Colonic Mucosal Necrosis Following Administration of Calcium Polystryrene Sulfonate (Kalimate) in a Uremic Patient

Colonic necrosis is known as a rare complication following the administration of Kayexalate (sodium polystryrene sulfonate) in sorbitol. We report a rare case of colonic mucosal necrosis following Kalimate (calcium polystryrene sulfonate), an analogue of Kayexalate without sorbitol in a 34-yr-old man. He had a history of hypertension and uremia. During the management of intracranial hemorrhage, hyperkalemia developed. Kalimate was administered orally and as an enema suspended in 20% dextrose water to treat hyperkalemia. Two days after administration of Kalimate enema, he had profuse hematochezia, and a sigmoidoscopy showed diffuse colonic mucosal necrosis in the rectum and sigmoid colon. Microscopic examination of random colonic biopsies by two consecutive sigmoidoscopies revealed angulated crystals with a characteristic crystalline mosaic pattern on the ulcerated mucosa, which were consistent with Kayexalate crystals. Hematochezia subsided with conservative treatment after a discontinuance of Kalimate administration

Rapidly calcified all of multiple intracranial hemorrhages occurred in a patient with Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

We report a 38-year-old female patient with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who occurred in rapidly calcified all of multiple intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) lesions. The patient was admitted with poor oral intake and confused mentality. Neurologic examination revealed drowsy consciousness but no motor weakness. She had been diagnosed ITP 5 years ago, however, she was not taking any medication at the time of presentation. Brain CT demonstrated that multiple ICHs, which were located in left frontal lobe, left temporal lobe and right cerebellar hemisphere. Platelet count was 10,000 cells/mm3. The patient was treated with conservative management, which included corticosteroids and platelet transfusion. Follow-up CT performed 12 days after the admission revealed that multiple ICHs were grossly resolving state. Interestingly, high attenuated lesions were seen all of multiple ICH sites, which were considered calcification. After 30 months after hemorrhage, follow-up brain CT showed prominent calcification of all of previous multiple ICH lesions. The patient was well- being state

Conservative management of a rapidly calcifying epidural hematoma in a young male patient

The calcification or ossification of an epidural hematoma (EDH) has been reported rarely. Until now, the mechanism of the calcification is still unclear. A 20-year-old man was presenting with confused consciousness after a fall. Initial brain CT showed acute EDH at left frontal area. Two weeks after trauma, follow-up brain CT demonstrated that increased amount of hypo-density EDH and calcified thin inner layer. The patient was treated with conservative management, as he showed no neurological deficits except headache. After 1 year, follow up brain CT showed nearly absorption of EDH. However, thickening of calcification was remained. The patient was in a state of well-being and did not complain of headache

Why do we need optic nerve decompression of traumatic optic neuropathy patients?

Traumatic optic neuropathy can be treated by various methods including high-dose steroids and surgical decompression. Neurosurgical decompression could be required in patients with mechanical compression of the optic nerve by displaced orbital roof fracture fragments. We describe two patients of traumatic optic neuropathy due to orbital roof fracture who had improved pupil reflex and visual acuity after decompression of the optic nerve

Reducing Particulates and Gaseous Emissions through Fuel Switching from Coal to Wood Pellets at Power Plants in South Korea during 2005 to 2022

This study analyzed the particulates and gaseous emissions from 2005 to 2022 for power plants in South Korea (Utility scale: 125 MW (B-1) and 200 MW (B-2), respectively), which recently successfully converted from coal to wood pellets. The analysis showed that (1) NOx reduction was 78.9 to 90.0% (with outlet denitrification facility), (2) SOx reduction was 95.0 to 99.6% (without desulfurization facility condition), and (3) total suspended particles (TSP) reduction was 70.3 to 87.2% (with improved filtration and dust collection facility). This research confirmed the capabilities of wood pellets as a baseload power source and demonstrated their superior NOx reduction compared to coal. In the case of SOx, the desulfurization facility was discontinued at the stage of the fuel switch, so the value was affected by exogenous variable factors other than fuel. The TSP appears to be a combination of the ‘fine dust' contained in the wood pellets and the performance of the filtration dust collector. The results suggest that fuel switching to wood pellets is a viable alternative to fossil fuels as an appropriate climate technology