Internal medicine
-
Objective The effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in Japanese patients have not been reported. We assessed the effects of changing CPAP devices (from the Philips Respironics device to the ResMed device) on the control of OSA. Methods We retrospectively examined 13 patients with OSA who voluntarily changed from the Philips Respironics device to the ResMed device due to a Philips Respironics CPAP device recall. ⋯ Results The AHI obtained from the CPAP devices significantly decreased from 4.4 (3.1-10.7) events/h to 2.0 (0.8-3.6) events/h when patients changed devices (p=0.022). The AHI decreased to <5 events/h after changing devices in 4 patients, whereas it had been ≥5 events/h before changing devices in 6 patients. Conclusion Changing CPAP devices can decrease the AHI.
-
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a left ventricular systolic dysfunction associated with heart failure (HF) in late-term pregnancy or peripartum. A 29-year-old pregnant woman with no history of cardiac disease noted lower extremity edema around 34 weeks' gestation with significant weight gain. She delivered twins via caesarean section, and the edema regressed postpartum. ⋯ HF treatment along with cabergoline was initiated. With low prolactin blood levels, her symptoms and cardiac function improved over time. This case demonstrated the usefulness of anti-prolactin therapy with cabergoline in PPCM.
-
Case Reports
Two Cases with Isolated Splenic Sarcoidosis Diagnosed by an Ultrasound-guided Fine-needle Aspiration Biopsy.
Asymptomatic splenic nodules were detected incidentally in two middle-aged women at an annual checkup. They showed no abnormalities on laboratory tests, but imaging studies revealed splenic nodules. No other localized lesions were found. ⋯ We performed US-guided percutaneous aspiration biopsies using 21-gauge needles without complications, including bleeding. Pathological specimens showed noncaseating granulomas, so both patients were diagnosed with isolated splenic sarcoidosis. A US-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a safe and useful method for diagnosing splenic nodules.
-
Case Reports
Resolution of Laryngeal Ulceration with Prednisolone Therapy in a Patient with Crohn's Disease.
A 23-year-old man diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD) was treated with infliximab. He developed new-onset sore throat and dysphagia during admission, and nasopharyngoscopy revealed epiglottic ulceration. ⋯ This strongly suggested that laryngeal ulceration was a complication of CD because of the rapid improvement in the symptoms and lesions after prednisolone administration. Furthermore, this treatment process demonstrated the superior anti-inflammatory effect of prednisolone over that of hydrocortisone and supported the assumption of inflammation related to CD.
-
Objective Although extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria are a global threat, as they may cause respiratory infection, the factors associated with the isolation of these bacteria from sputum remain unclear. We therefore explored the factors related to ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolated from sputum samples. Methods This study included consecutive patients admitted to our department from 2010 to 2021 with K. pneumoniae or E. coli isolated from their sputum. ⋯ The multivariate analysis revealed that the applications of cephem (adjusted OR: 4.130, 95% CI: 1.233-13.830, p=0.021) and macrolide (adjusted OR: 6.365, 95% CI: 1.922-21.077, p=0.002) was independently associated with the isolation of ESBL-producing bacteria. Conclusion A history of cephem and macrolide use can be considered a risk factor for ESBL-producing bacteria isolation from sputum samples. Physicians need to consider these risk factors when determining antibiotics for the treatment of patients with respiratory infections.