Seventeen volunteers with cutaneous dermatophytosis were enrolled in a clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of oral ketoconazole. The group included six patients with tinea cruris(6 malcs), four with tinea corporis, including one with tinea faciai, (3 males, 1 female), three with tinea versicolor(3 males) and four with tinea capitis(3 males, 1 female). The oral ketoconazole was taken within 10 minutes after a meal. The patients under the age of 10 received 100mg of ketoconazole per day, whereas those aged over 11 received 200mg of ketoconazole until the skin lesions are cured. Seventeen patients had complete clinical and mycologic cure, one responded clinically. It required one to four weeks to become culturally negative for tinea cruris, four to seven weeks for tinea corporis, three to eight weeks for tinea capitis. For tinea versicolor it required three to five weeks to become negative by scotch tape method. Adverse reactions to ketoconazole were absent and no patients required discontinuation of the drug. The results indicate that ketoconazole is a safe and effective drug for the treatment of dermatophytosis.
Humans ; Ketoconazole* ; Male ; Meals ; Skin ; Tinea Capitis ; Tinea Versicolor ; Tinea* ; Volunteers

The “delta phalanx”, first named by BlundeII Jones in 1964, is a triangular(“delta-shaped”) or trapezoidal phalanx with C-shaped epiphyseal plate causing progressive angular deformity of the digit with growth. Neither splinting nor physical therapy is effective in improving the condition. Surgical correction is indicated and several methods of correction have been reported. Authors have experienced a rare case of “delta phalanx” occuring in the proximal phalanx of the syndactylous digit.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Growth Plate ; Splints ; Syndactyly

Fourty one cases of open fractures of tibial shaft complicated with varying degrees of soft tissue injuries were trested by one-plane unilateral external fixation with AO fixator. In seventeen csses among them, interfragmental lag screw fixation was applied in addition, for more rigidity and stability of the fixation. All of thern were followed up at least for one year and we obtained the following results. 1. Rigid stable external fixation provided by additional minimum internal fixation may not increase the rate of infection but rather enhance prompt primary bone healing. 2. One-plane unilatersl external fixation may facilitate good access to the wound for subsepuent reconstructive procedures, and enhance pain-free early full range of joint motion, thus promote early bone union. 3. Comparing with bilsteral fixation, there wss almost no difference in the union time of the fracture even with one-plsne unilatersl fixation.
Clinical Study ; External Fixators ; Fractures, Open ; Joints ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Wounds and Injuries

Aneurysmal bone cyst uncommonly involves the pubic bone and tends to grow eccentrically and thin out overlying cortex. In the following case report, a 19-year-old male patient visited out hospital, because of dull pain in his left groin. He was diagnosed as aneurysmal bone cyst originated from the superior pubic ramus by CT guided needle biopsy. Transcatheter arterial embolization was effective in the treatment of this lesion such as complete consolidation after the procedure. At present, 2 years follow-up, no problem was noted at weight bearing as well as hip function or recurrence.
Aneurysm ; Biopsy, Needle ; Bone Cysts ; Follow-Up Studies ; Groin ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Pubic Bone ; Recurrence ; Weight-Bearing ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study examined the postoperative long-term results of the reconstruction of orbital wall fracture using Macropore(R). METHODS: The long-term results for 10 patients who were diagnosed with orbital wall fracture and received the repair of orbital wall fracture using Macropore(R), were examined postoperatively after an average of 23.5 months. RESULTS: The mean difference in orbital volume between the fractured orbit and the unaffected orbit after an average of 23.5 months postoperatively was 1.01+/-0.70 cm3 (4.75+/-2.92%), which slightly increased compared to 0.70+/-0.52 cm3 (3.26+/-2.10%) immediately after the operation, although the difference was not statistically significant (p-value=0.190). At the last follow-up, the shape of Macropore(R) was not observed in 3 out of the 10 patients, and intense ossification was observed at the site of fracture in 6 patients. At the last follow-up, one patient showed 1.5 mm enophthalmos, and the other patients did not show the occurrence of diplopia or the progress of enophthalmos. CONCLUSIONS: According to the long-term results of the reconstruction of orbital wall fracture, Macropore(R) is considered an implant that produces a safe and satisfactory effect without notable complications.
Diplopia ; Enophthalmos ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Orbit

