A Case of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura with Cerebellar and Gastrointestinal Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Henoch-Schonlein purpura is a systemic leukocytoclastic vasculitis involving small vessels. The diagnostic criteria is defined as a typical skin rash of which pathologic examination shows leukocytoclastic vasculitis, accompanied by any two of these major manifestations of the disease, namely gastrointestinal tract, kidney, joint involvement. In elder patient, Henoch-Schonlein purpura shows more serious gastrointestinal tract involvement. There are some reports of brain involvement of Henoch-Schonlein purpura. A 69-year-old man was admitted to department of neurosurgery, because of loss of consciousness. Brain CT showed acute cerebellar hemorrhage with rapid resolution by conservative treatment. Diffuse purpuric eruptions on both low legs were developed after 7 days of hospitalization. He was refered to our department due to epigastric pain and bloody diarrhea. There were multiple longitudinal ulcers with hemorrhage on the stomach and the sigmoid colon of which biopsy showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Microscopic hematuria and proteinuria were also noted. He had a fatal course due to recurrent colonic bleeding and poor medical condition. We report an unusual case of cerebellar and gastrointestinal involvement of Henoch-Schonlein purpura in elderly patient.

Transient Intesinal Obstruction Due to Stool Impaction in the Elderly / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute intestinal obstruction is an urgent disease to be diagnosed and treated promptly. In elderly, fecal impaction may be an important and preventable cause of colonic obstruction. We investigated the clinical features of patients presenting with denical features of intestinal obstruction transiently due to fecal impaction. METHODS: From February 2001 to March 2004, nineteen patients were diagnosed as transient intestinal obstruction due to fecal impaction. We evaluated clinical characteristics, radiologic findings, sigmoidoscopic or colonoscopic findings and managements. RESULTS: Male and female ratio was 1:1.1. Mean age was 79.3 years. All 19 patients had abdominal pain and distension. On digital rectal examination, the hard feces was palpable in only 8 patients (42%) while others showed empty rectum. The abnormal laboratory findings included leukocytosis in 5 patients (26%), anemia in 10 patients (53%) and electrolyte abnormalities in 7 patients (37%). Simple abdominal X-rays showed diffuse small and/or large bowel dilatations. In only 3 patients (16%) air-fluid levels were definite, but most patients showed abundant feces in the rectum and colon. During emergency sigmoidoscopy, abdominal pain and distension were relieved and there were Bristol type 1 hard stool in the recto-sigmoid junction in 7 patients (37%) and multiple rectal ulcers in 1 patient. On colonoscopy, there were no mass or pathologic obstruction in all patients. Patients were discharged after the adequate medication and toilet training. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly patients, fecal impaction is odd and preventable cause of intestinal obstruction. It is often significant to differentiate fecal impaction from other pathologic conditions in patients with chronic constipation.

A case of anaphylactoid reaction to nonionic contrast agent, Iodixanol (Visipaque(R)) during coronary angiography / 대한내과학회지

Radiocontrast agent infusion is the most common cause of non-IgE mediated anaphylactoid reaction in the modern medical procedures. The newer lower-osmolar nonionic contrast agents cause significantly lower adverse reactions than the high-osmolar ones. However, anaphylactoid reaction to nonionic contrast agent can cause life-threatening events and even death has been rarely reported. Iodixanol (Visipaque(R)) is a nonionic, dimeric contrast agent, which is currently used in cardiac catheterization. Here we report a case of anaphylactoid reaction to Iodixanol, a nonionic radiocontrast agent, during cardiac catheterization. A 45-year-old male patient underwent cardiac catheterization for evaluation of substernal pain during exercise. Five minutes after this contrast injection to the left coronary artery, he complained itching and dizziness. Subsequently, generalized urticaria, cyanosis and hypotension were developed. His coronary angiogram showed normal findings. He was treated with intravenous fluids, intravenous diphenhydramine, sucutaneous epinephrine and sympathomimetics and one hour later he recovered. This case suggests that anaphylactoid reaction to a radiocontrast media, iodixanol, should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses for cardiopulmonary arrest during cardiac catheterization.

