Chemical leukoderma occurs due to the toxic effect of a specific chemical preceding allergic contact dermatitis. The mechanism is either destruction or inhibition of melanocytes by the offending substance. Clinicohistopathologically, no absolute criteria can differentiate chemical leukoderma from vitiligo. However, chemical leukoderma can be diagnosed clinically by a history of repeated exposure to a known or suspected depigmenting agent at the primary site. There is no agreed treatment guideline for chemical leukoderma. We report a healthy 51-year-old man who had multiple hypopigmented macules and patches on his face, neck, arms and legs after exposure to occupationally related chemicals. The lesions were recalcitrant to topical corticosteroids, but they showed much improvement after 3 cycles of systemic steroid pulse therapy. We suggest this therapy may be a good treatment option for chemical leukoderma.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Arm ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Humans ; Leg ; Melanocytes ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Occupations ; Vitiligo

Purpose: Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death not only in Korea but also worldwide. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) has been extensively investigated, but studies on nutritional intake and eating habits are scarce. The purpose of this study was to analyze the general characteristics, dietary habits, and nutritional status of Korean adults based on their AIP values using data from the 2013–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Methods: A total number of 3,040 adults in their 20s and 30s were included as study subjects. They were divided into quintiles according to their AIP values. Comparisons were then made among the general information, eating habits, and nutritional intake statuses of the groups. Results: The averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, smoking, and exercise in men. As for women, the averages of AIP were different by age, obese status, education, occupation, alcohol drinking frequency, and smoking status. Except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, higher AIP values in men were associated with significant increasing trends in health indicators, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol. As for women, as AIP increased, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol showed significant increasing trends except HDL-cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol showed a significant decreasing trend as AIP increased in men and women. In the high AIP group of women, the frequency of breakfast was lower, whereas the frequency of alcohol beverage consumption was higher. Conclusion Among young adults, the risk of arteriosclerosis was higher in obese, smoking, and non-exercise individuals. More frequent alcohol drink consumption in women is associated with a higher risk of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, weight and lifestyle management are necessary for the prevention of atherosclerosis among young adults.

PURPOSE: Although remediation and reassessment of at-risk students are essential functions of medical education, there are no guidelines on how best to remediate such students. In this study, we described and examined the effectiveness of a remediation program that was delivered as team-based learning (TBL) sessions. METHODS: After a written examination, 15 of 145 fourth-year students were found to require remediation, and assigned to teams of four to five students. Clinical topics related to items of the Korean Medical License Examination were taught in the remediation period of 3 weeks, and all students took reexamination. Changes in test scores were analyzed, and student feedback was documented. RESULTS: Students who participated in the remediation program had significantly better total scores on re-examination (remediation group 225.8 to 263.0 vs. control group 290.8 to 304.0, p<0.05). Most students found that the remediation program was instructive and helped them prepare for the examination. Moreover, students gained confidence, and all of them passed the graduation examination. CONCLUSION: TBL is an effective method of remediating at-risk students. Further research with regard to the successful design and implementation of a remediation program for at-risk students is needed.
Education, Medical ; Humans ; Learning* ; Licensure ; Methods ; Students, Medical*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management guidelines have been released from Western countries, but no adequate data on the application of these guidelines in Asian countries and no surveys on the treatment of IBD in real practice exist. Since there is a growing need for a customized consensus for IBD treatment in Asian countries, Asian Organization of Crohn's and Colitis performed a multinational survey of medical doctors who treat IBD patients in Asian countries. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed between August 2013 and November 2013. It was composed of 4 domains: personal information, IBD diagnosis, IBD treatment, and quality of IBD care. Upon completion of the questionnaire, a web-based survey was conducted between 17 March 2014 and 12 May 2014. RESULTS: In total, 353 medical doctors treating IBD from ten Asian countries responded to the survey. This survey data suggested a difference in available medical treatments (budesonide, tacrolimus) among Asian countries. Therapeutic strategies regarding refractory IBD (acute severe ulcerative colitis [UC] refractory to intravenous steroids and refractory Crohn's disease [CD]) and active UC were coincident, however, induction therapies for mild to moderate inflammatory small bowel CD are different among Asian countries. CONCLUSIONS: This survey demonstrated that current therapeutic approaches and clinical management of IBD vary among Asian countries. Based on these results and discussions, we hope that optimal management guidelines for Asian IBD patients will be developed.
Asia* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Colitis* ; Colitis, Ulcerative ; Consensus ; Crohn Disease ; Diagnosis ; Hope ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases* ; Seoul* ; Steroids

