Subcutaneous fat necrosis of newborn is an uncommon disorder characterized by firm subcutaneous plaques and nodules usually appearing shortly after birth. A female newborn with brain death developed diffuse hardening of trunk, extremity, cheek and buttock in the first 5 weeks of the life. A clinical diagnosis of sclerema neonatorum was made. But histologic examination revealed patchy areas of fat necrosis with crystallization, infiltration of histologic cells and several multinucleated giant cells containing needle-shaped clefts. Calcium deposits were also demonstrated within the necrotic area. So, we diagnosed this case as subcutaneous fat necrosis of newborn with generalized hardening of the skin.
Brain Death ; Buttocks ; Calcium ; Cheek ; Crystallization ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Fat Necrosis ; Female ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Necrosis* ; Parturition ; Sclerema Neonatorum ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Fat*

Background/Aims: Helicobacter pylori infection is presumably associated with iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between H. pylori infection and the decline in iron stores in non-elderly adults during their health check-ups. Methods: We identified a total of 1,069 subjects who were tested for iron, ferritin, and total iron-binding capacity during their health check-ups, from January 2016 to May 2017. Of these, subjects who underwent endoscopy via rapid urease test and those aged 65 years or below were finally enrolled. Results: Overall, 281 subjects were enrolled, and 187 patients (66.5%) tested positive for H. pylori. The mean age was 36.1 years (range, 22 to 65), and 176 subjects (62.6%) were male. The mean levels of hemoglobin (14.1 ± 1.7 g/dL vs. 14.6 ± 1.4 g/dL, p = 0.019) and ferritin (121.7 ± 106.9 ng/mL vs. 151.8 ± 107.8 ng/mL, p = 0.027) in the H. pylori-positive group were significantly lower than those in the H. pylori-negative group. Iron deficiency (ferritin < 30 ng/mL) was more common in patients with H. pylori infection (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in anemia (hemoglobin < 13 g/dL in men, < 12 g/dL in women) or IDA (anemia, ferritin < 10 ng/mL, and transferrin saturation < 16%) with H. pylori. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that female sex (odds ratio, 197.559; 95% confidence interval, 26.461 to 1,475.015) and H. pylori infection (odds ratio, 3.033; 95% confidence interval, 1.216 to 7.567) were factors associated with iron deficiency. Conclusions H. pylori infection is associated with iron deficiency, suggesting a decline in iron stores among infected non-elderly adults.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of malignancy following kidney transplantation has been estimated three to five times the incidence compared to that of the general population. It is estimated that particularly in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the relative risk increases. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics, risk factors, and prognosis of RCC following kidney transplantation. METHODS: Total number of 3,272 kidney recipients who underwent transplantation from April 1979 to December 2012 and patients who had RCC following kidney transplantation were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: We found that among 232 cases of posttransplant malignancies, 25 recipients were diagnosed with RCC. We have observed in our study that it took an average of 175.2+/-71.0 months to develop RCC after their first kidney transplantation. However, with longer follow up period, interval incidence of RCC increased. Fourteen patients (56%) were diagnosed with RCC 15 years after transplantation. We also found that with reference to the risk factor analysis for posttransplant RCC, the long-term follow-up period was the only independent risk factor. In our study, 21 patients with RCC were treated with radical nephrectomy. Of them, 16 patients survived, and four RCC-related deaths occurred. Furthermore, the patient survival rate of RCC recipients was lower than that of the nonmalignancy group despite the graft survival rate were not different. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the incidence of RCC increased in a time-dependent manner following kidney transplantation. Therefore, we strongly recommend the procedure of regular-interval screening for the patients who are on compulsive long-term immunosuppression.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Mass Screening ; Nephrectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Transplants

