Comparison of Malnutrition Risk between Patients with Liver Cirrhosis and Viral Hepatitis Carrier: A Single Center Study / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is well-known that patients with chronic liver disease commonly have nutritional deficiency. In the present study, we investigated the differences in malnutrition risk between patients with liver cirrhosis and viral hepatitis carrier. METHODS: Patients with chronic liver disease who have been hospitalized at Konyang University Hospital from May 2012 to April 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The malnutrition risk was divided into three categories (low, intermediate, and high) according to Konyang University Hospital Malnutrition Screening, which include BMI, serum albumin, total lymphocyte count (TLC), hemoglobin, weight change, appetite, and dysphagia, within 24 hours of hospitalization. RESULTS: Among a total of 460 patients, 313 had liver cirrhosis (LC), and 147 were viral hepatitis carriers. Age (p<0.001), serum albumin level (p<0.001), TLC (p=0.011), hemoglobin (p<0.001) and serum cholesterol level (p=0.005) were significant different between the two groups. However, there were no difference in height, weight, and BMI. The malnutrition risk of the patients with viral hepatitis carrier was significantly lower than that of the patients with LC (p<0.001). In addition, among 313 patients with LC, malnutrition risk of the patients with Child-Pugh class A (n=150) was significantly lower than that of the patients with class B (n=90) or C (n=73) (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Viral hepatitis carrier group had significantly lower malnutrition risk than LC group. The risk of malnutrition in Child-Pugh class A group was significantly lower than that in class B or C group.

Synchronous Primary Low-grade Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma of Colon and Stomach

Gastrointestinal tracts are the most frequently involved sites of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Stomach is the most common site of involvement among the gastrointestinal tract. Simultaneous occurrence of primary gastric and colonic MALT lymphoma is rarely reported. We report a case of synchronous double primary MALT lymphoma of the colon and stomach in a healthy subject. A 62-year-old male underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy and colonoscopy for medical checkup. An endoscopic examination of the stomach showed an erythematous mucosa in the great curvature of the lower body. The endoscopic finding of the colon was a flat elevated lesion in the sigmoid colon. Microscopic examinations revealed MALT lymphoma and gastric Helicobacter pylori infection. We performed imaging studies to evaluate distant metastasis and confirmed that there is no other metastasis. The patient was treated with H. pylori eradication therapy and CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) chemotherapy. He had not experienced any recurrence since the treatments, and reached a complete remission state after six months.

Hepatocolic Fistula after Radiofrequency Ablation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 대한내과학회지

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively safe therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, complications are not unknown. A hepatocolic fistula is a rare complication after RFA. We report a case of a hepatocolic fistula following a liver abscess after RFA for HCC in a 58-year-old male. The patient was diagnosed with HCC and liver cirrhosis from hepatitis B infection 3 years prior to admission. The HCC was in segment 6 of the liver and was treated with transarterial chemoembolization and RFA. One month after the second RFA, he was diagnosed with a liver abscess, for which he was treated with antibiotics for 2 months, but continued to have intermittent fever and chills. We made a diagnosis of hepatocolic fistula using colonoscopy, fluoroscopy, and liver dynamic computed tomography. The patient underwent a surgical procedure after antibiotic therapy. Although a hepatocolic fistula is a rare complication following RFA, clinicians should be aware of its existence.

Acute human immunodeficiency virus infection managed with highly active antiretroviral therapy / 대한내과학회지

Acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a transient symptomatic illness associated with high-titer HIV replication and an expansive immunologic response to the invading pathogen. The diagnosis of acute HIV infection is difficult because the symptoms are those of common illnesses and HIV antibodies are usually not detected during the early phase of infection. An accurate early diagnosis is important because of the potential clinical benefit of early antiretroviral therapy, and to prevent the spread of infection. We report a case of acute HIV infection presenting as an acute febrile illness. We started treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the patient is now well with no other complications

Prevalence and Significance of Carotid Plaques in Patients With Coronary Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Carotid artery intima-media thickness (CIMT) has recently been recommended as a non-invasive tool for primary prevention of cardiovascular events; the association between CIMT and adverse cardiovascular events is well-known. We sought to evaluate the prevalence and significance of carotid artery plaque, especially in patients with coronary atherosclerosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 1,705 consecutive patients {933 males (54.7%); mean age, 59.7+/-10.9 years} who underwent coronary angiography and carotid artery scanning using high-resolution ultrasonography. Carotid plaque was defined as a focal structure encroaching into the arterial lumen by at least 50% of the surrounding IMT value or a thickness >1.2 mm. RESULTS: Carotid plaque was identified in 30.3% (516/1,705) of the patients. Of patients in whom the plaque location could be evaluated (n=1,027), carotid plaque was located at the common carotid artery {n=64/267 (24.0%)}, carotid bulb {n=194/267 (72.7%)}, and at both sites {n=9/267 (3.4%)}. The prevalence of hypertension (58.5% vs. 45.2%, p or =65 years), hypertension, and increased CIMT (> or =1.0 mm) were independent predictors of carotid plaque. Carotid plaque (odds ratio, 1.85; 95% confidence interval, 1.39-2.45; p<0.001) was an independent predictor of multivessel disease based on multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Carotid plaque was common (30.3%) in Korean patients with coronary atherosclerosis, but it is still relatively uncommon compared to Western populations. Carotid plaque was associated with old age, hypertension, and increased IMT, and was an independent predictor of multi-vessel disease.

Molecular Epidemiology and Antimicrobial Resistance of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Nasal Swab at Intensive Care Unit / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most common organism associated with nosocomial infections. MRSA infections are becoming increasing important because they have emerged no only as healthcare-associated (HA) infections but also as community-associated (CA) ones. This study examined the moleculo-epidemiology of MRSA, which was isolated from nasal swabs in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Konyang University Hospital. MRSA are classified into HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA. METHODS: From June to September 2006, 353 patients who were admitted to the ICU in Konyang University Hospital were enrolled in this study. Single nasal swabs were obtained for culture in the ICU on the 1st day. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and the antimicrobial resistant patterns were analyzed between HA- and CA-MRSA. An antimicrobial sensitivity test was also performed. RESULTS: Forty two strains of MRSA were isolated from 353 patients (11.9%). Among the 42 isolates, HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA were found in 33 (78.6%), and 9 (21.4%), respectively. Eleven different PFGE types (type A to K) were identified. Types A (n=9) and B (n=7) were the most common for HA-MRSA, and types A (n=2) and B (n=2) were identified in CA-MRSA. The proportion of types A and B in CA-MRSA (44.4%) was similar to that in HA-MRSA (48.5%). The rates of resistance rates to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin were higher in HA-MRSA than in CA-MRSA. CONCLUSION: The rate of isolation of MRSA in an ICU setting was 11.9%. HA-MRSA was isolated more frequently than CA-MRSA. The rate of resistance of HA-MRSA to erythromycin and ciprofloxacin was higher than that of CA-MRSA. Despite the small number of subjects, the main isolates (type A and B) of CA-MRSA were similar to those of HA-MRSA.

A case of ectopic opening of the common bile duct (CBD) associated with hematemesis / 대한내과학회지

Ectopic opening of the common bile duct (CBD) in the duodenal bulb is not an incidental finding, but a pathologic condition that can be associated with clinical entities, such as recurrent duodenal ulcer, choledocholithiasis. or cholangitis. We report a case of ectopic CBD with hematemesis in a 61 year-old male patient. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed several active ulcers with a fresh blood clot at the duodenal bulb, which had a mucosal deformity and a small opening with suspicious drainage of bile, and the second part of the duodenum had no papilla-like structure. MRCP showed a trident-like pancreatobiliary tree. The biliary tree was visualized via a suspicious ectopic opening of the bile duct at the duodenal bulb. The distal CBD looked hook-shaped and had no filling defect. We report a unique case of ectopic opening of the CBD in the duodenal bulb, which presented as hematemesis.

Synchronous Roentgenographically Occult Lung Carcinoma Treated with Argon Plasma Coagulation in a Patient with Resectable Primary Lung Cancer / 결핵및호흡기질환

We treated synchronous double primary lung cancers, where one site resulted from CIS disease, with lobectomy and argon plasma coagulation (APC) in a patient who couldn't tolerate pneumonectomy, which resulted in a reduction of the extent of surgery. APC could be a reasonable alternative for CIS disease of lung in inoperable patients.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Safety of Medical Thoracoscopy / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The causes of the pleural effusion are remained unclear in a the substantial number of patients with exudative effusions determined by an examination of the fluid obtained via thoracentesis. Among the various tools for diagnosing exudative pleural effusions, thoracoscopy has a high diagnostic yield for cancer and tuberculosis. Medical thoracoscopy can also be carried out under local anesthesia with mild sedation. The aim of this study was to determine diagnostic accuracy and safety of medical thoracoscopy. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with exudative pleural effusions of an unknown cause underwent medical thoracoscopy between October 2005 and September 2006 in Konyang University Hospital. The clinical data such as age, gender, preoperative pulmonary function, amounts of pleural effusion on lateral decubitus radiography were collected. The vital signs were recorded, and arterial blood gas analyses were performed five times during medical thoracoscopy in order to evaluate the cardiopulmonary status and acid-base changes. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 56.8 years (range 22-79). The mean depth of the effusion on lateral decubitus radiography (LDR) was 27.49 mm. The medical thoracoscopic pleural biopsy was diagnostic in 24 patients (96.0%), with a diagnosis of tuberculosis pleurisy in 9 patients (36%), malignant effusions in 8 patients (32%), and parapneumonic effusions in 7 patients (28%). Medical thoracoscopy failed to confirm the cause of the pleural effusion in one patient, who was diagnosed with tuberculosis by a pericardial biopsy. There were no significant changes in blood pressure, heart rate, acid-base and no major complications in all cases during medical thoracoscopy (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Medical thoracoscopy is a safe method for patients with unknown pleural effusions with a relatively high diagnostic accuracy.