Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease in children. Patients with AD experience a high rate of colonization of the skin surface by Staphylococcus aureus. Because of a skin barrier defect, there is a potential risk of staphylococcal invasive infection in patients with AD. Here, we present 2 cases of breast abscess caused by S. aureus in 2 adolescent girls with severe AD. Methicillin-sensitive S. aureus was identified from the breast abscess material. They were treated with appropriate antibiotics, however surgical drainage of the abscess was needed in case 1. Identical strains were found from the breast abscess material as well as the lesional and the nonlesional skin of the patients through matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight analysis. We characterized the differential abundance of Firmicutes phylum in patients' skin in microbiota analysis. In particular, S. aureus, a member of Firmicutes, differed significantly between the lesional and the normal-appearing skin. Our cases demonstrate the potential severity of bacterial deep tissue infection in AD and the dysbiosis of skin microbiota may be involved in inflammation in AD.
Abscess* ; Adolescent* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Breast* ; Child ; Colon ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Drainage ; Dysbiosis ; Female* ; Firmicutes ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mastitis ; Microbiota ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Staphylococcus aureus* ; Staphylococcus*

The pneumonia severity index (PSI) and CURB-65 are widely used tools for the prediction of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This study was conducted to evaluate validation of severity scoring system including the PSI and CURB-65 scores of Korean CAP patients. In the prospective CAP cohort (participated in by 14 hospitals in Korea from January 2009 to September 2011), 883 patients aged over 18 yr were studied. The 30-day mortalities of all patients were calculated with their PSI index classes and CURB scores. The overall mortality rate was 4.5% (40/883). The mortality rates per CURB-65 score were as follows: score 0, 2.3% (6/260); score 1, 4.0% (12/300); score 2, 6.0% (13/216); score 3, 5.7% (5/88); score 4, 23.5% (4/17); and score 5, 0% (0/2). Mortality rate with PSI risk class were as follows: I, 2.3% (4/174); II, 2.7% (5/182); III, 2.3% (5/213); IV, 4.5% (11/245); and V, 21.7% (15/69). The subgroup mortality rate of Korean CAP patients varies based on the severity scores and CURB-65 is more valid for the lower scores, and PSI, for the higher scores. Thus, these variations must be considered when using PSI and CURB-65 for CAP in Korean patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cohort Studies ; Community-Acquired Infections/*mortality ; Female ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia/*mortality ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; *Severity of Illness Index ; Young Adult

