We report a case of somatostatinoma, which manifested as insulinoma after liver metastasis. A 74-year-old man suffered from diabetes mellitus and jaundice. The abdominal CT scan of this patient showed a mass in the pancreas head, which obstructed biliary duct. He underwent Whipples procedure. Immunohistochemical staining of postoperative specimen disclosed that this tumor was strongly positive for somatostatin. After 4 months, follow up CT scan showed multiple metastatic lesions in the liver. We performed transarterial chemoinfusion two times, but the response was disappointing. After 2 months, he suffered from altered mentality, which was relieved by intake of sugar. Biochemical laboratory findings and immunohistochemical staining of liver biopsy disclosed that the metastatic lesion in this patient was insulinoma. We performed embolization of hepatic artery with gelform. The biochemical response was dramatic, but he died of septic shock, which was caused by gas forming liver abscess. In summary, we report a case of somatostatinoma which manifested as insulinoma after metastasis to the liver.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Insulinoma* ; Jaundice ; Liver Abscess ; Liver* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreas ; Shock, Septic ; Somatostatin ; Somatostatinoma* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: NT-proBNP, a sensitive and specific marker of congestive heart failure (CHF), is also useful in monitoring the effectiveness of treatment and in predicting prognosis. However, the usefulness of NT-proBNP for measuring the functional capacity as a component of the quality of life (QoL) in patients with CHF remains to be discovered. The Korean Activity Scale/Index (KASI) is a Koreanized tool for measuring the functional capacity in patients with cardiac diseases during daily activities, thus representing the physical domain of the QoL. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between NT-proBNP and the KASI. SUCJECTS AND METHODS: Between July, 2003 and September, 2003, the NT-proBNP levels were measured in 76 patients with CHF that visited the OPD or who were hospitalized. They were asked to fill out a self-administered questionnaire, from which their KASI scores were obtained. NYHA Fc and Heart Failure scores were also obtained from a history taking and physical examination conducted by the investigator. RESULTS: The level of NT-proBNP increased with increasing NYHA Fc (p<0.001 by Kruskall-Wallis test). The Spearman correlation coefficient between NT-proBNP and the KASI score was -0.730 (p<0.001), which was higher than that between the HF and KASI scores (rho=-0.557, p<0.001). The level of NT-proBNP also had a positive correlation with the HF score (rho=0.706, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The level of NT-proBNP has a strong negative correlation with the KASI score, reflecting the functional capacity during daily activities. This suggests that NT-proBNP is useful in measuring the functional capacity as an element of the QoL in patients with CHF.
Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure* ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Prognosis ; Quality of Life ; Research Personnel ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (PPSPC) is very rare and not well identified. Because of developmental, biological and histologic similarity to papillary serous carcinoma of ovary its diagnosis and treatment, prognosis and post treatment follow up schedule is similar that of epithelial ovarian cancer. We have experienced two cases of primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma and report this with brief review of the concerned literatures.
Appointments and Schedules ; Carcinoma, Papillary* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary ; Prognosis

Primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (PPSPC) is very rare and not well identified. Because of developmental, biological and histologic similarity to papillary serous carcinoma of ovary its diagnosis and treatment, prognosis and post treatment follow up schedule is similar that of epithelial ovarian cancer. We have experienced two cases of primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma and report this with brief review of the concerned literatures.
Appointments and Schedules ; Carcinoma, Papillary* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary ; Prognosis

