OBJECTIVES: Sleep problems has been consistently reported as a suicidal risk factor in adults and, recently, also in adolescents. In this study, dividing study subjects by the previous suicidal behaviors (suicidal vs non-suicidal), we compared the group differences of suicidal risk factors, and examined the possibility of sleep as a suicidal risk factor. METHODS: Study subjects were 561 (271 boys and 290 girls) from a community sample of high school students. Suicidal Risk Behavior Checklist, Center for Epidemiological Study-Depression (CES-D), Symptom Checklist-90-Revision (SCL-90-R) Anxiety and Aggression subscale, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were done. RESULTS: Forty six students (8.1%) reported previous actual self-harm behavior as a suicidal attempt, 181 students (32.4%) reported having suicidal thought only. Three hundred thirty four students (59.5%) reported no previous suicidal behavior (thought and attempt, both). Suicidal behavior group showed higher score on risk behaviors such as school violence, substance use and internet addiction. CES-D, SCL-90-R, PSQI showed significant group difference. Logistic regression analysis showed suicidal risk were significantly associated with depression, stress in suicidal risk factors and sleep latency, daytime dysfunction in PSQI. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows the most prolonged sleep latency and increased index of all PSQI components except sleep efficiency in suicidal attempt group. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep Problems had a strong association with the suicidal risk behavior in adolescents. Sleep problems, especially, prolonged sleep latency, daytime dysfunction might be important markers for suicidal behavior. Screening for sleep problems in adolescents are encouraged for the parents, school teachers, and related medical physicians.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aggression ; Anxiety ; Checklist ; Depression ; Humans ; Internet ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Parents ; Risk Factors ; Risk-Taking ; Suicide ; Violence

PURPOSE: Rotter's nodes are removed in the course of a radical mastectomy, however they are not routinely removed in a modified radical mastectomy and breast conserving surgery, although they can be. Having been relatively ignored, the prognostic value and correlation of Rotter's nodes with axillary nodal status have rarely been reported or systematically studied. The aims of the present study were to assess the frequency and pattern of Rotter's node metastasis in breast cancer patients, and to compare the incidence of axillary lymph node metastasis and Rotter's node. We also investigated the rate of skip metastasis. METHODS: In order to investigate the predictability of axillary node positivity, we compared the status of axillary lymph nodes and the pathological prognostic markers. In 580 consecutive mastectomies performed for breast carcinomas between 1987 and 1999, axillary and Rotter's nodes were routinely dissected and separately sampled during mastectomy. RESULTS: The mean number of axillary lymph nodes and Rotter's nodes were 19.5 and 0.9. Axillary lymph nodes metastases were found in 47.2% of all patients. The frequency of axillary lymph node metastasis and the involvement of a higher level of axillary lymph node were significantly increased with increasing tumor size. However, metastasis at Rotter's nodes did not follow this pattern. Rotter's nodes were anatomically present in 39.8% of patients and an average of 2.3 lymph nodes was found in the interpectoral region. Rotter's metastases were found in 5% of all patients, and 10.6% of those with axillary lymph node metastases. The number of Rotter's nodes metastases was higher as the metastases were found at a higher level (p<0.05). CONCLUSION:The presence of axillary metastases was related to histologic grade, nuclear grade and lymphovascular invasion, but was not related to the mitotic index or perineural invasion. It is apparent that the potential risks from Rotter's and skip metastases were not great in all patients, although the routine excision of Rotter's nodes should be applied to patients with more locally advanced disease (T2-3, N1-N2).
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Mastectomy ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Mastectomy, Radical ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Mitotic Index ; Neoplasm Metastasis

OBJECTIVE: It has been known that the posterior pedicle screw fixation provides good mechanical stability in unstable burst fracture. But, posterior fixation without anterior column support may not be adequate to withstand the axial load and to keep the corrected kyphotic angle. We present results of one stage fixation by posterior approach in unstable burst fracture. METHODS: Nine patients with unstable burst fracture were treated with posterior fixation and intervertebral fusion using titanium mesh cages and pedicle screws. The canal decompression was achieved by laminectomy and partial pediculectomy through the posterior approach. In all cases, the short segment fixation and anterior column support with cage were performed on the one stage operation. RESULTS: Of nine patients, seven was satisfied with excellent clinical results except two cases of the Frankel's grade A. All patients had good stabilization of spinal column and enough decompression without any neurological complications. It was possible to maintain the corrected kyphotic angle with the circumferential stabilization(three column fixation). CONCLUSION: The anterior and posterior column fixation through the posterior approach provides good stability and decompression in the patients with unstable burst fracture.
Decompression* ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Spine* ; Titanium

