The Changes of Clinical Markers, beta2-microglobulin and Oxidized LDL, after Converting to On-line Hemodiafiltration from High-flux Hemodialysis / 대한신장학회지

PURPOSE: Hemodiafiltration with the on-line regeneration of ultrafiltrate (on-line hemodiafiltration, OL- HDF) provides better clearance of both small and large solutes than high-flux hemodialysis (HFHD) and may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. The purpose of this observational study was to ascertain whether OL-HDF improves clinical markers after switching from HFHD to OL-HDF in patients with end-stage renal disease. METHODS: Fourteen stable patients on HFHD for at least 6 months were switched to OL-HDF. We observed changes in subjective symptoms, the levels of hemoglobin, erythropoietin dose, Kt/V, URR, beta 2-microglobulin, plasma oxidized LDL (OxLDL) and CRP for twelve-months period. RESULTS: There were improvements in subjective symptoms including fatigue, anorexia, insomnia and itching sensation (p<0.05). There were significant increases in Kt/V (1.63+/-0.17 vs. 1.77+/-0.24, p< 0.05) and URR (75.1+/-3.2 vs. 77.2+/-3.9%, p<0.05). Even though erythropoietin dose was not changed, hemoglobin level was increased (10.6+/-1.3 vs. 11.4+/-1.0, p<0.05). Beta 2-microglobulin clearance was significantly increased (17.7+/-4.4 vs. 21.9+/-6.1 mL/min, p<0.05). However, the pre-dialysis level of beta 2-microglobulin was not significantly reduced. The pre-dialysis level of CRP was not changed. OxLDL reduction ratio was not changed. On the other hand, the pre-dialysis plasma level of OxLDL was significantly reduced (32.36+/-6.03 vs. 26.05+/-6.00 U/L, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: OL-HDF improved several subjective symptoms, anemia, the clearance of small solute, beta 2-microglobulin level and reduced plasma OxLDL after switching from HFHD. Less OxLDL may be generated in OL-HDF compared with HFHD.

A case of adenomyoma in distal common bile duct / 대한내과학회지

Adenomyoma is a nonneoplastic lesion that can be found anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, but it's rarely found in the extrahepatic bile duct. To the best of our knowledge, it is a completely benign lesion, but making a clear distinction from malignancy on preoperative evaluation is very difficult. Its clinical importance mainly lies in the possibility that they may be confused with carcinoma, leading to unnecessarily extensive surgical resections. We report here on a case of distal common bile duct adenomyoma that presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain, and the preoperative examinations could not reveal whether the tumor was benign or malignant. It was finally diagnosed by histological examination after performing pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma with ovarian metastasis / 대한내과학회지

Primary hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis to the ovary is a rare malady. To the best of our knowledge, approximately eight cases in the English literature and two cases in the Korean literature have been reported. We report here a case of hepatocellular carcinoma with metastasis to the ovary in a 40-year-old woman who presented with a month long history of lower abdominal discomfort and a palpable mass. She had been diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) four years prior and subsequently underwent a several courses of transarterial chemoembolization and radio-frequency ablation. The patient had then been seen regularly and was generally well until 4 month ago, when the alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level began to rise to 425 ng/mL. After that time she had been seen and examined every month, however, the AFP level rose to 2,150 ng/mL without evidence of recurrence on the computed tomography (CT) scan of liver, the heapatic artery angiography, PET and so on. On admission, a pelvis MRI revealed mainly solid masses of both ovaries and multiple peritoneal and omental nodules. Transvaginal core biopsy was performed and the histologic examination of the specimen revealed metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. We report here on one case of ovarian metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma together with a brief review of the literature.

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.

Regional Citrate Anticoagulation in Continuous Venovenous Hemodiafiltration: Report of Two Cases / 대한신장학회잡지

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has been used increasingly for the management of renal failure in hemodynamically unstable and critically ill patients. CRRT requires anticoagulation, usually with heparin, to prevent clotting in the extracorporeal circuit. Systemic heparinization is associated with a high rate of bleeding when used during CRRT in critically ill patients. We applied regional citrate anticoagulation for CRRT to two critically ill patients with high bleeding risk using calcium containing commercial solutions. We conclude that regional citrate anticoagulation with commercial calcium containing solution can be used alternative to heparin for CRRT in patients with high bleeding risk.

Cyclophosphamide treatment in a patient with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and lupus nephritis: report of one case / 대한내과학회지

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a rare but fatal complication of systemic lupus erythematosus. The diagnosis of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura as a syndrome distinct from systemic lupus erythematosus may be challenging particularly when thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is presented concomitantly with systemic lupus erythematosus. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment including plasmapheresis would be required. However, recent reports have suggested that the use of cyclophosphamide may have a role. We describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus who was first presented with severe thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. Diagnosis was based on typical clinical features of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and laboratory findings of active lupus nephritis. Renal biopsy also confirmed the coexistence of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and diffuse proliferative lupus nephritis. Although prompt extensive plasmapheresis and high dose steroid therapy were performed, oliguric renal failure and thrombocytopenia persisted. After addition of cyclophosphamide to the treatment with plasmapheresis and steroid, clinical manifestations of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and lupus nephritis were markedly improved.