The chest X-ray findings of 20 cases of pulmonary opportunistic infections were analyzed according tocausative agents. The results we as follows; 1. Final diagnoses of 20 cases of opportunistic infections weretuberculosis in 6 cases, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in 5 cases, bacterial infection in 7 cases, and fungalinfection in 2 cases. 2. The underlying diseases were leukemia in 6 cases, kidney transplantation in 6 cases,lymphoma in 3 cases, nephrotic syndrome in 1 case, nasopharyngeal cancer in 1 case, multiple myeloma in 1 case,agranulocytosis in 1 case, and hypogammaglobulinemia in 1 case. 3. In tuberculosis, all the 6 cases showed severemanifestations such as miliary tuberculosis, tuberculous pneumonia, moderately advanced tuberculosis andtuberculous pericarditis. 4. In pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, the most frequent findings were bilateral alveolardensities and peripheral field of the lung was saved in most cases. 5. In 2 cases of fungal infections bilatarealmultiple cavitary nodules were noted. 6. In cases of bacterial infection there were more cases of gram negativeinfection than gram positive and 2 cases of pseudomonas revealed bilateral multiple cavitary nodules.
Agammaglobulinemia ; Bacterial Infections ; Diagnosis ; Kidney Transplantation ; Leukemia ; Lung ; Multiple Myeloma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Nephrotic Syndrome ; Opportunistic Infections ; Pericarditis ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; Pseudomonas ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Miliary

INTRODUCTION: To prevent hemodialysis-related infections, it is important to maintain hemodialysis system without microbial contamination. In May 2003, routine surveillance showed that dialysis water from dialysis port was contaminated with bacteria. To identify the causes of the contamination, we conducted an investigation as follows. METHODS: Patients undergoing dialysis were carefully monitored to see whether evidences of pyrogenic reactions or infections were present. Factors that could have influence on bacterial contamination in hemodialysis systems were thoroughly examined. In addition, microbiologic surveillances were done 7 times in 1 month. RESULTS: Although pyrogenic reactions or bacteremia did not occur, R. pickettii was repeatedly isolated above the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) standards from almost all dialysis units. Bacterial counts of specimens were higher in the proximal part of the water supply tube than the other parts in all dialysis machines. The colony count of R. pickettii exceeded the maximum level of technical limit in the specimens collected from the dialysis machines in the early morning after intermission of 48 hours. The structure of the supply tube was suspected as the origin of the colonization because stagnant water is a reservoir for bacterial multiplication. After remodeling the structure of the water supply tube, neither R. pickettii nor any other bacteria were isolated. CONCLUSION: Our investigation successfully identified the source of R. pickettii contamination of reverse osmosis water. Appropriate corrective measures for water distribution systems of hemodialysis center could prevent outbreak of dialysis-associated illnesses.
Bacteremia ; Bacteria ; Bacterial Load ; Colon ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Osmosis ; Ralstonia ; Ralstonia pickettii ; Renal Dialysis ; Water ; Water Supply

