BACKGROUND: To compare the infection rate of Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with respiratory symptoms and control group, METHODS: we recruited 189 patients (149 adults and 40 pediatric patients) with respiratory symptoms and 197 controls (159 healthy adults and 38 pediatric patients without respiratory symptoms) visited Kyungpook National University Hospital from August 2002 to July 2003. A serological test was done by micro- immunofluorescence (MIF) method. Antibody titers of IgG (1:32 or more) indicate past infection of C. pneumoniae. A recent infection was defined as one in which there is a high titer of IgG antibody (1:512 or more) or a positive IgM antibody (1:16 or more) with a negative for rheumatoid factor. RESULTS: The past infection rate of C. pneumoniae in case group (65.6%) was not significantly higher than 61.4% in control group. The past infection rate of C. pneumoniae of male patients (62.0%) was not significantly higher than 58.7% in control group, and in female showed the same pattern, 70.4% in patients and 63.8% in control group. The recent infection rate of C. pneumoniae in patients (13.2%) was not significantly higher than 9.6% in control group. The recent infection rate of C. pneumoniae of male patients (10.2%) was not significantly higher than 5.4% in control group, and in female showed the same pattern, 17.3% of patients and 13.3% of control group. CONCLUSIONS: The recent infection rate of C. pneumoniae by IgG and IgM serological tests in patients with respiratory symptoms was not significantly higher than that in control group.
Adult ; Chlamydia* ; Chlamydophila pneumoniae* ; Female ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Male ; Pneumonia ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Serologic Tests

The nerve conduction study with the inching method has been performed to characterize the nature of lesion (focal of diffuse) within the carpal tunnel and to increase the diagnostic sensibility of the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The sensory nerve conduction velocity of finger-to-palm (F-P) segment of median never or the ratio of sensory nerve conduction velocity of palm-to-wrist (PW) segment to F-P segment of the median nerve (P-W/F-P ratio) was also measured to differentiate the CTS from the early peripheral polyneuropathy, which may only involve the median nerve. Conduction times of the sensory median nerve between the midpalm and the distal forearm in 2cm increments were measured orthodromically in controls (n=32) and CTS patients. The P-W/F-P ratio in control, CTS without diabetes mellitus (DM) (n=23), CTS with DM (n=9), and diabetic peripheral polyneuropathy (DP) groups was compared. The criteria for focal lesion within the carpal tunnel were defined as follows 1) If the maximal conduction time is located at 4-2cm segment distal(designated as '-') to distal wrist crease, it must be prolonged more than 4 times that of the adjoining distal segment or 6 times that of adjoining proximal segment. 2) If the maximal conduction time is located at -6--4cm segment, it must be beprolonged more than 4 times that of the adjoining proximal segment. According to above criteria, the incidened of focal lesion within the carpal tunnel was 84.4%(27/32) and the most common segment of focal lesion was -4--2cm segment(85.2%, 23/27). The P-W/F-P ratio was more decreased in CTS without DM (0. 55 + 0. 11) and CTS with DM(O.68+0.07) groups than control(0382+0.09) and DP(O.81+0.09) groups(P<0.01). In CTS groups, it was more decreased in CTS without DM group than CTS with DM group(p<0.05). So the measurement of sensory nerve conduction velocity of F-P segment of median nerve or the P-W/F-P ratio is helpful not only to evalucate the early distal involvement of peripheral neuropathy but also to establish the subclinical involvement of the segment distal to transverse carpal ligament in CTS with DM group.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Forearm ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Median Nerve ; Neural Conduction ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Polyneuropathies ; Wrist

BACKGROUND: Lymphedma occurs when tissue swelling develops through a failure of lymph drainage in the face of a normal capillary filtration. Little is known about water behavior in lymphedma. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate, by means of ultrasound, the distribution of intradermal fluid in patients with lymphedema in response to 2 weeks physical therapy. METHODS: Ten patients with lymphedema were treated by 2 weeks' physical therapy. Before and after 2 weeks' treatment, circumference and ultrasonographic evaluation was done. Ultrasound images were obtained with a 20 MHz scanner. The echogenicity of the dermis and the skin thickness were quantified by in-built image analyzer. RESULTS: Low echogenic pixels showed the most noticeable and consistent change after 2 weeks' physical therapy. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonographic evaluation could be a useful tool in evaluating lymphedema.
Capillaries ; Dermis ; Drainage ; Filtration ; Humans ; Lymphedema* ; Skin ; Ultrasonography ; Water

