Acute Upper Limb Ischemia Suspected to Have Originated from Staphylococcus Epidermidis Native Valve Endocarditis / 대한내과학회지

We report a case of acute upper limb ischemia suspected to have originated from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis native valve endocarditis in a 57-year-old man who had complained of sudden-onset fever and pain in the right hand. 3D computed tomography of the right upper extremity detected a thrombus occluding the brachial artery. Echocardiography showed a large vegetation on the aortic valve. Thus, we suspected, clinically, brachial artery occlusion by septic emboli originating from a large vegetation of the aortic valve. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics for the suspected methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis-native valve endocarditis with a combination of percutaneous aspiration thromboembolectomy and selective intra-arterial thrombolysis for acute thromboembolic occlusion in the right upper limb. The large vegetation of the aortic valve resolved without surgery and aortic regurgitation improved. The patient recovered uneventfully with no complications, including septic embolism, over the following 11 months.

A Case of Portal Vein Thrombosis in Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis Treated with Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin / 대한내과학회지

Portal vein thrombosis can result from the obstruction of blood flow, inflammation, and hypercoagulability of blood. Clinical symptoms include those of bowel ischemia caused by extension of the thrombus, portal hypertension, and gastrointestinal varix bleeding. Cases arising from complications of acute pancreatitis are very rare. The management of portal vein thrombosis varies, but spontaneous resolution of the thrombosis is uncommon. To prevent complications, anticoagulation therapy may be considered. We report a 51-year-old man who was treated successfully with low-molecular-weight heparin for portal vein thrombosis complicating acute necrotizing pancreatitis.