Transfusion Related Acute Lung Injury after Cesarean Section in a Patient with HELLP Syndrome / 가정의학회지

Transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a serious adverse reaction of transfusion, and presents as hypoxemia and non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema within 6 hours of transfusion. A 14-year-old primigravida woman at 34 weeks of gestation presented with upper abdominal pain without dyspnea. Because she showed the syndrome of HELLP (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count), an emergency cesarean section delivery was performed, and blood was transfused. In the case of such patients, clinicians should closely observe the patient's condition at least during the 6 hours while the patient receives blood transfusion, and should suspect TRALI if the patient complains of respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea. Furthermore, echocardiography should be performed to distinguish between the different types of transfusion-related adverse reactions.

Risk Factors for Mechanical Ventilation in Patients with Scrub Typhus Admitted to Intensive Care Unit at a University Hospital / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for mechanical ventilation in the patients with scrub typhus admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively selected and analyzed clinical data from the medical records of 70 patients (32 men, 38 women) admitted to the ICU with scrub typhus between 2004 and 2014. The patients had a mean+/-standard deviation age of 71.2+/-11.1 years and were evaluated in two groups: those who had been treated with mechanical ventilation (the MV group, n=19) and those who had not (the non-MV group, n=51). Mean ages of the MV group and the non-MV group were 71.2+/-8.3 years and 71.2+/-11.1 years, respectively. RESULTS: Significant differences between the two groups were observed with respect to acute respiratory failure (p=0.008), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (p=0.015), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (p=0.013), death (p=0.014), and ICU duration (p<0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that the following factors were significantly associated with mechanical ventilation: acute respiratory failure (p=0.011), SOFA score (p=0.005), APACHE II score (p=0.011), platelet count (p=0.009), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Thus, five factors-acute respiratory failure, SOFA score, APACHE II score, platelet count, and LDH-can be the meaningful indicators for mechanical ventilation for the patients with scrub typhus admitted to ICU.

Who experiences endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease?

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become a standard treatment of symptomatic gallstone disease. But, some patients suffer from retained common bile duct stones after LC. The aim of this study is to analyze the predicting factors associated with subsequent postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after LC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a database of every LC performed between July 2006 and September 2012. We classify 28 patients who underwent ERCP within 6 months after LC for symptomatic gallstone disease as the ERCP group and 56 patients who underwent LC for symptomatic gallstone disease during same period paired by sex, age, underlying disease, operation history, and body mass index as the control group. To identify risk factor performing postoperative ERCP after LC, we compared admission route, preoperative biochemical liver function test, number of gall stones, gallstone size, adhesion around GB, wall thickening of GB, and existence of acute cholecystitis between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Admission route, preoperative AST, ALT, and ALP, stone size, longer operation time, and acute cholecystitis were identified as risk factors of postoperative ERCP in univariate analyses. But, longer operation time (P = 0.004) and acute cholecystitis (P = 0.048) were identified as independent risk factors of postoperative ERCP in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSION: The patient who underwent ERCP after LC for symptomatic gallstone disease are more likely experienced longer operation time and acute cholecystitis than the patient who did not undergo ERCP after LC.

Agranulocytosis Induced by Ethambutol in a Patient with Pulmonary Tuberculosis / 결핵및호흡기질환

We report a case of agranulocytosis caused by ethambutol in a 79-year-old man with pulmonary tuberculosis. He was referred for fever and skin rash developed on 21th day after antituberculosis drugs (isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide) intake. Complete blood count at the time of diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was normal. On the seventh admission day, agranulocytosis was developed with absolute neutrophil count of 70/microL. We discontinued all antituberculosis drugs, and then treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. Three days later, the number of white blood cell returned to normal. We administered isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol in order with an interval. However, fever and skin rash developed again when adding ethambutol, so we discontinued ethambutol. After these symptoms disappeared, we added rifampicin and ethambutol in order with an interval. However after administering ethambutol, neutropenia developed, so we discontinued ethambutol again. He was cured with isoniazid, rifampicin, and pyrazinamide for 9 months.

