Portal Vein Thrombosis with a Lung Abscess / 대한내과학회지

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an uncommon cause of presinusoidal hypertension and can result from cirrhosis, malignancy, infection, inflammation, and congenital and acquired thrombophilic states. Infectious and inflammatory causes include pylephlebitis, omphalitis, diverticulitis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, appendicitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. However, PVT induced by a lung abscess has not been reported. We experienced a 50-year-old male complaining of right upper quadrant pain, fever, and coughing. A lung abscess and PVT were revealed by computed tomography and abdominal Doppler ultrasonography. The PVT resolved, in part, after an 8-day course of antibiotic therapy. We report a case of PVT as a complication of a lung abscess and review the literature.

Liver Abscess due to Gemella morbillorum in a Healthy Woman

Gemella morbillorum is a normal flora of the oral cavity, upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, or genitourinary system. Human infection cause by G. morbillorum is very rare. Known predisposing conditions are intravenous drug abuse, alcoholism, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, renal disease and poor oral hygiene. Most reported cases are infective endocarditis and vasculitis. We experienced a case of liver abscess by G. morbillorum in a healthy young woman, who was treated successfully with antibiotics and drainage. We report this case along with a literature review.

Pneumothorax, Pneumomediastinum, Subcutaneous Emphysema, Pneumoretroperitoneum Secondary to Colonoscopic Perforation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

A colonoscopic perforation is rare but can cause a fatal outcome. A perforation can be intraperitoneal or retroperitoneal. Air in the retroperitoneal space by perforation can spread to the mediastinum, pleura, and subcutaneous tissue through the visceral space. Therefore, a colonoscopic perforation may manifest as a pneumomediastinum, a pneumothorax, or subcutaneous emphysema without a peritoneal irritation sign. Although a colonoscopic perforation is treated mainly with an operation, medical treatment may be possible in selected cases, especially for a perforation to the retroperitoneal area or that under peritoneal reflexion. Clipping of a perforation is effective for medical treatment. We experienced a case of pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumoretroperitoneum without peritoneal irritation following a diagnostic colonoscopy, which was diagnosed after 3 days because of atypical symptoms but was successfully managed with medical treatment and clipping.

A Case of Ankylosing Spondylitis with Cricoarytenoid Arthritis / 대한류마티스학회지

The cricoarytenoid joint is a diathrodial synovial joint and it can be affected by various diseases. The etiology includes infectious, rheumatic and degenerative diseases. Cricoarytenoid arthritis that's caused rheumatoid arthritis is the most well known, yet cricoarytenoid arthritis that's caused by ankylosing spondylitis is very rare. Hoarseness, dysphagia, throat discomfort, dyspnea and dyspnea on exertion are the major symptoms. If there was no severe airway obstruction, this condition can be managed by systemic steroid or intraarticular steroid injection. We experienced a case of a 47 years old man with ankylosing spondylitis and he presented with hoarseness, dyspnea on exertion and dysphagia. He was finally diagnosed with cricoarytenoid arthritis and he improved after etanercept administration. So we report here on this case along with a review of relevant literature.

A Case of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Patient having Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis / 대한신장학회지

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical radiologic syndrome which is characterized by reversible neurological and radiological findings. It is associated with an abrupt and severe increase in blood pressure, eclampsia, chronic kidney disease with hypertension and using various immunosupressive drugs. Patient with chronic kidney disease could be especially vulnerable to this syndrome because they are frequently exposed to several possible causes as uremia, hypertension, or electrolyte imbalance. We report a case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a patient having continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

A Case of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Peritonitis Due to Brevundimonas vesicularis / 대한신장학회지

A 53-year-old male was hospitalized with abdominal pain and turbid peritoneal fluid. He was diagnosed with hypertension, diabetic nephropathy and started continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) 4 years ago. Initial peritoneal fluid analysis demonstrated CAPD peritonitis. As initial antibiotic therapy, ceftazidime/vancomycin were injected intraperitoneally. But drug sensitivity test revealed these regimens were ineffective. On sixth hospital day, Brevundimonas vesicularis (B. vesicularis) was cultured from peritoneal fluid, this strain was susceptible to imipenem, piperacillin and resistant to ceftazidime. Accordingly we changed the antibiotics to imipenem, which was administered for 14 days, but analysis of peritoneal fluid was seldom improved. Finally, CAPD catheter was removed, and hemodialysis was started. After CAPD catheter removal, peritonitis improved rapidly. B.vesicularis is a rare opportunistic organism in CAPD peritonitis. Because this peritonitis may not improve in spite of medical treatment with susceptible antibiotics, CAPD catheter must be removed finally.