Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures cause socioeconomic concerns, and medical system and policies appear insufficient to prepare for these issues in Korea, where the older adult population is rapidly increasing. Many countries around the world are already responding to osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures by adopting fracture liaison service (FLS), and such an attempt has only begun in Korea. In this article, we introduce the operation methods for institutions implementing FLS and characteristics of services, and activities of the FLS Committee for FLS implementation in the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research. In addition, we hope that the current position statement will contribute to the implementation of FLS in Korea and impel policy changes to enable a multidisciplinary and integrated FLS operated under the medical system.

Growth hormone (GH) deficiency is caused by congenital or acquired causes and occurs in childhood or adulthood. GH replacement therapy brings benefits to body composition, exercise capacity, skeletal health, cardiovascular outcomes, and quality of life. Before initiating GH replacement, GH deficiency should be confirmed through proper stimulation tests, and in cases with proven genetic causes or structural lesions, repeated GH stimulation testing is not necessary. The dosing regimen of GH replacement therapy should be individualized, with the goal of minimizing side effects and maximizing clinical improvements. The Korean Endocrine Society and the Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology have developed a position statement on the diagnosis and treatment of GH deficiency. This position statement is based on a systematic review of evidence and expert opinions.

Indoor animal husbandry environments are inevitably contaminated with endotoxins. Endotoxin exposure is associated with various inflammatory illnesses in animals. This cross-sectional study evaluated the relationship between the degree of endotoxin exposure and the cellular and humoral immune profiles of fattening pigs. Blood samples were taken from the jugular vein of 47 pigs from ten pig farms in Korea. Whole blood cell counts and plasma immunoglobulin (Ig) classes were determined. Peripheral-blood mononuclear cells were stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A for 48 h, and cytokines released into culture supernatants were measured. The barns in which the pigs lived were assessed for endotoxin levels in the total and respirable dust by using the limulus amebocyte lysate kinetic QCL method. Low and high endotoxin exposures were defined as ≤ 30 and > 30 EU/m³, respectively. Compared to pigs with low endotoxin exposure (n = 19), highly exposed pigs (n = 28) had higher circulating neutrophil and lymphocyte (particularly B cells) counts, IgG and IgE levels, interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin (IL)-4 productions, and lower IgA levels and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) production. The IL-4, IFNγ, and TNFα levels significantly correlated with endotoxin level and/or pig age. Constant exposure of pigs to high levels of airborne endotoxins can lead to aberrant immune profiles.
Agriculture ; Animal Husbandry ; Animals ; Blood Cell Count ; Concanavalin A ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Cytokines ; Dust ; Endotoxins ; Horseshoe Crabs ; Housing ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins ; In Vitro Techniques ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukins ; Jugular Veins ; Korea ; Lymphocytes ; Methods ; Neutrophils ; Plasma ; Swine ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to present our preliminary experience of the temporary endovascular bypass (TEB) technique using an Enterprise stent for recanalization of acute intracranial artery (IA) occlusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients treated by TEB were enrolled in this retrospective study from January 2009 to May 2010. All the procedures consist of temporary partial deployment and subsequent retrieval of Enterprise stent, supplemented by intra-arterial infusion of urokinase (UK) and/or tirofiban. According to the thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) classification, recanalization was evaluated with initial and postprocedural angiography. Safety was evaluated related to the procedure and clinical outcomes were assessed by National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at discharge and modified Rankin scale (mRS) score at 3 months. RESULTS: Eleven patients (median NIHSS 12.8, mean age 61.6 years, male: female = 8:3) with acute IA occlusion were treated with TEB. All the patients presented with TICI 0, and the occluded vessel was the middle cerebral artery (n=7), the basilar artery (n=1), and the distal ICA occlusion (n = 3). IV infusion of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was done in 4 patients and mechanical thrombolysis with intra-arterial UK was performed in 9. Recanalization was achieved in 73% (8 patients; TICI > or = 2). There were no procedure-related complications except for two asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhages. Improvement (> or = 4 points on the NIHSS) and good outcome (mRS < or =2) after 90 days was shown in six patients (55%). One patient died 6 days after procedure. CONCLUSION: TEB may be a valuable treatment option in acute thromboembolic IA occlusion without stent implantation.
Angiography ; Arteries ; Basilar Artery ; Cerebral Infarction ; Female ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Humans ; Infusions, Intra-Arterial ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Mechanical Thrombolysis ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Stroke ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; Tyrosine ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