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Confirmed by Bronchoalveolar Lavage in a Patient with Hemoptysis after Sildenafil Use for Erectile Dysfunction / 대한중환자의학회지

A 81-year-old man was referred for respiratory failure by emergency medical technicians. He admitted at intensive care unit for ventilator treatment. Several hours before admission, he took sildenafil 100 mg for erectile dysfunction without prescription. The episodes of hemoptysis occurred several hours later. Computed tomography revealed multifocal diffuse ground-glass attenuation in both lungs. And the more we performed bronchoalveolar lavage, the more the color of it was turned into red. We treated him with empirical antibiotics and tranexamic acid, and hemoptysis was stopped in one day after admission. But in the 5th admission day, he died from sepsis combined with pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii abruptly.

Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage Confirmed by Bronchoalveolar Lavage in a Patient with Hemoptysis after Sildenafil Use for Erectile Dysfunction / 대한구급학회지

A 81-year-old man was referred for respiratory failure by emergency medical technicians. He admitted at intensive care unit for ventilator treatment. Several hours before admission, he took sildenafil 100 mg for erectile dysfunction without prescription. The episodes of hemoptysis occurred several hours later. Computed tomography revealed multifocal diffuse ground-glass attenuation in both lungs. And the more we performed bronchoalveolar lavage, the more the color of it was turned into red. We treated him with empirical antibiotics and tranexamic acid, and hemoptysis was stopped in one day after admission. But in the 5th admission day, he died from sepsis combined with pneumonia caused by Acinetobacter baumannii abruptly.

Issues on Safety of Long-Acting Muscarinic Antagonist / 결핵및호흡기질환

The prevention of and the controlling of symptoms, reductions in the frequency of exacerbations, and disease severity are central to the pharmacologic therapy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD patients are inclined to be older, have more comorbidities, and use polypharmacy as a result. Long-acting inhaled muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) is a preferred treatment modality. However, the cardiovascular (CV) safety of anti-cholinergics, including LAMA, has been an issue. In contrast, the results of the UPLIFT trial and a pooled analysis of data from 30 trials of tiotropium illustrates the association of tiotropium with reductions in the risk of all cause mortality, CV mortality and CV events. And, the UPLIFT trial provides clues regarding the additive advantages of tiotropium in COPD patients who already are using long-acting inhaled beta2 agonists and inhaled corticosteroids. Following the contribution of tiotropium as a first LAMA, new LAMAs such as aclidinium and glycopyrrolate (NVA-237) seem to be emerging.

Comparison of Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair and Tension-Free Herniorrhaphy Using Perfix(R): Short-Term Follow-Up Results

PURPOSE: Tension-free open repair for inguinal hernia is a safe and popular operation with a high success rate, but laparoscopic techniques are fairly recent. Comparing the tension-free herniorrhaphy using mesh and plug (Perfix(R)) with laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair is the aim of this study. METHODS: We compared two groups of patients in which 39 patients with inguinal hernias were treated by tension-free repair using Perfix(R) (group P) and 39 patients were treated by laparoscopic TEP repair (group T). Information about operation time, length of hospital stay, use of analgesics (pain), recurrence, complications, cosmetic satisfaction, medical costs, and time until return to work were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: Mean operation time, postoperative hospital stay, and the time until return to work were 101+/-33 min, 1.9+/-1.0 days, 11+/-8 days in group T, 86+/-28 min, 2.0+/-0.8 days, 12+/-10 days in group P. Postoperative complications, medical costs and the cosmetic satisfaction were 20.5%, 821,048 won, 94% (32/24) in group T, 7.7%, 692,149 won, 79% (19/24) in group P. There was difference between the two groups but not significant statistically. Group P used more analgesics than group T, significantly (P<0.05). There was only 1 recurrence in group T. CONCLUSION: Although we need more experience in patients with inguinal hernias, laparoscopic TEP repair may be a secure and feasible procedure compared to tension-free repair using Perfix(R).

