• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.565-574
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• 1993

Background: Pulmonary hamartomas are benign tumors that occur in the parenchyma or in the bronchi. They present as a solitary pulmonary nodule(SPN) or as a cause of bronchial obstruction. The incidence, once minimal, is increasing in Korea. To get clinical spectrum about the tumor, we analyzed all the reported cases in Korea since 1964. Methods: We reviewed the clinical, radiological and pathological findings of 13 patients of intrapulmonary or endobronchial hamartomas in Severance Hospital and of 38 reported cases in Korea published in literatures from 1964 to 1992 retrospectively. Results: Including 17 endobronchial hamartomas, 54 cases were studied. There were 25 men and 29 women, with a mean age of 47.2 years; 45.3 years in endobronchial type and 51.3 years in parenchymal type. Pulmonary symptoms were present in 8 patients (22%) of intrapulmonary type and in all patients of endobronchial type: cough (65%), dyspnea (53%), sputum (35%), fever (29%) in order. On chest X-rays, atelectasis was seen in 10 patients (59%) in endobronchial type; but SPN was noted in 36 patients (97%) of intrapulmonary type. Calcification was present in 7 intapulmonary hamartomas (23%); but is in 2 endobronchial hamartomas (12%). The diagnostic yield was 6 out of 14(43%) in endobronchial ones; 4 out of 7(57%) in intrapulmonary ones. Fifty patients underwent operations as follows: lobectomy (28), enucleation (8), resection (8), bilobectomy (4), pneumonectomy (2). The hamartomas were 1.2 times more common in the right lung; mean transverse diameter at the time of operation was 2.3 cm in endobronchial type, 3.8 cm in intrapulmonary ones. Chondroid components were present in 11(65%) of 17 endobronehial ones but in 30(91%) of 33 intrapulmonary hamartomas. No malignant changes were seen perioperative period and up to early 1993. Conclusion: The younger age in endobronchial hamartomas, the preponderance of the female sex and the more incidence in the right lung, and the diagnostic choice of lobectomies were different from the studies of the Western countries.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.421-431
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• 2000

Background : The length of postoperative drug therapy remains controversial in pulmonary tuberculosis. We analyzed our experiences to determine the postoperative duration of chemotherapy after resection. Method : A retrospective review was performed in 66 of 95 patients that underwent pulmonary resection for pulmonary tuberculosis between January 1993 and December 1998. We compared the relapse rates according to the length of postoperative chemotherapy in each group, classified by the results of sputum AFB culture before the surgery, the number of resistant drugs, the number of prior treatment and the division of anti-TB drugs used postoperatively. Results : Fifty three of 66(80.3%) were men and 13(19.7%) were women with a median age of 33.5 years(range, 16 to 63). The mean lengths of the pre- and post-operative chemotherapies were 4.9 months, and 12.9 months respectively. Five of 66 patients (7.6%) relapsed during the mean period of follow up (39.7 months). In the group less than three times of the prior treatment, there were two relapses (20%) in Ed-the highlight above-rephrase 10 patients that were medicated for 6 months or less, and one relapse in 43 patients (2.3%) that took medicine for more than 6 months (p=0.03). In the group using second-line drugs postoperatively, there was one relapse (25%) in four patients that were medicated for 12 months or less. No patient in a total of 17 that received medicine for more than 12 months relapsed (p=0.03). Conclusion : We recommend that patients with the prior treatment less than three times should be treated for more than 6 months after resection and patients using the second-line drugs postoperatively should be medicated for more than 12 months.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2009

