Renal vein thrombosis is usually a complication of multiple underlying renal disease rather than primary process. High incidence of renal vein thrombosis in patients with nephritic syndrome, which suggest the nephrotic syndrome play a paramount role in the genesis of renal vein thrombosis or thromboembolic phenomena. But these are likely to relationship of “egg and chicken”, and then we cannot determine what is primary of these. Recently authors experienced a case that was questioned renal vein thrombosis with nephrotic-syndrome clinically, laboratory and preliminary radiologically, and this case in confirmed by selective left renal venography. Here we report a case of renal vein thrombosis with nephrotic syndrome which successfully managed with oral anticoagulants and reviewed literatures.
Anticoagulants ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Phlebography ; Renal Veins* ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, life threatening infection of kidney and the pennephric space, characterized by the production of gas within the renal parenchyma. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical and radiologic characteristics of emphysematous pyelonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 7 cases of the emphysematous pyelonephritis. Six patients had plain abdominal radiographs, ultrasonograms and abdominal CT scans. Only one patient had plain radiograph and ultrasonogram. In 5 operated cases, CT findings were compared with surgical records. RESULTS: Plain radiographs showed characteristic diffuse mottling of gas in renal fossa. On sonogram, intrarenal gas was identified as echogenic loci with dirty shadows. CT scan showed inflammatory mass with gas and fluid levels in adjacent to the kidney. CT findings corresponded relatively wall with the surgical findings in regard to disease extent. CONCLUSION: lntrarenal gas in appropriate clinical setting is highly specific for emphysematous pyelonephritis. CT is the most sensitive method for demonstrating the disease extent as well as specific diagnosis.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney ; Pyelonephritis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare, life threatening infection of kidney and the pennephric space, characterized by the production of gas within the renal parenchyma. The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical and radiologic characteristics of emphysematous pyelonephritis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 7 cases of the emphysematous pyelonephritis. Six patients had plain abdominal radiographs, ultrasonograms and abdominal CT scans. Only one patient had plain radiograph and ultrasonogram. In 5 operated cases, CT findings were compared with surgical records. RESULTS: Plain radiographs showed characteristic diffuse mottling of gas in renal fossa. On sonogram, intrarenal gas was identified as echogenic loci with dirty shadows. CT scan showed inflammatory mass with gas and fluid levels in adjacent to the kidney. CT findings corresponded relatively wall with the surgical findings in regard to disease extent. CONCLUSION: lntrarenal gas in appropriate clinical setting is highly specific for emphysematous pyelonephritis. CT is the most sensitive method for demonstrating the disease extent as well as specific diagnosis.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Kidney ; Pyelonephritis* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

Emphysematous cholecystitis is an uncommon condition which may mimic acute cholecystitis. But it differs from acute cholecystitis in its relatively greater frequency in men and diabetics and has graver prognosis. The condition is diagnosed by demonstration of air in lumen,wall of gallbladder and/or pericholecystic space using a variety of radiographic techniques: simple abdominal radiography, ultrasonography and CT scanning. One illustrative case is presented herein and the pertinent literature is reviewed.
Cholecystitis, Acute ; Emphysematous Cholecystitis* ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Male ; Prognosis ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Recently, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become one of the major nosocomial pathogens in Korea. However, there have been few studies on the epidemiology of VRE colonization among neonates. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of VRE colonization, risk factors for VRE, and how to control the spread of VRE infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Pusan National University Hospital (PNUH). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 192 neonates who were admitted to the NICU of PNUH from March 2006 to March 2007. Surveillance cultures from rectal swabs for detecting VRE were obtained weekly during the study period. We analyzed the prevalence of VRE and various risk factors. RESULTS: The rate of VRE colonization among NICU patients was 25% (48/192). Thirty five of these VRE colonized patients were transferred to the NICU from other local hospitals. Compared with the non-VRE group, the risk factors associated with VRE colonization were lower birth weight, congenital heart disease, applied mechanical ventilation, use of a central venous catheter, chest tubing, a history of surgery, and use of antibiotics. CONCLUSION: VRE colonization among patients admitted to the NICU is rapidly increasing. Monitoring and managing premature neonates from the beginning of the birth process, avoiding many invasive procedures, avoiding antibiotics such as vancomycin and third generation cephalosporin are important for preventing the emergence and spread of VRE colonization in the NICU.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Birth Weight ; Central Venous Catheters ; Colon ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Prevalence ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thorax ; Vancomycin ; Vancomycin Resistance

