연구배경: 결핵은 호흡기를 통한 전염성 질환이지만 말초혈액에서 결핵균 PCR이 양성이거나 결핵균이 배양된 보고가 일부 있었다. 이는 결핵의 진단에 있어서의 유용성과 헌혈을 통한 결핵의 전염 가능성의 두 가지 문제를 제기하게 되었고, 저자들은 상기 문제들에 대한 향후 연구방향의 기초자료로 사용하고자 연구를 시행하여 보았다. 방 법: 속립성 결핵이 아닌 폐결핵, 비결핵항산균 폐질환, 폐암 및 폐렴 환자 69명을 대상으로 말초혈액에서 결핵균 PCR을 시행하였고, 결핵균이 많을 것으로 추정되는 10명의 폐결핵 환자의 말초혈액을 대상으로 결핵균 배양을 시행하였다. 결핵균 PCR 은 nested PCR을 이용한 TB-taq (M & D, Korea)을 이용하였고 혈액배양에는 BACTEC Myco/F Lytic 혈액배양병(Becton Dickinson, Sparks, Md)을 사용하였다.결 과: 결핵균 PCR을 시행한 환자는 69명으로 각각 폐결핵 35명, 비결핵항산균 폐질환 6명, 폐암 20명, 폐렴 8명이었다. 폐렴이나 폐암 환자 28명 모두에서 PCR은 음성이었고, 비결핵항산균 폐질환 6명 중 1명(16.7%), 폐결핵 35명 중 8명(22.8%)에서 양성이었다. 혈액 배양은 폐결핵 10명 모두에서 음성이었다.
Background: Although pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a respiratory disease, the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) DNA or Mtb itself has been reported in the peripheral blood (PB) of several patients with pulmonary TB. Additionally, it was recently announced that active pulmonary TB patients donated PB, and that this blood was then transfused to other individuals in Korea. Methods: Sixty-nine patients with bacteriologically-confirmed pulmonary TB (35), non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease (6), and other lung diseases (28) were enrolled in this study, which was conducted to determine if Mtb DNA could be detected in the PB by PCR. In addition, 10 pulmonary TB patients with high-burden bacilli were also enrolled in this study for the culture of Mtb in PB. Results: PCR detected the presence of Mtb in 22.8% (8/35) of the pulmonary TB patients, in 16.7% (1/6) of the patients with NTM lung disease, and in none of the patients with other diseases (0%). In addition, no Mtb was cultured from the PB of the 10 pulmonary TB patients. Conclusion: Although Mtb DNA was detected in the PB of some patients with pulmonary TB, viable Mtb was not isolated from the PB of those patients, which indicates that patients that viable Mth may not be transmitted via trasfusion of blood of pulmonary TB patients. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2007; 63: 331-336)
연구배경: 천식 치료의 근간을 이루고 있는 흡입용 스테로이드제에 대한 반응은 천식 환자마다 다양하다. 또한, 코르티코스테로이드가 천식의 기도염증에서 중요한 매개체인 류코트리엔을 효과적으로 억제하지 못하는 것으로 보고되었다. 이에 저자들은 흡입용 스테로이드와 지속성 베타2 항진제의 병용요법으로도 증상이 완전히 조절되지 않는 지속성 천식 환자에서 montelukast를 추가하였을 때의 유효성을 평가하고자 하였다. 방 법: 4주간의 준비기간을 거쳐서 흡입용 스테로이드와 지속성 베타2 항진제의 병용요법으로도 증상이 완전히 조절되지 않는 지속성 천식 환자 198명을 선정하여 8주 동안 montelukast 10 mg 정을 1일 1회 취침 전 복용토록 하였다. ACQ 증상 점수와 FEV1%치를 montelukast 치료 전후로 각각 측정하였으며, 치료 후에 환자와 연구자 각각 천식과 비염에 대하여 ‘호전되었음, 변화없음, 악화되었음’ 중의 하나로 평가하도록 하였다. 결 과: 8주간 montelukast를 추가한 후 ACQ 증상 점수의 평균 변화량은 -4.8점[95% CI (-5.7,-3.9)]으로, 유의하게 천식 증상이 호전됨을 보였다 (p<0.001). FEV1%치는 증가하는 경향을 보였으나 통계적으로 유의하지는 않았다(p>0.05). 방문 2시점에서 시행한 천식에 대한 환자와 연구자의 종합 평가에서 각각 약 60%의 환자와 연구자가 ‘개선되었음’으로 평가하였으며(κ=0.85), 비염의 종합 평가에서 각각 55%의 환자와 51%의 연구자가 ‘개선되었음’으로 평가하였다(κ=0.93).
