Reconstruction of partial ear defects presents a unique and notable challenge to the dermatologist. This is due to the complex architecture of the external ear which is difficult to duplicate surgically. Several procedures are available for correction of defects to the external ear. However, the diversity of external ear shapes shows how difficult it is to achieve a certain solution to this problem. We report a case of auricular squamous cell carcinoma in which the skin defect is reconstructed by a staged supra-auricular interpolation pedicle flap.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Ear* ; Ear, External ; Skin

Twenty-nail dystrophy is a distinctive pattern of nail changes, in which all 20 nails are uniformly affected with excessive longitudinal ridging and loss of luster. It occurs at any age ranging from children to adulthood, however, it is most commonly diagnosed in children. It can be idiopathic or caused by other inflammatory dermatoses, but the exact cause and pathogenesis of these changes are so far unknown. Several treatment modalities have been employed for treatment of twenty-nail dystrophy, such as topical steroid, intralesional steroids injection, and topical PUVA, however, without much success. We herein report a case of an adults, patient with twenty-nail dystrophy which was successfully treated with topical 0.025% Tretinoin cream.
Adult ; Child ; Humans ; Skin Diseases ; Steroids ; Tretinoin*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Fibronectins* ; Macrophages* ; Mycobacterium bovis* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder*

OBJECTIVES: The present study was designed to assess the reliability and validity of Korean version of Family Questionnaire (FQ-K), a brief questionnaire measuring expressed emotion (EE). METHODS: A sample of 84 first-order relatives of schizophrenics completed the FQ-K and the data were analyzed for internal consistency and factor structure. Additionally non-random subset of participants (n=34) refilled FQ-K after two weeks for testretest reliability and naturalistic follow-up data of 36 were obtained for any re-hospitalization events to assess predictive validity. RESULTS: Internal consistency of FQ-K was good (Cronbach's alpha=.819) and principal component factor analysis revealed the two-factor structure (criticism and emotional overinvolvement) identical to previously reported for the FQ. The FQ-K also showed reasonable test-retest reliability and excellent predictive validity was indicated in that outcome of re-hospitalization was superior for low expressed emotion patients at six-month naturalistic follow-up. CONCLUSION: The Korean version of FQ proved to be a reliable and valid instrument measuring expressed emotion in relatives of Korean patients with schizophrenia.
Expressed Emotion* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires* ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Schizophrenia

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: To comparatively investigated the rate of the adjacent segment degeneration and the clinical outcomes in patients with spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis or degenerative spondylolisthesis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: There have been few studies reported on the adjacent segment degeneration following posterior lumbar interbody fusion(PLIF). Many risk factors for the adjacent segment degeneration following PLIF have been proposed. The range of decompression has been presented as one of the risk factors, yet controversial. METHODS: This study enrolled sixty-three patients who had been treated with single-level PLIF and who were followed up for more than two years. The patients were divided into 3 groups based on the preoperative diagnosis. We analyzed the difference between the preoperative and postoperative intervertebral disc heights of the superior adjacent segments. The incidence rates of instability and the clinical outcomes were comparatively analyzed between each group. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 55.8 years in the spondylolytic spondylolisthesis group, 65.9 years in the degenerative spondylolisthesis group and 60.4 years in the spinal stenosis group. The average follow-up period was 44 months, 43 months and 42 months, respectively. At the last follow-up, compared to the preoperative period, the intervertebral disc height decreased in all three groups. A statistically significant decrease (p < 0.01) was observed only in the spondylolytic spondylolisthesis group and no significant difference was observed between each group (p = 0.41). The incidence rate of instability and the clinical outcome were not significantly different between each group. CONCLUSIONS: Spondylolytic spondylolisthesis with total laminectomy and single-level PLIF showed no significant difference in the superior adjacent segment degeneration and instability, and the clinical outcome as compared to that of partial laminectomy with single-level PLIF for treating degenerative spondylolisthesis or spinal stenosis.
Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc ; Laminectomy ; Preoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spondylolisthesis

Lumbosacral fixation or spinopelvic fixation is frequently required for the surgical treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis and degenerative lesions, trauma and tumor in the lumbosacral vertebrae. However, the establishment of stable fixation with these procedures is difficult due to the anatomic characteristics of the sacrum and this is even more problematic for the cases with long segmental fixation, severe instability and bone defects. Although the emergence of pedicle screws makes spinal fixation easier and more rigid, S1 pedicle screws alone do not provide enough stability for lumbosacral fixation. For the purposes of reinforcing lumbosacral fixation, procedures using rods or screws can be used: the procedures using rods include the Galveston method, the McCarthy S-rod and the Jackson intrasacral rod, and the procedures using screws include sacral alar screws, transdiscal screws and iliac screws. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the proper fixation methods, according to each indication, for spinopelvic fixation and we analyzed the advantages and drawbacks of each fixation method. In addition, the fixation method of iliac screws, which has recently become more popular, is presented in detail to enhance the availability and reduce the complication of this technique.
Sacrum ; Scoliosis ; Spine ; Succinates

