Failure of Conservative Treatment in Two Cases of Polyarteritis Nodosa with Superior Mesenteric Artery Involvement Presenting with Abdominal Pain

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic necrotizing vasculitis affecting medium- or small-sized arteries. Its diagnosis may be delayed because it is a rare disease, and patients presenting with PAN demonstrate variable clinical manifestations and non-specific laboratory abnormalities. Gastrointestinal involvement occurs in 14~65% of patients with PAN and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Thus, early diagnosis is very important in PAN with gastrointestinal involvement. We report two cases of rapidly progressive PAN presenting with abdominal pain, having failed conservative treatment.

The significance of blood pressure variation and metabolic risk factors in patients with different stages of hypertension / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: Blood pressure variation (BPV) and metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. Ambulatory blood Pressure (ABP) has been shown to be more closely related to cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients than conventional office BP (OBP). Using both OBP and ABP, 4 groups of patients were identified: (1) normotensive patients (NT); (2) white coat hypertensives (WCHT); (3) masked hypertensives (MHT); and (4) sustainedhypertensives (SHT). We investigated the significance of BPV and metabolic risks of these 4 groups. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of patients between January 2008 and May 2013. Echocardiography and 24 hour ABP monitoring were performed. RESULTS: BMI was significantly higher in the MHT compared with the NT. There were progressive increases in fasting glucose level from NT to WCHT, MHT, and SHT.MHT and SHT had higher 24h and nighttime BPV than NT.MHT was significantly related with BMI (r = 0.139, P = 0.010), creatinine (r = 0.144, P = 0.018), fasting glucose (r = 0.128, P = 0.046), daytime systolic BPV (r = 0.130, P = 0.017), and daytime diastolic BPV (r = 0.130, P = 0.017). Dyslipidemia (r = 0.110, P = 0.043), nighttime systolic BPV (r = 0.241, P < 0.001) and nighttime diastolic BPV (r = 0.143, P = 0.009) shown correlation with SHT. In multivariate logistic regression, MHT was independently associated with Body mass index (OR 1.086, 95% CI 1.005–1.174, P = 0.038) and creatinine (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001–1.010, P = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: BPV and metabolic risk factors were found to be greater in MHT and SHT compared with NT and WCHT. This suggests that BPV and metabolic risks may contribute to the elevated cardiovascular risk observed in patients with MHT and SHT.

Obesity and Insulin Resistance According to Age in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Korea / 고신대학교의과대학학술지

OBJECTIVES: With the rapid increase in the prevalence of diabetes, the age groups of diabetic patients are becoming diversified. This study will examine the degree of obesity, insulin resistance, and insulin secretion ability among patients first diagnosed with diabetes according to age and gender. METHODS: The subjects of this study included 616 patients who were first diagnosed with diabetes during a routine physical examination. This sample was obtained from a total of 28,075 adults aged 19 years and older who received the examination among 33,829 participants in the Korea National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2007–2010. The subjects were categorized by age into young age (age: 19 – 39 years), middle age (age: 40 – 59 years), and old age (age: 60 years and older). The degree of obesity was categorized according to body mass index (BMI) into normal weight (BMI: 18.5 ~ 22.9), overweight (BMI: 23 ~ 24.9), and obesity (BMI: 25 or above). Insulin resistance was evaluated by homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: It was found that 14.1% (n = 87) of a total of 616 subjects (324 men, 292 women) were in the young age group, 43.8% (n = 270) were in the middle age group, and 42.1% (n = 259) were in the old age group. In addition, 83.3% of men that were overweight or obesity were in the young age group, while 79.2% and 60.5% were in the middle age and old age groups, respectively. A total of 82.2% of women that were overweight or obesity were in the young age group, while 79.5% and 77% were in the middle age and old age groups, respectively. For men, the more obesity they were in all age groups, the higher their HOMA-IR. For women, the more obesity they were in the young age and middle age groups, the higher their HOMA-IR; however, women in the old age group showed the highest HOMA-IR when they were of normal weight. CONCLUSION: Among diabetic patients first diagnosed with the disease in Korea, the youth population had the highest obesity rate. Insulin resistance increases as an individual's weight increases among those patients who are first diagnosed with diabetes; the only exception noted is for elderly women.

