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

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

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: 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.

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

PURPOSE: We analyzed the oncologic characteristics and outcome of patients with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of extremities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the soft tissue tumor patients who were treated between 1999 and 2012, 5 patients who were pathologically confirmed as the inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of extremities were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 1 man and 4 women with mean age of 44 years (37-55 years). The average follow up was 34.6 months (8-87 months). All patients underwent surgical treatment. Only 1 patient had wide resection margin and remaining 4 had marginal (3) or intralesional (1) resection margin. All of 4 patients without wide resection margin developed local recurrence at 10.3 months (8-19 months). Malignant transformation to fibrosarcoma was occurred in 2 patients who developed local recurrence, and 1 patient developed multiple metastases to lung, liver and lymph nodes and expired at 37 months. Three of 5 patients had tumor location abutted to or invasion to major arteries and 1 patient had tumor invading sciatic nerve. CONCLUSION: It is observed that inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of extremities is usually located near the major neurovascular structure. Wide resection should be considered as the initial surgical treatment because this tumor showed a high local recurrence rate and possibility of malignant transformation.
Arteries ; Extremities ; Female ; Fibrosarcoma ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Myofibroblasts ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: Many patients with type I Diabetes Melitus treated by insulin therapy were observed their blood sugar dropped even after meal. The ecology and treatment for this phenomenon was unknown. A clinical research making an approach to treat this phenomenon is inevitable. METHODS: 9 patients whose blood sugar dropped right after meal (from 15 minutes to 1 hour) were selected among 58 IDDM(Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus) patients admitted in Daejon Sungsim Hospital from March 1999 to Feb. 2000. The subjects were consist of 6 female and 3male, average age was 57.2. Blood samples were taken from their capillaries and measured by Super Glucocard II glucometer. Insulin was injected 30 minutes before breakfast and 50% glucose 30 ml was taken orally 15 minutes after the insulin injection. Breakfast was taken 15 minutes after the glucose taken. Bolld sugar was measured 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 120 minutes and 2 hours after a breakfast. RESULTS: Though average blood sugar dropped after breakfast was 44.5 mg/dl, average blood sugar after taken 50% glucose 30 ml was 114.1 mg/dl. 2 patients had good effect among 3 male patients and every 6 female patients had good effect. CONCLUSION: Taking 50% glucose 30 ml was in oral 15 minutes after insulin injection improved the IDDM patient's blood sugar drop right after meal.
Blood Glucose ; Breakfast ; Capillaries ; Daejeon ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; Ecology ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hypoglycemia* ; Insulin ; Male ; Meals*

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

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