The First Case of Vestibulocochlear Neuritis in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome in Korea / 감염과화학요법

The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections continue to increase throughout the world. Although neurologic complications are frequent in individuals with HIV infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), vestibulocochlear neuritis is still a relatively rare manifestation. We report the first case of vestibulocochlear neuritis occurring in an AIDS patient in Korea.

A Case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome in a Patient of Behcet's Disease

Behcet's disease (BD) is a multi-systemic inflammatory disease of unknown origin that affects nearly all organs including the nervous system. Although the neurological involvement is less frequent than other major presentations, it is important because it can produce severe disabilities. Peripheral nervous system manifestations are relatively rare in BD. Although few cases of peripheral neuropathy or myopathy have been reported in BD, they are cases of multiple neuropathies, sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy, or neuropathy autonomic dysfunction. Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), also known as an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, is an acute demyelinating polyradiculopathy of uncertain etiology. No case of GBS associated with BD in Korea has been reported. Herein we report on a patient of BD who suffered from weakness of extremities and was diagnosed as GBS.

A Case of Acute Pancreatitis: Portal Vein Superimposed Thrombosis in a Nephritic Syndrome Patient / 대한내과학회지

Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by hypercoagulability and thrombosis of the renal and deep veins. We describe a case of unusual thrombosis in the portal and superior mesenteric veins of a 41-year-old female, admitted for treatment of abdominal pain, who simultaneously presented with nephrotic syndrome and acute pancreatitis. Laboratory analysis revealed hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and proteinuria. Abdominal computed tomography revealed acute pancreatitis, thrombosis at the portal and superior mesenteric veins, and ischemic changes in the colon and small intestines. Anticoagulation therapy was started immediately. Abdominal pain was subsequently reduced and the ischemic lesion disappeared. Warfarin use could not be terminated immediately. Empirical steroid therapy commenced without a kidney biopsy. Complete remission occurred after 4 weeks. Following warfarin cessation, a kidney biopsy was performed, confirming the diagnosis of minimal change disease.

Torsades de Pointes during Treatment of Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy / 대한구급학회지

Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is caused by persistent tarchyarrhythmias and is characterized by ventricular systolic dysfunction and congestive heart failure. Tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy is usually reversible via treatment. The cornerstone in the management of disease in these patients is to achieve a normal heart rate. We report a torsades de pointes during treatment of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. Intravenous magnesium sulfate and potassium were administrated, but torsades de pointes was repeated. After overdrive right ventricular pacing, torsades de pointes was terminated. Careful monitoring of the QT interval and serum electrolyte and drug levels in such patients is warranted during treatment of tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy.

A Case of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Bleeding of the Pancreas Manifesting As Cholangitis / 대한췌담도학회지

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the second most common urological malignancy and it has diverse range of clinical manifestation. One third of the patients show the metastasis at the time of the diagnosis. The common sites of metastasis are the lung, bone, lymph nodes and metastasis to the pancreas is rare. In case of pancreatic metastasis, more than half of the patients are asymptomatic. Patients with symptoms visit hospital complaining of abdominal pain, weight loss, steatorrhea and rarely biliary obstruction. Although about 40% of all patients visit hospital with hemorrhage, cholangitis caused by spontaneous pancreatic hemorrhage is rare. We report an interesting case of 61-year-old woman with cholangitis caused by bleeding due to pancreatic metastasis from renal cell carcinoma.

Strongyloides Hyperinfection in an Elderly Patient Treated for Stomach Cancer

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode with a complex life cycle, including a free living cycle, a parasitic cycle, and an auto-infection cycle. S. stercolaris infection may occur in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. It is usually asymptomatic and undetectable for decades in a healthy host. In immunocompromised patient, however, it may cause life threatening hyperinfection involving multiple organs. In Korea, several cases of Strongyloides hyperinfection have been reported since 1959. However, reports with gastric involvement and peritoneal invasion are rare. This is a report of gastric strongyloidiasis hyperinfection identified at ascites in an elderly patient who had subtotal gastrectomy due to stomach cancer.