• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.676-682
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• 1990

From August, 1978, to August, 1989, 22 patients underwent pericardiectomy for chronic constrictive pericarditis on the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Keimyung University. There were 14 male and 6 female patients ranging from 11 years to 70 years old[mean age, 44. 1 years]. All patients underwent radical pericardiectomy through a median sternotomy. There was 1 postoperative death[4.s%]. This patient died of low cardiac output 7 days after pericardiectomy. Postoperative complications were hemothorax[2 patients], low cardiac output[2 patients], generalized seizure[1 patient], wound infection[1 patient] and pneumonia[1 patient]. Clinical and pathological findings showed tuberculous origin in 12 patients[54.6%], unknown etiology in 8 patients[36.4%] pyogenic pericarditis in 2 patients[9.1%]. Three hemodynamic responses to pericardiectomy were observed: [1] rapid response, where central venous pressure[CUP] fell below 10 cmH2O by 24 hours in 6 patients; [2] delayed response. Where CVP fell below 10 cmH2O by 48 hours in 12 patients; and [3] no response of CVP in 4 patients. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 62 months with an average of 35.3 months. Postoperative Functional Class was obtained for 21 surviving patients and showed 18 patients[81.8%] to be New York Heart Association functional class I or II.

• The Korean journal of helicobacter and upper gastrointestinal research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.209-212
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• 2018

We report a rare case of systemic amyloidosis with gastrointestinal and lymph node involvement. A 64-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with dyspepsia and weight loss. Initial esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) revealed nonspecific findings, and abdominal computed tomography showed necrotizing lymphadenopathy at the porta hepatis. Laparoscopic lymph node biopsy was performed under suspicion of tuberculous lymphadenopathy, but a definite diagnosis was not established. Follow-up EGD performed 6 months later revealed multiple telangiectasia-like lesions at the gastric body, and endoscopic biopsy revealed amyloid deposition. Through additional blood and urine protein electrophoresis, the patient was finally diagnosed with systemic amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma. She was treated with dexamethasone, thalidomide, and bortezomib; however, she died 3 months after diagnosis because of pneumonia and multiple organ failure.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2021

This study sought to investigate the distribution, antimicrobial resistance rate, and bacterial co-infection frequency of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in a single center in Incheon, South Korea. A total of 8,258 specimens submitted for tuberculosis (TB)/NTM real-time PCR tests during the years 2015 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. In total, 296 specimens (3.6%) were NTM positive, and the positivity increased from 2.5% (30/1,209) in 2015 to 3.8% (66/1,740) in 2020. Of 296 NTM specimens, 54.7% (162/296) were identified as the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) followed by the Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) 20.9% (62/296), M. fortuitum 6.4% (19/296) and M. flavescens 3.4% (10/296). Of the NTM-positive specimens, 76.7% (227/296) were tested for drug resistance. The results showed multidrug-resistant NTM in 40.1% (91/227) and extensively drug-resistant NTM in 59.9% (136/227) of these specimens. Of the 145 isolates taken for bacterial culture, bacteria/fungi co-infection with NTM accounted for 43.4% (63/145), in which the most common bacterial species was Klebsiella pneumonia (23.8%, 15/63). This study is the first report on the distribution and antimicrobial resistance of NTM in Incheon. As the proportion of NTM infections increases, active treatment and thorough infection control are required for effective management.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 1997

Background : The changes of the composition in the T-lymphocyte are important as an immunological abnormality in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Previously, the second type of TCR dimer(${\gamma}{\delta}$ T lymphocyte) that did not express CD4 or CD8 molecules was found. In other reports the presence of this type of lymphocytes was increased in the initial stage of tuberculous infections. Method : To determine whether there are some differences in the T-lymphocyte subsets in the peripheral blood or pleural effusion between pleural tuberculosis and other pleurisy. Thirty patients with pleural effusion among the forty-nine patients were examined T-lymphocyte subset analysis(CD4+T-cell,CD8+ T-cell,${\gamma}{\delta}$ T-lymphocytes) with anti- Leu4, anti-Leu3a, anti-Lea2a, anti HLA-DR and anti-TCR-${\gamma}{\delta}$-1(Becton & Dickinson Co.). Results : The average age of the patients was 50 years old(17-81year). There were 33 males and 16 female patients. Patiensts with tuberculosis are 30cases(tuberculous pleurisy 15), lung cancer 12cases(malignant effusion 9) and pneumonia 7cases(parapneumonic effusion 6cases) In T lymphocyte subsets of pleural effusion, helper T lymphocyte(54.6 + 13.8 %) of tuberculous pleurisy was higher than that(36.2 + 25.3 %) of non-tuberculous pleurisy(p=0.04). The peripheral blood ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T-lymphocytes in tuberculousis was insignificantly higher than non-tuberculous patients(p= 0.24). The peripheral blood ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T-lymphocytes and pleural ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T-Iymphocytes in tuberculous pleurisy was insignificantly higher than in non-tuberculous pleurisy(p= 0.16, p= 0.12). Conclusion : The percentage of -${\gamma}{\delta}$ T lymphocytes among the total T-lymphocytes is not significantly increased in the peripheral blood or pleural effusion of the pleural tuberculosis. ${\gamma}{\delta}$ T lymphocytes is less useful as a diagnostic method of pleural tuberculosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.109-118
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• 1975