Background: Pulmonary Langerhans cell histiocytosis (PLCH) is characterized by a proliferation of Langerhans cells and this results in granulomas that involve multiple organs of the body. Because the incidence of PLCH is very low in Korea and worldwide, collecting the clinical data of patients with PLCH nationwide is needed to determine the clinical features of Korean patients with PLCH. Methods: The patients with PLCH confirmed by biopsy at any body site were included and the patients should have lung lesions present. A questionnaire that had items on the symptoms, lung function tests, the roentgenographic findings and the treatment was collected retrospectively at a Korean ILD Research Meeting. Results: A total of 56 cases were collected. The number of males and females was 48 and 8, respectively, and their median age was 43 years (range: 18-67 years). The patients were current or ex-smokers in 79% of the cases. The most frequent symptom was coughing (39%), followed in decreasing order by dyspnea (38%), sputum (20%) and chest pain (20%). Pneumothorax was observed in 16 (29%) patients. Lung function tests showed a normal, restrictive, mixed or obstructive pattern in 26 (61%), 7 (16%), 7 (16%) and 3 patients (7%), respectively. Nodular-cystic lesion was most frequently observed in 59% of the patients on HRCT. The lung lesions were located in the middle and upper lobes in almost the cases. The median follow-up period was 90 months (range: 1-180 months) and only two patients died during this period. Conclusion: This study provides a national survey of the patients with PLCH during a long follow-up period.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.259-265
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• 2008

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus are highly sensitive to infections, including tuberculosis, and the longer the duration of DM, the greater is the prevalance of tuberculosis. We studied the difference of the clinical manifestations, radiologic findings, resistance and others factors of patients with diabetic and non-diabetic pulmonary tuberculosis. Methods: The patients we enrolled in this study were newly diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis from January 2003 to December 2005. Results: 159 patients were enrolled in this study. There were 30 pulmonary tuberculosis patients with diabetic mellitus (DMTB) and 129 pulmonary tuberculosis patients without diabetic mellitus (non-DMTB). There was no difference in the basic characteristics and clinical manifestation between both the groups. For the chest X-ray findings, the moderately advanced tuberculosis patients were the most common (43.3% in the DMTB group and 49.6% in the non-DMTB group). There was no relation between the severity of tuberculosis activity on chest x-ray and the presence of diabetes. The prevalence of cavitory lesions in the DMTB group was significantly higher than that in the non-DMTB group, but the prevalence of atelectasis was higher in the non-DMTB group (p<0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of lower lung involvement, the number of involved lobes, the number of treatment days and the radiological sequelae in both groups. Conclusion: The DMTB patients had a higher incidence of cavitory lesions and a higher incidence of atelectasis than the non-DMTB patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.486-491
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• 2007

Background: This study examined the relationship between the pleural adenosine deaminase (ADA) level and the patterns of pleural enhancement in patients with a tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) shown on a CT scan. Methods: The charts and CT findings of 44 patients with TPE from February 2002 to October 2006 were reviesed retrospectively. A diagnosis of TPE was made by the pleural ADA level with a follow-up (24/44), sputum smear or culture of sputum (16/44), pleural fluid culture (3/44) or pleural biopsy (1/44). The patients were divided into two groups according to the ADA level(Group I [n=12]: 40-70, Group II [n=32]: >70 U/L). The presence or absence, maximal thickness and patterns of pleural enhancement were analyzed. The pattern of pleural enhancement was classified into diffuse or focal, smooth or irregular and interrupted or continuous. The difference in CT findings between groups I and group II were analyzed using an unpaired T test, Chi-square test and Z test. Results: All 44 patients showed diffuse pleural enhancement on the CT scans. The maximal pleural thickness of groups I and II was $1.83{\pm}1.03mm$ (1-4 mm) and $3.63{\pm}1.78mm$ (1-8 mm), respectively (p =0.0002). Pleural thickening ${\geq}5mm$ was only demonstrated in 31.3% of patients in group II (10/32). Diffuse interrupted pleural thickening was noted in 91.7% (11/12) of patients in group I and 62.5% (20/32) in group II, respectively. Diffuse continuous pleural thickening was observed in 8.3% (1/12) of patients in group I and 37.5% (12/32) in group II, respectively (p=0.0748). Conclusion: Pleural thickening ${\geq}5mm$ on the contrast enhanced CT is rare in patients with lymphocyte-dominant TPE in whom the pleural ADA level is between 40-70 U/L.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.55-67
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• 1997

Considering many problems caused by the abuse of antibiotics recently, the appearance of antibiotic resistance bacteria is believed to help the cure of patients greatly. From Jan. 1st, 1996 to Dec. 31, 1996, 6135 strains were examined after being asked of and seperated from the clinical pathology departments of general hospitals, and the isolation frequency of identified bacteria and the susceptibility of antibiotics showed the following result. 1. The isolation frequency of strains was Escherichia coli, 1134 strains (18.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 856 strains (13.9%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus, 793 strains (12.89%), Staphylococcus aureus, 555 strains (9.02%), B. cepacia, 421 strains (6.84%), Enterobacter cloacae, 366 strains (5.95%), Enterobacter faecalis (4.86%), and Klebsiella pneumonia, 220 strains (3.85%). 2. The isolation rate of specimen was urine, 1, 969 strains, wound 1, 104 strains, sputum 701 strains, blood 643 strains, vaginal swab, 342 strains, and eye discharge, 192 strains, 40% of urine strains were E. coli 18％ of wound strains were B. cepacia, 43.7％ of sputum were P. aeruginosa, and in blood strains there were Enterobacter cloacae (25.8%), coagulase negative Staphylococcus (19.6%), and P. aeruginosa (8.7%). 3. The result of antibiotics susceptibility showed that, among gram negative bacilli, P. aeruginoas had resistance in almost all antibiotics except ceftazidme imipenem. But B. cepacia, the same glucose non-fermentation gram negative bacilli had more than 90％ of sensitivity in aztreonam, ceftazidime, ciproflxacin, piperacillin, trimethoprim/sulfa and had resistance in the others. Enterococcus faecalis showed more than 85% of sensitivity in penicillin-G, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin. 4. In the case of specimen antibiotics susceptibility, Enterobacter cloacae was lower in specimen isolated from blood than in those isolated from others and p. aeruginosa was low in specimen isolated from urine, which showed that there was difference in specimen antibiotics susceptibility. The result of this study shows that there happen many resisitances in antibiotics used frequently and some countermeasure is necessary because many bacteria began to show new resistance. Also it is desirable that the choice of antibiotics for infection diagnosis and its cure should be made after the inspection of antibiotics.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1013-1018
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• 2003

Purpose : Bronchial hyperresponsiveness(BHR) in asthma is thought to be a consequence of underlying airway inflammation. But the mechanism responsible for persistent BHR in adolescents with long-term asthma remission is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to examine whether BHR in adolescents with asthma remission is associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia and/or increased serum levels of eosinophil cationic protein(ECP). Methods : We studied 35 adolescents with long-term asthma remission(neither symptoms nor medication during the previous two years) who have persistent BHR(remission group) and 35 adolescents with symptomatic asthma(symptomatic group) who were matched for methacholine provocative concentration producing a 20% fall in $FEV_1(PC_{20})$ with subjects in the remission group. The peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serum ECP concentrations were compared between these two groups. Correlations between $PC_{20}$ and peripheral blood eosinophil counts or serum ECP concentrations were assessed in these two groups. Results : Peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serum ECP concentrations were significantly lower in the remission group than in the symptomatic group($273{\pm}108$ vs. $365{\pm}178/{\mu}L$; $16.3{\pm}9.4$ vs. $26.5{\pm}15.1{\mu}g/L$, both, P<0.05). $PC_{20}$ was correlated with peripheral blood eosinophil counts and serum ECP concentrations in the symptomatic group(r=-0.385, P=0.022; r=-0.439, P=0.008), but not in the remission group(r=-0.292, P=0.089; r=-0.243, P=0.159). Conclusion : BHR in adolescents with long-term asthma remission is not associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia or an increase in serum ECP concentration, which suggests that BHR in this clinical setting may not be attributed to airway eosinophilic inflammation. Further studies including direct assessment of airway inflammation are needed to confirm this conclusion.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.101-111
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• 2004