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical course of congenital aniridia and to evaluate prognostic factors for visual outcome after long-term follow-up. METHODS: The medical records of 120 eyes from 60 patients with congenital aniridia were retrospectively reviewed. The prevalence and clinical course of ophthalmic characteristics, systemic disease, refractive errors, and visual acuity were assessed. Prognostic factors for final visual outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Aniridic keratopathy developed in 82 (69%) of 119 eyes. Macular hypoplasia was observed in 70 eyes of 35 patients (91%). Cataract was observed in 63 of 120 eyes (53%). Nystagmus was present in 41 patients (68% of 60 patients) at the initial visit but decreased in five patients (8% of 60 patients). Ocular hypertension was detected in 19 eyes (20% of 93 eyes), six (32% of 19 eyes) of which developed secondarily after cataract surgery. The mean changes in spherical equivalent and astigmatism during the follow-up period were -1.10 and 1.53 diopter, respectively. The mean final visual acuity was 1.028 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution. Nystagmus and ocular hypertension were identified as prognostic factors for poor visual outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Identification of nystagmus and ocular hypertension was important to predict final visual outcome. Based on the high rate of secondary ocular hypertension after cataract surgery, careful management is needed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aniridia/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Cataract/diagnosis ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Corneal Diseases/diagnosis ; Eye Abnormalities/diagnosis ; Eye Diseases/*diagnosis/physiopathology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Nystagmus, Pathologic/diagnosis ; Ocular Hypertension/diagnosis ; Prognosis ; Retina/abnormalities ; Retrospective Studies ; Visual Acuity/*physiology ; Young Adult

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: To analyze the treatment outcome of patients with lower thoracic and lumbar fractures combined with neurological deficits. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Although various methods of the surgical treatment for lower thoracic and lumbar fractures are used, there has been no surgical treatment established as a superior option than others. METHODS: Between March 2001 and August 2009, this study enrolled 13 patients with lower thoracic and lumbar fractures who underwent spinal canal decompression by removing posteriorly displaced bony fragments via the posterior approach and who followed up for more than a year. We analyzed the difference between the preoperative and postoperative extents of canal encroachment, degrees of neurologic deficits and changes in the local kyphotic angle. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 37 years. There were 10 patients with unstable burst factures and 3 patients with translational injuries. Canal encroachment improved from preoperative average of 84% to 9% postoperatively. Local kyphosis also improved from 20.5degrees to 1.5degrees. In 92% (12/13) of the patients, neurologic deficit improved more than Frankel grade 1 and an average improvement of 1.7 grade was observed. Deterioration of neurologic symptoms was not observed. Although some loss of reduction of kyphotic deformity was observed at the final follow-up, serious complications were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: When posteriorly displaced bony fragments were removed by the posterior approach, neurological recovery could be facilitated by adequate decompression without serious complications. The posterior direct decompression could be used as one of treatments for lower thoracic and lumbar fractures combined with neurologic injuries.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Canal ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To report clinical characteristics of optic neuritis (ON) in Koreans >50 years of age. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients with ON between January 2000 and December 2009. We obtained the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), Goldmann perimetry, relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD), and color function tests as well as brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients who were in the acute stage of the disorder. RESULTS: Nine eyes in eight patients were included. The mean age of patients at presentation was 60.5 years (range, 53 to 71 years). Six patients were female, and two were male. There was one patient with bilateral ON. The mean BCVA at presentation was 20 / 400 (no light perception-20 / 70). Eight eyes (89%) complained of pain with eye movement. Six eyes (66%) had disc edema. Central scotoma was the most common field defect. All eyes had color abnormalities. Five eyes in four patients showed abnormalities of the involved optic nerves on MRI. The patients were followed for a mean of 11.3 months (range, 2 to 34 months). All of the patients recovered to a BCVA of 20 / 40 or better within 2 months. On the last follow-up, the mean BCVA was 20 / 20 (20 / 40 to 20 / 16). Four eyes showed remnant central scotoma. One eye had remnant RAPD, and two eyes had mild color abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Although ON is uncommon in elderly patients, it can develop in patients >50 years of age, and clinical features of optic neuritis in elderly patients are similar to those of younger patients.
Acute Disease ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/*statistics & numerical data ; Color Vision ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Optic Neuritis/*ethnology/*pathology ; Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic/ethnology/pathology ; Pupil Disorders/ethnology/pathology ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Scotoma/ethnology/pathology ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of simple keratectomy for limbal dermoids. METHODS: We reviewed the ocular records of 29 consecutive patients with limbal dermoids who had undergone simple keratectomy in Seoul National University Children's hospital from 1989 to 2006. The preoperative and postoperative visual acuity and astigmatism levels as well as the cosmetic outcomes were measured. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 28 months (range, 6~70 months), and the mean follow-up period was 56 months (range, 18~168 months). The mean visual acuity at the last follow-up was 20/30. The mean preoperative and postoperative cylinder was -2.64D and -2.12D, respectively, in the affected eye (p=0.064); and -0.79D and -0.43D, respectively, in the fellow eye (p=0.149). There was a significant correlation between preoperative astigmatism and the final visual acuity in the involved eye. No opaque lesions were visible at a distance of 1 meter in 16 of the 29 eyes (55.2%), and there were no significant complications related to the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Simple keratectomy of limbal dermoids can be a good surgical technique to get a cosmetically acceptable corneal clarity without complication.
Astigmatism ; Cosmetics ; Dermoid Cyst ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Visual Acuity