Colon Barotrauma Caused by Compressed Air

Colon barotrauma can be mostly caused by elevated intraluminal pressure. Air insufflation during colonoscopy procedure is the most common cause of iatrogenic colon barotrauma. Cat scratch colon can usually be seen in the mild type of colon barotrauma, and colon perforation can be seen in the severe type. We presently report a case of non-iatrogenic colon barotrauma caused by industrial compressed air. Multiple linear mucosal ulcers were noted in the recto-sigmoid colon, but the colon was not perforated. The patient was discharged without any further complications after conservative treatments.

A Case of Malignant Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm of the Pancreas with Duodenal Adenocarcinoma / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas (IPMN) is a precancerous lesion with a well-described adenocarcinoma sequence. The rate of progression of IPMN appears to be very slow; however, patients with IPMN may be at increased risk for extrapancreatic malignancies. A 55-year-old female was diagnosed with IPMN of the pancreas and a duodenal polyp in 2004. After an approximate 3 year loss to follow-up, she was readmitted for managing abdominal pain and underwent Whipple's operation. Herein, we report a case of a patient with malignant IPMN accompanied by duodenal adenocarcinoma arising from a duodenal polyp.

A Case of Emphysematous Gastritis in a Patient with End-stage Renal Disease / 대한소화기학회지

Emphysematous gastritis is a rare infection of the stomach wall with high mortality rate. It is caused by gas forming organisms and may arise by local spread through the mucosa or hematogenous dissemination from distant focus. Clinical manifestation includes acute abdomen with systemic toxicity, and diagnosis is based on radiologic demonstration of gas within the gastric wall. Treatment should be aimed to cover gram-negative organisms and anaerobes using wide-spectrum intravenous antibiotics, and sometimes surgical management may be needed in order to enhance survival. Herein, we report a case of emphysematous gastritis in a patient with end stage renal disease on hemodialysis.

Clinical value of the biochemical and nutritional parameters of intensive-care unit patients on mechanical ventilation / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: The nutritional status of critical-ill patients is important for recovering from the disease itself. Therefore, this present study was designed to assess the biochemical and nutritional parameters of Intensive-Care Unit (ICU) patients on mechanical ventilation. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medicial records of 126 patients (male/female=72/54) who were on mechanical ventilationin the ICU. The nutritional parameters such as serum total protein, albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, calcium, phosphorus, total cholesterol, % lymphocytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr) were measured at the beginning of mechanical ventilation. We also measured the outcome variables such as the duration of mechanical ventilation, the ICU length of stay and the hospitalization period. We analyzed the relationship between the nutritional parameters and the outcome variables of ICU patients on mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: The level of hemoglobin was negatively correlated with the outcome variables; the ICU length of stay (p<0.05), the hospitalized period (p<0.01), and the duration of mechanical ventilation (p<0.01). The creatinine level was positively correlated with the outcome variables; the ICU length of stay (p<0.01), the hospitalized period (p<0.01) and the duration of mechanical ventilation (p<0.05). On the multiple regression analysis, the serum total protein, albumin, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, BUN and creatinine were independent factors affecting the duration of mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that ICU patients with mechanical ventilation have a risk for malnutrition and anemia. So, an adequate nutritional intervention is required for these patients in order to decrease the prevalence of malnutrition and anemia.

Delayed Rupture of Mycotic Hepatic Artery Aneurysm in a Patient with Infective Mitral Endocarditis-First Case in Korea

Mycotic aneurysms of the hepatic artery are usually caused by mycotic infection in patients suffering with bacterial endocarditis. Mycotic aneurysms have become very rare recently due to early intensive antibiotic treatment for infective endocarditis. Despite of the non-specific symptoms, these aneurysms show a high possibility of sudden death if thye ruptured. Therefore, early detection and surgical repair of aneurysms are very important. We report here on a case of hepatic artery mycotic aneurysm that presented as sudden shock and rupture.

A Case of Classic Polyarteritis Nodosa Presented with Acute Renal Failure / 대한신장학회잡지

Classic polyarteritis nodosa (c-PAN), first described by Kussmaul and Maier in 1866, is a systemic illness characterized by necrotizing inflammation of medium- sized arteries. Rapid progressive renal failure is very rare in c-PAN in contrast to microscopic polyangiitis (MPA). We report a case of c-PAN presented with rapidly progressive renal failure. A 58 year-old male was referred to our hospital for evaluation of asthenia and right visual loss. An increase in serum creatinine level was developed in the 6th day of hospitalization and acute renal failure was aggravated rapidly. Renal biopsy showed the transmural fibrinoid necrosis of small and medium sized arteries with few glomerular crescents. P-ANCA was detected in serum, and all clinical and laboratory findings supported the diagnosis of c-PAN. He was treated with pulse methylprednisolone, followed by oral corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide, and received temporary hemodialysis. After the treatment, he recovered and was discharged but his visual defect was irreversible despite the treatment.

