Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarction due to Right Coronary Artery Total Occlusion Originating From the Distal Left Circumflex Artery

An isolated single coronary artery is rare but often associated with other congenital cardiac malformations and myocardial ischemia. We report a rare case of right ventricular myocardial infarction due to total occlusion of the right coronary artery originating from the distal left circumflex artery.

Seven Cases of Epiploic Appendagitis: Retrograde Analysis of Clinical Characteristics

Epiploic appendagitis is a relatively rare cause of acute abdominal pain. Usually, epiploic appendagitis is a benign and self-limited condition, but it can be clinically misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis or diverticulitis, so an inaccurate diagnosis may lead to unnecessary treatment. We recently managed 7 cases of epiploic appendagitis during 1 year and review these cases with an emphasis on the clinical diagnostic features. The main pathophysiologic mechanism underlying epiploic appendagitis is thought to be triggered by appendageal torsion and caused by a subsequent blood flow disturbance. This medical condition must be kept in mind when a patient with acute abdominal pain has well-localized pain which is characteristically sharp in nature and a mild systemic inflammatory response compared to the severity of the pain.

Effects of alpha-Lipoic Acid on Apoptotic Cell Death in Rat Hippocampus Following Transient Forebrain Ischemia-reperfusion Injury

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate effect of alpha-lipoic acid on apoptotic cell death in rat hippocampal neuron following transient forebrain ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: The four-vessel occlusion method was used to induce transient I/R injury in the forebrain of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the treatment group, alpha-Lipoic acid (LA) was administered subcutaneously at 50 mg/kg/day for 7 days before induction of I/R injury. RESULTS: Pretreatment with LA significantly reduced the number of TUNEL-positive neurons in the pyramidal cells layer of the hipocampal CA1 region 5 days after the ischemia, suggesting a marked reduction of apoptotic cell death. Pretreatment with LA also resulted in marked suppression at the transcript level of mRNA for caspase-3 at 24 hours, and decreased concentration of the active form of caspase-3 protein in the hippocampus at 1, 3, and 5 days after I/R injury. Furthermore, as indicated by western blot analysis, the concentration of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in the hippocampus was reduced at 1 and 3 days after a transient I/R injury by pretreatment with LA. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that LA has the potential to prevent neuronal cell death in the hippocampus by inhibiting intracellular signaling pathways responsible for apoptosis following transient I/R injury.

A Case of Gastric Adenoma Incidentally Found on PET-CT / 핵의학분자영상

We report a case of gastric adenoma which was found incidentally on 18F-FDG PET/CT study for cancer screening in asymptomatic patient. It showed focal and intensely increased FDG uptake in the antrum of stomach. On the gastroduodenoscopy, it showed flat elevated lesion with irregular margin. Histologically, the lesion was confirmed gastric adenoma with high grade dysplasia and removed by endoscopic mucosal resection.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics between Cryptogenic and Biliary Pyogenic Liver Abscess / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of cryptogenic and biliary pyogenic liver abscess by comparing the clinical aspects between the two groups. METHODS: Of 119 patients treated for pyogenic liver abscess from 2000 to 2004, 82 subjects with cryptogenic liver abscess and 21 with biliary abscess were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding clinical symptoms. The characteristics of abscess were similar except the size of abscess. The size of abscess less than 5 cm in diameter was more common in billiary group than in cryptogenic group (p=0.004). Compare to cryptogenic group, biliary group had more positive culture test from abscess (100% vs. 69%, p=0.006). Especially, E. coli isolated from abscess culture (28% vs. 7%, p=0.014) and blood culcure (23% vs. 4%, p=0.035) were more common in biliary group than in cryptogenic group. There was no difference in mortality between the two groups (biliary vs. cryptogenic: 4.8% vs. 0%, p=0.204). However, the rate of clinical improvement was higher in cryptogenic group than in biliary group (92.7% vs. 66.7%, p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Biliary liver abscess had similar clinical characteristics to cryptogenic origin. Biliary liver abscess had smaller abscess size and more positive abscess culture rates than cryptogenic abscess. Improvement rate without complication and recurrence was higher in cryptogenic group than biliary group.