In 2016, the clinical chemistry proficiency-testing program consisted of 21 programs, including the general chemistry program of the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service. The general chemistry program consisted of 28 test items and was conducted using two level control materials four times per year. Based on the information and results for each test item entered by each institution, statistical analysis data according to test method, instrument, and reagent were reported. The report comprised a general statistics report showing the characteristics of all participating institutions and a separate institutional report showing the evaluation data of individual institutions. The statistics included the number of participating institutions and the mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, median, minimum, and maximum values for each group. Each report was composed of a table, histogram, and Levey-Jennings chart showing the statistics for each test item. The results of each institution and the statistics for each classification are presented in the table showing the statistics, and a standard deviation index is presented together with a method classification and a classification by reagent companies. A total of 14 items, including albumin, were evaluated by more than 1,000 institutions. There was no significant difference in the distribution of the measurement methods compared with those used in the previous year. The coefficient of variation showed a tendency to increase as the concentration of the level control material decreased and as the number of participating institutions decreased for each test item. Most of them showed a coefficient of variation within 10%. These statistical data will be useful when interpreting the survey results from the institutions and selecting a test method.
Chemistry ; Chemistry, Clinical* ; Classification ; Korea* ; Methods

No Abstract Available.
Humans

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the aeration of maxillary sinus, using 3-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography (3DR-CT), to compare the estimated air volume of the normal maxillary sinus with that of the inflamed one, and to evaluate the relationship between the aeration of maxillary sinus and the degree of decreased area of natural ostium. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: In 10 patients having unilateral maxillary sinusitis refractory to proper medical therapy, 3-dimensional reconstruction images were obtained based on high-resolution CT by surface-rendering technique on a personal computer. A software (Vworks(TM) 4.0, CyberMed Inc, Korea) was used for 3-dimensional reconstruction. "Maxillary ostium on CT" was defined to measure the maxillary natural ostium on 3-dimensional reconstruction images. RESULTS: In unilateral maxillary sinusitis, an air volume of the affected sinus was 4.71+/-3.12 mL, and that of the contralateral normal one was 13.29+/-9.76 mL. The area of the affected "maxillary ostium on CT" was 11.10+/-14.40 mm2, and that of the contralateral normal sinus was 24.20+/-18.64 mm2. The air volume and area of "maxillary ostium on CT" of the affected maxillary sinus were reduced significantly, compared with those of the contralateral normal one (p<0.05). But, there was no significant correlation between the aeration of maxillary sinus and the degree of decreased area of "maxillary ostium on CT" (p=0.285). CONCLUSION: 3DR-CT is the new technique, which enables us to measure the volume of maxillary sinus as well as the area of maxillary ostium. Also, it is helpful in assessing the aeration of maxillary sinus.
Humans ; Maxillary Sinus* ; Maxillary Sinusitis* ; Microcomputers ; Sinusitis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The intricate anatomy of the temporal bone has always been difficult to visualize. In this regard, the advantages of computer-assisted reconstruction of temporal bone based on image data from computed tomography (CT) are widely recognized. The goal of this study was to investigate the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of computed tomography in determining the anatomy and topographic relationship of various important structures. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: For 40 ears of 20 patients with various otological diseases, 3D reconstruction based on image data from spiral high-resolution CT was performed by segmentation, volume-rendering and surface-rendering algorithm on a personal computer. The scanning was carried out in axial plane with technical factors of 140 kV, 100 mAs, 1 mm thickness, and 1 second scanning time. A software (Vworks(TM) 4.0, CyberMed Inc, Korea) was used for image processing. RESULTS: We were able to demonstrate the 3D display of the middle and inner ear structures. The computer-assisted measurement of reconstructed structures demonstrated the anatomic details comprehensively, which improved the surgeon's understanding of their spatial relationship, and provided many details that could not be easily measured in vivo. CONCLUSION: The 3D reconstruction of temporal bone CT can be useful in demonstrating and thus understanding the anatomical structures of temporal bone. Also, its clinical applications are inestimable. But it is necessary to confirm the correlation between 3D reconstructed images and histologic sections through the validation study.
Ear ; Ear Diseases ; Ear, Inner ; Humans ; Microcomputers ; Temporal Bone*

