A Case of Intramural Gastric Wall Abscess, a Rare Disease Successfully Treated with Endoscopic Incision and Drainage

Gastric wall abscess is a rare condition characterized by a purulent inflammatory process resulting in the formation of a pocket of pus in the stomach. As the mucosa is usually intact, it requires various tools such as endoscopic ultrasonography or computed tomography for the differential diagnosis to rule out more common subepithelial tumors. Even after the diagnosis, the treatment for gastric wall abscess was previously restricted to surgical resection in combination with antibiotics. Currently, in order to avoid unnecessary surgery, the alternative method of initial treatment with an endoscopic approach is recommended. It also helps to choose appropriate antibiotics with confirmation of the pathogen by drainage. There are few reports that describe the detailed processing of the endoscopic drainage, and there is no consensus on the treatment. The pathogens that cause gastric wall abscess are usually Streptococci, Staphylococci, and Escherichia coli. There is only one case reported to be caused by Candida albicans. This is the first report of Elizabethkingia anopheles as the pathogen of the gastric wall abscess. Here, we report a case of gastric wall abscess in a 75-year-old man, safely treated by endoscopic drainage and antibiotics, confirmed by isolating the contents of the abscess.

Severe Pulmonary Hypertension Caused by Pulmonary Artery Stenosis in a Patient with Behcet's Disease Treated by Balloon Angioplasty / 대한내과학회지

Pulmonary artery stenosis that causes pulmonary hypertension is usually observed in congenital anomalies and is seldom observed in adults. A 47-year-old female patient came to the hospital for aggravated dyspnea and peripheral edema. Severe pulmonary hypertension was found on an echocardiography examination, along with dilation of the main pulmonary artery and alias flow at the bifurcation sites of both pulmonary arteries. Under coronary angio-computed tomography, 70% high grade stenosis was observed on both sides of the proximal pulmonary arteries without showing atherosclerotic plaque or a thrombus. The patient's symptoms improved after performing pulmonary artery angiography and angioplasty. Thus, we report our experience of a patient with Behcet's disease and severe pulmonary hypertension caused by pulmonary artery stenosis, which was treated with percutaneous pulmonary angioplasty.

A Case of Esophageal Actinomycosis in a Patient with Normal Immunity / 대한소화기학회지

Actinomycosis is a chronic suppurative disease and caused by Actinomycosis species, principally Actinomyces israelii, which are part of the normal inhabitant on the mucous membrane of the oropharynx, gastrointestinal tract, and urogenital tract. It usually affects cervicofacial, thoracic and abdominal tissue. Cervicofacial type has the highest percentage of occurrence with 50%. Actinomycosis frequently occurs following dental extraction, jaw surgery, chronic infection or poor oral hygiene. It may also be considered as an opportunistic infection in immunocompromised patients such as malignancy, human immunodeficiency virus infection, diabetes mellitus, steroid usage or alcoholism. But, actinomycosis rarely occurs in adults with normal immunity and rare in the esophagus. We report an unusual case of esophageal actinomycosis which was developed in a patient with normal immunity and improved by therapy with intravenous penicillin G followed oral amoxicillin, and we also reviewed the associated literature.

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome Without Thrombosis Found in Behcet's Disease / 영남의대학술지

Behcet's disease is a rare multisystemic disorder whose main pathological defectis vasculitis, and superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome without thrombosis is a very rare manifestation of the disease. These authors encountered a case of SVC syndrome without thrombosis caused by Behcet's disease. A 33-year-old man visited the hospital for aggravated dyspnea without any related medical and familial history. He had a three-day history of abrupt swelling of the face, neck, and right arm. He suffered from recurrent oral ulcer, and there were acneiform nodules on his face as well as redness and swelling at the site of the intravenous injection. On the multi-detected computed tomography (CT) chest angiograms (chest angio MDCT), the SVC narrowed without thrombosis. Venogram was carried out, and percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty of the SVC stenotic site was performed. The following day, the swelling was found to have subsided. The details of the case are reported herein.

Berberine Suppresses Interleukin-1beta-Induced MUC5AC Gene Expression in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether berberine suppresses interleukin (IL)-1beta-induced MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells and, if so, to determine which mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are related to MUC5AC gene suppression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MUC5AC mRNA and protein levels were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time PCR, and western blot analysis in cultured NCI-H292 human airway epithelial cells. RESULTS: IL-1beta-induced expressions of MUC5AC mRNA and protein were significantly suppressed in cells pretreated with 25 microM of berberine. Levels of MAPK proteins were determined by western blot analysis after pretreatment with 25 microM berberine. Berberine suppressed phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 MAPK, but there was no change in the expression of JNK. Suppression of IL-1beta-induced MUC5AC mRNA was also observed in cells pretreated with ERK- or p38 MAPK-specific inhibitors, suggesting that berberine suppresses IL-1beta-induced expression of MUC5AC mRNA, which involves the ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent pathways. CONCLUSION: Berberine suppresses IL-1beta-induced MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells via the ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent pathways; therefore, berberine may be considered as a possible anti-hypersecretory agent for inflammatory airway diseases.

A Case of Wolfram Like Disorder with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in an Adult

Wolfram-like disorder is one of the WFS1-related disorders that are caused by mutation of the WFS1 genes. WFS1-related disorders are classified as Wolfram syndrome, Wolfram like disorder and nonsyndromic low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss (DFNA6/14/38). Wolfram syndrome is known to DIDMOAD (diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and deafness), and it is an autosomal-recessive disorder that predisposes a patient to developing type 1 diabetes in association with progressive optic atrophy, and the disease shows various phenotypes. Wolfram like disorder is an autosomal-dominant disorder that predisposes a patient to develop type 2 diabetes in association with optic atrophy and hearing impairment. We experienced a case of Wolfram like disorder with diabetes, optic atrophy and sensorineural hearing loss in a 28-year-old woman who was admitted to our hospital. Our case demonstrated the E737K missense mutation on the WFS1 gene, which has been previously reported in the medical literature. The diagnosis of WFS1-related disorder was confirmed by the clinical features and molecular genetic testing of the WFS1 gene.

Schwannoma in Head and Neck: Preoperative Imaging Study and Intracapsular Enucleation for Functional Nerve Preservation

PURPOSE: In treating schwannoma patients, it is critical to determine the origin of the tumor to preserve nerve function. We evaluated the validity of preoperative imaging studies in distinguishing the neurological origin of the schwannomas of the head and neck, and the efficacy of intracapsular enucleation in preserving nerve function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 7 cases of schwannomas in the head and neck region, we predicted whether the tumor originated from the vagus nerve or the cervical sympathetic chain through imaging studies including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All patients were performed intracapsular enucleation, and the function of the vagus nerve and the sympathetic nerve was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative imaging studies showed 6 cases where the tumor was located between the carotid artery and the internal jugular vein, and 1 case where the tumor was located posteriorly, displacing the carotid artery and the internal jugular vein anteriorly. At the time of operation, we confirmed schwannoma originating from the vagus nerve on the first 6 cases, and schwannoma originating from the sympathetic nervous system on the last case. All patients went through successful intracapsular enucleation, and of the seven schwannoma cases, 6 patients maintained normal postoperative neurological function (85.7%). CONCLUSION: Preoperative imaging studies offer valuable information regarding the location and origination of the tumor, and intracapsular enucleation helped us to preserve the nerve function.

A Case of Right Atrial Aneurysm Incidentally Found in Old Age

Right atrial aneurysm is a rare abnormality of unknown origin. Approximately half of patients with right atrial aneurysm show no symptoms. Right atrial aneurysm is usually detected by chance at any time between fetal and adult life and can be associated with atrial arrhythmia and systemic embolism. The diagnosis of right atrial aneurysm can be established with echocardiography, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Because of thromboembolic risk, aneurysmectomy is usually recommended. We review the case report of a 69-year-wold woman with right atrial appendiceal aneurysm, whose diagnosis was established by echocardiography and CT angiography.

A Case of Fibrous Dysplasia Simultaneously Involving the Sphenoid Sinus and the Clivus

Fibrous dysplasia is an uncommon benign bone disorder in which normal medullary bone is replaced by fibrotic and osseous tissue. Limited involvement of the sphenoid sinus or the clivus is extremely unusual. Here, we present a case of fibrous dysplasia in a 46-year-old female that involved the sphenoid sinus and the clivus simultaneously. Imaging modalities demonstrated an expansile lesion filling the entire left sphenoid sinus, extending to the clivus. Biopsy specimen was obtained by endoscopic sphenoid sinusotomy, and it showed extensive spindle-shaped fibroblastic cells with irregularly shaped trabeculae of woven bone which was compatible with fibrous dysplasia. After 6-month follow-up, the patient displayed no evidence of recurrence.