Althouth the connective-tissue membrane surrounding a subdural hematoma has been described as hyalinized, calcified partially or in patches, a totally organized, calcified or ossified chronic subdural hematoma in the elderly patient is extremely rate. We report an asymptomatic case of a huge calcified chronic subdural hematoma in a 67-year-old male patient who had no previous trauma history. Computerized tomographic(CT) scan showed an oval-shaped mass with totally calcified rim at the left frontotemporoparietal region. After en-block removal of the calcified mass, postoperative CT scan showed intracerebral hematoma at the deepest portion of the calcified mass that was partially adhesive to the pia mater. The patient suffered from a transient motor aphasia after the operation. Relevant literatures are briefly reviewed.
Adhesives ; Aged ; Aphasia, Broca ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic* ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Male ; Membranes ; Pia Mater ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To determine which regimen for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is the most effective in achieving pregnancy after intrauterine insemination in the treatment of unexplained infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1996 to February 2000, a total of 67 cycles of intrauterine insemination after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were treated in 39 patients under 40 years old who diagnosed as unexplained infertility. Two methods of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were used. The one is clomiphene citrate/hMG and the other is hMG only. These were compared the pregnancy rate respectively. RESULTS: Mean age of study group was 32+/-2.7 years old (28-38 years old) and mean duration of infertility was 46+/-17.8 months (15-96 months). The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 17.9% (12/67 cycle) per cycle and 30.7% (12/39 patient) per patient. According to the methods of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, pregnancy rate was 16.7% (8/48 cycle) after clomiphene citrate/hMG used, 21.1% (4/19 cycle) after hMG only used. 4 cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome developed (clomiphene citrate/hMG 1 case, hMG only 3 cases) and all of them were self-regressed. CONCLUSION: Compared with using hMG only as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation before intrauterine insemination, using clomiphene citrate/hMG was more effective regimen and considered as the first choice in the treatment of unexplained infertility.
Adult ; Clomiphene ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility* ; Insemination* ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

As a single CAPD center in Korea, we, at the department of internal medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, conducted a retrospective study in CAPD patients for the causes of death, patient survival rate, technique success rate, and risk factors. We enrolled in our study 167 patients who had began CAPD as an initial replacement therapy for end stage renal disease from March 1992 to July 1997 and survived for more than 2 months. As the prognostic factors of patient survival and technique success, we analyzed demographic features, clinical features including comorbid conditions at the beginning of CAPD, and laboratory findings at the beginning and 6 months after the start of CAPD. The mean age of patients was 49.8 12.5, and sex ratio was 1.4: 1(M: F). The mean follow-up period was 24.0 +/- 14.4 months. Cerebrovasular accident(CVA), the patient giving up on the treatment, cardiac dis- eases and peritonitis were the main causes of death in CAPD patients. Among the causes of death, although CVA and the patient giving up on the treatment were relatively important, the most im- portant causes of death were cardiovascular diseases. The 2 year survival rate and 4 year survival rate of CAPD patients were 89.4% and 55.579o respectively ; the 2 year technique success rate and 4 year technique success rate of CAPD were 87.37% and 63.18% respectively ; and the mean survival period and technique success period were 50.57 +/- 2.42 and 49.37 +/- 2.85 rnonths, respectively. We determined the independent prognostic factors for patient survival to be diabetes mellitus(p=0.0004, relative risk=5.9263) and liver cirrhosis(p=0.0032, RR=5.3211) using multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazard model. Although the results were statistically insignificant, the patients with cardiac diseases(p=0.0961, RR= 2.0116) and older patients who were over 60 years old(p=0.1312, RR=1.8431) had a poor prognosis. The probable prognostic factors for 2 year survival of patients, considered marker of risk factors for early death, were DM, liver cirrhosis, and cardiac diseases, though statistically insignificant, and they were similar to prognostic factors for the patient survival during the entire period. The independent prognostic factor of technique failure of CAPD was DM(p= 0.0150, RR=2.6762). The patient survival rate and technique success rate of CAPD patients were similar to the outcomes reported in other countries. However, the fact that liver cirrhosis was included as one of the independent prognostic factors seems to reflect a disease characteristic of Korean population in whom chronic liver diseases are prevalent. Due to ever increasing pro- portions of DM, cardiac diseases, and older patients in CAPD patients and the prevalence of liver cirrhosis in Korea, more intensive management is necessary for CAPD patients with these disorders/ conditions.
Adult* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Multivariate Analysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Sex Ratio ; Survival Rate