The Survey for the Actual Condition of Drug Medication and Development of Health Care Cost Associated with Toxic Liver Injury in Korean; A Multicenter Study for the Detection and the Development of Nationwide Reporting System of Toxic Liver Injury / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: In Korea, interests in health and health care costs have been increased along with the increase of mean survival rate and income level. The aim of this study is to investigate the actual condition of drug medication and burden of health care cost. METHODS: A total of 1,434 subjects in four tertiary medical centers were enrolled in this study. The questionnaires were obtained between March 2005 and September 2005. Based on this information, the actual condition of drug medication and health care cost were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 55.0+/-11.4 years (16-87 years). The male and female ratio was 1.74:1. The subjects with drug medication except for doctor's prescription are presently 26.6% and were 40.9% in the past. Traditional medicine (39.6%) and health food (29.9%) are more frequently used than herbal medicine (5.8%) and medical supplies (4.2%) now. In the past, herbal medicine (14.6%) was more frequently used compared with the present. The side effects of drug medication were developed in 90 subjects (7.5%). The total mean health care costs were 895,000 won/year, the herbal medicine, 834,000 won/year, the health food, 950,000 won/year, and the traditional medicine, 324,000 won/year. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the subjects with other drug medications without doctor's prescription were as high as ever. The frequency of the use of the herbal medicine was decreased. However, the frequency for the use of the health food and traditional medicine have relatively increased. The side effects and additional large amounts of health care costs were occurred.

Endoscopic findings and clinicopathological characteristics of signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the stomach has a young age prevalence and is associated with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) on diagnosis and a poor prognosis. However, the clinical and histopathological characteristics of the disease have been controversial and its endoscopic characteristics are not clear. Thus, we examined the clinical, endoscopic and histopathological characteristics of SRCC of the stomach and analyzed them in comparison with non-signet ring cell carcinoma (NSRCC). METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the medical records of cases definitely diagnosed as stomach cancer by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or radical gastrectomy from March 1996 to May 2006, and statistically analyzed the clinical, endoscopic and histopathological characteristics of the SRCC and NSRCC group selected at random. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,840 patients were diagnosed as stomach cancer, and 117 (6.4%) of the patients were found to have SRCC. Clinically, the SRCC group showed a higher frequency in female (p=0.005), those aged below 60 years (p<0.001), non-smokers (p=0.031) and non-drinkers (p=0.045), and endoscopically the SRCC group was higher in the percentage of lesions located in the body part of stomach (p=0.003), the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection rate (p<0.001) and the Borrmann 4 type AGC (p=0.003). Significant independent characteristics of SRCC identified through multivariate analysis were an age below 60 years, H. pylori infection and a Borrmann 4 type AGC. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic and clinicopathological characteristics of SRCC of the stomach are relatively young age on diagnosis, a high H. pylori infection rate, and a high percentage of Borrmann 4 type AGC.

Septic Metastatic Lesions Associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscess

Pyogenic liver abscess is a serious clinical disease with severe complication in about 10-20% of cases. Metastatic septic endophthalmitis and CNS infection are rare but their incidence is increasing in liver abscess patients, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae as etiologic bacteria. Despite appropriate treatment, the outcome is devastating. We experienced a case of septic endophthalmitis, CNS infection (meninigitis, ventriculitis) and infective spondylitis associated with K. pneumoniae liver abscess. The patient had no specific risk factor. After intensive treatement such as systemic intravenous antibiotics with percutaneous abscess drainage and intravitreal injection, liver abscess was resolved completely. But, sequelae were severe. Socket reconstruction after evisceration with debridement on both eye and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt due to hydrocephalus were done. Our experience suggests that attention should be paid to the possibility of septic metastatic lesions as soon as the treatment of K. pneumoniae liver abscess is initiated.