We evaluated the malignancy and nondiagnostic rates using fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) results in thyroid nodules smaller than 1 cm according to the subdivided size. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all subjects underwent FNAC from 2003 to 2009 in our hospital, and 2,756 patients of subcentimeter thyroid nodules with one or more suspicious sonographic features and 7,105 with nodule sized 1 cm or more were included. The malignancy rate was higher in those subcentimeter nodules with suspicious sonographic findings than the nodule sized 1cm or more (19.7% vs 7.8%, P < 0.001). We grouped the nodules based on size with mm interval and observed that the malignancy rate did not decrease but the nondiagnostic results increased its size decrement. When we divided the subjects arbitrarily into a 5 mm or smaller and a 6-9 mm sized group, nondiagnostic cytology findings were reported more frequently in the smaller group (24.3% vs 18.1%, P = 0.001), while the rate of "malignant" was similar (18.3% vs 15.5%, P = 0.123) and the rate of "suspicious for malignancy" was higher (6.8% vs 2.9%, P < 0.001). Therefore when we decide to perform FNAC or not in subcentimeter-sized nodules, we should consider sonographic findings and other clinical risk factors but not the nodular size itself.
Adult ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thyroid Gland/pathology/ultrasonography ; Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis/*pathology/*ultrasonography ; Thyroid Nodule/diagnosis/*pathology/*ultrasonography

Achalasia can be provoked by organic causes, and it is called secondary achalasia. Sometimes it is very difficult to distingush secondary achalasia from primary achalasia. We report a case of secondary achalasia due to recurrence of stomach cancer. A 45-year-old man came to our hospital due to three months history of dysphagia and regurgitation. Barium esophagogram showed concentric narrowing at the distal esophagus and dilatation of proximal esophagus. The esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed stenosis of gastroesophageal junction and the endoscope could not pass through it, but there was no evidence of malignancy. Esophageal manometry showed aperistalsis, compatible with achalasia. Abdominal CT showed soft tissue density near the gastroesophageal junction. However it was not possible to differentiate whether it was due to adhesion or malignancy. For correct diagnosis and treatment, explorolaparotomy was performed and it was diagnosed as secondary achalasia due to recurrence of stomach cancer.
Barium ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophageal Achalasia* ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Manometry ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence* ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The incidence of Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is 1 in 2000-5000 live births and hiatal hernia is even rarer especially in neonates. We experienced a case of congenital hiatal hernia (mixed type) in a week old female. Upon confirmation of the diagnosis, the surgery was done. Through the right thoracotomy, Belsey-Mark IV fundoplication was performed after the reduction of herniated viscera. The patient was fed 3 days after operation. there has been no complaint for 6 months after discharge. Therefore, we present this case with overall review of the literature.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Fundoplication ; Hernia, Diaphragmatic ; Hernia, Hiatal* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn* ; Live Birth ; Thoracotomy ; Viscera

Coronary artery bypass grafting on the beating heart is no longer new to any cardiac surgeon. What matters nowadays is stablizing the heart without impairing the hemodynamics. We describe a simple and safer technique to move the anterolateral coronary to a center in the operation field. The empty blood bag connected to 50 cc syringe is put underneath the left venricle. Simply inflating the air into the blood bag gradually displaces the heart and rotate the lateral wall of the ventricle to the midline position. Therefore, we suggest "Blood Bag" method as a different way of exposing heart.
Coronary Artery Bypass ; Heart ; Hemodynamics ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Syringes

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate our clinical experience with the Carbomedics heart valve prosthesis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between Aug. 1988 and Dec. 1998, 294 Carbomidics valves were implanted in 235 patients(mitral; 143, mitral and aortic; 59, aortic; 33) The mean age at operation is 40.0+/-12.3 years(range 7 to 68 years); 63.8% (150patients) were woman. Follow up was 97.4% complete and mean follow up time was 5.7years with a total of 1209.2 patient-years. RESULT: The hospital mortality was 8.9%(mitral; was 95.2+/-1.6%(mitral ; 94.9+/-2.1%, mitral and aortic 95.0+/-3.7%, aortic 96.2+/-3.8%). Actual freedom rates from complications(linearized rates in parentheses) were fllowings; thromboembolism 96.2+/-1.5%(0.59%pt-yr), valve thrombosis 96.7+/-1.4%(0.5%/pt/yr), anticoagulant related hemorrhage 98.3+/-1.0%(0.25%/pt-yr), perivalvular leak 99.0+/-1.4%(0.5%/pt-yr), endocarditis 98.7+/-1.0%(0.25%/pt-yr), perivalvular leak 99.0+/-0.7%(0.17%pt-yr), endocarditis 98.7+/-1.0%(0.17%+/-pt-yr) and overall valve-related complications 88.9+/-2.5%(1.68%/pt-yr). CONCLUSION: The clinical performance of the Carbomedics valve was quite satisfactory with a low incidence of valve related mortality and morbidity.
Endocarditis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Freedom ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Hemorrhage ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombosis

A case of esophagopleural fistula after pleuropneumonectomy is reported. A 59 years old male underwent right pleuropneumonectomy due to tuberculous empyema. The postoperative small esophagopleural fistula was confirmed by esophagogram and was initially managed by a conservative treatment. There was a persistent fistula on follow up esophagogram, therefore we planned the next treatment modality for obstruction of the fistula. For poor general conditions and arrhythmia, an esophageal stent was applied as a non-surgical method. At first, a covered-form stent was inserted, but it migrated to the stomach after 3 months. By using an uncovered-form stent, a complete obstruction of the esophagopleural fistula was achieved.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Empyema, Tuberculous ; Esophageal Fistula ; Fistula* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonectomy ; Stents* ; Stomach