This report is made to investigate clinical outcome in 144 patients with severe head injuries. The result was as follows: 18% made a good recovery, 25% were moderately disabled, 11% were left vegetative, and 44% died. The outcome from severe head injuries seemed to become worse with advancing age. It was observed that the prognosis for head injury in general worsens in the group older than 30 years and the apparent increased morbidity and mortality with a surgical hematoma relate more to age than to the presence of the hematoma.
Craniocerebral Trauma* ; Head* ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Mortality ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Since the first implanted in September 1997, the use of On-X prosthetic heart valve has been increasing around in the world. This study was designed to assess the feasibility, safety, and the postoperative hemodynamics with this new valve in clinical setting. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The current study was carried out on 52 patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with this prosthesis between April 1999 to August 2002 at Chonnam National University Hospital to evaluate the surgical results. 52% of the patients were male and the average age at implant was 50+/-13 years. The study followed the guidelines of the AATS/STS. Preoperatively, 32 (61.5%) patients were in NYHA functional class III or IV and 2 patients had previous aortic valve surgery. Concomitant cardiac surgery was performed in 71.1%. The implanted valve sizes were 19 mm in 13 patients, 21 mm in 26, 23 mm in 10 and 25 mm in 3, respectively. Mean follow-up was 16.6+/-10.5 months (1~39 months). Echocardiographic assessment was performed pre- and immediate postoperatively, as well as 3, 6, 12 months after surgery, evaluating pressure loss and regression of left ventricular hypertrophy. RESULT: Mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 191+/-94.7 minutes with an aortic cross-clamp time of 142+/-51.7 minutes. There was no early and late mortality. Freedom from adverse events at 1 year in the study were as follows: thromboembolism, 95.6+/-6%; bleeding events, 90.2+/-4%; paravalvular leakage 92.3+/-4%; and overall valve-related morbidity at 1 year was 76.6+/-3%. There were no cases of valve thrombosis, prosthetic valve endocarditis and structural or non-structural failure. Left ventricular function at 12 months after surgery (EF=62.7+/-9.8%) revealed a statistically significant improvement compared to preoperative investigation (EF=55.8+/-15.9%, p=0.006). Left ventricular mass index was 247.3+/-122.3 g/m2 on preoperative echocardiographic study, but regressed to 155.5+/-58.2 g/m2 at postoperative 1 year (p=0.002). Over the follow-up period a further decrease of peak transvalvular gradients was observed in all patients: 62.5+/-38.0 mmHg on preoperative assessment, 18.2+/-6.8 mmHg at immediate postoperative period (p<0.0001), 7.6+/-5.09 mmHg (p<0.0001) at 6 month, 18.0+/-10.8 mmHg (p<0.0001) at 1 year. CONCLUSION: The On-X prosthetic heart valve performs satisfactorily in the first 1 year period. Clinical outcome by examining NYHA functional classification revealed especially good results. Effective regression of left ventricular hypertrophy and statistically significant decrease of transvalvular gradient were observed over the first year, but longer-term follow-up of this patient group is needed to establish the expected rates for late valve-related events as well as the long-term clinical efficacy of this valve.
Aortic Valve* ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Classification ; Echocardiography ; Endocarditis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freedom ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Heart Valves* ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular ; Jeollanam-do ; Male ; Mortality ; Postoperative Period ; Prostheses and Implants ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombosis ; Ventricular Function, Left

The authors report a case of intradural schwannoma of the cauda equina that was totally removed by microsurgical operation.
Cauda Equina ; Neurilemmoma*

The authors report a case of intradural schwannoma of the cauda equina that was totally removed by microsurgical operation.
Cauda Equina ; Neurilemmoma*

The authors describe a case of large dermoid cyst of the scalp which removed surgically and cosmetically. Dermoid cyst is derived from epiblastic cells predestined to form skin which become detached from their neighbours and included in mesenchyme at about third to the fifth week of feral life, when the neural tube is closing. The contents of the cyst are thus mixtures of keratin, sebum, and hair, according to the proportionate development of these elements. It is usually a single tumor and may develop almost anywhere in the subcutaneous tissue, being of variable size.
Dermoid Cyst* ; Germ Layers ; Hair ; Mesoderm ; Neural Tube ; Scalp ; Sebum ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue

PURPOSE: The annual incidence of acute rheumatic fever in Korea was not changing during 1980 to 1989 from Nationwide survey in 1991 in spite of talking about scanty outbreak among doctors in recent year.The proportion of patients with acute rheumatic fever among the entire pediatirc inpatients each year was approximately 0.3% and did not change significantly throughout the survey period. But rheumatic heart disease is still major heart problem in the adults in our country. Otherwise, the trend of streptococcal infection seems to be occuring virulent strains which developed fetal toxic shock like syndrome resurgence of acute rheumatic fever in North America since mid-1980. We would like to know the number of outbreak and the changing of clinical patterns of this disease between 101 cases of acute rheumatic fever during 1973 to 1985 and 41 cases during 1986 to 1992 METHODS: Subject were 41 cases of children with acute rheumatic fever and/or acute rheumatic carditis diagnosed by rivised Jones criteria who were admitted to the Department of Pediatris, Kyunghee University Hospital from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1992 RESULTS: 1) The average incidence of rheumatic fever and rheumatic carditis for 20 years period was 0.5 per 1,000 annual pediatric inward patients. The annual changes of rheumatic fever increased between 1981 and 1986 and decreased after then. 2) The seasonal peak incidence was observed in December and the group of peak the incidence was 11-15 years. 3) The preceding infection history was observed in 43.9% 4) The incidence of major manifestation was as follows : carditis(7.0%), polyarthritis(63.4%), chorea(22.0%), erythematous marginatum(12.2%) and subcutaneous nodule(4.9%). 5) Doppler echocardiographic valvualr lesions were mitral insufficiency(65.9%), aortic insufficiency(24.4%) and mitral insuffiency combined with aaortic insuffiency(17.1%). 6) The EKG findings were PR interval prolongation(41.5%), left ventricular hypertrophy(34.1%), and prolonged P wave duration(34.1%). 7) Sites of joint involvement were knee joint(56.1%), ankle joint(26.6%), hip joint(14.6%), and elbow joint(14.6%) 8) Minor and other manifestation were fever(56.1%), arthralgia(56.1%), cough(24.4%), dyspnea(22.0), and generalized weakness(22.0%). 9) Laboratory findings were increaed ASO titer(>200 Todd units, 78.0%), posotive CRP(73.2%), and increased ESR(>30 min/hr, 65.9%). 10) The initial choice of treatment was aspirin(96.7%) and corticosteroid was used in one case because of severe congestive heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of acute rheumatic fever in Korea was gradually decreased. On the other hand, the incidence of rheumatic carditis was increasing patterns. Especially, development of diagnositic tools in cardiology such as Doppler echocardiography contributed to make accurate diagnosis of silent carditis, valvular lesions which were passed without mentioning early study period.
Adult ; Ankle ; Cardiology ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Elbow ; Electrocardiography ; Hand ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Hip ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Joints ; Knee ; Korea ; Myocarditis ; North America ; Rheumatic Fever* ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; Seasons ; Shock, Septic ; Streptococcal Infections

PURPOSE: The annual incidence of acute rheumatic fever in Korea was not changing during 1980 to 1989 from Nationwide survey in 1991 in spite of talking about scanty outbreak among doctors in recent year.The proportion of patients with acute rheumatic fever among the entire pediatirc inpatients each year was approximately 0.3% and did not change significantly throughout the survey period. But rheumatic heart disease is still major heart problem in the adults in our country. Otherwise, the trend of streptococcal infection seems to be occuring virulent strains which developed fetal toxic shock like syndrome resurgence of acute rheumatic fever in North America since mid-1980. We would like to know the number of outbreak and the changing of clinical patterns of this disease between 101 cases of acute rheumatic fever during 1973 to 1985 and 41 cases during 1986 to 1992 METHODS: Subject were 41 cases of children with acute rheumatic fever and/or acute rheumatic carditis diagnosed by rivised Jones criteria who were admitted to the Department of Pediatris, Kyunghee University Hospital from Jan. 1986 to Dec. 1992 RESULTS: 1) The average incidence of rheumatic fever and rheumatic carditis for 20 years period was 0.5 per 1,000 annual pediatric inward patients. The annual changes of rheumatic fever increased between 1981 and 1986 and decreased after then. 2) The seasonal peak incidence was observed in December and the group of peak the incidence was 11-15 years. 3) The preceding infection history was observed in 43.9% 4) The incidence of major manifestation was as follows : carditis(7.0%), polyarthritis(63.4%), chorea(22.0%), erythematous marginatum(12.2%) and subcutaneous nodule(4.9%). 5) Doppler echocardiographic valvualr lesions were mitral insufficiency(65.9%), aortic insufficiency(24.4%) and mitral insuffiency combined with aaortic insuffiency(17.1%). 6) The EKG findings were PR interval prolongation(41.5%), left ventricular hypertrophy(34.1%), and prolonged P wave duration(34.1%). 7) Sites of joint involvement were knee joint(56.1%), ankle joint(26.6%), hip joint(14.6%), and elbow joint(14.6%) 8) Minor and other manifestation were fever(56.1%), arthralgia(56.1%), cough(24.4%), dyspnea(22.0), and generalized weakness(22.0%). 9) Laboratory findings were increaed ASO titer(>200 Todd units, 78.0%), posotive CRP(73.2%), and increased ESR(>30 min/hr, 65.9%). 10) The initial choice of treatment was aspirin(96.7%) and corticosteroid was used in one case because of severe congestive heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of acute rheumatic fever in Korea was gradually decreased. On the other hand, the incidence of rheumatic carditis was increasing patterns. Especially, development of diagnositic tools in cardiology such as Doppler echocardiography contributed to make accurate diagnosis of silent carditis, valvular lesions which were passed without mentioning early study period.
Adult ; Ankle ; Cardiology ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Elbow ; Electrocardiography ; Hand ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Hip ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients ; Joints ; Knee ; Korea ; Myocarditis ; North America ; Rheumatic Fever* ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; Seasons ; Shock, Septic ; Streptococcal Infections

Video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is an ingestible video camera that transmits high-quality images of the small intestinal mucosa. This makes the small intestine more readily accessible to physicians investigating the presence of small bowel disorders, such as Crohn's disease (CD). Although VCE is frequently performed in Korea, there are no evidence-based guidelines on the appropriate use of VCE in the diagnosis of CD. To provide accurate information and suggest correct testing approaches for small bowel diseases, the Korean Gut Image Study Group, part of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, developed guidelines on VCE. Teams were set up to develop guidelines on VCE. Four areas were selected: diagnosis of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, small bowel preparation for VCE, diagnosis of CD, and diagnosis of small bowel tumors. Three key questions were selected regarding the role of VCE in CD. In preparing these guidelines, a systematic literature search, evaluation, selection, and meta-analysis were performed. After writing a draft of the guidelines, the opinions of various experts were solicited before producing the final document. These guidelines are expected to play a role in the diagnosis of CD. They will need to be updated as new data and evidence become available.
Capsule Endoscopy* ; Crohn Disease* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Hemorrhage ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Intestine, Small ; Korea ; Writing

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis shows higher operative morbidity and mortality rates than other cardiac diseases. The vast majority of studies on infective endocarditis have been made on aortic endocarditis, with little attention having been paid to infective endocarditis on the mitral valve. This study attempts to investigate the clinical aspects and operative results of infective endocarditis on the mitral valve. METERIAL AND METHOD: The subjects of this study consist of 23 patients who underwent operations for infective endocariditis on the mitral valve from June 1995 to May 2003. Among them, 2 patients suffered from prosthetic valvular endocarditis and the other 21 from native valvular endocarditis. The subjects were evenly distributed age-wise with an average age of 44.8+/-15.7 (11~66) years. Emergency operations were performed on seventeen patients (73.9%) due to large vegetation or instable hemodynamic status. In preoperative examinations, twelve patients exhibited congestive heart failure, four patients renal failure, two patients spleen and renal infarction, and two patients temporary neurological defects, while one patient had a brain abscess. Based on the NYHA functional classification, seven patients were determined to be at Grade II, 9 patients at Grade III, and 6 patients at Grade IV. Vegetations were detected in 20 patients while mitral regurgitation was dominant in 19 patients with 4 patients showing up as mitral stenosis dominant on the preoperative echocardiogram. Blood cultures for causative organisms were performed on all patients, and positive results were obtained from ten patients, with five cases of Streptococcus viridance, two cases of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and one case each of Corynebacterium, Haemophillis, and Gernella. Operations were decided according to the AA/AHA guidelines (1988). The mean follow-up period was 27.6+/-23.3 (1~97) months. RESULT: Mitral valve replacements were performed on 13 patients, with mechanical valves being used on 9 patients and tissue valves on the other 4. Several kinds of mitral valve repair or mitral valvuloplasty were carried out on the remaining 10 patients. Associated procedures included six aortic valve replacements, two tricuspid annuloplasty, one modified Maze operation, and one direct closure of a ventricular septal defect. Postoperative complications included two cases of bleeding and one case each of mediastinitis, low cardiac output syndrome, and pneumonia. There were no cases of early deaths, or death within 30 days following the operation. No patient died in the hospital or experienced valve related complications. One patient, however, underwent mitral valvuloplasty 3 months after the operation. Another patient died from intra-cranial hemorrhage in the 31st month after the operation. Therefore, the valve-related death rate was 4.3%, and the valve-related complication rate 8.6% on mid-term follow-up. 1, 3-, and 5-year valve- related event free rates were 90.8%, 79.5%, and 79.5%, respectively, while 1, follow-up. 1, 3-, and 5-year valve- related event free rates were 90.8%, 79.5%, and 79.5%, respectively, while 1, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 88.8%, and 88.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that a complete removal of infected tissues is essential in the operative treatment of infectious endocarditis of the mitral valve. It is also suggested that when infected tissues are completely removed, neither type of material nor method of operation has a significant effect on the operation result. The postoperative results also suggest the need for a close follow-up observation of the patients suspected of having brain damage, which is caused by preoperative blood contamination or emboli from vegetation, for a possible cerebral vascular injury such as mycotic aneurysm.
Aneurysm, Infected ; Aortic Valve ; Brain ; Brain Abscess ; Cardiac Output, Low ; Classification ; Corynebacterium ; Emergencies ; Endocarditis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Failure ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hemodynamics ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infarction ; Mediastinitis ; Methods ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Mitral Valve* ; Mortality ; Pneumonia ; Postoperative Complications ; Renal Insufficiency ; Spleen ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Streptococcus ; Survival Rate ; Vascular System Injuries

