We report a case of subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Exophiala(E,) jeanselmei in a 66-year-old female, who showed a mild tender, 4.5x3.5cm sized, erythematous cystic mass with satellite lesions on the left forearm for 4 months. Histopathologically, suppurative granulomatous inflammation, brownish conidia in a chain and hyphae were observed. Fungal culture grew out the typical black-gray velvety colonies of E. jeanselmei after 2 weeks. The isolate grow well at 25 C, but very poorly at 37 C. No growth could be observed at 40 C. Sporulation adequate for evaluation was present on the malt extract agar. We confirmed E. jeanselmei by colony and microscopic morphology, temperature tolerance and sugar assimilation tests. The patient had been treated with itraconazole for 6 momths. Complete remission was observed.
Agar ; Aged ; Exophiala* ; Female ; Forearm ; Humans ; Hyphae ; Inflammation ; Itraconazole ; Phaeohyphomycosis* ; Spores, Fungal

BACKGROUND: To this date, efforts to develop effective methods for the education of diabetic patients have been limited. The important goal of self-management and weight control for diabetic treatment can not be attained without long and intensive period of education. This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of an intensive educational program, of behavior and diet control, which was carried out on subjects with type 2 diabetes, on an out-patient basis. We compared the effectiveness of an intensive education programme with that of a conventional education programme for the self-management of type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: Subjects with type 2 diabetes were randomly selected, and allocated to one of two groups. One group received a conventional education programme of self-management(the CE group), and the second group received an intensive education programmes for three months, after which the effectiveness of the programmes were evaluated. RESULTS: 1) The levels of fasting blood sugar(FBS), postprandial 2 hour blood sugar(PP2h) and HbA1c were significantly lowered in both groups following the intervention(p<0.05). In the IE group, the FBS declined from 12.4nmol/L to 7.7nmol/L, PP2h declined from 20.3nmol/L to 10.9nmol/L, and the HbA1c showed a similar decline from 9.4 to 7.0% after intervention(p<0.05). In the CE group, the FBS declined from 10.9 to 9.4nmol/l, the PP2h decreased from 17.1 to 14.6 nmol/l, and the HbA1c also decreased from 8.5 to 7.3% after intervention(p<0.05). The decrease in the FBS and HbA1c following the educational intervention was more pronounced in the IE group than the CE group (p<0.05). 2) The effectiveness of the education programmes in promoting appropriate dietary behavior in the diabetic subjects was assessed by a scoring system in three parts: a regularity score, a balance score and an attitude score. From a comparative study of the three scores, the patients attitudes were observed to be much improved in both the groups following the intervention compared to before the programmes, but the balance and total scores were significantly higher in the IE group than the CE group(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the intensive diabetic education programme is more effective than a conventional programme, not only in improving the patients' levels of glucose, HbAlc, and dietary score, but also the diabetic patients self-control abilities, promoting behavioral change, and prompting problem solving capabilities in respect to the everyday problems that they have to face throughout their lives.
Diet ; Education* ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Problem Solving ; Self Care

It is difficult to distinguish nodular fasciitis (NF) from other neoplasm of the parotid gland, especially pleomorphic adenoma (PA) by fine needle aspiration cytology. A 39-year-old female noticed a mass in the parotid region. The aspirate material showed cohesive parts composed of the cells that had oval or spindle-shaped nuclei and relatively abundant cytoplasm and some cells with plasmacytoid features. The background substance was fibromyxoid. PA was diagnosed based on the cytologic findings. Subsequently, parotidectomy was performed and NF was diagnosed based on histologic and immunohistochemical findings. NF in the parotid region is rare and may be misdiagnosed as other benign or malignant tumors of the parotid gland. The clinical history of rapid growth and the presence of mitoses and inflammatory cells help to distinguish NF from PA. In addition, immunohistochemical stains for smooth muscle actin and CD68 are useful to confirm the diagnosis of NF.
Actins ; Adenoma, Pleomorphic* ; Adult ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Coloring Agents ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis ; Fasciitis* ; Female ; Humans ; Mitosis ; Muscle, Smooth ; Parotid Gland* ; Parotid Region