A Comparison of Tiotropium 18microgram, Once Daily and Ipratropium 40microgram, 4 Times Daily in a Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, Efficacy and Safety Study in Adults with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: This study compared the bronchodilator efficacy and safety of tiotropium inhalation capsules (18microgram once daily) with a ipratropium metered dose inhaler (2 puffs of 20microgram q.i.d.) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHOD: After the initial screening assessment and a two-week run-in period, patients received either tiotropium 18microgram once daily or ipratropium 40microgram four times daily over a period of 4 weeks in a double blind, double dummy, parallel group study. The outcome measures were the lung function, the daily records of the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), the patients' questionnaire, and the use of concomitant salbutamol. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the forced vital capacity (FVC) were measured 5 minutes before inhalation, and 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 hours after inhaling the study drug on days 0, 14 and 28. RESULT: In 16 centers, 134 patients with a mean (SD) age of 66 (7) years and a predicted FEV1 of 42 (12)% were analyzed. The trough FEV1 response was significantly higher in the tiotropium group than in the ipratropium group after a four-week treatment period. The weekly mean morning PEFR of the tiotropium group was consistently higher than that of the ipratropium group during the 4-week treatment period with differences ranging from 12.52 to 13.88 l/min, which were statistically significant. Tiotropium was well tolerated by the COPD patients during the 4-week treatment period and had a similar safety profile to ipratropium. CONCLUSION: This study shows that tiotropium administrated once daily has a superior bronchodilator effect with a similar safety profile in treating COPD patients compared with ipratropium, inhaled four times daily.

The Effects of Irradiation on Lung Function in Patients with Lung Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

This study was performed to assist in the prediction of the clinical tolerance of patients with lung cancer to irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The changes in lung function of 26 patients with lung carcinomas, who had received radiation with curative intent, or postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, were prospectively studied. Their pulmonary function tests were conducted at presentation, and then at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months, following radiotherapy. RESULTS: When the parameters of postirradiation pulmonary functions (2 weeks, 2 months and 6 months) were compared with the preirradiation baseline data, there was a statistically significant decrease in FEF25~75% at 2 months, but the rest of the parameters showed no significant change following irradiation. However, when the baseline lung function was compared with the lung function at the lowest FVC, in patients with curative radiotherapy, there was a statistically significant decrease of about 10% in the FEV1 and DLCO. CONCLUSION: Preirradiation assessment of pulmonary functions, particularly the FEV1 and DLCO will be useful for the prediction of the clinical tolerance to irradiation.

Loss of Heterozygosity on the Long Arm of Chromosome 21 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer / 결핵

BACKGROUND: Non-small lung cancer(NSCLC) develops as a result of the accumulation of multiple genetic abnormalities. Loss of heterozygosity(LOH) is one of the most frequent genetic alterations that is found in NSCLC, and the chromosomal regions that display a high rate of LOH are though to harbor tumor suppressor genes(TSGs). This study was done to determine the frequency of LOH in 21q with the aim of identifying potential TSG loci. METHOD: Thirty-nine surgically resected NSCLCs were analysed. Patietns peripheral lymphocytes were used as the source of the normal DNA. Five microsatellite markers of 21q were used to study LOH : 21q21.1(D21S1432, and D21S1994) ; 21q21.2-21.3(D21S1442) ; 21q22.1(21S1445) ; and 21q22.2-22.3(D21S266). The fractional allelic loss(FAL) in a tumor was calculated as the ratio of the number of markers showing LOH to the number of informative markers. RESULT: LOH for at least one locus was detected in 21 of 39 tumors(53.8%). Among the 21 tumors with LOH, 5(21.8%) showed LOH at almost all informative loci. Although statistically not significant, LOH was found more frequently in squamous cell carcinomas(15 of 23, 65.2%) than in adenocarcinomas(6 of 16, 37.5%). In the squamous cell carcinomas the frequency of LOH was higher in stage II-III (80.0%) than in stage I (53.8%). The FAL value in squamous cell carcinomas(0.431±0.375) was significantly higher than that found in adenocarcinomas(0.192±0.276). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that LOH on 21q may be involved in the development of NSCLC, and that TSG(s) that contribute to the pathogenesis of NSCLC may exist on 21q.