METHODS: We investigated and compared the epidemiologic characteristics of the E. cloacae isolation in the period of outbreak (April-June, 1998) with those in the control period (January-March, 1998). To identify the risk factors for E. cloacae sepsis, we retrospectively conducted a chart review for the patients who had E. cloacae sepsis during the period of outbreak. On the basis of these results, environmental culture was performed hospital wide. RESULTS: Ten clinical isolates E. cloacae were recovered from the blood of ten patients from April to June. 1998. Seven out of 10 patients recieved ERCP procedure just before E. cloacae sepsis. Hence, we performed surveillance study in the endoscopy room before and after the procedure. The survey showed that distilled water which was used for washing the endoscopy was contaminated with E. cloacae, which was suspected to be the common source of this outbreak. Therefore, we changed distilled water into sterilized distilled water on washing the endoscopy. After this correction was performed, the incidence of ERCP-associated E. cloacae sepsis declined markedly (P<0.011). CONCLUSION: We investigated an outbreak of ERCP-related E. cloacae sepsis and the outbreak was successfully controlled by removing the source of infection.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde* ; Cloaca ; Endoscopy ; Enterobacter cloacae* ; Enterobacter* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis* ; Water

The carcinoid tumor of the ampulla of Vater is extremely rare. We report a case of 57-year old male with carcinoid tumor of ampulla of Vater. This patient had been presented with bronchial asthma for one year. Abdominal CT finding revealed diffuse dilatation of common bile duct and pancreatic duct, and also ampullary soft mass protruded into duodenal lumen. The correct diagnosis was made preoperatively by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with biopsy. Pancreatico- duodenectomy with lymph nodes dissection was performed. Malignant carcinoid tumor originating from ampulla of Vater was diagnosed with pericholedochal lymphatic metastasis. Surgical removal led to complete resolution of asthmatic symptoms.
Ampulla of Vater* ; Asthma ; Biopsy ; Carcinoid Tumor* ; Cholangiography ; Common Bile Duct ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; PPAR gamma ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Scrub typhus can invade central nervous system. The most common findings of CNS involvement are those of low grade meningitis, however, meningoencephalitis with coma and generalized seizure are also reported to occur in scrub typhus but only rarely. A 47-year old male was admitted to our hospital because of consciousness disturbance. The patient had a fever and rash for seven days before admission. He had been treated for diabetes mellitus for three years. Generalized seizure occurred six times after admission. CSF revealed increase of leukocytes (648/mm3) and protein level, and diffuse slow wave was found on electroencephaolography. The magnetic resonance image of the brain showed dural thickening. We diagnosed his illness as tsutsugamushi disease complicated by meningoencephalitis. After treatment with clarithromycin and an anticonvulsant, he recovered without neurological sequelae. O. tsutsugamushi should be considered as one of the causes of meningoencephalitis in endemic areas.
Brain ; Central Nervous System ; Clarithromycin ; Coma ; Consciousness ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Exanthema ; Fever ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Meningitis ; Meningoencephalitis* ; Middle Aged ; Scrub Typhus* ; Seizures

Myositis caused by mumps virus is very rare. Mumps virus has been suggested as a causative agent of inclusion body myositis, but there has been no definite evidence. We experienced a case of severe myositis associated with mumps virus infection. A 21-year old man was admitted because of myalgia, headache, fever, and chill for 2 months. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis performed at a local clinic showed findings compatible with viral meningitis. His blood chemistry results revealed elevated levels of serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and serum myoglobin. On the 5th day of admission, the patient showed pain and swelling of parotid gland and scrotum. Electromyography was compatible with inflammatory myopathy. Muscle biopsy of his calf muscle revealed necrotizing (leukocytoclastic) vasculitis and multifocal myolysis with multinucleation. We suspected mumps virus infection because of his symptoms of meningitis, epididymo-orchitis and parotitis. Mumps virus was isolated in throat culture. The past medical history of the patient's mumps virus vaccination was unclear. After 2 weeks of supportive treatment, the patient's condition was improved.
Biopsy ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Chemistry ; Creatine Kinase ; Electromyography ; Fever ; Headache ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Meningitis ; Meningitis, Viral ; Mumps virus* ; Mumps* ; Myalgia ; Myoglobin ; Myositis* ; Myositis, Inclusion Body ; Parotid Gland ; Parotitis ; Pharynx ; Scrotum ; Vaccination ; Vasculitis ; Young Adult

Pemphigus vulgaris is a rare chronic disorder that is characterized by the development of bullae on the skin and mucous membrane due to an acantholysis mediated by circulating autoantibodies. It begins as painful, non- healing ulcerations in the mouth. After a period of weeks to months, the condition progresses to the skin. Occasionally, skin lesions may develop as the initial manifestation of this disease. However, esophageal involvement of pemphigus vulgaris is rare. An 84-year-old man was referred due to chest pain, dysphagia, oral ulcerations and facial bullae. The histopathological findings showed a suprabasal blister and acantholysis in the epithelium of the facial skin. An endoscopic examination revealed exfoliated erosions, ulcerations and hemorrhagic bullae on the oral and esophageal mucosa. The patient was started on high dose of corticosteroids and azathioprine, but there was no clinical improvement. The use of cyclophosphamide led to the remission of the lesions.
Acantholysis ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Aged, 80 and over ; Autoantibodies ; Azathioprine ; Blister ; Chest Pain ; Cyclophosphamide ; Deglutition Disorders ; Epithelium ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Mouth ; Mucous Membrane ; Oral Ulcer ; Pemphigus* ; Skin ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pneumatic dilation is the most effective non-surgical treatment option for the patients with achalasia. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of outcome after pnematic dilation in patients with primary achalasia. METHODS: Thrity-five patients with primary achalasia between May 1996 and April 2001 were included. They were divided into two groups; responder and nonresponder. Esophageal manometry, scintigraphy and barium esophagogram was performed before dilation and 4 weeks after dilation. RESULTS: Seven patients having symptomatic relapse were treated with repeated pneumatic dilation. Remaining 28 patients (83%) had no recurrence during follow-up period (mean duration 16 month, range 6~43 month). Among the factors evaluated in the initial examination, only young age affected outcome (p=0.039). The post treatment retention fraction at 5, 20 minutes were the most valuable factors for predicting the clinical response (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Older patients are more likely to have sustained response. Radionuclide esophageal emptying test remains a useful objective study evaluating esophageal transit before and after pneumatic dilation in the patients with achalasia and may have an important role in the follow-up evaluation of treatment for achalasia.
Barium ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Manometry ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Recurrence

Gastric carcinoma showing the features of a submucosal tumor (SMT) is extremely rare. The incidence of this type of tumor has been reported to be 0.1~0.63%. We report two cases of advanced gastric carcinomas showing the features of SMT. A 58-year-old man visited our hospital with a melena. An endoscopic examination revealed a 3.0 cm sized protruding lesion on the posterior wall of the gastric antrum. Most of the tumor surface was covered with normal mucosa and ulceration was observed in the center. Although the histological diagnosis could not be obtained prior to surgery, a gastrectomy was performed due to the high risk of malignancy. The tumor was diagnosed histologically as a lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma. The other patient was a 64-year-old man with the chief complaint of epigastric discomfort. An endoscopic examination revealed a SMT like lesion with a central ulceration and hard coated exudate in the high body of the stomach. The microscopic examination revealed a poorly differentiated vimentin-positive adenocarcinoma. Unfortunately, he died from the disease two months later.
Adenocarcinoma ; Diagnosis ; Exudates and Transudates ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Melena ; Middle Aged ; Mucous Membrane ; Pyloric Antrum ; Rhabdoid Tumor ; Stomach ; Ulcer