Septic Metastatic Lesions Associated with Klebsiella pneumoniae Liver Abscess

Pyogenic liver abscess is a serious clinical disease with severe complication in about 10-20% of cases. Metastatic septic endophthalmitis and CNS infection are rare but their incidence is increasing in liver abscess patients, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae as etiologic bacteria. Despite appropriate treatment, the outcome is devastating. We experienced a case of septic endophthalmitis, CNS infection (meninigitis, ventriculitis) and infective spondylitis associated with K. pneumoniae liver abscess. The patient had no specific risk factor. After intensive treatement such as systemic intravenous antibiotics with percutaneous abscess drainage and intravitreal injection, liver abscess was resolved completely. But, sequelae were severe. Socket reconstruction after evisceration with debridement on both eye and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt due to hydrocephalus were done. Our experience suggests that attention should be paid to the possibility of septic metastatic lesions as soon as the treatment of K. pneumoniae liver abscess is initiated.

Rupture of a Bleeding Pancreatic Pseudocyst into the Stomach: a Case Report / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Pancreatic pseudocyst is a well-known complication of pancreatitis. However spontaneous perforation and/or fistularization is rare. Perforations into the free peritoneal cavity, stomach, duodenum, colon, portal vein, pleural cavity, and through the abdominal wall have been reported. Rupture of pseudoaneurysm or bleeding pseudocyst following pancreatitis is a severe complication that can lead to massive gastrointestinal bleeding. Especially, rupture of a bleeding pseudocyst into the stomach combined with splenic artery pesudoaneurysm is very rare. We experienced a case of massive bleeding from pancreatic pseudocyst with pseudoaneurysmal rupture into the stomach which was controlled nonoperatively by splenic artery coil embolization and conservative treatment. We report the case with the literatures review.

A Case of Azithromycin Therapy for Tsutsugamushi Disease During Pregnancy / 감염

No abstract available.

Effect of Diet and Apoliprotein E (Apo E) Polymorphism on the Variation of Serum Lipid Profile in Korean Males

BACKGROUNG AND OBJECTIVES: Diet is the basic and principal therapeutic modality for hyperlipidemia. However, diet therapy alone showed variable responses in lowering lipid levels in different studies. This research is to prove the effect of diet and Apo E polymorphism on the variation of serum lipid profile in Korean males. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the gene-diet interation, serum total cholesterol (Chol), triglycerides (TG), HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (HDLc, LDLc), lipoprotein (a) (Lp (a)), and fasting blood glucose (FBS) were measured with Apo E genotyping in vegeterians (group A, n=154) and in healthy Korean male adults (group B, n=150) of similar mean age (50.1 vs. 49.3). RESULTS: Lipid profiles showed significantly lower levels in group A compared to group B (Chol 168.3+/-30.5 mg/dL vs. 181.3+/-33.4 mg/dL, p<0.001;TG 131.0+/-62.9 mg/dL vs. 149.4+/-76.7 mg/dL, p=0.023;HDLc 56.0+/-11.0 mg/dL vs. 56.9+/-11.5 mg/dL, p=0.509;LDLc 92.5+/-28.1 mg/dL vs 100.6+/-29.9 mg/dL, p=0.016;Lp (a) 22.1+/-14.6 mg/dL vs. 26.9+/-13.8 mg/dL, p=0.004;FBS 85.1+/-14.1 mg/dL vs. 102.7+/-16.6 mg/dL, p<0.001). The Apo E genotyping showed Epsilon3/3, 64.1%; Epsilon3/4, 20.7%;Epsilon2/3, 11.8%;Epsilon2/2, 1.3%;Epsilon4/4, 0.6% in the combined groups. The distribution was similar in both groups. Chol and LDLc were significantly (p<0.05) higher in Epsilon3/4 allele group compared to other allele groups among non-vegetarians. On the other hand, Chol and LDLc were significantly (p<0.01) lower in vegetarians compared to non-vegetarians only in Epsilon3/4 allele group. CONCLUSION: Vegetarian diet significantly lowered Chol, TG, LDLc, Lp (a) and FBS levels. Significant lipid lowering effect of vegetarian diet was noted in Apo E allele Epsilon3/4 group which had significantly higher Chol and LDLc levels without diet intervention. These data suggest that the influence of diet on serum lipid profiles differ according to apo E genotypes.