Emphysematous cystitis is a rare condition characterized by gas collection in the wall and lumen of the bladder. We experienced three cases of emphysematous cystiris. All patients were female; one was associated with a long term history of diabetes mellitus and another with urinary indwelling catheter. All of the cases were easily diagnosed on plain radiograph and CT scan, and were successfully treated with antibiotic therapy. In one of the cases, however, associated abscess due to perivesical extension of inflammation was treated by combined external drainage.
Abscess ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Cystitis* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urinary Bladder

The current paper reports on a case of subdural empyema secondary to frontal sinusitis in an otherwise healthy child. Sinusitis is a common and benign condition in most pediatric cases. Because of the widespread use of antibiotics, intracranial extension of pediatric sinusitis is rarely seen today; however, complications (e.g., cavernous sinus thrombosis, orbital infection, meningitis, and subdural empyema) are potentially life threatening. A 15-year-old right-handed male presented with a 3-day history of fever, headache, and left-sided palsy. Computed tomography revealed right-sided subdural empyema with right frontal sinusitis and maxillary sinusitis. A postoperative inpatient neurological consultation was requested 2 months post-surgery due to motor function deficits. The results suggested that early and accurate diagnosis of subdural empyema leads to prompt treatment and a favorable outcome for the patient.
Adolescent ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Brain Abscess ; Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis ; Central Nervous System ; Child* ; Diagnosis ; Empyema, Subdural* ; Fever ; Frontal Sinus ; Frontal Sinusitis ; Headache ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Meningitis ; Orbit ; Paralysis ; Sinusitis*

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia that is characterized by dream-enactment behavior, which can often result in sleep related injury. RBD is strongly associated with neurodegenerative disease especially with alpha-synucleinopathy. More than 70% of the patients convert to neurodegenerative disease including Parkinson’s disease or diffuse Lewy body dementia with a median period of 7.5 years. Treatment for RBD is currently focused on symptomatic treatment to prevent the injury. First step is establishing safe sleep environment to avoid injury. Clonazepam and melatonin are most commonly used medication for symptomatic treatment for RBD, however, well-designed randomized clinical trials are lacking. Prognostic counselling with longitudinal follow-up is also crucial in managing patients with RBD, which should be individualized for each patient with regular systematic follow-up evaluation.

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia that is characterized by dream-enactment behavior, which can often result in sleep related injury. RBD is strongly associated with neurodegenerative disease especially with alpha-synucleinopathy. More than 70% of the patients convert to neurodegenerative disease including Parkinson’s disease or diffuse Lewy body dementia with a median period of 7.5 years. Treatment for RBD is currently focused on symptomatic treatment to prevent the injury. First step is establishing safe sleep environment to avoid injury. Clonazepam and melatonin are most commonly used medication for symptomatic treatment for RBD, however, well-designed randomized clinical trials are lacking. Prognostic counselling with longitudinal follow-up is also crucial in managing patients with RBD, which should be individualized for each patient with regular systematic follow-up evaluation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of CT features of appendiceal mucocele in the diagnosis and evaluation of complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed CT findings and compared with operative findings in 7 cases of pathologically proven appendiceal mucocele. CT findings such as location and extent of the lesion, Issue density, thickness or calcification of the wall, presence of adjacent inflammatory infiltration, and visualization of normal vermiform appendix were analyzed. RESULTS: Appendiceal mucocele was found as homogeneous low density cystic mass adjacent to the cecum, which has no surrounding inflammatory infiltration except in one case of perforation and one case of intussusception. Mean CT number measured in 4 cases was 21 Hounsfield unit. Thin curvilinear calcifications were noted along the cystic wall in 2 cases. Normal vermiform appendix couldn't be demonstrated in all cases. CONCLUSION: Appendiceal mucocele is characterized by homogeneously low density and thin walled cystic tumor adjacent to cecum without surrounding inflammatory infiltration, and absence of normal vermiform appendix on CT. Therefore, CT is valuable in preventing operative complications of appendiceal mucocele.
Appendix ; Cecum ; Diagnosis ; Intussusception ; Mucocele* ; Retrospective Studies