Interstitial Pneumonitis after Treatment with Pemetrexed for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Pemetrexed is approved as a first-line treatment for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with cisplatin and as a single agent for second-line treatment or for patients who show no disease progression after four cycles of platinum-based doublet induction chemotherapy as maintenance therapy. Pemetrexed has a modest toxicity profile and has not traditionally been regarded as a cause of interstitial pneumonitis. Here, we report on a rare case of pemetrexed-induced pneumonitis in a patient with NSCLC.

A Case of Rituximab Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis Following Anti-TNF-Associated Tuberculosis

Rituximab has been shown to be effective in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is recommended for patients exhibiting an inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. To date, there have been no reports of tuberculosis in RA patients treated with rituximab. We report the use of rituximab in a TNF inhibitor-refractory RA patient who had developed tuberculosis. A 52-year-old man with RA had been treated with adalimumab for 3 months, but failed to respond well to the treatment. He reported fever, coughing, sputum, and weight loss. He was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and started anti-tuberculosis medication. His arthritis was not controlled for despite increasing the dose of prednisolone. He was treated with rituximab without serious adverse effects. Sixteen weeks later, he demonstrated improvement with both arthritis and tuberculosis.

A Case of Rituximab Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis Following Anti-TNF-Associated Tuberculosis

Rituximab has been shown to be effective in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is recommended for patients exhibiting an inadequate response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. To date, there have been no reports of tuberculosis in RA patients treated with rituximab. We report the use of rituximab in a TNF inhibitor-refractory RA patient who had developed tuberculosis. A 52-year-old man with RA had been treated with adalimumab for 3 months, but failed to respond well to the treatment. He reported fever, coughing, sputum, and weight loss. He was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and started anti-tuberculosis medication. His arthritis was not controlled for despite increasing the dose of prednisolone. He was treated with rituximab without serious adverse effects. Sixteen weeks later, he demonstrated improvement with both arthritis and tuberculosis.

A Case of Massive Empyema Caused by Streptococcus constellatus and Anaerobic Bacteria for Mental Retardation / 결핵및호흡기질환

The Streptococcus milleri group, which also includes S. anginosus, S. intermedius and S. constellatus, is found in the oropharynx, upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and urogenital tract mucosa. Bacteria in the Streptococcus milleri group are associated with bacteremia and abscess formation. Most of the reports of of Streptococcus milleri group (SMG) infection occur in patients with underlying medical conditions. Predisposing factors that have been associated with S. milleri group empyema include mucosal disturbances (sinusitis, periodontal disease, enteric disease), preceding to pneumonia, thoracic surgery, malignancy, neurological disease, alcohol abuse, and also diabetes mellitus. We report on a 42-year-old man with mental retardation. He who suffered from dyspnea and a fever that he had developed for over 14 days. S. constellatus and anaerobic bacterias (Prevotella buccae and Micromonas micros) were cultured. The patient was treated with the drainage of pleural effusion and clindamycin and levofloxacin.

Effects of Mitomycin C on Eyelash-Regrowth in Epilated Rats

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of mitomycin C (MMC) on eyelash regrowth in rats. METHODS: Ten rats were subjected to bilateral eyelid epilation. One drop of 0.04% MMC solution and one drop of normal saline was then administered to the right and left eyelid, respectively. Three months post-epliation, the number of regrown eyelashes was counted, and a section of tissue from each eyelid was examined under light- and electron microscopies. RESULTS: The number of regrown long eyelashes was 1.0 +/- 0.81 on the right, and 12.5 +/- 1.08 on the left. The rate of regrowth was 7.35 +/- 5.55% on the right and 98.45 +/- 3.27% on the left. Histological examination revealed no significant differences between the right and left eyelids, except for the absence of any hair shafts in the follicles on the right. However, electron microscopy revealed mitochondrial damage in the follicles of the right eyelid. These changes were not observed in tissue from the left eyelid. CONCLUSIONS: The application of 0.04% MMC inhibited the regrowth of normal eyelashes in rats following simple epilation. These results suggest that MMC may be a novel therapy for replacing invasive surgery in trichiasis with no malpositioning.

A Case of Lipid Pneumonia by Green Perilla Oil / 결핵및호흡기질환

Exogenous lipid pneumonia is a rare disease resulting from the aspiration or inhalation of vegetable, animal, or mineral oils. In Korea, the most frequently implicated agent is squalen, which can be obtained from shark liver oil. Lipid pneumonia by aspiration of the vegetable oil is very rare. We experienced a 77-year-old man with a history of ingestion of green perilla oil. His clinical course was favorable; after exposure to the oil was stopped, the patient's symptoms improved.

A Case of Low Grade Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma in Lateral Canthus

PURPOSE: To report a case of malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the lateral canthal area that was diagnosed clinically as a benign epidermal inclusion cyst. CASE SUMMARY: A 49 year-old man presented with a cutaneous mass involving the lateral canthal area. A 0.7-cm cystic lesion was freely movable and non-inflamed. After excisional biopsy, the results of immunohistochemical staining led to a final diagnosis of low-grade malignant fibrous histiocytoma. The specimen from excisional biopsy had margins positive for malignancy; the patient underwent a second procedure for complete resection, and that specimen had tumor-free margins. CONCLUSIONS: Fibrous histiocytoma is a rare disease but may occur in the eyelid. Therefore, when an eyelid tumor progresses rapidly, malignant fibrous histiocytoma should be considered as a diagnosis.