Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on pediatric poisoning in a single emergency department in Korea

Purpose@#This study was performed to investigate the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic-related changes in epidemiological features of pediatric patients with poisoning who visited a local emergency medical center in Incheon, Korea. @*Methods@#We reviewed medical records of the patients (aged ≤ 18 years) who visited the emergency department (ED) from 2015 through 2022 and obtained discharge diagnoses containing "intoxication" or "poisoning," excluding food allergy and game addiction. Time of visit was categorized as pre-pandemic (2015-2019) and pandemic (2020-2022) periods. They were investigated for age, age groups (children [0-9 years] vs. adolescents [10-18 years]), sex, visits during weekend or holiday, exposure-to-ED time, psychiatric history, intentionality, alcohol consumption, substances, therapeutic interventions, and outcomes. The outcomes included need for hospitalization and discharge against medical advice. @*Results@#Among a total of 358 patients with poisoning, 162 (45.3%) visited during the pandemic period, and 220 (61.5%) were adolescents. Compared to the patients who visited during the pre-pandemic period, those who visited during the pandemic period showed significantly higher frequencies of girls (45.9% vs. 81.5%), age of 10-18 years (46.4% vs. 79.6%), intentionality (33.7% vs. 74.7%), alcohol consumption (4.1% vs. 11.7%), need for hospitalization (24.5% vs. 62.3%), and discharge against medical advice (3.1% vs. 25.9%). @*Conclusion@#In the ED, pediatric poisoning became more intentional, female and adolescent-dominant, and severe in their outcomes during the pandemic.

Hepatic Hydatid Cyst: A Case Report / 대한소화기학회지

Hydatid cysts are caused by an infestation with larval tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus. The disease is endemic in developing countries but has rarely been reported from immigrant workers in Korea. This paper reports a case of hepatic hydatid cyst in a 27-year-old female. She was referred with abdominal pain that had persisted for the past 2 months. The patient was a foreign worker from Mongolia. The physical examination was unremarkable, and blood tests showed peripheral blood eosinophilia and elevated liver enzymes. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a well-circumscribed cystic mass with septation in the liver. A surgical resection was performed for complete removal. After uncomplicated postoperative recovery, the patient was discharged with albendazole 400 mg twice daily. The hydatid cyst is an important disease that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions in the liver, particularly in those who have lived in endemic areas. A correct early diagnosis based on the typical image findings is important for early treatment before the rupture of the cyst, which is associated with low morbidity and mortality. A current surgical resection combined albendazole are effective treatments for hepatic hydatid cysts, associated with low recurrence rates.

Adrenal Gland Metastasis of a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor / 대한내과학회지

A 56-year-old male with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) underwent surgical resection of the tumor. Nine months after surgery, imatinib therapy was initiated because of the discovery of metastatic tumors in the left adrenal gland and in a lymph node of the peritoneum. Seventeen months later, the patient achieved complete remission (CR) and imatinib therapy was continued. However, 48 months after initiation of imatinib therapy, computed tomography scans revealed a left adrenal gland metastasis and the patient underwent left adrenalectomy. Immunohistochemical staining indicated that the spindle-shaped cells of the resected tumor were positive for C-kit, thus confirming metastasis of the GIST. This is the first report from Korea of an adrenal gland metastasis from a GIST. Worldwide, only two such cases have been reported. Here, we describe the first case of a distant recurrence of a GIST in the left adrenal gland after CR had been achieved with the aid of surgical resection and imatinib therapy.

Bisacodyl Induced Severe Rectal Ulcer with Proctitis / 이화의대지

Constipation is a prevalent, often chronic, gastrointestinal motility disorder. Bisacodyl, a stimulant laxative, is widely used to treat constipation in adults and children. This drug is usually safe, but it has some side effects including diarrhea, abdominal pain, colitis, and proctitis. There have been reports that rectal administration of bisacodyl could cause injury to the rectal mucosa by mechanical and chemical mechanisms. However, there has been no report of severe proctitis with rectal ulcers in patients taking oral bisacodyl. In this report, we describe the case of an 80-year-old woman with severe rectal ulcers and proctitis after taking oral bisacodyl for several days, and review the literature.

