Comparison of Somatostatin and Vasopressin in the Control of Acute Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage: A Prospective Randomized Trial / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although endoscopic band ligation or injection sclerotherapy are the current standard therapies for bleeding esophageal varices, the best method for initial control is unclear. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of somatostatin and vasopressin in the management of esophageal variceal hemorrhage. METHODS: From March, 1997 to September, 1998, 28 consecutive cirrhotic patients admitted to the Yonsei Medical Center because of active variceal bleeding were included in this trial. The patients were randomized to receive either somatostatin (15 patients) or vasopressin (13 patients) for 48 hours. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in relation to Child's classification, amount of bleeding before randomization and units of blood transfused during therapy. Initial control of bleeding was achieved in 13 (86.7%) patients receiving somatostatin and in 10 (76.9%) of those treated with vasopressin. However, two patients in the somatostatin group and two in the vasopressin group bled again during treatment. Therefore complete control of bleeding during the 48 hours of therapy was achieved in 11 (73.4%) patients treated with somatostatin and in eight (61.5%) of those receiving vasopressin. Differences were observed in complications associated with each therapy. Vasopressin produced complications in four patients (chest pain in two, hypertension in one and hyponatremia-induced seizure in one) while somatostatin produced minor complication in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that somatostatin is efficacious in controlling acute hemorrhage from esophageal varices and has a lower risk of adverse effects than vasopressin.

Effectiveness of Early Detection among the High Risk Group of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Ultrasound Screening Test / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The prognosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma is extremely poor because of its large size, portal vein thrpombosis, extrahepatic metastasis and underlying liver cirrhosis. The aim, of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound screening test for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in high-ridk populations. METHODS: We analysed 119 patients who were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma by ultrasonography screening test in Yonsei University Severance Hospital from the period of January 1990 to December 1996. RESULT: The mean follow-up duration to the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was 30 months (range 3-75). The number of patients with single lesion was 89(75%). The mean diameter of the tumor was 3.0 cm (range 1-10) , 82 patients (70%) had masses measured less than 3cm in diameter. The Number of patients with elevated serum alphafetoprotein level above 400ng/ml was 29(25%). The median survival was 28 months in screening group, significant compared with 7 months in control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound follow-up in high-ridk group of hepatocellular carcinoma mede it possible to detect small tumors in a high percentage of cases. This may lead to an increase in the number of potentially curable tumors and hence an increase in the overall survival rate. So ultrasound screening test is important in the high-ridk group of hepatocellular carcinoma.

A Case of Secondary Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis Accompanied by Acute Erythroleukemia / 대한내과학회지

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease, which hallmark is a dense accumulation of PAS positive phospholipid material within alveolar sac. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is classified as primary form of unknown etiology and secondary form associated with other diseases. We report a case of secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis associated with acute erythroleukemia. A C year old male patient complained of nonproductive cough and general weakness, and presented fine inspiratory crackles at both lower lung field. Chest radiographs and high resolution CT scans showd a lobular pattern of ground-grass opacity with interlobular septal thickening in the center field of the both lungs, Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy revealed acute erythroleukemia. Open lung biopsy revealed PAS positive eosinophilic granular material filled in alveoli. He was treated with TAD chemotherapy, but died from multiorgan failure with pneumonia 22days after chemotherapy.

A Case of Right Ventricular Infundibular and Pulmonic Valve Infective Endocarditis

A case of right-sided infective endocarditis in a 22-year-old male with ventricular septal defect of perimembranous type, right ventricular(RV) infundibular and pulmonic valve stenosis was reported. The vegetations were found on the mural endocardium of RV infundibulum and pulmonic valve. Streptococcus viridans was identified in 5 consecutive blood cultures, Pulmonary embolism and septic infarction in the lung was associated with systemic embolization, which was manifested by left renal infarction. The RV infundibular stenosis was due to anomalous muscle bundle at the proximal portion. Therefore, we thought that the mechanism of RV infundibular vegetation was probably due to 'Venturi effect and turbulence'. Several clinical features which were found in this case were also reviewed.