A Case of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis Complicated with Septic Pulmonary Embolism / 대한신장학회지

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an unusual, severe gas-forming infection of renal parenchyma and its surrounding areas. It is a rare cause of septic pulmonary embolism. We report on a case of emphysematous pyelonephritis complicated with renal vein thrombosis and septic pulmonary embolism with review of the literature. A 51-year-old diabetic woman was admitted to our hospital with symptoms of fever, diffuse abdominal pain and nausea. Her initial laboratory findings showed pyuria and leukocytosis. She was diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis with abscess formation on contrast enhanced abdominal CT. She was treated with antibiotics and percutaneous abscess aspiration, but progressed to emphysematous pyelonephritis complicated with renal vein thrombosis and septic pulmonary embolism. Finally she underwent the left total nephrectomy.

A Hospital-based Tabletop Exercise for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Design and Evaluation

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness and compliance of a hospital-based tabletop exercise in setting of pandemic influenza in hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tabletop exercise was held in Pusan National University Hospital and forty two hospital employees were invited to participate in the exercise. The scenario for hospital-based tabletop exercise was designed. It consisted of three modules, which simulated the influx and outbreak of H5N1 influenza that was epidemic in Southeast Asia. Pre-, post-exercise surveys were completed by anonymous questions. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (88%) of 42 invited participants attended exercise. All members of the administration group and the ancillary services group participated. But, only 77% members of the clinical services group participated. In pre-exercise survey, priorities of eight goals regarding skills and knowledge during exercise were inquired., The highest priorities pointed out by the respondents were "Increase the knowledge of pandemic influenza" (22%), "Development of strategies for optimal communication among employees within specific department" (19%) and "Development of strategies for improved coordination between facilities within the health system" (19%). Twenty-one (57%) of participants completed the post-exercise surveys. At post-exercise surveys, 81% of the participants stated that the tabletop exercise was extremely or very useful, 86% of the participants also stated that it increased their knowledge of pandemic influenza. CONCLUSION: Tabletop exercise is an effective modality for increasing pandemic influenza preparedness in hospitals, and this method is useful for guiding preparedness activities within the hospital environment. Further studies to determine the appropriate method of discussion, questionnaire, duration of exercise and injection are needed.

A Hospital-based Tabletop Exercise for Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Design and Evaluation

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the usefulness and compliance of a hospital-based tabletop exercise in setting of pandemic influenza in hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tabletop exercise was held in Pusan National University Hospital and forty two hospital employees were invited to participate in the exercise. The scenario for hospital-based tabletop exercise was designed. It consisted of three modules, which simulated the influx and outbreak of H5N1 influenza that was epidemic in Southeast Asia. Pre-, post-exercise surveys were completed by anonymous questions. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (88%) of 42 invited participants attended exercise. All members of the administration group and the ancillary services group participated. But, only 77% members of the clinical services group participated. In pre-exercise survey, priorities of eight goals regarding skills and knowledge during exercise were inquired., The highest priorities pointed out by the respondents were "Increase the knowledge of pandemic influenza" (22%), "Development of strategies for optimal communication among employees within specific department" (19%) and "Development of strategies for improved coordination between facilities within the health system" (19%). Twenty-one (57%) of participants completed the post-exercise surveys. At post-exercise surveys, 81% of the participants stated that the tabletop exercise was extremely or very useful, 86% of the participants also stated that it increased their knowledge of pandemic influenza. CONCLUSION: Tabletop exercise is an effective modality for increasing pandemic influenza preparedness in hospitals, and this method is useful for guiding preparedness activities within the hospital environment. Further studies to determine the appropriate method of discussion, questionnaire, duration of exercise and injection are needed.