Retroperitoneal Hematoma is a rare intraabdominal bleeding occurring in patients with low- molecular weight heparin anti-coagulant therapy. We report a case of dalteparin sodium-associated retroperitoneal hematoma in a 70-year-old man with diabetic nephropathy with review of this condition in the literature. He had been suffered from type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension for 15 years. In July 2002, he was admitted to our hospital because of unstble angina and left pleural effusion. He was treated with dalteparin sodium and aspirin for unstable angina. On the second hospital day, he was refered to division of nephrology for diabetic nephropathy. Laboratory data on admission included white blood cell count of 4,500/mm3, hemoglobin 9.6 g/dL, platelet count 294,000/mm3, BUN 58.1 mg/dL, serum creatinine 4.1 mg/dL, blood glucose 178 mg/dL, hemoglobin A1c 5.9%, PT 13.9 sec (INR: 1.09), and aPTT 50 sec. On days 6 through 8, he had lower back pain, lower extremity pain and neuropathy, anemia and hypotension. Abdominal ultrasound showed 6 x 6 cm-sized well marginated mixed echogenic lesion in psoas muscle and fluid collection in retroperitoneal cavity. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed increased signal intensity and thickening of the right psoas muscle including 4.7 x 2.3 x 2.1 cm-sized cytic lesion and 6.2X5.3X3.7 cm-sized cystic lesion on the lateral portion of right psoas muscle in T2-weighted images. Percutaneous drainage of cystic lesion was performed by right lateral approach. Hemodialysis was begun without heparinization. Abdominal CT showed 5.5X5 cm-sized high attenuated lesion in right psoas muscle and 5X3 cm, 3X2 cm, 4.5 x 2.5 cm, 4 x 2.5 cm-sized heterogenous, slightly high attenuated lesions in the right lower abdomen and cul-de-sac in the scans with no enhancement. He was treated by conservative therapy. He recovered gradually. Patients with kidney diseases receiving low molecular weight heparin (dalteparin, enoxaparin, etc.) should be closely monitored to prevent serious bleeding complications. The possibility of retroperitoneal hematoma should be considered, whenever symptoms including lower back pain, inguinal pain, leg pain, anemia, or hypotension occured during the lower molecular weight heparin anticoagulant therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of retroperitoneal hematoma in a patient during dalteparin sodium (Fragmin(R)) anticoagulant therapy.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Anemia ; Angina, Unstable ; Aspirin ; Blood Glucose ; Creatinine ; Dalteparin* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diabetic Nephropathies* ; Drainage ; Enoxaparin ; Hematoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Heparin ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypotension ; Kidney Diseases ; Leg ; Leukocyte Count ; Low Back Pain ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Molecular Weight ; Nephrology ; Platelet Count ; Pleural Effusion ; Psoas Muscles ; Renal Dialysis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography