The lumbosacral fusion has some problems because of it's biomechanical characteristics especially in the unstable spine of various causes and results considerable cases of pseudoarthrosis even with long immobilization. The conventional internal fixators for the spine are not adequate for the lumbosacral fixation with difficulty of sacral fixation maintaining lumbosacral lordosis and risk of the sacral nerves. Recently the pedicle screws and sacral screws connected to the plates or rods are known to be very effective and safe for the lumbosacral fixation permiting early mobilization and decreasing the incidence of pseudoarthrosis. Authors reviewed 10 cases of lumbosacral fusion with internal fixation using the long bone plates and screws which were managed since June 1986 at the department of orthopaedic surgery, Daegu Fatima Hospital and the followings were obtained. 1. The cases were 5 isthmic and 5 degenerative spondylolisthesis with enough spinal stenosis and instability before surgery or after decompression procedures having ages from 39 to 62 years old. 2. All cases had adequate decompression and bilateral intertransverse fusion combined with the internal fixation from 4th lumbar spine to sacrum. 3. Post-operative complications noted in 3 cases such as superficial infection, marginal skin necrosis, paralytic ileus, urinary difficulty and loosening of screws which were all improved without additional procedures. 4. There was no pseudoarthrosis at follow-up examination of 6 months to 1 year and 9 months in spite of a case of loosening of screws. 5. Ambulation was allowed in 2 weeks after surgery wearing lumbosacral corset and all satisfied the results having complete or significant improvement of the symptoms. 6. The internal fixation using long bone plates and screws for the lumbosacral fusion was considered to be effective with very low cost and good mobility.
Animals ; Bone Plates ; Daegu ; Decompression ; Early Ambulation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Immobilization ; Incidence ; Internal Fixators ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction ; Lordosis ; Necrosis ; Pedicle Screws ; Pseudarthrosis ; Sacrum ; Skin ; Spinal Stenosis ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis ; Walking

OBJECTIVE: The authors evaluated the accuracies and ease of use of several commonly used microanastomosis training models (synthetic tube, chicken wing, and living rat model). METHODS: A survey was conducted among neurosurgeons and neurosurgery residents at a workshop held in 2009 at the authors' institute. Questions addressed model accuracy (similarity to real vessels and actual procedures) and practicality (availability of materials and ease of application in daily practice). Answers to each question were rated using a 5-point scale. Participants were also asked what types of training methods they would chose to improve their skills and to introduce the topic to other neurosurgeons or neurosurgery residents. RESULTS: Of the 24 participants, 20 (83.3%) responded to the survey. The living rat model was favored for model accuracy (p < 0.001; synthetic tube -0.95 +/- 0.686, chicken wing, 0.15 +/- 0.587, and rat, 1.75 +/- 0.444) and the chicken wing model for practicality (p < 0.001; synthetic tube -1.55 +/- 0.605, chicken wing, 1.80 +/- 0.523, and rat, 1.30 +/- 0.923). All (100%) chose the living rat model for improving their skills, and for introducing the subject to other neurosurgeons or neurosurgery residents, the chicken wing and living rat models were selected by 18 (90%) and 20 (100%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Of 3 methods examined, the chicken wing model was found to be the most practical, but the living rat model was found to represent reality the best. We recommend the chicken wing model to train surgeons who have mastered basic techniques, and the living rat model for experienced surgeons to maintain skill levels.
Animals ; Cerebral Revascularization ; Chickens ; Microsurgery ; Neurosurgery ; Rats ; Wings, Animal

The prevalence of colon cancer is increasing in Korea and the principal strategy of its management is early detection and surgical resection. For the early detection of colon cancer, endoscopic evaluation is important and the ability to find out early stage small lesion is needed for the endoscopist. To find out encloscopic features of early colon cancer, we reviewed 17 cases of early colon cancer who have admitted to Seoul National University Hospital from January 1982 to December 1993. 1)59% of the lesions were located in rectum and the size ranged from 0.7cm to 9cm, all of the 17 cases showed polypoid mass contour and the surface of them had erosion, hyperemia, ulceration and easy touch bleeding tendency. 2) Colon cancer was diagnosed by endoscopic gross findings in 41% and endoscopic biopsy could confirm colon cancer in 70%. However, barium enema could diagnose only 41% of early colon cancer. 3) Five cases were operated under the diagnosis of colonic adenoma which were large(>3 cm) villous type or contained severe dysplasia 4) Submucosal tumor infiltration was found in 10 cases and 65% had associated adenoma 5) Lymph node involvement was none and there was no recurrence in 47 month follow up period after various surgical treatments.
Adenoma ; Barium ; Biopsy ; Colon* ; Colonic Neoplasms* ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Enema ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Hyperemia ; Korea ; Lymph Nodes ; Prevalence ; Rectum ; Recurrence ; Seoul ; Ulcer

The bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is the causative agent of enzootic bovine leucosis. This study investigated the presence of the BLV in leukemia (179 acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 292 acute myeloid leukemia and 46 chronic myelogenous leukemia cases) and 162 lung cancer patients (139 adenocarcinoma, 23 squamous cell carcinoma) to determine if the BLV is a causative organism of leukemia and lung cancer in Koreans. A BLV infection was confirmed in human cells by PCR using a BLV-8 primer combination. All 517 cases of human leukemia and 162 lung cancer were negative for a PCR of the BLV proviral DNA. In conclusion, although meat has been imported from BLV endemic areas, the BLV infection does not appear to be the cause of human leukemia or lung cancer in Koreans. These results can be used as a control for further studies on the BLV in Koreans.
Acute Disease ; Adenocarcinoma/virology ; Cell Line ; DNA, Viral/*genetics/isolation & purification ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukemia/*virology ; Leukemia Virus, Bovine/*genetics ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Acute/virology ; Leukemia, Myeloid/virology ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic/virology ; Lung Neoplasms/*virology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods ; Proviruses/*genetics

No abstract available.
Infarction* ; Middle Cerebral Artery*

The objective of this study was to compare changes in the simplified disease activity index (SDAI) between biologic (b) and conventional (c) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) users with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in daily clinical practice. Methods: This was a nationwide multicenter observational study. Patients who had three or more active joint counts and abnormal inf lammatory marker in blood test were enrolled. The selection of DMARDs was determined by the attending rheumatologist. Clinical parameters, laboratory findings, and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) scores were obtained at baseline and at 6 and 12 months. Serial SDAI changes and clinical remission rate at 6 and 12 months were assessed. Results: A total of 850 patients participated in this study. The mean baseline SDAI score in bDMARD group was higher than that in cDMARD group (32.08 ± 12.98 vs 25.69 ± 10.97, p < 0.0001). Mean change of SDAI at 12 months was –19.0 in the bDMARD group and –12.6 in the cDMARD group (p < 0.0001). Clinical remission rates at 12 months in bDMARD and cDMARD groups were 15.4% and 14.6%, respectively. Patient global assessment and HAQ at 12 months were also significantly improved in both groups. Multivariate logistic regression showed that baseline HAQ score was the most notable factor associated with remission. Conclusions: There was a significant reduction in SDAI within 12 months after receiving DMARDs in Korean seropositive RA patients irrespective of bDMARD or cDMARD use in real-world practice. Clinical remission was achieved in those with lower baseline HAQ scores.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of restrictive ventilatory defect and to determine the risk factors in subjects with spirometrically-defined restrictive ventilatory defect. We used the population-based, fourth-2, 3 (2008, 2009) and fifth (2010-2012) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to analyze 15,073 subjects, aged > or =40 yr who underwent spirometry. Chest radiographs were also analyzed to identify restrictive lung disease. Spirometrically-defined restrictive ventilatory defect (FEV1/FVC> or =70% and FVC<80% of mean predicted value) was detected in 11.3% (n= 1,709) of subjects aged > or =40 yr. The prevalence increased to 12.3% on using the lower limit of normal (LLN) criteria. Approximately 99.4% of subjects were classified as mild restrictive. Among these, 11.3% had inactive tuberculosis (TB) lesion, 2.2% cardiac disease, 2.0% previous operation scar or radiation injury and/or mediastinal disease, and 7.4% other pulmonary disease suggestive of restrictive lung diseases on chest radiograph. Evidence of previous TB history was independently associated with restrictive ventilatory defect (odds ratios [OR], 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.45-2.18) after adjustment for gender, age, smoking, area for residence and body mass index. The prevalence of restrictive ventilatory defect among the nationwide population in Korea was 11.3% with fixed ratio criterion and 12.3% with LLN criterion. Most cases were of the mild restrictive category and previous TB history is the independent risk factor for restrictive ventilatory defect.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Educational Status ; Female ; Health Care Surveys ; Housing ; Humans ; Income ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive/*diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Reproducibility of Results ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sex Distribution ; Smoking/*epidemiology ; Spirometry/*statistics & numerical data

The purpose of this clinical practice guideline (CPG) is to provide current and comprehensive recommendations for the medical and surgical management of primary intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Since the release of the first Korean CPGs for stroke, evidence has been accumulated in the management of ICH, such as intracranial pressure control and minimally invasive surgery, and it needs to be reflected in the updated version. The Quality Control Committee at the Korean Society of cerebrovascular Surgeons and the Writing Group at the Clinical Research Center for Stroke (CRCS) systematically reviewed relevant literature and major published guidelines between June 2007 and June 2013. Based on the published evidence, recommendations were synthesized, and the level of evidence and the grade of the recommendation were determined using the methods adapted from CRCS. A draft guideline was scrutinized by expert peer reviewers and also discussed at an expert consensus meeting until final agreement was achieved. CPGs based on scientific evidence are presented for the medical and surgical management of patients presenting with primary ICH. This CPG describes the current pertinent recommendations and suggests Korean recommendations for the medical and surgical management of a patient with primary ICH.
Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Consensus ; Humans ; Intracranial Pressure ; Korea ; Peer Review ; Quality Control ; Stroke ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Writing