The optimal immunosuppressive strategy for renal transplant recipients at high immunologic risk remains a topic of investigation. This prospective single arm pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combined tacrolimus and sirolimus regimen in recipients at immunological high risk and to compare outcomes with a contemporaneous control group received tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Patients that received a renal allograft between 2010 and 2011 at high risk (defined as panel reactive antibodies > 50%, 4 or more human leukocyte antigen mismatches, or retransplantation) were enrolled. All patients received basiliximab induction and corticosteroids. A total of 28 recipients treated with tacrolimus and sirolimus were enrolled in this study and 69 recipients were retrospectively reviewed as a control group. The sirolimus group showed a higher, but not statistically significant, incidence of biopsy proven acute rejection and a lower glomerular filtration rate than the control group. Furthermore, sirolimus group was associated with significant increases in BKV infection (P = 0.031), dyslipidemia (P = 0.004), and lymphocele (P = 0.020). The study was terminated prematurely due to a high incidence of adverse events. A de novo tacrolimus/sirolimus combination regimen may not be an ideal choice for recipients at high immunological risk.
Adult ; Drug Therapy, Combination/methods ; Female ; Graft Rejection/diagnosis/*etiology/*prevention & control ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Kidney Transplantation/*adverse effects ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sirolimus/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Survival Rate ; Tacrolimus/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

Mucinous gastric carcinoma (MGC) is an unusual histologic subtype, and early detection of MGC is very rare. Early-stage MGC appears as an elevated lesion resembling a submucosal tumor (SMT) due to abundant mucin pools in the submucosa or mucosa. We report a rare case of SMT-like early-stage MGC. Tumor type was predicted preoperatively based on characteristic endoscopic findings, in which an SMT-like mass was observed at the gastric fundus. The tumor was covered by nearly normal mucosa, but with an opening allowing for the passage of copious mucus discharge. A total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy was subsequently performed. Histopathology of the tumor revealed early-stage (lamina propria) mucinous adenocarcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Adult ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Female ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane/pathology ; Neoplasm Staging ; Stomach Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: A proper patient-physician interaction (PPI) creates rapport between doctors and patients and improves medical outcomes. The importance of PPI evaluation items was evaluated in each medical student in grades 3 and 4, before and after their clinical clerkship. METHODS: Six PPI evaluation guidelines (SEGUE, Kalamazoo Consensus, Calgary-Cambridge Guide, Macy guideline, 2 Korean Consortium guidelines) were selected and importance of each guideline was evaluated through the structured questionnaire in 73 pre-clinical clerkship (3rd-grade) and 78 post-clinical clerkship (4th-grade) medical students. RESULTS: The importance of medical communication items among total clinical performance, students-rated PPI portion was 21+/-9.7%. In SEGUE recommendations, 'Elicit information' was evaluated to be most important items before (58.3%) and after (65.8%) clinical clerkship. In Kalamazoo Consensus, 'Gathering information' was evaluated to be most important (49.3%/42.3%), same as in Calgary-Cambridge Guide (52.1%/56.4%) and Daegu Gyeongbuk Consortium (47.9%/43.6%). In the Macy guideline, 'Listening' was evaluated to be most important (28.8%/33.3%). In the Seoul Gyeonggi Consortium, 'Buidling relationships' was evaluated to be most important (23.3%/28.2%). CONCLUSION: In the 4th-grade post-clerkship medical students after clinical clerkship, importance of 'Gathering information' was evaluated to be less important, however, 'Giving information' and 'Understanding the patient perspective' was evaluated to be more important, compared to pre-clerkship students 3rd-grade students.
Clinical Clerkship ; Consensus ; Humans ; Students, Medical ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Recurrence of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) after kidney transplantation is a frequent and still unpredictable complication. Moreover, risk factors for recurrence have not yet been clearly identified. METHODS: We enrolled into our study 2,882 adult kidney recipients who underwent transplantation between April 1979 and April 2009. We retrospectively reviewed clinical manifestations of recurrence of FSGS. RESULTS: Among the 2,784 adult renal recipients, forty four had undergone renal transplantation for primary FSGS. Of the 44, 12 (27.3%) showed recurrent FSGS. Mean duration between transplantation and FSGS recurrence was 22.8+/-37.4 months. There were no significant differences in patient characteristics in the recurrence and non-recurrence groups. The cumulative incidence of FSGS recurrence was 13.8% within 1 year after kidney transplantation and 23.2% within 3 years. The overall graft survival rate in the recurrence group was significantly lower than that of the non-recurrence group (P=0.0018) and non-FSGS group (P=0.0001). Graft failure happened more in the recurrence group (75%) than in the non-recurrence group (37.5%, P=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: We failed to find any significant risk factors for FSGS recurrence after renal transplantation.
Adult ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental ; Graft Survival ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transplants

