No abstract available.
Blood Flow Velocity* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn*

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects various organs. SLE patients have an increased risk of infection compared to the general population. Immunosuppressive agents commonly used in SLE increase the risk of infection. Vaccination is a good way to reduce the risk of infection. However, some SLE patients are concerned that vaccination may worsen lupus disease activity or cause side effects. The latest SLE patient vaccination data were reviewed in this study, which focused on the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of influenza, pneumococcal, tetanus, hepatitis A, herpes zoster, and human papillomavirus vaccines. Korean immunization recommendations were also compared to those of other countries.

Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) are autoantibodies against nuclear substances or other cellular components. ANA tests are used in the diagnostic process to screen patients with suspected rheumatic or autoimmune diseases. ANA-associated diseases are characterized by a high titer of antinuclear antibodies and include systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue diseases. ANA test results must be cautiously interpreted as they can be positive not only in infections and oncological diseases but also for the healthy general population. The ANA test mainly uses the indirect immunofluorescence test, and the results are expressed in terms of the final titer and pattern. The ANA test can increase diagnostic value when used in conjunction with the evaluation of disease-related clinical symptoms.

Gout is a common disease that is mainly caused by hyperuricemia. Although it is relatively easy to treat, adherence to drug treatment and the rate at which treatment targets are met is low.Current Concepts: For the treatment of acute gout attack, colchicine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and glucocorticoids can be used alone or in combination depending on the severity of symptoms. To prevent gout attacks, patients are started on colchicine prior to or concurrent with treatment with uric acid–lowering drugs. The treatment is maintained until serum uric acid levels have returned to normal, and the patient has had no acute attacks for three to six months. Ultimately, the symptoms of gout are controlled in the long term by treating the patient’s hyperuricemia. For this purpose, allopurinol, febuxostat, and benzbromarone are used, and the side effects and contraindications for each drug should be checked. The goal for the treatment of chronic gout is to maintain a serum uric acid concentration below 6.0 mg/dL.Discussion and Conclusion: Patients visit the emergency departments of hospitals for sudden gout attacks. However, gout is a chronic disease that requires the lifelong use of uric acid–lowering agents. Therefore, it is necessary to educate patients on a serum urate-based treat-to-target approach.

Glucocorticoids are effective for many inflammatory diseases, but long-term use can lead to osteoporosis and resulting fractures. An initial evaluation of fracture risk should be done within six months of starting glucocorticoid use, and fracture risk should be evaluated every 12 months after long-term use. Adequate calcium and vitamin D administration are required when taking 2.5 mg prednisolone daily for more than three months. Bisphosphonates, teriparatide, and denosumab can be used when there is a moderate or higher fracture risk due to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) are autoantibodies against nuclear substances or other cellular components. ANA tests are used in the diagnostic process to screen patients with suspected rheumatic or autoimmune diseases. ANA-associated diseases are characterized by a high titer of antinuclear antibodies and include systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue diseases. ANA test results must be cautiously interpreted as they can be positive not only in infections and oncological diseases but also for the healthy general population. The ANA test mainly uses the indirect immunofluorescence test, and the results are expressed in terms of the final titer and pattern. The ANA test can increase diagnostic value when used in conjunction with the evaluation of disease-related clinical symptoms.

Drug-induced thrombocytopenia and purpura have boon developed by many various agents. Rifampin and Pyrazinamide have been known as bactericidal antituberculous drugs, but, the above side effects have been a problem. Especially, hematologic side effects art fatal to patients occasionally. Rifampin-induced thrombocytopenia and purpura have been well known, also, pyrazinamide-induced thrombocytopenia have been reported. A new quilonone agent Ciprofloxacin, has been commonly used in clinics now, but it's side effects are not known well. So, we report a case of a 23-year-old female with thrombocytopenia and purpura after taking Rifampin, Pyrazinamide, and Ciprofloxacin as antituberculous agents.
Ciprofloxacin* ; Female ; Humans ; Purpura* ; Pyrazinamide* ; Rifampin ; Thrombocytopenia* ; Young Adult

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective radiologic study. OBJECTIVES: We wanted to compare the compression ratio and kyphosis of thoracolumbar and lumbar fractures according to the radiologic measuring methods and we wanted to analyze their relationship with the stability of fracture. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: There are several methods for measuring the compression ratio and kyphotic angle in thoracolumbar fractures, but no definitive measurements and no different values according to the stability have been established. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2002 to August 2008, the plain films, CT, MRI and medical records of thoracolumbar and lumbar fracture were reviewed. The compression ratio and kyphotic angle were calculated by several different formulas with using the lateral view of the plain X-ray film, the sagittal reconstruction image of CT and the sagittal image of MRI and the results were compared. Each subject was classified according to both McAfee's classification and the TLISS classification. RESULTS: Two hundred forty eight vertebral bodies of 205 thoracolumbar fracture patients were analyzed. The compression ratio according to formula 1, which was calculated as 1-anterior vertebral height/posterior vertebral height, was significantly correlated with Cobb's angle and the local kyphotic angle. There was no significant difference between the Cobb's angle calculated using the lateral X-ray and that using the sagittal view of CT; however, it was significantly less using the sagittal MRI view. The unstable fractures according to McAfee's classification showed a significantly higher compression ratio and kyphotic angle compared to those of the stable fractures. CONCLUSIONS: The compression ratio formula 1 was most significantly correlated with the kyphotic deformity. The unstable fractures showed a mean compression ratio higher than 30%, a mean Cobb's angle of 15degrees and local kyphotic angle of 18degrees. The sagittally reconstructed CT was a useful measuring method for the evaluation of kyphotic deformity, and it was more accurate than that of the plain film.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; X-Ray Film

Cellular schwannoma is a variant of schwannoma, and is diagnosed as malignant tumor in over one fourth of cases because of its cellularity, mitotic activity and the occasional presence of bone destruction. This tumor is a tumor with low malignant potential and usually occurs in peripheral nervous system, mainly in the posterior mediastinum and retroperitoneal space. But pelvic retroperitoneal cellular schwannoma is very rare. Recently, we experienced a case of pelvic retroperitoneal cellular schwannoma in a 42-year-old woman; in reporting the case a brief review of the literature is included.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Mediastinum ; Neurilemmoma* ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Retroperitoneal Space

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) includes a broad spectrum of neurologic and psychiatric manifestations. One of the most commonly observed neuropsychiatric symptoms is headache. However, the lack of specific clinical distinctions for headache in SLE has made it difficult to elucidate its pathophysiology. The aim of this study is to evaluate the neurometabolic changes using Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in patients with SLE who suffer from chronic daily headache (CDH). METHODS: SLE and fibromyalgia patients with CDH and healthy controls were recruited (n = 9, n = 5, and n = 6, respectively). 1H-MRS metabolite ratios were evaluated in bilateral basal ganglia (BG) and bilateral peritrigonal white matter (PWM). RESULTS: 1H-MRS showed a significantly decreased N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/creatine (Cr) ratio in right BG in SLE patients with CDH compared to fibromyalgia patients with CDH and normal controls (p = 0.029 and p = 0.020, respectively). Left PWM NAA/Cr and choline/Cr ratios in SLE patients with CDH were lower than those in fibromyalgia patients with CDH (p = 0.019 and p = 0.029, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the possibility that CDH in patients with SLE might be associated with neuronal dysfunction and neurometabolic changes.
Basal Ganglia ; Fibromyalgia* ; Headache ; Headache Disorders* ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Lupus Vasculitis, Central Nervous System ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy* ; Neurons ; Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; White Matter