Kosin Medical Journal

I Re Heo

3 Articles

Cigarette smoking and acute eosinophilic pneumonia: insights from a case series of 17 patients: I Re Heo, Tae Hoon Kim, Kyung Nyeo Jeon, Ho Cheol Kim; Kosin Med J. 2025;40(1):41-48. Published online March 27, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.24.146

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Abstract PDF PubReader ePub: Background
Acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) is a rare and severe lung condition characterized by a rapid accumulation of eosinophils in the alveoli, leading to respiratory distress. This study analyzed the clinical characteristics of affected patients, aiming to shed light on the relationship between cigarette smoking and AEP.
Methods
This retrospective study analyzed 17 cases of AEP, focusing on patients' smoking habits, clinical symptoms, diagnostic findings, and treatment outcomes. Data were collected from medical records, imaging studies, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) findings.
Results
The study cohort consisted primarily of male military personnel (94.1%), with a mean age of 20.8 years. Symptoms generally appeared approximately 2.82 days prior to hospitalization, with a mean body temperature at admission of 37.6 °C. The mean initial peripheral blood white blood cell count was 15.3×103/μL, with eosinophil percentages starting at 0.2%, peaking at a mean of 16.1%, and reaching as high as 32.4%. BAL fluid analysis showed a mean eosinophil level of 46.6%±15.1% (range, 17%–67%). In most cases, radiological examinations revealed bilateral ground-glass opacities, interlobular septal thickening, various degrees of airspace consolidation, and bilateral pleural effusions. Steroid treatment was administered to 70.5% of patients, lasting a mean of 8.3 days and resulting in significant improvements.
Conclusions
These cases reinforce the strong link between cigarette smoking and AEP. Additionally, these cases demonstrate the importance of obtaining a detailed smoking history and thorough diagnostic assessments, including BAL, in order to facilitate a more rapid diagnosis and early initiation of corticosteroid treatment.

Rasmussen’s Aneurysm, Rare yet Acknowledged Cause of Massive Hemoptysis: Retrospective Review of 16 Cases: Seungwoo Chung, I Re Heo, Tae Hoon Kim, Sun Mi Ju, Jung-Wan Yoo, Seung Jun Lee, Yu Ji Cho, Sung Un Park, Kyung Nyeo Jeon, Ho Cheol Kim; Kosin Med J. 2021;36(2):136-143. Published online December 31, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.2021.36.2.136

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Abstract PDF PubReader ePub: Objectives
Rasmussen’s aneurysm may cause life-threatening hemoptysis. We investigated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with hemoptysis and Rasmussen’s aneurysm.
Methods
We retrospectively investigated patients who clinically presented with hemoptysis and were diagnosed with a Rasmussen’s aneurysm on spiral chest computed tomography (CT).
Results
Our study included 16 patients (men:women, 12:4; mean age, 65.25 ± 13.0 years). Massive hemoptysis was observed in nine patients (56%) and blood-tinged sputum in four patients (25%). Ten patients (62.5%) had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, and three patients (18.7%) had underlying lung cancer. Chest CT revealed coexisting fungal balls in seven patients (43.7%). Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) was performed in 12 patients (75%). One patient died of uncontrolled massive hemoptysis.
Conclusions
Patients with Rasmussen’s aneurysm showed hemoptysis during the course of the disease; however, bleeding can be controlled with conservative therapy and radiological interventions, such as BAE.

Resurgence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea: Tae Hoon Kim, I Re Heo, Ho Cheol Kim; Received March 3, 2025 Accepted April 16, 2025 Published online June 23, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7180/kmj.25.105 [Epub ahead of print]

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Abstract PDF PubReader ePub: Background
The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, which emerged in 2020, disrupted healthcare systems globally, affecting tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and reporting. This study assessed the impact of the pandemic on the incidence of TB, multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB), and TB-related deaths in Korea between 2016 and 2023.
Methods
Data from annual reports from 2016 to 2023 were used to analyze the incidence of TB and MDR-TB, as well as TB-related deaths. Trends before and after the pandemic were compared to assess the pandemic’s impact on TB management. Key variables included age and sex-based TB incidence, MDR-TB incidence, and number of TB-related deaths.
Results
From 2016 to 2023, the total number of TB cases declined from 39,245 to 19,540, while new TB cases dropped from 30,892 to 15,640, representing reductions of 50.2% and 49.4%, respectively. The most pronounced decline occurred between 2020 and 2023. Individuals ≥65 years of age consistently had the highest TB burden, although the number of cases decreased by 28.6%. MDR-TB cases declined to 399 in 2020 but subsequently rose to 551 in 2023. TB-related deaths decreased from 2,186 in 2016 to 1,322 in 2022, with most deaths occurring in individuals ≥65 years of age.
Conclusions
While the incidence of TB and TB-related deaths decreased during the study period, MDR-TB exhibited an upward trend after 2020. Continued monitoring is needed to understand whether these changes were driven by pandemic-related disruptions or healthcare improvements.

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