Prevalence of Cam Deformity with Associated Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome in Hip Joint Computed Tomography of Asymptomatic Adults / 대한고관절학회지

PURPOSE: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is considered an important cause of early degenerative arthritis development. Although three-dimensional (3D) imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging are considered precise imaging modalities for 3D morphology of FAI, they are associated with several limitations when used in out-patient clinics. The paucity of FAI morphologic data in Koreans makes it difficult to select the most effective radiographical method when screening for general orthopedic problems. We postulate that there might be an individual variation in the distribution of cam deformity in the asymptomatic Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2015, CT images of the hips of 100 subjects without any history of hip joint ailments were evaluated. A computer program which generates 3D models from CT scans was used to provide sectional images which cross the central axis of the femoral head and neck. Alpha angles were measured in each sectional images. Alpha angles above 55° were regarded as cam deformity. RESULTS: The mean alpha angle was 43.5°, range 34.7–56.1°(3 o'clock); 51.24°, range 39.5–58.8°(2 o'clock); 52.45°, range 43.3–65.5°(1 o'clock); 44.09°, range 36.8–49.8°(12 o'clock); 40.71, range 33.5–45.8°(11 o'clock); and 39.21°, range 34.1–44.6°(10 o'clock). Alpha angle in 1 and 2 o'clock was significantly larger than other locations (P < 0.01). The prevalence of cam deformity was 18.0% and 19.0% in 1 and 2 o'clock, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cam deformity of FAI was observed in 31% of asymptomatic hips. The most common region of cam deformity was antero-superior area of femoral head-neck junction (1 and 2 o'clock).

Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research Task Force Report: Perspectives on Intermittent High-dose Vitamin D Supplementation

An adequate supply of vitamin D is considered necessary for osteoporosis management and fracture prevention. Intermittent high-dose vitamin D supplementation is an effective and convenient way to achieve and maintain sufficient vitamin D status. However, the long-term effectiveness of supplementation for preventing falls and fractures is unclear, and some deleterious effects of such treatments have been reported. Concerning these issues, the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research task force team reviewed previous clinical trials and provided the following perspectives based on current evidence: 1) An adequate supply of vitamin D is necessary for preventing falls and fractures in postmenopausal women and men older than 50 years. An oral intake of 800 to 1,000 IU/day of vitamin D is generally recommended. 2) Care should be taken concerning the routine use of intermittent high-dose vitamin D, as large-scale clinical trials showed increased risk of falls or fractures after high-dose vitamin D administration. Intermittent high-dose vitamin D supplementation is recommendable only in cases of malabsorption or when oral administration is not suitable. 3) Monitoring of the serum level of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25[OH]D) is advisable, especially when intermittent high-dose vitamin D is used for supplementation. The task force team suggests that a serum 25(OH)D level of >20 ng/mL is generally appropriate for the prevention of osteoporosis, and that a serum 25(OH)D level of >30 ng/mL is probably helpful both for the management of osteoporosis and the prevention of fractures and falls. However, serum 25(OH)D level >50 ng/mL (this value can vary depending on the measurement method used) is unnecessary and may be undesirable. These perspectives are relevant for the management of osteoporosis, falls, or fractures. Other metabolic bone diseases or non-skeletal disorders are not within the scope of these perspectives.

Current Role and Application of Teriparatide in Fracture Healing of Osteoporotic Patients: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: The use of osteoanabolic agents to facilitate fracture healing has been of heightened interest to the field of orthopaedic trauma. This study aimed to evaluate the evidence of teriparatide for fracture healing and functional recovery in osteoporotic patients. METHODS: We performed a literature search in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library using terms including “Fracture” [tiab] AND “Teriparatide [tiab] OR “PTH” [tiab]. RESULTS: This systematic review included 6 randomized clinical trials, 4 well-controlled retrospective studies, and 1 retrospective post hoc subgroup analysis. Fracture location was 2 in pelvis, 3 in proximal femur, 1 in distal femur, 1 in shoulder, 2 in wrist and 2 in spine. The use of teriparatide yielded positive effects on radiographic bone healing in 6 studies, but was not associated with better radiographic outcome in 3. In terms of functional recovery, teriparatide injection was related with decrease in pain or shorter time to mobilization in 6 studies, but not related with pain numerical scale and mobility in 3. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that teriparatide provide selective advantages to fracture healing or functional recovery in the management of osteoporotic fractures. A better understanding of the role of teriparatide on osteoporotic fractures requires greater evidences from large volume prospective trials.

