No abstract available.
Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Fetal Blood* ; Humans ; Leukemia* ; Siblings*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An otoscope is a basic instrument used by otorhinolaryngologists. An inappropriately sterilized otoscope has been reported to be a possible bacterial vector for infection. In this regard, we decided to investigate contaminated otoscopes for possible bacterial contamination and evaluate the efficacy of the otoscope disinfection methods. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We randomly drew 22 otoscope cones from university hospitals and 10 from private hospitals. Cones were divided into three groups accordingly to their sterilization methods: group 1 was wiped with 70% isopropyl alcohol, group 2 was soaked for 20 min in 70% isopropyl alcohol, and group 3 was soaked in CIDEX solution. The samples were cultured twice, first before the disinfection process and then after the disinfection process. Otoscopes were cleaned for a week by employing these techniques. RESULTS: Most of the pre-sterilized otoscopes (20/22) were obtained from the hospitals which demonstrated contamination with microorganisms. Staphylococcus was the most common bacteria found (16/22). After a week of cleansing, no bacteria were seen in group 1 (0%, 0/8), whereas group 2 (14.3%, 1/7), and group 3 (28.6%, 2/7) still showed remaining microorganisms. The three methods were significantly effective on sterilizing microorganisms. CONCLUSION: An otoscope can be a vector for spreading infection. We found that disinfection by alcohol-swabbing alone is sufficient for sterilizing otoscope cones. Clinically, this information may be useful to otorhinolaryngologists. However, further studies are required to establish the most appropriate disinfection protocol to prevent infection from microorganisms.
2-Propanol ; Bacteria ; Disinfection ; Glutaral ; Hospitals, Private ; Hospitals, University ; Methods ; Otoscopes* ; Staphylococcus ; Sterilization

Hidrocystomas, eccrine or apocrine are rare ductal cystic benign lesions of the sweat gland. These uncommon cystic lesions are extremely rare in the external ear. Here, we discuss the clinical features and management of eccrine hydrocystoma in the external ear by describing the clinical, radiographic, pathologic features and management of an external auditory canal eccrine hidrocystoma in a 73-year-old Korean man. To the best of our knowledge, this tumor has not been reported previously in this site. Five month after surgery, there has been no evidence of local recurrence.
Aged ; Ear Canal* ; Ear, External ; Hidrocystoma* ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Sweat Glands

When performing septoplasty in patients with a high deviation of the nasal septum, effective correction is difficult and postoperative complications such as a saddle nose may result if the bone or cartilage is removed inordinately. Although several surgical techniques have been introduced, some are difficult to apply easily. Furthermore, the deviation may persist despite the application of surgical techniques due to the rebound memory of the remaining cartilage. This study aimed to describe a simple and safe surgical technique for crooked nasal septa with a high deviation. This method using horizontal dorsal septal incision allows easy separation of the highly deviated portion from the upper lateral cartilage. Furthermore, it is less traumatic than other methods, and predictably preserves the keystone area.

Background and Objectives: We aimed to measure the head dimensions on computed tomography (CT) images, to compare them to directly measured head dimensions, and to predict a new parameter of bone thickness for aiding bone conduction implant (BCI) placement. Subjects and Methods: We reviewed the facial and mandibular bone CT images of 406 patients. Their head sizes were analyzed using five parameters included in the 6th Size Korea project, and they were divided into age groups (ranging from the 10s to the 80s). We compared the head length, head width, sagittal arc, bitragion arc, and head circumference in the CT and Size Korea groups. We also added the parameter bone thickness for aiding BCI placement. Results: All the head size parameters measured using CT were significantly smaller than those measured directly, with head length showing the smallest difference at 7.85 mm. The differences in the other four parameters between the two groups according to patient age were not statistically significantly different. Bone thickness had the highest value of 4.89±0.93 mm in the 70s and the lowest value of 4.10±0.99 mm in the 10s. Bone thickness also significantly correlated with head width (p=0.038). Conclusions Our findings suggested that the CT and direct measurements yielded consistent data. Moreover, CT enabled the measurement of bone sizes, including bone thickness, that are impossible to measure directly. CT measurements may complement direct measurements in the Size Korea data when used for developing bone conduction hearing devices (BCIs and headsets) for the Korean population.

Fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of inherited mental retardation. It accounts for 0.2% - 2.7% of patients with mental retardation, based upon the molecular genetic diagnosis. However, the exact prevalence of fragile X syndrome in Korean patients with mental retardation is unknown. We have performed cytogenetic and molecular analysis for fragile X syndrome in 212 Korean patients with mental retardation. Among them, six patients (2.8%) was identified as carrying fragile X syndrome by both cytogenetic and molecular analysis. The results by cytogenetic analysis was identical to those by molecular analysis. Cytogenetic analysis of 6 carriers (mothers of patients with proven fragile X syndrome) showed a fragile X chromosome in one patients (16.7%) while molecular analysis revealed premutation in all patients. PCR method using Klentaq1 Pfu polymerase showed the same results as those by PCR method using Exo(-) Pfu polymerase, but the former method is recommended because of its simplicity in technical aspect. These data suggest that the prevalence of fragile X syndrome in Korean patients with mental retardation is 2.8%, not significantly different from those in Caucasians.
Cytogenetic Analysis ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnosis ; Fragile X Syndrome* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Intellectual Disability* ; Molecular Biology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; X Chromosome

BACKGROUND: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) refers to the association of hypoxemia, intrapulmonary shunting and chronic liver disease. But there is no clear data about the prevalence of HPS in postnecrotic liver cirrhosis by hepatitis B virus(HBV), the most common cause of liver disease in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HPS in poorly compensated postnecrotic liver cirrhosis by HBV, and the correlation of the hepatopulmonary syndrome with clinical aspects of postnecrotic liver cirrhosis by HBV. METHODS: Thirty-five patients underwent pulmonary function test, arterial blood gas analysis and contrast-enhanced echocadiography. All patients were diagnosed as HBV-induced Child class C liver cirrhosis and had no evidence of intrinsic cardiopulmonary disease. RESULTS: Intrapulmonary shunt was detected in 6/35 (17.1%) by contrast- enhanced echocariography. Two of six patients with intrahepatic shunts had significant hypoxemia (PaO2 < 70 mmHg) and four showed increased alveolar- arterial oxygen gradient over 20 mmHg. Only cyanosis could reliably distinguish between shunt positive and negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of intrapulmonary shunt in poorly compensated postnecrotic liver cirrhosis by HBV was 17.1% and the frequency of hepatopulmonary syndrome was relatively low (5.7%). 'Subclinical' hepatopulmonary syndrome (echocardiographically postive intrapulmonary shunt but without profound hypoxemia) exists in 11.4% of cases with poorly compensated postnecrotic liver cirrhosis by HBV. Cyanosis is the only reliable clinical indicator of HPS of HBV- induced poorly compensated liver cirrhosis. Further studies are required to determine if the prevalence and clinical manifestations of HPS varies with etiology or with geographical and racial differences.
Adult ; Aged ; Analysis of Variance ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Hepatitis B/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Hepatopulmonary Syndrome/diagnosis/*epidemiology ; Human ; Korea/epidemiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/classification/*epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Necrosis ; Prevalence ; Probability ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Risk Assessment

Malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP), also known as Degos' disease, is a rare and often fatal occlusive thrombotic vasculopathy, with fewer than seven cases reported in Korea. MAP is characterized by porcelain-white, atrophic, papular skin lesions and multi-organ system involvement, especially the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and nervous system. Involvement of the GI tract is usually associated with a poor prognosis. To date, no treatment has been shown to be effective in the treatment of MAP. We describe a 52-year-old man who presented with a 5-month history of abdominal angina and a 2-year history of multiple skin lesions on the trunk and extremities. The skin lesions were papules, 4-6 mm in diameter, with a porcelain-white center and a slightly raised erythematous telangiectatic rim. A biopsy of a skin lesion showed a wedge-shaped degeneration of collagen in the dermis and atrophic epidermis. An explorative laparoscopy revealed multiple, yellow-white plaques scattered throughout the small bowel. A biopsy of the small bowel showed sclerotic vascular alterations containing intravascular fibrin thrombi. He was started on aspirin (100 mg daily) and has survived for 24 months since the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Aspirin ; Biopsy ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Extremities ; Fibrin ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Malignant Atrophic Papulosis ; Middle Aged ; Nervous System ; Prognosis ; Skin

Malignant atrophic papulosis (MAP), also known as Degos' disease, is a rare and often fatal occlusive thrombotic vasculopathy, with fewer than seven cases reported in Korea. MAP is characterized by porcelain-white, atrophic, papular skin lesions and multi-organ system involvement, especially the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and nervous system. Involvement of the GI tract is usually associated with a poor prognosis. To date, no treatment has been shown to be effective in the treatment of MAP. We describe a 52-year-old man who presented with a 5-month history of abdominal angina and a 2-year history of multiple skin lesions on the trunk and extremities. The skin lesions were papules, 4-6 mm in diameter, with a porcelain-white center and a slightly raised erythematous telangiectatic rim. A biopsy of a skin lesion showed a wedge-shaped degeneration of collagen in the dermis and atrophic epidermis. An explorative laparoscopy revealed multiple, yellow-white plaques scattered throughout the small bowel. A biopsy of the small bowel showed sclerotic vascular alterations containing intravascular fibrin thrombi. He was started on aspirin (100 mg daily) and has survived for 24 months since the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms.
Aspirin ; Biopsy ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Extremities ; Fibrin ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Korea ; Laparoscopy ; Malignant Atrophic Papulosis ; Middle Aged ; Nervous System ; Prognosis ; Skin