Long QT syndrome is a cardiac disorder of repolarization which is characterized by elctrocardiographic abnormalities including prolonged QT interval, T-wave abnormalities and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia known as Torsades de Pointes. Its clinical manifestation are recurrent syncope, seizure, and sudden death. Recently,we experienced Torsades de Pointes(TdP) by head-up tilt test in 24 year-old female patient presenting recurrent syncope and long QT interval. Beta-blocker and left cervicothoracic sympathetic ganglionectomy were not effictive, then we tried mexiletine. After mexiletine medication, the QT interval was significantly shortened and there was no more syncope.
Death, Sudden ; Female ; Ganglionectomy ; Humans ; Long QT Syndrome* ; Mexiletine ; Seizures ; Syncope ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Torsades de Pointes* ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Intravenous anesthetics such as propofol and ketamine have been known to have neuroprotective effects. However, the combination of these drug is not known. This study was conducted to determine the neuroprotective effects of propofol, ketamine or both after transient forebrain ischemia. METHODS: Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 gm) were used. Anesthesia was induced with 4% isoflurane in oxygen and then maintained with 1 - 2% isoflurane in oxygen. Ischemic injury was induced by 10 minutes of both common carotid artery ligation and hypotension (MAP < 50 mmHg). All rats were randomly divided into four groups: group I; control group; group II; ketamine 10 mg/kg was administered 10 minutes before injury; group III; propofol (1 mg/kg/min) was administered until EEG isoelectricity; and group IV; ketamine 10 mg/kg and propofol 1 mg/kg/min was administered. The Rectal temperature was maintained at 38oC. After forebrain ischemia, neurologic scores were estimated at 1 hr, 2 hrs, 1 day and 2 days after recovery. The brain was removed 3 days after and stained with H-E stain. RESULTS: Neurologic and histologic scores of group II, III, IV were significantly lower than that of group I. However, there were no significant difference between group II, III and IV. CONCLUSIONS: Ketamine and propofol have neuroprotective effects in transient forebrain ischemia in rats. However, the combination of propofol and ketamine did not show any synergistic or additive effects.
Anesthesia ; Anesthetics, Intravenous ; Animals ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Electroencephalography ; Hypotension ; Ischemia* ; Isoflurane ; Ketamine* ; Ligation ; Neuroprotective Agents* ; Oxygen ; Propofol* ; Prosencephalon* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Background: We compared the effects of palonosetron with ondansetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during the first 24 h after surgery in women receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with fentanyl for pain control. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, 204 healthy patients who were undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled. In the palonosetron group (n = 102), 0.075 mg bolus was given intravenously (i.v.) 30 min before the end of surgery and 8 ml saline was added to the IV-PCA. In the ondansetron group (n = 102), 8 mg bolus i.v. was given 30 min before the end of surgery and 16 mg of ondansetron was added to the IV-PCA. The incidence of PONV, severity of nausea, and use of rescue anti-emetics were evaluated 6 and 24 h after the operation. Results: The incidences of nausea (55.6%) and vomiting (14.1%) in the palonosetron group did not differ from those (58.3 and 19.8%) in the ondansetron group during the first 24 h after surgery (P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the severity of nausea and use of rescue anti-emetics between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions The effects of palonosetron in preventing PONV were not different from those of ondansetron during the first 24 h postoperatively in women receiving IV-PCA with fentanyl.

BACKGROUND: Systemic hypertension produces varying degree of LVH which is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidiity. Previous studies have documented regression of LVH with various antihypertensives including calcium channel blockers, except diuretics and vasodilators. Recently echocadiographic assessment of the change of left ventricular mass(LVM) after antihyertensive therapy have been reported to offer prognostic cardiovascular information. The aim of this echocardiographic study is determining the influence of nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, on the change of LVM in patients with essential hypertenison. METHODS: Left ventricular mass(LVM) and left ventricular mass index(LVMI) were measured by M-mode echocardiography in 15 patients with essential hypertension. Nicardipine, a calcium channel blocker, was administered for 6 months and two echocardiographies were done before and after administering, respectively. RESULTS: In the 15 patients treated for 6 months, systolic and diastolic pressure remained very significantly decreased compared with pressure before before therapy(135+/-15mmHg vs 168+/-26mmHg, and 86+/-7mmHg vs 105+/-16mmHg, both p<0.01). Concomitantly both LVM and LVMI decreased significantly(209+/-49g vs 235+/-71g, and 116+/-6g/m2 vs 131+/-38g/m2,both p<0.05). And no change was noted in left ventricular cavity size, demonstration that LVM reduction was due to regression of hypertrophy. CONCLUSION: This study showed that nicardipine produced a significant decrease in blood pressure, LVM, and LVMI over the 6 months period. And large and longterm controlled studies are needed for the clarification of the association between nicardipine and regression of LVH in hypertensive patients.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium Channel Blockers ; Calcium Channels ; Diuretics ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Nicardipine* ; Vasodilator Agents

