• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.205-214
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• 2006

Background : Acute exacerbations form a major component of the socioeconomic burden of COPD. As yet, little information is available about the long-term outcome of patients who have been hospitalized with acute exacerbations, although high mortality rates have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine predictors of long-term mortality after hospitalization for acute exacerbation of COPD. Methods : We performed a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients admitted to the hospital for COPD exacerbation between 2000 through 2004. Patients who had died in hospital or within 6-months after discharge, had tuberculosis scar, pleural thickening or bronchiectasis by chest radiography or had been diagnosed with malignancy during follow-up periods were excluded. Results : Mean age of patients was 69.5 years, mean follow-up duration was 49 months, and mean $FEV_1$ was 1.00L (46% of predicted). Mortality was 35% (17/48). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, heart rate of 100/min or more (p=0.003; relative risk [RR], 11.99; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.34-61.44) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) of 35mmHg or more (p=0.019; RR, 6.85; 95% CI, 1.38-34.02) were independent predictors of mortality. Conclusion : Heart rate and RVSP in stable state may be useful in predicting long-term mortality for COPD patients admitted to hospital with acute exacerbation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.207-211
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• 2008

X-linked agammaglobulinemia is the most common type of primary immunodeficiency disorder. Mutation ofthe cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase gene, Btk (Bruton's tyrosine kinase), is known to be the etiology of X-linked agammaglobulinemia. The patients with this disease manifest a B-cell deficiency and low levels of serum immunoglobulin; due to the deficient antibodies, they suffers from recurrent upper and lower respiratory infections. We report here a 24-year-old male with an initial clinical impression of recurrent pneumonia and bronchiectasis. The patient presented with marked pan-hypogammaglobulinemia and the absence of circulating B-lymphocytes on the immunologic study, and he carried a splicing mutation of intron 2 in the Btk gene (IVS2 -3C>G).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 1993

Congenital esophagobronchial fistula presented in adult life is rare and usual1y manifests as recurrent pneumonias or other chronic suppurative complications such as bronciectasis. Most of congenital esophagobronchial fistula can be diagnosed by esophagography and can be cured by fistulectomy and/or resection of destroyed pulmonary lobes. We recently experienced 5 cases (2 female and 3 male patients) of congenital esophagobronchial fistula (all of them were Braimbridge type I). Mean age of the patients at the time of diagnosis of esophagobronchial fistula was 53.8 year-old (44-70 year-old) and mean duration of symptoms and complications such as cough after swallowing water, recurrent pneumonias and bronchiectasis was 29 years (12-50 years). 4 patients were treated by fistulectomy and resection of destroyed lobes with abolition of symptoms. So we report 5 cases of congenital esophagobronchial fistula with review of literatures.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.246-253
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• 1998

Sparfloxacin is a new synthetic quinolone antimicrobial developed at the Research Laboratories of Dainippon Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of sparfloxacin in acute pulmonary infection, we administered sparfloxacina(100mg) twice in a day to 30 patients who had signs and symptoms of acute pulmonary infectious diseases regardless of their underlying lung disease for 7 days. The results were as follows: 1) A total 30 patients were enrolled in the trial. Among them, 24 cases(80%) had underlying lung problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(36.4%), bronchiectasis(36.4%), bronchial asthma(3.3%), or lung cancer(3.3%). 2) In 26 cases(86.6%), we observed effective improvement, and 4 cases(13.4%) show mildly effective improvement of symptoms and signs of respiratory infection. 3) In 23 cases(73.4%), we observed bacteriological eradication in culture or decreased the number of bacteria by Gram stain which found dominantly in previous Gram stain. 4) The significant side effect was not noted. The above results suggested that sparfloxacin was effective as a first line therapy in patients with acute respiratory infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 1994

Background: Hemoptysis is a common clinical symptom, responsible for 11% of admission to the hospital chest service. Correct diagnosis, accurate localization of the bleeding source and proper management are imperative to reduce the risk of massive hemoptysis. We performed the study to define the optimal time of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in 63 patients with hemoptysis admitted to Kyung Hee University Hospital between Aug 1989 and Aug 1992. Methods: Retrospective analysis of medical records concerning the cause, amount, duration of hemoptysis and the timing of fiberoptic bronchoscopy in 63(M:F=36:27) patients. Results: 1) The main causes of hemoptysis were pulmonary tuberculosis(52.4%) bronchiectasis(27.0%) and lung cancer(11.1%). 2) The bleeding sites were localized in 26 patients(41.3%). 3) The rates of localization of bleeding site were not related to the amount and duration of hemoptysis. 4) The rates of localization of bleeding site were 61.8%(21/34) during hemoptysis, 18.2%(22) within 24hr after resolution of hemoptysis, 14.3%(1/7) thereafter. Conclusion : Early bronchoscopy, especially during hemoptysis may show higher rates of successful localization than delayed bronchoscopy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2015