Purpose: Immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT) have been utilized as the primary method for colorectal cancer screening within Korea's National Cancer Screening Program. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the accreditation program for clinical laboratories and external quality assessment (EQA) programs on colorectal cancer screening. Methods: We analyzed the false-positive rates of iFOBT in colorectal cancer screening from 2016 to 2020 according to participation and performance in the Outstanding Laboratory Accreditation Program (OLAP) conducted by the Laboratory Medicine Foundation, and the External Quality Assessment programs run by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service. Results: False-positive rates of iFOBT were lower among institutions accredited by OLAP (2.35%) compared with non-accredited (3.04%) and non-participating institutions (5.60%). Similarly, institutions participating in the EQA program exhibited lower false-positive rates (3.79%) compared to non-participants (7.04%). Within the iFOBT-specific EQA program, institutions that passed demonstrated the lowest false-positive rate (3.37%), while failing institutions showed the highest rate (9.07%), surpassing even non-participating institutions (6.44%). Conclusion Participation in quality management programs such as OLAP and EQA was associated with lower false-positive rates in iFOBT for colorectal cancer screening. These findings suggest that quality management initiatives can increase the accuracy of iFOBT, potentially improving the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening programs, and reducing unnecessary follow-up procedures and associated healthcare costs.

Purpose: Immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT) have been utilized as the primary method for colorectal cancer screening within Korea's National Cancer Screening Program. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the accreditation program for clinical laboratories and external quality assessment (EQA) programs on colorectal cancer screening. Methods: We analyzed the false-positive rates of iFOBT in colorectal cancer screening from 2016 to 2020 according to participation and performance in the Outstanding Laboratory Accreditation Program (OLAP) conducted by the Laboratory Medicine Foundation, and the External Quality Assessment programs run by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service. Results: False-positive rates of iFOBT were lower among institutions accredited by OLAP (2.35%) compared with non-accredited (3.04%) and non-participating institutions (5.60%). Similarly, institutions participating in the EQA program exhibited lower false-positive rates (3.79%) compared to non-participants (7.04%). Within the iFOBT-specific EQA program, institutions that passed demonstrated the lowest false-positive rate (3.37%), while failing institutions showed the highest rate (9.07%), surpassing even non-participating institutions (6.44%). Conclusion Participation in quality management programs such as OLAP and EQA was associated with lower false-positive rates in iFOBT for colorectal cancer screening. These findings suggest that quality management initiatives can increase the accuracy of iFOBT, potentially improving the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening programs, and reducing unnecessary follow-up procedures and associated healthcare costs.

Purpose: Immunochemical fecal occult blood tests (iFOBT) have been utilized as the primary method for colorectal cancer screening within Korea's National Cancer Screening Program. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the accreditation program for clinical laboratories and external quality assessment (EQA) programs on colorectal cancer screening. Methods: We analyzed the false-positive rates of iFOBT in colorectal cancer screening from 2016 to 2020 according to participation and performance in the Outstanding Laboratory Accreditation Program (OLAP) conducted by the Laboratory Medicine Foundation, and the External Quality Assessment programs run by the Korean Association of External Quality Assessment Service. Results: False-positive rates of iFOBT were lower among institutions accredited by OLAP (2.35%) compared with non-accredited (3.04%) and non-participating institutions (5.60%). Similarly, institutions participating in the EQA program exhibited lower false-positive rates (3.79%) compared to non-participants (7.04%). Within the iFOBT-specific EQA program, institutions that passed demonstrated the lowest false-positive rate (3.37%), while failing institutions showed the highest rate (9.07%), surpassing even non-participating institutions (6.44%). Conclusion Participation in quality management programs such as OLAP and EQA was associated with lower false-positive rates in iFOBT for colorectal cancer screening. These findings suggest that quality management initiatives can increase the accuracy of iFOBT, potentially improving the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening programs, and reducing unnecessary follow-up procedures and associated healthcare costs.