Role of Hydroxyl Radicals and Lipid Peroxidation in Cisplatin-induced Acute Renal Failure in Rabbits / 대한신장학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine whether lipid peroxidation induced by hydroxyl radicals play a critical role in cisplatin(cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II)-induced acute renal failure. METHODS: Animals received cisplatin at a single i.p. dose of 5 mg/kg, and changes in renal function were measured at 48 hr after cisplatin injection. RESULTS: Cisplatin caused an increase in serum creatinine level, which was accompanied by reduction in GFR. The fractional excretion of Na(+), glucose, and inorganic phosphate was increased in animals treated with cisplatin alone. Cisplatin treatment in vivo inhibited PAH uptake by renal cortical slices and Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity in microsomal fraction. Lipid peroxidation was increased in cisplatin-treated kidneys. When animals received the antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine(DPPD), the iron chelator deferoxamine, and hydroxyl radical scavengers dimethylthiourea and sodium benzoate before cisplatin injection, alterations in renal function and lipid peroxidation induced by cisplatin were significantly prevented. Exposure of renal cortical slices to cisplatin in vitro caused an increase in LDH release and lipid peroxidation, which were completely prevented by DPPD and deferoxamine. By contrast, hydroxyl radical scavengers(dimethylthiourea and thiourea) did not prevent cisplatin-induced LDH release despite they inhibited cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the lipid peroxidation resulting from generation of hydroxyl radicals may play a role in cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. In addition, the protective effects of hydroxyl radical scavengers in vivo studies are different from the results obtained from in vitro studies using renal cortical slices.

A case of candida fungemia in acute pancreatitis and hepatitis associated with typhoid fever / 대한내과학회지

Typhoid fever is a bacteremic disease and many organs, including intestine, liver, bone, lung, thyroid, kidney, spleen, heart and pancreas may be invaded by the organism. Acute pancreatitis associated with typhoid fever sometimes needs prolonged total parenteral hyperalimentation and antibiotic treatment. Systemic Candida infections are usually encountered as opportunistic infections in a setting of immunologic depression. The authors report a case of Candida parapsilosis fungemia associated parenteral nutrition in acute pancreatitis associated with typhoid fever. A 17 year-old man was transfered to Pusan national university hospital on May 4th, 1998 under diagnosis of salmonella sepsis. High fever, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea developed 10 days before entery. On admission, serum amylase, lipase and transaminase showed elevation. The patient was treated with antibiotics(ceftriaxon) and total parenteral hyperalimentation was done under diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and hepatitis associated with typhoid fever. On 3rd hospital day, body temperature returned to normal but abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting continued. On 18th hospital day, high fever recurred and ceftriaxon was re-administered. Three days later, body temperature returned to normal. On 25th hospital days, culture of blood and catheter tip was positive for C. parapsilosis. On 27th hospital days, sudden onset high fever, pnumonic infiltration, confusion, hypotension, oliguria and azotemia developed. On 34th hospital day, sudden onset ventricular fibillation developed. On 35th hospital day, the patients died. We report a case of candida fungemia in acute pancreatitis and hepatitis associated with typhoid fever.

Frequency and Associated Factors of Lung Involvement in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and associated factors of physiologic abnormalities indicative of lung disease in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Thirty-six early RA patients(mean age 43+/-12 years, 30 females, disease durations less than 12 months, mean duration 5+/-3 months), who had not been treated with disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), were studied. Clinical, laboratoy and radiologic variables such as age, sex, smoking history, past lung disease history, drug medication history, rheumatoid factor positivity, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CRP and chest radiography, were undertaken. Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were performed in all patients and results for PFTs were expressed as percentage of predicted values for each individual adjusted for age, sex, and height. Lung disease was defined as one or more of the followings should be present, 1) forced vital capacity (FVC) <80% for predicted, 2) diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) <80% for predicted, 3) forced expiratory flow from 25% and 75% of vital capacity (FEF 25-75%) <80% for predicted. Statistical comparisons were made using Student? t test or chi-square test as appropriate. RESULTS: All patients had normal chest radiography. Rheumatoid factor was positive in 21 patients (58%), smokers were 5 patients (14%), ESR and CRP were increased in 16 (44%) and 17 patients (47%). Ten patients (28%) had lung disease and included FVC <80% in 4, DLCO <80% in 4 and FEF 25-75% <80% in 6 patients. There was no significant predictor of lung disease. CONCLUSION: The frequency of lung disease in early RA by PFTs was 28% and there was no significant predictor of lung disease.

