Hyun Jin Oh

A Promising Treatment for Broncholith Removal Using Cryotherapy during Flexible Bronchosopy: Two Case Reports.

Broncholiths are defined as calcified materials that occur in a tracheobronchial tree or in a cavity communicating with that. Broncholith has variable clinical features. The therapeutic options to remove broncholiths are so variable that clinicians need to select the most safe and effective methods by mass size, mobility, and location. As yet, there is no consistent guideline removing a broncholith. We report 2 successful cases of removing a fixed broncholith by flexible bronchoscopy guided cryoadhesion. With repeated technique of thawing and freezing with ryoprobe, we could extract the fixed broncholith safely. This method is promising as a way to remove broncholith in the future.

Case of inappropriate ADH syndrome: Hyponatremia due to polyethylene glycol bowel preparation

Colonoscopic screening has been reported to reduce deaths from colorectal cancer. Adequate bowel preparation is essential for this and safety is an important issue in choosing the methods. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is regarded as a safe method for cleansing, especially compared with oral sodium phosphate. Here, we present a case of hyponatremia caused by the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) syndrome after PEG precolonoscopic cleansing resulting in generalized tonic-clonic seizures. A 62-year-old women had ingested PEG for precolonoscopic bowel cleansing. While waiting for the colonoscopy, she developed a stuporous mentality and generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which did not correlate with brain magnetic resonance imaging. Her serum sodium level was 113 mEq per liter and laboratory analyses were consistent with inappropriate ADH syndrome. Her thyroid and adrenal functions were normal. There were no malignancies, infections, respiratory disorders or central nervous disorders and she had no history of taking either diuretics or other medications, which might have caused inappropriate ADH syndrome. She was treated with 3% hypertonic saline and showed a complete neurological recovery as her sodium levels recovered. Follow-up visits showed the patient to have a normal sodium level without neurologic deficits. This case shows that inappropriate ADH syndrome can be caused by PEG preparation, which implies that physicians have to be aware of the possible side effects of this colonic cleansing approach and mindful of the possible ensuing symptoms.

Utility of a multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay (HemaVision) in the evaluation of genetic abnormalities in Korean children with acute leukemia: a single institution study

Purpose In children with acute leukemia, bone marrow genetic abnormalities (GA) have prognostic significance, and may be the basis for minimal residual disease monitoring. Since April 2007, we have used a multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction tool (HemaVision) to detect of GA. Methods In this study, we reviewed the results of HemaVision screening in 270 children with acute leukemia, newly diagnosed at The Catholic University of Korea from April 2007 to December 2011, and compared the results with those of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and G-band karyotyping. Results Among the 270 children (153 males, 117 females), 187 acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 74 acute myeloid leukemia patients were identified. Overall, GA was detected in 230 patients (85.2%). HemaVision, FISH, and G-band karyotyping identified GA in 125 (46.3%), 126 (46.7%), and 215 patients (79.6%), respectively. TEL-AML1 (20.9%, 39/187) and AML1-ETO (27%, 20/74) were the most common GA in ALL and AML, respectively. Overall sensitivity of HemaVision was 98.4%, with false-negative results in 2 instances: 1 each for TEL-AML1 and MLL-AF4. An aggregate of diseasesspecific FISH showed 100% sensitivity in detection of GA covered by HemaVision for actual probes utilized. G-band karyotype revealed GA other than those covered by HemaVison screening in 133 patients (49.3%). Except for hyperdiplody and hypodiploidy, recurrent GA as defined by the World Health Organizationthat were not screened by HemaVision, were absent in the karyotype. Conclusion HemaVision, supported by an aggregate of FISH tests for important translocations, may allow for accurate diagnosis of GA in Korean children with acute leukemia.

A case of Clostridium difficile infection complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome treated with fecal microbiota transplantation

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening disorder caused mainly by pneumonia. Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a common nosocomial diarrheal disease. Disruption of normal intestinal flora by antibiotics is the main risk factor for CDI. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics for serious medical conditions can make it difficult to treat CDI complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome. Fecal microbiota transplantation is a highly effective treatment in patients with refractory CDI. Here we report on a patient with refractory CDI and acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by pneumonia who was treated with fecal microbiota transplantation.

Efficacy of imatinib mesylate-based front-line therapy in pediatric chronic myelogenous leukemia

Purpose Despite the established role of imatinib (IM) in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in adults, there are few reports on its efficacy in children. In this study, we compared the outcomes of children with CML before and after the advent of IM-based treatment. Methods The study cohort consisted of 52 patients treated for CML at the Department of Pediatrics, The Catholic University of Korea from January 1995 to October 2010. Patients were divided and analyzed according to the preImatinib group (pre-IMG) and imatinib group (IMG). Results Median age at diagnosis for the overall cohort (pre-IMG, n=27; IMG, n=25) was 9 years, with a median follow-up duration of survivors of 84 months. Except for 5 patients in the IMG, all were diagnosed in chronic phase (CP). The overall survival (OS) of patients diagnosed in CP was 45.7% and 89.7% for pre-IMG and IMG, respectively (P=0.025). The OS of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients in the 2 groups was similar, but the OS of patients diagnosed in CP who did not receive HSCT was superior in IMG (91.7% vs. 16.7%, P=0.014). Of the 12 patients in IMG who remained on IM without HSCT, 2 showed disease progression, compared to 11 of 12 in pre-IMG. No difference was observed in the progression free survival (PFS) of matched donor HSCT recipients and IM-based treatment recipients. Conclusion Similar PFS of patients treated with IM and those who received matched donor HSCT underscore the potential of IM as effective first-line treatment in childhood CML.

