BACKGROUND: In the Republic of Korea, there had been no reports about indigenous malaria cases since 1984 until a vivax malaria case was detected in 1993. Thereafter fram 1993 to 1996, 486 malaria cases were reported. Most of the patients were soldiers in the northern militarized zone. However, since 1997, several patients with malaria were detected in Kang Hwa where there had previously been no report of malaria cases. It is our intent to report the 16 cases diagrnosed in Kang Hwa Community Hospital from January 1, 1997 to August 10, 1998. METHODS: Medical records of the malaria cases from January 1, 1997, to August 10, 1998 in Kang Hwa Community Haspital were reviewed. All of the patients had no histories of traveling abroad, drug abuse or blood transfusion. They were all civilians. Laboratory studies including blood cell count, routine chemistry and platelet-associated IgG(PAIgG) and abdominal sanography were taken. RESULTS: All of the patients were diagnosed with malaria by blood smears. Common symptams were fever(100%), headache(94%), rigors(81%), myaJgia(56%), nausea or vomiting(44%), alternate day fever (25%), left flank pain(19%), diarrhea(13%), and abdominal pain(13%). Splenomegaly was detected in 92% of cases by sonography. Laboratory findings included leukopenia(37.5%), anemia(37.5%) and thrombocytopenia(81.3%). Platelet-associated IgG was elevated in 1 of 5 thrombocytopenic patients who had had the laboratory study performed. All recovered withaut complications. CONCLUSIONS: Cases of indigenous malaria have been progressively increasing in the Republic of Korea. Fortunately, patients responded well to treatment, but continued interest will be required in the future.
Blood Cell Count ; Blood Transfusion ; Chemistry ; Fever ; Hospitals, Community ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Malaria ; Malaria, Vivax ; Medical Records ; Military Personnel ; Nausea ; Republic of Korea ; Splenomegaly ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Thrombocytopenia

During the period from May to October 1969, the authors carried out a series of tests with the aim to ascertain the present status of susceptibility of adult cockraoches to various insecticides. The tests on the susceptibility of cockroaches to dieldrin, D.D.V.P., Diazinon; Dibrom, Malathion and lindane were performed with the topical application and the residual film methods under the conditions of 26 degrees C and 80% of relative humidity. The insects tested were collected from Seoul City and were reared at the laboratory. Some of the important results so far obtained can be summarized as follows: The median lethal doses (LD(50)) of the five insecticides against female adult cockroaches were: 0.4 ug/roach or 4.02 ug/body weight (gm) by Dieldrin, 0.29/roach or 2.88 ug/body weight (gm) by D.D.V.P., 0.29 ug/roach or 2.96 ug/body weight (gm) by Diazinon, 0.54 ug/roach or 5.37 ug/body weight (gm) by Dibrom, and 2.96 ug/roach or 29.60 ug/body weight (gm) by Malathion. And those against male adult cockroaches were: 0.18 ug/roach or 3.29 ug/body weight (gm) by Dieldrin, 0.27 ug/roach or 4.89 ug/body weight (gm) by D.D.V.P., 0.16 ug/roach or 2.91 ug/body weight (gm) by Diazinon, 0.49 ug/roach or 8.97 ug/body weight (gm) by Dibrom, and 1.32 ug/roach or 24.19 ug/body weight (gm) by Malathion. The level of susceptibility of adult cockroaches to the insecticides tested was 1.0-1.6 times higher as compared with the results obtained on the Japanese Takashi strain. The median knockdown times (LT(50)) of the female adult cockroaches by insectcides at 1% concentration of 3 mg per square centimetre were 1.82 hours by Malathion, 1.36 hours by Diazinon, 0.56 hours by Lindane, 0.50 hours by Dibrom, and 2.56 hours by D.D.V.P. A marked difference was seen to exist between the males and the females. The female cockroaches were more resistant than the male to Dieldrin, Diazinon and Malathion.
parasitology-arthropoda-cockcroach-Blattella germanica ; chemotherapy ; Dieldrin ; D.D.V.P. ; Diazinon ; Dibrom ; Malathion ; lindane ; resistance

Myopathy is a well known side effect of corticosteroid therapy. We report a case of iatrogenic steroid therapy induced myopathy in a 79-year-old female who had taken steroids for more than three years due to treatment for degenerative osteoarthritis. She complained of severe proximal muscle wasting and lower extremities weakness. Also, she had typical features of Cushing syndrome such as moon face, buffalo hump and easy bruising. Needle electromyogram showed no abnormal spontaneous activities in both lower extremities, but peripheral nerve conduction study showed motor conduction defect of both deep peroneal and tibial nerves. And, low SNAP (sensory nerve action potential) of both superficial peroneal and sural nerves, which were compatible with peripheral polyneuropathy in both lower extremities. The muscle biopsy revealed a pronounced muscle fiber atrophy, fatty degenerative change and selective type 2 fiber depletion on ATPase staining in pH 9.4 buffer. She was treated isotonic exercise physical therapy and slowly improved. After three months later, she complained sudden onset of chest discomfort and died due to congestive heart failure.
Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Aged ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Buffaloes ; Cushing Syndrome* ; Female ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Lower Extremity ; Muscular Diseases* ; Needles ; Osteoarthritis ; Peripheral Nerves ; Polyneuropathies* ; Steroids ; Sural Nerve ; Thorax ; Tibial Nerve

