OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the serum levels of IL-10 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are different from those of normal controls and SLE patients and to find out any correlation with disease activity parameters of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: Sera from 20 healthy normal persons, 16 rheumatoid arthritis patients and 16 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus were collected and measured for IL-10 and IL-6. Various disease activity parameters were measured in RA patients. RESULTS: The serum level of IL-10 in RA patients was significantly elevated compared to normal controls but lower than those of SLE patients. In RA patients there was no definite correlation between the disease activity parameters and serum IL-10 levels. Despite significant improvements in terms of various disease activity parameters, there was no significant change of serum IL-10 levels after treatment in RA patients. In seropositive RA patients, positive correlation was found between serun IL-10 and rheumatoid factor levels. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that the serum IL-10 levels in patietns with RA are elevated compared to normal controls but lower than those of SLE patients. There was no correlation between serum IL-10 levels and disease acivity parameters of RA.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Humans ; Interleukin-10* ; Interleukin-6 ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Rheumatoid Factor

PURPOSE: Rapid antigen test (RAT) is used to screen influenza rapidly. The clinical sensitivity of RAT was poor for 2009 H1N1 influenza. The aim of this study was to identify the correlation of time gap (TG) between fever onset and the sensitivity of RAT for 2009 H1N1 influenza. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively during the pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza season between October 2009 and February 2010. The RAT was done by using SD Bioline influenza antigen (Standard Diagnostics Inc.) in nasopharyngeal swab. The 2009 H1N1 influenza was confirmed by real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Specimens were categorized according to the TG between fever onset and performance of RAT. They were classified into <24 hours (TG1), 24 to 48 hours (TG2), 48 to 72 hours (TG3), 72 to 96 hours (TG4), 96 to 120 hours (TG5), >120 hours (TG6). RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of RAT was 69.9%. The TG dependent sensitivity of RAT at TG1, TG2, TG3, TG4, TG5, and TG6 was 64.3%, 73.3%, 61.1%, 88.9%, 83.3%, and 61.1% respectively. The sensitivity of RAT was the highest when the TG was 72 to 96 hours. But this result was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Correlation of TG between fever onset and the sensitivity of RAT for 2009 H1N1 influenza was not statistically significant. But our study suggested that 72 to 96 hours after fever onset is the most sensitive time of RAT. Timely optimal performance of the RAT could have a significant impact on improving results. Further evaluation for better sensitivity would be needed.
Animals ; Fever ; Influenza, Human ; Pandemics ; Rats ; Retrospective Studies ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Seasons

We found an error in our published article: Park KW, Im SB, Kim BT, Hwang SC, Park JS, Shin WH. Neurotoxic manifestations of an overdose intrathecal injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. J Korean Med Sci 2010; 25: 505-8. The published Fig. 2 C and D are identical with Fig. 2 A and B on page 506 of above article. It was a mistake that occurred during editing process of figures by the publishing company. We have attached a corrected version of the Fig. 2.

The intravenous administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine (GD) is relatively safe and rarely causes systemic toxicity in the course of routine imaging studies. However, the general safety of intrathecal GD has not been established. We report a very rare case of an overdose intrathecal GD injection presenting with neurotoxic manifestations, including a decreased level of consciousness, global aphasia, rigidity, and visual disturbance.
Adult ; Aphasia/etiology/pathology/physiopathology ; Brain/drug effects/pathology ; *Contrast Media/administration & dosage/toxicity ; *Gadolinium DTPA/administration & dosage/toxicity ; Humans ; *Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Muscle Rigidity/etiology/pathology/physiopathology ; *Neurotoxicity Syndromes/etiology/pathology/physiopathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vision Disorders/etiology/pathology

When a tear occurs in one of the major cervicocerebral arteries and allows blood to enter the wall of the artery and split its layers, the result is either stenosis or aneurysmal dilatation of the vessel. Vertebral artery dissection (VAD) is an infrequent occurrence but is a leading cause of stroke in young and otherwise healthy patients. This article discusses recent developments in understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis of VAD and the various clinical manifestations, methods of diagnosis, and approaches to treatment.
Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Natural History ; Stroke ; Vertebral Artery ; Vertebral Artery Dissection

No abstract available.
Plasma* ; Spectrum Analysis* ; Trace Elements*

Synovial sarcoma occurring in the pleura and lung is extremely rare. We report a case of pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma as a second malignant neoplasm. The patient had been diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia at 5 years of age, and received matched sibling donor allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, with total body irradiation and cyclophosphamide conditioning. At 22 years of age, he complained of worsening chest discomfort and exertional dyspnea. Chest CT revealed a huge mass in the right middle lobe, pleura, and diaphragm. The patient was initially diagnosed as sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma, without any environmental or occupational asbestos exposure. Five months later, the patient presented with soft tissue metastasis and underwent needle biopsy. Pathological examination including SYT-SSX RT-PCR revealed synovial sarcoma, which led to a review of the original tumor findings and confirmed the diagnosis of pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma.To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the first case of pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma developed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Synovial sarcoma occurring in the pleura and lung is extremely rare. We report a case of pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma as a second malignant neoplasm. The patient had been diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia at 5 years of age, and received matched sibling donor allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, with total body irradiation and cyclophosphamide conditioning. At 22 years of age, he complained of worsening chest discomfort and exertional dyspnea. Chest CT revealed a huge mass in the right middle lobe, pleura, and diaphragm. The patient was initially diagnosed as sarcomatoid malignant mesothelioma, without any environmental or occupational asbestos exposure. Five months later, the patient presented with soft tissue metastasis and underwent needle biopsy. Pathological examination including SYT-SSX RT-PCR revealed synovial sarcoma, which led to a review of the original tumor findings and confirmed the diagnosis of pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma.To the best of our knowledge, our patient is the first case of pleuropulmonary synovial sarcoma developed after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

No abstract available.
Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute*

We report the CT findings of diffuse esophageal spasm (DES) in a patient with dysphagia. Although an uncommon condition, DES should be included in the differential diagnosis if relatively long and symmetric segmental esophageal wall thickening and an epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum are noted at CT.
Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diverticulum, Esophageal ; Esophageal Spasm, Diffuse* ; Humans