A case of Prader - Willi syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Chronic cough is defined as a cough that lasts for more than three weeks. In most patients, chronic cough is caused by four conditions: postnasal drip, asthma, chronic bronchitis, gastroesophageal reflux. Psychogenic chronic cough is not a frequent disorder. Furthermore, chronic vocal tic disorder is a very rare cause of chronic dry cough. A 22- year-old male suffered from chronic dry cough for last two years. His character showed obsessive- compulsive disorder. He has been shrugging both shoulders inadvertently since his childhood. Consequently, he was diagnosed as having chronic motor tic disorder. But after contracting respiratory tract infection, his motor tic disappeared and chronic dry cough was developed concomitantly. He had no history of smoking, chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux. Physical examinations were normal. Chest X-ray, paranasal sinus view, metacholine bronchial provocation test, and esophago-gastroscopy were normal. Chronic cough was never relieved despite empirical treatment. Psychiatric consultation suggested chronic vocal tic disorder. The frequency of cough was diminished two days after administeration of valium and haloperidol and thereafter his complaint disappeared in one month. Here we report a very rare case of chronic motor tic disorder which was transformed into chronic vocal tic disorder presenting as a chronic cough. As far as we know, this is the first case of its kind in Korea.

Two Cases of Unilateral developmental deficiency of lung found in Identical Twin / 대한내과학회지

Unilateral developmental deficiency of lung is rare. As the most of those, unilateral agenesis or Scimitar syndrome(hypogenetic lung syndrome) had been reported. We experienced that two cases of unilateral developmental deficiency of lung, which is different form each other, are found in identical twin. To our knowledge, this condition has not been reported before. We evaluated lung parenchyma and bronchus(; simple chest PA, chest CT(HRCT, 3DCT)), vasculatures(; pulmonary angiography and cardiac catheterization) and combined anomalies (;abdominal ultrasound, echocardiography, routine blood chemistry, and chromosomal study). This 31 yrs old twin female patient was confirmed as an unilateral agenesis of left upper lobe and hypoplasia of left lower lobe without combined anomalies. She's twin younger sister was confirmed as unilateral agenesis of right lung with atrial septal defect(ASD).

A Case of Digoxin-like Immunoreactive Substance(DLIS) Poisoning After Ingestion of Fried Water Toad (Bufo Stejnegeri Schmidt) / 대한내과학회지

Everybody knows that toads are not eatable because of their toxins. But water toads are very similar to frogs morphologically, so fried water toads are eaten by some people on occasion. It has been studied that the granular glands of the toads secrete toxins known as digoxin-like immunoreactive substances (DLIS) such as bufogenins and bufotoxins. DLIS have cross-reactivity with micro particle enzyme immunoassay for the quantitative mea surement of digoxin. We report a case of DLIS poisoning in 56-year-old male patient who showed vomiting, syn cope, and marked bradyarrhythmia with block (heart rate down to 29 beats per minute) after ingestion of the fried water toads (Bufo stejnegeri Schmidt).

Factors of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in patients with chronic airflow obstruction / 알레르기

To evaluate the effect of allergic parameters, such as serum IgE, eosinophil, and skin test on the bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) in patients with chronic airflow obstruction, we performed methacholine bronchial provocation test, pulmonary function test, skin prick test, and measured blood eosinophil counts and serum IgE level from seventy-nine patients who showed persistent fixed airflow obstruction, less than 75% of predicted value in FEV~ and FEV1/FVC, despite of conventional treatment without steroid therapy for more than 3 months. The results were as follows 1) There were 53 patients with BHR and 26 patients without BHR. There were no statistically significant differences in sex, age, and smoking duration between positive BHR group and negative BHR group (p>0.05). 2) There was no statistically significant difference in absolute and predicted value of FVC(p>0.05). But there were significantly lower absolute, predicted value of FEV1 and FEV1/FVC% in positive group compared with negative group (p 0.05 ). 4) Blood eosinophil count was significantly higher in positive group than in negative group(p<0.05). Conclusion of this study is that increased bronchial responsiveness in patients with chronic airflow obstruction is inversely related to the level of pulmonary function and significantly associated with blood eosinophilia.