C4 glomerulopathy is a recently introduced entity that presents with bright C4d staining and minimal or absent immunoglobulin and C3 staining. We report a case of a 62-year-old man with C4 glomerulonephritis (GN) and uveitis. He presented to the nephrology department with proteinuria and hematuria. The patient also had intermediate uveitis along with proteinuria and hematuria. A kidney biopsy that was performed in light of continuing proteinuria and hematuria showed a focal proliferative, focal sclerotic glomerulopathy pattern on light microscopy, absent staining for immunoglobulin or C3 by immunofluorescence microscopy, with bright staining for C4d on immunohistochemistry, and electron-dense deposits on electron microscopy. Consequently, C4 GN was suggested as the pathologic diagnosis. Although laser microdissection and mass spectrometry for glomerular deposit and pathologic evaluation of the retinal tissue were not performed, this is the first report of C4 GN in Korea and the first case of coexisting C4 GN and uveitis in the English literature.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; Korea ; Mass Spectrometry ; Microdissection ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Middle Aged ; Nephrology ; Proteinuria ; Retinaldehyde ; Uveitis ; Uveitis, Intermediate*

Lymphedema is a common complication associated with cancer itself or with cancer treatment. Lymphedema infrequently occurs after drug therapy. Bee venom is one of the materials used in acupuncture, and it has been used in the treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases including arthritis. We report a 74-year-old male patient with late-onset post-radiation lymphedema provoked by bee venom therapy. He was free of lymphedema for 5 years after the complete remission of prostate cancer which had been treated with transurethral resection and radiation therapy. The patient developed left leg swelling after undergoing bee venom therapy for left hip pain. Computed tomography and lymphoscintigraphy showed lymphedema without tumor recurrence or infection. The lymphatic system was suspected to be injured by bee venom therapy and lymphedema was provoked. Bee venom therapy should be used cautiously in patients prone to lymphedema.
Acupuncture ; Aged ; Arthritis ; Bee Venoms* ; Bees* ; Drug Therapy ; Hip ; Humans ; Leg ; Lymphatic System ; Lymphedema* ; Lymphoscintigraphy ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Recurrence

The Stellate ganglion block (SGB) could be used to treat sympathetic dependent circulatory insufficiency. We report a 36-year-old female patient with burn-induced refractory ischemic ulcer in distal phalanges. The patient admitted in department of plastic surgery for second degree burn wound in the right second through fifth fingertips. Continuous dressing treatment was conducted. However digital burn wounds were not healed but seems to be refractory. The upper extremity angiography revealed decreased perfusion and the fingertip wounds were diagnosed as ischemic ulcer. Despite of botulinum toxin injection into the perineural tissue and aspirin prescription, burn wounds showed ulcerative necrotic change. The SGBs were performed twice a week for 3 weeks to restore vasoconstriction of the upper extremity arteries. The follow-up angiography showed significant improvement of fingertip perfusion. Consequently, wounds were completely healed. In conclusion, SGB could be a rational option to overcome burn-induced digital ischemia refractory to other medical therapy.
Adult ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Aspirin ; Bandages ; Botulinum Toxins ; Burns ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Perfusion ; Prescriptions ; Stellate Ganglion ; Surgery, Plastic ; Ulcer ; Upper Extremity ; Vasoconstriction ; Wounds and Injuries

A 57-year-old man who was diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome showed severe impairment of cognitive function and a craving for alcohol, even after sufficient supplementation with thiamine. After completing 10 sessions of 10 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at 100% of the resting motor threshold over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, dramatic improvement in cognitive function and a reduction in craving for alcohol were noted. This is the first case report of the efficacy of a high-frequency rTMS in the treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Cognition ; Craving ; Humans ; Korsakoff Syndrome* ; Middle Aged ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Thiamine ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation*

PURPOSE: To assess the prognostic factors associated with anatomical success of scleral buckle (SB) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in high myopia patients. METHODS: The medical records of RRD in highly myopic eyes treated with SB from January 2009 to December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Cases with history of intraocular surgery including phacoemulsification and vitrectomy were excluded. Correlations between anatomical success and the parameters of age, sex, preoperative visual acuity, axial length, presence of large tear, presence of horseshoe tear, the number of tears, involved fovea, and extent of detachment were analyzed. RESULTS: This study included 80 eyes of 80 patients. Average age and axial length were 32.3 ± 13.4 and 26.753 ± 0.961 mm, respectively. Sixty-nine eyes (86.3%) were reattached following primary surgery. Univariate analysis revealed that age (p = 0.011), presence of large tear (p = 0.002), and presence of horseshoe tear (p = 0.044) were correlated with anatomical success after SB. Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, age was the sole independent prognostic factor (odds ratio = 1.086, 95% confidence interval = 1.022~1.154, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: A younger age is associated with a higher rate of primary anatomical success of SB for RRD in highly myopic eyes. In young, highly myopic patients with RRD, SB should be considered as the primary procedure.
Humans ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Myopia ; Phacoemulsification ; Retinal Detachment* ; Retinaldehyde* ; Retrospective Studies ; Scleral Buckling* ; Tears ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of recurrent Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) endophthalmitis after uneventful phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. CASE SUMMARY: Case 1: A healthy, 75-year-old female presented with a sudden visual loss and ocular pain 2 days after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. After successful treatment with intravitreal antibiotics injection, the infection was apparently cleared. At 1 month after the initial presentation, recurrent endophthalmitis occurred and was resolved with vitrectomy, silicon oil tamponade, and intravitreal antibiotics injection. Two months after vitrectomy, the silicone oil was removed and the patient's final visual acuity improved to 20/400 5 months later. Case 2: A healthy, 74-year-old female presented with a sudden visual loss 2 days after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. After successful treatment with intravitreal antibiotics injection, the infection was apparently cleared. One month later, recurrent endophthalmitis occurred and was resolved with vitrectomy, posterior capsulotomy, and intravitreal antibiotics injection. Forty days later, the patient had a similar relapse. The infection resolved with IOL explantation, silicon oil tamponade, and repeated intravitreal antibiotics injections. E. faecalis was identified at the first and recurrent episode. Vancomycin and ceftazidime were used for each intravitreal administration. Silicone oil removal and IOL scleral fixation were performed and the patient's final visual acuity was 20/40 5 months later. CONCLUSIONS: Close monitoring for recurrences is recommended in endophthalmitis due to E. faecalis after phacoemulsification even after a successful initial treatment.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cataract* ; Ceftazidime ; Endophthalmitis* ; Enterococcus faecalis* ; Female ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Phacoemulsification ; Posterior Capsulotomy ; Recurrence ; Silicone Oils ; Vancomycin ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of predictive refraction and the factors influencing the predictability in combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated patients who received combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery for idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) and macular hole (MH), followed up for a minimum of 6 months. Preoperative refraction, target refraction, postoperative refraction, predictive refraction error (target refraction - postoperative refraction), accuracy of predictive refraction error (predictive refraction error was within +/-0.5 diopter), intraocular pressure, axial length, central macular thickness, and tools that were used for intraocular lens power calculation (A-scan and IOL master) were assessed by analyzing medical records. RESULTS: A total of 176 eyes (including 132 idiopathic ERM cases and 44 MH cases) were included in this study. The accuracy of predictive refraction error was 60.8% at 6 months and there was no difference between the idiopathic epiretinal membrane group (59.8%) and the macular hole group (63.6%). There was no significant difference in predictive refraction error according to axial length and tools (IOL master vs A-scan). Predictive refraction error correlated positively with preoperative refraction (r = 0.227; p = 0.002). In the ERM group, predictive refraction error correlated negatively with both preoperative central macular thickness and the change in central macular thickness between, before, and 6 months after surgery (r = -0.211; p = 0.015 and r = -0.241; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy of predictive refraction error was approximately 60% in combined vitrectomy and cataract surgery. Postoperative refraction appeared to be myopia relative to target refraction with higher preoperative myopia and thicker preoperative central macular thickness. Hence, the intraocular lens power should be determined considering the above factors.
Cataract ; Epiretinal Membrane* ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Medical Records ; Myopia ; Refractive Errors ; Retinal Perforations* ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of the pediatric blood culture bottle for vitreous sample culture in endophthalmitis patients. METHODS: All consecutive cases with clinically suspected endophthalmitis treated and cultured in our institution between January 2009 and June 2013 were included in the study. Vitreous samples were obtained by vitreous needle aspiration (tap), anterior chamber aspiration, or mechanized vitreous biopsy (vitrectomy). The samples obtained using the conventional method until August 2011 were classified as group I. Since August 2011, the BacT/Alert PF pediatric blood culture bottle (bioMerieux, Marcy l'Etoile, France) was used for culture in group II. We investigated age, gender, biopsy method, cause of infection, use of antibiotics, bacterial culture, and culture positive rate. RESULTS: Thirty-three cases were included in group I and 17 cases in group II. There was no significant difference in age, gender, sampling technique, cause of infection, and use of antibiotics between the 2 groups. The culture positive rate in group II (60.7%) was significantly higher than group I (33.3%, p = 0.032). In group II, Enterococcus feacalis was the most common pathogen (8 eyes). In group I, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were confirmed in 3 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The pediatric blood culture bottle can be used successfully in the examination of clinically suspected endophthalmitis. The method showed higher culture positive rate compared with the conventional method. This technique is simple and maintaining a supply of fresh agar media is not necessary.
Agar ; Anterior Chamber ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Endophthalmitis* ; Enterococcus ; Humans ; Needles ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Streptococcus pneumoniae