Clinical Significance of Antiphospholipid Syndrome / 대한내과학회지

OBJECTIVES: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterized by arterial or venous thrombosis, recurrent fetal loss, many neurological deficits, and presence of anticardiolipin antibody (ACA) or lupus anticoagulant (LA). This study was done to know the clinical and serological characteristics of antiphospholipid syndrome. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory features of 18 patients with APS who had antiphopholipid antibodies and histories of obstetric events and thrombosis were studied. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, 4 were male, and 14 were female, and the ages ranged from 19 to 64 years. 11 patients were primary APS. 17 patients had ACAs: 11 had IgG ACA; 2 had IgM ACA; 3 had both IgG and IgM; 1 had both IgG and IgA; 1 patient had LA. Antinuclear antibodies were positive (>1:40) in 15 patients, and anti-ds-DNA (>1:10) were present in 8 patients. Hemolytic anemia was noted in 4 patients with positive in only direct Coomb's test, and all were secondary APS. Thrombocytopenia (<150,000/mm3) was observed in 14 patients, 9 patients ranged between 100,000/mm3 and 150,000/mm3. Initial presentation were deep vein thrombosis in 7 patients, pulmonary embolism in 3, arterial occlusion in 3, leg ulcer in 1, spontaneous abortion in 2, preeclampsia in 1, preterm labor in 1. Combined diseases were SLE, Sj gren syndrome, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, hypertension. In 7 patients associated with cardiac abnormalities, 3 were mitral regurgitation, 4 were pericardial effusion, 1 was dilated cardiomyopathy. Venous thrombosis were present in 11 patients, 6 had deep vein thrombosis only, 3 had both deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Arterial occlusion were present in 4 patients, 3 had small multiple cerebral infarction, 1 had right common femoral arterial occlusion. Obstetric complications were present 5 patients of 14 female patients: 3 had spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia was present in 1 and preterm labor was present in 1. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical and serological features of APS in this study were similar to those of previous reports (Oeffinger et al.,1994: Edelman et al., 1995). Treatment with prednisolone, anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents was used. Of the 10 follow-up patients, none had recurrence of thrombotic events.

A Case Of Non-traumatic Rhabdomyolysis In Doxylamine Overdose / 대한신장학회잡지

Because doxylamine is an antihistamine commonly used as over-the counter sleep preparation, it may bring out overdose. The usual clinical course of the overdose is dominated by the anticholinergic effect of these agents; it include significant autonomic and central nervous system effect. The most frequent symptom included impaired consciousness, seizure, tachycardia, mydriasis and a psychosis similar to that in catatonic stupor. A serious complications may be rhadbomyolysis with subsequent impairment of renal function and acute renal failure. Though the exact mechaism is not clear yet, it seems likely that doxylamine has a direct toxic effect on striated muscle. We report a case of a 22-year-old man who was complicated by rhabdomyolysis and impairment of renal function after doxylamine overdose. He was transported due to reddish urine from other hospital. According to transfer note, when he arrived at emergency room, he had slight drowsy mental state without tonic clonic seizure. He developed a elevated muslce enzyme and showed generalized, multiple uptake in damages muscle with the image of 99MTc-MDP bone scan. He was managed with hydration, urine alkalinization and supportive care during hospitalization. If doxylamine overdose are suspected, we should obtain creatine kinase level. Recognition of the potential for rhabdomyolysis and institution of vigorous treatment may prevent acute renal failure in patients who have taken an overdose of the drug.