No abstract available in English.
Clinical Study ; Neck

BACKGROUND: Chronic paranasal sinusitis is one of the most common disease in the otorhinolaryngologic field. Endoscopic sinus surgery is treatment of choice in chronic paranasal sinusitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate objective and subjective treatment outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in adult chronic paranasal sinusitis with or without polyp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 84 adult patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery by one surgeon from June 1999 to June 2000, prospectively. We analyzed preoperative and postoperative subjective symptom scores and acoustic rhinometric results. RESULTS: Fifty cases were male and thirty four cases female. The average age was of 33 year-old (range: 17 to 66 years). There was significantly improvement of symptom scores in postoperative 3 months and 6 months compared with preoperative symptom scores. There was significantly increased postoperative total volume of nasal cavity. When we compared high score group with low score group, there was statistically significant improvement of symptom scores between preoperative stage and postoperative 3 months in radiologic grading group. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sinus surgery is considered to be effective for the treatment of chronic paranasal sinusitis. It seems to be helpful to employ subjective symptom score system and objective total volume change of nasal cavity through acoustic rhinometric test to analyze effectiveness of endoscopic sinus surgery. In this study, the most important preoperative factor of sinus surgery outcomes is radiologic grading system.
Acoustics* ; Adult* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; Polyps ; Prospective Studies ; Rhinometry, Acoustic ; Sinusitis*

BACKGROUND: Chronic paranasal sinusitis is one of the most common disease in the otorhinolaryngologic field. Endoscopic sinus surgery is treatment of choice in chronic paranasal sinusitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate objective and subjective treatment outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery in adult chronic paranasal sinusitis with or without polyp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 84 adult patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery by one surgeon from June 1999 to June 2000, prospectively. We analyzed preoperative and postoperative subjective symptom scores and acoustic rhinometric results. RESULTS: Fifty cases were male and thirty four cases female. The average age was of 33 year-old (range: 17 to 66 years). There was significantly improvement of symptom scores in postoperative 3 months and 6 months compared with preoperative symptom scores. There was significantly increased postoperative total volume of nasal cavity. When we compared high score group with low score group, there was statistically significant improvement of symptom scores between preoperative stage and postoperative 3 months in radiologic grading group. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic sinus surgery is considered to be effective for the treatment of chronic paranasal sinusitis. It seems to be helpful to employ subjective symptom score system and objective total volume change of nasal cavity through acoustic rhinometric test to analyze effectiveness of endoscopic sinus surgery. In this study, the most important preoperative factor of sinus surgery outcomes is radiologic grading system.
Acoustics* ; Adult* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Nasal Cavity ; Polyps ; Prospective Studies ; Rhinometry, Acoustic ; Sinusitis*

Inbred mice are an essential animal strain for research as they can improve the reproducibility and reliability of study results. The establishment of new inbred lines is continuing, and new inbred lines are being used in many research fields. C57BL/6 is a mouse laboratory animal that has been developed and used as an inbred strain since early stage of mouse strain development, and, in the 1950s, C57BL/6 was separated into substrains by the Jackson Laboratory (C57BL/6J) and the National Institutes of Health (C57BL/6N). C57BL/6 mice have been used in immunology and antitumor activity studies since the early strain development stage. After the mouse genome was fully described, C57BL/6 mice use in many areas of research has expanded. In particular, immunological characteristics such as those related to cell-mediated immunity and NK cell activity are relatively higher in C57BL/6 mice than in other mice. The C57BL/6NKorl is a stock of C57BL/6N established as part of a localization of experimental animal strategy of the Korean Food and Drug Administration. Based on analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), C57BL/6NKorl is considered a genetically distinct inbred stock from other C57BL/6N. Various research efforts have been made to describe the characteristics and increase knowledge of the characteristics of C57BL/6Nkorl. The results obtained through these efforts are expected to increase the utilization of C57BL/6Nkorl as a domestic laboratory animal resource and to enhance the reliability of mouse based studies.
Allergy and Immunology ; Animals ; Animals, Laboratory ; Genome ; Immunity, Cellular ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Mice* ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; United States Food and Drug Administration