Stress-induced cardiomyopathy is a unique reversible cardiovascular disease precipitated by acute emotional or physical stress. It is associated with a high prevalence of chronic anxiety disorder that precedes the onset of cardiomyopathy, as well as comorbid cardiovascular risk factors that are similar to the ST segment elevation of myocardial infarction. A thirty-five-year-old woman suffering from anorexia nervosa visited our hospital complaining of severe general weakness. She was diagnosed with stress-induced cardiomyopathy and mural thrombus using a transthoracic echocardiogram. Therefore, she was given anticoagulation therapy and nutrition with immediate psychiatric interventions. After two weeks of treatment, the follow-up echocardiogram indicated a significant improvement of the left ventricular dysfunction and mural thrombus.
Anorexia ; Anorexia Nervosa ; Anxiety Disorders ; Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Stress, Psychological ; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy ; Thrombosis ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The postoperative cheek cyst with orbital involvement is a rare condition and the treatment of eroded orbital floor is controversial. This study evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic marsupialization for treating postoperative cheek cyst with orbital floor defect and assessed the requirements of a direct orbital approach for orbital reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved a retrospective review of twelve patients with postoperative cheek cyst and orbital floor defect. Medical records were reviewed for details of previous surgery, presenting symptoms, surgical approach and the results of the operation. The maximum diameter of the involved orbital floor was calculated using the coronal imaging of paranasal sinus computed tomography (PNS CT). RESULTS: All patients had previously undergone Caldwell-Luc procedures. The most common symptom was pressure on the cheek. According to PNS CT, the maximum diameter of the involved orbital floor ranged from 0.7 to 3.1 cm (mean 1.46 cm) and the involved orbital area ranged from 0.35 to 4.23 cm2 (mean 1.87 cm2). All patients underwent only endoscopic marsupialization without orbital reconstruction. Postoperatively, all patients showed no recurrence of symptoms or required revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic marsupialization without reconstruction of the orbital floor could be considered as a first treatment option for postoperative cheek cyst combined with orbital floor defect.
Cheek ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Endoscopy ; Floors and Floorcoverings ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Medical Records ; Mucocele ; Orbit ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The role of glucocorticoids for treating persistent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is matter of debate. In the previous studies, the side effects of moderate doses of glucocorticoids might have negated positive effects of glucocorticoids. This study aimed at determining the feasibility of administering "low-dose" glucocorticoid to treat the patients who suffer with persistent ARDS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of twelve patients with ARDS of at least seven days' duration and who were treated with "low-dose" glucocorticoid (starting dose of 1 mg/kg) between June 2007 to December 2008. The patients were divided by whether or not they were successfully weaned from the ventilator after glucocorticoid therapy. The baseline characteristics and physiologic parameters were recorded for up to 7 days after starting glucocorticoid therapy. RESULTS: Five patients (42%) were included in the weaned group. There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics and the physiologic parameters between the two groups on the day of ARDS. Yet the weaned group had a significantly lower Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, as compared to that of the failed group [3 (3-6) vs 8 (5-12), p = 0.009)] at start of glucocorticoid treatment. After 3 days of glucocorticoid therapy, there was significant improvement in the PEEP, the PaO2/FIO2 ratio, the PCO2, the SOFA score and the Murray Lung Injury Score of the weaned group, as compared to that of the failed group. There were no major neuromuscular side effects from the therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the "low-dose" glucocorticoid therapy is feasible and that the SOFA score and the physiologic parameters may assist in determining whether or not to initiate and to continue glucocorticoid therapy for the patients who are suffering with persistent ARDS.
Glucocorticoids ; Humans ; Lung Injury ; Medical Records ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Stress, Psychological ; Ventilators, Mechanical

BACKGROUND: The melanoma antigen-encoding (MAGE) genes are known to be expressed in various cancer cells, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and are silent in all normal tissues except for the testis. In patients with peripheral NSCLC, bronchial washing fluid can be used to detect the MAGE genes, suggesting a diagnosis of lung cancer. In order to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the MAGE test in patients with peripheral NSCLC, bronchial washing fluid was investigated in patients with peripheral pulmonary nodules, which were invisible as detected by bronchoscopy. METHODS: Bronchial washing fluid from 37 patients was used for cytological examinations and MAGE gene detection, using RT-nested-PCR of common A1-A6 mRNA. Results were compared to a final diagnosis of patients as confirmed by pathology. RESULTS: Among the 37 subjects, NSCLC was diagnosed in 21 patients, and benign pulmonary diseases were diagnosed in 16 patients. MAGE mRNA was detected in 10 of 21 (47.6%) NSCLC patients, while conventional cytology examinations were positive for MAGE expression in 2 of 21 (9.5%) cases. MAGE expression was observed in 4 of 16 (25%) benign pulmonary disease patients. CONCLUSION: The MAGE test of bronchial washing fluid can be used as a sensitive predictor of peripheral NSCLC patients.
Bronchoscopy ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms ; Melanoma ; RNA, Messenger ; Testis

BACKGROUND: Since the early 1980s, interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) has been used as adjuvant therapy in pediatric patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). However, its efficacy in adults needs to be validated. Since 2002, Samsung Medical Center's guidelines have mandated regular injection of IFN-alpha in patients with RRP to prevent recurrence. To evaluate these guidelines, patient data were investigated. METHODS: Five patients diagnosed as having RRP by bronchoscopy and histopathology were included. After initial bronchoscopic intervention, including laser cauterization, all patients received subcutaneous injection of 6 million units of IFN-alpha every 2 months. Further bronchoscopic intervention was carried out as needed. Patients were regularly evaluated using bronchoscopy or computed tomography. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 44 years (range 13~68), and the median duration of papillomatosis was 31 years (range 1~45). Three and two patients had juvenile-onset and adult-onset disease, respectively. Two patients had a history of tracheostomy at the time of diagnosis. The median duration of IFN-alpha therapy was 56 months (range 12~66). Two patients showed complete remission at 12 and 36 months after IFN-alpha injection, respectively. The other three patients showed partial remission, and the number of laser therapy sessions was significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: Intermittent IFN-alpha injection is effective in patients with long-standing RRP and can reduce the number of laser therapy sessions required in their treatment.
Adult ; Bronchoscopy ; Humans ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Interferon-alpha ; Laser Therapy ; Papilloma ; Papillomavirus Infections ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Tracheostomy

