BACKGROUND: Recently in Korea, the rate of addictive drug abuse is rapidly increasing in men on salary, housewives, and even in adolescents, who have been considered to be free from drugs, which presents a serious problem to the society. Especially, the habituation to gateway drug, such as cigarettes and alcohol, before 15 years old, would lead to the increased possibility of other drug abuse, including illicit drugs. Thereupon in this study, we intended toreview the effect of adolescents smoking an the drug abuse and deviated behaviors. METHODS: On September, 1997, randomly selected were 12 classes, an the basis of 2 classes per grade, from the two schools which was located each in Seoul and Buchean. And survey was dane on 610 students with non non-nominl, self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS: The rate of adolescent smoking was 28.1% in male students and had increasing tendency of "the higher the grades, the higher the smoking rate"(17.0% in the 1st gade, 31.5% in the 2nd grade, 35.9% in the 3rd grade). The smoking rate of female students was 12.3%. From the 2nd grade of middle school to the 2nd grade of high school was the critical period when the smoking habit was initiated in almost 90% of the students. The experiencing rates of drug abuse in studied subjects were as follows : drinking(79.0%), stimulants(4.8%), sedatives(4.1%), hypnotics(3.1%), glue sniffing(1.5%), butane gas(0.7%), marijuana/hemp(0.2%). They were higher in the smoking group than in the nansMoking group, showing statistical significances in most items except hypnotics and marijuana/hemp. Also simihr results were shown in deviated behaviors between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: With the concerted efforts of family, school, society and natian, we as family physicians should make efforts to delay and prevent adolescent's smoking, which is a gateway to drug abuse and deviated behaviors, and to increase people's recognition of health risks caused by smoking, and to provide proper program for adolescents to stop smoking.
Adhesives ; Adolescent ; Critical Period (Psychology) ; Female ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Korea ; Male ; Physicians, Family ; Salaries and Fringe Benefits ; Seoul ; Smoke* ; Smoking* ; Street Drugs ; Substance-Related Disorders* ; Tobacco Products ; Surveys and Questionnaires

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of extensive spinal epidural abscess and bilateral psoas abscesses combined with pyogenic spondylodiscitis after a L3 vertebroplasty. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Infection after vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty is a rare medical complication. Few reports on spinal epidural abscess and bilateral psoas abscesses, coupled with pyogenic spondylodiscitis after vertebroplasty, are available in the English medical literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors performed a clinical and radiographic case review. RESULTS: A 74-year-old woman, without any existing medical illness, presented with a history of three weeks of lower back pain, fever, and neurologic deficits of both legs after vertebroplasty performed in another hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an extensive spinal epidural abscess from T10 to S1 and huge bilateral psoas abscesses combined with spondylodiscitis at L3-4. Urgent limited laminectomies and abscess drainage were performed from L1 to S1. The day after the operation, ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage was performed to manage bilateral psoas abscesses. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was identified by intraoperative culture. Antibiotic therapy during hospitalization was maintained for six weeks with vancomycin and rifampicin. The infection was successfully treated without any neurologic deficit and spinal deformity. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebroplasty is relative safe and simple procedure; however, the procedure also may cause severe spinal infection. Aseptic techniques under sterile environment was required during surgery. It is important that early diagnosis and prompt surgical decompression in spinal epidural abscess with neurologic deficit. Limited surgery and antibiotic therapy could be a good treatment option in spinal epidural abscess combined with pyogenic spondylodiscitis.
Abscess ; Aged ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Decompression, Surgical ; Discitis* ; Drainage ; Early Diagnosis ; Epidural Abscess* ; Female ; Fever ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty ; Laminectomy ; Leg ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Psoas Abscess* ; Rifampin ; Vancomycin ; Vertebroplasty*