Multiple congenital melanocytic nevi (MCMN), defined as the distribution of more than three small- or medium- sized congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN) on the body without a giant CMN, is a rare disease comprising about 4% of patients with CMN. Because MCMN accompanies neurodevelopmental delay, including seizures in 25% of patients as well as the risk of malignant melanoma, it must be carefully followed-up. We report a case of MCMN with developmental delay in a 19-month-old Korean boy. He had a history of febrile seizure when he was 18 months old. He showed a speech delay after the 1-year-follow up, even though there was no evidence of neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the first visit. As MRI has a low sensitivity for detecting NCM in patients with MCMN older than 4-months, close neurodevelopmental assessments should be considered to provide a chance for early rehabilitation.
Brain ; Humans ; Infant ; Language Development Disorders ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Melanoma ; Melanosis ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Rare Diseases ; Seizures ; Seizures, Febrile

BACKGROUND: Local steroid injection is used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological effects of local steroid injection in patients with CTS over a 3-months period. METHODS: Twenty-one patients (35 hands) with clinical and electrophysiological evidence of CTS were treated by injection of triamcinolone 40 mg to the carpal tunnel. Visual analog scale (VAS), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), rates of paresthesia, night awakening, and electrophysiological studies were used as outcomes. Clinical and electrophysiological assessments were performed before, 1 and 3 months after treatment. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, 86% of patients complained of night awakening. At 1 and 3 months after injection, only 17% and 29% of the patients, respectively, had night awakening (p<0.001). All patients complained of paresthesia before the treatment. This symptom disappeared in 60% and 31% of the patients after 1 and 3 months, respectively (p<0.001). Compared to baseline, both BCTQ and VAS show significant improvement during the 3 months of the study (p<0.005). Although significant improvements in clinical parameters were shown, electrophysiological parameters were not significantly improved at 1 and 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Local corticosteroid injection for the treatment of CTS provides significant improvement in symptoms for 3 months. On the other hand, no significant improvement was observed in electrophysiological parameters.
Boston ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Electrophysiology ; Hand ; Humans ; Paresthesia ; Triamcinolone

PURPOSE: Disposable one piece laryngoscope (DOL), which probably carries a lower risk of infection than conventional reusable ones, is the only device which has received approval by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug safety. In the current study, we evaluated the effectiveness and usefulness of the conventional Macintosh laryngoscope (MAC) and DOL in inexperienced personnel. METHODS: A randomized crossover trial was designed. Ninety seven participants (Medical students, Paramedic students) were enrolled and performed endotracheal intubation with MAC and DOL in Manikin (SimMan(R) Laedal Medical Corporation, Stravanger; Norway). Cormack-Lehane grade, the number of attempts, time required for intubation, and dental compression were measured to evaluate the effectiveness. The participants were given a questionnaire survey on the usefulness of laryngoscopes (easier to use, lightness, brightness, manageable to use, delivering power, safer for patients, intense to use). RESULTS: Regarding the aspect of effectiveness, a significant difference in dental compression was observed between DOL and MAC (p=0.011). Others showed no significant differences. Regarding the aspect of usefulness, DOL was superior to MAC except in delivering power. CONCLUSION: The DOL appears to be a reasonable device for use in emergency airway management. It should be verified for effectiveness and usefulness of newly developed equipment in emergency airway management because it is directly related to life.
Airway Management ; Allied Health Personnel ; Disposable Equipment ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngoscopes* ; Manikins*

In this article, the third author's name was spelled incorrectly.

In this article, the third author's name was spelled incorrectly.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics and factors of voluntary discharged patients after suicide attempt and analyze the effectiveness of follow-up measures. METHODS: Total 504 adult patients aged 14 years and over, who visited a local emergency medical center from September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015 were enrolled and retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the relationship with voluntary discharge group (VDG) among basic characteristics, suicidal attempt variables, outcome variables related to suicide attempts, and treatment related variables comparing with normal discharge group (NDG). RESULTS: Of the total 504 suicide attempts, three hundred eleven (61.7%) patients were VDG and 193 (38.2%) were NDG. The proportion of patients who completed the community service linkage were 18.7% (36/193) in NDG, compared with 7.7% (24/311) in VDG (p < 0.05). In addition, the ratio of the patients who visited psychiatric outpatient department in NDG were 57.0% (110/193), more than four times as likely as 14.5% (45/311) in VDG (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Over sixty percent of suicide attempters discharged against medical advice. Further various aspects of national supportive measures including strengthening case management service should be considered.
Adult ; Case Management ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Linear Energy Transfer* ; Outpatients ; Retrospective Studies ; Social Welfare ; Suicide ; Suicide, Attempted*