Background: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, with a rising incidence of macrolide resistance. Early diagnosis is crucial for reducing the disease burden; however, current diagnostic tools have limitations.We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of serological assays and their performance based on symptom onset in children with CAP. Methods: From September 2023 to September 2024, we prospectively enrolled children with CAP, classified as M. pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) or non-MPP, from 16 hospitals in Korea. Serological testing included chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) and ELISA for detecting IgM and IgG, along with particle agglutination (PA) for total antibody measurements. Serological responses were analyzed at different times after symptom onset (0–4, 5–9, and 10–21 days). Results: Among 472 children with CAP (362 MPP, 110 non-MPP), 138 (29.2%) underwent PA testing, and 334 (70.8%) underwent IgM testing. PA at a 1:640 cutoff showed 48.0% sensitivity and 100% specificity. CLIA and ELISA showed comparable sensitivities (69.1% vs. 69.2%) and specificities (76.9% vs. 66.7%) for IgM testing. Seropositivity increased significantly with time since symptom onset (P for trend < 0.001), reaching 97.9% for IgM, 62.5% for IgG, and 94.7% for PA at 10–21 days. Conclusions The time post-symptom onset significantly influenced the diagnostic utility of serological tests for pediatric MPP, which showed limited value during the early stage of illness. These findings emphasize the importance of symptom onset-based interpretation of serological test results and their utility in complementing PCR when optimizing MPP diagnosis in children.

Background: The clinical features of pediatric rhabdomyolysis differ from those of the adults with rhabdomyolysis; however, multicenter studies are lacking. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and reveal the risk factors for acute kidney injury (AKI) in such cases. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of children and adolescents diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis at 23 hospitals in South Korea between January 2007 and December 2016. Results: Among 880 patients, those aged 3 to 5 years old composed the largest subgroup (19.4%), and all age subgroups were predominantly male. The incidence of AKI was 11.3%. Neurological disorders (53%) and infection (44%) were the most common underlying disorder and cause of rhabdomyolysis, respectively. The median age at diagnosis in the AKI subgroup was older than that in the non-AKI subgroup (12.2 years vs. 8.0 years). There were no significant differences in body mass index, myalgia, dark-colored urine, or the number of causal factors between the two AKI-status subgroups. The multivariate logistic regression model indicated that the following factors were independently associated with AKI: multiorgan failure, presence of an underlying disorder, strong positive urine occult blood, increased aspartate aminotransferase and uric acid levels, and reduced calcium levels. Conclusions Our study revealed characteristic clinical and laboratory features of rhabdomyolysis in a Korean pediatric population and highlighted the risk factors for AKI in these cases. Our findings will contribute to a greater understanding of pediatric rhabdomyolysis and may enable early intervention against rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI.

Purpose: Quality of life (QOL) has become important in the trend of emphasizing patient satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate the QOL in patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: A prospective trial was performed involving patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy for primary gastric cancer at 11 hospitals in Korea. Within this comparative trial, QOL, postoperative pain, and long-term complications were exanimated. The quality-of-life questionnaire (QLQ)-C30 and QLQ-STO22 developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer were used for the QOL survey. We compared the data after dividing it into several types of characteristics as follows; device (robotic or laparoscopic), operation type, pathological stage, and sex.Biased components were extracted by logistic regression analysis. Propensity score matching was applied to the data set with the biased components. Results: In total, 434 patients (211 for laparoscopic surgery and 223 for robotic surgery) were enrolled, out of which 321 patients who responded to both preoperative and postoperative surveys were selected for analysis. Robotic gastrectomy was not different from laparoscopic gastrectomy with respect to postoperative QOL. Distal gastrectomy showed better scores than total gastrectomy in terms of role functioning, social functioning, fatigue, nausea/vomiting, pain, dyspnea, constipation, financial difficulties, dysphagia, eating restrictions, anxiety, taste, and body image. Male patients showed better scores on the 19 scales compared to female patients. Conclusion Robotic and laparoscopic approaches for gastric cancer surgery did not differ from each other with respect to QOL. Distal gastrectomy resulted in better QOL than total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Viridans streptococci is a major pathogen of infective endocarditis. This study was conducted in order to investigate the factors associated with infective endocarditis and predictors for three-month mortality among patients with viridans streptococcal bacteremia (VSB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, among 261 eligible patients diagnosed as VSB from January 2000 through June 2011 in a university-affiliated hospital, a retrospective analysis of 197 patients was conducted. All patients with VSB were classified into two groups according to sites of bacteremia; infective endocarditis and other infections. Demographic and clinical characteristics were reviewed through electronic medical records factors associated with infective endocarditis and predictors of three-month mortality in VSB patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 197 patients, 37 (18.8%) patients had viridans streptococcal infective endocarditis (VSIE) and 160 (81.2%) patients had VSB due to other infection. In logistic regression analysis, underlying valvular heart disease (odds ratio [OR], 48.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.77-406.38) and persistent bacteremia (OR, 46.32; 95% CI, 7.18-299.01) showed an independent association with VSIE. Three-month mortality rate was 21.7% in patients with VSB. In logistic regression analysis, previous steroid use (OR, 9.31; 95% CI, 1.34-64.52), previous immunosuppressive therapy (OR, 9.50; 95% CI, 2.13-42.30), hypotension at onset of bacteremia (OR, 7.72, 95% CI, 2.45-24.33), and Charlson comorbidity score > or =3 (OR, 4.53, 95% CI, 1.55-13.28) showed an independent association with three-month mortality in patients with VSB. CONCLUSIONS: VSB patients who have valvular heart disease or persistent bacteremia routinely require echocardiography. Previous steroid use, immunosuppressive therapy, hypotension, and higher Charlson comorbidity score suggested poor prognosis in patients with VSB.
Bacteremia ; Comorbidity ; Echocardiography ; Electronic Health Records ; Endocarditis ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Logistic Models ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Viridans Streptococci