Bone Mineral Density and Fatty Degeneration of Thigh Muscles Measured by Computed Tomography in Hip Fracture Patients

BACKGROUND: Recently, as an independent fracture factor from Bone mineral density (BMD), muscle weakness due to the fatty degeneration of thigh muscles have been attracting attentions as causes of hip fracture. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation between the body composition and BMD and fatty degeneration of thigh muscles of the female patients over 65 years old with osteoporotic hip fracture. METHODS: This study was conducted with 178 female osteoporotic hip fracture patients. Total hip BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Cross-sectional area (CSA), cross-sectional muscle area (CSmA), muscle attenuation coefficient (MAC), and intramuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) of gluteus maximus, hip abductors, quadriceps and hamstring muscle were measured with computed tomography. Normalized IMAT (nIMAT) was calculated by dividing the fat area in the muscle into the size of each muscle. The correlation between each measurement is examined then the differences between the intertrochanteric fracture group and the femoral neck fracture group were analyzed. RESULTS: CSmA and MAC of quadriceps were the largest and nIMAT was the lowest. CSA and CSmA of the four muscles showed a statistically significant positive correlation with weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and BMD. MAC of 2 gluteal muscles was positively correlated with weight, BMI and BMD. nIMAT of all four muscles was positively correlation with weight and BMI but nIMAT of 2 mid-thigh muscles was positively correlation with BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Muscle size and fatty degeneration in the thigh muscles were most positively correlated with the body weight. BMD was positively correlation with CSA and CSmA of all thigh muscles, and MAC of 2 gluteal muscles and fatty degeneration of 2 mid-thigh muscles. There was no statistically significant difference in the size of the femoral muscle and the degree of fatty degeneration between the two fracture groups.

Proximal Femoral Geometry as Fracture Risk Factor in Female Patients with Osteoporotic Hip Fracture

BACKGROUND: Proximal femoral geometry may be a risk factor of osteoporotic hip fractures. However, there existed great differences among studies depending on race, sex and age of subjects. The purpose of the present study is to analyze proximal femoral geometry and bone mineral density (BMD) in the osteoporotic hip fracture patients. Furthermore, we investigated proximal femoral geometric parameters affecting fractures, and whether the geometric parameters could be an independent risk factor of fractures regardless of BMD. METHODS: This study was conducted on 197 women aged 65 years or more who were hospitalized with osteoporotic hip fracture (femur neck fractures ; 84, intertrochanteric fractures; 113). Control group included 551 women who visited to check osteoporosis. Femur BMD and proximal femoral geometry for all subjects were measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and compared between the control and fracture groups. Besides, proximal femoral geometric parameters associated with fractures were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the age and weight, cross-sectional area (CSA)/length/width of the femoral neck and BMD of the proximal femur between fracture group and control group. BMD of the proximal femur in the control group was higher than in the fracture group. For the femoral neck fractures group, the odds ratio (OR) for fractures decrease in the CSA and neck length (NL) of the femur increased by 1.97 times and 1.73 times respectively, regardless of BMD. The OR for fractures increase in the femoral neck width increased by 1.53 times. In the intertrochanteric fracture group, the OR for fractures increase in the femoral neck width increased by 1.45 times regardless of BMD. CONCLUSIONS: We found that an increase of the femoral neck width could be a proximal femoral geometric parameter which plays important roles as a risk factor for fracture independently of BMD.

A Case of Epiploic Appendagitis with Acute Gastroenteritis / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Epiploic appendagitis is an inflammation of the epiploic appendage in which the small sacs projecting from the serosal layer of the colon are positioned longitudinally from the caecum to the rectosigmoid area. Epiploic appendagitis is rare and self-limiting; however, it can cause sudden abdominal pain in children. Epiploic appendagitis does not typically accompany other gastrointestinal diseases. Here, we report on a healthy eight-year-old girl who presented with abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Based on these symptoms, she was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis, but epiploic appendagitis in the ascending colon was revealed in contrast computed tomography (CT). The patient was treated successfully with conservative management. CT is beneficial in diagnosis and further assessment of epiploic appendagitis. Pediatricians need to be aware of this self-limiting disease and consider it as a possible alternate diagnosis in cases of acute abdominal pain.

Bone Mineral Density Changes after Total Knee Replacement in Women Over the Age of 65

BACKGROUND: There are few reports on bone mineral density (BMD) changes of axial bones after total knee replacement (TKR) due to severe osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint and its results are controversial. The purpose of our study was to measure the BMD changes of hip and spine in patients receiving TKR due to severe OA and to identify clinical factors relating BMD changes. METHODS: Among 66 female patients above 65 years old who underwent TKR due to severe OA and checked preoperative BMD, 52 patients who checked 1 year follow up BMD were enrolled. We investigated the association of the BMD changes with bilaterality of operation, obesity, preoperative knee functional scores, bisphosphonate medication, and diagnosis of osteoporosis. RESULTS: We found no correlation between BMD changes and bilaterality of operation, obesity, preoperative knee functional scores and diagnosis of osteoporosis. Spine BMD increased in non-treatment and bisphosphonate treatment group but total hip BMD significantly increased in bisphosphonate treatment group. CONCLUSIONS: Bisphosphonate treatment for 1 year prevents early reduction of hip BMD just after TKR regardless osteoporosis diagnosis. We considered that the bisphosphonate medication would be beneficial to prevention of later hip fracture in elderly patient receiving TKR due to severe OA of knee joints.

Factors Related to Decreased Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Cancer Survivors

The risk of osteoporosis or osteopenia is known to increase after childhood cancer treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patterns of bone mineral density (BMD) and to identify factors related to the decreased BMD in childhood cancer survivors. We studied 78 patients (34 boys, 44 girls) treated for childhood cancer. Twenty (25.7%) patients had lumbar BMD (LBMD) standard deviation score (SDS) lower than -2. Nineteen (24.4%) patients had femur neck BMD (FNBMD) SDS lower than -2. The patients treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation had lower LBMD SDS (-1.17 +/- 1.39 vs -0.43 +/- 1.33, P = 0.025). The risk of having LBMD SDS < -2 was higher in the patients treated with glucocorticoid (GC) for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (36.6% vs 13.5%; odds ratio [OR], 3.7; P = 0.020). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, longer duration of GC treatment for GVHD (OR, 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05-1.20) and lower body mass index (BMI) SDS (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.36-0.95) were associated with decreased LBMD SDS. These findings suggest that prolonged GC use and reduction in BMI are risk factors for decreased BMD in childhood cancer survivors. Anticipatory follow-up and appropriate treatment are necessary, especially for the patients with risk factors.

A Case of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adolescent Presenting with Bell's Palsy

Bell's palsy is manifested by unilateral facial paralysis, but its cause is not clearly elucidated yet. Though the relationship between Bell's palsy and diabetes mellitus (DM) has been well established in adults, the relationship is not obvious in children and adolescents. Here, we report a case of adolescent Bell's palsy accompanied by DM. In this case, steroids were used for the treatment of Bell's palsy, and the blood glucose level in the patients was well controlled by metformin alone without additional use of insulin. We suggest that the presence of diabetes should be determined by blood test in the childhood and adolescent patients with facial paralysis, especially who are obese. As the use of steroids, however, is associated with the elevated blood glucose levels, it should be used with caution.

Factors Affecting Growth Velocity during Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Treatment in Girls with Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty

PURPOSE: In some girls with central precocious puberty (CPP), growth velocity (GV) decreases below the age-appropriate normal range during gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical and laboratory factors related to changes in GV during GnRHa treatment in girls with CPP. METHODS: We analyzed clinical and laboratory data of 49 girls (aged 7.8+/-0.5 years) with idiopathic CPP who were treated with GnRHa. GV, height standard deviation score (SDS), hormonal parameters, pubertal stage, chronological age and bone age (BA) were evaluated. RESULTS: GV during the first year of GnRHa treatment was 5.9+/-1.0 cm/yr and decreased significantly to 5.4+/-1.1 cm/yr during the second year of treatment (P = 0.005). GV during the third year (5.0+/-1.0 cm/yr) was not different from GV during the second year. During the second year of treatment, 8.2% and 36.7% of the girls had a GV or = 11 yr) at 1 year (55.6% vs. 19.4%; odds ratio [OR], 5.2; P = 0.022). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, more advanced BA at 1 year (OR, 6.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-23.87) and lower height SDS for BA at 1 year (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.06-0.94) were associated with relatively decreased GV (< 5 cm/yr) during the second year of GnRHa treatment. CONCLUSION: GV during and after the second year of GnRHa treatment in girls with idiopathic CPP remains within the normal prepubertal range, and relatively low GV during GnRHa treatment is associated with more advanced BA and lower height SDS for BA.

Factors Affecting Growth Velocity during Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist Treatment in Girls with Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty

PURPOSE: In some girls with central precocious puberty (CPP), growth velocity (GV) decreases below the age-appropriate normal range during gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinical and laboratory factors related to changes in GV during GnRHa treatment in girls with CPP. METHODS: We analyzed clinical and laboratory data of 49 girls (aged 7.8+/-0.5 years) with idiopathic CPP who were treated with GnRHa. GV, height standard deviation score (SDS), hormonal parameters, pubertal stage, chronological age and bone age (BA) were evaluated. RESULTS: GV during the first year of GnRHa treatment was 5.9+/-1.0 cm/yr and decreased significantly to 5.4+/-1.1 cm/yr during the second year of treatment (P = 0.005). GV during the third year (5.0+/-1.0 cm/yr) was not different from GV during the second year. During the second year of treatment, 8.2% and 36.7% of the girls had a GV or = 11 yr) at 1 year (55.6% vs. 19.4%; odds ratio [OR], 5.2; P = 0.022). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, more advanced BA at 1 year (OR, 6.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57-23.87) and lower height SDS for BA at 1 year (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.06-0.94) were associated with relatively decreased GV (< 5 cm/yr) during the second year of GnRHa treatment. CONCLUSION: GV during and after the second year of GnRHa treatment in girls with idiopathic CPP remains within the normal prepubertal range, and relatively low GV during GnRHa treatment is associated with more advanced BA and lower height SDS for BA.

Isolated Intrauterine Clavicle Fracture in an Otherwise Normal Neonate: Two Case Reports / 대한주산의학회잡지

Intrauterine clavicle fracture is a rare finding, but can occur as the result of maternal trauma, skeletal dysplasia or theoretically other metabolic/structural abnormalities, but idiopathic isolated intrauterine fracture of an otherwise normal infant, newborn without serious injury to the mother is extremely rare. The authors experienced intrauterine clavicle fracture in normal infant, newborn with no special maternal and fetal history which was only found incidentally at birth. We report two cases of idiopathic isolated intrauterine clavicle fracture with confirmation of the diagnosis by X-rays.

Serum leptin, adiponectin and resistin levels in obese children and their correlations with insulin resistance / 소아과

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the levels of adipocytokines in obesity group with those in control group and examine their correlation with insulin resistance. METHODS: We enrolled 36 obese children (male:female [M:F]=17:19; age, 9.3+/-1.9 yrs) with > or =95th percentile body mass indexes (BMIs) (obesity group) and 35 healthy children (M:F=16:19; age, 9.1+/-2.1 yrs) with 25th-75th percentile BMIs (control group). We measured the serum leptin, adiponectin, and resistin levels and insulin resistance in both the groups. RESULTS: The weights, heights, BMIs, fasting sugar levels, insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were higher in the obesity group than in the control group. As compared to the control group, the obesity group showed significantly higher leptin levels and lower adiponectin levels; no significant difference was observed in the resistin levels. The leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio was higher in the obesity group than in the control group. In the obesity group, HOMA-IR showed significant positive correlations with weight, height, BMI, and leptin level. However, it was not correlated with age and adiponectin and resistin levels. In the obesity group, leptin level showed significant positive correlations with age, weight, height, and BMI, while adiponectin and resistin levels showed no such correlations with the other variables CONCLUSION: We suggest that adiponectin plays an important protective role against weight gain in obese children. Further, L/A ratio can be used as a parameter for predicting the prognosis of obese children.

