Enlarged coronary-bronchial artery anastomosis in cystic bronchiectasis: A case report / 대한내과학회지

Anastomoses between a coronary artery and bronchial or mediastinal arteries have been described since the 19th century. Although coronary-to-bronchial artery communication has been well described, it remains an unusual finding. We report one adult case of abnormally enlarged two coronary-to-bronchial artery communications in a severe cystic bronchiectasis patient. In this case, the bronchial arteries were also supplied from the multiple systemic arteries (the internal mammary, subclavian, inferior phrenic and intercostal arteries) because of severe cystic bronchiectasis. We treated the patient by embolization of the bronchial artery with the abnormal anastomoses and then by surgical resection of the cystic bronchiectatic lung lesion. To date, the patient remains free of symptoms.

A review of lead poisoning cases reported for recent 30 years in Korea / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Because of widespread and long-term use of lead, many lead poisoning cases were reported. Especially, in Korea including Southeast Asia, we observed non-occupational lead poisoning cases by herbal medication. METHODS: We identified total 45 cases of lead poisoning through Medric search, from 1973 to 2002. Bibliographies of relevant articles were reviewed. We arranged cases by attributes following 1) reported year, 2) age, 3) sex, 4) exposure sources, 5) exposure duration, 6) clinical manifestation, 7) treatments. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 41.4 +/- 15.7 year-old. The distribution by sex did not have difference each other. The non-occupational lead poisoning cases were mostly caused by Chinese herbal medication. On the cases of the herbal lead poisoning, average exposure duration was 7.3 +/- 3.8 months and the various dosages were taken from 5 mg to 3 g. The major clinical symptoms were abdominal pain, headache, and constipation. The typical laboratory finding was anemia. Major treatment agent was oral penicillamine. CONCLUSION: To differential diagnose of the lead poisoning from many diseases with similar symptoms is very difficult solely on the clinical aspect. Especially, in non-occupational cases it is more difficult. In Korea, non-occupational lead poisoning cases by herbal medication have been discovered more than in western countries. We reviewed about the lead poisoning cases since 1973, so we want to make an aware of scientific and rational making and management of lead in the health supplementary food and herbal medicine.

A Case of Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure Associated with Mitochondrial Myopathy / 대한신장학회잡지

Mitochondrial myopathies are diseases caused by defects in metabolic pathway of mitochondria. Mitochondrial myopathy is known as one of the causes of recurrent myoglobinuria, while clinically, rarely causes acute renal failure requiring medical treatments. We report a case of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure associated with mitochondrial myopathy. A 58-year-old male was presented with dyspnea and hypotensive shock. The patient had a history of recurrent dark colored urine and cramping leg pain after prolonged fasting. Laboratory findings showed hyperkalemia, azotemia, metabolic acidosis, and elevated AST, ALT, and creatinine kinase. He had no history of trauma or medication. Muscle biopsy showed "ragged red fibers" in modified Gomori staining. On electron microscope, increased number of mitochondria and abnormal mitochondria were seen. He received hemodialysis and his renal function recovered after 1 month.