A case of nimesulide induced hepatitis / 대한내과학회지

Nimesulide, highly selective cyclooxygenase inhibitor-2, is a newly developed, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with low toxicity in gastrointestinal tract. But recently, seven cases of nimesulide-induced hepatitis of which types were hepatocellular, hepatocanalicular, and mixed damage were reported. Our case of nimesulide-induced hepatic damage was mixed cholestatic and hepatotoxic hypersensititvity reaction, and her story was as follows. A 70-year female patient's first hepatic event happened in Jaunuary, 1998 after taking nimesulide 200mg daily for 50 days from November 1997, but it was cleared. She was admitted to our unit because of jaundice, edema and ascites in May, 1998 after retrial of nimesulide 150 mg daily for 50 days. Biochemical determinations showed increase of AST (181 IU/L), ALT (110 IU/L), bilirubin (20.3 mg/dL) and albumin (2.3 g/dL). Prothrombin time was also prolonged upto 2.51 INR. But neither viral markers such as anti-HCV, HBsAg, anti-HBc IgM, anti-HAV IgM, anti-CMV, anti-EBV IgG and IgM nor other immunologic markers such as ANA, SMA, and AMA were positive. Ultrasonography showed diffuse hyperechogenicity in liver and mild splenomegaly but no dilatation in biliary tract. Liver biopsy showed portal to portal bridging necrosis with severe hepatocytic cholestasis. Her liver function returned to normal after discontinuation of nimesulide. At 8 months after beginning treatment, she complained of recurrent epistaxis and abdominal distension. At this time, her liver biopsy showed cirrhosis. In conclusion, we considered that this case was nimesulide-induced Liver cirrhosis.

Comparison of Respiratory Mechanics and Gas Exchange between Pressure-controlled and Volume-controlled Ventilation / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Pressure-controlled ventilation (PCV) is frequently used recently as the initial mode of mechanical ventilation in the patients with respiratory failure. Theoretically, because of its high initial inspiratory flow, pressure-controlled ventilation has lower peak inspiratory pressure and improved gas exchange than volume-controlled ventilation (VCV). But the data from previous studies showed controversial results about the gas exchange. Moreover, the comparison study between PCV and VCV with various inspiration:expiration time ratios (I:E ratios) is rare. So this study was performed to compare the respiratory mechanics and gas exchange between PCV and VCV with various I:E raitos. METHODS: Nine patients receiving mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure were enrolled. They were ventilated by both PCV and VCV with various I:E ratios (1:2, 1:1.3 and 1.7:1). FiO2, tidal volume, respiratory rate and external positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were kept constant throughout the study. After 20 minutes of each ventilation mode, arterial blood gas, airway pressures, expired CO2 were measured. RESULTS: In both PCV and VCV, as the I:E ratio increased, the mean airway pressure was increased, and PaCO2 and physiologic dead space fraction were decreased. But P(A-a)O2 was not changed. In all three different I:E ratios, peak inspiratory pressure was lower during PCV, and mean airway pressure was higher during PCV. But PaCO2 level, physiologic dead space fraction and P(A-a)O2 were not different between PCV and VCV with three different I:E ratios. CONCLUSION: There was no difference in gas exchange between PCV and VCV under the same tidal voulme, frequency and I:E ratio.

Assessment of body composition using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in patients with liver cirrhosis: comparison with anthropometry

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes of body composition in cirrhotic patients. Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and anthropometry were used, and the values obtained were compared. METHODS: Mid-arm fat and muscle areas were calculated by anthropometry in 66 cirrhotic patients and 94 healthy controls. In 37 of the cirrhotic patients and 39 of the controls, fat mass, lean soft tissue mass and bone mineral contents were measured with DEXA. RESULTS: The number of cirrhotic patients with measured values below the fifth percentile of normal controls was 21 (31.8%) by mid-arm fat area, six (9.1%) by mid-arm muscle area, 15 (40.5%) by fat mass and 0 (0%) by lean soft tissue mass. The fat mass in cirrhotic patients was less than in controls, whereas lean soft tissue mass and bone mineral content were not different. Fat depletion was severe in Child-class C patients and with severe ascites. Mid-arm fat area and fat mass showed close correlation (r = 0.85, p < 0.01), but mid-arm muscle area and lean soft tissue mass showed poor correlation (r = 0.32, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cirrhotic patients showed lower fat component, with preserved lean soft tissue mass and bone mineral content. In clinical practice, the measurement of mid-arm fat area was useful for the assessment of fat mass.

A Case of a Pseudoaneurysm in Chronic Pancreatitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

The bleeding pseudoaneurysm is a rare condition but one of the lethal complications in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Early diagnosis and emergent intervention can reduce mortality and promise better outcomes. We experienced a case of a bleeding pseudo- aneurysm in a chronic pancreatitis patient. The 44-year-old male was suffering from con- tinuous, vague epigastric pain and black tarry stool. An abdominal CT scan revealed a homogeneously enhancing round mass in the pancreatic pseudocyst, and celiac angi- ography found that a pseudoaneurysm had originated from the pancreaticoduodenal artery. The patient was treated with Whipple's operation and was later discharged, having improved in his condition.