The incidence of a primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma in western countries is about 1% of all the intracranial tumors and has increased 2.2% over the last decade. A similar pattern of increased frequency is observed in Korea. Although most CNS lymphomas in western countries are high grade tumors carrying poor prognosis, the clinicopathologic features of the Korean CNS lymphoma have not been well studied. We report clinicopathological features of 18 cases of histologically proven primary brain lymphoma. The mean age of the patients was 50 years and there was no sex difference. The clinical and radiological characteristics included multiple site of occurrence, infrequent extracranial spread, and frequent seeding via cerebrospinal fluid. No patients were immune-compromised host. Of 18 cases, 15 cases were of B-lineage and 2 cases were of T-lineage. According to REAL classification, there were 12 cases of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, two cases of B cell lymphomas of small lymphoid cell, and two cases of peripheral T cell lymphoma, unspecified. The remaining subtypes were not subclassified because of inadequate material. Pleomorphic cytologic features and necrosis of varying extent were frequent in the cases of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. These results suggest that overall clinicopathologic features of primary malignant lymphomas of the central nervous system in Korea are similar to those of western countries.
Brain ; Central Nervous System* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Classification ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; Necrosis ; Prognosis ; Sex Characteristics

PURPOSE: As the proportion of patients with diabetes and old age increases, the use of arteriovenous graft (AVG) is increasing. However, there are few data about the comparison of the patency rate of native arteriovenous fistula (AVF) to that of AVG in Korea. We compared the outcome of native AVF to that of AVG with analysis of the factors affecting the patency of the permanent vascular access in use. METHODS: A retrospective database of all vascular access related procedures performed from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003 was established. We evaluated the primary unassisted and cumulative access patency rate with analysis of patency-related factors. We also evaluated the primary failure rate of AVF and AVG. RESULTS: 196 new vascular access surgeries were performed during the period. 14 cases were excluded due to loss of follow-up. 142 native arteriovenous fistulas (78%) and 40 grafts (22%) were constructed. The primary failure rate was similar between AVF and AVG group. The primary unassisted (78%, 72%, 68% vs. 62%, 41%, 22% at 1, 2, 3 year; p<0.001) and cumulative patency rate (93%, 88%, 85% vs. 84%, 74%, 73% at 1, 2, 3 year; p=0.087) were better in AVF group than in AVG group. The factors affecting the patency of vascular access were the type of vascular access and planned construction of permanent vascular access. CONCLUSION: Patency of native AVF as the permanent vascular access was better than that of AVG. Planned construction of permanent vascular access improved the patency of the access.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Korea ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants ; Vascular Patency

PURPOSE: Acute renal failure requiring dialysis (ARFD) after coronary intervention is a rare but serious complication, and it is associated with poor prognosis. This study investigated the clinical characteristics and risk factors of ARFD after coronary intervention in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: This study included 178 adult patients with CKD (baseline serum creatinine of >1.3 mg/dL) undergoing coronary intervention at Samsung Medical Center from April 2003 through June 2007. We retrospectively evaluated the incidence, clinical outcome, and risk factor of ARFD via medical records. ARFD was defined as a decrease in renal function necessitating hemodialysis in the first 7 days after percutaneous coronary intervention. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was obtained using the Levey Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. RESULTS: Ten of the 178 patients (5.6%) developed ARFD with a subsequent in-hospital mortality rate of 10% (n=1). According to CKD stage, incidence of ARFD was 0/136 patients (baseline eGFR 30 to 90 ml/min/1.73m2 4/32 (15 to 29,) and 7/10 (<15) respectively (0% vs 9.4% vs 70%, p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis found eGFR (OR=0.5, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.9, p=0.02) to be only independent predictor of ARFD. Of those who developed ARFD (n=10), 2 patients stopped dialysis, 8 had required permanent dialysis. CONCLUSION: Incidence of ARFD increased according to the severity of renal dysfunction. The majority of ARFD patients had required permanent dialysis.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Adult ; Contrast Media ; Coronary Angiography ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Diet ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prognosis ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by the Hantann virus occurs frequently in Korea. On the other hand, the incidence of HFRS is very low in Jeju Island. A 62-year-old man was transferred from another hospital because of persistent fever, myalgia, generalized edema, epigastric pain, conjunctival injection, costovertebral angle tenderness, thrombocytopenia and azotemia. On the second hospital day, he exhibited oliguric symptoms. His urine output increased from the fourth hospital day. The test for the anti-Hantaan virus antibody was positive. Finally, he was diagnosed with HFRS and recovered with conservative management. HFRS should be considered when acute renal failure develops in patients with fever and thrombocytopenia in Jeju Island.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Azotemia ; Edema ; Fever ; Hand ; Hantavirus ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Thrombocytopenia ; Viruses

