PURPOSE: Recently, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become one of the major nosocomial pathogens in Korea. However, there have been few studies on the epidemiology of VRE colonization among neonates. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of VRE colonization, risk factors for VRE, and how to control the spread of VRE infection in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Pusan National University Hospital (PNUH). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 192 neonates who were admitted to the NICU of PNUH from March 2006 to March 2007. Surveillance cultures from rectal swabs for detecting VRE were obtained weekly during the study period. We analyzed the prevalence of VRE and various risk factors. RESULTS: The rate of VRE colonization among NICU patients was 25% (48/192). Thirty five of these VRE colonized patients were transferred to the NICU from other local hospitals. Compared with the non-VRE group, the risk factors associated with VRE colonization were lower birth weight, congenital heart disease, applied mechanical ventilation, use of a central venous catheter, chest tubing, a history of surgery, and use of antibiotics. CONCLUSION: VRE colonization among patients admitted to the NICU is rapidly increasing. Monitoring and managing premature neonates from the beginning of the birth process, avoiding many invasive procedures, avoiding antibiotics such as vancomycin and third generation cephalosporin are important for preventing the emergence and spread of VRE colonization in the NICU.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Birth Weight ; Central Venous Catheters ; Colon ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Parturition ; Prevalence ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thorax ; Vancomycin ; Vancomycin Resistance

Bromidrosis is a disorder characterized by rancid body odor which influences a patient's social life and mental health. The therapeutic modalities and the mechanism of bromidrosis have been carefully studied, however, there have been few reports about the genetic inheritance of bromidrosis. We investigated the family history of 42 patients who were operated on for bromidrosis and followed up to the third generation in 10 cases. The results were as follows: Results of investigation which were followed up the second generation. The fathers of five patients and the mothers of 11 patients had bromidrosis in 18 male patients. The fathers of six patients and the mothers of 12 patients had bromidrosis in 24 female patients. Thirty-four patient (81.0%) among a total of 42 have a single parent with bromidrosis. Result of investigation which were followed up to the third generation Bromidrosis was occurred in 17 of 42 patients (40.5%) in the second generation, and 18 of 27 patients (66.7%) in the third generation. In one case, a father transmitted bromidrosis to his three sons, and as a result, X-linked inheritance could be ruled out Bromidrosis was not skipped in every generation of all families. We on conclude that bromidrosis is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder.
Fathers ; Female ; Genes, X-Linked ; Humans ; Male ; Mental Health ; Mothers ; Odors ; Single Parent ; Wills*

A bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) is uncommon and usually associated with chronic inflammatory lung disease or a systemic vascular condition, which is rarely the etiology of mediastinal hemorrhage. A middle-aged person presented with spontaneous hemothorax and hemomediastinum. A diagnostic evaluation identified a bronchial artery aneurysm as the source. To prevent further rupture, we performed a bronchial artery embolization. In the absence of trauma or other causes for hemothorax and mediastinal hemorrhage, the possibility of a BAA should be considered. A bronchial artery aneurysm can be managed by interventional techniques as well as surgery.
Aneurysm ; Bronchial Arteries ; Hemorrhage ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Mediastinum ; Rupture ; Vascular Diseases

A bronchial artery aneurysm (BAA) is uncommon and usually associated with chronic inflammatory lung disease or a systemic vascular condition, which is rarely the etiology of mediastinal hemorrhage. A middle-aged person presented with spontaneous hemothorax and hemomediastinum. A diagnostic evaluation identified a bronchial artery aneurysm as the source. To prevent further rupture, we performed a bronchial artery embolization. In the absence of trauma or other causes for hemothorax and mediastinal hemorrhage, the possibility of a BAA should be considered. A bronchial artery aneurysm can be managed by interventional techniques as well as surgery.
Aneurysm ; Bronchial Arteries ; Hemorrhage ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Mediastinum ; Rupture ; Vascular Diseases

No abstract available.
Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula ; Facial Bones

