We experienced a case of primary hepatic actinomycosis which was initially diagnosed by means of fine needle aspiration. The patient was a 31-year-old emaciated man with a 2-month history of 10 kg weight loss, right upper quadrant pain and flank pain. The liver was palpable and tender on physical examination. Computerized tomography scan of the liver showed two ill-defined hypodense masses in gallbladder fossa and inferior pole of right lobe. Hepatocellular carcinoma was clinically suspected. A CT-guided fine needle aspiration was performed. Microscopically, smears showed numerous radiating clusters of filamentous bacteria with many neutrophils and monocytes in necrotic background. The symptoms were improved by incision and drainage and massive administration of penicillin.
Actinomycosis ; Adult ; Bacteria ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diverticulum* ; Drainage ; Fibroadenoma ; Flank Pain ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Infarction ; Liver ; Monocytes ; Neutrophils ; Penicillins ; Physical Examination ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux* ; Weight Loss

A 26-year-old man with a one-year history of asthma and sinusitis presented with bilateral pleural effusions, patch basilar infiltrates on a chest x-ray and a pericardial effusion on an echocardiogram. The peripheral blood showed marked eosinophilia. An obstructive pattern was also observed during the pulmonary fuction test, which was responsive to bronchodilator inhalation. Nerve conduction studies showed right sural neuropathy. Thoracentesis yielded an acidotic exudative effusion with low glucose, low C3 and eosinophilia. An open lung biopsy revealed an eosinophilic interstitial pneumonitis associated with a necrotizing eosinophilic vasculitis, and granulomatous inflammation foci. In the literature, pleural effusions were reported in 29 percent of Churg-Strauss patients, but the number of effusions was low and their characteristics have not been well described. This report describes the characteristic findings of pleural fluid and its histologic features in a case of classical Churg-Strauss syndrome.
Adult ; Asthma ; Biopsy ; Churg-Strauss Syndrome* ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils ; Glucose ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Inhalation ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Neural Conduction ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pleural Effusion* ; Sinusitis ; Thorax ; Vasculitis

Urinary tract calculi are among the earliest documented afflictions of man but much remains to be learned about the causes and prevention of this common disease. We estimated the serum concentration and urinary excretion of calcium in 65 stone-formers, comparing to those 21 controls. Additionally, serum parathyroid hormone level in 38 stone-formers was estimated. The results were as follows: 1. Serum calcium levels of stone formers were significantly higher than those of controls in total, male and female. 2. Urinary calcium levels of stone formers were significantly higher than those of controls in total, male and female. 3. Hypercalcemia was significantly more frequent for stone-formers in total and male, but not in female. 4. Hypercalcemia was significantly more frequent for stone-formers in total, but not in male and female. 5. The incidence of stone-formers, in whom normocalcemia and normocalciuria, was significantly less than that of controls. 6. Serum parathyroid hormone levels of stone formers were significantly higher than those of control in total and female, but not in male. 7. The elevated serum parathyroid hormone was more frequent in stone formers, but not significant statistically. These results suggest the possibility that metabolic disorder of calcium may play some roles in the genesis of urinary stone.
Calcium* ; Calculi ; Female ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Incidence ; Male ; Parathyroid Hormone* ; Urinary Calculi* ; Urinary Tract

The authors report a case of giant-cell tumor of the right middle cranial fossa floor a 43-year-old man. His presentation, characteristic magnetic resonance image findings, treatment, and 2-year follow-up result are described. The patient about this rare neoplasm of the skull base are also reviewed.
Adult ; Cranial Fossa, Middle* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Skull Base

No abstract available.
Onychomycosis

No abstract available.
Candida ; Onychomycosis

Despite current practice there is no evidence to demonstrate the efficacy of intraurethral 2% lidocaine gel as an anesthetic for rigid cystoscopy. To evaluate the usefulness of lidocaine on decreasing pain associated with cystoscopy, we performed a randomized controlled study comparing 2% lidocaine gel with a plain water based lubricant. Pain was recorded on a visual analogue scale by the patient and by the physician. Physician perception of pain experienced by the patient was compared with the actual pain experienced. We found decrease in pain perception in men following lidocaine gel instillation with a 5 or 10 minute dwell time compared to instillation of the plain lubricant.
Anesthetics ; Cystoscopy* ; Humans ; Lidocaine* ; Male ; Pain Perception ; Water

No abstract available.
Nevus

No abstract available.
Candida

No abstract available.
Hair ; Humans ; Piedra ; Scalp ; Trichosporon