Clinical Follow-Up of Children and Adolescents with Hashimoto Thyroiditis / 대한소아내분비학회지

PURPOSE: We aimed to study the clinical manifestations and clinical course of Hashimoto thyroiditis in children and adolescents. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestations and thyroid function in 59 children and adolescents with Hashimoto thyroiditis who were admitted at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital between January 1999 and January 2009. RESULTS: We investigated thyroid function and clinical manifestations of thyroiditis in 50 female and 9 male patients. The mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis was 10.6+/-2.7 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 3.8+/-3.1 years. The most common complaints at the time of diagnosis were goiter (77.9%), fatigue (38.9%), weight gain, constipation, growth retardation, headache, nervousness, cold intolerance, and menstrual disturbances. Antithyroid peroxidase antibodies were detected in 52 patients (88.1%); antithyroglobulin antibodies, 45 patients (76.2%); and both antibodies, 42 patients (71.1%). The height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) standard deviation scores (SDS) of the patients at the time of diagnosis were not markedly different from the corresponding scores at the patients' last visit. At the time of the last follow-up, 19 patients were in remission and 40 were in non-remission state. At the first visit, there were no significant differences between the age, thyroid function test, positive rate of thyroid autoantibody, weight, and BMI SDS of patients in the remission group (RG) and non- remission group (N-RG). However, at the time of initial diagnosis, the height (Ht)-SDS of the patients in RG were greater than in N-RG (P=0.037). At the end of follow up, euthyroidism was achieved in 53 patients, 5 patients had compensated hypothyroidism, and 1 patient had overt hypothyroidism. CONCLUSION: The patients with thyroid dysfunction at diagnosis were 72.9% and 32.2% of patients were in remission. We could not find out significant predictive factor for remission at the time of diagnosis and further studies with a large number of subjects should be performed.

Analysis of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) test results in girls with precocious puberty / 소아과

PURPOSE: The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) test results of girls with precocious puberty were analyzed to determine whether this test can efficiently and clearly differentiate between central precocious puberty (CPP) and other disorders. METHODS: Clinical and laboratory data of 54 girls with precocious pubertal signs were reviewed. Intravenous GnRH test was performed with blood samples obtained at 0, 30, 60, and 90 minutes. A peak luteinizing hormone (LH) level of > or =5.0 IU/L was indicative of CPP. RESULTS: Of the 40 girls with CPP, 36 (90.0%), 3 (7.5%), and 1 (2.5%) showed peak LH levels at 30, 60, and 90 minutes, respectively. A percentage of girls whose peak LH > or =5.0 IU/L up to 30, 60, and 90 minutes was 92.5%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The peak LH/follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio of girls with CPP was 0.89+/-0.49 and was 1.0 showed higher chronological age (CA) (8.3+/-0.6 vs. 7.7+/-1.0 years, P=0.033), bone age (BA) (10.9+/-0.8 vs. 9.7+/-1.1 years, P=0.001), and BA-CA difference (2.6+/-0.7 vs. 2.0+/-0.7 years, P=0.009) than those of girls with peak LH/FSH ratio of 1.0 showed advanced breast development (> or =Tanner III) (93.7% vs. 41.7%, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: LH levels after 30 and 60 minutes of intravenous GnRH administration are the most useful for diagnosing CPP in girls.

The Auxological and Hormonal Differences in Girls with Atypical Thelarche and Central Precocious Puberty / 대한소아내분비학회지

PURPOSE:We compared anthropomorphic measures and hormone levels in girls with atypical thelarche (AT) and central precocious puberty (CPP) and tried to find out factors discriminating AT from CPP. METHODS:We analyzed clinical and laboratory data of 62 girls with precocious breast development from May 2004 to May 2008 at Kangnam St. Marys Hospital. Immunoradiometeric assay (IRMA) was used to estimate gonadotropins and growth related hormones. CPP was diagnosed if peak luteinizing hormone (LH) level was >6.9 IU/L after gonadotropin hormone releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test. A multiple logistic regression analysis and the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) were used to analyse the prediction capacity of variable factors to diagnose CPP. RESULT:The basal LH levels (P=0.001), IGF-I levels (P=0.049) and the peak LH levels (P<0.001) in GnRH-stimulation test in girls with CPP were higher than those with AT. Girls with AT had a lower degree of breast maturation than girls with CPP (P=0.001). A multivariate logistic regression model including the basal LH levels and IGF-I levels revealed a strong relation of the basal LH levels to CPP [OR:2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-6.7, P=0.035]. The AUC for basal LH levels showed prediction capacity of basal LH levels to diagnose CPP [AUC: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.57-0.81, P=0.009]. The statistically ideal cut-off value of basal LH levels to discriminate CPP from AT was 2.66 IU/L (sensitivity 40%, specificity 98%) and the clinically meaningful cut-off value was 1.86 IU/L (sensitivity 70%, specificity 62%). CONCLUSION:These results suggest that the basal LH level using IRMA could be a useful parameter discriminating AT from CPP. Further study with larger number of subjects will be needed.

A Case of 8 Year-old Boy with Testicular Microlithiasis Showing Bilateral Testicular Enlargement / 대한소아내분비학회지

Testicular microlithiasis is a rare cause of testicular enlargement. An 8.5-year-old boy presented with bilateral testicular enlargement accompanied by no other pubertal signs. His bone age was 8.5 years and serum levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone after gonadotropin-releasing hormone stimulation were within prepubertal limits. Scrotal ultrasonography showed multiple echogenic microcalcifications that are indicative of microlithiasis in both testes. During 2-year follow-up, he developed clinical manifestations of early puberty between 9.5 and 10.5 years of age. Testicular microlithiasis should be considered when boys show bilateral testicular enlargement without other findings of puberty.

Perianal Ulcerative Hemangioma Treated with a Colostomy

Hemangioma is the most common benign tumor of infancy. Greater than 60% of hemangiomas occur on the head and neck, and have an uncomplicated course. In contrast, most complicated hemangiomas develop in the urogenital or anogenital areas. These lesions are frequently associated with pain, bleeding, recurring infections, and ulcerations. Sometimes, perianal ulcerative hemangiomas are difficult to treat with multiple therapies, such as laser and steroid therapy. We managed a case of a severe perianal ulcerative hemangioma in a male newborn who did not respond to conservative management. He was successfully treated after a colostomy.

A rise and fall in AST and ALT level in nonspecific reactive hepatitis / 소아과

PURPOSE: The study was performed to assess the distribution of the diseases associated with nonspecific reactive hepatitis (NRH) for the past 10 years and to evaluate the change in the level of AST and ALT, and the difference by several variable factors. METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2006, 646 patients had elevated liver enzymes among 22,763 patients admitted to the Holy Family Hospital. We analyzed the difference in the age distribution, the period of elevated levels of AST and ALT, the resolution period, the peak value, the daily resolution value of AST and ALT, the sexual differences and the difference in several disease entities. One hundred and ninety-seven patients not confirmed as NRH or lost during follow-up were excluded. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of NRH was 2.84%. When compared to AST, ALT showed longer period of morbidity and resolution and the peak value was also higher in ALT. The male and female ratio showed significant value of 1.63:1. The morbid and resolution periods of AST and ALT between males and females were longer periods in males. The most prevalent disease entities were respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. Between the respiratory and the gastrointestinal diseases, the highest level of AST and ALT was observed in the respiratory disease. CONCLUSION: NRH is a common disease that occurs in 2.84% of the admitted pediatric patients. However, the pathogenesis and the progress of the disease have not been well known due to the lack of generalized information. Further research is necessary in the future.

Pleural Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare tumor of vascular origin. While it can be found in any tissue, it is most often found in lung and liver and usually has an intermediate behavior. EHEs originating from pleural tissue have been less frequently described than those from other sites. Furthermore, to date, all of the cited pleural EHEs were described as highly aggressive. In the present report, we describe a rare case of pleural EHE extending to lung and bone in a 31-year-old woman. The histological diagnosis was confirmed by both conventional examination and immunohistochemistry. Her disease stabilized during the 4th course of adriamycin (45mg/m2, day 1-3), dacarbazine (300mg/m2, day 1-3) and ifosfamide (2,500mg/m2, day 1-3) with mesna, and she survived for 10 months after the diagnosis.