Unexpected findings of hyperamylasemia have been observed in patients with primary neurosurgical abnormalities without abdominal trauma or evidence of pancreatitis. However, the causes of hyperamylasemia in abovementioned cases have not been clearly elucidated. We have experienced hyperamylasemia in a 66 year-old female patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage caused by ruptured cerebral aneurysms who had had 2 aneurysms in right pericallosal and left middle cerebral trifurcational artery. Among the 2 aneurysms, the one in right pericallosal artery was ruptured and subarachnoid, intraventricular and intracranial hemorrhage was observed on the initial brain CT scan. There was no specific problem during operation and patient's staying in recovery room. Seven hours after the operation finished, severe hypotension and metabolic acidosis were occurred. Vital signs and acidosis were corrected with fluid and bicarbonate therapy. We incidentally found marked hyperamylasemia in the first postoperative day and serum amylase level was decreased and thereafter normalized through the seventh postoperative day. There was no evidence of acute pancreatitis on either clinical examination or radiologic study of abdominal sonography and CT scan. On the brain CT scan which was taken on the third postoperative day, the increase in the amount of hemorrhage in bilateral frontal area was found and cerebral ischemia was observed in the territory of bilateral anterior cerebral artery.
Acidosis ; Aged ; Amylases ; Aneurysm ; Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Arteries ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperamylasemia* ; Hypotension ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Pancreatitis ; Recovery Room ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vital Signs

Symptomatic hepatic cysts are infrequently seen. A 82-year-old woman was admitted because of growing abdominal mass and pain. On admission, the mass was palpated on right upper quadrant of the abdomen. Ultrasonography and computed tomography disclosed a huge cystic lesion of the liver. It measured 22.5 x 19.0 x 18.0 cm and had a thick wall that was irregular. Because of the patient's symptoms and the radiologic findings, the decision was made to aspirate the cyst percutaneously under fluoroscopic guidance. Percutaneous drainage yielded approximately 3300 cc of yellow brownish fluid. A cytologic evaluation of the fluid was negative for malignant cells, and a fluid analysis was described as predominantly inflammatory in nature. Cultures revealed a growth of Klebsiella oxytoca. After drainage of the cystic fluid, we instilled contrast medium. No communication between the cyst and bile ducts was seen. Seven days later, the patient was discharged. Four months after treatment, no reaccumulated fluid was observed by ultrasonography. Ten months after treatment, the patient is healthy without abdominal discomfort. We report a case of the infected huge hepatic cyst successfully treated with fluoroscopic-uided percutaneous drainage.
Abdomen ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bile Ducts ; Drainage* ; Female ; Humans ; Klebsiella oxytoca ; Liver ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Chorionic Gonadotropin* ; Female ; Humans* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic* ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: The object of this study was to evaluate entrance angle effects on femoral tunnel length and cartilage damage during anteromedial portal drilling using three-dimensional computer simulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was obtained from an anatomic study performed using 16 cadaveric knees. The anterior cruciate ligament femoral insertion was dissected and the knees were scanned by computer tomography. Tunnels with different of three-dimensional entrance angles were identified using a computer simulation. The effects of different entrance angles on the femoral tunnel length and medial femoral cartilage damage were evaluated. Specifically, tunnel length and distance from the medial femoral condyle to a virtual cylinder of the femoral tunnel were measured. RESULTS: In tunnels drilled at a coronal angle of 45degrees, an axial angle of 45degrees, and a sagittal angle of 45degrees, the mean femoral tunnel length was 39.5+/-3.7 mm and the distance between the virtual cylinder of the femoral tunnel and the medial femoral condyle was 9.4+/-2.6 mm. The tunnel length at a coronal angle of 30degrees, an axial angle of 60degrees, and a sagittal angle of 45degrees, was 34.0+/-2.9 mm and the distance between the virtual cylinder of the tunnel and the medial femoral condyle was 0.7+/-1.3 mm, which was significantly shorter than the standard angle (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Extremely low and high entrance angles in both of axial plane and coronal plane produced inappropriate tunnel angles, lengths and higher incidence of cartilage damage. We recommend that angles in proximity to standard angles be chosen during femoral tunnel drilling through the anteromedial portal.
Aged ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament/*surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction/instrumentation/*methods ; Cadaver ; Computer Simulation ; Female ; Femur/anatomy & histology/*surgery ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Knee Joint/radiography/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteotomy/*methods ; Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care) ; Patient Positioning ; Surgical Instruments ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The terms "gastrointestinal stromal tumor" (GIST) have been applied to mesenchymal tumos that represent neither typical leiomyoma nor schwannoma. The majority of GISTs are Located in the stomach and small intestine, and only 4% of GISTs are found in duodenum. The most important characteristic is their indolent, slow-growing nature, rendering the most common definitions of malignancy invalid and inapplicable. Clinical and pathological criteria to differentiate benign from malignant GISTs are not well established. Tumor size and mitoic activity are commonly considered as important features, allowing for the prediction of biological behaviour and outcome. The case of a 87-year-old male patient who was presented with melena and acute anemia is herein reported. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and computed tomography of the abdomen revealed two submucosal tumors in the stomach and duodenum. Histological and immunohistochemical studies on the surgical resection specimen revealed a gastrointestinal stromal tumor of an uncommiteed type, with no evidence of increased mitotic activity. The patient was treated with local excision of the tumors and is now in a favorable state.
Abdomen ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors* ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; Leiomyoma ; Male ; Melena ; Neurilemmoma ; Stomach

