• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2009

The incidence of coexisting hyperparathyroidism and empty sella syndrome is rare and the etiology end incidence of their coexistence is not known. The association of hyperparathyroidism and the empty sella syndrome may be related to multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndrome due to a genetic disorder. We experienced a rare case of hyperparathyroidism presenting as acute pancreatitis combined with empty sella. We report here a 37-year old female who manifested epigastric pain because of acute pancreatitis. She had hypercalcemia due to parathyroid adenoma. A pituitary gland was not visible in the sella turcica on MRI scans. On genetic analysis, she did not show a mutation of the MENIN gene. Empty sella is thought to be a coincidental finding with hyperparathyroidism.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2019

Aster Yomena (AY) has been used in traditional medicine to treat diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, diabetes and osteoarthritis. However, protective effect of AY on acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been reported. The present study examined the anti-inflammatory effects of an ethanol extract of AY on cerulein-induced AP. AP was induced in mice by intraperitoneally injecting cerulein ($50{\mu}g/kg$) hourly for 6 times. 70% ethanol extract of AY (0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 g/kg) was orally administered for 1 week before acute pancreatitis induction. The mouse was killed at 6 hours after the final cerulein injection. The pancreas and lung were rapidly removed for histological examination and myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay. Blood samples were taken to determine serum amylase and lipase activity. In addition real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was also performed to investigate mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$. $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6. Administration of AY significantly ameliorated pancreatic weight to body weight ratio, histological damages and MPO activity during AP. In addition, AY inhibited the serum amylase and lipase activity during AP. Also, mRNA expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were inhibited by AY against AP. Our results revealed that pre-treatment of AY reduces the severity of cerulein-induced AP. Therefore, AY may have a protective effect drug against AP.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.649-662
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on acute pancreatitis (AP). Method: The search engines that were used included PubMed, CNKI, OASIS, NDSL, the Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, and J-STAGE. The search period was from the creation of the search engine to May 6, 2019; there were no language limitations. Extractions and selections from the literation were made by two authors. The study included randomized controlled trials with electroacupuncture for patients with acute pancreatitis. Cochrane's risk of bias (RoB) was used as the methodological quality assessment scale. Results: Nine studies were finally selected. It was observed that using electroacupuncture with general Western medicine treatment for AP was more effective than using only general Western medicine treatment. Although most of the studies showed a high risk of bias, there were significant differences among the indicators. Conclusion: The electroacupuncture treatment with Western medicine may be more effective in reducing symptoms of AP than Western medicine alone. However, due to the limitations of the research design, it was not enough to obtain reliable information. As a result, high quality research will be additionally required.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.239-244
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• 1999

Purpose : In 1998, there was an outbreak of mumps in Taejon, Korea. We analyzed the monthly incidence, clinical manifestations, and complications during the outbreak and the annual incidence of the recent ten years. Methods : We reviewed the clinical records of 35 mumps patients who had been admitted to Taejon St. Mary's Hospital from January to December, 1998. Results : Mumps was prevalent in summer(from June to August) with 20 cases(57%). Thirthy-three patients(94.3%) received MMR at 15 months of age and no patients received a booster mumps vaccine. The mean age of the mumps patients was 10.5 years-old and the majority of mumps(71%) occurred between 5 and 12 year of age. The male female ratio was 2.2 : 1. The clinical manifestations were swelling of parotid gland(100%), fever (91%), vomiting(77%), abdominal pain(74%) and headache(66%) in order of frequency. Meningitis occurred in 20 cases(57%) and the mean WBC count of CSF was $464{\pm}263/mm^3$. In serology, the mean serum amylase level was $483{\pm}294IU/dL$ and anti-mumps IgM and IgG were positive in 11 and 15 out of 18 cases, respectively. From 1989 to 1997, the mean number of inpatients with mumps was 3.4 per year. Conclusion : We experienced an outbreak of mumps in 1998. It is suggested that there was a primary mumps vaccine failure in Korea and that further studies for vaccine faiure and method of booster mumps vaccine are necessary.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2005

