Internal medicine
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Objective The extracellular volume (ECV) calculated based on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) has been reported as a novel imaging parameter reflecting the morphological change of fibrosis in several parenchymal organs. Our retrospective study assessed the validity of the ECV fraction for diagnosing pancreatic fibrosis and the appropriate imaging condition as the "equilibrium phase". Methods In 27 patients undergoing multiphasic CT and subsequent pancreaticoduodenectomy, we investigated pathological fibrotic changes related to the ECV fraction and conducted analyses using the value obtained by subtracting the equilibrium CT value of the portal vein from that of the abdominal aorta (Ao-PVequilibrium) to estimate eligibility of the equilibrium phase. ⋯ Conclusion The ECV fraction is a possible predictive factor for histopathological pancreatic fibrosis. In its clinical application, the eligibility of the "equilibrium phase" may affect the diagnostic capability. It will be necessary to verify the imaging conditions in order to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis.
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A 46-year-old man with a history of bronchial asthma and chronic sinusitis presented to our hospital with chest pain. We suspected angina evoked by epicardial coronary spasm and performed an ergonovine provocation test to diagnose coronary spastic angina (CSA). The patient also met the diagnostic criteria for eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) and was treated with 60 mg prednisolone (PSL) for EGPA-associated CSA. ⋯ However, when PSL was tapered to 12.5 mg, chest pain recurred. We administered mepolizumab subcutaneously and chest pain disappeared. Additional mepolizumab may be effective for EGPA with CSA.
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Case Reports
Acute Interstitial Nephritis with Glomerular Capillary IgA Deposition Following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination.
We herein report a case of acute kidney injury (AKI) presenting as acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) after the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A 69-year-old man with a history of diabetes and hypertension presented with AKI 4 days after receiving the vaccine. ⋯ His renal function subsequently improved, and a renal biopsy confirmed AIN and glomerular capillary IgA deposition without apparent crescents. The clinical history and histological findings suggest a relationship between severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination and AIN as a rare side effect.
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Autoinflammatory diseases are systemic disorders caused by genetic or acquired abnormalities in certain signaling pathways of the innate immune system. Dysregulated activation of the inflammasome, i.e. molecular platforms responsible for the activation of caspase-1 and production of interleukin-1β, causes autoinflammation. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), the most common genetic autoinflammatory disease, is characterized by a periodic fever and serositis. ⋯ In contrast, adult-onset Still's disease and Schnitzler's syndrome are acquired autoinflammatory diseases without a monogenic abnormality. Although the concept of autoinflammatory diseases originally applied to monogenic hereditary recurrent fevers, it has been expanded to include non-genetic complex autoinflammatory diseases. Information concerning monogenic autoinflammatory diseases may prove useful for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying non-genetic autoinflammatory diseases.
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Objective Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) are at an elevated risk of experiencing automobile accidents. We therefore investigated the association of IAH with driving safety and hypoglycemia problem-solving abilities in adults with T1D. Methods This cross-sectional survey used Gold's method in adult patients with T1D at the National Hospital Organization (NHO) Hospital from February 14, 2020, to October 31, 2021. ⋯ The average hypoglycemia problem-solving perception, detection control, and seeking preventive strategies scores in the IAH group were significantly reduced compared with those in the control group. Conclusion IAH was associated with an increased risk of near-miss car accidents among adults with T1D. Furthermore, good hypoglycemia problem-solving abilities were associated with a decreased risk of IAH.