Peritonitis remains the leading cause of the patient dropout in CAPD in many developing countries. In Korea, 71% of CAPD patients dropout is caused by peritonitis. To elucidate an adequate guideline for treating peritonitis in our country, we analyzed clinical and bacteriologic profiles of peritonitis(1995. 1. 1- 1999. 12. 31). Two hundred and twenty eight episodes of peritonitis were developed in 127/247 patients. The incidence of peritonitis was 0.41/patient-year in general, which was decreased to 0.24/patient-year in 1999. The incidence of causative organisms were as follows; 82(36.0%) by Gram positive organisms, 38 (16.2%) by gram negative organisms, 16 cases(7.0%) by mixed organsisms, and 5 cases(2.2%) by fungus. During study period, the incidence of peritonitis by gram positive organsism was decreased while the incidence of peritonitis by gram negative organism was not changed. Recurrent infection/relapse was noted in 58 patients(45%). Peritonitis were eradicated only in 66% of the cases by initial antibiotics(cefazolin+aminoglycoside); and another 17% responded by second line antibiotics. Peritoneal catheters were removed in 38 episodes(16.7%). Patients with exit infection were more frequent in removal of catheter. Risk factor analysis was performed in 146 patients, who were newly started CAPD. There were 60 initial episodes of peritonitis(mean duration of follow up was 16.7 patient months). Sixty-five percent were free of peritonitis at the end of first year, 54% at the end of second year and 45% at the end of third year (Kaplan-Meier). Factors such as age, sex, underlying DM, were not risk factor for CAPD peritonitis. In conclusion, we observed that the incidence of peritonitis decreased every year. It was revealed however that only 66% of peritonitis can be successfully treated by first line antibiotics. Second line antibiotics such as ceftazidime may need to be introduced in early phase of CAPD peritonitis. Up to one third of patients had recurrent infection/relapse, which raised the incidence of peritonitis. Continuing education as well as better exit care is needed to improve technical survival of CAPD patients in Korea.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters ; Ceftazidime ; Developing Countries ; Education, Continuing ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fungi ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Patient Dropouts ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis* ; Risk Factors*

A 25-year-old male presented with mitral insufficiency, perimembranous type of ventricular septal defect, pulmonary edema and renal insufficiency. The initial serum creatinine level was 16.2mg/dl. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus viridans and appropriate antibiotic therapy was initiated. Renal biopsy revealed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis with crescents involving all of the glomeruli. Even after adequate duration of treatment with antibiotics, surgical therapy, and high dose steroid therapy, renal function did not recover and the patient ended up with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. We present a case of crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with bacterial endocarditis with a review of the literature.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Creatinine ; Endocarditis, Bacterial* ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Pulmonary Edema ; Renal Insufficiency ; Viridans Streptococci

We performed a nationwide epidemiological study to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of nocturnal enuresis (NE) in Korean adolescents and adults. A questionnaire was sent via e-mail to 51,073 people aged 16-40 yr by stratified sampling according to age, sex, and region among a 200,000 internet survey panel pool. The questionnaire included following information; presence or absence of NE, frequency of NE, possible risk factors for NE, self-esteem scale score and depression score results, and measures for the treatment of NE. Among the 2,117 responders, 54 (2.6%) had NE (> or =1 enuretic episode within 6 months). Of 54 bedwetters, 9.3% wet > or =1 night per week and 20.5% wet > or =1 per month. The prevalence rates remained relatively stable with no apparent trend of reduction with age. The presence of sleep disturbance, family history, urgency, or urge incontinence increased the probability of NE episode significantly. The self-esteem score was lower (P=0.053) and the depression scale score was higher (P=0.003) in bedwetters compared with non-bedwetters. Overall 2.6% of Korean aged 16-40 yr have NE. The higher rate of urgency and urge incontinence in adolescent and adult enuretics suggests that bladder function has an important role in adolescent and adult NE.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nocturnal Enuresis/*epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Disorders ; Urinary Incontinence/epidemiology ; Young Adult