Backgrounds: Although glucocorticoids are one of the most potent anti-inflammatory agents, they have limited effect on cysteinyl leukotriene biosynthesis. In addition, the response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and inhaled long-acting β2-agonists (LABA) combination therapy in moderate to severe persistent asthmatics varies. Additional therapy with leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRA) in patients with moderate to severe asthma suboptimally controlled with ICS and LABA combination therapy would be complementary to asthma control. Methods: One hundred and ninety eight asthmatics entered a 2 month, open-label descriptive study. Patients suffering from persistent asthma and suboptimally controlled on a combination therapy of fluticasone/salmeterol or budesonide/ formoterol were given montelukast 10 mg daily as an add-on therapy. The level of asthma control was assessed using the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) including FEV1 % predicted at the baseline and after a 2-month treatment with montelukast. A global evaluation of the treatment was also made by the patients and physicians. Results: The mean ACQ score decreased significantly on montelukast (11.5±5.4 at baseline vs. 6.7±5.0), with a significant improvement in all individual symptom scores (p<0.01). The FEV1 % predicted values did not show any significant change. 59.9% of patients and 59.4% of physicians reported global improvement in their asthma (κ=0.85). Conclusion: These results suggest that the addition of montelukast in patients with persistent asthma that is suboptimally contolled by combination therapy of ICS and LABA might confer complementary effects on asthma control. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2007; 63: 337-345)
연구 배경: 폐동맥 고혈압은 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환 환자에서 중요한 심혈관계 합병증이다. 뇌나트륨이뇨펩티드는 허혈성 심질환과 심부전의 경우에서 진단적 효율성과 예후 예측인자로서의 효율성이 잘 알려져 있고 우심에 압력 과부하가 있는 상황에서도 증가된다. 뇌나트륨이뇨펩티드의 측정이 만성폐쇄성 폐질환 환자에서 폐동맥 고혈압의 진단에 유용성이 있는지 알아보고자 폐동맥압과 뇌나트륨이뇨펩티드와의 상관관계를 분석하였다.연구 방법: 의무 기록 분석을 통하여 뇌나트륨이뇨펩티드, 심초음파, 폐기능 검사를 모두 실시한 만성 폐쇄성 폐질환 환자들을 대상으로 연구를 수행하였다. 뇌나트륨이뇨펩티드(NT-proBNP), 폐동맥압(PAP), 1초간 노력성 폐활량(FEV1)과의 상관관계를 분석하였다. 결 과: 총 31명의 환자가 분석에 포함되었으며 폐동맥 고혈압이 동반된 환자는 9명(26.7%)이었다. 폐동맥압과 뇌나트륨이뇨펩티드 사이에 유의한 상관관계가 관찰되었다(r=0.589,p=0.002).
Background: Pulmonary hypertension is one of the cardiovascular complications of in COPD. However, a diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension requires an invasive test, such as right heart catheterization. NT-proBNP is a cardiac hormone that is elevated when a cardiac volume or pressure overload is present. It was hypothesized that NT-proBNP might play a role in detecting of pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients. Method: The 31 COPD patients, who underwent all of NT-proBNP, echocardiography, and spirometry in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital during the period from November 2003 to July 2005, were retrospectively analyzed. Result: Of the 31 COPD patients, 9 patients had pulmonary hypertension. A significant positive correlation was observed between the NT-proBNP and pulmonary arterial pressure (r=0.589, p=0.002). However, there was no significant correlation observed between the FEV1 and NT-proBNP and FEV1 and pulmonary arterial pressure. Conclusion: NT-proBNP might indicate the presence of pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2007; 63: 346-352)
폐경기 여성에서 호르몬 대체요법은 폐경기 증상의 경감, 골다공증에 의한 골절, 대장암의 위험도 감소 등의 효과가 인정되어 왔다. 현재도 많은 폐경기 여성에게 사용되어지고 있는 치료법이다. 그러나 그에 따른 부작용 또한 점차 밝혀지며 연구 되고 있다. 이러한 부작용 중 생명을 위협 할 수 있는 폐색전증은 호르몬요법을 사용할시 항상 각별한 주의를 요한다. 폐경기 호르몬대체요법이 필요할 경우 심부정맥혈전증과 폐색전증의 다른 위험인자나 환경적 요인 등을 가진 환자에게 그 사용에 있어 더욱 주위를 기울여야 한다. 또한 폐색전증의 가장 많은 증상인 호흡기 증상이 있을 경우 즉시 적절한 평가와 치료가 필요하다.
Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) has been proven for treatment of postmenopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and urologic symptoms. HRT became very popular in the 1990's, when there were several reports showing that it also helped with other menopausal complications such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies report that the incidence of breast cancer, endometrial cancer, cerebral infarction, coronary artery diseases, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thrombembolism could rise after HRT. Among these side effects of HRT, the risk of pulmonary thromboembolism increases 2 to 4 fold after HRT, but can vary with the use of different doses and preparations. Here, we summarize the risk factors and clinical courses for 5 patients who developed pulmonary thromboembolism after postmenopausal HRT. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2007; 63: 362-366)
Pulmonary cavities are caused by bacterial pneumonia, fungal diseases, lung cancer, and tuberculosis (TB). However, in Korea, patients with cavitary lung lesions are generally considered to have pulmonary TB, where the incidence of TB is approximately 70 /100,000 per year. We report a case of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis that was obscured by multidrug-resistant pulmonary TB. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2007; 63: 368-371)
척추결핵은 경과가 느리고 서서히 진행하며 특이한 증상이 없으므로 임상적으로 의심하지 않으면 병이 상당히 진행된 후에야 진단되기 쉽다. 또한 침범된 부위가 척추결핵이 흔하지 않은 상부흉추, 경추, 천추부라면 진단은 더욱 늦어질 수 있다. 저자들은 국립의료원 결핵과에서 발열과 약 5개월간 지속된 상부 배부 통증으로 입원한 폐결핵환자에서 MRI 촬영으로 T5-6의 압박골절까지 초래한 상부흉추결핵을 진단하고 신경학적 이상이 생기기 전에 수술을 시행하고 항결핵약제의 치료로 좋은 결과를 얻었기에 이에 보고하는 바이다.
