A Case of Cholethorax Developed by Unknown Cause / 결핵및호흡기질환

Cholethorax is a bilious pleural effusion caused by a pleurobiliary fistula or leakage of bile into the pleural space. Most cases of cholethorax arise from a complication of abdominal trauma, hepatobiliary infection, or invasive procedures or surgery of hepatobiliary system. However, we experienced a case of a patient with cholethorax of unknown origin. There was no evidence of pleurobiliary fistula or leakage of bile from the hepatobiliary system although we examined the patient with various diagnostic tools including chest and abdominal computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, tubography, bronchofiberscopy, hepatobiliary scintigraphy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Herein we report a case of cholethorax for which the specific cause was not identified. The patient was improved by percutaneous drainage of pleural bile.

A Case of Non-Surgical Treatment in Hemodialysis Patient with Spontaneous Splenic Rupture / 대한신장학회지

Spontaneous splenic rupture is a rare disease but can cause a life threatening situation. It can occur under a pathological spleen such as infection, neoplastic, infiltrative and inflammatory disease. Although splenectomy is the treatment of choice for splenic rupture, it is uncertain that the effectiveness of non- surgical treatment in the hemodynamically stable patient. We report a case of a 66-year-old male undergoing hemodialysis for 4 years who presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and distention. Blood pressure was 130/80 mmHg, heart rate was 108 bpm. White blood cell count was 7,130/mm3, hemoglobin was 6.7 g/dL, platelet was 156,000/mm3. PT INR was elevated up to 2.01 because he had taken warfarin due to splenic infarction. Abdominal CT scan revealed hemoperitoneum due to splenic rupture. We performed angiography but there was no active bleeding. We decided conservative management without embolization because of stable condition and increased bleeding risk in operation. He received 6 pints of packed red blood cell transfusion during continuous renal replacement therapy for 24 hours on ICU. He was discharged with complete recovery on the 21st hospital day. We suggest that non-surgical treatment in splenic rupture also could be considered in hemodynamically stable patients with a high risk of postoperative complication.

The Effect of Autonomic Nerve System on Neurotensin Induced Motility in Isolated, Vascularly Perfused Rat Colon

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although neurotensin (NT) stimulates colon motility and the passage of intestinal contents, the associated mechanism of action remains unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of NT on colon motility using isolated rat colon. METHODS: Intraluminal pressure was measured at both the proximal and distal portions of the isolated colon. An isolated rat colon was perfused with Krebs solution via the superior mesenteric artery. After stabilization, NT was administered in concentrations of 14, 28, 138 and 276 pM. After pretreatment with phentolamine, propranolol, hexamethonium, atropine or tetrodotoxin, NT was administered at a concentration of 276 pM, and then the intraluminal pressure was monitored. RESULTS: NT significantly increased colon motility at concentrations of 14, 28, 138, and 276 in the proximal colon (25.1+/-6.5%, 175.4+/-117.0%, 240.8+/-115.1% and 252.3+/-110.6%, respectively) and in the distal colon (35.6+/-11.8%, 97.5+/-35.1%, 132.7+/-36.7% and 212.1+/-75.2%, respectively). The stimulant effect of NT was more potent in the proximal colon, in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). The stimulant effect of NT was significantly inhibited by atropine at both the proximal and distal colon and by tetrodotoxin at the proximal colon, but not by tetrodotoxin at the distal colon and not by propranolol, phentolamine, or hexamethonium at both the proximal and distal colon. CONCLUSIONS: NT increased colon motility at both the proximal and distal portions of the rat colon. The effects were more prominent at the proximal portion. The results of this study suggest that the stimulant action of NT may be mediated by local cholinergic muscarinic receptors.

Successful Percutaneous Renal Artery Angioplasty and Stenting for Acute Oliguric Renal Failure in a Solitary Functioning Kidney Caused by Takayasu's Arteritis

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a nonspecific, chronic and stenotic panarteritis which usually involves the aorta and its major branches. Corticosteroid and immunosuppressants are recommended to manage the acute inflammatory phase, but their long term benefits are uncertain. Blood pressure (BP) control during the chronic phase of TA is essential to preserve renal function, which is associated with the patient's long-term prognosis and survival. Revascularization in organ damaging arterial stenosis with percutaneous angioplasty (PTA)/stenting or bypass surgery have been accepted as established treatment options in chronic complicated phase of TA. We present a case of a 31-year-old female patient with a two-day history of sudden onset oliguria and generalized edema whose acute oliguric renal failure was successfully reversed following PTA and stenting in a solitary functioning kidney with critical renal artery stenosis (RAS) caused by TA.