The transport proteins such as thyroxine-binding-globulin (TBG), albumin and transthyretin carry over 99% of circulating thyroid hormones. TBG is a major thyroid hormone transport protein in serum. Although TBG deficiency does not have metabolic consequences, it has diagnostic implications as it can lead to an incorrect interpretation of thyroid function tests. We experienced a case that a man who had an abnormal thyroid function showed unexpectedly low concentrations of serum total thyroxine. We detected the low TBG in his serum and he was diagnosed the TBG deficiency. We report this case along with a review of the related literature.
Carrier Proteins ; Prealbumin ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Hormones ; Thyroxine

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is an acute, progressive illness that manifests with fever, hypotension, and accelerated multi-organ failure. It is usually caused by Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). STSS due to non-group A streptococci is rare, but its incidence has recently increased. We report here on two cases of STSS caused by Group B Streptococcus (Streptococcus agalactiae) and Group G Streptococcus (Streptococcus dysagalactiae).
Fever ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Shock, Septic ; Streptococcus ; Streptococcus agalactiae

BACKGROUND: Conventional pelviscopic surgery requires pneumoperitoneum with CO2 gas insufflation and lithotomy-Trendelenburg position. Pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position may influence intraoperative respiratory mechanics in anesthetic management. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position on respiratory compliance and ventilation pressure. METHODS: Twenty-five patients scheduled for elective gynecologic laparoscopy were evaluated. The patients had no preexisting lung or heart disease or pathologic lung function. Conventional general anesthesia with thiopental sodium, lidocaine, rocuronium, and sevoflurane was administered. The peak inspiratory pressure, plateau pressure, and end-tidal CO2 were measured before and after creation of pneumoperitoneum with an intraabdominal pressure of 12 mmHg, then after 10 minutes and 30 minutes in the 20degrees Trendelenburg position, and after deflation of pneumoperitoneum. The dynamic lung compliance was then calculated. RESULTS: Following creation of pneumoperitoneum, there was a significant increase in peak inspiratory pressure (6 cmH2O), plateau pressure (7 cmH2O), and end-tidal CO2 (5 mmHg), while dynamic lung compliance decreased by 12 ml/cmH2O. Overall, the Trendelenburg position induced no significant hemodynamic or pulmonary changes. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of pneumoperitoneum significantly reduced dynamic lung compliance and increased peak inspiratory and plateau pressures. The Tredelenburg position did not change these parameters.
Androstanols ; Anesthesia, General ; Compliance ; Head-Down Tilt ; Heart Diseases ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Laparoscopy ; Lidocaine ; Lung ; Lung Compliance ; Methyl Ethers ; Pneumoperitoneum ; Respiratory Mechanics ; Thiopental ; Ventilation

Intracranial subdural hematoma is an exceptionally rare complication of spinal anesthesia. An 88-year-old female patient diagnosed with grade V uterine prolapse with rectocystocele received a vaginal hysterectomy and anteroposterior repair under spinal anesthesia. At 4 days postoperatively, she appeared to have decreased orientation, inappropriate behavior, and right side weakness grade III. Brain MR diffusion and CT revealed a bilateral subdural hematoma. She was improved after burr hole drainage. We report a case of intracranial subdural hematoma developing after spinal anesthesia, a rare complication.
Aged, 80 and over ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Brain ; Diffusion ; Drainage ; Female ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hematoma, Subdural, Intracranial ; Humans ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal ; Orientation ; Uterine Prolapse

Sick sinus syndrome (SSS) is an abnormality of sinus nodal impulse formation by intrinsic or extrinsic causes. Patients with SSS often are asymptomatic, or have mild or nonspecific symptoms, including dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, and confusion related to the decreased cardiac output. SSS can rarely cause conditions like syncope, congestive heart failure, thromboembolism, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrest, or sudden death. We report here on a severe bradycardia during general anesthesia for aneurysmal clipping and tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome followed by cardiac arrest postoperatively in the ICU, which was subsequently diagnosed as SSS with 24-hour Holter monitoring.
Anesthesia, General ; Aneurysm ; Bradycardia ; Cardiac Output ; Death, Sudden ; Dizziness ; Edema, Cardiac ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Fatigue ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Sick Sinus Syndrome ; Syncope

The clinical syndrome of posttraumatic syringomyelia can complicate major spinal trauma and develops many months after spinal injury. The 50-90% of patients experienced the pain and especially the component of central pain. In patients with central pain following spinal cord injury, ketamine has been shown to be an effective analgesic. We report a case of posttraumatic syringomyelia in a 30-year-old woman who complained of central pain, weakness of both legs and dysesthesia. She had not responded to pulsed radiofrequency, or lidocaine infusion therapy, but a continuous intravenous infusion of ketamine, an N-methyl-D-asparate receptor antagonist, reduced her severe central pain. In conclusion, a ketamine infusion therapy resulted in a significant reduction of central pain without decreasing of motor power and function.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Ketamine ; Leg ; Lidocaine ; Paresthesia ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Injuries ; Syringomyelia