Background: Recent studies have shown that the nontuberculosis mycobacterium (NTM) recovery rate in clinical cultures has increased within Korea. However, another study conducted by a secondary hospital within Daegu reported different results. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to understand and evaluate the microbiological distribution and clinical features of NTM in Daegu. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 11,672 respiratory specimens undergoing acid fast bacilli (AFB) culture from 6,685 subjects who visited Yeungnam University Respiratory Center from January 2012 to December 2013. Results: Of the 11,672 specimens undergoing AFB culture, 1,310 specimens (11.2%) showed positive results. Of these specimens, NTM was recovered from 587 specimens, showing a recovery rate of 44.8%. Identification test for NTM was performed on 191 subjects; the results were as follows: M. avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) 123 (64.4%), M. abscessus 20 (10.5%), M. kansasii 12 (6.3%), and 33 other NTM germ strains. Of the 382 subjects with NTM, 167 were diagnosed with pulmonary NTM disease (43.7%), however virulence differed depending on NTM strain. Multivariate analysis showed that nodular bronchiectasis, the nodules, and finding consistent with cavity under imaging study were statistically significant for triggering pulmonary NTM disease. AFB culture showing MAC and M. abscessus was statistically significant as well. Positive predictive value for NTM polymerase chain reaction (NTM-PCR) was 88.6%. Conclusion: Results for NTM recovery rate within the Daegu area were similar to those for the Seoul metropolitan area. We can assume that NTM infection is increasing in our community, therefore AFB-positive subjects (1) should undergo NTM-PCR, (2) should have their culture results checked for differentiation of mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTB) from NTM, and (3) undergo NTM identification test to confirm its type. Administration of treatment with the above results should be helpful in improving the patients' prognosis.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.152-159
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• 2017

Purpose: X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) is a primary immunodeficiency caused by mutations in the Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestations, molecular features, and treatment status of XLA in Korean patients at Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Methods: Fourteen Korean boys with XLA showing serum agammaglobulinemia, non-detectable to less than 2% of peripheral B-cells, and mutation of the Btk gene were enrolled. We observed the clinical features, laboratory findings, status of treatment, and complications in these XLA patients. Results: All XLA patients had a history of recurrent bacterial infections before diagnosis, and 20% of them had a neutropenia. Of the XLA patients 35.7% had a family history of XLA and 75% of their mothers were carriers. Btk gene analysis showed variable gene mutations in Xq22 including 9 amino acid substitutions, 3 frameshifts, 1 premature stop codon, and 1 splice defect. After intravenous immunoglobulin replacement therapy, infection episodes decreased, but complications such as bronchiectasis and chronic sinusitis remained. Conclusions: In patients less than 4 years of age with recurrent infection, analysis of serum gamma globulin levels and the Btk gene are recommended for the early diagnosis of XLA and for the appropriate prevention of recurrent infection.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.337-343
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• 2002

A tracheal bronchus, an aberrant bronchus arising directly from the trachea, is an infrequent congenital anomaly. The incidence of this anomaly ranges from 0.5 to 5%. It usually originates from the right lateral wall of the trachea at the level <2 cm above the tracheal bifurcation. These patients usually are asymptomatic, but some patients may experience recurrent pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, or asthmatic episodes. A tracheal bronchus may be associated with other anomalies such as a tracheal stenosis, pulmonary agenesis, pulmonary sequestration, congenital heart disease, a pulmonary venous anomaly and Down's syndrome. This anomaly is usually diagnosed incidentally during bronchoscopy in patients with respiratory problems. Here we report a case of a 20-year-old man with a past history of bronchial asthma, which was incidentally diagnosed as a tracheal bronchus during a medical examination prior to military service, and was associated with a bilateral superior vena cava anomaly.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 1999

Background : Recently, there are many patients with lipoid pneumonia by ingestion of shark liver oil in Korea, but only a few animal experimentations have been carried out. The purpose of this study is to evaluate sequential change of the lung after aspiration of shark liver oil and to provide the radiologic-pathologic correlation. Methods: A single intratracheal administration of shark liver oil was given to 14 white rabbits. They were then sacrificed sequentially from 1 week to 6 weeks after injection. We investigated the HRCT and pathologic findings Results: One was sudden death immediately after injection. Six of the 13 rabbits showed pneumonic infiltrations on the HRCT. There were air space consolidation with air-bronchogram on the HRCT of the first week. They were associated with the volume loss in the 4th week, and the traction bronchiectasis in the 6th week. The important pathologic findings were peribronchial alveolar inflammation with septal widening and cuboidal metaplasia of the alveolar wall. The number of macrophages in an alveoli was peaked in the second week and then gradually decreased. On the 6th week, we could find the proliferation of fibroblasts. Conclusion: We can prove the development of lipoid pneumonia after aspiration of squalene by animal experimentation, and the understanding of HRCT and pathologic findings may be helpful in proper evaluation of pneumonia due to aspiration of fish-extracted lipid.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.805-811
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• 1996

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the Lung(CCAM) is characterized by anomalous fetal development of terminal respiratory structures, resulting in an adenomatoid proliferation of bronchiolar elements and cystic formation. CCAM was first described and differentiated from other cystic lung disease in the English literature by Ch'in and Tang in 1949. CCAN is a rare, potentially lethal form of congenital pulmonary cystic disease and the salient features of lesion are an irregular network of terminal respiratory bronchiole-like structures and macrocysts variably lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and simple cuboidal epithelium. Adult presentation of CCAM of the lung is so rare that only 9 cases have been reported in the literature of date. The pathogenesis of CCAM remains disputed and reseachers have variously proposed that the lesion represents a developmental anomaly, hamartoma, or a fonn of pulmonary dysplasia. Van Dijk and Wagenvoort divided CCAM into three subtypes : cystic, intermediated, and solid. These correspond to types I, II, and III of Stocker. In adults, the evaluation of cystic or multi cystic lung disease requires consideration of a differential diagnosis including the acquired lesions of lung abscess, cavitary neoplasm or inflammatory mass, bullous disease, bronchiectasis, and postionflammatory pneumatocele. Congenital lesions such as sequestration, bronchopulmonary-foregut anomalies, and bronchogenic cyst are also encounted. The definitive treatment for CCAM is complele removal of the involved lobe. Panial lobectomy leads to multiple complications, including severe post-operative infection. We report a case of CCAM in a 14-year-old female presentated with a pneumothorax and large bullae, who was treated by surgical remove of the involved lobe.