Relationship Between Vascularity and Other Remodeling Parameters in Asthmatic Airway / 결핵

BACKGROUND: The pathological features in asthmatic airway remodeling are diverse. The aim of this study was to examine the degree of airway vascularity in relation to the other remodeling parameters in asthmatics. METHODS: Bronchial biopsies were done in 34 asthmatic patients, and 6 control subjects. The basement membrane thickness and the subepithelial thickness were measured in the hematoxylin-eosin stained tissue, and the degree of vascularity was measured using type IV collagen immunostaining. RESULTS: 1) Compared to the control subjects, the asthmatics showed a significant increase in the basement membrane thickness (6.92+/-2.01micrometer vs 9.67+/-2.84micrometer, p<0.05) and the subepithelial thickness (44.49 +/- 31.92micrometer vs 121.22+/-72.79micrometer, p<0.05). 2) Compared to the control subjects, the asthmatics showed a significant increase in the vascular area per unit submucosal area (4.51+/-2.13% vs 10.32+/-6.08%, p<0.05). In addition, the number of vessels per unit submucosal area showed an increased tendency without statistical significance. 3) In the asthmatics, the number of vessels and the vascular area per unit submucosal area showed no correlation with the basement membrane thickness, the subepithelial thickness, the severity, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1), and the methacholine provocative concentration 20(PC20). CONCLUSION: This study showed that vascularity was an important parameter in asthmatic airway remodeling but it was not related to the other remodeling parameters such as the basement membrane thickness and the subepithelial thickness. Each of these asthmatic remodeling parameters may have a different clinical significance. Therefore, further studies will be needed.

A Case of Scrub Typhus with Acute Respiratory Distress Symdrome and Meningoencephalitis / 결핵

Scrub typhus is an acute, febrile disease of humans that is caused by Orentia Tsutsugamushi. It is transmitted through the bite of chiggers. The spectrum of the clinical severity for scrub typhus ranges from mild to sever e with fatal complication such as meningoencephalitis, pneumonitis, myocarditis. Severe pulmonary involvement e.g. acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) and meningoencephalitis have rarely been obseved since the introduction of specific antibiotic therapy. We experienced a case of scrub typhus manifested with ARDS and meningoencephalitis. The patient was treated with doxycycline, anticonvulsant and mechanical ventilator thrapy.

The Clinical Significance of Measurement of Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Patients with Hemoptysis / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Hemoptysis is an often alarming presenting symptom and VEGF is a major regulator of both normal and abnormal angiogenesis, including many inflammatory diseases. In this report the clinical significance of the serum VEGF level in patients with hemoptysis was investigated. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with hemoptysis were evaluated. The estimated amount of hemoptysis, etiology and serum VEGF level was examined at admission and bronchial angiography was performed in 22 patients. In order to objectify the neovascularization status, one point for the presence of the A-V shunt, hypervascularity, vascular tortuosity was designated for a total of 0-3 points. RESULTS: Mean quantity of hemoptysis was 172.4+/-270.4ml. The mean angiographic neovascularization score was 1.23+/-0.75. The serum VEGF level correlated with the quantity of hemoptysis(r=0.524, p=0.002) and with the angiographic neovascularization score(r=0.441, p=0.04). Using the standard diagnostic criterion for massive hemoptysis, the serum VEGF level of patients with massive hemoptysis(642.4+/-545.6 pg/ml, n=13) was found to be higher than that of patients with non-massive hemoptysis(394.6+/-225.8 pg/ml, n=19)(p=0.069). CONCLUSION: Regardless of the etiology, the serum VEGF may contribute to abnormal neovascularization in patients with hemoptysis. Therefore, it is suggested that serum VEGF measurements may help in predicting a massive hemoptysis.

A Case of Primary Pulmonary Sarcoma with Morphologic Features of Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma / 결핵

A malignant fibrous histiocytoma is a malignant soft tissue neoplasm that occurs frequently in the metaphyseal ends of the long bones of adults. The lung is a common site for metastasis but it is a rare site for a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Here we report a case of a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung. The patient was a 53-year-old man who presented with a moderate amount of a left pleural effusion and an ill-defined mass in the left lower lobe on a chest radiograph and a local invasion to the left 10th and 11th rib on chest CT. Under the strong suspicion of lung cancer with a pleural invasion, a serial diagnostic thoracentesis was performed. The cytologic examination of the pleural effusion revealed no malignant cells. Consequently, a thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was performed. The histological examination revealed slender spindle cells and scattered epitheloid cells arranged in a vague storiform or a whirling pattern. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells tested positive for vimentin and negative for cytokeratin, desmin, CD34 and PAS. These features were consistent with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma. This case is an unusual addition to the small number of published reports on a primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lung.

Influence of Obstructive Sleep Apnea on Systemic Blood Pressure, Cardiac Rhythm and the Changes of Urinary Catecholamines Concentration / 결핵

BACKGROUND: The existing data indicate that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome contributes to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction such as systemic hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias, and the cardiovascular dysfunction has a major effect on high long-term mortality rate in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients. To a large extent the various studies have helped to clarify the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea, but many basic questions still remain unanswered. METHOD: In this study, the influence of obstructive sleep apnea on systemic blood pressure, cardiac rhythm and urinary catecholamines concentration was evaluated. Over-night polysomnography, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and EGG monitoring, and measurement of urinary catecholamines, norepinephrine (UNE) and epinephrine (UEP), during waking and sleep were undertaken in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients group (OSAS, n=29) and control group (Gontrol, n=25). RESULTS: 1) In OSAS and Control, UNE and UEP concentrations during sleep were significantly lower than during waking (P20 (n=14), there was a significant difference of heart rates before, during and after apneic events (P<0.01), and these changes of heart rates were correlated with the duration of apnea (P<0.01). The difference of heart rates between apneic and postapneic period (deltaHR) was significantly correlated with the difference of arterial oxygen saturation between before and after apneic event (deltaSaO2) (r=0.223, P<0.001). 5) There was no significant difference in the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias between OSAS and Control. In Control, the incidence of ventricular ectopy during sleep was significantly lower than during waking. But in OSAS, there was no difference between during waking and sleep. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that recurrent hypoxia and arousals from sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may increase sympathetic nervous system activity, and recurrent hypoxia and increased sympathetic nervous system activity could contribute to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction including the changes of systemic blood pressure and cardiac function.

Immune Hemolytic Anemia and Acute Tubular Necrosis by Rifampicin Dependent Antibodies that Mimicked Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome / 대한신장학회잡지

A 52-year-old male admitted the hospital because of the spontaneous pneumothorax. About twenty years ago, he had experienced the pulmonary tuberculosis but he did not medicine the antituberculosis regulary. The pleural biopsy during right lobectomy and closed thoracotomy revealed the pleural tuberculosis and we instituted the re-trial of antituberculosis medication Acute oliguric renal failure occurred after the medications for seven days. The blood smear showed the evidence of microangiopathic hemolysis. We regarded the HUS deveoloped in this patient and four times of plasma exchage was accomplished. But the renal biopsy revealed the acute tubular necrosis due to the pigment nephropathy with interstitial inflammation and the careful laboratory evaluation showed the massive hemolysis with the compensated DIC. The rifampicin dependent antibodies were identified by indirect antiglobulin test. The microangiopathic finding would be due to DIC. We regarded that the renal failure was due to the hemolysis and, in minor part, was due to interstitial nephritis. Total plasma exchage, hemodialysis and prednisolone teatment resolved the hemolysis and the renal failure in this patient.

A Case of Lupus Mesenteric Vasculitis Resulting in Small Bowel Infarction / 대한류마티스학회지

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is an autoimmune disease involving many organs. Mesenteric vasculitis is one of the serious organ involvement in this disease. Mesenteric vasculitis may produce mucosal ulceration, bowel edema with paralytic ileus, hemorrhagic ileitis, intussusception, perforation and mesenteric infarction. Because of high mortality rate, early diagnosis and treatment of this manifestation is very important. We experienced a case of SLE with extensive smell bowel infarction due to mesenteric vasculitis. She was 29 years old. She was suffered frem severe abdominal pain for three days. Abdominal computed tomography showed diffusse wall thickening of the small intestinal wall. After high dose intravenous steroid, her abdominal symptoms were improved. She was discharged with low dose oral steroid(15mg/day) treatment. Seven months later, she presented with sudden abdominal pain. Intravenous methylprednisolon(2mg/Kg) was started. Three days later, her abdominal symptoms were not subsided. On the plain radiograph of the abdomen, marked ileus was demonstrated. Mesenteric angiography showed diffuse decreased small bowel vascularity. A provisional diagnosis of small bowel infarction and obstruction, we performed exploratory laparotomy. She undergone small bowel segmental resection. The diagnosis was small bowel infaction due to mesenteric vasculitis.

A Case of Esophageal Cancer with Metastasis to the Pharynx / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Generally, esophageal cancer metaetasizes to lymph node, lung, liver but metastasis to another digestive organ is very rare. A 51 year old man who had experienced dysphagia for 1 month was diagnosed as an esophageal cancer. After combined radiation therapy and chematherapy(5-FU, cisplatinum), he still had dysphagia. After implanta tion of self-expandable metallic esophageal stent, he could swallow solid food. Recently, he experienced pharyngeal pain for 1 month. Endoscopy showed multiple nodules in right pyriform sinus. Biopsy specimen revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Because the distance between esophageal cancer and pharyngeal nodule is more than 10 cm and computed tomography of the neck shows normal esophageal wall no cervical lymphadenopathy, we concluded that this case was an esophageal cancer with metastasis to the pharynx. Hence, we reported a case of esophageal cancer with pharyngeal metastasis with a review of literatures.

A Case of Esophageal Cancer with Metastasis to the Pharynx / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Generally, esophageal cancer metaetasizes to lymph node, lung, liver but metastasis to another digestive organ is very rare. A 51 year old man who had experienced dysphagia for 1 month was diagnosed as an esophageal cancer. After combined radiation therapy and chematherapy(5-FU, cisplatinum), he still had dysphagia. After implanta tion of self-expandable metallic esophageal stent, he could swallow solid food. Recently, he experienced pharyngeal pain for 1 month. Endoscopy showed multiple nodules in right pyriform sinus. Biopsy specimen revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Because the distance between esophageal cancer and pharyngeal nodule is more than 10 cm and computed tomography of the neck shows normal esophageal wall no cervical lymphadenopathy, we concluded that this case was an esophageal cancer with metastasis to the pharynx. Hence, we reported a case of esophageal cancer with pharyngeal metastasis with a review of literatures.