Purpose : This study was performed to observe the epidemiological pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during the period from 1993 to 2002 and also to see some clinical characteristics of M. pneumoniae pneumonia during recent five years. Methods : We had performed a retrospective analysis of epidemiological pattern of occurrence in 682 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to Department of Pediatrics of Han-il General Hospital from January, 1993 to December, 2002. Results : The annual ratio of M. pneumoniae pneumonia was compared with the total numbers of respiratory tract infection patients. The ratios were 19.1% in 1993, 13.0% in 1994, 5.6% in 1995, 12.8% in 1996, 18.6% in 1997, 22.6% in 1998, 1.1% in 1999, 13.3% in 2000, 9.1% in 2001, 6.0% in 2002, and 19.9% in 2003. The epidemics have occurred in 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2003 years showing 3~4 year intervals. The peak incidence of age was four to six years old(286 cases; 41.9%) and male-to-female ratio was 1 : 1.1. Monthly distribution showed a high frequency from August to December and the major outbreak occurred in November(119 cases; 17.4%), in October(106 cases; 15.5%), and in December(96 cases; 14.1%) in order of frequency. The most common symptoms were cough (660 cases; 96.8%), fever(569 cases; 83.4%), and sputum(522 cases; 76.5%) in that order. Leukocytosis was observed in 31.2% of patients based on a normal range according to the adjusted age. Increased ESR(${\geq}20mm/hr$) was noted in 42.5% of cases and CRP was positive in 37.8% of cases. On the chest X-ray examination, pulmonary infiltration was noted in 557 cases(81.7%), and the patterns of pneumonic infiltration were bronchopneumonia(78.0%), lobar(35.5%), lobular(19.2%), and interstitial pneumonia(28.7%). Complications were paranasal sinusitis(41 cases), acute otitis media(23 cases), pleural effusion(19 cases). cervical lymphadenitis(18 cases), and glomerulonephritis(1 case). Conclusion : The pattern of M. pneumoniae pneumonia from 1997 to 2003 noted 3~4 year interval with peak monthly distribution of October and November compared with 3 year interval and peak incidence of summer period before 1996.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.2 s.259
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• pp.134-139
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• 2006

Background: Complications after surgery for esophageal cancer are various and not rare. Among them, pulmonary complication is well known as one of the most important insults which has negative influence on the postoperative course and results in mortality. So we attempted to analyze the factors which may have relation to postoperative pulmonary complication. Material and Method: The retrospective study was undertaken in 87 patients who underwent curative surgery for esophageal cancer from Jan. 1996 to Aug. 2005. We divided them into two groups, patients with pulmonary complication (group A, n=28), without pulmonary complication (group B, n=59). Statistical analysis was performed with Fisher's exact test. Result: The postoperative pulmonary complication developed in 28 patients ($32\%$). There was no difference between two groups in past medical history, preoperative pulmonary function, surgery time, anastomosis method, pathologic stage, and trial of neoadjuvant therapy. Age and incidence of cervical anastomosis were significantly higher in group A (p=0.001, p=0.023). The rate of routine postoperative ventilator care was significantly higher in group S (p=0.007). Chest tube indwelling time and hospital stay were significantly longer in group A (p=0.011, p=0.001). There were 6 postoperative deaths ($6.8\%$) and 5 deaths were related to pulmonary complication. Pneumonia was the most common cause of death and MRSA (methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus) was the most common organism in sputum culture. Conclusion: Pulmonary complication after esophageal cancer surgery was the most important cause of death. Pulmonary complication was closely related to patient's age and cervical anastomosis. We think postoperative routine ventilator care is helpful for prevention of pulmonary complications, especially MRSA pneumonia, and reducing mortality.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2006

Purpose : We investigated whether there had been any change in the epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae in Korea before and after introduction of heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine(PCV7). Methods : Between September 2001 and August 2006, clinical isolates were collected from patients with pneumococcal infection in Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. We analyzed trends in serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance before and after the introduction of PCV7. Results : There were 363 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from clinical specimens; 143 before and 220 after PCV7 introduction. The predominant serotypes, in order of decreasing frequency, were 19F, 19A, 23F, 6B, 6A, 3, 9V, 14, 11A, 4, 29, and 18C; 152 isolates(41.9%) belonged to types included in PCV7. The proportion of clinical isolates that were nonsusceptible to penicillin increased from 58.8% in 2001 to 83.6% in 2006(P=0.046). There was no significant diminution in pneumococcal infection caused by vaccine serotypes after the introduction of PCV7. In children younger than age 2 years, the proportion of clinical isolates that were vaccine serotypes was higher than in persons older than age 15 years (59.3% vs 37.8%, P=0.004). Conclusions : There was no significant diminution in pneumococcal infection caused by vaccine serotypes after the introduction of PCV7, therefore more universal pneumococcal immunization program is recommended especially for children younger than age 2 years.