Corticosteroid outcome may be dependent of duration of use in severe COVID-19.

Background/aims: For patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who require supplemental oxygen, the evidence of the optimal duration of corticosteroid is limited. This study aims to identify whether long-term use of corticosteroids is associated with decreased mortality.

Methods: Between February 10, 2020 and October 31, 2021, we analyzed consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19 with severe hypoxemia.

Clinical outcomes of and risk factors for secondary infection in patients with severe COVID-19: a multicenter cohort study in South Korea.

Background/aims: Secondary infection with influenza virus occurs in critically ill patients and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality; however, there is limited information about it in patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thus, we investigated the clinical outcomes of and risk factors for secondary infections in patients with severe COVID-19.

Methods: This study included patients with severe COVID-19 who were admitted to seven hospitals in South Korea between February 2020 to February 2021.

In-hospital mortality prediction using frailty scale and severity score in elderly patients with severe COVID-19.

Background: Elderly patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have a high disease severity and mortality. However, the use of the frailty scale and severity score to predict in-hospital mortality in the elderly is not well established. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the use of these scores in COVID-19 cases in the elderly.

ROX index and SpO2/FiO2 ratio for predicting high-flow nasal cannula failure in hypoxemic COVID-19 patients: A multicenter retrospective study.

Background: The ratio of oxygen saturation (ROX) index, defined as the ratio of oxygen saturation (SpO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) to respiratory rate, can help identify patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure at high risk for intubation following high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) initiation; however, whether it is effective for predicting intubation in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients receiving HFNC remains unknown. Moreover, the SpO2/FiO2 ratio has been assessed as a prognostic marker for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. This study aimed to determine the utility of the ROX index and the SpO2/FiO2 ratio as predictors of failure in COVID-19 patients who received HFNC.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Younger and Elderly Patients with Severe COVID-19 in Korea: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Old age is associated with disease severity and poor prognosis among coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases; however, characteristics of elderly patients with severe COVID-19 are limited. We aimed to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 at tertiary care centers in South Korea. This retrospective multicenter study included patients with severe COVID-19 who were admitted at seven hospitals in South Korea from 2 February 2020 to 28 February 2021.

Lower Driving Pressure and Neuromuscular Blocker Use Are Associated With Decreased Mortality in Patients With COVID-19 ARDS.

Background: The impact of mechanical ventilation parameters and management on outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ARDS is unclear.

Methods: This multi-center observational study enrolled consecutive mechanically ventilated patients with COVID-19 ARDS admitted to one of 7 Korean ICUs between February 1, 2020-February 28, 2021. Patients who were age < 17 y or had missing ventilation parameters for the first 4 d of mechanical ventilation were excluded.

Late Failure of High-Flow Nasal Cannula May Be Associated with High Mortality in COVID-19 Patients: A Multicenter Retrospective Study in the Republic of Korea.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the late failure of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is associated with mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This multicenter study included seven university-affiliated hospitals in the Republic of Korea. We collected the data of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 between 10 February 2020 and 28 February 2021.

Eosinophil-mediated lung inflammation associated with elevated natural killer T cell response in COVID-19 patients.

Background/aims: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with acute respiratory syndrome. The mechanisms underlying the different degrees of pneumonia severity in patients with COVID-19 remain elusive. This study provides evidence that COVID-19 is associated with eosinophil-mediated inflammation.

Interstitial lung disease induced by the roots of : Three case reports.

Background: The roots of (AJN), called "Useul-puli," has been traditionally used to control pain and improve dysfunction in osteoarthritis patients in South Korea.

Case Summary: We described 3 patients diagnosed with herbal medicine induced interstitial lung disease after consuming boiled the roots of AJN. They were referred to our hospital because of the modified Medical Research Council grade 4 dyspnea.

Bronchobiliary fistula after ramucirumab treatment for advanced gastric cancer: A case report.

Background: Bronchobiliary fistula (BBF) is a rare disease characterized by an abnormal connection between the biliary system and bronchi. Traditional causes of BBF include trauma and infections, and more recent causes include malignancies and certain cancer treatments. Ramucirumab is an antivascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 monoclonal antibody, currently used as a second-line treatment for gastric cancer.

A Rare Case of Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Idiopathic Primary Myelofibrosis.

BACKGROUND Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is an oncologic emergency resulting from the massive destruction of tumor cells after cytotoxic chemotherapy for chemosensitive malignancies with a high tumor burden. Its clinical manifestations include severe electrolyte disturbances, metabolic acidosis, acute renal failure secondary to urate deposition in the kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle, and nervous system dysfunction. We report an extremely rare case of spontaneous TLS (STLS) in idiopathic primary myelofibrosis (PMF).

Clinical Phenotype of a First Unprovoked Acute Pulmonary Embolism Associated with Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.

Background: Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS), an important cause of acquired thrombophilia, is diagnosed when vascular thrombosis or pregnancy morbidity occurs with persistently positive antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). APS is a risk factor for unprovoked recurrence of pulmonary embolism (PE). Performing laboratory testing for aPL after a first unprovoked acute PE is controversial.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the pleura with adjacent chest wall invasion and metastasis to the kidney: a case report.

Background: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor is a rare benign neoplasm that frequently involves the lung and abdominopelvic region, and is found mainly in children and young adults. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor tends to be locally invasive or recurrent, and rarely metastasizes.

Case Presentation: A 76-year-old Korean man presented with a history of upper back pain for 2 months and motor weakness in both lower extremities for 2 days.