A Case of Atypical Giant Cell Arteritis Presenting as Raynaud's Phenomenon and Diagnosed by Random Temporal Artery Biopsy / 대한류마티스학회지

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic vasculitis that mainly involves the cranial branches of arteries, and typically it presents with a cephalic sign such as a new headache, jaw claudication and/or visual symptoms. Although the tender, swollen or beaded arteries are adequate sites for biopsy, random temporal artery biopsy should be performed in all the patients suspected of suffering with GCA and even if cephalic signs are not present. Several cases of typical GCA have been reported in Korea, but so far there have been no reports of an atypical case presenting with Raynaud's phenomenon, and the patient was diagnosed by random temporal artery biopsy. Here we describe a case that showed the typical pathological findings of GCA in an asymptomatic temporal artery. The patient complained of only Raynaud's phnomenon and the patient was without any cephalic symptoms.

Renal Pelvic Hematoma Induced by Delayed Re-bleeding After Renal Biopsy / 대한신장학회지

Renal biopsy is a useful method for the diagnosis of kidney disease. Complications may occur and are usually associated with bleeding. However, delayed recurrent bleeding is so rare. We report a case of renal pelvic hematoma and hydronephrosis occurred by delayed re-bleeding after percutaneous needle renal biopsy. A 42-year-old woman was admitted to our institution via emergency room with gross hematuria and left flank pain, which had started on that day. Renal biopsy had been done 8 days earlier. Computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed left hydronephrosis caused by pelvic hematoma and we observed bloody urine in the left ureteral orifice on cystoscopy. Hydration, diuresis and double J stent insertion restored hydronephrosis and hematuria was disappeared. Even though renal pelvic hematoma by delayed bleeding occurs rarely after percutaneous needle kidney biopsy, we should consider this complication when delayed recurrent gross hematuria occurs after kidney biopsy.

Aspergillus flavus Peritonitis Detected by Fungal Balls in the Blood Culture Bottles: A Case Report / 대한신장학회지

Fungal peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is rare. But, it is a serious complication of CAPD because of high morbidity and mortality. It is very important to diagnose and treat such infections promptly, as otherwise it has a poor prognosis. We experienced a case of peritonitis in a CAPD patient that was caused by Aspergillus flavus detected by fungal balls in blood culture bottles and treated successfully by administering anti-fungal agents and removing the peritoneal dialysis catheter.