Changes of serum electrolytes in patients with hyperthyroidism are often disregarded. Hypercalcemia has been reported in 17% to 50% of patients with hyperthyroidism. However, severe and symptomatic hypercalcemia is rare among patients with hyperthyroidism. We report a rare case of symptomatic hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia in a 31-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. He visited our hospital with nausea, vomiting, and tremor. Thyroid function test showed severe thyrotoxicosis and serum calcium and phosphorus were elevated but parathyroid hormone was low, excluding primary hyperparathyroidism as the cause of hypercalcemia. Saline hydration with diuretics to lower serum calcium and antithyroid medication with lugol solution were administered for six days. But symptoms persisted and he was treated with intravenous pamidronate. Symptoms were relieved after resolution of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. The case suggests that severe and symptomatic hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia can complicate hyperthyroidism and early correction of hypercalcemia can relieve symptoms.
Adult ; Calcium ; Diuretics ; Electrolytes ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia* ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary ; Hyperphosphatemia* ; Hyperthyroidism* ; Male ; Nausea ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Phosphorus ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyrotoxicosis ; Tremor ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of quantitative analysis of the degree of enhancement in dynamic MRimaging used to differentiate dysplastic nodule (DN) from small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), both of which showhigh signal intensity on T1-weighted images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 26 small HCCs and 71 DNs, all of whichshowed homogeneous high signal intensity on T1-weighted images among 42 patients with liver cirrhosis, weselected 16 small HCCs and 10 DNs of more than 1cm in diameter which were diagnosed by biopsy and follow-up imaging. Dynamic MR imaging of the entire liver was obtained using the breath-hold technique at postinjection 10sec. (phase 1), 35 sec. (phase 2), 60 sec. (phase 3), and 5 min. (delayed) after intravenous manual injection ofGd-DTPA (0.1 mmol/kg) at a velocity of 3-4 cc/sec. Nodule-to-liver contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) during eachphase were calculated by measurement of the region of interest. RESULTS: On precontrast T1-weighted images, themean CNR of small HCCs was 2.873, and that of DNs was 3.854, there was thus no significant statistical difference(p>0.01). On postcontrast images, the CNR of small HCCs during each phase was 5.565, 3.790, 1.704, and 1.282, withpeak CNR phase 1 and a mostly decreasing trend thereafter. However, the CNR of DNs during each phase was 3.053,1.561, 0.919, and 1.038 ; there was thus showed no significant increase during phase 1 in comparison with the CNRsseen on precontrast images. During the precontrast stage and phase 1, the average difference in CNR was 2.691 forsmall HCCs and 0.801 for DNs the difference was thus significant (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Quantitative analysis ofCNR, reflecting the degree of nodule-to-liver enhancement in dynamic MR imaging, was found to be useful for thedifferentiation of small HCCs from DNs, both of which show high signal intensity on T1-weighted images.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

A rare primary segmental omental infarction in an adult. Infarction of a part of the greater omentum has been recognized as an uncommon condition that may mimic other acute abdominal conditions, particularly acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis. The presentation and course are seldom typical of appendicitis or cholecystitis. A greater omental infarction may occur without a recognizable cause, and may be termed "primary" (idiopathic), but in some cases, a cause is discovered, such as; mechanical interference with the blood supply to the omentum secondary to torsion, or systemic disorders such as cardiac, vascular, and hematological disease. The inflammatory necrotic mass resulting from the infarction produces somatic pain at its location in the abdomen. For unknown reasons the infarction occurs most commonly in the right half of the abdomen, especially the lower quadrant. An sign of peritoneal irritation, tenderness, and muscle guarding are the principal findings elicited on palpitation of the abdomen. Occasionally, a point of exquisite tenderness may be detected; this usually corresponds to the site of the infarction. Recognizing the typical imaging featuresan ovoid or cake-like mass in the omental fat with surrouding inflammatory changesof this condition is important, as most cases can be managed without surgery. We report a case of an adult patient with acute abdominal pain who was diagnosed with a right-sided segmental omental infarction.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Pain ; Adult* ; Appendicitis ; Cholecystitis ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Hematologic Diseases ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Nociceptive Pain ; Omentum

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pregnancy outcomes after placental needle penetration during midtrimester diagnostic amniocentesis. METHODS: We collected 726 singleton pregnancy cases from 1054 pregnancies of midtrime-ster diagnostic amniocentesis, and analysed pregnancy outcomes after the procedure based on medical records. To compare the outcomes, we divided 726 cases into two groups; placental penetration group by aspiration needle(170 cases) and non-penetration group(556 cases). RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between two groups about maternal age and gestational age at the time of procedure, and the distribution of amniocentesis indication. In comparison of complications between two groups after procedure, a. There was no statistically significant difference in amniotic fluid leakage: in penetration group, 1 case (0.58%) and in non-penetration group, 5 cases(0.89%) were observed. b. There was no statistically significant difference in vaginal bleeding: in penetration group, 2 cases (1.18%) and in non-penetration group, 3 cases(0.54%) were observed. c. There was no statistically significant difference in developing abruptio placentae: in penetration group, no case developed and in non-penetration group, one case(0.18%) was observed. d. As for fetal loss, there was no statistically significant difference : in penetration group, 4 cases (2.35%) and in non-penetration group, 10 cases(1.80%) were occurred. e. As for birth weight, there was no statistically significant difference : in penetration group, 3.26+/-0.8 kg and in non-penetration group, 3.21+/-0.9 kg were measured. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that placental penetration by aspiration needle during diagnostic mid-trimester amniocentesis does not increase the risk of post-procedure complication.
Abruptio Placentae ; Amniocentesis* ; Amniotic Fluid ; Birth Weight ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Maternal Age ; Medical Records ; Needles* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Uterine Hemorrhage

Objective: To assess the two-year treatment outcomes of chemoembolization with drug-eluting embolics (DEE) for nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective, multicenter, registry-based, single-arm trial conducted at five university hospitals in Korea. Patients were recruited between May 2011 and April 2013, with a target population of 200. A DC Bead loaded with doxorubicin was used as the DEE agent. Patients were followed up for two years. Per-patient and perlesion tumor response analysis, per-patient overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) analysis, and per-lesion tumor control analysis were performed. Results: The final study population included 152 patients, with 207 target lesions for the per-lesion analysis. At one-month, six-month, one-year, and two-year per-patient assessments, complete response (CR) rates were 40.1%, 43.0%, 33.3%, and 19.6%, respectively. The objective response (OR) rates were 91.4%, 55.4%, 35.1%, and 19.6%, respectively. The cumulative two-year OS rate was 79.7%. The cumulative two-year PFS rate was 22.4% and the median survival was 9.3 months. In multivariable analysis, the Child-Pugh score (p = 0.019) was an independent predictor of OS, and tumor multiplicity (p < 0.001), tumor size (p = 0.020), and Child-Pugh score (p = 0.006) were independent predictors of PFS. In per-lesion analysis, one-month, six-month, one-year and two-year CR rates were 57.5%, 58.5%, 45.2%, and 33.3%, respectively, and the OR rates were 84.1%, 65.2%, 46.6%, and 33.3%, respectively. The cumulative two-year per-lesion tumor control rate was 36.2%, and the median time was 14.1 months. The Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001) was the only independent predictor of tumor control. Serious adverse events were reported in 11 patients (7.2%). Conclusion DEE chemoembolization for nodular HCCs in the Korean population showed acceptable survival, tumor response, and safety profiles after a two-year follow-up. Good liver function (Child-Pugh score A5) was a key predictor of per-patient OS, PFS, and per-lesion tumor control.

Objective: To assess the two-year treatment outcomes of chemoembolization with drug-eluting embolics (DEE) for nodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective, multicenter, registry-based, single-arm trial conducted at five university hospitals in Korea. Patients were recruited between May 2011 and April 2013, with a target population of 200. A DC Bead loaded with doxorubicin was used as the DEE agent. Patients were followed up for two years. Per-patient and perlesion tumor response analysis, per-patient overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) analysis, and per-lesion tumor control analysis were performed. Results: The final study population included 152 patients, with 207 target lesions for the per-lesion analysis. At one-month, six-month, one-year, and two-year per-patient assessments, complete response (CR) rates were 40.1%, 43.0%, 33.3%, and 19.6%, respectively. The objective response (OR) rates were 91.4%, 55.4%, 35.1%, and 19.6%, respectively. The cumulative two-year OS rate was 79.7%. The cumulative two-year PFS rate was 22.4% and the median survival was 9.3 months. In multivariable analysis, the Child-Pugh score (p = 0.019) was an independent predictor of OS, and tumor multiplicity (p < 0.001), tumor size (p = 0.020), and Child-Pugh score (p = 0.006) were independent predictors of PFS. In per-lesion analysis, one-month, six-month, one-year and two-year CR rates were 57.5%, 58.5%, 45.2%, and 33.3%, respectively, and the OR rates were 84.1%, 65.2%, 46.6%, and 33.3%, respectively. The cumulative two-year per-lesion tumor control rate was 36.2%, and the median time was 14.1 months. The Child-Pugh score (p < 0.001) was the only independent predictor of tumor control. Serious adverse events were reported in 11 patients (7.2%). Conclusion DEE chemoembolization for nodular HCCs in the Korean population showed acceptable survival, tumor response, and safety profiles after a two-year follow-up. Good liver function (Child-Pugh score A5) was a key predictor of per-patient OS, PFS, and per-lesion tumor control.

We report the rare case of an adult who was diagnosed with recurrent multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) involving the pituitary stalk and lung who present with central diabetes insipidus and was successfully treated with systemic steroids and chemotherapy. A 49-year-old man visited our hospital due to symptoms of polydipsia and polyuria that started 1 month prior. Two years prior to presentation, he underwent excision of right 6th and 7th rib lesions for the osteolytic lesion and chest pain, which were later confirmed to be LCH on pathology. After admission, the water deprivation test was done and the result indicated that he had central diabetes insipidus. Sella magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass on the pituitary stalk with loss of normal bright spot at the posterior lobe of the pituitary. Multiple patchy infiltrations were detected in both lung fields by computed tomography (CT). He was diagnosed with recurrent LCH and was subsequently treated with inhaled desmopressin, systemic steroids, vinblastine, and mercaptopurine. The pituitary mass disappeared after two months and both lungs were clear on chest CT after 11 months. Although clinical remission in multisystem LCH in adults is reportedly rare, our case of adult-onset multisystem LCH was treated successfully with systemic chemotherapy using prednisolone, vinblastine, and 6-mercaptopurine, which was well tolerated.
6-Mercaptopurine ; Adult* ; Chest Pain ; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin ; Diabetes Insipidus ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic* ; Drug Therapy* ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Lung ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Pathology ; Pituitary Gland ; Polydipsia ; Polyuria ; Prednisolone ; Ribs ; Steroids ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vinblastine ; Water Deprivation