A Case of Amoxicillin-induced Segmental Hemorrhagic Colitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Clinically, we often encounter patients who have symptoms of loose stool or diarrhea due to the use of antibiotics. Psuedomembranous colitis is the most frequent, but hemorrhagic colitis is rare. Penicillin-like-antibiotics-induced hemorrhagic colitis was infrequently reported in abroad, but in Korea, quinolone-induced colitis was reported. We found a case that the patient had the hematochezia after use of amoxicillin for eradication of H. pylori. Colonoscopic abnormalities showed superficial ulceration and mucosal edematous change without pseudomembrane on the ascending and transverse colon. We diagnosed the amoxicillin-induced hemorrhagic colitis by clinical course, colonoscopic findings, histologic findings and other laboratory results for differential diagnosis. This disease is rare but rapidly recovered after the withdrawal of the antibiotics and has a good prognosis. Therefore, we should differentiate this disease from hemorrhagic colitis of other causes by history taking.

A Case of Amoxicillin-induced Segmental Hemorrhagic Colitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Clinically, we often encounter patients who have symptoms of loose stool or diarrhea due to the use of antibiotics. Psuedomembranous colitis is the most frequent, but hemorrhagic colitis is rare. Penicillin-like-antibiotics-induced hemorrhagic colitis was infrequently reported in abroad, but in Korea, quinolone-induced colitis was reported. We found a case that the patient had the hematochezia after use of amoxicillin for eradication of H. pylori. Colonoscopic abnormalities showed superficial ulceration and mucosal edematous change without pseudomembrane on the ascending and transverse colon. We diagnosed the amoxicillin-induced hemorrhagic colitis by clinical course, colonoscopic findings, histologic findings and other laboratory results for differential diagnosis. This disease is rare but rapidly recovered after the withdrawal of the antibiotics and has a good prognosis. Therefore, we should differentiate this disease from hemorrhagic colitis of other causes by history taking.

A Case of Cushing's Syndrome Complicating Pregnancy Adrenalectomized after Delivery / 대한내분비학회지

Pregnancy is rare in women with Cushing's syndrome, as the associated infertility is related to excess cortisol and/or androgen. However, approximately 100 such cases have been reported, with 50% due to an adrenal cortical adenoma. Establishing a diagnosis and cause can be difficult. Clinically, striae, hypertension and gestational diabetes are common features in pregnancy, with hypertension and diabetes being the most common signs of Cushing's syndrome in pregnant women. Furthermore, biochemically, a normal pregnancy is associated with a several fold increase in plasma cortisol, as the increased cortisol production rate also increases the cortisol binding protein. Untreated, the condition results in high maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. An adrenal or pituitary adenoma should be excised, but a metyrapone, which is not teratogenic, has been effective in controlling many cases of excess cortisol. Here, a case of Cushing's syndrome, complicating a pregnancy due to an adrenal cortical adenoma, with thorough obstetric and medical management, including a metyrapone, which was adrenalectomized after delivery, is reported.

A Case of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in a Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Patient Successfully Treated by Medical Treatment / 대한신장학회잡지

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an uncommon and potentially life-threatening infectious disease. Although there is still controversy about optimal treatment of emphysematous pyelonephritis, published results indicate that the mortality rate in the patients treated with radical nephrectomy is equivalent to that in patients given more conservative treatment. Emphysematous pyelonephritis with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is extremely rare and its clinical course is not revealed clearly. Hearin, we report an emphysematous pyelonephritis in a 64- year-old female patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, successfully treated by antibiotics and percutaneous cyst drainage.

A Case of Emphysematous Pyelonephritis in a Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Patient Successfully Treated by Medical Treatment / 대한신장학회잡지

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is an uncommon and potentially life-threatening infectious disease. Although there is still controversy about optimal treatment of emphysematous pyelonephritis, published results indicate that the mortality rate in the patients treated with radical nephrectomy is equivalent to that in patients given more conservative treatment. Emphysematous pyelonephritis with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is extremely rare and its clinical course is not revealed clearly. Hearin, we report an emphysematous pyelonephritis in a 64- year-old female patient with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, successfully treated by antibiotics and percutaneous cyst drainage.