Sarcoidosis-associated Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion / 대한내과학회지

Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), the most common cause of euvolemic hyponatremia, results from the inappropriate release of antidiuretic hormone. SIADH may be caused by a variety of malignant tumors, central nervous system (CNS) disorders, intrathoracic disorders, and pharmacological agents. We experienced a case of SIADH associated with sarcoidosis that involved the lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes. A 72-year-old male was admitted to hospital with epigastric and back pain. Laboratory tests showed hyponatremia and low serum osmolality, while the urine sodium concentration and urine osmolality were inappropriately high. A chest x-ray and computed tomography showed mediastinal lymph node enlargement, and a mediastinoscopic lymph node biopsy revealed a noncaseating granuloma. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed no evidence of CNS sarcoidosis. Systemic corticosteroid therapy improved the observed mediastinal lymph node involvement, and tolvaptan as an SIADH treatment corrected the patient's abnormal sodium level and restored the laboratory findings to normal.

A Case of Improved Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis after Successful Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Membranous Obstruction of Inferior Vena Cava

Vasculitis is a heterogeneous group of diseases that destroy blood vessel walls by inflammation. Approximately half of vasculitis cases are idiopathic, but sometimes associated with genetic factors, medicines, chronic infection, autoimmune diseases, and malignancies. Although the mechanism remains unclear, vasculitis secondary to malignancy, also known as paraneoplastic vasculitis, has been reported. It is generally associated with hematologic malignancies rather than solid malignancies and commonly presents as leukocytoclastic vasculitis or polyarteritis nodosa. We experienced a case of leukocytoclastic vasculitis in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma and membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava. Here, we report this case with a brief review of literature.

A Case of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura Presenting with Cholestatic Hepatitis / 대한내과학회지

Hepatobiliary involvement is a rare manifestation of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP). HSP cases related to hepatitis A, B or C virus have been reported but little is known about HSP cases complicated by cholestatic hepatitis without underlying hepatobiliary disease. Here, we report a case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura presenting with cholestatic hepatitis. The patient presented with upper abdominal pain and cholestasis that developed characteristic purpura. The patient was treated conservatively by therapeutic fasting and nutritional support, and liver function recovered 7 weeks after admission.

Primary Osteosarcoma Arising from the Middle Turbinate in a Pediatric Patient

Osteosarcomas usually occur as secondary tumors after radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Without a history of irradiation to the head and neck area, primary osteosarcoma of the turbinate is extremely rare. We report here a rare case of primary turbinate osteosarcoma presenting as a relatively small, well-circumscribed, turbinate mass. Its appearance mimicked a benign nasal mass like mucocele and polyp. We also reviewed the previously reported cases of tumor arising from turbinate.

Ectopic Hidradenoma Papilliferum of the Breast: Ultrasound Finding / 한국유방암학회지

Hidradenoma papilliferum (HP) is a benign neoplasm arising from mammary-like glands which typically involves the dermal layer of the female anogenital area. The prognosis for HP is good. Recurrence is unusual and is typically attributed to incomplete excision of the primary tumor. Malignant transformation is rare and HP of the breast has not yet been reported. Ectopic HP is usually solitary, small, and asymptomatic. It appears as a well-circumscribed, complex cystic mass in the dermis on ultrasound. We present a case of HP arising from the axillary tail of the breast.

Molecularly Targeted Therapy Using Bevacizumab for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: a Pilot Study for the New CT Response Criteria