A Case of Rhizobium radiobacter Primary Bacteremia in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / 감염과화학요법

Rhizobium radiobacter, which has been previously discribed as Agrobacterium radiobacter, is a group of phytopathogenic organisms widely distributed in soil. Over the past decade, increasing number of infections due to Rhizobium radiobacter has been reported. Rhizobium radiobacter is now recognized as rare human pathogens affecting mostly immunocompromised hosts and is an opportunistic pathogen often associated with indwelling catheters. We report a case of bacteremia due to Rhizobium radiobacter in an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient. The patient was admitted for fever. In the blood culture, Rhizobium radiobacter was isolated. These symptoms and signs were successfully resolved with antibiotics.

A Case of Rhizobium radiobacter Primary Bacteremia in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / 감염과화학요법

Rhizobium radiobacter, which has been previously discribed as Agrobacterium radiobacter, is a group of phytopathogenic organisms widely distributed in soil. Over the past decade, increasing number of infections due to Rhizobium radiobacter has been reported. Rhizobium radiobacter is now recognized as rare human pathogens affecting mostly immunocompromised hosts and is an opportunistic pathogen often associated with indwelling catheters. We report a case of bacteremia due to Rhizobium radiobacter in an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patient. The patient was admitted for fever. In the blood culture, Rhizobium radiobacter was isolated. These symptoms and signs were successfully resolved with antibiotics.

The effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the improvement of the symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia and peptic ulcer disease / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: In the functional dyspepsia, Helicobacter pylori has been suggested as a causative agent. But, the effect of H. pylori eradication is still debated on functional dyspesia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the H. pylori eradication therapy in the improvement of the symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia. METHODS: The convenience sample consisted of 123 patients with functional dyspepsia and 80 patients with peptic ulcer diseases who were infected with H. pylori. All patients had received eradication therapy of H. pylori for one or two weeks and additional therapy with H2RA or PPI for one to five weeks. After the treatment was completed, the patients were asked about their symptomatic improvement every three months. The degree of symptom was rated on a five-point Likert scale. RESULTS: Overall eradication rate of H. pylori was 82.8% (168/203), and there were no significant differences in the eradication rate between the two groups and between one-week and two-week eradication therapies. The mean follow-up period was 12 months. The symptomatic improvement in both group was maintained over 12 months in most patients (PUD 72.5% vs. FD 67.4%). In addition, the symptomatic improvement in the patients with eradication success was maintained significantly longer than those with eradication failure in both group (FD p=0.007 vs. PUD p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: The eradication therapy of H. pylori can be one of the therapeutic options for patients with functional dyspepsia and that eradication failure may cause the recurrence of the symptom.

The effects of growth hormone administration on the markers of cardiovascular disease in growth hormone deficient adults / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Subjects with growth hormone-deficiency (GHD) have increased cardiovascular mortality, and growth hormone (GH) replacement may modulate cardiovascular disease risk. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of GH administration on the markers of cardiovascular disease in subjects with GHD. METHODS: 37 subjects (12 men and 25 women) with GHD and 65 normal subjects were enrolled in this study. GH or placebo were given for 3 months at a dose adjusted for normal serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) level. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, lean body mass, fat mass, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, IGF-I, lipid profile, uric acid, C-reactive protein (CRP), plaminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), apolipoprotein AI, and quality of life-assessment of growth hormone deficiency in adults (QoL-AGHDA) were measured at baseline and month 3. RESULTS: Subjects with GHD showed higher levels of triglyceride, CRP, and PAI-1, but lower level of fasting glucose than normal subjects. Fat mass, CRP, and PAI-1 levels decreased in GH recipients (fat mass; 21.9+/-6.6 to 21.3+/-6.7%, p<0.05, CRP; 2.73+/-2.11 to 1.47+/-1.29 mg/L, p<0.001, PAI-1; 48.9+/-33.2 to 31.6+/-28.5 ng/mL, p<0.05). Fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol levels increased in GH recipients (fasting blood glucose; 4.58+/-0.46 to 4.81+/-0.36 mmol/L, p<0.05, total cholesterol; 5.36+/-1.31 to 6.17+/-1.12 mmol/L, p<0.01). Placebo recipients showed decrease in waist-hip ratio (0.93+/-0.05 to 0.92+/-0.04, p<0.05) and increase in fasting blood glucsoe (4.63+/-0.38 to 4.89+/-0.45 mmol/L, p<0.05) and uric acid (319.6+/-89.2 to 335.6+/-89.2 micro mol/L, p<0.05). QoL-AGHDA score improved in both groups (GH recipients; 10.0+/-6.0 to 7.4+/-5.5, p<0.01, placebo recipients; 9.8+/-4.4 to 6.7+/-3.4, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated favourable effects of GH on cardiovascular disease through modulating CRP and PAI-1 plasma level in subjects with GHD.