate intoxication had normal electrodiagnostic findings and was able to be successfully weaned off from the ventilator with a psychiatric support. RESULT: We ruled out the possibility of lack in central respiratory drive and weaned off patients from the ventilator, based on a normal firing pattern of motor unit potentials. CONCLUSION: Phrenic nerve conduction study (NCS) alone is not sufficient to find out the nature of respiratory dysfunction. Needle EMG of the diaphragm can be helpful in determining the pathogenesis, but its utility has been limited due to its potential risks. However we have confirmed that the needle EMG of diaphragm is a safe and easy study to perform and can provide a valuable information in the evaluation and management of respiratory dysfunction.

Anterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome following Bowling: A case report

The anterior interosseous nerve is the largest branch of the median nerve. The anterior interosseous nerve syndrome is a rare focal neuropathy with typical clinical and electromyographic features. Most commonly reported etiologies include fracture of the forearm and arm, trauma or prolonged pressure on the forearm. A 26-year-old man was evaluated for weakness of the flexor pollicis longus, the second flexor digitorum profundus and the pronator quadratus muscles that occured following bowling. We report one case of anterior interosseous nerve syndrome following bowling, which was not related to trauma.

Polyneuropathy in Multiple Organ Dysfunction of Critically Ill Patients

A sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction occurs frequently in the intensive care unit and causes a significant number of mortality and morbidity. Somtimes polyneuropathy of varying severity occurs in association with a sepsis or critical illness. Since the clinical evaluation is often difficult, electrophysiologic studies are employed to reveal a definitive evidence for polyneuropathy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of polyneuropathy and to determine the electrophysiologic features of critically ill patients. The subjects were 23 patients between ages of 42 and 72 with a sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome combinded with the multiple organ failure. The results revealed reductions in the amplitude of compound motor action potential and sensory nerve action potential, as the most marked abnormality. Needle EMG revealed the signs of denervation of limb muscles. Approximately 65.3% of adult patient with sepsis or multiple organ dysfunction has an axonal polyneuropathy. We suspect that the axonal polyneuropathy is related to the severity of multiple organ dysfunction.

Visual Verticality and Horizontality in the Stroke Patients

Visual Perception in stroke patients is very important in the respect of prognosis and functional recovery. Therefore understanding and knowledge of the visual perceptual dysfuction should be the base for the training in activities of daily living. The present study was designed to test the disturbance of visual perceptions, espescially for error in visual perception of verticality or horizontality of rod in hemiplegic patients. In additions, we assessed the hemiplegic and control groups, for the balance index, the duration of disease onset, and the lateralization and localization of lesions by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance image respectively with analysis of an each factor. The vertical average error angles of hemiplegic patients are greater than those of controls. The error angles of the left hemiplegic patients are greater than those of the right hemiplegia. Correlation between the vertical average error angles and the balance index has the reversed coefficient factors. Verticality recovers mostly in 2-3 months of onset.