Radicular Pain Followed by Epidural Blood Patch

Dear Editor, Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a well-known complication of the epidural block and usually treated by bed rest, intravenous hydration, caffeine and analgesics, and epidural blood patch. The epidural blood patch has been considered as the “gold standard” in the treatment of PDPH and regarded to safe procedure, but various complications, including delayed radicular pain [1] and severe low back pain and lower extremity pain [2] have been reported. We experienced a patient who complained of radiating pain immediately after an epidural blood patch in the lumbar region for PDPH. A 44-year-old woman with 2-year history of chronic low back pain visited our pain clinic due to an exacerbation of low back pain radiating down to the lateral aspect of the right leg from 2 days before. On physical examination, she had a 60-degree limitation on the straight leg raising test of the right leg because of pain. There was no other motor or sensory deficit, and …

A case of celiac disease with neurologic manifestations misdiagnosed as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy and is a rare disease in Asia, including in Korea. However, the ingestion of wheat products, which can act as a precipitating factor of CD, has increased rapidly. CD is a common cause of malabsorption, but many patients can present with various atypical manifestations as first presented symptoms, including anemia, osteopenia, infertility, and neurological symptoms. Thus, making a diagnosis is challenging. We report a case of CD that mimicked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The patient was a sexagenary man with a history of progressive motor weakness for 2 years. He was highly suspected as having ALS. During evaluation of his neurological symptoms, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed because he had experienced loose stools and weight loss for the previous 7 months. On EGD, the duodenal mucosa appeared smooth. A biopsy revealed severe lymphoplasma cell infiltration with flattened villi. His serum endomysial antibody (immunoglobulin A) titer was 1:160 (reference, <1:40). Finally, he was diagnosed as having CD, and a gluten-free diet was immediately begun. At a 4-month follow-up, his weight and the quality of his stool had improved gradually, and the neurological manifestations had not progressed.

HPV-Related Retroperitoneal Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary: A Case Report

A 56-year-old female was referred to our hospital due to a mass measuring 5 cm in size in the left pelvic cavity, which was found incidentally during a health examination by ultrasonography. Exploratory laparotomy was performed and the mass was located at the left retroperitoneal parametrium without invasion of the uterus and ovary. The pathology report confirmed squamous cell carcinoma. Even after further studies, we did not find any other primary lesion. Human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA chip test (HPV 9G DNA Membrane Kit, Biometrixtechnology Inc.) showed that the surgical specimen was positive for HPV 18. She received adjuvant chemotherapy and would receive radiation therapy for the possibility of occult gynecologic cancer. Retroperitoneal squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary is extremely rare and little is known about it. It is reported that HPV may be associated with the disease. Hence, the result of HPV test could have an impact on finding a suspicious primary lesion and treatment modality in this case.

Impact of Fatty Liver on Acute Pancreatitis Severity

Aim. Acute pancreatitis is typically a mild disease, but some patients develop severe courses. Fatty liver changes are seen in patients with acute pancreatitis, but its clinical significance has not been well-studied. We aimed to investigate the relationship between fatty liver and the severity of acute pancreatitis. Methods. Unenhanced CT images of patients with acute pancreatitis were retrospectively reviewed by a radiologist, and mean hepatic and splenic attenuation was measured in Hounsfield units (HU). Fatty liver was defined as mean hepatic/splenic HU < 1. Results. Among 200 patients, fatty liver was found in 67 (33.5%) and nonfatty liver in 133 (66.5%). Compared with patients without fatty liver, the severity of pancreatitis and levels of serum C-reactive protein were higher in fatty liver patients. The prevalence of local complications, persistent organ failure, and mortality were also higher in patients with fatty liver. Even after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and cause of pancreatitis, fatty liver was significantly associated with moderately severe or severe acute pancreatitis. Conclusions. Fatty liver may play a prognostic role in acute pancreatitis. Fatty liver could be incorporated into future predictive scoring models.

The optimal effect site concentration of remifentanil for tracheal intubation without muscle relaxant during inhalation anesthetic induction using sevoflurane in adult

BACKGROUND Sevoflurane has been shown to be suitable for inhalation induction of anesthesia in adults. The addition of remifentanil during sevoflurane induction allows for rapid and smooth tracheal intubation without muscle relaxant. The high concentration of remifentanil can result in improved conditions for tracheal intubation but also caused a cardiovascular instability. We tried to estimate optimal effect site concentration of remifentanil for tracheal intubation without muscle relaxants during inhalation anesthetic induction with 8 vol% sevoflurane and 50% N2O. METHODS One hundred five ASA I and II patients were randomly allocated to receive an effect site concentration of remifentanil 2, 4, or 6 ng/ml. Trachea was intubated without muscle relaxant after 3 minutes of inhalation induction with 8 vol% sevoflurane and 50% N2O. The intubating conditions for tracheal intubation were assessed and blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at the baseline, before intubation, just after intubation, 1, and 3 minute after intubation. RESULTS Tracheal intubation was successful in all patients. Clinically acceptable intubation conditions were 60%, 94%, and 100% in 2 ng/ml, 4 ng/ml, and 6 ng/ml group respectively. However, the number of patient who requested rescue medication for bradycardia in 6 ng/ml group was significantly higher than that in the other group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We concluded that 4 ng/ml effect site concentration of remifentanil is adequate concentration for tracheal intubation without muscle relaxants during inhalation induction using sevoflurane.