This is a report on four cases of the lobar emphysema due to proximal bronchial obstruction in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital, during the period of three and half years from 1972 to 1975. First case, a two years old male child was referred to our Department with the lobar emphysema of the lower lobe of the right lung with pneumonia. This emphysema was developed after aspiration of a piece of peanut. Bronchoscopy revealed that the bronchus of the right lower lobe was obstructed with the foreign body, however removal of the peanut through bronchoscope was not attempted because of corruption and softening of the peanut. The removal of the peanut by bronchotomy was performed after subsiding of acute phase of pulmonary infection. Postoperative course was uneventful and the emphysema was disappeared. Second case, a twenty months old female baby was referred to our Department with lobar emphysema of the lower lobe of the left lung. The emphysema was suddenly developed with coughing and dyspneic symptoms and the diagnosis was made roentgenologically. She gave a history of reccurrent infections of the respiratory tract after birth. Bronchoscopy showed an obstruction of the left main bronchus with the growing of fibrinous tissue on the bronchial mucosa. The protruded tissue in the left main bronchus taken out about O.8ml with biopsy forceps for histological examination. After this procedure, the emphysema of the left lung was disappeared. Histological finding was reported to be a chronic inflammatory granulation tissue. Third case, a two and half years old male child was referred to our Department with roentgenological lobar emphysema. Two weeks prior to admission he had an episode of sudden onset of coughing attack with dyspnea. Bronchoscopy revealed that the bronchus of the left lower lobe was obstructed with a mass which was strongly suspected of a neoplastic tissue. At operation, there was found a perforation of enlarged tuberculous lymph node in the bronchus of the left lower lobe and protrusion of granulation tissue into the bronchus. Ruptured orifice on themembranous wall of the left lower lobe bronchus was closed with interrupted suture after the" removal of a perforated tuberculous lymph node. Postoperative course was uneventful and antituberculous chemotherapy was given. Fourth case, a 47 years old man was admitted to our Department with the complaint of severe dyspnea of few months duration. Twenty years ago, he had a history of lung tuberculosis and was treated for many years. X-ray examination including tomography and bronchography revealed that the upper lobe of the right lung was destroyed with cavities, the lower lobe was completely shrunk, and the right middle lobe was strongly overdistended with narrowing bronchial trees. Differential bronchospirometry and lung scanning confirmed that the respiratory function of the affected lung was impaired almost totally. The value of the right lung was calculated on 6% of oxygen uptake, 1% of Minute volume, and 32% of vital capacity. The right pneumonectomy was performed under the careful consideration of anesthetic and surgical procedures. Postoperative course was uneventful and the respiratory function was improved nearly to the normal level.evel.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.109-113
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• 2005

Miliary tuberculosis is the most serious form of tuberculous disease, but is rarely complicated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). When a patient with miliary tuberculosis initially presents with ARDS, the mortality is much higher. Therefore, the early detection of miliary tuberculosis as the underlying cause of ARDS is very important for the prognosis and survival of the patient. The diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis may be easy if the patient presents typical clinical manifestations associated with the characteristic pattern of miliary nodules on chest radiology. However, the diagnosis of miliary tuberculosis when complicated with ARDS can be difficult due to the nonspecific radiologic patterns, such as diffuse bilateral consolidation and ground glass opacity, without miliary nodular infiltration. However, these nonspecific patterns are known as less likely findings of miliary tuberculosis. We experienced a pregnant woman with miliary tuberculosis, mimicking ARDS due to bilateral severe pneumonia. She was admitted, via the emergency room, with sudden onset of fever, chill, cough and dyspnea. The initial chest PA and HRCT showed diffuse bilateral consolidation and ground glass opacity, without miliary nodular infiltration. All bacteriological studies, including blood and sputum cultures, tuberculosis-PCR and serologic study for infectious disease were negative. However, the definite diagnosis of unusual miliary tuberculosis as the underlying cause of ARDS was confirmed from the radiological finding and transbronchial fiberoptic lung biopsy. We report this case, with a review of the literature.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.465-469
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• 2004

Exudative pleural effusion can arise from pneumonia, tuberculosis, cancer, etc. Early drainage is needed for prevention of complications such as pleural fibrosis, thickening, bronchopleural fistulae and decline of lung function. Intrapleural Instillation of fibrinolytic enzymes has been used for 50years as an adjunct in the removal of fibrous material, hematoma and pus from the thoracic cavity. By the local fibrinolytic effect on fibrinous exudates within the pleural space, fibrinolytic agent has improved results of chest tube or pig tail drainage. But there were no controlled randomized studies, so significant controversy exists concerning the efficacy of this therpy, especially tuberculous pleurisy. Furthermore about complication, severe spontaneous bleeding has not been reported with intrapleural urokinase. Intrapleural fibrinolytic enzymes has shows no systemic complication. When it is administrated intravenously, not into intrpleural space, major bleeding is reported about 1-3% of patient, especially they had systemic disease, such as coagulation abnormalities. This case report presents a patient who suffered major hemothorax induced hypovolemic shock following the administration of 100,000 units of urokinase intrapleurally. He was 25-year old male with tuberculosis pleurisy without systemic illness demonstraion.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.510-518
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• 2002

Background : Bronchial anthracofibrosis (BAF) is a dark black or brown pigmentation of multiple large bronchi associated with a fibrotic stenosis or obliteration that is incidentally found during a diagnostic bronchoscopy some reporters have suggested endobronchial tuberculosis or tuberculous lymphadenitis as a possible cause of BAF. However, some BAF patients do not have any medical history of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the clinical features of simple BAF patients, which were not associated with tuberculosis. Methods : We reviewed the patients' charts retrospectiely and interviewed all BAF patients who were followed up for 1 year or more. Among the 114 BAF patients, 43 patents (38 %) had no associated tuberculosis, cancer and pneumoconiosis. The clinical characteristics, radiological findings and associated pulmonary diseases of these patients were evaluated. Results : Most patients were non-smokers, old aged, housewifes who resided in a farming village. The common respiratory symptoms were dyspnea, cough and hemoptysis. The predominant X-ray findings were a multiple bronchial wall thickening(89%), bronchial narrowing or atelectasis (76%) and a mediastinal lymph node enlargement with/without calcification (78%). Pulmonary function test usually showed mild obstructive ventilatory abnormalities but no patient showed a restrictive ventilatory pattern and the patients were frequently affected with chronic bronchitis(51%), post-obstructive pneumonia(40%) and chronic asthma(4%). Conclusion : Because BAF is frequently associated with chronic bronchitis and obstructive pneumonia as well as tuberculosis, a careful clinical evaluation and accurate differential diagnosis is more essential than empirical anti-tuberculous medication.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2007

Background: Bronchial anthracofibrosis, which is defined as bronchial narrowing with black pigmentation of the overlying bronchial mucosa, is frequently associated with tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between bronchial anthrocofibrosis and to identify the clinical and radiological characteristics of non-tuberculous bronchial anthracofibrosis. Methods: All patients who showed bronchial anthracofibrosis in more than one segment on a bronchoscopic examination from January 2003 to July 2006 at Kangnam St. Mary's hospital were enrolled in this study. The underlying diseases, baseline clinical characteristics, characteristic findings on a computed tomogram (CT) of the chest, pathologic findings of the bronchial mucosa, and the clinical response to steroid therapy were analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total 54 patients (19 males, 35 females) were enrolled with a mean age of 75 years. The most common presenting symptoms were cough, sputum and dyspnea. The predominant X-ray findings were peribronchial soft tissue attenuation with or without calcification, mediastinal lymphadenopathy with or without calcification and atelectasis. Fourteen non-tuberculous anthracofibrosis patients were treated with steroid. Nine patients were improved clinically, and 6 patients were improved radiologically. Conclusion: Bronchial anthracofibrosis is frequently associated with various pulmonary diseases not only tuberculosis but also COPD pneumonia etc.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.323-329
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• 2011

Background: Although patients with tuberculous-destroyed lung (TDL) account for a significant proportion of those with chronic airflow obstruction, it is difficult to distinguish patients with airway obstruction due to TDL from patients with pure chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on initial presentation with dyspnea. We investigated clinical features differing between (i) patients with TDL and airway obstruction and (ii) those with COPD admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) due to dyspnea. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients with TDL who had a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) of <70% on a pulmonary function test (PFT; best value closest to admission) and patients with COPD without a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) who were admitted to the ICU. Ultimately, 16 patients with TDL and 16 with COPD were compared, excluding patients with co-morbidities. Results: The mean ages of the patients with TDL and COPD were 63.7 and 71.2 years, respectively. Mean FVC% (50.4% vs. 71.9%; p<0.01) and mean FEV1% (39.1% vs. 58.4%; p<0.01) were significantly lower in the TDL group than in the COPD group. More frequent consolidation with TB (68.8% vs. 31.3%; p=0.03) and more tracheostomies (50.0% vs. 0.0%; p=0.02) were observed in the TDL than in the COPD group. Conclusion: Upon ICU admission, patients with TDL had TB pneumonia more frequently, more diminished PFT results, and more tracheostomies than patients with COPD.