Selective arterial embolization is an effective and safe treatment of AML. The angiomyomatous components crucial for the prevention of bleeding were very sensitive to the embolization.

The AVP-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity is impaired in ARF, secondary to a defect at the level of the G protein. The expression of AQP2 was reduced as a consequence, which may in part account for urinary concentration defect in ARF.

A 29-year-old woman presented with bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. She was diagnosed with Escherichia coli O104:H4-associated hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) and treated with plasmapheresis and hemodialysis for 3 weeks. She recovered without sequelae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Escherichia coli O104:H4-associated HUS in Korea. We recommend that Escherichia coli O104:H4, as well as the more common O157:H7, be considered in the diagnosis of bloody diarrhea-associated HUS.

Balloon DCP is simple and safe but has high failure and recurrence rates.

The safety and long-term effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation for corrosive esophageal stricture was evaluated in 22 patients with a follow-up period of more than 1 year (range, 13-52 months). The average interval between corrosive agent ingestion and initial balloon dilation was 18 years (range, 2 months to 51 years). Balloons with a diameter of 5-8 mm were used in the initial attempt. The caliber of the balloon catheter was increased gradually over subsequent dilations, up to a diameter that allowed patients to swallow solid foods. Dilation of more than 17 mm in diameter was performed in five patients. Patients underwent one to five sessions. Esophageal rupture occurred in seven patients and was treated nonoperatively in five and surgically in two. With exclusion of these latter two, 11 of 20 could tolerate swallowing all kinds of food and nine could tolerate swallowing most foods. Balloon dilation in corrosive esophageal strictures is effective, but the high rupture rate indicates the need for extra caution.