Because high levels of cortisol are frequently observed in patients with septic shock, low levels of serum cortisol are considered indicative of relative adrenal insufficiency (RAI). This study was performed to investigate whether pretest clinical characteristics, including basal serum cortisol levels, are predictive of serum cortisol response to corticotropin and whether basal cortisol levels have a prognostic significance in patients with septic shock. We performed a retrospective analysis of 68 patients with septic shock who underwent short corticotropin stimulation testing. RAI was defined as an increase in cortisol level <9 microgram/dL from baseline, and results showed that 48 patients (70.6%) had this insufficiency. According to the univariate analysis, the RAI group had significantly higher simplified acute physiology score II (SAPS II) and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores than the non-RAI group. The incidence of RAI was the same regardless of the basal serum cortisol level (p=0.447). The hospital mortality rate was 58.8% and was not significantly different between the RAI and non-RAI groups. However, a high basal serum cortisol level (> or =30 microgram/dL) was significantly associated with in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, our data suggest that basal serum cortisol levels are not predictive of serum cortisol response to corticotropin but have a significant prognostic value in patients with septic shock.
Adrenal Insufficiency/blood/diagnosis ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/*pharmacology ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone/*blood ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Reference Values ; Shock, Septic/*blood/*diagnosis/mortality ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-sustaining salvage therapy applied to the patient with acute heart failure or respiratory failure which is considered curable, but uncorrectable by conventional means. Recently, accumulating data has shown the survival benefit of ECMO in patients with acute fatal cardiopulmonary decompensation. Here, we report a series of cases of successful ECMO treatment in patients with acute cardiopulmonary insufficiency. Case 1: A patient with progressive respiratory failure on mechanical ventilation after pneumonectomy was managed satisfactorily using a veno-venous ECMO. Case 2: A veno-arterial ECMO was used to support a patient with vasopressor refractory septic shock. After 5 days of treatment, the patient was successfully weaned from ECMO. Case 3: A patient in cardiac arrest after the orthopedic surgery was resuscitated using a veno-arterial ECMO. Pulmonary angiography on ECMO revealed massive pulmonary thromboembolism and embolectomy was thoroughly performed under the support of ECMO.
Angiography ; Embolectomy ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation* ; Heart Arrest ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Orthopedics ; Pneumonectomy ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Salvage Therapy ; Shock, Septic

BACKGROUND: Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is essential in the immune response to mycobacterial infections, and a complete or partial deficiency in the IFN-gamma receptor 1 (IFNgammaR1) or the IFN-gamma receptor 2 (IFNgammaR2) have been reported to confer susceptibility to a disseminated infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria. However, similar mutations in the IFN-gamma receptor have not been specifically examined in the patients with clinical tuberculosis. METHODS: This study searched for mutations in the IFN-gamma receptor gene that resulted in a partial IFN-gamma receptor deficiency in six patients with disseminated tuberculosis. The previously identified IFNgammaR1 and IFNgammaR2 coding regions were sequenced after amplification. RESULTS: There was no partial IFNgammaR1 deficiency including a homozygous recessive missense mutation causing an amino-acid substitution in the extracellular domain of the receptor (I87T) and a hotspot for small deletions (818delT, 818del4, 818insA) found in any of the patients. In addition, a partial IFNgammaR2 deficiency of the homozygous missense mutation (R114C) was not found in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: Genetic defects causing a partial IFN-gamma receptor deficiency were not identified in our patients with disseminated tuberculosis.
Clinical Coding ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma* ; Mutation, Missense ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Point Mutation ; Receptors, Interferon ; Tuberculosis*