Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is defined as a condition in which there is a primary bacterial cholangitis, characterized clinically by recurrent attacks of fever, chills, abdominal pain, and jaundice. 17 cases of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis at Won Kwang University Hospital during the past three years were analyzedby clinical, radiological and surgical findings. The results were as follows; 1. Peak incidence was noted at fifth decade (35%) and the raio of male to female was almost eual (1:1.1). 2. Most of patients were undernurished andrural population in low socio-economic state. 3. The characteristic and most frequent symptoms were fever, chills,abdominal pain, and jaundice. 4. Serum alkaline phosphatase level was elevated almost 4 times to the upper limitof normal. 5. There was a history of cholecystectomy with or without T-tube drainage in 65% of 17 cases. 6. The cholangiographic findings in the biliary trees were stricture, stones and dilated ducts, and occured more commonly in the left hepatic duct than right. 7. Most stones of biliary trees were pigment stones, and occasionally muddystones were seen. 8. Most of the organism obtained from bile culture were E. coli, supported an infective etiology.
Abdominal Pain ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bile ; Chills ; Cholangitis ; Cholecystectomy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Drainage ; Female ; Fever ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jaundice ; Male ; Trees

Hypophosphatemic vitamin D resistant rickets is a form of rickets characterized by typical structural deformities and roentgenographic and metabolic changes. It has a strong familial tendency and appear to be genetically transmitted. Authors experienced 7 patients with hypophosphatemic vitamin D resistant rickets which have been manifested through three generation in a family at Won-Kwang University Hospital from Dec.1982 to May1984. Authors studied hypophosphatemic vitamin D resistant rickets clinically, radiologically, biochemically andpathologically, and reported with review of literatures.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Rickets ; Rickets, Hypophosphatemic

Two cases of congenital anterior urethral diverticula which have occurred in a 4 year-old and one month-oldboys are presented. Etiology, diagnostic procedures, and its clinical results are briefly reviewed.
Diverticulum

BACKGROUND: The relative frequency and clinicopathologic characteristics of lymphomas vary according to geography and race. Data on the features of cutaneous lymphoma in Korea are limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to document the relative occurrence, the clinical and histopathological features of cutaneous lymphomas in Korea. METHODS: The Korean Dermatopathology Research Group conducted a review of nationwide collection of 80 cutaneous lymphomas, diagnosed at 23 institutes over recent 3-year period. Clinical records and pathology slides of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Korea has a higher rate of T-cell lymphoma and NK/T cell lymphoma and a much lower rate of cutaneous B cell lymphoma. The relative frequency of the major diagnostic group according to WHO classification was as follows: mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome, 42.5%; anaplastic large cell lymphoma, 19%; nasal and nasal type NK/T cell lymphoma, 15%; subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma, 11%; peripheral T cell lymphoma, unspecified, 7.5%; follicular lymphoma, 3%; marginal zone lymphoma, 1%; angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy, 1%. Compared with Western countries, the rate of nasal and nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma and subcutaneous panniculitis-like T cell lymphoma were much higher. Therefore, The EORTC classification is not effective in dealing with Korean cases of cutaneous lymphoma. We consider the principles of the WHO classification are applicable to the Korean cases of cutaneous lymphoma.
Academies and Institutes ; Classification ; Continental Population Groups ; Geography ; Humans ; Immunoblastic Lymphadenopathy ; Korea* ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Lymphoma, Follicular ; Lymphoma, Large-Cell, Anaplastic ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; Lymphoma, T-Cell, Peripheral ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Malignant melanoma in Korea has been increasing as in other countries, but there is no nationwide survey of malignant melanoma in Korea. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to document the clinical and histopathological features of cutaneous melanoma in Korea. METHODS: The Dermatopathology Research Group conducted a review of nationwide collection of 109 primary cutaneous melanomas, diagnosed at 23 institutes over a recent 3-year period. Clinical records and pathology slides of the patients were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The peak age was the 7th decade with the mean age of 58.1 years. Korea has a higher rate of acral melanoma and much lower rate of lentigo maligna melanoma. .Major component tumor cell was spindle cell type. Clark level of tumor was III or more and Breslow depth was 2mm or more at the time of the first diagnosis in many cases (62%). Pre-existing melanocytic nevus was present in a few cases (3 cases). All these features suggest that the racial difference between the Korean and the Caucasian is evident. We also suggest that an early detection program is very important to cure this malignant tumor.
Academies and Institutes ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle ; Korea* ; Melanoma* ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis, especially toenail onychomycosis has become one of the common fungal infection and has historically been regarded as a cosmetic rather than medical problem by many patients, even by physicians. Recently, however, there are several reports that this is a refractory disease which may cause a deleterious effect on patients' quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of toenail onychomycosis on QOL in Korea and to assess the changes of QOL after treatment. METHODS: Total 1004 patients with toenail onychomycosis which was confirmed by clinical findings and KOH preparation were enrolled at 47 dermatologic centers in Korea, and interviewed with standardized QOL questionnaire before and after systemic antifungal treatment. Responses to the questionnaire were scored by f-point scale (0~4) and averaged, and were analyzed for 5 dimensions of emotional impact, social impact, symptom and functional impact, patients' views concerning treatment, and relationship with doctor. RESULTS: 1. Before and after treatment, the most serious impact was emotional dimension showing 1.90 and 1.30 in average score (AS), and social (AS: 1.14 and 0.83) and symptom and functional impact (AS: 1.05 and 0.92) was also affected. 2. In female rather than male, statistically more significant impact on patients' QOL was observed in all dimensions. 3. After treatment, 3 of 5 dimensions were improved significantly - emotional dimension (AS: from 1.90 to 1.30), social dimension (AS: from 1.14 to 0.83), patients' view concerning treatment(AS: from 1.34 to 1.02) 4. The degree of patients' satisfaction at the therapeutic effect was very high - 62.4% (immediately after. treatment) and 65.8% (9 months after initiation of treatment) of patients answered excellent or good. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that toenail onychomycosis has significant Impact on the overall QOL of patients. Also the effect of antifungal therapy on patients' QOL were satisfactory. Therefore, both doctor and patient should pay more attention to the treatment of onychomycosis.
Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Nails* ; Onychomycosis* ; Quality of Life* ; Social Change ; Surveys and Questionnaires