A ureteral ulcer and stricture in a patient with Behcet's disease / 대한내과학회지

Behcet's disease is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disorder. Genetic, environmental, and immunological factors have been suggested as possible causes of Behcet's disease. Although seen at any age, Behcet's disease generally begins when individuals are in their 20s or 30s. The common major symptoms of Behcet's disease include recurrent oral ulcers, genital ulcers, and eye inflammation. The disorder may also cause various skin lesions, arthritis, bowel inflammation, meningitis, and cranial nerve palsies. The common urinary system manifestations are glomerulonephritis, cystitis, epididymitis, orchitis, and genital ulceration, whereas ureteral ulcers and strictures are uncommon. Here, we report an uncommon case of a ureteral ulcer and stricture in a 34-year-old man with Behcet's disease.

A Case of Ischemic Colitis by Oral Sulfate Free-Polyethylene Glycol

Ischemic colitis is the most common form of gastrointestinal ischemia. Factors that can contribute to the development of ischemic colitis include atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, sustained hypovolemia, vasculitis, and mechanical colonic obstruction. Also, pharmacologic agents, including diuretics, pseudoephedrine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral contraceptives may be the cause of colonic ischemia. Oral sulfate-free polyethylene glycol (SF-PEG, Colyte-F(R)) has frequently been used as a cleaning agent in bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Some cases of ischemic colitis produced by oral hyperosmotic laxatives have been reported; however, no case has been reported regarding ischemic colitis caused by SF-PEG. Herein we report a rare case of ischemic colitis caused by oral sulfate-free polyethylene glycol, which was given for bowel preparation before colonoscopy in a 70-year-old man with chronic constipation.

A Case of Ischemic Colitis by Oral Sulfate Free-Polyethylene Glycol

Ischemic colitis is the most common form of gastrointestinal ischemia. Factors that can contribute to the development of ischemic colitis include atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, sustained hypovolemia, vasculitis, and mechanical colonic obstruction. Also, pharmacologic agents, including diuretics, pseudoephedrine, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and oral contraceptives may be the cause of colonic ischemia. Oral sulfate-free polyethylene glycol (SF-PEG, Colyte-F(R)) has frequently been used as a cleaning agent in bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Some cases of ischemic colitis produced by oral hyperosmotic laxatives have been reported; however, no case has been reported regarding ischemic colitis caused by SF-PEG. Herein we report a rare case of ischemic colitis caused by oral sulfate-free polyethylene glycol, which was given for bowel preparation before colonoscopy in a 70-year-old man with chronic constipation.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Pulse Wave Velocity After Recovery From Kawasaki Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute inflammatory process affecting the arterial walls that results in panvasculitis. Recent studies have shown that even after resolution of the disease, endothelial dysfunction persists and may progress to atherosclerosis. The pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) are simple and non-invasive methods for evaluating the degree of atherosclerosis, and are known as the predictors of cardiovascular disease in adults. Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is also known as a predictor of cardiovascular disease. We conducted this study to determine the change in arterial stiffness by measuring the PWV, ABI, and cIMT in children who have recovered from KD. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with KD and coronary aneurysm were recruited. They all recovered from KD and were normal for more than 8 years. Fifty-five healthy children were evaluated as the control group. Their height, weight, body mass index, and blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and the mean) were measured. The PWV, ABI, ejection time (ET), and pre-ejection period (PEP) were measured by ultrasonography. The cIMT was measured by ultrasonography. RESULTS: The left brachial ankle PWV was significantly higher in the KD group (1020.6+/-146.5 cm/sec) than the control group (984.0+/-96.5 cm/sec). The ABI did not differ between the two groups. There was no difference in PEP/ET and cIMT. CONCLUSION: The PWV in children who recovered from KD was higher than the control group. Long-term follow up is necessary in children after recovery from KD even if there is no abnormality in echocardiography.