PURPOSE: Surgical axillary dissection to determine the status of nodes remains as a part of the standard operation in the management of breast cancer. Rotter's nodes are removed in the course of a radical mastectomy but they are not routinely removed in a modified radical mastectomy and breast conserving surgery, although they can be. Having been relatively ignored, the prognostic value and correlation of Rotter's nodes with axillary nodal status have been rarely reported or systematically studied. The aim of the present study was to access the frequency and pattern of Rotter's node metastasis in breast cancer patients, and compare the incidence of axillary lymph node metastasis and Rotter's node. We also investigated the rate of skip metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate the predicting axillary node positivity, we compared the status of axillary lymph node and pathological prognostic markers. In 580 consecutive mastectomy performed for breast carcinomas between 1987 to 1999, axillary and Rotter's node were routinely dissected and separately sampled during mastectomy . RESULTS: The mean number of axillary lymph node and Rotter's nodes were 19.5 and 0.9. Axillary lymph nodes metastases were found in 47.2% of all patients. Frequency of axillary lymph node metastasis and involvement of higher level of axillary lymph node were significantly increased by increasing tumor size. But metastasis at Rotter's nodes was not following this pattern. Rotter's nodes were anatomically present in 39.8% of patients and average 2.3 lymph nodes were found in the interpectoral region. Rotter's metastases were found in 5% of all patients, and 10.6% of those with axillary lymph nodes metastases. Number of Rotter's nodes metastases were higher as the metastases were found to higher level(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of axillary metastases were related to histologic grade, nuclear grade and lymphovascular invasion, but not related to mitotic index and perineural invasion. In summary, number of axillary lymph node and metastatic rate of axillary lymph nodes were similar to western reports. It is apparent that potential risk from Rotter's and skip metastases were not great in all patients, but routine excision of Rotter's nodes should be applied to patients with more locally advanced disease.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Mastectomy ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Mastectomy, Radical ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Mitotic Index ; Neoplasm Metastasis

We report a case of bilateral chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis, on both helices, in a 60-year-old male patient. He presented with a 1-year history of two tender, firm, dark-brownish, 0.4x0.4cm-sized nodules with central ulceration on both helices. He had no history of trauma. A punch biopsy specimen taken from the nodule revealed central ulceration, hyperkeratosis, and irregular acanthosis of the epidermis. Within the dermis, there was inflammatory cell infiltration, dilatation and proliferation of vessels, and some eosinophilic collagen degeneration associated with degenerative cartilage. Based on these clinical and histologic findings, we diagnosed this as a rare case of bilateral chondrodermatitis nodularis chronica helicis occurring on both helices. We treated the lesions with intralesional steroid injections.
Biopsy ; Cartilage ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Dilatation ; Eosinophils ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Rotter's nodes are removed in the course of a radical mastectomy, however they are not routinely removed in a modified radical mastectomy and breast conserving surgery, although they can be. Having been relatively ignored, the prognostic value and correlation of Rotter's nodes with axillary nodal status have rarely been reported or systematically studied. The aims of the present study were to assess the frequency and pattern of Rotter's node metastasis in breast cancer patients, and to compare the incidence of axillary lymph node metastasis and Rotter's node. We also investigated the rate of skip metastasis. METHODS: In order to investigate the predictability of axillary node positivity, we compared the status of axillary lymph nodes and the pathological prognostic markers. In 580 consecutive mastectomies performed for breast carcinomas between 1987 and 1999, axillary and Rotter's nodes were routinely dissected and separately sampled during mastectomy. RESULTS: The mean number of axillary lymph nodes and Rotter's nodes were 19.5 and 0.9. Axillary lymph nodes metastases were found in 47.2% of all patients. The frequency of axillary lymph node metastasis and the involvement of a higher level of axillary lymph node were significantly increased with increasing tumor size. However, metastasis at Rotter's nodes did not follow this pattern. Rotter's nodes were anatomically present in 39.8% of patients and an average of 2.3 lymph nodes was found in the interpectoral region. Rotter's metastases were found in 5% of all patients, and 10.6% of those with axillary lymph node metastases. The number of Rotter's nodes metastases was higher as the metastases were found at a higher level (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The presence of axillary metastases was related to histologic grade, nuclear grade and lymphovascular invasion, but was not related to the mitotic index or perineural invasion. It is apparent that the potential risks from Rotter's and skip metastases were not great in all patients, although the routine excision of Rotter's nodes should be applied to patients with more locally advanced disease (T2-3, N1-N2).
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Mastectomy ; Mastectomy, Modified Radical ; Mastectomy, Radical ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Mitotic Index ; Neoplasm Metastasis

No abstract available.
Perfusion* ; Stroke Volume* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

No abstract available.
Perfusion* ; Stroke Volume* ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

PURPOSE: Potential benefits of eversion carotid endarterectomy (eCEA) compared with conventional carotid enderterectomy (cCEA) are more simple and faster reanastomosis with a low risk of restenosis. However, in Korea, eCEA is not popular having only one report of eCEA. This study aimed to investigate the results of eCEA. METHODS: From July 2008 to September 2010, authors performed 36 eCEAs for patients with carotid artery stenosis in our hospital. Patients' demographics and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Regarding early (<30 days) results including the frequency of postoperative stroke, myocardial infarction, cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome, bleeding, cranial nerve palsy, new brain lesions (NBLs) on diffuse-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and mortality were examined. Mid-term results such as stroke, death and restenosis after over thirty days were also examined. RESULTS: Mean age was 66.6 years old and 88.9% of the patients were male. Twenty-four patients (66.7%) had a previous neurological event in the preceding 6 months. A carotid shunt was used in 3 cases (8.3%) and mean carotid clamping time was 25.4 minutes. One case (2.8%) of non-disabling ipsilateral stroke, 1 case (2.8%) of wound hematoma and 1 case (2.8%) of cranial nerve palsy developed after operation. DW-MRI was conducted in 27 patients (75.0%) and NBLs were detected in 4 patients (11.1%). One case (2.8%) of restenosis was discovered during the follow-up period (mean, 9.0 months), and there were no strokes or death. CONCLUSION: Early and mid-term postoperative stroke and complication rates of eCEA were acceptable in our series. However, to assess efficacy of eCEA, further large-volumed and long-term follow-up studies are needed.
Brain ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Stenosis ; Constriction ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Demography ; Endarterectomy ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke

This is the report of 98 cases in renal allograft, which were treated at Yeungnam University Hospital from January 1994 to July 1996 and compared the significance of changes of TNF alpha, IL-2R, IL-6 in blood and urine as an early diagnostic tool of acute rejection in renal allograft. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of plasma and urinary TNF alpha, IL-2R, IL-6 in patients with renal allografts. Renal allografts patients were divided into four groups (control, acute rejection, acute tubular necrosis, systemic infection) according to their postoperative diagnostic methods. Blood and urine samples in four groups were obtained: control group (2 days before transplantation, at the day of transplantation and every other day after transplantation), acute rejection group (everyday sampling from 2 days before therapy to the end of therapy), acute tubular necrosis and systemic infection group (everyday sampling from the day of diagnosis to the end of therapy). In acute rejection group, there were significant elevation of cytokines; plasma TNF alpha (68.4%, p<0.01), IL-2R (73.6%, p<0.01), and IL-6 (89.5%, p<0.01), urinary TNF-alpha (42.1%, p<0.01), IL-2R (89.5%, p<0.01) and IL-6 (94.7%, p<0.01). In systemic infection group, all cytokines except urinary TNF-alpha were significantly elevated. The results suggested that plasma and urinary TNF-alpha, IL-2R, and IL-6 may play a complementary early diagnostic tool of acute rejection in renal allograft patients although the differential diagnosis is difficult with systemic infection. Urinary TNF-alpha was not elevated in systemic infection group, so it may be used in differential diagnosis between acute rejection and systemic infection.
Allografts* ; Cytokines ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Interleukin-6* ; Necrosis ; Plasma* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*