Pumonary mucormycosis is an uncommon but a fatal, opportunistic fungal infection that occurs primarily in patients who are immunocompromised such as hematologic malignancies, renal failure, or diabetes mellitus. The patient was a 32 year-old male with a 3-year history of diabetes(type I) and hyperthyroidism, and has been suffering from coughing, fever and left-sided chest pain for 1 month. The patient was diagnosed by the bronchoscopic examination with transbronchial lung biopsy and underwent a left lower lobectomy. On 21th postoperative day, multiple loculated pleural effusion was detected by follow-up chest X-ray and thus, drained using thoracoscopy. On 23rd day after the thoracoscopic drainage, the patient was discharged without postoperative complication. Previous reports have suggested that aggressvie and early surgical intervention may further enhance survival in operative candidates with mucormycosis confined to one lung.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Chest Pain ; Cough ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drainage ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fungi ; Hematologic Neoplasms ; Humans ; Hyperthyroidism ; Lung ; Male ; Mucormycosis* ; Pleural Effusion ; Postoperative Complications ; Renal Insufficiency ; Thoracoscopy ; Thorax

Cor triatriatum is a rare congenital heart disease that is often lethal in children if not correctly identified and properly managed, Characteristically an anomalous membrane divides the left atrium into two chambers one located posterosuperiorly which is connected to the common pulmonary venous trunk and the other anteroinferiorly which is connected to the left atrial appendage and the mitral valve. Eight patients with Cor triatriatum were been seen at our hospital from 1984 to 1999. The clinical presentation diagnostic evaluation and surgical results are outlined in this retrospective review. Resection of the obstructing anomalous atrial membrane was performed using a hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in all cases. Right atriotomy was performed in all patients and left atriotomy was performed in a patient who had poor preoperative general conditions and serious cardiac defects(TAPVR & hypoplastic left ventricle) died of low cardiac output during the immediate postoperative period. The postoperative course has been excellent in the remaining. Cor triatriatum is amenable to surgical repair with excellent results when diagnosed early and in those who are not complicated by other complex cardiac anomalies.
Atrial Appendage ; Cardiac Output, Low ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Child ; Cor Triatriatum* ; Heart Atria ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Membranes ; Mitral Valve ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies

Infarction of the lung usually results from pulmonary arterial obstruction. Pulmonary infarcts often become infected from bronchial contamination and may become lung abscesses, empyema, or bronchopleural fistula causing sepsis. Diagnosis is important for intensive therapy, since infection is prone to spread. Resection of the infarcted lung should be considered early in an attempt to control infection. A sixty-seven-year-old man was hospitalized with dyspnea. A computed tomographic scan of the chest showed left lower lobe infiltration and mild pleural effusion with pleural thickening. There was a thrombus in the left pulmonary artery leading from the lower lobe to the upper lobe artery. At operation, the left lower lobe was found to have complete hemorrhagic infarction. The left lower lobectomy was performed. The remaining thrombus was removed after the left main pulmonary arteriotomy. He has been followed up for 15 months and has done well with no recurrence of thrombus and infarction of the lung.
Arteries ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Empyema ; Fistula ; Infarction ; Lung ; Lung Abscess ; Pleural Effusion ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Pulmonary Infarction* ; Recurrence ; Sepsis ; Thorax ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombosis

Leiomyoma is extremely rare benign tumor of the trachea. A case of leiomyoma of the trachea is described in a 36-year-old man. The patient had a brief history of asthma-like symptoms. Computed tomography of the chest revealed the ovoid lower trachea mass, which was occupying about 80% of the tracheal lumen. At fiberoptic bronchoscopy highly vascularized round mass was seen on the membranous portion of the lower trachea. The tumor was excised by segmental sleeve resection and end-to-end anastomosis of the trachea was performed. Postoperative course was uneventful and bronchoscopic findings showed clear healing of the anastomotic site.
Adult ; Bronchoscopy ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Thorax ; Trachea* ; Tracheal Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans ; Vaginosis, Bacterial*