Thoracic aortic aneurysms are potentially life-threatening. They are caused by atherosclerosis, most commonly of the descending aorta. Clinical manifestations are due to the compression or erosion of adjacent structures, dissection, or rupture. Thoracic aortic aneurysms account for 50 to 60 percent of aortobronchopulmonary fistulas. Symptoms of aortobronchopulmonary fistulas include constant chest or back pain, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hemoptysis, which occurs in over 95 percent of cases. Recently, aortobronchial fistula, caused by thoracic aortic aneurysms, has been successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft. We report a patient with aortobronchial fistula presenting with hemoptysis, who was successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* ; Atherosclerosis ; Back Pain ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis* ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Fistula* ; Hematemesis ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Rupture ; Stents* ; Thorax

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are potentially life-threatening. They are caused by atherosclerosis, most commonly of the descending aorta. Clinical manifestations are due to the compression or erosion of adjacent structures, dissection, or rupture. Thoracic aortic aneurysms account for 50 to 60 percent of aortobronchopulmonary fistulas. Symptoms of aortobronchopulmonary fistulas include constant chest or back pain, cough, and dyspnea, as well as hemoptysis, which occurs in over 95 percent of cases. Recently, aortobronchial fistula, caused by thoracic aortic aneurysms, has been successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft. We report a patient with aortobronchial fistula presenting with hemoptysis, who was successfully treated with an endovascular stent graft.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic* ; Atherosclerosis ; Back Pain ; Blood Vessel Prosthesis* ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Fistula* ; Hematemesis ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Rupture ; Stents* ; Thorax

Mitochondrial myopathies are diseases caused by defects in metabolic pathway of mitochondria. Mitochondrial myopathy is known as one of the causes of recurrent myoglobinuria, while clinically, rarely causes acute renal failure requiring medical treatments. We report a case of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure associated with mitochondrial myopathy. A 58-year-old male was presented with dyspnea and hypotensive shock. The patient had a history of recurrent dark colored urine and cramping leg pain after prolonged fasting. Laboratory findings showed hyperkalemia, azotemia, metabolic acidosis, and elevated AST, ALT, and creatinine kinase. He had no history of trauma or medication. Muscle biopsy showed "ragged red fibers" in modified Gomori staining. On electron microscope, increased number of mitochondria and abnormal mitochondria were seen. He received hemodialysis and his renal function recovered after 1 month.
Acidosis ; Acute Kidney Injury* ; Azotemia ; Biopsy ; Creatinine ; Dyspnea ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia ; Leg ; Male ; Metabolic Networks and Pathways ; Middle Aged ; Mitochondria ; Mitochondrial Myopathies* ; Muscle Cramp ; Myoglobinuria ; Phosphotransferases ; Renal Dialysis ; Rhabdomyolysis* ; Shock

Endobronchial tuberculosis is defined as a specific inflammation of the trachea or major bronchi caused by the tubercle bacillus. It is recognized as one of the most common and serious complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. A diagnosis of endobronchial tuberculosis is difficult due to the diversity of radiological patterns. But, it is still relatively common disease in korea. Endobronchial tuberculosis as a cause of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is quite rare. The mortality rate of ARDS is still high in korea. The detection and early elimination of the causes for ARDS at the initial stage can result in a more favorable prognosis. So, patients with ARDS, especially due to endobronchial tuberculosis or other form of tuberculosis, should be treated with antituberculous drugs as soon as possible. We experienced a young female with complaints of sudden onset dyspnea, mild fever. In this case the clinical features, laboratory data and radiologic findings allowed an initial presentation of ARDS. The ARDS was defined by the American-Europian Consensus Conference 19921-3). The cause of ARDS was revealed endobronchial tuberculosis. We started antituberculosis medication and steroid injection quickly, which resulted in good prognosis. We emphasize the prognosis depends mainly on the early recognition and treatment of endobronchial tuberculosis.
Bacillus ; Bronchi ; Consensus ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult* ; Trachea ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

Dengue fever/dengue shock syndrome is an acute febrile illness caused by a Flaviviridae virus. Dengue virus infection can cause a wide spectrum of illness, and disease is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, chill, severe headache, skin rash, general malaise and thrombocytopenia with hemoconcentration. Dengue fever is endemic in most tropical areas of world, including the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Tourists to these areas are liable to infection. We experienced a Korean female who returned to Korea from Myanmar in severely ill state. She was confirmed serologically to be inblieted with Dengue shock syndrome. In spite of intensive medical care, she died of Dengue shock syndrome. We emphasize that favorable prognosis depends mainly on the early recognition and treatment of shock.
Africa ; Asia, Southeastern ; Caribbean Region ; Dengue Virus ; Dengue* ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Flaviviridae ; Headache ; Humans ; Korea ; Myanmar* ; Prognosis ; Severe Dengue* ; Shock ; South America ; Thrombocytopenia

Dengue fever/dengue shock syndrome is an acute febrile illness caused by a Flaviviridae virus. Dengue virus infection can cause a wide spectrum of illness, and disease is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, chill, severe headache, skin rash, general malaise and thrombocytopenia with hemoconcentration. Dengue fever is endemic in most tropical areas of world, including the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Tourists to these areas are liable to infection. We experienced a Korean female who returned to Korea from Myanmar in severely ill state. She was confirmed serologically to be inblieted with Dengue shock syndrome. In spite of intensive medical care, she died of Dengue shock syndrome. We emphasize that favorable prognosis depends mainly on the early recognition and treatment of shock.
Africa ; Asia, Southeastern ; Caribbean Region ; Dengue Virus ; Dengue* ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Flaviviridae ; Headache ; Humans ; Korea ; Myanmar* ; Prognosis ; Severe Dengue* ; Shock ; South America ; Thrombocytopenia