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to compare the efficacy of the new CT response evaluation criteria for predicting the tumor progression-free survival (PFS) with that of RECIST 1.1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who were treated with bevacizumab. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients (M:F = 11:5; median age, 57 years) treated with bevacizumab and combined cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents were selected for a retrospective analysis. The tumor response was assessed by four different methods, namely, by using RECIST 1.1 (RECIST), RECIST but measuring only the solid component of tumor (RECISTsolid), the alternative method reflecting tumor cavitation (the alternative method) and the combined criteria (the combined criteria) that evaluated both the changes of tumor size and attenuation. To evaluate the capabilities of the different measurement methods to predict the patient prognosis, the PFS were compared, using the log rank test, among the responder groups (complete response [CR], partial response [PR], stable disease [SD] and progressive disease [PD]) in terms of the four different methods. RESULTS: The overall (CR, PR or SD) response rates according to RECIST, RECISTsolid, the alternative method and the combined criteria were 81%, 88%, 81% and 85%, respectively. The confirmed response rates (CR or PR) were 19%, 19%, 50% and 54%, respectively. Although statistically not significant, the alternative method showed the biggest difference for predicting PFS among the three response groups (PR, SD and PD) (p = 0.07). RECIST and the alternative method showed a significant difference for predicting the prognosis between the good (PR or SD) and poor overall responders (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: The response outcome evaluations using the three different CT response criteria that reflect tumor cavitation, the ground-glass opacity component and the attenuation changes in NSCLC patients treated with bevacizumab showed different results from that with using the traditional RECIST method.

Evaluation the Reliability of Singh Index in Elderly Patients with Proximal Femoral Fractures Using Digital Radiographic Image / 대한정형외과연구학회지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the reliability of Singh index (SI) values, determined on image software processed digital radiographs in elderly patients with proximal femoral fractures, with respect to its value as a simple and inexpensive method to evaluate osteoporosis in acute trauma situations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 210 patients (98 femur neck fractures, 112 intertrochanter fractures) treated between March 2005 and March 2009. Preoperative digital radiographs of each patient were assessed by four observers to determine SI values. The reliability of SI was expressed in terms of intraobserver and interobserver agreements in pairs using Fleiss's overall Kappa, Stuart's tau-c index, and Kendall's coefficiency of concordance. RESULTS: Fleiss's overall kappa values for intraobserver agreement ranged from 0.278 to 0.586 (mean, 0.452) and did not reach good reliability overall. Fleiss's overall kappa values for interobserver agreement ranged from 0.120 to 0.241 (mean, 0.180), and thus, did not reach acceptable reliability. CONCLUSION: The result suggest that the image adjustment tools provided by digital radiography cannot improve the usefulness of SI as a simple and inexpensive method of assessing the osteoporosis. Therefore, the reliability of SI good enough to be used for clinical and research work is questionable.

The Characteristics of Visuospatial Working Memory in Alzheimer's Disease

OBJECTIVES: Mild Alzheimer's disease(AD) is uncertain to be related to visuospatial working memory subsystem dysfunction. We used the self ordered pointing test(SOPT) to find the characteristics of visuospatial working memory in mild AD. METHODS: We compared the visuospatial working memory abilities of 20 patients with mild AD and 20 normal elderly controls(NC) using SOPT, of which stimuli consisted of two stimuli types(A: abstract, C: concrete) and two stimuli numbers(8 and 12). Therefore, working memory was tested using C8, C12, A8, and A12 stimuli conditions in SOPT. Mixed-model ANOVA was conducted with the AD and NC groups as between-subjects factor, with stimuli types and stimuli numbers as the within-subjects factors and with SOPT error rates as the dependent variable. RESULTS: The AD group showed higher error rates in SOPT than the NC group. The NC group showed low error rates in concrete stimuli than in abstract stimuli and in small stimuli numbers than in large stimuli numbers. And the AD group showed no differences between stimuli types or stimuli numbers. CONCLUSION: AD patients showed a poor performance in visuospatial working memory using concrete stimuli. The result suggests that there is a non-transformation from visual input to phonological working memory in AD. Patients with AD showed a poor performance although in small stimuli number condition of SOPT. It suggests that in AD, visuospatial working memory is not working well although in low central executive loads.

Stomach in the Right Thorax Caused by Hiatal Hernia: A Case Report

Intrathoracic stomach due to hiatal hernia is a very rare finding. We report here on such an asymptomatic case, and this malady was diagnosed by chest radiographs and CT.

CT Findings of Cystic and Solid Masses of the Mesentery

CT remains the optimal imaging modality for diagnosing cystic and solid masses in the mesentery. CT may provide important information regarding the lesion? location, size and shape, the presence and thickness of a wall, the presence of septa, calcifications or fat, and the involvement of adjacent structures. Although percutaneous imaging-guided or surgical biopsy is often necessary to guide medical management, analysis of the CT features along with the clinical history may be helpful in differentiating mesenteric masses, including cystic lesions and primary neoplasms arising from the mesenchymal tissues or the secondary metastatic lesions. CT is useful not only for detecting cystic and solid mesenteric masses, but also for helping physicians become familiar with the features of various mesenteric masses for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

CT Findings of Cystic and Solid Masses of the Mesentery

CT remains the optimal imaging modality for diagnosing cystic and solid masses in the mesentery. CT may provide important information regarding the lesion? location, size and shape, the presence and thickness of a wall, the presence of septa, calcifications or fat, and the involvement of adjacent structures. Although percutaneous imaging-guided or surgical biopsy is often necessary to guide medical management, analysis of the CT features along with the clinical history may be helpful in differentiating mesenteric masses, including cystic lesions and primary neoplasms arising from the mesenchymal tissues or the secondary metastatic lesions. CT is useful not only for detecting cystic and solid mesenteric masses, but also for helping physicians become familiar with the features of various mesenteric masses for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

A Case of Neonatal Transient Tricuspid Regurgitation with Cardiomegaly in Fetal Period

Tricuspid regurgitation(TR) with normal heart structure during fetal life is a frequent functional phenomenon with a prevalence of six to seven percent. Isolated severe congenital TR, however, is an uncommon cause of neonatal congestive heart failure, cyanosis and massive cardiomegaly. We experienced a case of severe transient neonatal TR presented as massive cardiomegaly during fetal life which was normalized in the postnatal period.

A Case of Graves Disease with Kyphosis by Osteoporosis

Graves disease is the most common clinical feature of hyperthyroidism in childhood. Clinical manifestations include emotional lability, hyperactivity, tremor, excessive sweating, exophthalmos and weight loss. In Graves disease, osteoporosis could occur because of a disturbance of mineral homeostasis which rarely develops from reduced calcium absorption of the gastrointestinal tract and increased urinary calcium excretion related to an increased bone resorption. We report a case of Graves disease with spinal deformity caused by osteoporosis in a 12-year-old female who was presented with back pain, anterior neck mass and kyphosis. Laboratory findings revealed hyperthyroidsm, hypercalciuria in 24-hour urine and normal serum parathyroid hormone. On radiologic examination, multiple osteoporosis and a spinal compression fracture were observed. The bone mineral density was decreased at the hip and lumbar spine on the bone densitometry. After initiating antithyroid drug, calcitonin and vitamin D, she returned to a euthyroid state and her back pain was improved. Bone density was also increased one year later.

A Development of the Diagnosis Expert Systems for the Stroke Estimation / 대한의료정보학회지

In this study, we designed the expert system for the diagnosis of stroke. The causes of stroke in central nervous systems are very diverse, so a doctor who treats the patients with stroke must have the expert knowledge for the quick and correct diagnosis and for the adequate medical management. But the primary physician who engaged in the primary care of the patient with stroke does not have the expert knowledge for the stroke. So, we need to develop the expert system for assisting the diagnosis of stroke. Also the diagnosis system can be used as simulator for the medical students who study the neurology. In this study, we developed the diagnosis expert system that offer a pathological name provided by artificial neural networks. And we designed the inference engine and GUIs(graphical user interfaces). The artificial neural network is a system that provide a possible diagnosis of stroke. We implemented the system using Visual Basic 6.0 of Microsoft Co.

A case of fetal atrial flutter with hydrops fetalis

Fetal hydrops is often serious and associated with a high perinatal motality rate. Cardiac causes of fetal hydrops include congenital heart diseases and rhythm disturbances. An irregular fetal heart rate may indicate atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter with variable AV conduction. Fetal atrial flutter is characterized by the pressence of flutter waves which are regular sawtooth undulations in the baseline that are larger than p waves. Authors experienced a case of fetal atrial flutter with hydrops fetalis at 30 week's gestation which was confirmed by fetal M-mode echocardiogram and electrocardiography. A new born infant had shown to have atrial flutter in utero and after delivery was successfully converted to normal sinus rhythm with digoxin and quinidene.

A scientific analysis of changes in hemostatic parameters following cardiopulmonary bypass procedure

No abstract available.