To raise the quality of research, medical articles which are feasible and objective must be continuously published and be continuously monitored. All articles published in the Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine from November, 1990 to November, 1995 were compared with a foreign emergency medical journal, the American Journal of Emergency Medicine(AJE). Classifying the articles in the Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine, there were 15 (8.4%) review articles, 145 (81.0%) original articles and 19 (10.6%) case reports. In the AJE, there were 103 (15.1%) review articles, 304 (44.4%) original articles and 277 (40.5%) case reports. Classifying the original articles in the Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine, there were 13 (9.0%) experimental articles, 88 (60.7%) descriptive articles and 44 (30.3%) analytic articles. In the AJE, there were 40 (13.2%) experimental articles, 59 (19.4%) descriptive articles and 205 (67.4%) analytic articles. The classification of original articles according to frequency in the Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine is trauma, resuscitation, toxicology and medical emergency, where as the AJE is medical emergency, trauma, toxicology and EMS. For statistical methods used in original articles, 90 (62.1%) case did not do any statistical analysis or where only descriptive statistics were used. In 6 (4.1%) cases the statistical level was described but statistical methods were nonmentioned. By simple classification study, there were 44 (30.3%) cases of original articles in the Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine, and 6 (2.0%) cases in the AJE. Because the development of Emergency Medicine as a special department is based on logical articles, organization of articles have study design, make hypothesis, sample gathering, statistical analysis and feasibility of conclusion. For this, the emergency training course needs a course on research methodology.
Classification ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medicine* ; Logic ; Research Design ; Resuscitation ; Toxicology

Purpose: Infertility affects 10% to 15% of couples, and male factor accounts for 50% of the cases. The relevant male genetic factors, which account for at least 15% of male infertility, include Y-chromosome microdeletions. We investigated clinical data and patterns of Y-chromosome microdeletions in Korean infertile men. Materials and Methods: A total of 919 infertile men whose sperm concentration was ≤5 million/mL in two consecutive analyses were investigated for Y-chromosome microdeletion. Among them, 130 infertile men (14.1%) demonstrated Y-chromosome microdeletions. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results: In 130 men with Y-chromosome microdeletions, 90 (69.2%) had azoospermia and 40 (30.8%) had severe oligozoospermia.The most frequent microdeletions were in the azoospermia factor (AZF) c region (77/130, 59.2%), followed by the AZFb+c (30/130, 23.1%), AZFa (8/130, 6.2%), AZFb (7/130, 5.4%), AZFa+b+c (7/130, 5.4%), and AZFa+c (1/130, 0.7%) regions. In men with oligozoospermia, 37 (92.5%) had AZFc microdeletion. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 30 patients (23.1%). Higher follicle-stimulating hormone level (23.2±13.5 IU/L vs. 15.1±9.0 IU/L, p<0.001), higher luteinizing hormone level (9.7±4.6 IU/L vs. 6.0±2.2 IU/L, p<0.001), and lower testis volume (10.6±4.8 mL vs. 13.3±3.8 mL, p<0.001) were observed in azoospermia patients compared to severe oligozoospermia patients. Conclusions Y-chromosome microdeletion is a common genetic cause of male infertility. Therefore, Y-chromosome microdeletion test is recommended for the accurate diagnosis of men with azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. Appropriate genet

OBJECTIVES: The causes of benign esophageal stricture were postoperative, corrosive, peptic and after esophageal sclerotheraphy, etc. The patients mainly suffered from dysphagia and insufficient nutrition. Recently, balloon and bougie dilatation were introduced to these patients. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of both procedures in different types of strictures METHODS: 32 patients who presented dysphagia enrolled from March 1996 to August 1997 who visited Pusan National University Hospital. Balloon dilatation was performed on 22 patients and bougie on 10 patients. RESULTS: 1) The causes of stricture were postoperative (18 cases), corrosive (10 cases), hypertensive LES (2 cases), peptic (1 case) and web (1 case). 2) Overall cure rate was 59% in bougie dilatation and 40% in balloon dilatation 3) The cure rate of postopertive stricture was 59% which is significantly higher than that of corrosive stricture (27%), and cure rate of hypertensive LES, peptic stricture and web was 100%. 4) The cure rate of corrosive stricture was significantly higher on bougie dilatation than balloon dilatation. 5) The cure rate of postoperative stricture was similiar between balloon and bougie dilatation 6) The length of stricture was inversly affected on cure rate of both dilatation procedures. 7) Overall complication was 5.6% and similiar between balloon and bougie dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that bougie dilatation was recommended on corrosive stricture and balloon dilatation on postopertive stricture
Busan ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dilatation* ; Esophageal Stenosis* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to estimate the minimum effective volume (MEV) of 1.5% mepivacaine for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block by placing the needle near the lower trunk of brachial plexus and multiple injections. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing forearm and hand surgery received ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block with 1.5% mepivacaine. The initial volume of local anesthetic injected was 24 ml, and local anesthetic volume for the next patient was determined by the response of the previous patient. The next patient received a 3 ml higher volume in the case of the failure of the previous case. If the previous block was successful, the next volume was 3 ml lower. MEV was estimated by the Dixon and Massey up and down method. MEV in 95, 90, and 50% of patients (MEV95, MEV90, and MEV50) were calculated using probit transformation and logistic regression. RESULTS: MEV95 of 1.5% mepivacaine was 17 ml (95% confidence interval [CI], 13-42 ml), MEV90 was 15 ml (95% CI, 12-34 ml), and MEV50 was 9 ml (95% CI, 4-12 ml). Twelve patients had a failed block. Three patients received general anesthesia. Nine patients could undergo surgery with sedation only. Only one patient showed hemi-diaphragmatic paresis. CONCLUSIONS: MEV95 was 17 ml, MEV90 was 15 ml, and MEV50 was 9 ml. However, needle location near the lower trunk of brachial plexus and multiple injections should be performed.
Anesthesia, General ; Brachial Plexus ; Forearm ; Hand ; Humans ; Mepivacaine ; Needles

PURPOSE: The present study examined the etiology and risk factors of the early breast-feeding jaundice and the usefulness of auditory brainstem response test as early predictor of kernicterus. METHODS: Medical records of neonatal jaundice in newborn admitted to Daegu Fatima Hospital between September 2005 and May 2006 were analyzed prospectively. Infants were grouped according to feeding method:breast feeding group (breast feeding only, n=23), mixed feeding group (breast feeding mainly plus addition of fomula feeding, n=13). RESULTS: There were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, sex, duration of phototherapy, serum bilirubin and hemolytic evidence between the two study groups. First visiting day of life at out patient department was significantly delayed in breast feeding group (8.7+/-3.6 day) compared to mixed feeding group (6.0+/-1.9) (P=0.009). Weight loss was significantly severe in breast feeding group compared to mixed feeding group (P<0.05). In auditory brainstem response test, loss of Wave V in 3 cases was observed and recoverd after blood exchange transfusion in follow up test. Wave III latency had significant correlation to serum bilirubin in auditory brainstem response test (70 dB) (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Our study suggest that further education about breast feeding and follow up within the first postnatal week would be necessary for early detection and prevention of early breast-feeding jaundice. Test of serum bilirubin and auditory brainstem response would be helpful in determination of blood exchange transfusion.
Bilirubin ; Birth Weight ; Breast Feeding ; Daegu ; Education ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice* ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; Kernicterus* ; Medical Records ; Phototherapy ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: The existing data indicate that obstructive sleep apnea syndrome contributes to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction such as systemic hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias, and the cardiovascular dysfunction has a major effect on high long-term mortality rate in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients. To a large extent the various studies have helped to clarify the pathophysiology of obstructive sleep apnea, but many basic questions still remain unanswered. METHOD: In this study, the influence of obstructive sleep apnea on systemic blood pressure, cardiac rhythm and urinary catecholamines concentration was evaluated. Over-night polysomnography, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and EGG monitoring, and measurement of urinary catecholamines, norepinephrine (UNE) and epinephrine (UEP), during waking and sleep were undertaken in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome patients group (OSAS, n=29) and control group (Gontrol, n=25). RESULTS: 1) In OSAS and Control, UNE and UEP concentrations during sleep were significantly lower than during waking (P<0.01). In UNE concentrations during sleep, OSAS showed higher levels compare to Control (P<0.05). 2) In OSAS, there was a increasing tendency of the number of non-dipper of nocturnal blood pressure compare to Control (P=0.089). 3) In both group (n=54), mean systolic blood pressure during waking and sleep showed significant correlation with polysomnographic data including apnea index (Al), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), arterial oxygen saturation nadir (SaO2 nadir) and degree of oxygen desaturation (DOD). And UNE concentrations during sleep were correlated with Al, AHI, SaO2 nadir, DOD and mean diastolic blood pressure during sleep. 4) In OSAS with AI>20 (n=14), there was a significant difference of heart rates before, during and after apneic events (P<0.01), and these changes of heart rates were correlated with the duration of apnea (P<0.01). The difference of heart rates between apneic and postapneic period (deltaHR) was significantly correlated with the difference of arterial oxygen saturation between before and after apneic event (deltaSaO2) (r=0.223, P<0.001). 5) There was no significant difference in the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias between OSAS and Control. In Control, the incidence of ventricular ectopy during sleep was significantly lower than during waking. But in OSAS, there was no difference between during waking and sleep. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that recurrent hypoxia and arousals from sleep in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome may increase sympathetic nervous system activity, and recurrent hypoxia and increased sympathetic nervous system activity could contribute to the development of cardiovascular dysfunction including the changes of systemic blood pressure and cardiac function.
Anoxia ; Apnea ; Arousal ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Blood Pressure* ; Catecholamines* ; Epinephrine ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Norepinephrine ; Ovum ; Oxygen ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Sympathetic Nervous System ; United Nations