Primary hemangioma of the heart is very rare and is difficult to be diagnosed during life. We present a case of pericardial hemangioma with spontaneous hemopericardium, which was diagnosed by operation and confirmed histologically by excisional biopsy. This 58-yr old patients had pericardial effusion on echodardiography. After evacuation of bloody pericardial effusion by pericardiocentesis, his symptoms were subsided. After then, he uneventfully convalesced. On the 32th day, sudden dyspnea developed with narrow pulse pressure. So exploratory pericardiotomy was done under the impression of cardiac tamponade. At operation, we noticed diffuse hemangiomatous lesion at epicardium and large amount of bloody pericardial effusion. We performed only diagnostic excisional biopsy because the lesion was too extensive and location was not suitable for total excision. The lesion was confirmed to be pericardial hemangioma histologically.
Biopsy ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiac Tamponade ; Dyspnea ; Heart ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Pericardial Effusion* ; Pericardiectomy ; Pericardiocentesis ; Pericardium

It is well documented that autotransfusion can reduce or eliminate the use of homologous blood. And recently many studies have shown that autotransfusion influences postoperative course so that patients transfused with autologous blood show less tumor recurrence rate or less wound infection rate than those transfused with homologous blood. So we conducted a study on autotransfusion compared with homologous transfusion in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion procedures. Autotransfusion group consisted of predonation and hemodilution group. In predonation group (n=20), autotransfusion was performed by autologous preoperative donation, intraoperative salvage using Cell saver and postoperative salvage using Orth-evac drainage/ reinfusion device. In hemodilution group (n=20), autotransfusion was performed by acute normo-volemic hemodilution and intraand postoperative autotransfusion methods same as predonation group. Above autotransfusion group was compared with homologous transfusion group (n=20) on perioperative CBC (complete blood count) changes, amount and duration of postoperative drainage, transfusion side effects and complications associated with operation. Results are as follows, 1) 90% of patients in autotransfusion group could complete transfusion therapy without the use of homologous blood. 2) Total amounts of transfused blood were 1,733+/-567 ml (5.4+1.8 units) in predonation group, 1,539+/-712 ml (4.8+2.2 units) in hemodilution group and 4.7+/-1.3 units in homologous transfusion group. There is no statistically significant difference between autotransfusion and homologous transfusion group. 3) In predonation group, hemoglobin and hematocrit levels were significantly lower than those of homologous transfusion group preoperatively and at PAR (postanesthetic recovery), 2nd day and 7th day postoperatively. But at 14th day, the levels were recovered as high as those in homologous transfusion group. 4) In autotransfusion group, total amount and the duration of postoperative drainage were significantly less and shorter respectively than those of homologous transfusion group. 5) In homologous transfusion group, 60% of patients experienced one or more than one of transfusion side effects and one patient received emergency operation of hematoma evacuation immediate postoperatively. In autotransfusion group, 47.5% of patients showed fever above 38degree Centigrade, and all of which were associated with the use of postoperative autotransfusion but other complications associated with transfusion or operation could not be found. In conclusion, we think autotransfusion not only can reduce or eliminate the use of homologous blood but also seems to have beneficial influences on postoperative recovery.
Blood Transfusion, Autologous* ; Drainage ; Emergencies ; Fever ; Hematocrit ; Hematoma ; Hemodilution ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Spinal Fusion ; Wound Infection

BACKGROUND: Pleural eosinophilia is rare and commonly considered to be an indicator of good prognosis. The diagnostic significance of eosinophilic pleural effusions remains controversial despite a century of observation and discussion. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of eosinophilia in 446 consecutive samples of pleural fluid, to review the cause of eosinophilic pleural effusion and to determine whether the presence of eosinophils increases the likehood of benign conditions. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed upon patients that underwent first thoracentesis due to pleural effusion between January 1999 and December 1999. RESULTS: Eosinophilic pleural effusions were identified in 24 of the 446 patients (5.4%). Malignancy, parapneumonic effusion and tuberculosis were determined the major causes of pleural effusion (80.6%). Malignancy was diagnosed as frequently in eosinophilic effusions as in non-eosinophilic effusions (54.2% vs 50.5%, p=0.725). No difference was found in the prevalence of eosinophilic and non-eosinophilic effusion according to the etiology. The mean blood eosinophil ratio in patients with eosinophilic pleural effusion was 5.4% and no significant correlation existed between the blood and pleural eosinophilic count. CONCLUSION: Pleural eosinophilia is not helpful for differentiating benign and malignant etiology and is not related with blood eosinophilia or repeated tapping.
Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion* ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: Preoperative autologous donation is one of the most widely used methods of autotransfusion. However donation of predetermined units cannot often be achieved because of falling hematocrit with donations going on. We studied on the minimal effective dosage of recombinant human erythropoietin(rhEPO) used in preoperative autologous donation. METHODS: We conducted randomized trial of rhEPO in 45 adults for posterior spinal fusion procedures who had basal hematocrit less than 40 percent. The patients received either nothing(control group) or rhEPO(25 or 50 units/kg) intravenously twice a week for 21 days, during which time up to 3 units of blood was collected. Patients were excluded from donation when their hematocrit values were less than 33 percent. All patient received iron sulfate(256mg orally three times daily). RESULTS: The mean number of units collected per patient(mean+/-SD) was 3+/-0 for the 50-unit group(P<0.05 when compared with control group), 2.84+/-0.36 for the 25-unit group and 2.67+/-0.49 for the control group. The red cell volume donated by the patients who received rhEPO(347 ml, 325 ml) was greater than that donated by the control group(255 ml, P<0.05). The differences between hematocrits of the first and the third preoperative donations were significantly less in 50-unit group(1.50+/-2.05) and 25-unit group(1.51+/-1.85) than that of control group(3.73+/-1.66). Two patients of the 25-unit group and 5 patients of the control group required additional homologous blood postoperatively. And there were no significant differences in the pattern of postoperative changes of hemoglobin and hematocrit among each group. CONCLUSIONS: Fifty units per kilogram of body weight is considered appropriate to be the minimal effective dosage for preoperative autologous donation.
Adult ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Body Weight ; Cell Size ; Erythropoietin* ; Hematocrit ; Humans* ; Iron ; Spinal Fusion

Heart failure unresponsive to bed rest, low sodium diet, digitalis, diuretics, vasodilators and cardiac inotropic agents is a difficult therapeutic problem. Although remission was achieved with such treatment, its duration was short and easily recurred. We present a report of severe refractory congestive heart failure in three patients successfully treated with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD). These patients were admitted to the hospital many times and treated by conventional methods but cannon maintain their condition for a long time. In all three patients, edema, pulmonary congestion, electrolyte abnormalities, decreased ejection fraction and fractional shortening of myocardioum were eliminated or improved by CAPD. All three patients improved from Class IV congestive heart to Class II, as defined by the New York Heart Association, and experienced a define improvement in their sense of well being We conclude CAPD as an effective and the useful treatment for servere congestive heart failure refractory to conventional medical treatments.
Bed Rest ; Diet ; Digitalis ; Diuretics ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)* ; Heart ; Heart Failure* ; Humans ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Pulmonary Edema ; Sodium ; Vasodilator Agents

Metastatic calcification is rare; it is found during autopsy in patients who underwent hemodialysis. Diffuse calcium precipitation of small and medium-sized cutaneous vessels, known as calciphylaxis, can result in progressive tissue necrosis secondary to vascular calcification. This condition most commonly involves the skin; however, a rare occurrence of visceral calciphylaxis has been reported. Here we report on an autopsy case. Despite a thorough evaluation, and even performing an autopsy, the underlying cause of acute-onset hypercalcemia, resulting in the production of pulmonary calciphylaxis and metastatic renal calcification associated with acute respiratory and renal failure, could not be determined. Metastatic calcification often lacks specific symptoms, and the degree of calcification is a marker of the severity and chronicity of the disease. This unusual autopsy case emphasizes the importance of rapidly progressing visceral calciphylaxis, as well as its early detection.
Autopsy ; Calciphylaxis ; Calcium ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Necrosis ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Vascular Calcification

Bezoars are persistent concretions of indigestible material that are usually found in the stomach. With the significant development of endoscopic techniques, many authors have reported the removal of bezoars using methods such as endoscopic forceps, snares, electrohydraulic lithotripsy, laser. However, there are no reports of using argon plasma to remove a bezoar in Korea. Argon plasma coagulation is a non-contact electrosurgical technique, which is an inexpensive, easily learned, and effective method in gastrointestinal endoscopy. In addition, this method is associated with a decreased risk of perforation and tissue damage by maintaining a controllable depth of coagulation. We report a 71-year-old man with a 11x11x8 cm sized huge gastric phytobezoar found by endoscopy. The bezoar was broken into pieces using the argon plasma coagulator. Endoscopic forceps and a basket were then used to crush and extract its fragments. The bezoar was removed safely without any complications. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.
Aged ; Argon Plasma Coagulation ; Argon* ; Bezoars ; Endoscopes* ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Humans ; Korea ; Lithotripsy, Laser ; Plasma* ; SNARE Proteins ; Stomach ; Surgical Instruments