Eradication Rates of First-line and Second-line Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection in Gyeongnam Province

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori has been decreasing over the years and it is different among the regions. The aim of this study was to investigate the rates of first-line and the second-line eradication of H. pylori over the last 5 years in a single institute of Changwon and Gyeongsangnam-do, Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eradication rates of first-line triple regimen in 1,164 patients and second-line quadruple regimen in 223 patients who received H. pylori eradication treatment from January 2008 to December 2012 at Changwon Fatima Hospital were evaluated retrospectively. The patients for second-line quadruple therapy were divided into three groups according to the dosage of medications. RESULTS: The overall eradication rates of first-line and second-line therapy were 70.5% and 81.2%, respectively. There was no decreasing tendency in the eradication rate of first-line therapy for 5 years (P=0.573). However, annul eradication rates of second-line therapy significantly decreased (P=0.001, linear by linear association). In second-line therapy, patients treated with high dose bismuth and metronidazole had higher eradication rates than those treated with low dose bismuth and metronidazole (P=0.039). CONCLUSIONS: The effectiveness of the first-line and second-line therapy for H. pylori was suboptimal. In addition, there was a decreasing tendency in the eradication rates of second-line therapy over the past 5 years in Changwon and Gyeongsangnam-do province. Alternative regimens or high dose therapy should be considered for first-line and second-line therapy.

Acute Pancreatitis Associated with Intraductal Tubulopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas / 이화의대지

Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) of the pancreas has been recently reported. It is very rare, therefore clinical behavior and prognosis has not yet been characterized. We experienced a case of ITPN of the pancreas which presented with acute pancreatitis and treated with Whipple's operation. Histopathologic finding showed papillary hyperplasia with carcinomatous change. The tumor recurred after 47 month of operation, and she underwent total pancreatectomy. Pathologic finding revealed tubulopapillary growth with high grade dysplasia. Immunohistochemial staining was not performed, however gross and microscopic findings were compatible with ITPN of the pancreas. We report a case of ITPN of the pancreas.

Acute Pancreatitis Associated with Intraductal Tubulopapillary Neoplasm of the Pancreas / 이화의대지

Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm (ITPN) of the pancreas has been recently reported. It is very rare, therefore clinical behavior and prognosis has not yet been characterized. We experienced a case of ITPN of the pancreas which presented with acute pancreatitis and treated with Whipple's operation. Histopathologic finding showed papillary hyperplasia with carcinomatous change. The tumor recurred after 47 month of operation, and she underwent total pancreatectomy. Pathologic finding revealed tubulopapillary growth with high grade dysplasia. Immunohistochemial staining was not performed, however gross and microscopic findings were compatible with ITPN of the pancreas. We report a case of ITPN of the pancreas.

Fully Covered Self Expandable Metal Stent for the Treatment of Benign Biliary Strictures / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Giant Colonic Lipoma Endoscopically Removed Using an Unroofing Technique in Phases / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gastrointestinal lipomas are benign adipose tumors that are usually submucosal, and most commonly found in the colon. However, they have also been discovered in the small bowel, stomach and very rarely in the esophagus. Although most of gastrointestinal lipomas are asymptomatic and are found incidentally at time of endoscopy, surgery or autopsy, large lipomas can cause acute abdominal pain, bowel habit changes, gastrointestinal bleeding, intussusception or bowel obstruction. Lipomas can be diagnosed by colonoscopy, abdominal CT, barium series and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Large lipomas need to be treated using various techniques. However, the best treatment modality for large lipomas has not yet been established. A surgical resection of lipomas should be considered for a giant lipoma >2 cm in diameter due to the risk of perforation or hemorrhage. Currently, endoscopic snare polypectomy or endo-loop ligation is used to treat symptomatic lipomas, which may reduce the risk of complications associated with endoscopic treatment. We report a case of giant colonic lipoma that was diagnosed successfully with EUS and treated safely using an endoscopic unroofing technique, endoloop ligation and snare polypectomy in phases.

A Case of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Thromboembolism after Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy

Although high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is generally considered a safe medication for various immune-mediated diseases, thrombotic events have been reported as a complication of the therapy. We report a case who developed thrombotic complications after receiving IVIG. A 56-yr-old woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura received IVIG at a dose of 400 mg/kg/day for five days. Three days after the administration of IVIG, the patient developed painful edema in the left leg. Lower extremity doppler ultrasound revealed deep vein thrombosis in the left leg. Chest computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a filling defect indicating thromboembolism of the right pulmonary artery. After three weeks of enoxaparin therapy, her symptoms and pulmonary embolism on CT improved. This case suggests clinicians should be cautious in the development of thromboembolism by administration of IVIG, especially in patients with thrombophilia.

Acute pneumonia caused by mycobacterium intracellulare / 대한내과학회지

The Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) is the most common pathogen in pulmonary disease caused by a nontuberculous mycobacteria. Patients with MAC pulmonary disease tend to be older, are more likely to have underlying lung disease than tuberculosis patients. The insidious nature of MAC pulmonary disease has been emphasized in many reports because symptoms may be present for months or years before a diagnosis can be made. Most patients experience chronic coughing, which is usually productive of purulent sputum. A MAC pulmonary infection is rarely accompanied by acute respiratory symptoms and lobar pneumonic consolidation on chest radiography. We report a very rare case of M. intracellulare pulmonary disease presenting as acute pneumonia.

A Case of Spontaneous Native Aortic Valvular Thrombosis that Caused Aortic Stenoinsufficiency in the Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Spontaneous native aortic valvular thrombosis is an uncommon event that usually results from cardiac catheterization, bacterial endocarditis or a hypercoagulable state. We report here on a case of native valvular thrombus that was incidentally detected as masses that caused aortic stenoinsufficiency during routine follow-up, and the patient was without any of the previously described precipitating factors. The patient underwent aortic valvular surgery for removal of the aortic valvular mass. The pathological findings of the aortic valve showed organized valvular thrombus without evidence of any tumor.

A Case of Primary Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Liver with Formation of Colonic Fistula / 대한소화기학회지

Primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the liver is generally considered as an extremely rare subtype of cholangiocarcinoma. It has been reported mostly in a form of case studies. As far as we know, there was only one case report on tumor related with biliary fistula. Recently, we experienced a case of primary adenosquamous carcinoma of liver with a formation of tumor-colonic fistula. A 54-year-old man was transferred to our hospital due to liver mass detected by abdominal ultrasonogram. Dynamic computed tomogram of liver showed a large irregular hypodense mass without rim enhancement in right lobe of liver and also suggested a fistula formation between the tumor and hepatic flexure of right colon. Colonoscopic examination showed a large colonic wall defect in hepatic flexure and a friable, nodular mucosa around the defected colonic wall. Extended right lobectomy and right hemicolectomy were done. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of squamous cell carcinoma mainly with foci of the adenocarcinoma component.

A Comparative Study of Complications after Endoscopic Sphincterotomy according to the Types of Electrosurgical Current / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (EST) has a very important role in the treatment of pancreatico-biliary diseases, but it has complications. We retrospectively investigated whether the types of electrosurgical currents affect occurence of complications. MEHTODS: In pancreatico-biliary diseases, consecutive 150 patients undergoing EST with pure cutting current (cutting group) and then consecutive 150 patient with blend current (blended group) were studied in respect to post-EST complications and the presence of periampullary diverticulum and papillitis in major papilla. Major bleeding was defined as a decrease in hemoglobin of at least 2 g/dL. Clinical pancreatitis was defined as abdominal pain with elevated serum amylase above three times about the upper normal limit after 48 hour. RESULTS: Major bleeding has not occurred. Minor bleeding occurred in 25/300 patients (8.3%), but was not different in cutting group (n=150) and blended group (n=150). Except 54 patients with elevated amylase before procedure, pancreatitis occurred in 13/246 patients (5.3%), but was not different in cutting group (n=122) and blended group (n=124). Two cases in blended group had moderate pancreatitis. There was no differences of bleeding, pancreatitis, in patients with diverticulum (n=112) and without diverticulum (n=188). Minor bleeding was more common in patients with papillitis (n=24) than without papillitis (n=276) (p=0.000), but the incidence of post EST pancreatitis was similar. In 235 patients with choledocholithiasis, there was no difference in terms of bleeding, pancreatitis in cutting group (n=120) and blended group (n=115). CONCLUSIONS: Post- EST bleeding and pancreatitis were not affected by the types of electrosurgical current used. When EST was performed in patient with papillitis, minor bleeding was observed commonly.

A Case of Lower Esophageal Muscular Ring Presenting with Dysphagia / 대한소화기학회지

There are diverse ring-like narrowings in the lower esophagus: mucosal ring, muscular ring, ring-like annular peptic stricture. Esophageal muscular ring is extremely rare and generally asymptomatic. It occurs at the proximal border of the esophageal vestibule that corresponds to the upper end of the lower esophageal sphincter. We experienced a case of lower esophageal muscular ring with a symptom of intermittent mild dysphagia for 40 years and report the findings with a review of the literature.

