OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a transforaminal suprapedicular approach, semi-rigid flexible curved probe, and 3-dimensional reconstruction computed tomography (3D-CT) with discogram in the endoscopic treatment of non-contained lumbar disc herniations. METHODS: The subjects were 153 patients with difficult, non-contained lumbar disc herniations undergoing endoscopic treatment. The types of herniation were as follows : extraforaminal, 17 patients; foraminal, 21 patients; high grade migration, 59 patients; and high canal compromise, 56 patients. To overcome the difficulties in endoscopic treatment, the anatomic structures were analyzed by 3D reconstruction CT and the high grade disc was extracted using a semi-rigid flexible curved probe and a transforaminal suprapedicular approach. RESULTS: The mean follow-up was 18.3 months. The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) of the patients prior to surgery was 9.48, and the mean postoperative VAS was 1.63. According to Macnab's criteria, 145 patients had excellent and good results, and thus satisfactory results were obtained in 94.77% cases. CONCLUSION: In a posterolateral endoscopic lumbar discectomy, the difficult, non-contained disc is considered to be the most important factor impeding the success of surgery. By applying a semi-rigid flexible curved probe and using a transforaminal suprapedicular approach, good surgical results can be obtained, even in high grade, non-contained disc herniations.
Diskectomy ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

According to recent studies, the immunogenetic factors are thought to be account for a part of the etiopathogenesis of autoimmune thyroid disease. In Korea, there was one report on the relationship between HLA DR5, DR8, B13 and autoimmune thyroid disease. There were also several reports on a familial hereditary transmission of autoimmune thyroid disease in other countries but not in Korea. We describe the occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disease that affected three members of a family through three generations. This is the first report on familial hereditary transmission of autoimmune thyroid disease in Korea. We report on an 80-year-old woman who presented with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, her 53-year-old daughter who had Graves' disease, and her 29-year-old grand-daughter who had Graves' disease. In order to identify the immunogenetic influence in these cases, HLA haplotypes & thyroid autoantibody were studied. HLA DRB3*02 was obseved in each of the patents. HLA DQB1*0301, DR11, DQB1*05031 and DR14 were observed in the two cases. However, HLA B13, DR5 and DR8 were not observed. The patients are currently undergoing follow-up using PTU, methimazole and synthyroid medication.
Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graves Disease ; Haplotypes ; HLA-B13 Antigen ; Humans ; Immunogenetics ; Korea ; Methimazole ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Family ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroiditis

BACKGROUND: Early oral intake (EOI) associated with early recovery of normal bowel function has been shown to be an important determinant for improving patients' satisfaction. We investigated the tolerability of EOI and its effects on the recovery of bowel function after epidural anesthesia. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial of patients undergoing lower extremities surgery under epidural anesthesia was performed. A liquid drink was given to 150 patients in the EOI group 1 hours after surgery, and to 150 patients in the delayed oral intake (DOI) group 8 hours after surgery. We recorded presence of bowel sounds immediately after operation, symptoms of ileus, time to the first flatus, time to the first defecation, degree of appetite before the first meal, and patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the presence of immediate postoperative bowel sounds, the degree of appetite before the first meal, mild ileus, and severe ileus between groups. Time to the first flatus and time to the first defecation in the EOI group were shorter than those of the DOI group. The patients' satisfaction in the EOI group was higher than that of the DOI group. CONCLUSIONS: For uncomplicated patients undergoing lower extremities under epidural anesthesia, beginning oral hydration as early as 1 hour after the operation is safe and well tolerated and resulting in faster recovery of bowel function and higher patients' satisfaction.
Anesthesia, Epidural ; Appetite ; Defecation ; Flatulence ; Humans ; Ileus ; Lower Extremity ; Meals ; Prospective Studies

A survey was performed to investigate the infection status of zoonotic helminth larvae in fish from a local market of North Dagon District in Yangon City, Myanmar. A total of 486 fish in 13 species were collected 8 times from December 2015 to December 2019. All fish were transported under ice to a laboratory in Korea and examined for helminth larvae using artificial digestion method. Larval gnathostomes and metacercariae of more than 8 zoonotic trematode species, i.e., Opisthorchis viverrini, Haplorchis taichui, H. pumilio, H. yokogawai, Centrocestus spp., Stellantchasmus falcatus, Pygidiopsis cambodiensis, and Procerovum sp., were detected. Larval gnathostomes were found in 58 (16.0%) out of 362 fish of 6 species, with mean intensity of 2.8 per fish infected. Metacercariae of O. viverrini were detected in 10 (2.9%) out of 349 fish of 5 species, with mean intensity of 16.9 per fish infected. Metacercarial prevalences of 4 intestinal flukes, H. taichui, H. pumilio, H. yokogawai, and Centrocestus spp., were 16.8%, 26.0%, 12.5%, and 15.0% in the positive fish species, respectively, and mean metacercarial intensity was 63.3, 26.8, 86.2, and 8.7 per fish infected. Metacercariae of S. falcatus and P. cambodiensis were detected only from the mullet, Chelon macrolepis. Metacercariae of Procerovum sp. were found in Channa striata and Anabas testudineus. Collectively, it was confirmed that the fish were infected with gnathostome larvae and metacercariae of O. viverrini and intestinal flukes in Yangon City, Myanmar.