Background/Aim : Common bile duct (CBD) stones may cause jaundice, cholangitis, or pancreatitis. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) may be needed whenever endoscopic procedure are failed to extract common bile duct stones. The aim of this study is to provide the standard for patient's best choice on ESWL for treatment of CBD stones resistant to endoscopic extraction. Materials and Methods : Fourty-six patients failed in endoscopic stone extraction including mechanical lithotripsy were treated by ESWL. In all patients, endoscopic sphincterotomy and nasobiliary drainage tube was done before ESWL using the ultrasonography for stone localization with a spark-gap type lithotriptor. Patients were sedated with an intravenous injection of 50 mg of Demerol. None were treated under general anesthesia. Results : Overall complete clearance rate of CBD stone was 89.1% (41/46). In 82.6% of the patients, the stones were extracted endoscopically after ESWL, and spontaneous passage was observed in 6.5%. In the clearance rate after ESWL, there were no noticeable differences with regard to number (single: 82.8%, two or three: 100%, more than three: 100%) and size of the stone (less than 33mm: 92.9%, 33 mm or larger: 83.3%), whereas there were significant differences with regard to the ratio of sum of long-axis length of the all stones to sum of long-axis length of the CBD excluding stone (1:2.4, 1:2.1) and diameter of the largest stone to diameter of CBD excluding stone (1:0.9, 1:0.4) for patients with complete clearance compared with those without. Conclusion : We propose that stones without the fragments are travelable sufficient space in CBD or extractable sufficient diameter of CBD regardless of stone size and number should be treated by other technique to prevent time and cost consuming, such as percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopylithotomy.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.242-248
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• 2007

Purpose: To study the effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on oral mucositis induced by cisplatin and radiotherapy in a mouse model. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four ICR mice were divided into three groups-the normal control group, the no rhEGF group (treatment with cisplatin and radiation) and the rhEGF group (treatment with cisplatin, radiation and rhEGF). A model of mucositis induced by cisplatin and radiotherapy was established by injecting mice with cisplatin (10 mg/kg) on day 1 and with radiation exposure (5 Gy/day) to the head and neck on days $1{\sim}5$. rhEGF was administered subcutaneously on days -1 to 0 (1 mg/kg/day) and on days 3 to 5 (1 mg/kg/day). Evaluation included body weight, oral intake, and histology. Results: For the comparison of the change of body weight between the rhEGF group and the no rhEGF group, a statistically significant difference was observed in the rhEGF group for the 5 days after day 3 of. the experiment. The rhEGF group and no rhEGF group had reduced food intake until day 5 of the experiment, and then the mice demonstrated increased food intake after day 13 of the of experiment. When the histological examination was conducted on day 7 after treatment with cisplatin and radiation, the rhEGF group showed a focal cellular reaction in the epidermal layer of the mucosa, while the no rhEGF group did not show inflammation of the oral mucosa. Conclusion: These findings suggest that rhEGF has a potential to reduce the oral mucositis burden in mice after treatment with cisplatin and radiation. The optimal dose, number and timing of the administration of rhEGF require further investigation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.548-553
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• 2006

Background : Alcoholic ketoacidosis(AKA) is a metabolic disturbance that is caused by prolonged and excessive alcohol consumption. Though the prognosis is reportedly good, its outcome is unclear in some cases that are combined with multi-organ failure. There are few reports of an analysis of cases admitted to an intensive care unit(ICU) Method: Cases of AKA admitted to the ICU over the last 5 years were retrospectively analyzed. Severe AKA was characterized by multi-organ failure that required treatment in an ICU Results : All patients were males with a history of excessive alcohol consumption. Five of them (50%) mainly complained of gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), showing metabolic acidosis with an increased asmolar and anion gap. Rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure was the most common combined organ failure. Mechanical ventilation was performed in 80%. Six patients died and 4 patients survived. In the surviving patients, the arterial blood gas analysis(ABGA) was normalized within 12 hours after admission. Conclusion : In severe AKA patients, rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure was the most common complication. The mortality rate was high and death from shock occurred within 3 days.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2008

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with many pathological states such as fat deposit in the tendon and skin, hepatomegaly, pancreatitis and heart attack. The present study was focused on the effect of Korean red ginseng water extract (RGWE) on the recovery of hepatic function that was deteriorated in high-cholesterol diet fed mice. Mice were divided into 6 groups ; normal diet group (AIN-2WK), 4 week-high-cholesterol diet group (CHOL-4WK), 2 week-high-cholesterol + 2 week-normal diet group (CHOL-2WK), 2 week-high-cholesterol + 2 week-normal diet + RGWE treated group (R100, R300, R500). RGWE treated group received normal diet and RGWE at daily doses of 100, 300, 500 mg/kg b.w. for 2 weeks after the 2 weeks feeding of high-cholesterol diet. The results are as follows : 1. The hepatic weight and total hepatic lipid weight were markedly lower in RGWE treated group than those in the CHOL-4WK or CHOL-2WK group, indicating that ginseng inhibited hepatic hypertrophy. 2. Total hepatic cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in normal diet conversion group (CHOL-2WK) were significantly reduced compared with the high cholesterol group (CHOL-4WK). The lowering effect was significantly reinforced by RGWE administration. 3. Hepatic triglyceride level of CHOL-4WK group was markedly lower than that of the normal group (AIN-2WK). However, the level was significantly increased in CHOL-2WK and RGWE treated group. The result indicated that ginseng administration and diet conversion exert normalizing effects of hepatic function. 4. The lipid peroxide levels in RGWE treated groups were markedly lower than CHOL-2WK group. These results suggest that Korean red ginseng water extract can be useful as a dietary supplement for the treatment of obesity or hypercholesterolemia by improving lipid metabolism and hepatic function.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2005

Purpose: Gall bladder (GB) stones in children are rarely observed, and so reports of them have been quite limited in Korea. Therefore, we tried to assess the epidemiology and clinical features of children with GB stone diagnosed at Severance Hospital. Methods: A clinical study was performed on 18 patients below 15 years of age diagnosed with GB stone by abdominal ultrasonography or CT scan at Severance hospital from January 1999 to May 2005. Results: Concerning patients' profile, their sex ratio of male to female in total 18 cases was 2 : 1 with the mean age of $6{\pm}4.3years$. 15 patients (83.3%) were asymptomatic. Inducing factors were found in 14 children (77.8%) including ceftriaxone therapy in 6 cases (33.3%), infection in 4 cases (22.2%), spherocytosis in 3 cases (16.7%), Down syndrome and abdominal operation in 1 case (5.6%) respectively. Single stone was found in 13 cases (76.5%) and multiple in 4 cases (23.5%). 15 cases (88.2%) had the stones less than 5 mm in size, and 2 cases (11.8%) between 5 and 10 mm. 17 patients received conservative treatment, and one patient had cholecystectomy due to Meckel diverticulum. Conclusion: In this report, Pediatric GB stones are predominant in male children, without typical symptoms, having inducing factors, single and small. Recently the diagnosis of them has been increased because of the development of imaging study. But the reports for them were still rare in Korea. Therefore the study for them is more necessary to find it's clinical characteristics.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.174-180
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• 2002

Purpose: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is known to decrease hepatic injury by promoting the biliary secretion of retained toxic endogenous bile acids in hepatobiliary diseases complicated by total parenteral nutrition (TPN). However, most studies have focused on treatment for complications after TPN. We investigated the preventive role of early administration of UDCA in TPN-induced hepatobiliary complications by a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Methods: Between May 2000 and May 2002, thirteen patients, who were given TPN more than 10 days in the hospital, were assigned randomly to two groups. One was the case group (7 patients) who were given UDCA simultaneously with TPN regimen, and the other, the control group (6 patients) who were given placebo. Their age ranged from 1 day to 13 years. They were affected with diseases impossible for enteral nutrition, such as prematurity, cerebral palsy, chronic diarrhea, anorexia nervosa, pancreatitis, and cyclic vomiting. The duration of TPN ranged from 10 to 70 days. Hematologic parameters including liver function test were measured at regular intervals, and the duration, composition, administration rate, total calorie of TPN were recorded. The serum levels of total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase were compared between groups after cessation of the study. Results: The autoregressive coefficient of the control group was 0.4419 (p=0.0651) in bilirubin, -0.0431 (p=0.7923) in AST, 0.2398 (p=0.2416) in ALT, and 0.2459 (p=0.1922) in alkaline phosphatase by mixed procedure model when the parameters were referred to the case group. Conclusion: The serum level of total bilirubin did not increase in comparison with that of the control group, but statistically insignificant, when both TPN and UDCA were administered simultaneously from the beginning.