A case of colon carcinoma in crohn's disease / 대한내과학회지

Crohn's disease is one of the chronic inflammatory disorders of unknown cause involving the gastrointestinal tract. The inflammation may occur in the colon, either alone or with small intestine. Crohn's disease has been associated with increased risk for coloretal carcinoma in patients with long-standing colitis, strictures and fistulae. Recently, we experienced a case of Crohn's disease complicating carcinoma in a 85 year old male. Ten years ago, he compained severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. and was detected colon obstruction and enteric fistula. But, he spontaneously improved. Recently, the patient was admitted complaining abdominal pain. He complaind abdominal pain and indigestion chronically and aggravated recently. He was examined with colonofibroscopy, and computered tomography, and carcinoma was detected at the site of Crohn's disease.

Azathioprine-associated Acute Pancreatitis in Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한내과학회지

Drug-induced pancreatitis is now recognized as a distinct, although uncommon, entity. Azathioprine has been incriminated as a causative agent of acute pancreatitis. We report a 36-year-old female who developed acute pancreatitis in the course of treatment with azathioprine for rheumatoid arthritis. She was admitted due to epigastric pain, radiating to the back, for four days. Serum amylase and lipase levels were 226U/L (normal : 30-110U/L) and 1300U/L(normal : 23-300U/L), respectively. The abdominal ultrasonogram and CT scan revealed diffuse enlargement of the pancreas. We diagnosed it as acute pancreatitis. There was no history of alcohol use or gallbladder disease. We considered drugs, especially azathioprine, as the cause of acute pancreatitis. The patient was treated conservatively with intravenous fluid and analgesics. The symptoms subsided within three days. Thirteen days later, azathioprine was resumed. After six hours, the patient complained of epigastric pain. The elevated level of serum lipase(542U/L) confirmed the recurrence of pancreatitis. Her symptoms subsided when azathioprine intake stopped, and the serum lipase level returned to normal within four days.

A Case of Pseudomembraneous Colitis by Clostridium Perfringens / 대한소화기내시경학회지

A 62-year-old female was adrnitted to the Catholic University Hospital of Taegu-Hyosung with an intracerebral hemorrhage. She was operated on successfully, but developed bacterial pneumonia. She was then treated with sulperazone, tobramycin, and metronidazole for 1 month. After the antibiotic treatment, she suffered from a fever and bloody, mucoid diarrhea for 3 days, and was examined with a sigmoidoscope. The sigmoidoscopic examination revealed yellow patches of ulcerations and swelling covered with thick sero- sanguinous exudate in the distal transverse colon and sigmoid colon. A latex agglutination test for C. was performed on her stool, whereby difficile cytotoxin was negative, however, metronidazole resistant C. perfringens was isolated from anaerobic culture of the biopsied colon tissue. She recovered with 15 days using oral vancomycin treatment. The possibility of C. perfringens as a causative organism of pseuclomernbraneous colitis was discussed.

Acute Renal Failure in Rhabdomyolysis Associated with Furosemide Induced Hypokalemia / 대한신장학회잡지

Though hypokalemia often goes unrecognized as a cause of rhabdomyolysis, its causal relation for acute renal failure can be considered in cases of extreme hypokalemia when combined with rhabdomyolysis. We present the case of a 21-year-old female in whom acute renal failure was developed by myoglobinuria which was associated with furosemide induced hypokalemia. She had taken 2 grams of furosemide daily over 6 months before developing rhabdomyolysis. Initial neurologic examination revealed painful quadriplegia and laboratory findings showed markedly elevated blood CPK, LDH and AST levels with azotemia. Arterial blood gas analysis showed pH 7.439, serum Na 128mEq/L, K 1.5mEq/L, Cl 87mEq/L, HCO3- 12.6mmol/L and calculated anion gap of 29.9 which indicated that she was under the condition of mixed metabolic alkalosis and metabolic acidosis. Though intravenous infusion of potassium chloride improved muscle strength, azotemia and acidemia persisted for several days. This case suggest that large amount of furosemide, when used for a long time, can be result in the acute renal failure by rhabdomyolysis which was caused by hypokalemia.