A Case of Isoniazid Induced Gynecomastia / 결핵및호흡기질환

No abstract available.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Lung Cancer Patients Admitted to the Medical Intensive Care Unit at a University Hospital / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: The management of patients with lung cancer has improved recently, and many of them will require admission to the medical intensive care unit (MICU). The aim of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics and to identify risk factors for mortality in patients with lung cancer admitted to the MICU. METHODS: We conducted retrospective analysis on 88 patients with lung cancer admitted to the MICU between April 2004 and March 2008. RESULTS: Of the 88 patients (mean age, 66 years), 71 patients (80.7%) had non-small cell lung cancer and 17 patients (19.3%) had small cell lung cancer. Distant metastasis were present in 79 patients (89.8%). The main reasons for MICU admission were acute respiratory failure (77.3%), sepsis (11.4%), and central nervous system dysfunction (4.5%). Mechanical ventilation was used in 54 patients (61.4%). Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, length of MICU stay, need for mechanical ventilation, source of MICU admission were correlated with MICU mortality. The type of lung cancer and metastasis were not predictive factors of death in MICU. CONCLUSION: Most common reason for ICU admission was acute respiratory failure. Mortality rate of lung cancer patients admitted to the MICU was 65.9%. APACHE II score, length of ICU stay, need for mechanical ventilation, source of MICU admission were predicted factors of death in the MICU.

Multi-loculated empyemas after acupuncture

There are several reported possible complications of acupuncture including hepatitis, pneumothorax, and cardiac tamponades, but the development of empyema is unusual. All the previously described cases of empyemas were due to acupuncture needles being inadvertently left in the thoracic cavities. We describe a thirty seven years old female patient who developed empyema after multiple acupuncture sessions whose disease course was unique because the empyema developed without an acupuncture needle being left in the thoracic cavity. This case demonstrates that an acupuncture needle being left in the thoracic cavity is not necessary for the development of empyema after acupuncture sessions as previously described.

A case of scar sarcoidosis

Infiltration of sarcoid granuloma in old cutaneous scars is one of the uncommon cutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis. Here, we report the case of a 47-year-old female who presented with swelling and irritation in 5 old scars. She had acquired these scars 9 years ago in a traffic accident. An incisional scar biopsy revealed noncaseating granulomas consistent with sarcoidosis. High-resolution CT (HRCT) revealed right paratracheal, both hilar, paraaortic, and subcarinal lymphadenopathy without any nodular densities in both lung fields. Successful regression of cutaneous inflammation was achieved using a short course of oral steroids.

Characteristics of Mechanical Ventilation Employed in Intensive Care Units: A Multicenter Survey of Hospitals

A 1D point-prevalence study was performed to describe the characteristics of conventional mechanical ventilation in intensive care units (ICUs). In addition, a survey was conducted to determine the characteristics of ICUs. A prospective, multicenter study was performed in ICUs at 24 university hospitals. The study population consisted of 223 patients who were receiving mechanical ventilation or had been weaned off mechanical ventilation within the past 24 hr. Common indications for the initiation of mechanical ventilation included acute respiratory failure (66%), acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure (15%) (including tuberculosis-destroyed lung [5%]), coma (13%), and neuromuscular disorders (6%). Mechanical ventilation was delivered via an endotracheal tube in 68% of the patients, tracheostomy in 28% and facial mask with noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in 4%. NIV was used in 2 centers. In patients who had undergone tracheostomy, the procedure had been performed 16.9+/-8.1 days after intubation. Intensivists treated 29% of the patients. A need for additional educational programs regarding clinical practice in the ICU was expressed by 62% of the staff and 42% of the nurses. Tuberculosis-destroyed lung is a common indication for mechanical ventilation in acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure, and noninvasive ventilation was used in a limited number of ICUs.

