BACKGROUND: Pemphigus is a rare, chronic blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes with severe morbidity and occasional mortality. The clinical data of Korean pemphigus patients are quite limited, and an appropriate treatrnent regimen is not yet established. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to analyze the clinical characteristics of, and establish an appropriate treatment regimen for Korean pemphigus patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted for 24 pemphigus patients seen between 1992 and 1996. RESULTS: Pemphigus vulgaris(PV) was the most common type with 17 cases, followed by seven cases of pemphigus foliaceus(PF). There were no sexual preferences, and the average age at onset for PV and PF was 46 and 50 years old, respectively. Mucosal involvement was noted in 14 cases(82%) of PV and only in one case(14/o) of PF. There was no correlation between the extent of involvement and the titer of anti ICS(intercellular substance) antibody. Most patients received prednisolone of lmg/kg, and 12 PV patients also received immunosuppressive agents. Systemic side effects were noted in 10 cases of PV, and seven PF cases did not manifest any systemic side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations and results of imrnunofluorescent studies of 24 Korean pemphigus patients were similar to those of the previous studies. For treatment of pemphigus, the lowest possible doses(less than 1mg/kg) of corticosteroid in combination with immunosuppressive agents appears to be more effective and less toxic than high doses of corticosteroid. We propose a regimen for treatment of Korean pemphigus patients based on these experiences. Further rnulti-center clinical trials are advocated to confirm an effective management protocol for Korean pemphigus patients.
Blister ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Mucous Membrane ; Pemphigus* ; Prednisolone ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

No abstract available.
Scoliosis*

he Magnetic. resonance imaging has been used widely to evaluate the disk position without any interruption of the TMJ structures, and the dynamic MRI presenting computed serial imaging or the video-recorded simulation images is thought to be very effective to evaluate the disk position under function. This is to study the correlation between the clinical diagnosis and the findings of dynamic MRI for diagnosis of internal derangement of the 7 patients were examined clinically, and the movement of TMJ meniscus was reviewed in the dynamic MRI. MRI was very reliable to diagnose the amount of anterior displacement of articular disc, the structural abnormality of temporomandibular joint, the cause of functional limitation, and to differentiate the muscle related pain & dysfunction.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders* ; Temporomandibular Joint*

No abstract available.
46, XX Disorders of Sex Development* ; Female* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Foot*

Mushroom poisoning widely reported in Oriental and Western literature, is typically caused by accidental ingestion of toxic mushrooms that resemble edible mushrooms. Reports about poisoning due to species of Omphalotus, Amanita, Clitocybe, and other toxic mushroom species have been reported; toxicity depends on the mushroom species and the amount of toxin, which varies according to the climatic and environmental conditions. Symptoms of poisoning, such as unspecific nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, as well as intestinal, hepatic and renal toxicities, also vary according to the mushroom species. Most patients recover with anti-muscarinic therapy and supportive care for nonspecific symptoms; however some cases of poisoning are fatal in children and elderly people. We report a case of sudden death due to mushroom poisoning in a 74-year-old woman, with hemorrhagic enteritis.
Agaricales* ; Aged ; Amanita ; Child ; Death, Sudden ; Diarrhea ; Eating ; Enteritis* ; Female ; Humans ; Mushroom Poisoning* ; Nausea ; Poisoning ; Vomiting

No abstract available.
Rectal Prolapse* ; Surgical Procedures, Operative*

No abstract available.
Transplants*

No abstract available.

This study aims at the developing of a computer program for the evaluation of nursing care quality. Since the professional nursing care requires a consistent evaluation, the computer program for the measurement of quality of nursing care is necessary. It provides the nursing care with an effective and efficient management of nursing quality. In this study, a computer program is developed as a module. The evaluation criteria are structured in a hierarchical manner. Each evaluation area includes several items, which again have their own indicators. The system consists of 7 evaluation areas, 32 evaluation items, and 71 indicators. Scoring is possible with the evaluation items. The scoring types of the program are of two types, that is, the norm-referenced type(option 1) and the criterion-referenced type(option 2). With this program, an accurate and consistent evaluation of nursing care with the rapid feedback to nursing care practice is expected.
Nursing Care* ; Nursing*