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is an idiopathic histioproliferative disorder of lymph node and extranodal site. Bone involvement is very rare. We report a case of extranodal RDD of the tibia in 32-year old male. The patient presented with pain with no evidence of lymphadenopathy. Clinico-radiologic diagnosis was metastatic carcinoma or Langerhans cell histiocytosis, but, histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis with RDD. We performed curettage on the osteolytic lesion of tibia. In South Korea, there was no report about RDD of the extremity and we want to report this case with review of the literature.
Curettage ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell ; Histiocytosis, Sinus* ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Tibia*

BACKGROUND: The precise measurement of body temperature during anesthesia is important to prevent hypothermia.The aim of this study was to compare the urinary bladder temperature to the esophageal, nasopharyngeal, rectal and skin temperatures, and to compare three heating methods during spine surgery. METHODS: Forty-two patients with ASA physical status I-II, who were scheduled to undergo spine surgery in the prone position, were included in this study.The patients were randomly divided into 4 groups:Group I was treated without any heating methods; group 2, with fluid-warmers; group 3, with forced air-warmers; and group 4, with a combination of both heating methods.After the induction of anesthesia, the esophageal, nasopharyngeal, rectal, urinary bladder and skin temperature was monitored every 15 minute for 3 hours.The urinary bladder temperature was compared to the esophageal, nasopharyngeal, rectal and skin temperatures. RESULTS: The urinary bladder temperature was found to be higher than the esophageal and the nasopharyngeal temperatures (P < 0.01).The urinary bladder temperature of group 3 was higher than that of group 1 at 180 minutes after induction of anesthesia (P < 0.05).The urinary bladder temperature of group 4 was higher than that of group 1 at 150 minutes (P < 0.05), as well as at 165 and 180 minutes (P < 0.05).The skin temperatures of groups 3 and 4 were higher than group 1 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary bladder temperature was higher than the esophageal temperature and correlated with the esophageal, nasopharyngeal and rectal temperatures.During spine surgery in the prone position, a forced air-warmer was found to be the most effective but a combination of all the methods tested was found to be even more effective.
Anesthesia ; Body Temperature ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Prone Position ; Skin ; Skin Temperature ; Spine ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: We analyzed the oncologic outcome of the malignant transformed benign giant cell tumor of bone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2000 and February 2012, 5 cases were referred with suspicious malignant transformation of benign giant cell tumor. No patients underwent radiation therapy. RESULTS: After referral, all patients received the wide excision of the tumor and its' pathologic diagnosis were osteosarcoma. As classified by the location of tumor lesion, 3 cases were located in the distal femur, 1 case was in the distal radius and 1 case was in the proximal femur. The average latent period between diagnosis of benign giant cell tumor and diagnosis of secondary malignant giant cell tumor was 49.2 months. (range, 24-126 months) The mean follow-up period was 21.6 months. There were subsequent local recurrence in 2 cases and 3 patients developed distant metastasis. All patients with lung metastasis were dead. CONCLUSION: Malignant transformation of benign giant cell tumor of bone can be occurred within 5 years. Therefore, when benign giant cell tumor suspicious malignant transformation, it is necessary to do more aggressive treatment.
Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cell Tumor of Bone ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteosarcoma ; Radius ; Recurrence ; Referral and Consultation

Cervical spondylolysis is defined as a corticated cleft between the superior and inferior articular facets of the articular pillar, which is the cervical equivalent of pars interarticularis in the lumbar spine. It is very important to avoid confusion with more clinically significant abnormalities, such as fracture or dislocation. This case report describes bilateral spondylolysis and associated dysplasia of C6. We describe the radiographic presentation of this anomaly, stressing the importance of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for a correct diagnosis. A review of the literature on this interesting abnormality and a complete differential diagnosis are presented.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Dislocations ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Spine ; Spondylolysis