Currently, proton pump inhibitors are used in a wide range of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer, and upper gastrointestinal symptoms such as dyspepsia. In addition, the application of proton pump inhibitors for prevention of gastrointestinal complications induced by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is expected to increase their use in the future. The use of proton pump inhibitors promotes bacterial growth by reducing gastric acid concentration. If the acidity (pH) of the stomach fluid is lower than 4, most pathogens can be sterilized. However, patients who need to use a proton pump inhibitor should maintain a gastric acidity of at least 5 or 6, and can be at risk of infections such as pneumonia and Clostridium difficile infection. Several infectious diseases associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors were reviewed.
Bacterial Infections* ; Clostridium difficile ; Communicable Diseases ; Dyspepsia ; Gastric Acid ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Peptic Ulcer ; Pneumonia ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Proton Pumps* ; Protons* ; Stomach

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is a common surgical disease. There are many problems for the early diagnosis of acute appendicitis in kidney transplant patients; differential diagnosis for acute rejection, limitation in imaging study, problems of immunosuppressant and non-characteristic symptoms. METHODS: We reviewed medical records and transplant database of 2,947 renal transplant patients between April, 1979 and September, 2009 retrospectively. Patient's characteristics, diagnostic methods for appendicitis and operative/postoperative progresses were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 2,947 renal transplant patients, there were 15 (0.51%, 13 males and 2 females) acute appendicitis patients. Mean age at the diagnosis of appendicitis was 37.2+/-10.1 years. Fourteen (93.3%) patients suffered from prodromal symptom, such as abdominal pain, direct or rebound tenderness, nausea and vomiting. There were 12 (80%) patients with leukocytosis (WBC count >10,000/microliter). Computed tomography scans were performed in 5 (33.4%) patients for diagnosis. Laparoscopic appendectomies were applied for 8 (53.4%) patients. In pathologic diagnosis, 2 cases were reported as 'non pathologic diagnosis' complications occurred in 2 patients as remnant appendicitis and pancreatitis. However, there was no patient with mortality and renal failure during the hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences between the transplant patients and the general population in the incidence, clinical features, diagnosis and postoperative progresses of acute appendicitis.
Abdomen, Acute ; Abdominal Pain ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Early Diagnosis ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Medical Records ; Nausea ; Pancreatitis ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Rejection (Psychology) ; Renal Insufficiency ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants ; Vomiting

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Minor disorders of peristalsis are esophageal motility disorders categorized by the Chicago Classification (CC), version 3.0, which was announced in 2014. This study evaluated the efficacy of anti-reflux therapy in patients with minor peristaltic disorders. METHODS: Patients with minor peristaltic disorders in accordance with CC v3.0 were included. We reviewed the medical records of patients with esophageal high-resolution manometry findings, and investigated the demographic and clinical information as well as the medical therapy. Thereafter, the response to treatment was assessed after at least 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients were identified as having minor disorders of peristalsis from January 2010 to December 2015. The mean follow-up period was 497 days, and there were 17 patients (70.8%) patients with ineffective esophageal motility. In terms of anti-reflux therapy, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with prokinetic agents and PPIs alone were prescribed in 19 patients (79.2%) and 5 patients (20.8%), respectively. When the rate of response to the treatment was assessed, the responders rate (complete+satisfactory [≥50%] responses) was 54.2% and the non-responders rate (partial [<50%]+refractory responses) was 45.8%. Patients in the responder group were younger than those in the non-responder group (p=0.020). Among them, 13 patients underwent 24-hour multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH, and 10 patients (76.9%) were pathologic gastroesophageal reflux. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of esophageal minor peristaltic disorders were accompanied by gastroesophageal reflux, and therefore, they might respond to acid inhibitor. Further well-designed, prospective studies are necessary to confirm the effect of anti-reflux therapy in these patients.
Classification ; Esophageal Motility Disorders ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Manometry* ; Medical Records ; Peristalsis* ; Prospective Studies ; Proton Pump Inhibitors ; Proton Therapy ; Treatment Outcome