Chinese edible frogs, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, were examined to estimate the potential risks of human gnathostomiasis and sparganosis in Myanmar. A total of 20 frogs were purchased in a local market of Yangon and examined with naked eyes and the artificial digestion method after skin peeling in June 2018 and June 2019. Larvae of gnathostomes and Spirometra (=spargana) were detected in 15 (75.0%) and 15 (75.0%) frogs with average intensities of 10.5 and 6.3 larvae per infected frog, respectively. Gnathostome larvae were 2.75-3.80 (av. 3.30) mm long and 0.29-0.36 (0.33) mm wide. They had a characteristic head bulb with 4 rows of hooklets, a muscular long esophagus, and 2 pairs of cervical sac. The mean number of hooklets were 41, 44, 47, and 50 on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th row, respectively. Collected spargana were actively moving, particularly with the scolex part, and have ivory-white color and variable in size. Conclusively, it has been first confirmed that Chinese edible frogs, H. rugulosus, are highly infected with larval gnathostomes and spargana in this study. Consuming these frogs is considered a potential risk of human gnathostomiasis and sparganosis in Myanmar.

A survey was performed to investigate the infection status of zoonotic helminth larvae in fish from a local market of North Dagon District in Yangon City, Myanmar. A total of 486 fish in 13 species were collected 8 times from December 2015 to December 2019. All fish were transported under ice to a laboratory in Korea and examined for helminth larvae using artificial digestion method. Larval gnathostomes and metacercariae of more than 8 zoonotic trematode species, i.e., Opisthorchis viverrini, Haplorchis taichui, H. pumilio, H. yokogawai, Centrocestus spp., Stellantchasmus falcatus, Pygidiopsis cambodiensis, and Procerovum sp., were detected. Larval gnathostomes were found in 58 (16.0%) out of 362 fish of 6 species, with mean intensity of 2.8 per fish infected. Metacercariae of O. viverrini were detected in 10 (2.9%) out of 349 fish of 5 species, with mean intensity of 16.9 per fish infected. Metacercarial prevalences of 4 intestinal flukes, H. taichui, H. pumilio, H. yokogawai, and Centrocestus spp., were 16.8%, 26.0%, 12.5%, and 15.0% in the positive fish species, respectively, and mean metacercarial intensity was 63.3, 26.8, 86.2, and 8.7 per fish infected. Metacercariae of S. falcatus and P. cambodiensis were detected only from the mullet, Chelon macrolepis. Metacercariae of Procerovum sp. were found in Channa striata and Anabas testudineus. Collectively, it was confirmed that the fish were infected with gnathostome larvae and metacercariae of O. viverrini and intestinal flukes in Yangon City, Myanmar.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) is the secondary most common tumor in HIV-infected individuals. The AIDS-related lymphomas are a late manifestation of HIV infection and may increase in frequency as patients live longer with highly active antiretroviral therapy and effective prophylaxis of opportunistic infections. Histologically AIDS-related NHL are either high (2/3) or intermediate (1/3) grade lymphoma. We report a case of gastric Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in AIDS patient. Two years ago, she was diagnosed as HIV-infected individual in public hospital. She presented with epigastric pain and mass-like sensation. Under the impression of gastric cancer, subtotal gastrectomy was done. But, she diagnosed as diffuse large B cell lymphoma by histologic finding, immunohistochemical study. This is the first report of gastric Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma from AIDS patients in Korea.
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Gastrectomy ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; Hospitals, Public ; Humans ; Korea ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, AIDS-Related ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Opportunistic Infections ; Sensation ; Stomach Neoplasms

We report an unusual case of metastatic thyroid papillary carcinoma directly invades the esophagus presenting as an intraluminal polypoid mass which causes hematemesis. The patient had a past medical history of thyroid nodule. Physical examination was unremarkable except the palpable thyroid mass. Esophagoscopy and esophagography revealed an intraluminal polypoid mass to the left of the cervical esophagus. Chest computed tomography showed round, homogenous, well-enhancing mass and calcifying thyroid nodule is found in front of the mass. Thyroid lobectomy and partial esophageal resection was performed. Microscopic finding showed typical features of thyroid papillary carcinoma. Metastatic thyroid papillary carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of an intraluminal polypoid esophageal mass, particularly if the patient has a known thyroid tumor.
Carcinoma, Papillary* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Esophagoscopy ; Esophagus* ; Hematemesis* ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Thorax ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Nodule