PURPOSE: To evaluate 0.025% brilliant blue G (BBG) for staining the internal limiting membrane (ILM) during vitrectomy. METHODS: In a retrospective, non-comparative clinical case series, we analyzed consecutive 111 patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy and removal of the ILM after staining using BBG solution. BBG was dissolved and diluted with balanced salt solution at a concentration of 0.025% and then sterilized by filtering through a 0.22 microm millipore filter. The prepared BBG solution was injected into the vitreous cavity over the macula after removal of the vitreous and excessive solution was removed immediately. RESULTS: The ILM was successfully removed without use of additional adjuvant in all cases. Mean best corrected visual acuity (log MAR) was significantly improved from 0.80 +/- 0.44 at baseline to 0.40 +/- 0.39 at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). One case each of endophthalmitis and diabetic papillopathy developed. The relationship when using BBG solution was not identified as complications were not observed in the other patients who underwent vitrectomy using the same BBG solution on the same day. One idiopathic epiretinal membrane patient had visual acuity loss more than 2 lines. During the follow-up period, other complications suspected to be associated with the use of BBG solution were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: A BBG solution (0.025%) was effective in staining the ILM for removal. Complications associated with the use of BBG solution were not observed.
Endophthalmitis ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Membranes* ; Micropore Filters ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy*

PURPOSE: To determine the myopic shift and cataract change after lens sparing vitrectomy (LSV) in patients with idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM) in their 5th and 6th decade of life. METHODS: The medical records of patients undergoing LSV for idiopathic ERM from 2008 to 2012 were reviewed. Patients with previous intraocular surgery, preoperative significant cataract, under 40 or over 60 years of age and a follow-up period of less than 6 months were excluded. The change in refractive errors, visual acuity, and cataract grade were evaluated for 6 months after LSV as well as the correlation between myopic shift and cataract change at 6 months after LSV. RESULTS: Twenty-eight eyes were included in this study. The cataract status worsened by 1.07 levels, myopia progressed by 3.13 diopters (p < 0.001), and uncorrected visual acuity (log MAR) decreased from 0.73 to 0.98 (p = 0.022) at 6 months after LSV. Additional cataract surgery was performed in 22 eyes (78.6%) at 13.6 months on average during the follow-up period (average 16.9 months). In 6 eyes (21.4%) having myopic change below 1.0 diopters, crystalline lens was preserved for 36 months after vitrectomy. Conversely, 22 eyes (78.6%) with myopic change over 1.5 diopters required cataract surgery. Therefore, myopic change over 1.5 diopters could be a major postoperative change predicting the necessity for cataract surgery (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LSV for ERM caused a significant myopic shift and cataract changes in patients in their 5th and 6th decade of life and additional cataract surgery was required in 78.6% of patients within 3 years after vitrectomy. The myopic shift over 1.5 diopters at 6 months after vitrectomy could be a major postoperative change predicting the necessity for cataract surgery.
Cataract* ; Epiretinal Membrane* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline ; Medical Records ; Myopia ; Refractive Errors ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy*