Objective: A wireless electroencephalography (EEG) headset was applied to patients with an unclear etiology of an altered mental status suspected of non-convulsive seizures in the emergency department. Methods: The study included patients who presented to the emergency department with an altered mental status from January 1, 2020, to April 30, 2023. The patients with abnormal findings in brain imaging or those with typical seizure movement were excluded. Real-time portable continuous EEG monitoring was conducted on patients with persistent altered consciousness despite receiving conservative treatments and showing improvement in vital signs and blood tests within 3 hours. The baseline characteristics, degree of consciousness alteration and neurological symptoms, initial clinical diagnosis, EEG findings, and medications used in cases where epileptiform discharges were examined. The clinical outcomes were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among 26 patients, six patients showed epileptiform discharges. The final diagnoses included uremic encephalopathy (n=2), septic encephalopathy due to pneumonia (n=1), urinary tract infection (n=1), diabetic ketoacidosis (n=1), and mental change only (n=1). The associated symptoms were myoclonus in three patients and abnormal eye movements in two patients. Conclusion In cases where the causes of altered mental status remain unexplained despite appropriate evaluations and treatments, particularly when accompanied by myoclonus or abnormal eye movements, it is crucial to consider the possibility of non-convulsive seizures and promptly perform an EEG to differentiate and diagnose the underlying condition, even if initial tests and treatments have been performed.

A primary hepatic lymphoma (PHL) is a rare malignancy; misdiagnosis and mistreatment are very common. We report the case of a 56-year-old female who presented with a 2-week history of upper abdominal pain. She exhibited no risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and her serum tumor marker levels were normal. A computed tomography scan and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the liver revealed multiple liver masses, suggestive of multiple liver and lung metastases or an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with lung metastasis. A diagnosis of PHL (a diffuse large B cell lymphoma) was confirmed by biopsy followed by immunohistochemistry. This case emphasizes that a PHL must be considered in the differential diagnosis of space-occupying liver lesions in patients with no risk factors for HCC and normal levels of serum tumor markers. It is notable that neither B cell lymphoma symptoms nor an elevated lactate dehydrogenase level were apparent in this case. We thus report a case of PHL mimicking multiple liver metastases or an intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and we review the literature.
Abdominal Pain ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Liver Neoplasms ; Liver* ; Lung ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4, also known as CD26) binds with adenosine deaminase (ADA) to activate T lymphocytes. Here, we investigated whether ADA activity is specifically affected by treatment with DPP-4 inhibitor (DPP4I) compared with other anti-diabetic agents. METHODS: Fasting ADA activity, in addition to various metabolic and biochemical parameters, were measured in 262 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients taking various anti-diabetic agents and in 46 non-diabetic control subjects. RESULTS: ADA activity was increased in T2DM patients compared with that in non-diabetic control subjects (mean+/-standard error, 23.1+/-0.6 U/L vs. 18.6+/-0.8 U/L; P<0.05). ADA activity was correlated with fasting plasma glucose (r=0.258, P<0.05), HbA1c (r=0.208, P<0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.325, P<0.05), and alanine aminotransferase (r=0.248, P<0.05). Compared with the well-controlled T2DM patients (HbA1c<7%), the poorly controlled group (HbA1c>9%) showed significantly increased ADA activity (21.1+/-0.8 U/L vs. 25.4+/-1.6 U/L; P<0.05). The effect of DPP4I on ADA activity in T2DM patients did not differ from those of other oral anti-diabetic agents or insulin. T2DM patients on metformin monotherapy showed a lower ADA activity (20.9+/-1.0 U/L vs. 28.1+/-2.8 U/L; P<0.05) compared with that of those on sulfonylurea monotherapy. CONCLUSION: Our results show that ADA activity is increased in T2DM patients compared to that in non-diabetic patients, is positively correlated with blood glucose level, and that DPP4I has no additional specific effect on ADA activity, except for a glycemic control- or HbA1c-dependent effect.
Adenosine ; Adenosine Deaminase ; Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Glucose ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Metformin ; Plasma ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Propofol is widely used for sedation during endoscopy. Because propofol may cause hepatic encephalopathy, hemodynamic compromise, and respiratory depression, cautious use is required in patients with liver cirrhosis. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of propofol in compensated cirrhosis during endoscopic examination. METHODS: Thirty-nine cirrhotic patients (19 and 20 cases of Child Pugh classes A and B, respectively) and 56 control subjects were included. The initial dose of propofol (40 mg) was increased by 20-mg increments until moderate sedation was achieved. The number connection test, flapping tremor test, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, liver enzymes, and prothrombin time were evaluated before and after endoscopy. RESULTS: No significant change was observed in any parameter compared to baseline in either group. The mean dose of propofol was significantly lower in cirrhotic versus control subjects (49.7+/-15.8 versus 65.0+/-17.9 mg, respectively; p<0.001). Scores based on a visual analog scale evaluating patient satisfaction did not differ between groups (72+/-27 versus 64+/-26, respectively; p=0.196), nor did mean recovery time (16.4+/-9.8 versus 14.2+/-6.7 min, respectively; p=0.186). CONCLUSION: Propofol is safe and effective for moderate sedation in compensated liver cirrhosis.
Child ; Conscious Sedation ; Endoscopy ; Fibrosis ; Heart Rate ; Hematologic Tests ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatic Encephalopathy ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Oxygen ; Patient Satisfaction ; Propofol ; Prothrombin Time ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Tremor

