Bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) is a rare entity that requires early diagnosis and immediate treatment due to the possibility of a life-threatening massive hemorrhage through rupture. The standard treatment is a surgical resection of the aneurismal artery. However, various embolization techniques, including coil embolization, are currently used as the optimal treatment because they are less invasive. A 65-year-old woman was referred for the treatment of intermittent hemoptysis. A chest CT scan showed an approximately 2 cm sized vascular mass with strong contrast enhancement originating from the right bronchial artery on the bronchiectatic parenchyma. On the angiogram, the inferior portion of the bronchial artery with a hypertrophic aspect and a huge bronchial artery aneurysm was detected on the left side branch. The bronchial artery aneurysm was embolized successfully with coils at the proximal and distal portion of the aneurysm. After coil embolization, the selective bronchial angiogram confirmed complete occlusion. We report this case of a bronchial artery aneurysm that was treated successfully with coil embolization.
Aged ; Aneurysm ; Arteries ; Bronchial Arteries ; Bronchiectasis ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Rupture ; Thorax

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an immunologically-mediated disease resulting from repeated exposure to sensitizing agents, such as organic dusts or chemicals. Isocyanate is a volatile and highly reactive chemical that is extensively used in the manufacturing of automobiles, upholstery, and polyurethane foam. Occupational respiratory diseases associated with isocyanate, such as bronchial asthma, are well-known. It is thought that HP is one of the rare diseases induced by isocyanate with a very low frequency worldwide. We report a case of HP in an automobile painting sprayer which appeared to be associated with isocyanate.
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic ; Asthma ; Automobiles ; Dust ; Hypersensitivity ; Paint ; Paintings ; Polyurethanes ; Rare Diseases

There are few reports of the pleuropulmonary involvement of a non-typhi Salmonella infection in immunocompromised patients with AIDS, malignancy, collagen vascular diseases, extended use of corticosteroids, sickle cell disease, or diabetes. We report a case of a non-immunocompromised patient who presented with concomitant empyema and mediastinitis due to Salmonella without a comorbid disease. A 26-year-old male patient, with a history of pneumonia 5 years earlier and having lived abroad for several years, presented chronic cough and febrile sensation. Pneumonia, empyema and mediastinitis were noted in a chest CT scan and Salmonella enteritidis and beta-hemolytic streptococcus were identified from a culture of the pleural fluid. Initially, he was treated with cefepime, metronidazole and clarithromycin. He was cured clinically and radiographically after an 8 week treatment with antibiotics. In conclusion, this report suggests that S. enteritidis can cause empyema and mediastinitis, albeit rarely.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult ; Anemia, Sickle Cell ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cephalosporins ; Clarithromycin ; Collagen ; Cough ; Empyema ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Male ; Mediastinitis ; Metronidazole ; Pneumonia ; Salmonella ; Salmonella enteritidis ; Salmonella Infections ; Sensation ; Streptococcus ; Thorax ; Vascular Diseases

We report on a case of a patient with laryngo-tracheobronchial amyloidosis who complained of cough, sputum, and hoarseness. A chest X-ray showed consolidation in the right middle lobe. A chest CT scan showed diffuse, irregular narrowing of the tracheobronchial tree and atelectasis of the right middle lobe, with calcification of bronchial wall. Bronchoscopic findings were multinodular submucosal thickening of the right vocal cord, and yellowish multinodular submucosal thickening from the lower trachea through both main bronchi, as well as the lingular division of the left upper lobe, the right middle lobe, and the right lower lobe. The right middle lobe bronchus was nearly obstructed. The diagnosis of amyloidosis was made by multiple bronchoscopic biopsies on the right vocal cord and both bronchi. Pathologic findings were characteristic apple-green birefringence under polarized microscopy with Congo-red stain. The patient had no evidence of systemic amyloidosis. The patient is under conservative symptomatic treatment.
Amyloidosis ; Biopsy ; Birefringence ; Bronchi ; Cough ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Microscopy ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Sputum ; Thorax ; Trachea ; Vocal Cords

Although disseminated cryptococcosis occurs most commonly in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, it can occur in immune competent persons. There are no case reports of disseminated cutaneous crytpcoccosis associated with pulmonary tuberculosis in Korea. A 71-year-old female presented with fever and multiple cutaneous nodules. She was finally diagnosed with disseminated cutaneous cryptococcosis accompanied by pulmonary tuberculosis, and was treated successfully with anti-tuberculous medication and fluconazole. She had no apparent predisposing conditions for systemic cryptococcosis. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.
Aged ; Cryptococcosis ; Female ; Fever ; Fluconazole ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Korea ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

