Unusual Presentation Chronic Pulmonary Embolism due to Calcified Right Ventricular Mass

Cardiac calcified amorphous tumors (CATs) can arise in all four chambers of the heart. Cardiac CATs can cause diverse symptoms according to their locations, and mass or embolic effects. Pulmonary emboli arising from cardiac CATs have been reported, but the true incidence is unknown due to their rarity. Herein we report a rare case with diffuse CATs in the right ventricle which caused a calcific pulmonary embolism and right-sided heart failure. Echocardiography, chest non-contrast computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging helped us diagnose the CATs. We recommend the usefulness of a multimodality imaging approach to characterize intracardiac masses and their complications accurately.

Spontaneous Mediastinal Hemorrhage in a Patient with End Stage Renal Disease: An Unusual Case of Uremic Bleeding / 대한신장학회지

Hemorrhagic complications in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD) are common. These abnormal bleeding tendencies are caused by several factors including anticoagulation during hemodialysis, anemia, and uremic platelet dysfunction. The most common clinical manifestation of uremic bleeding is hemorrhage of the gastrointestinal tract from gastric ulcer disease. Mediastinal bleeding, however, is rare in ESRD patients. Here, we report a case of spontaneous mediastinal bleeding in a patient with hemodialysis. A huge periesophageal hematoma was observed on the chest CT scan and the bleeding time representing platelet function was prolonged. This case underlies the diversity of uremic bleeding.

A Thrombotic Coronary Artery Aneurysm Associated with Atherosclerosis in a Patient with End Stage Renal Disease / 대한신장학회지

We present a case of thrombotic coronary aneurysm of the left anterior descending artery (LAD) presenting with recurrent severe orthopnea in an end stage renal disease patient. She was admitted to the hospital with progressive dyspnea, exertional chest pain, and profound orthopnea. The echocardiography revealed a well marginated mass lesion between the main pulmonary artery and the left atrium. Chest CT showed a space-occupying lesion surrounded by the main pulmonary artery, the left atrium and the appendage adjacent to the atherosclerotic calcified lesion. Coronary angiography confirmed a huge thrombotic aneurysm with total occlusion of the proximal LAD. The presentation and management of the coronary aneurysm was reviewed.

Tuberculous Peritonitis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Infliximab

One of the severe adverse reactions to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha therapy is the reactivation of tuberculosis. We present a case of tuberculous peritonitis in a 57-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that appeared during treatment with infliximab. Confirming a diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis is difficult and can be delayed because of the nonspecific symptoms, the rarity of the disease and the low detection rate of mycobacteria in ascites fluid. This case illustrates that prompt anti-tuberculous therapy is needed for suspected cases of tuberculous peritonitis in RA patients treated with infliximab.

Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage after Endoscopic Removal of a Fish Bone Stuck in the Duodenum of a Patient Receiving Hemodialysis / 대한소화기학회지

Fish bones are often ingested accidently. Most of them passes out through the gastrointestinal tract safely, but serious complications, such as perforation, abscess, obstruction, and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, can occur. An ingested fish bone can be easily removed by endoscopy, and surgery is rarely required. However, there may be complications related to the endoscopic procedure including mucosal laceration, bleeding, fever, and perforation. Here, we report a case of retroperitoneal hemorrhage developed after endoscopic removal of a fish bone stuck in the duodenal wall, and then resolved spontaneously by conservative care.

High-sensitivity C-reactive Protein Can Predict Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Korean Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Inflammation is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). It has been suggested that the measurement of markers of inflammation may aid in predicting the risk of such events. Here, the relationship between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and MACE in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes is assessed. A retrospective cohort study was conducted as a follow-up among 1,558 patients with type 2 diabetes and without cardiovascular diseases over a mean period of 55.5 months. A Cox proportional-hazards model was used to determine whether increased hs-CRP levels are useful as a predictor for future MACE. The hazard ratio of MACE was 1.77 (95% CI; 1.16-2.71) in subjects who had the highest hs-CRP levels (> 0.21 mg/dL) compared to subjects who had the lowest hs-CRP levels (< 0.08 mg/dL), after adjusting for age, regular physical activity, current smoking, and duration of diabetes. The present results indicate that high hs-CRP levels can act as a predictor for the MACE occurrence in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes.

A Case of Replacement Lipomatosis of Allograft Kidney Presented with Deep Vein Thrombosis / 대한신장학회지

Replacement lipomatosis of the kidney is a rare disorder in which a massive fatty tissue proliferation occurs within the renal sinus, hilum and perirenal region. Clinical symptoms includes flank pain, hematuria, fever usually associated with urinary tract infection and renal stone. But deep vein thrombosis due to mass effect has not been reported to be associated with replacement lipomatosis of kidney. A 37-year-old male was referred for the initiation of hemodialysis due to chronic rejection of allograft kidney. Collateral superficial veins were observed on his anterior abdominal wall and firm mass was palpable in the right lower quadrant abdomen. Abdominal-pelvis computed tomography revealed huge fatty mass originated from allograft kidney and non-visualization of inferior vena cava with lower density thrombus at both the common femoral veins. We report a rare case of replacement lipomatosis of the kidney complicated by deep vein thrombosis after renal transplantation.

Clinical Features of Hospitalized Adult Patients with Pneumonia in Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Infection / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: A novel 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged and disseminated to all over the world. There are few reports on the clinical characteristics of patients with complications. We describe the clinical features of pneumonia in adult patients hospitalized, who have novel influenza infection. METHODS: There were 43 adult patients enrolled into the study with pneumonia of 528 hospitalized patients confirmed influenza A (H1N1) virus infection by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing, between 24 August 2009 and 31 January 2010. The clinical data of patients with pneumonia were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 22 of 43 (51.2%) influenza patients with pneumonia that had higher risk factors for complications. Compared to 28 patients with influenza A (H1N1) viral pneumonia and 15 patients, who had isolated bacteria from cultures, those with mixed viral and bacterial pneumonia were significantly more likely to have unilobar consolidations on chest radiographs (53.3 vs. 10.7%, p<0.01) and higher scores of pneumonia severity index (PSI; 90 [66~100] vs. 53 [28~90], p=0.04). Six patients required mechanical ventilation support in an Intensive Care Unit and were more likely to have dyspnea (83.3 vs. 29.3%, p=0.02) and low levels of PaO2 (48.3 [37.0~70.5] vs 64.0 [60.0~74.5] mm Hg, p=0.02) and high levels of pneumonia severity index (PSI) score (108.0 [74.5~142.8] vs. 56.0 [40.5~91.0], p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The majority of pneumonia patients infected with novel influenza improved. Chest radiographic findings of unilobar consolidations suggest that mixed pneumonia is more likely. Initial dyspnea, hypoxemia, and high levels of PSI score are associated with undergoing mechanical ventilation support.

Clinical Features of Hospitalized Adult Patients with Pneumonia in Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Infection / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: A novel 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged and disseminated to all over the world. There are few reports on the clinical characteristics of patients with complications. We describe the clinical features of pneumonia in adult patients hospitalized, who have novel influenza infection. METHODS: There were 43 adult patients enrolled into the study with pneumonia of 528 hospitalized patients confirmed influenza A (H1N1) virus infection by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing, between 24 August 2009 and 31 January 2010. The clinical data of patients with pneumonia were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 22 of 43 (51.2%) influenza patients with pneumonia that had higher risk factors for complications. Compared to 28 patients with influenza A (H1N1) viral pneumonia and 15 patients, who had isolated bacteria from cultures, those with mixed viral and bacterial pneumonia were significantly more likely to have unilobar consolidations on chest radiographs (53.3 vs. 10.7%, p<0.01) and higher scores of pneumonia severity index (PSI; 90 [66~100] vs. 53 [28~90], p=0.04). Six patients required mechanical ventilation support in an Intensive Care Unit and were more likely to have dyspnea (83.3 vs. 29.3%, p=0.02) and low levels of PaO2 (48.3 [37.0~70.5] vs 64.0 [60.0~74.5] mm Hg, p=0.02) and high levels of pneumonia severity index (PSI) score (108.0 [74.5~142.8] vs. 56.0 [40.5~91.0], p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The majority of pneumonia patients infected with novel influenza improved. Chest radiographic findings of unilobar consolidations suggest that mixed pneumonia is more likely. Initial dyspnea, hypoxemia, and high levels of PSI score are associated with undergoing mechanical ventilation support.