• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.830-837
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• 2020

Objectives: This study reports a case of a 66-year-old Korean female with stubborn pruritus and assesses the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment. Methods: A patient was treated with acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and herbal medicine. We evaluated the improvement in symptoms by changes in global assessment (G/A) and sleep quality. Results: After Korean medical treatment, improvements were observed in G/A, and sleep quality. Skin and excretions turned blue to green, with no abnormal findings on the examination. Conclusions: This study suggests that Korean medical treatment is effective in treating stubborn pruritus caused by prurigo. Further studies are needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.971-979
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of Cheongsimyeonja-tang on the human body. Methods: This was a retrospective study, conducted using electronic medical records (EMR). Appropriate clinical cases were identified and databased through EMR. Changes of vital signs, blood tests, and functional tests before and after taking Cheongsimyeonja-tang were determined. Results: There were several significant changes after taking Cheongsimyeonja-tang. Hemoglobin, total blood proteins, and total bilirubin were increased. Eosinophil, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased. Conclusions: Cheonseomyeonja-tang had significant effects, including improvement of blood cell count (increase of red blood cells and hemoglobin), improvement of blood lipid level (decrease of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol), and blood pressure control (reduction of systolic blood pressure).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2016

Iron supplements such as ferrous sulfate tablets are usually used to treat iron-deficiency anemia in some elderly patients with primary neurologic disorders or decreased gag reflexes due to stroke, senile dementia, or parkinsonism. While the aspiration of ferrous sulfate is rarely reported, it is a potentially life-threatening condition that can lead to airway necrosis and bronchial stenosis. A detailed history and high suspicion of aspiration are required to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis can be confirmed by bronchoscopic examination and a tissue biopsy. Early removal of the aspirated tablet prevents acute complications, such as bronchial necrosis, hemoptysis, and lobar consolidation. Tablet removal is also necessary to prevent late bronchial stenosis. We presented the first case in Korea of a ferrous sulfate tablet aspiration that induced severe endobronchial inflammation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.6
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• pp.482-485
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• 2009

The middle mediastinum contains several important organs and pluripotent cells. It is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis in patients with middle mediastinal tumors due to a wide range of diseases. The likelihood of malignancy is influenced primarily by the following factors: patient age, size, tumor location, and the presence or absence of symptoms. We describe a case of a middle mediastinal tumor, which was suspected on chest x-ray; chest computed tomography revealed the eccentric mass of distal esophagus. This case emphasizes the diagnostic importance of the chest x-ray to the physicians. The possible differential diagnoses are reviewed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.641-649
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• 2017

Objective: Our aim was to report a case of hematoma in the lower extremity induced by anti-platelet agents (Astrix, Plavix). Methods: The patient was prescribed anti-platelet agents and a hematoma occurred three times in the lower extremity. Before admission, the hematoma had occurred in the lateral compartment area of left lower extremity ($2{\times}2cm$). We detected a spontaneous hematoma in the lateral compartment area of right lower extremity ($8{\times}4cm$) and we stopped the Astrix medication. We also used herbal medicine (大黃左經湯加味方 (Daehwangjwagyeong-tang-gami)), external therapy of 大黃梔子 (Dae-hwang-Chi-ja) powder, and wet cupping therapy. We then detected a spontaneous hematoma in the posterior compartment area of the left lower extremity ($5{\times}5cm$) and we stopped the Plavix medication. We also used herbal medicine and external therapy. Results: After cessation of the anti-platelet agents (Astrix, Plavix), no recurrence of hematoma was observed in lower extremity and there was no recurrence of cerebral infarction. Conclusions: When anti-platelet agents are administered, attention should be paid to the patient's age and adverse events of the drugs. Bleeding symptoms and adverse effects should be continuously monitored.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2005

Propylthiouracil(PUT) is a drug which used at Grave's disease. But PTU has recently been observed to associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-positive vasculitis resulting in, infrequently, diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. We report the case of a patient who developed diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage after she had been taking PTU for two years. She had received a diagnosis of Grave's disease at two years ago. The serologic study was positive for ANCA with myeloperoxidase(MPO) specificity. Bronchoalveloar lavage(BAL) fluid analysis revealed hemosiderinladen macrophages. Such findings suggested propylthiouracil-induced dffuse pulmonary hemorrhage associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. To our knowledge, this represents the first documentation in a case of PTU-induced diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.2
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• pp.119-123
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• 2010

Bronchobiliary fistula is a rare disorder consisting of an abnormal communication between the bronchial tree and the biliary duct. In Western countries, trauma, postoperative biliary stenosis, and biliary lithiasis are the predominant causative factors of bronchobiliary fistula. Bilioptysis (bile stained sputum) is a pathognomic finding for bronchobiliary fistula. To date, there are just a few reported cases of bronchobiliary fistula after sclerosis of a liver cyst. We describe the case of a 74-year-old woman who developed bronchobiliary fistula after sclerosing therapy of a liver cyst. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of bilioptysis and the chest and dynamic liver CT findings. The patient was successfully treated with antibiotics and percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.6
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• pp.464-469
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• 2011

Adalimumab is a full human monoclonal antibody that inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$). This has recently been shown to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, and other conditions. Sacoidosis is known to be the target for adalimumab but we describe a patient who has developed sarcoidosis with lung involvement during adalimumab therapy for RA. A 48-year-old woman, who was treated with adalimumab for 5 months, was admitted because of chronic cough and both hilar lymphadenopathy on chest radiography. Chest computed tomography revealed the enlargement of multiple lymph nodes in the right supraclavicular, subcarinal, both hilar and right axillary area. She was diagnosed with sarcoidosis based on the biopsy of supraclavicular lymph node, skin and lung through video-associated thoracoscopic surgery, which was non-caseating epitheloid cell granuloma and excluded from a similar disease. She was treated for sarcoidosis with prednisolone and methotrexate instead of adalimumab.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.394-399
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• 1995

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia(PCP) remains the leading cause of death in patients with AIDS. Although the most common radiographic presentation of PCP is the development of diffuse, bilateral interstitial or alveolar infiltrates in 48 to 86 per cent of AIDS patients, PCP may also present with either a completely normal or only minimally abnormal chest radiograph in 6 to 23 per cent of patients. We experienced two patients with AIDS presenting high fever and chest pain but normal chest radiograph, who had been proved to have PCP by bronchoalveolar lavage and trans-bronchial lung biopsy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2010

Strongyloides stercoralis is an intestinal nematode that is a parasite to humans. The infecting filariform larvae of S. stercoralis enters the host body via the bloodstream, passes through the lungs, penetrates the alveoli, and then ascends the airway to transit down the esophagus into the small bowel. The infection can persist for decades without causing major symptoms and can elicit eosinophilia of varying magnitudes. Of note, this infection can also develop into a disseminated, often fatal, disease (hyperinfection) in patients receiving immunosuppressive corticosteroids. A 65-year-old man who was receiving corticosteroid therapy for the treatment of spinal stenosis was admitted to the emergency room with complaints of abdominal pain and severe dyspnea. We detected many S. stercoralis larvae in the sputum and in the bronchoalveolar-lavage sample collected by bronchoscopy. Here, we report a fatal case of strongyloidiasis with acute respiratory failure and intestinal perforation. In addition, we provide a brief review of the relevant medical literature.