Purpose: Whether to perform surgery or conservatively manage appendicitis in immunosuppressed patients is a concern for clinicians. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of these 2 treatment options for appendicitis in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This retrospective study included 206 patients with cancer who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis between August 2001 and December 2021. Among them, patients who received chemotherapy within 1 month were divided into surgical and conservative groups. We evaluated the outcomes, including treatment success within 1 year, 1-year recurrence, and the number of days from the diagnosis of appendicitis to chemotherapy restart, between the 2 groups. Results: Among the 206 patients with cancer who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis, 78 received chemotherapy within 1 month. The patients were divided into surgery (n = 63) and conservative (n = 15) groups. In the surgery group, the duration of antibiotic therapy (7.0 days vs. 16.0 days, P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (8.0 days vs. 27.5 days, P = 0.002) were significantly shorter than conservative groups. The duration from the diagnosis of appendicitis to the restart of chemotherapy was shorter in the surgery group (20.8 ± 15.1 days vs. 35.2 ± 28.2 days, P = 0.028). The treatment success rate within 1 year was higher in the surgery group (100% vs. 33.3%, P < 0.001). Conclusion Surgical treatment showed a significantly higher success rate than conservative treatment for appendicitis in patients less than 1 month after chemotherapy. Further prospective studies will be needed to clinically determine treatment options.

Purpose: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is currently the standard treatment for rectal cancer. However, its limitations include complications and incomplete total mesorectal resection (TME) due to anatomical features and technical difficulties. Transanal TME (TaTME) has been practiced since 2010 to improve this, but there is a risk of local recurrence and intra-abdominal contamination. We aimed to analyze samples obtained through lavage to compare laparoscopic TME (LapTME) and TaTME. Methods: From June 2020 to January 2021, 20 patients with rectal cancer undergoing MIS were consecutively and prospectively recruited. Samples were collected at the start of surgery, immediately after TME, and after irrigation. The samples were analyzed for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 20 (CK20) through a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The primary outcome was to compare the detected amounts of CEA and CK20 immediately after TME between the surgical methods. Results: Among the 20 patients, 13 underwent LapTME and 7 underwent TaTME. Tumor location was lower in TaTME (7.3 cm vs. 4.6 cm, P=0.012), and negative mesorectal fascia (MRF) was more in LapTME (76.9% vs. 28.6%, P=0.044). CEA and CK20 levels were high in 3 patients (42.9%) only in TaTME. There was 1 case of T4 with incomplete purse-string suture and 1 case of positive MRF with dissection failure. All patients were followed up for an average of 32.5 months without local recurrence. Conclusion CEA and CK20 levels were high only in TaTME and were related to tumor factors or intraoperative events. However, whether the detection amount is clinically related to local recurrence remains unclear.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Metformin is known to lower the risk of cancer and cancer mortality. However, the effect of metformin in stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of metformin on tumor response and survival in stage IV CRC patients with DM. METHODS: We identified 106 patients who were diagnosed with both stage IV CRC and DM (81 patients who underwent palliative chemotherapy and 25 patients who underwent curative resection). Retrospective data of each patient's clinical characteristics, tumor response, and survival rate were compared between two groups of patients who either were or were not administered metformin. RESULTS: For the palliative chemotherapy group, tumor response, change in target lesion size, progression free survival rate, and overall survival rate were not significantly different between the metformin group and the non-metformin group on univariate and multivariate analysis. For the curative resection patient group, metformin use was associated with increased disease free survival on univariate analysis (p=0.012) and multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 0.024; 95% CI 0.001-0.435; p=0.010), but not with overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin use in stage IV CRC patients with diabetes was shown to be associated with a lower risk of tumor recurrence after curative resection.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Colorectal Neoplasms/drug therapy/*mortality/pathology ; Diabetes Mellitus/*drug therapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Metformin/*therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Palliative Care ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate