Non-Infective Endocarditis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis / 대한내과학회지

Pericarditis and atherosclerotic events are generally regarded as relatively common cardiac manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, RA-associated endocarditis is rarely reported, and can be confused (by clinicians) with an infective vegetation. Herein, we report a case of sterile endocarditis involving the mitral valve in a 36 year-old patient with longstanding RA; the problem was accidentally detected during performance of a valve operation.

Ipsilateral leg swelling after renal transplantation as an alarming sign of Iliac vein stenosis

Iliac vein stenosis is a rare vascular complication of renal transplantation that may compromise allograft function if not recognized and corrected in a timely fashion. Because chronic venous stenosis may remain undiagnosed for several years, a high index of suspicion should be maintained until diagnosing this rare disease. A 56-year-old renal transplant recipient presented with unilateral leg swelling and renal dysfunction 16 years after transplantation. Computed tomography excluded deep vein thrombosis and revealed tight iliac vein stenosis on the side of the renal transplant. Following angiographic confirmation of the stenosis, endovascular treatment was successfully performed with a purposefully designed, self-expanding, venous stent. Ipsilateral leg swelling is an alarming sign for the diagnosis of iliac vein stenosis after renal transplantation. Percutaneous intervention with venous stent placement seems to be a safe and effective treatment of this rare condition.

Ability of Facial Affect Perception in Patients with Schizophrenia

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to compare the ability of facial affect perception among schizophrenia patients, their first degree relatives, and normal control subjects. METHODS: Thirty five patients with schizophrenia, 22 first degree relatives, and 34 normal control subjects were recruited in this study. All three groups were matched for age and education levels. The facial affect identification test(FAIT), and neurocognitive test were applied. In the FAIT, the correct response rate, perceived intensity, and sensitivity for 6 kinds of affects were compared among three groups. RESULTS: We found that correct response rate of sadness and anger were decreased in the schizophrenia patients compared with the normal control group. Also the schizophrenia patients showed reduced sensitivity for all six affects compared with the normal control group. The ability of facial affect perception in first degree relatives of schizophrenia patients was decreased but there were not any significant differences compared with normal control group. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed significantly reduced ability of facial affect perception in schizophrenia patients compared with normal control. Decreased ability of facial affect perception in first degree relatives suggests that affective sensitivity can be influenced by genetic predisposition.