No abstract available.
Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia* ; Scrub Typhus*

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystemic disease that can affect most organ system, although gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations are relatively uncommon. Protein losing enteropathy (PLE) is associated with several clinical disorders, but it is an unusual manifestation of SLE. Of over 20 reported cases of PLE associated with SLE, the pathogenesis of lupus associated PLE remains unclear. We describe a patient with edema, diarrhea, abdomianl pain, and hypoalbuminemia who had been diagnosed SLE. PLE was diagnosed by the method of alpha1-antitrypsin clearance in stool.
Diarrhea ; Edema ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Protein-Losing Enteropathies*

Nephrotic syndrome is associated with a hypercoagulable state, which results in thromboembolism as one of its main complications. Various pathogenetic factors that cause the hypercoagulable state in nephrotic syndrome have been recognized. We report on a 19-year-old female with a minimal-change disease who developed pulmonary thromboembolism combined with intracardiac thrombus while on tapering steroid. Our patient showed hypoalbuminemia with an episode of shock, and was successfully treated with thrombolysis and anticoagulation therapy.
Female ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Shock ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombosis* ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ascites is a fairly common condition, but the clinical features of pseudomembranous colitis with ascites are not well-known. The aim of this study was to determine how the existence of ascites is related to the clinical factors. METHODS: Between March 2002 and June 2006, 67 pseudomembranous colits patients were diagnosed by performing lower endoscopy and biopsy. The patients' ascites was identified by abdominal plain radiography, ultrasonography or computerized tomography. The extension of colitis was evaluated by ultrasonography or computerized tomography. RESULTS: 16 patients (23.9%) had ascites. The serum WBC (p=0.01), hypoalbuminemia (p<0.01), CRP (p<0.01), recurrence (p<0.01), and extension of colitis (p<0.01) were associated with the existence of ascites. The four patients who had undergone paracentesis had a low SAAG level and PMN dominant ascites. CONCLUSIONS: There were correlations of ascities with leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, CRP, extension of colitis and recurrence of PMC.
Ascites* ; Biopsy ; Colitis ; Endoscopy ; Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous* ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Leukocytosis ; Paracentesis ; Radiography ; Recurrence ; Ultrasonography

Protein energy malnutrition occurs when inadequate protein and calories are ingested. PEM is not confined to children and is common in hospitalized patients. PEM is diagnosed by a weight loss and hypoalbuminemia. We report a case of PEM in a 27-year-old man after Whipple's operation. He had brittle hair, loss on the scalp and brownish colored papules with desquamation on extremities. Also he had erosion and fissuring on the perioral area and beef tongue. Treatment with zinc sulfate, albumin and vitamin resulted in a good response.
Adult ; Child ; Extremities ; Hair ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Protein-Energy Malnutrition* ; Scalp ; Tongue ; Vitamins ; Weight Loss ; Zinc Sulfate

We reviewed 15 cases of necrotizing fascitis of the male genitalia. The clinical courses could be divided into two different types. In about one half of the patients the symptoms and signs progressed slowly within 122 weeks and in the remained they progressed rapidly. In the former, the prodromal signs were noted, usually low abdominal and inguinal pain. In 8 of fifteen patients, the locations of infectious focus were difficult to determine. The diagnosis were made after the development of scrotal necrosis in all of the cases. There were no differences in the causative pathogens comparing to 1hose of previous reports. The common underlying diseases were liver cirrhosis and diabetes. Hypoalbuminemia and leukocytosis were found in all. Of course, the strategy of treatment is same between two types, we would like to propose to use the term Fourier`s gangrene, a specific form of necrotizing fascitis, only to whose clinical course in acute and the location of primary infecious foci are obscure.
Diagnosis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Gangrene ; Genitalia, Male* ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Leukocytosis ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Male* ; Necrosis ; Prodromal Symptoms

We reviewed 15 cases of necrotizing fascitis of the male genitalia. The clinical courses could be divided into two different types. In about one half of the patients the symptoms and signs progressed slowly within 122 weeks and in the remained they progressed rapidly. In the former, the prodromal signs were noted, usually low abdominal and inguinal pain. In 8 of fifteen patients, the locations of infectious focus were difficult to determine. The diagnosis were made after the development of scrotal necrosis in all of the cases. There were no differences in the causative pathogens comparing to 1hose of previous reports. The common underlying diseases were liver cirrhosis and diabetes. Hypoalbuminemia and leukocytosis were found in all. Of course, the strategy of treatment is same between two types, we would like to propose to use the term Fourier`s gangrene, a specific form of necrotizing fascitis, only to whose clinical course in acute and the location of primary infecious foci are obscure.
Diagnosis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Gangrene ; Genitalia, Male* ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Leukocytosis ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Male* ; Necrosis ; Prodromal Symptoms

The causes of hypocalcemia in patients suffering from severe infection including sepsis are largely uncertain. So we measured serum albumin, total protein, cholesterol, PTH, and calcitonin of the infection-associated hypocalcemic children and compared with those of normocalcemic children suffering from tsutsugamushi disease. All had normal renal functions and had been admitted to the department of pediatrics of Gyeongsang National University Hospital. Hypocalcemic patients were hypoalbuminemic. Serum total calcium was inappropriately more decreased compared to the decreased amount of serum albumin in the hypocalcemic group. We also observed more frequent incidence of hypocholesterolemia (<100mg/dL) in this group. And serum PTH was appropriately elevated in the hypocalcemic patients. Serum calcitonin was elevated in both groups, but 6 times higher in the hypocalcemic group than in the normocalcemic one. Serum total calcium was positively correlated with serum albumin and negatively correlated with serum PTH and calcitonin.
Calcitonin ; Calcium ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Hypocalcemia* ; Incidence ; Pediatrics ; Scrub Typhus ; Sepsis ; Serum Albumin

We report the case of a 4 year-old boy with Menetrier's disease, who was presented with edema and hypoalbuminemia. Gastroduodenal endoscopy showed the characteristic features of giant hypertrophy of the gastric rugae and large quantities of adherent gelatinous material. Histologic findings revealed foveolar hyperplasia. The presence of CMV infection was identified by serology. His symptoms resolved spontaneously, and he has fared well.
Child, Preschool ; Cytomegalovirus Infections* ; Cytomegalovirus* ; Edema ; Endoscopy ; Gastritis, Hypertrophic* ; Gelatin ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Hypertrophy ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Male

Pregnancy is rarely encountered in women with liver cirrhosis, but can occur in all forms of liver cirrhosis. The amount of data regarding pregnancy in cirrhotic patients is not great and thus no clear-cut guidelines for management can be outlined. Another interesting point of pregnancy in liver cirrhosis would be how pregnancy affects liver function in cirrhotic patients. In Korea, only 6 pregnancies in 5 patients have been reported. Recently, we experienced a case of pregnancy in a patient with liver cirrhosis. A 36 year-old, primigravida woman presented at 23 weeks of gestation. B-viral liver cirrhosis was diagnosed 2 months earlier when she had developed generalized edema and ascites. We observed a recovery of hyperbilirubinemia and hypoalbuminemia after a therapeutic termination of pregnancy. This case may illustrate that pregnancy can deteriorate liver function in some patients with liver cirrhosis. We report this case with an analysis of the reported cases in Korea.
Adult ; Ascites ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Korea* ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Pregnancy*