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) has been used increasingly for the management of renal failure in hemodynamically unstable and critically ill patients. CRRT requires anticoagulation, usually with heparin, to prevent clotting in the extracorporeal circuit. Systemic heparinization is associated with a high rate of bleeding when used during CRRT in critically ill patients. We applied regional citrate anticoagulation for CRRT to two critically ill patients with high bleeding risk using calcium containing commercial solutions. We conclude that regional citrate anticoagulation with commercial calcium containing solution can be used alternative to heparin for CRRT in patients with high bleeding risk.
Calcium ; Citric Acid* ; Critical Illness ; Hemodiafiltration* ; Hemorrhage ; Heparin ; Humans ; Renal Insufficiency ; Renal Replacement Therapy

Stroke causes systemic immunosuppression. T lymphocytes are involved in infarct size in the early stages of stroke. However, the phenotypes of T lymphocytes and their functions in peripheral immune organs and the brain have not been well analyzed in the acute and chronic phases of stroke. Here, we investigated pathological phenotypic alterations in the systemic immune response, especially changes in T lymphocytes, from one day to six months after ischemic stroke in mice. Impairment in thymocyte numbers, development, proliferation, and apoptosis were observed for up to two weeks. The number of mature T cells in the spleen and blood decreased and showed reduced interferon-γ production. Increased numbers of CD4-CD8-CD3+ double-negative T cells were observed in the mouse brain during the early stages of stroke, whereas interleukin (IL)-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes increased from two weeks during the chronic phase. These phenotypes correlated with body weight and neurological severity scores. The recovery of T lymphocyte numbers and increases in IL-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes may be important for long-term neurological outcomes. Dynamic changes in T lymphocytes between the acute and chronic phases may play different roles in pathogenesis and recovery. This study provides fundamental information regarding the T lymphocyte alterations from the brain to the peripheral immune organs following stroke.

Stroke causes systemic immunosuppression. T lymphocytes are involved in infarct size in the early stages of stroke. However, the phenotypes of T lymphocytes and their functions in peripheral immune organs and the brain have not been well analyzed in the acute and chronic phases of stroke. Here, we investigated pathological phenotypic alterations in the systemic immune response, especially changes in T lymphocytes, from one day to six months after ischemic stroke in mice. Impairment in thymocyte numbers, development, proliferation, and apoptosis were observed for up to two weeks. The number of mature T cells in the spleen and blood decreased and showed reduced interferon-γ production. Increased numbers of CD4-CD8-CD3+ double-negative T cells were observed in the mouse brain during the early stages of stroke, whereas interleukin (IL)-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes increased from two weeks during the chronic phase. These phenotypes correlated with body weight and neurological severity scores. The recovery of T lymphocyte numbers and increases in IL-10+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes may be important for long-term neurological outcomes. Dynamic changes in T lymphocytes between the acute and chronic phases may play different roles in pathogenesis and recovery. This study provides fundamental information regarding the T lymphocyte alterations from the brain to the peripheral immune organs following stroke.