Tuberculous spondylitis is the most common manifestation of musculoskeletal tuberculosis (TB). The progression of the disease is usually slow and insidious. The main symptom, back pain, is not specific, which frequently results in a delayed diagnosis resulting in neurologic deficits and more advanced vertebral destruction. It is more difficult to diagnose the disease if the involved area is an uncommon sites, such as the upper thoracic, cervical or sacral region. It is important to make an early diagnosis and treatment to achieve a better treatment outcome. We reported a 29 year old female with upper thoracic TB spondylitis(T2-8) and pulmonary TB complaining of back pain that persisted for 5 months and fever. TB spondylitis was not suspected to be due to upper thoracic involvement despite her pulmonary tuberculosis. Chest CT for the evaluation of pulmonary TB found T5 destruction and the paravertebral abscess that was consistent with TB spondylitis. Her spine was examined by MRI, which made an early diagnosis before the neurologic deficit had developed. She was treated with surgical intervention due to the spinal instability and anti-TB medication for 1 year with excellent results. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2007; 63: 372-377)
Tsutsugamushi disease (Scrub typhus) is an acute, febrile illness caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which is transmitted to humans through chigger bites. Leptospirosis, a febrile disease caused by various pathogenic Leptospira, and is acquired by exposure to contaminated water and soil. Both diseases have been the most common acute febrile diseases in the autumn in Korea for many years. Concomitant leptospirosis and scrub typhus is quite rare. We report a case of a coinfection with leptospirosis and scrub typhus in a 51-year-old male who presented with fever, abdominal pain and acute dyspnea. The patient was diagnosed with as acalculous cholecystitis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and septic shock caused by the infection. This is the first case report of a coinfection with leptospirosis and scrub typhus in Korea. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2007; 63: 378-381)
저자들은 이미 비소세포 폐암(선암)을 진단받고 Gefitinib으로 치료중인 여자 환자에서 기억장애, 행동 및 인지기능 장애 등의 증상으로 내원하여 뇌자기공명 소견과 혈청학적 검사로 부수종양성 변연계 뇌염을 진단하였으며 스테로이드 치료에 호전이 없었던 증례를 처음 경험하였기에 보고하는 바이다.
Paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis is a rare disorder that is characterized by personality changes, irritability, depression, seizures, memory loss and dementia, and is commonly associated with small cell lung cancer. The cause is unknown but it is believed to be an autoimmune disorder that develops secondary to a carcinomatous process. We report a patient with the clinical feature consistent with limbic encephalitis. A 64-year-old women developed disorientation, memory loss and general weakness. She was diagnosed with NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) with a brain metastasis 1 year earlier and was treated with radiation and chemotherapy. Although the lung mass and brain metastatic lesions had improved, the brain T2-weighted MRI showed high signal intensity in the right temporal region. This lesion consisted of with limbic encephalitis and was negative to the other viral and immune markers. The patient's symptoms did not improve after steroid treatment. Our case demonstrated that a NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) also can be associated with paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2007; 63: 382-386)
섬유화 세로칸염은 드문 양성질환으로 종격동 조직 내에 국소적이거나 광범위한 심한 섬유화성 병변을 유발하고 세로칸 내 장기들을 침범하거나 압박하여 증상이나 증후를 나타내는 질환이다. 그러나 저자 들은 세로칸의 침범이 거의 없으면서 상대정맥 주위에 발생한 아주 국소적인 병변에 의하여 상대정맥증후군을 유발한, 혈관종양과 감별이 필요하였던 국소적 섬유화 세로칸염 1예를 경험하였기에 보고하는 바이다.
Fibrosing mediastinitis is a rare disease that is characterized by the proliferation of dense fibrous tissue of the mediastinum. The pathogenesis of fibrosing mediastinitis is unknown in most cases. However, histoplasmosis, tuberculosis, autoimmune disease, radiation therapy, and other idiopathic fibroinflammatory diseases have been implicated in some cases. Most clinical features are related to an obstruction or compression of the mediastinal structure. Fibrosing mediastinitis is often progressive and occurs diffusely throughout the mediastinum. We encountered a case of fibrosing mediastinitis of a very focal lesion without evidence of mediastinal involvement. The condition was confirmed by biopsy and graft bypass surgery was performed because of SVC syndrome. (Tuberc Respir Dis 2007; 63: 387-391)