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the variation of radiation dose distribution for liver tumor located in liver dome and for the interest organs(normal liver, kidney, stomach) with the pencil beam convolution (PBC) algorithm versus anisotropic Analyticalal algorithm (AAA) of the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system, The target volumes from 20 liver cancer patients were used to create treatment plans. Treatment plans for 10 patients were performed in Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) plan and others were performed in 3 Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3DCRT) plan. dose calculation was recalculated by AAA algorithm after dose calculation was performed by PBC algorithm for 20 patients. Plans were optimized to 100% of the PTV by the Prescription Isodose in Dose Calculation with the PBC algorithm. Plans were recalculated with the AAA, retaining identical beam arrangements, monitor units, field weighting and collimator condition. In this study, Total PTV was to be statistically significant (SRS: p=0.018, 3DCRT: p=0.006) between PBC and AAA algorithm. and in the case of PTV, ITV in liver dome, plans for 3DCRT were to be statistically significant respectively (p=0.013, p=0.024). normal liver and kidney were to be statistically significant (p=0.009, p=0.037). For the predictive index of dose variation, CVF ratio was to be statistically significant for PTV in the liver dome versus PTV (SRS r=0.684, 3DCRT r=0.732, p<0.01) and CVF ratio for Tumor size was to be statistically significant (SRS r=-0.193, p=0.017, 3DCRT r=0.237, p=0.023).
Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Population Characteristics ; Prescriptions

PURPOSE: Delirium is a common and worrisome problem among elder hospitalized patients. Many studies have sought to evaluate the risk factors of delirium. Most of these studies have dealt with the intensive care unit, with virtually nothing known about the emergency room. Our study was designated to evaluate the risk factors in an emergency department. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 414 cases of elder patients admitted to the general ward of internal medicine via the emergency room between January 2009 and December 2009. We divided these patients into a delirium group and non-delirium group. We statistically evaluated 31 known risk factors of delirium in these two groups. RESULTS: Using chi-square test, 14 of 31 known risk factors of delirium were proven as risk factors of delirium in an emergency room. Using logistic regression, three of the 14 proven risk factors were revealed as prior factors. CONCLUSION: A variety of factors of delirium are risk factors of delirium in an emergency room. A few important known risk factors are failed to pass statistically evaluation. These results are influenced by cultural pecularities of South Korea. Also, the small sample size limited conclusive evaluation. Nonetheless, the importance of patients' past medical history, laboratory results, and choice of medication when treating elder hospitalized patients to prevent delirium is likely important in reducing mortality and morbidity.
Aged ; Delirium ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Internal Medicine ; Logistic Models ; Patients' Rooms ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sample Size

BACKGROUND: The Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine (KSLM) Laboratory Inspection and Accreditation Program (IAP) has been developed after one year of study supported by a research grant from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) of the Republic of Korea from June 1998 to May 1999 to assess objectively the quality of laboratory work and assist the laboratories in improving the quality of their work. The IAP is based on peer review and voluntary participation. The IAP has been continuously improved since the first laboratory inspection began in May 1999 and it was soon expanded nationwide. The improvement was made by updating the inspection checklists to reflect feedback from inspection activities and holding frequent inspectors training workshops. This paper describes the progress and outcome of the IAP. METHODS: The IAP has been implemented nationwide through the following steps: 1) preliminary review of application papers including laboratory quality control policies and external proficiency survey results, as well as on-site inspection by inspectors; 2) addition of newly approved "Inpatient Interpretive Summary Report"checklist (IISR); 3) inspectors training workshop for the "IISR"checklist; 4) continuation of the IAP for all checklist areas including "IISR"; and 5) the first revision of checklists. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen laboratories were accredited during the first year of the IAP. Due to the implementation of the MOHW approved health insurance reimbursement item for laboratory physicians, the "IISR"checklist was created. The mean score of the laboratory inspection results was 92.8 and hospital laboratories showed a higher score on routine testing areas, however, commercial reference laboratories showed a better score on special testing areas. The checklists were revised according to the feedback from the first round of inspections. CONCLUSIONS: The nationwide implementation of the KSLM laboratory IAP was accomplished through this study. The IAP appears to have provided a firm basis for the improvement of quality and efficiency of clinical laboratories in the country.
Accreditation* ; Checklist ; Education ; Financing, Organized ; Insurance, Health, Reimbursement ; Korea ; Laboratories, Hospital ; Peer Review ; Quality Control ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: The Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine (KSLM) Laboratory Inspection and Accreditation Program (IAP) has been developed after one year of study supported by a research grant from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) of the Republic of Korea from June 1998 to May 1999 to assess objectively the quality of laboratory work and assist the laboratories in improving the quality of their work. The IAP is based on peer review and voluntary participation. The IAP has been continuously improved since the first laboratory inspection began in May 1999 and it was soon expanded nationwide. The improvement was made by updating the inspection checklists to reflect feedback from inspection activities and holding frequent inspectors training workshops. This paper describes the progress and outcome of the IAP. METHODS: The IAP has been implemented nationwide through the following steps: 1) preliminary review of application papers including laboratory quality control policies and external proficiency survey results, as well as on-site inspection by inspectors; 2) addition of newly approved "Inpatient Interpretive Summary Report"checklist (IISR); 3) inspectors training workshop for the "IISR"checklist; 4) continuation of the IAP for all checklist areas including "IISR"; and 5) the first revision of checklists. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen laboratories were accredited during the first year of the IAP. Due to the implementation of the MOHW approved health insurance reimbursement item for laboratory physicians, the "IISR"checklist was created. The mean score of the laboratory inspection results was 92.8 and hospital laboratories showed a higher score on routine testing areas, however, commercial reference laboratories showed a better score on special testing areas. The checklists were revised according to the feedback from the first round of inspections. CONCLUSIONS: The nationwide implementation of the KSLM laboratory IAP was accomplished through this study. The IAP appears to have provided a firm basis for the improvement of quality and efficiency of clinical laboratories in the country.
Accreditation* ; Checklist ; Education ; Financing, Organized ; Insurance, Health, Reimbursement ; Korea ; Laboratories, Hospital ; Peer Review ; Quality Control ; Republic of Korea

BACKGROUND: A policy development research project entitled "Feasibility study and development of clinical pathology laboratory inspection and accreditation system and its impact" was funded by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea in 1998 to standardize and improve laboratory performances, hence to accomplish cost effectiveness of laboratory testing throughout the country. METHODS: The authors developed applicable inspection standards including 1) qualification and the role of laboratory director, 2) quality control and quality improvement, 3) facility and safety, and 4) inspection application requirements and detailed checklists for each laboratory discipline were developed accordingly. The College of American Pathologists Inspection and Accreditation Program was used as the model. Checklists for laboratory areas contain questionnaires with corresponding scores. The score is assigned from 2 to 4 according to the impact of the question to the outcome of the test. Checklists are for laboratory management (203 questions), hematology (146), routine chemistry (126), special chemistry (198), urinalysis (85), microbiology (282), immunology and serology (70), blood bank (246), HLA laboratory (117), flow cytometry (102), cytogenetics (137), molecular biology (232), and independent laboratory (542). The philosophy involved in the program was fairness, consistency, courteousness, consultation, and providing guidelines for future developments. Experts' consensus on subject matter was obtained before checklists were in use. Cut-off for accreditation was based on a score of 80%. Three dry and four wet workshops were held to produce 69 trained inspectors. While conducting wet workshops, 2 CAP accredited university hospital laboratories and 1 non-accredited university hospital laboratory as well as 1 CAP accredited large commercial laboratory were inspected by using newly developed checklists. RESULTS: All 4 laboratories were accredited with the mean score of 94%. The most common deficiencies were lack of proper documentation on quality control, outdated reagents in use, etc. CONCLUSIONS: The laboratory I and A program was successfully tested for its feasibility and we confirmed that its nationwide implementation was ready.
Accreditation* ; Allergy and Immunology ; Blood Banks ; Checklist ; Chemistry ; Consensus ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Cytogenetics ; Education ; Financial Management ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematology ; Indicators and Reagents ; Korea* ; Laboratories, Hospital ; Molecular Biology ; Pathology, Clinical* ; Philosophy ; Policy Making ; Quality Control ; Quality Improvement ; Republic of Korea ; Urinalysis ; Surveys and Questionnaires