BACKGROUND: The kidney plays an important role in excretion and catabolization of hormones in body. The possible role of hyperprolactinemia in the sexual abnormalities of patients with end stage renal disease was reported. So, we evaulated the prolactin levels in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis and the response to bromocriptine. METHODS: Basal serum levels of prolactin were measured in 11 patients undergoing long term hemodialysis by enzyme immunoassay. Blood samples were drawn just before dialysis and at the end of same dialysis session. We also examined 11 male normal person as controls. We evaluated the sexaul activity and serum prolactin level after administration of bromocriptine to the patients with hyperprolactinemia for 6 weeks. RESULTS: The average age of 11 male patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis was 40.2 years. The patients has been received hemodialysis for 38.5 months at time of the study. Prolactin levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis before hemodialysis were 2045.1 mIU/L, after hemodialysis 2341.2 mIU/L, and normal male persons 212.8 mIU/L. Serum prolactin levels were decreased progressively for 2 week after oral administration of bromocriptine. Thereafter, prolactin were maintained within normal value until from 4th weeks to 8th weeks. Sexual activity in end stage renal disease patients with hyperprolactinemia was markedly improved after 6th weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The serum prolactin levels in patients undergoing long-term hemodialysis were higher than that of the controls. The high serum prolactin level may be related with decreased sexual function. In patients with decreased sexual function, treatment with dopamine agonist can decreased serum prolactin levels and can improve symptoms such as decreased libido and impotence.
Administration, Oral ; Bromocriptine ; Dialysis ; Dopamine Agonists ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Libido ; Male ; Prolactin* ; Reference Values ; Renal Dialysis* ; Sexual Behavior

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is a simple, safe and rapid method for the placement of a feeding gastrostomy tube and it is a well-established mean of providing enteral nutrition. Although it is frequently used in adults, there is limited experience for this procedure in children. METHODS: Twenty five procedures of PEG in 23 patients were performed in four institutions located in Youngnam province. We retrospectively reviewed our experiences of PEG. RESULTS: Fourteen males and nine females were included and their mean age was 5.7+/-4.1 years. The patients aged 1 to 6 years accounted for about a half the subjects. The underlying diseases of the patients were CNS disorders in all except one who was suffering with a neuromuscular disorder. The main reason for PEG was swallowing difficulty and the associated complications of the patients. Nasogastric tube feeding was the most common method of nutritional support before the procedures. The most common complication of PEG placement was wound infection. The patients' nutritional status after PEG placement was satisfactorily improved. The indwelling time of PEG tube was over 6 months in 2 of 3 patients and the tube was switched for a new one after a year. Removal of the tubes by using percutaneous traction was done in 2 of 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The PEG is a safe, easy to perform, and reliable technique to support enteral nutrition in children.
Adult ; Child* ; Deglutition ; Endoscopy ; Enteral Nutrition ; Female ; Gastrostomy* ; Humans ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritional Support ; Retrospective Studies ; Traction ; Wound Infection

OBJECTIVES: The authors studied the effects of cigarette smoking on the cognitive function with topographic mapping of auditory event-related potential P300. METHODS: The subjects, 24 smokers and 14 nonsmokers, were assessed in the latencies and amplitudes of topographic auditory event-related potential P300 determined by Global Field Power Measurement. RESULTS: 1) There were significant differences of P300 latencies between smokers and controls artier smoking(ANOVAL F=10.45, P=0.0026). 2) There were no significant differences of P300 amplitude but a trend was present between smokers and nonsmokers after smoking(ANOVAL F=3.77, P=0.06). 3) There were no significant differences of difference between amplitude in maximal point and amplitude in minimal point but a trend was present between smokers and nonsmokers artier smoking(ANOVAL F=3.68, P=0.063). 4) There were no significant differences of maximal point in X-axis and in Y-axis, minimal point in X-axis and in Y-axis of P300 between smokers and nonsmokers artier smoking. CONCLUSIONS: These results support that auditory event-related potential P300 change by cigarrete smoking is indicative of enhanced cognitive function.
Evoked Potentials* ; Smoke ; Smoking* ; Tobacco Products*

PURPOSE: When using the emergency room of a tertiary hospital, both patients and their relatives or friends sometimes experience dissatisfaction and complain. Patient satisfaction deserves attention not only because it is an intrinsically worthy goal but also because it is a potentially significant mediator for promoting health and well-being. This study aims to identify patient's official complaints and to improve the quality of care in the Emergency Department (ED). METHODS: We investigated retrospectively 144 official complaints of visitors in 4 tertiary university hospital emergency centers between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2003. RESULTS: Among those 144 official complaints from the 4 hospital emergency centers were 116 appropriate complaints, as determined by the inclusion criteria, and 212 detailed descriptions of dissatisfaction. The seven major categories of dissatisfactions were analyzed: rudeness or lack of kindness, delayed waiting time, insufficient explanation of patient condition, distrust of treatment, absence of a specialist, poor emergency-department environment, and high treatment fee. CONCLUSIONS: Dissatisfaction related to the lack of kindness was the most common problem in all four university hospital emergency centers. The next most important problem was the delayed time or distrust of treatment. The concrete causes of the complaints varied with the hospital. To improve the quality of care for patients in the ED, the hospital staff should be more attentive and kind and should explain the patient's condition in more detail. Reducing the waiting time is also important.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Fees and Charges ; Friends ; Humans ; Patient Satisfaction ; Retrospective Studies ; Specialization ; Tertiary Care Centers*

Cystic lymphangiomas are comparatively rare, benign tumors of lymphatic system and their histogenesis are uncertain. About 75% of theses lesions are in the neck, 20% are in the axillary region, and 5% are in the mediastinum, retroperitoneal region or groin. But retroperitoneal cystic lymphangiomas are very rare. Retroperitoneal cystic lymphangiomas are usually found incidentally during diagnostic procedures performed for unrelated clinical reasons or at surgery. Although retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma is a benign lesion, it may cause significant morbidity due to its large size and its often invasive character with a strong tedency to secondary infection. They generally present as a palpable mass or abdominal pain and fever related to hemorrhage or inflammation of the cystic wall. The treatment of choice is surgical excision. We experienced a case of retroperitoneal cystic lymphangioma in a 4-year-old boy who had developed rapid abdominal distention and abdominal pain for 4 days. We have completely excised large cystic mass & histologically confirmed cystic lymphangioma. A brief review of literature was made.
Abdominal Pain ; Child, Preschool ; Coinfection ; Fever ; Groin ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Lymphangioma, Cystic* ; Lymphatic System ; Male ; Mediastinum ; Neck