A Case of Spontaneous Pneumomediatsinum during Taekwondo / 결핵및호흡기질환

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is defined as a clinical syndrome thatos characterized by the presence of air in the mediastinal space, which is not due to an old previous injury or surgery. The condition is caused by a sustained increase in the intraalveolar and intrabronchial pressure with extravasated air dissecting along the perivascular spaces of the mediastinum. This is an uncommon complication of sports activity. The most common symptom is chest pain. This diagnosis should be considered for younger people who present with pleuritic chest pain or dyspnea and a characteristic crackling feel (known as subcutaneous crepitation) when touching of the skin covering the chest wall or neck, and they look otherwise well with normal vital signs. Usually no treatment is required, but the mediastinal air will be absorbed faster if the patient inspires high concentrations of oxygen. We present here a case of spontaneous pneumomediastinum that occurred during a Taekwondo match, along with a review of the relevant literature.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Elderly Patients Receiving Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at a University Hospital / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: As the number of older-aged people increases, the number of elderly patients who receive critical care services is expected to increase substantially. The objective of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients who receive mechanical ventilation for more than 30 days in the medical intensive care unit (MICU) at a university hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively examined forty-one elderly patients (> or =65 years old) who were receiving mechanical ventilation, from April 2004 to March 2007, for periods exceeding 30 days at the MICU at Eulji University Hospital. RESULTS: The MICU and hospitalmortality rate were 60.9% and 65.9%, respectively. The mean length of the ICU stay was 57.5 days and the mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 49.3 days. The most common reason for MICU admission was acute respiratory failure (73.2%), followed by sepsis (12.2%), neurological problems (9.8%), and gastrointestinal bleeding (4.9%). The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores were higher for the nonsurvivors than for the survivors (28.0 vs. 25.0, respectively, p=0.03). The nonsurvivors received more red blood cell (RBC) transfusions during their ICU stay than did the survivors (84.0% vs. 43.8%, respectively p=0.007). The factors associated with hospital death were the APACHE II score and if the patient had received a RBC transfusion. CONCLUSION: The APACHE II score and a RBC transfusion were predictors of increased hospital mortality for the elderly patients who were on prolonged mechanical ventilation. These predictors may assist physicians to make clinical decisions for this patient population.

A Case of Scrub Typhus Complicating Subdural Hematoma / 감염과화학요법

Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and manifested with fever, skin rash, myalgia, and hepatitis etc. Most of patients improve with antibiotics such as doxycycline. The spectrum of the clinical severity ranges from mild to severe with fatal complication such as meningoencephalitis, pneumonitis, myocarditis. We report a case of a 72-year-old man with scrub typhus complicating subdural hematoma.

A Case of Scrub Typhus Complicating Subdural Hematoma / 감염과화학요법

Scrub typhus is an acute febrile illness caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi and manifested with fever, skin rash, myalgia, and hepatitis etc. Most of patients improve with antibiotics such as doxycycline. The spectrum of the clinical severity ranges from mild to severe with fatal complication such as meningoencephalitis, pneumonitis, myocarditis. We report a case of a 72-year-old man with scrub typhus complicating subdural hematoma.

A Case of Probable Community Acquired Acinetobacter baumannii Pneumonia / 결핵및호흡기질환

No abstract available.

Unusual Presentation of Miliary Tuberculosis / 결핵및호흡기질환

No abstract available.

Tuberculous Liver Abscess in a Patient on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis / 대한신장학회지

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in patients on regular hemodialysis and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is higher than that of general population. But, tuberculous liver abscess is rare even in endemic area and is found in 0.34% of hepatic tuberculosis. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis shows atypical presentation, and prompt diagnosis and treatment is important for prognosis of the patient. We report a case of CAPD patient with primary tuberculous liver abscess. The patient was treated successfully with antituberculous therapy after the diagnosis was established by histopathologic examination from the specimen obtained by ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy of the liver.