The Korean journal of internal medicine
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Korean J. Intern. Med. · Jul 2013
Case ReportsTakayasu arteritis associated with ulcerative colitis and optic neuritis: first case in Korea.
Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic vasculitis that affects the aortic arch and its primary branches. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology. ⋯ We herein report a 38-year-old female with TA who had a history of UC with optic neuritis. We believe that this is the first case of the coexistence of TA and UC in Korea.
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Traditional biomarkers, including C-reactive protein, leukocytes, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and clinical signs and symptoms, are not sufficiently sensitive or specific enough to guide treatment decisions in infectious febrile diseases. Procalcitonin (PCT) is synthesized by a large number of tissues and organs in response to invasion by pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and some parasites. ⋯ Clinically, PCT levels may help guide the need for empirical antibiotic therapy, source control for infections, and duration of antibiotic therapy. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence for PCT in different infections and clinical settings, and to discuss the reliability of this marker in order to provide physicians with an overview of the potential for PCT to guide antibiotic therapy.
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Korean J. Intern. Med. · May 2013
Serum bilirubin as a prognostic marker in patients with acute decompensated heart failure.
Several prognostic markers for heart failure (HF) have been determined but the importance of liver function tests (LFTs) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance, if any, of abnormal LFTs in acute decompensated HF. ⋯ In patients with acute decompensated HF, elevated serum TB on admission with or without low EF (< 35%) predicts a worse prognosis and early future readmission, secondary to HF.
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Korean J. Intern. Med. · Mar 2013
Case ReportsA case of secondary syphilis presenting as multiple pulmonary nodules.
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Treponema pallidum. The prevalence of this disease has recently increased worldwide. However, pulmonary involvement in secondary syphilis is extremely rare. ⋯ Secondary syphilis with pulmonary nodules was suspected, and benzathine penicillin G, 2.4 million units, was administered. Subsequently, the clinical signs of syphilis improved and the pulmonary nodules resolved. The final diagnosis was secondary syphilis with pulmonary nodular involvement.
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Korean J. Intern. Med. · Mar 2013
Case ReportsElectrocardiographic artefacts mimicking atrial tachycardia resulted in unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic measures.
Electrocardiographic (ECG) artefacts may closely simulate both supraventricular and ventricular tachycardias. We describe a case initially diagnosed as rapid atrial fibrillation, based on 12-lead surface ECG (especially the limb leads) and monitor tracing. ⋯ When the presumed atrial fibrillation terminated after sodium pentothal was administered while preparing for electrical cardioversion, the oesophageal ECG recordings and the ECGs during adenosine administration were reviewed. An ECG artefact diagnosis was suspected, and then confirmed, during relapse of the "arrhythmia," with simple palpation of the radial pulse and cardiac auscultation.