A Case of Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Presenting With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Although idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome(IHES) commonly involves the lung, it is rarely associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Here we describe a case of IHES presented in conjunction with ARDS. A 37-year-old male visited the emergency department at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, with a chief complaint of dyspnea. Blood tests showed profound peripheral eosinophilia and thrombocytopenia. Patchy areas of consolidation with ground-glass opacity were noticed in both lower lung zones on chest radiography. Rapid progression of dyspnea and hypoxia despite supplement of oxygen necessitated the use of mechanical ventilation. Eosinophilic airway inflammation was subsequently confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage, leading to a diagnosis of IHES. High-dose corticosteroids were administered, resulting in a dramatic clinical response.

Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome Presenting as Cutaneous Miliary Tuberculosis in an HIV-Infected Patient / 대한내과학회지

Tuberculosis is one of the most common opportunistic diseases in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in Korea, and extra-pulmonary infections are frequent in these patients. Cutaneous miliary tuberculosis is a rare form of tuberculosis that presents as a papulopustular eruption and hematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to multiple organs. This has been reported in patients with progressive HIV infection. We report the first case of cutaneous miliary tuberculosis that developed as a manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Percutaneous Suture-Based Closure Device for Management of Inadvertent Subclavian Artery Catheterization / 대한내과학회지

Central venous catheterization is performed to secure pathways for large amounts of saline, drug infusion, parenteral nutrition support, and hemodialysis. Accidental subclavian artery cannulation is a possible complication of central venous catheterization. Here, we report two cases of 8 Fr. chemoports inadvertently inserted in subclavian arteries during internal jugular venous catheterizations. The chemoports were removed successfully, and puncture sites were repaired using suture-based closure devices (Perclose). One patient experienced minor neurological complications after the procedure. With effective management, the patient was treated with no sequelae. To our knowledge, this is the first report of stroke after procedures using suture-based devices.

A Case of Pulmonary Amyloidosis Mimicking Lymphangitic Lung Carcinomatosis / 대한내과학회지

Amyloidosis is defined by tissue deposits of amyloid, which cause both functional and structural damage to organs. Three histopathological types of pulmonary amyloidosis have been described: tracheobronchial, nodular parenchymal, and diffuse parenchymal or alveolar septal types. Diffuse alveolar septal involvement of the lung is a rare form of primary pulmonary amyloidosis, with radiological features similar to those of pulmonary edema, pulmonary fibrosis, and lymphangitic carcinomatosis. Therefore, it is always challenging to diagnose alveolar septal involvement of pulmonary amyloidosis. Here, we report a case of alveolar septal involvement of pulmonary amyloidosis mimicking lymphangitic carcinomatosis, which was diagnosed from a transbronchial lung biopsy.

First Imported Case of Skin Infection Caused by PVL-positive ST30 Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clone in a Returning Korean Traveler from the Philippines

Although pandemic community-associated (CA-) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST30 clone has successfully spread into many Asian countries, there has been no case in Korea. We report the first imported case of infection caused by this clone in a Korean traveler returning from the Philippines. A previously healthy 30-yr-old Korean woman developed a buttock carbuncle while traveling in the Philippines. After coming back to Korea, oral cephalosporin was given by a primary physician without any improvement. Abscess was drained and MRSA strain isolated from her carbuncle was molecularly characterized and it was confirmed as ST30-MRSA-IV. She was successfully treated with vancomycin and surgery. Frequent international travel and migration have increased the risk of international spread of CA-MRSA clones. The efforts to understand the changing epidemiology of CA-MRSA should be continued, and we should raise suspicion of CA-MRSA infection in travelers with skin infections returning from CA-MRSA-endemic countries.