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Biomedical subjects

K C Hwang

Publications and source records attributed to K C Hwang.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Epidermolysis bullosa: report of one case.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of inherited skin diseases manifested as bullae formation induced by minor trauma. According to the anatomical level of skin splitting, it could be classified mainly into three types: simplex, junctional and dystrophic EB. We have a female term newborn noted to have had skin defect and ulceration over lower legs concurrent with oral mucosal ulceration and blister formation since birth. New blisters occurred over friction and pressure areas shortly after birth. The histopathologic pictures revealed dystrophic type of EB. These lesions seemed responsive to phenytoin and topical skin care, healing gradually with minimal scarring and atrophy. However, it is important to follow these patients to help alleviate complications of extracutaneous involvement which may occur during later life.

Epidermolysis Bullosa↗

Cyclosporin in the treatment of severe aplastic anemia: report of one case.

According to recent reports, cyclosporin (CsA) has been proven to be a cure for some patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA). The use of CsA to treat SAA is based on both experimental and clinical evidences showing that this disease is sometimes caused by immune-mediated mechanisms. This report describes a fourteen-year-old boy who recovered from SAA after being treated with CsA, together with to a lesser extent prednisolone. In June of 1986, when he failed to improve after receiving six months of corticosteroid treatment, CsA was introduced. Following three weeks of CsA therapy no further blood transfusion was needed. Danazol was added on the 28th day of CsA therapy. On the 105th day the blood counts began to improve, and on the 375th day bone marrow aspirate revealed normal hematopoiesis. Along with these improvements, however, some side effects from the CsA treatment were observed. These included: hirsutism, hypertension and gingival hyperplasia, all of which eventually subsided on tapering and finally terminating CsA. For the time being, no side effects have been observed in the six-months period since CsA was stopped and the patient is leading a normal life.

Adolescent↗

[Status epilepticus induced by prolonged immersion in hot herb bath: report of one case].

A 6-year-old girl with cerebral palsy developed conscious disturbance and generalized convulsion after one-hour hot herb drug bath. Physical examination on admission revealed rectal temperature 41 degrees C, hot skin, respiration 46/min, regular heart beat 98/min, BP 130/60 mmHg, Glascow coma scale 4 (E2M1V1), soft and flat abdomen, no hepatosplenomegaly, no skin rash, no focal neurological sign, increased generalized muscle ton. Laboratory data showed CBC: WBC 20400 cumm (Neutrophils 31%, Lymphocytes 69%), Hb 11.6gm%, ESR 11 mm/hr, arterial blood gas: PH 7.077, PO2 43mmHg, PCO2 57.1mmHg, HCO3- 16 mEq/L, BE-11.5mEq/L, serum sodium 143 mEq./L, potassium 5.2 mEq/L, chloride 101 mEq/L, free calcium ion 3.8mg%, GOT 63IU/L, GPT 263 IU/L, amylase 193 IU/L, alkaline phosphatase 388 IU/L, LDH 1245 IU/L, CPK 677 IU/L, total bilirubin 0.8 mg/dl, direct type 0.1 mg/dl, BUN 18 mg/dl, Glucose 35 mg/dl. Urinalysis revealed proteinuria( ) trace hematuria and pyuria, but no cast. Lumbar puncture is within normal limits. Bacteriology including blood and CSF are normal. Multiple organ failure was noted at that time. Intensive cooling methods were performed including central and peripheral cooling. We used luminal and valium to control the seizure. Condition didn't improve. Afterwards cardiopulmonary arrest developed. Patient expired 8 hours after admission despite of resuscitation. Heat stroke in infancy and childhood is different from that in adulthood. The predisposing factors are high ambient temperature, dehydration, very young baby, sweat gland dysfunction, or ectodermal dysplasia. Definition of heat stroke includes 1) rectal temperature above 41 degrees C, 2) behavioral change, 3) warm skin, wet or dry.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Baths↗

Trismus-pseudocamptodctyly syndrome: report of one case.

Trismus-pseudocamptodactyly syndrome is a rare neuromuscular disorder that manifests as a combination of hand, foot, and mouth anomalies. Limited range of motion for hands, feet, and mouth are typical presentations. A male term newborn baby was noted to have trismus, ulnar deviation of both wrist joints, limited stretch of digits during hand dorsiflexion but with full digital extension during volarflexion, and talipes equinovarus of the right foot. These anomalies were not seen in his parents. Hecht syndrome, or trismus-pseudocamptodactyly syndrome, was diagnosed with a negative result of electromyographic study.

Humans↗

Postnatal growth of low birthweight neonates in Taiwan.

The postnatal growth pattern of four hundred and twenty five Chinese low birth-weight neonates was assessed. All those whose birthweight were below 2500 grams and survived for more than 180 days during the study period were included. The gestational age was between 26 and 40 weeks, and the birthweights were between 766 and 2496 grams, respectively. Infants were grouped according to 250-gram birth-weight categories. The mean age of the lowest weight, mean age of weight regain, and percentage of weight loss were calculated for each weight group and demonstrated an inverse correlation to the birthweight. The mean age of the lowest weight ranged between 2.72 and 6.62 days, mean weight loss was between 4.06 and 14.56%, and age of weight regain was between 4.93 and 17.15 days, respectively.

Birth Weight↗

Risk factors of coronary arterial aneurysm in Kawasaki disease.

From April 1983 to August 1991, 70 cases of Kawasaki disease were admitted to Taiwan Provincial Tao-Yuan General Hospital. Fifty-seven patients treated with aspirin 80-100 mg/kg/day alone during the acute phase were followed by two-dimensional echocardiography for two weeks to two years. Twelve cases (21%) complicated with coronary arterial aneurysm (CAA) were referred as high risk group. Those who had no CAA were a low risk group. Stepwise discriminant analysis was performed to obtain risk factors of CAA based on clinical and early laboratory data. This yielded a classification accuracy of 75.4%. The combination of two parameters, white blood cell count and C-reactive protein, can be applied to early identify Kawasaki patients at high or low risk of CAA.

Child↗

Congenital chylothorax managed by partial pleurodesis: report of one case.

Congenital chylothorax, a rare cause of respiratory distress in neonate, presented here with respiratory distress from two days of age. Thoracocentesis was performed at six days, revealing a clear fluid with high protein content. Thoracotomy was performed at the age of 33 days because of a profuse amount of chest tube drainage. A leak of chyle was found near the esophageal hiatus of the costophrenic angle. Partial pleurodesis was performed because of difficulty in identifying the exact leakage point. Respiratory status improved very quickly after the operation, and oral intake was well-tolerated during follow-up.

Chylothorax↗

Human herpesvirus-6 associated hemophagocytic syndrome in beta-thalassemia: report of one case.

An 8-month-old male infant with severe anemia and thrombocytopenia was brought to our hospital due to fever and pallor. The physical examination on admission showed pale conjunctivae, skin rash, lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly. Subsequent laboratory studies showed pancytopenia, impaired liver function, elevated lactate dehydrogenase level but without evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Bone marrow aspiration demonstrated increased macrophages and prominent hemophagocytosis. The serological studies revealed a recent infection of human herpesvirus-6 which was confirmed by blood mononuclear cell culture and polymerase chain reaction. This infant was also found to have beta-thalassemia which was confirmed by hemoglobin electrophoresis performed before first transfusion. After treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and other supportive therapies, the bone marrow abnormalities has completely recovered after 5 days, and the hemogram improved. This report demonstrates the human herpesvirus-6 as the etiology of hemophagocytic syndrome.

Herpesviridae Infections↗