PURPOSE: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the most commonly performed surgical treatment in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, the indications of TURP are still controversial, especially in cases with a small prostate. To determine the efficacy of TURP in patients with a small prostate, we reviewed 138 patients who had undergone TURP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients with BPH under 30gm (Group I), and seventy-two with BPH over 30gm (Group II) were evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and urine flow rates before and after the TURP. RESULTS: The urine flow rates were significantly improved after the TURP in Group II. The IPSS was also significantly improved after the TURP in both groups. The residual urine volume of both groups was significantly decreased after the TURP. CONCLUSIONS: Although TURP is usually performed in patients with a big prostate, our data shows that a TURP could also be available in patients with BPH under 30gm after several objective studies and with the desire of patients.
Humans ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate*

PURPOSE: We wanted to investigate the efficacy and safety of the immunotherapeutic Uro-Vaxom for treating uncomplicated recurrent cystitis in female patients only. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult female patients were enrolled in this multicenter, open-label study if they had acute cystitis at the enrollment visit and positive results on urine culture (> or =10(3)CFU/ml). The patients were treated for 3 months with one capsule daily of Uro-Vaxom after antibiotic therapy, and they were observed for another 3 months. The primary efficacy criteria were the cystitis recurrence rates over 6 months, the distribution of cystitis and the proportion of patients with cystitis. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were evaluated. During the 6-month trial, the number of cystitis recurrences was significantly reduced in comparison with the 6-month pretrial period (on the average 0.64 as compared to 3.0 recurrences, respectively p<0.001). The incidences of frequency, urgency and dysuria remained low until the end of the trial. Uro-Vaxom was well tolerated: side-effects were mentioned by 8% of the 50 patients, and there was no case leading to treatment withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Uro-Vaxom significantly reduced the incidence of cystitis during the 6 months of this study, including the 3 months of treatment. These results demonstrate that Uro-Vaxom is a valuable agent for prophylaxis of recurrent cystitis.
Adult ; Cystitis* ; Dysuria ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Recurrence

A biloma is an encapsulated bile collection outside the biliary tree. Most cases of biloma are caused by iatrogenic injury or trauma. Intrahepatic rupture of the biliary tree due to nontraumatic cause is a rare event. A 68- year-old man was admitted because of abdominal pain and fever. He had no past history of abdominal surgery, instrumentation or trauma. Computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) demonstrated a large subcapsular fluid collection in the right liver associated with choledocholithiasis and cholecystitis. Biloma was confirmed by sono-guided percutaneous needle aspiration and was drained through a pigtail catheter. After the successful treatment by percutaneous drainage and endoscopic sphincterotomy, the patient recovered. Here, we report an uncommon case of spontaneous biloma formation in association with choledocholithiasis with a review of literatures.
Aged ; *Bile ; Cholecystitis/*complications/diagnosis ; Choledocholithiasis/*complications/diagnosis ; English Abstract ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: Worldwide data shows that there is an increasing resistance among urinary tract pathogens to the first-line antimicrobial agents used in domestic areas. The objective of this study was to obtain data on the susceptibility patterns of the pathogens responsible for acute uncomplicated cystitis to currently used antimicrobial agents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was carried out with the participation of fifteen hospitals in South Korea. A total of 239 isolates were obtained from female outpatients with acute uncomplicated cystitis. The antimicrobial susceptibilities to ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole(TMP/SMX) and tobramycin were determined by Vitek(R) antimicrobial susceptibility test systems. RESULTS: The most prevalent causative organism was Escherichia coli(79.9%), followed by coagulase negative Staphylococcus(4.2%), and a combination of other species of Enterobacteriaceae(8.2%). The mean rates of susceptibility were 35.5, 45.0, 85.7, 81.5, 62.1 and 85.3% to ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, TMP/ SMX and tobramycin, respectively. No significant differences were detected in the resistance rates between the results from 4 regional groups. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of resistance to ampicillin, ampicillin/sulbactam, and TMP/SMX suggest these drugs would not provide adequate initial therapy, and therapies other than TMP/SMX may need to be considered. The relatively high prevalence of resistance to ciprofloxacin, compared with other countries, also requires on going surveillance to identify further changes among urinary tract isolates.
Ampicillin ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Ciprofloxacin ; Coagulase ; Cystitis* ; Disease Susceptibility ; Escherichia ; Female ; Gentamicins ; Humans ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Prevalence ; Tobramycin ; Urinary Tract

BACKGROUND: Scabies is an old and common contagious skin disease. The incidence of scabies has decreased through the economic growth of Korea. However, recent outbreaks in medical facilities have created a suspicion that the infection of scabies is an emerging public health problem. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. This prospective study follows the retrospective study already performed by the same authors in 2011. METHODS: A multicenter, prospective study of scabies was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 914 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. Microscopic examination revealed scabies mites or eggs, or clinical improvement after treatment. Patients were asked to provide information on scabies, especially regarding the contact source, and the physicians examined them. RESULTS: Of the participants, 432 patients were men and 482 were women. Patients aged younger than 10 years and 60~69 years were the most common groups. Scabies more commonly affected patients during the fall and winter. Of the patients, 68.0% were thought to be infected at their homes, followed by nursing homes or hospitals (25.7%), and 31.6% through contact with other patients or, occasionally, staff members, including caregivers. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that scabies is an emerging threat in institutions, especially medical facilities. In addition, we suggest that public and in-hospital education is essential to minimize the problems associated with scabies.
Caregivers ; Disease Outbreaks ; Economic Development ; Education ; Eggs ; Epidemiologic Studies* ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Mites ; Nursing Homes ; Ovum ; Prospective Studies* ; Public Health ; Scabies* ; Skin Diseases

BACKGROUND: Scabies is one of the common skin diseases observed in developing countries. The incidence of scabies has decreased dramatically since the late 1980s in Korea. However, recent outbreaks in nursing homes or hospitals have been raising public health concerns. OBJECTIVE: We intended to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical aspects of patients diagnosed with scabies in Korea. In particular, we tried to investigate the changing trend of contact sources in our society. METHODS: A multi-center cross sectional study was performed at 25 hospitals in Korea. We included 1,539 patients who were diagnosed with scabies. These patients showed scabies mites or eggs under microscopic examination, or clinical improvement after treatment. Their medical records with information of contact sources were reviewed. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety-three patients were males and 826 were females. Patients' age from 70 to 79 was the most common followed by patients below 10 years of age. More patients were found in the fall and winter months. 66.7% of patients were thought to be infected at their homes which were situated next to nursing homes or hospitals (23.1%). Place of infection could not be verified in 39.3% of patients. 25.8% of patients were suggested to be infected through contact with medical staff or patients from hospitals or nursing homes. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that the contact sources of scabies are changing in our society; nursing homes and hospitals are emerging sources of infection. The majority of patients are old or very young who are vulnerable to many diseases. Therefore, dermatologists should pay attention to new contact sources and appropriate care of patients.
Developing Countries ; Disease Outbreaks ; Eggs ; Female ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Medical Staff ; Mites ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Nursing Homes ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Ovum ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Scabies ; Skin Diseases