A Case of Mushroom Poisoning with Russula subnigricans: Development of Rhabdomyolysis, Acute Kidney Injury, Cardiogenic Shock, and Death

Mushroom exposures are increasing worldwide. The incidence and fatality of mushroom poisoning are reported to be increasing. Several new syndromes in mushroom poisoning have been described. Rhabdomyolytic mushroom poisoning is one of new syndromes. Russula subnigricans mushroom can cause delayed-onset rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney injury in the severely poisoned patient. There are few reports on the toxicity of R. subnigricans. This report represents the first record of R. subnigricans poisoning with rhabdomyolysis in Korea, describing a 51-year-old man who suffered from rhabdomyolysis, acute kidney injury, severe hypocalcemia, respiratory failure, ventricular tachycardia, cardiogenic shock, and death. Mushroom poisoning should be considered in the evaluation of rhabdomyolysis of unknown cause. Furthermore, R. subnigricans should be considered in the mushroom poisoning with rhabdomyolysis.

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Young Military Men

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To estimate the prevalence and evaluate the associated psychological factors of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in males in their twenties who are currently enrolled in military service. METHODS: A total of 1,073 men in the Korean army were asked to complete questionnaires based on the Rome III criteria and Symptom Checklist-90-revised (SCL-90R). The prevalence of FGIDs was estimated, and the associated psychological factors were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 967 men participated. The total prevalence of FGIDs was 18.5% (age-adjusted prevalence, 18.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 15.3% to 20.8%). The total SCL-90R scores were higher in men with FGIDs than men without FGIDs (24 [interquartile range, 13 to 44] vs 13 [5 to 28], p<0.001) and higher in men with overlapping syndromes than in those with single FGIDs (31 [18 to 57] vs 14 [5.75 to 29], p<0.001). Somatization (odds ratio [OR], 1.141; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.20; p<0.001), obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OR, 1.084; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.14; p=0.002) and depression (OR, 0.943; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.99; p=0.020) were identified as independent predictive factors for FGIDs. CONCLUSIONS: FGIDs are common among men in their twenties who are fulfilling their military duty. Somatization and obsessive-compulsive features from the tense atmosphere are associated with the development or progression of FGIDs. Patients who exhibit overlapping syndromes require greater attention given their more severe psychopathology.

Analysis of prognostic factors and 5-year survival rate in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-center experience / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the third most common cancer in Korea, has a very poor prognosis. However, only a few studies have performed a comprehensive survival-related analysis in all patients who were consecutively diagnosed and treated over a given period of time. The aim of this study was to determine the 5-year survival rate and its prognostic factors among HCC patients. METHODS: In total, 257 patients who were consecutively diagnosed with HCC between January 2000 and December 2003 were followed until death or until December 2008. We analyzed their survival outcomes according to their clinical characteristics, tumor staging, and treatment modalities, and determined the independent prognostic factors affecting survival. RESULTS: The patients were aged 59+/-10 years (mean+/-SD). During the follow-up period, 223 patients (86.8%) died and the overall median survival was 10.8 months; the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 44.4%, 21.0%, and 12.1%, respectively. The outcomes in patients with tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage I or II and Child-Pugh class A or B were significantly better with surgical resection than with other treatment modalities (P<0.01). Patients who underwent supplementary transcatheter arterial chemoembolization as a second-line treatment after surgical resection had better outcomes than those who underwent surgical resection alone (P=0.02). Initial symptoms, Child-Pugh class, serum alpha-fetoprotein, tumor size, portal vein thrombosis, and TNM stage were found to be independent prognostic factors for survival among HCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective cohort study elucidated survival outcomes and prognostic factors affecting survival in HCC patients at a single center.

A Case of Sheehan's Syndrome with Pancytopenia

Sheehan's syndrome is characterized by varying degrees of anterior pituitary dysfunction due to postpartum ischemic necrosis of the pituitary gland after massive bleeding. The spectrum of clinical presentation of Sheehan's syndrome is broad, with changes from nonspecific complaints, such as weakness, fatigue, and anemia, to severe pituitary insufficiency resulting in coma and death. Normochromic anemia is commonly associated with Sheehan's syndrome, but pancytopenia is rarely observed in patients with Sheehan's syndrome. We describe a 57-year-old woman with Sheehan's syndrome who presented with pancytopenia that was treated by hormone replacement with levothyroxine and glucocorticoid.

A Case of Recurrent Kimura Disease in the Groin Area / 대한내과학회지

Kimura disease is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology, suggestive of an allergic or autoimmune mechanism, which presents mainly as soft tissue masses in the head and neck area in young Asian males. Blood tests show eosinophilia and an elevated immunoglobulin E; the typical pathologic findings are lymphoid follicular hyperplasia, interfollicular eosinophilic infiltration, and vascular hyperplasia. There is no standard treatment; surgical resection is preferred and systemic steroid or radiotherapy is used to treat disease relapses. Kimura disease in unusual sites has been reported, but there are few cases with long-term observations because of its benign nature. Here, we present the case of a female with recurrent Kimura disease; we follow her progress for about 5 years after surgical resection of masses in the right groin area, an unusual site, with a brief review of the literature.

A Case of Interstitial Pneumonitis and Pancytopenia Following the Combination Therapy of Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin / 결핵및호흡기질환

The combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the mainstay of treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients. Anti-viral therapy is commonly associated with side effects such as headache, fever, myalgia, and arthralgia. However, anti-viral therapy can continue because these side effects are mostly mild and can be improved with supportive management. Anti-viral therapy should be stopped promptly if serious side effects, such as interstitial pneumonitis or hemolytic anemia occur, although those serious side effects are rare. There were a few case reports of interferon-related interstitial pneumonitis worldwide. In Korea, one atypical case report of interstitial pneumonitis has been reported, which followed the combination therapy of interferon-alpha and ribavirin in a patient with chronic hepatitis C. We present a case of interstitial pneumonitis and pancytopenia following the combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin in a patient with chronic hepatitis C.

A Case of Interstitial Pneumonitis and Pancytopenia Following the Combination Therapy of Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin / 결핵및호흡기질환

The combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is the mainstay of treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients. Anti-viral therapy is commonly associated with side effects such as headache, fever, myalgia, and arthralgia. However, anti-viral therapy can continue because these side effects are mostly mild and can be improved with supportive management. Anti-viral therapy should be stopped promptly if serious side effects, such as interstitial pneumonitis or hemolytic anemia occur, although those serious side effects are rare. There were a few case reports of interferon-related interstitial pneumonitis worldwide. In Korea, one atypical case report of interstitial pneumonitis has been reported, which followed the combination therapy of interferon-alpha and ribavirin in a patient with chronic hepatitis C. We present a case of interstitial pneumonitis and pancytopenia following the combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin in a patient with chronic hepatitis C.

Association of Exercise-Induced Asthma with Atopy in Adult Patients with Asthma-Like Symptoms / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Atopy is closely related to asthma and is a risk factor for the development and exacerbation of asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and atopy in adult patients with asthma-like symptoms. METHODS: Forty young male patients with asthma-like symptoms were enrolled. Skin prick, methacholine bronchial provocation, and exercise provocation tests were performed. Current and ex-smokers were excluded. RESULTS: Exercise provocation tests were positive in 21 patients (52.5%). Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine (85.7% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.007) and atopy (85.7% vs. 47.4, p = 0.017) was found more frequently in patients with EIA than in those without EIA. EIA was significantly associated with atopy score (16.5 +/- 3.0 vs. 6.5 +/- 2.0, p = 0.011), atopy index (2.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.3, p = 0.004), and positive responses to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (76.2% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.028) and Dermatophagoides farinae (76.2% vs. 36.8%, p = 0.012), but not with positive responses to pollen allergens. AHR to methacholine (odds ratio [OR]: 14.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86-109.4) and atopy (OR: 16.9, 95% CI: 2.04-140.74) were significant risk factors for EIA. CONCLUSIONS: Atopy was a risk factor for EIA in young adult men, and sensitization to house dust mites was associated with EIA.

Association of Exercise-Induced Asthma with Atopy in Adult Patients with Asthma-Like Symptoms / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Atopy is closely related to asthma and is a risk factor for the development and exacerbation of asthma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between exercise-induced asthma (EIA) and atopy in adult patients with asthma-like symptoms. METHODS: Forty young male patients with asthma-like symptoms were enrolled. Skin prick, methacholine bronchial provocation, and exercise provocation tests were performed. Current and ex-smokers were excluded. RESULTS: Exercise provocation tests were positive in 21 patients (52.5%). Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to methacholine (85.7% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.007) and atopy (85.7% vs. 47.4, p = 0.017) was found more frequently in patients with EIA than in those without EIA. EIA was significantly associated with atopy score (16.5 +/- 3.0 vs. 6.5 +/- 2.0, p = 0.011), atopy index (2.1 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.0 +/- 0.3, p = 0.004), and positive responses to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (76.2% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.028) and Dermatophagoides farinae (76.2% vs. 36.8%, p = 0.012), but not with positive responses to pollen allergens. AHR to methacholine (odds ratio [OR]: 14.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.86-109.4) and atopy (OR: 16.9, 95% CI: 2.04-140.74) were significant risk factors for EIA. CONCLUSIONS: Atopy was a risk factor for EIA in young adult men, and sensitization to house dust mites was associated with EIA.

A Case of Lesch-Nyhan Disease Manifesting Gouty Arthritis without Self-mutilation / 대한신장학회지

Lesch-Nyhan disease is a very rare X-linked recessive disorder characterized by mental retardation, spasticity resembling cerebral palsy, choreoathetosis, self-mutilation and hyperuricemia. Self-mutilative behavior is a hallmark of the disease. The underlying defect is a deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). We report on a fourteen-year-old boy, who manifested gouty arthritis and mild renal insufficiency with Lesch-Nyhan disease, lacking self-mutilative behavior in spite of undetectable HPRT activity. Though there were several reports about some cases of Lesch-Nyhan disease in the past Korean literature, the cases were classic forms with definite neurological manifestation. As far as we know, this is the first case of Lesch-Nyhan disease without self-mutilation in Korea.