No abstract available.
Kell Blood-Group System

Splenic artery aneurysms are an uncommon form of vascular disease that carry the risk of rupture and fatal hemorrhage. Precise cause of splenic artery aneurysms are not be established, the most common pathologic finding is defect of the media. Splenic artery aneurysms occur in patient with multiple pregnancies, portal hypertension, splenomegaly, after orthotopic liver transplantation and fibrodysplasia. Most patients who are diagnosised with splenic artery aneurysm are asymptomatic. Arteriography is a confirmed diagnostic method for detecting splenic artery aneurysms and searching the location of aneurysms. Operative treatment and therapeutic catheter embolization have been used for treatment of splenic artery aneurysms.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography ; Catheters ; Diagnosis ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Liver Transplantation ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Rupture* ; Splenic Artery* ; Splenomegaly ; Vascular Diseases

PURPOSE: Distinguishing malaria from severe infection among febrile patients in emergency room is difficult, so we tried to analyze the clinical manifestations of malaria and the results of using devices as a quick way to detect malaria among febrile patients visiting an emergency medical center (EMC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients visiting a local EMC from January 2001 to December 2004 and confirmed as having vivax malaria by using a peripheral blood smear and Malaria antibody test (Immunochromatographic assay). RESULTS: All of the 108 included patients were infected with Plasmodium vivax and suffered from high fever, but tertian fever was seen in only 41 patients (37.9%). Various symptoms included headache, myalgia, abdominal pain, and so on. Laboratory findings noted thrombocytopenia, anemia, elevated alanin aminotransferase, and coagulopathies. Malaria antibody test was used in all cases for early diagnosis in the EMC. Compared with the peripheral blood smear, malaria antibody test identified 103 cases as positive, and five cases as negative. The diagnostic sensitivity of the malaria antibody test is 95.3%. CONCLUSION: Since south Korea is a malaria endemic area, for patients visiting an emergency room with a high fever, accompanied by thrombocytopenia and anemia, malaria must be included in the differential diagnosis whether the fever is tertian or not. The Malaria antibody test can be done by even an unskilful person, so it is a very helpful screening test and an early detection tool for malaria.
Abdominal Pain ; Anemia ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Fever ; Headache ; Humans ; Korea ; Malaria* ; Malaria, Vivax ; Mass Screening ; Myalgia ; Plasmodium vivax ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombocytopenia

PURPOSE: There have been many reports that point to the increasing death and emergency operation rate in traumatic hemorrhagic shock patients. The purpose of this study was to discover the clinical difference between the hypotensive traumatic patients and the non-hypotensive traumatic patients that had been managed in intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 122 patients admitted to ICU for trauma from January 2001 to December 2002. We compared the hypotensive (systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 90 mmHg) group with the non-hypotensive group about age, diastolic blood pressure, initial hemoglobin, Injury Severity Score (ISS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), transfusion volume at emergency department, blood pH, blood base deficit, duration of admission, ICU stay, death rate, transfusion volume and others. RESULTS: There was no difference between two groups in age, causes of injury, situation whether or not the patient was directly transported from the scene and ISS. But there were differences between two groups in initial hemoglobins, GCS, RTS, blood pH, blood base deficit, duration of admission, ICU stay, and death rate. It was documented that the ICU stay correlated with systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, initial hemoglobin, blood base deficit, ISS, GCS, and RTS but not correlated with transfusion volume in emergency department. CONCLUSION: Systolic blood pressure is not the sensitive parameter of blood loss. Various kinds of indices of hypotensive group are more severe than non-hypotensive group. If traumatic patients are hypotensive blood pressure on arrival at emergency department, we should be careful of the state of these patients.
Blood Pressure ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Injury Severity Score ; Intensive Care Units ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock, Hemorrhagic

We report the case of a 47-year-old female who developed idiopathic eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome following complete remission of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She had been diagnosed extranodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma of nasal cavity and treated with CHOP chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She complained fever, myalgia and the complete blood count showed markedly elevated eosinophil count. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was confirmed in complete remission state by PNS CT, nasal septum biopsy and bone marrow biopsy. The patient showed eosinophilia in peripheral blood, myositis in electromyography and muscle biopsy consistent with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. The symptoms were improved and the eosinophilia count was decreased after prednisolone medication. We report a case of idiopathic eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome with a review of the literature.
Biopsy ; Blood Cell Count ; Bone Marrow ; Drug Therapy ; Electromyography ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome* ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Middle Aged ; Myalgia ; Myositis ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Septum ; Prednisolone ; Radiotherapy

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare neoplasm that develops in the abdominal cavity in young people. Microscopically, nests of small undifferentiated cells within a desmoplastic stroma are observed and immunohistochemical studies show polyphenotypic differentiation with expression of epithelial, neural and muscle markers. A specific chromosomal translocation, t (11;22)(p13;q12) has been documented in DSRCT and is increasingly used to confirm the diagnosis. We had experienced a 59-year-old female with right upper quardrant pain for 1 month. On abdominal computerized tomography, multiple demarcated intrahepatic mass lesions were found, but other organs metastasis or abnormal lymph node enlargement and fluid collection were not found. Fine needle aspiration biopsy of hepatic mass was performed and DSRCT was diagnosed by H and E and immunohistochemical staining. She was treated with cyclophosphamide, etoposide, doxorubicin and cisplatin. After three cycles of chemotherapy, computerized tomography demonstrated distinct shrinkage of tumor. At present, she continues in the state of partial remission for 15months after chemotherapy was started.
Abdominal Cavity ; Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Cisplatin ; Cyclophosphamide ; Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor* ; Diagnosis ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy ; Etoposide ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Translocation, Genetic