A 63-year old woman was admitted to our hospital for an evaluation of thrombocytopenia. She had been diagnosed with tuberculous pericarditis three months earlier in a local clinic and treated with anti-tuberculosis medication. Two months later, thrombocytopenia developed. The medication was subsequently stopped because it was suspected that the anti-tuberculosis medication, particularly rifampin, might have caused the severe platelet reduction. However, the thrombocytopenia was more aggravated. A bone marrow biopsy was performed, which showed moderate amounts of histiocytes with active hemophagocytosis. This finding strongly suggested that the critical thrombocytopenia had been caused by hemophagocytic syndrome, not by the side effects of the anti-tuberculosis medication. Furthermore, the development of hemophagocytosis might have been due to an uncontrolled tuberculosis infection and its associated aberrant immunity. Therefore, she was started with both standard anti-tuberculosis medication and chemotherapy using etoposide plus steroid. One month after the initiation of treatment, the thrombocytopenia had gradually improved and she was discharged in a tolerable condition. At the third month of the follow-up, her platelet level and ferritin, the activity marker of hemophagocytic syndrome, was within the normal range.
Biopsy ; Blood Platelets ; Bone Marrow ; Etoposide ; Female ; Ferritins ; Follow-Up Studies ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; Pericarditis, Tuberculous ; Reference Values ; Rifampin ; Thrombocytopenia ; Tuberculosis

A tuberculous psoas abscess is a frequently described complication of tuberculous spondylitis. Although rare, a tuberculous psoas abscess can develop without any demonstrable spinal involvement. In patients with no evidence of sponylitis, the abscess may result from direct spread from the involved lymph node or via a hematogeous route. The treatment of a psoas abscess is either drug therapy or surgical intervention in conjunction with drug therapy. Image-guided percutaneous drainage in conjunction with drug therapy is also a safe and effective treatment for a tuberculous psoas abscess. We report an unusual case of bilateral tuberculous psoas abscesses without any concomitant spinal involvement. The tuberculous psoas abscess may have formed by fistulization between the necrotic lymph node and psoas sheath. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography and a histology examination of the biopsy sample. The patient improved after administering anti-tuberculous agents for 2 years along with surgical and percutaneous drainage of the abscess.
Abscess ; Biopsy ; Drainage ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Psoas Abscess ; Spondylitis ; Tuberculosis

No abstract available.
Genotype ; Humans ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter may be toxic to human tissue. Ambient air particulate matter < or =10micrometer in aerodynamic size (PM10), which changes under different environmental conditions, is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. The Asian dust event caused by meteorological phenomena can also spread unique particulate matter in affected areas. We evaluated production of ROS, TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B by exposing normal epithelial cells to Asian dust particulate matter. METHODS: Bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to 0, 50, 100microgramg/ml of a suspension of PM10 for 24 h. ROS were detected by measurement of DCF release from DCF-DA by FACScan. TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B were detected by western blotting. RESULTS: PM10 exposure increased the expression of TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B. ROS production and TGF-betalevels were significantly higher with 50 or 100microgram/ml PM10. Fibronectin and NF kappa B production were significantly higher after 100microgram/ml of PM10. CONCLUSION: PM10 from Asian dust particles might have fibrotic potential in bronchial epithelial cells via ROS induction after PM10 exposure.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blotting, Western ; Dust ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibronectins ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; Particulate Matter ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic alterations in certain genes are now known as at least important as genetic mutation in pathogenesis of cancer. Especially abnormal hypermethylation in or near promoter region of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) are known to result in gene silencing and loss of gene function eventually. The authors tried to search for new lung cancer-specific TSGs which have CpG islands and HpaII sites, and are thought to be involved in carcinogenesis by epigenetic mechanism. METHODS: Tumor tissue and corresponding adjacent normal tissue were obtained from 10 patients who diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and underwent surgery in Konyang university hospital in 2005. Methylation profiles of promoter region of 21 genes in tumor tissue & non-tumor tissue were examined with HpaII-MspI methylation microarray (Methyl-Scan DNA chip(R), Genomic tree, Inc, South Korea). The rates of hypermethylation were compared in tumor and non-tumor group, and as a normal control, we obtained lung tissue from two young patients with pneumothorax during bullectomies, methylation profiles were examined in the same way. RESULTS: Among the 21 genes, 10 genes were commonly methylated in tumor, non-tumor, and control group. The 6 genes of APC, AR, RAR-b, HTR1B, EPHA3, and CFTR, among the rest of 11 genes were not methylated in control, and more frequently hypermethylated in tumor tissue than non-tumor tissue. CONCLUSION: In the present study, HTR1B, EPHA3, and CFTR are suggested as possible novel TSGs of NSCLC by epigenetic mechanism.
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; CpG Islands ; DNA ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenomics ; Gene Silencing ; Genes, Tumor Suppressor ; Humans ; Lung ; Methylation ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Pneumothorax ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma