No abstract available.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to perform a comparative analysis of the efficacy and safety of conventional transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P), transurethral resection in saline (TURIS), and TURIS-plasma vaporization (TURIS-V) when performed by a single surgeon for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 73 consecutive men who underwent conventional TUR-P (39), TURIS (19), or TURIS-V (15) for BPH were retrospectively analyzed. All procedures were carried out by a single surgeon between October 2007 and April 2010. The patients were assessed preoperatively and perioperatively and were followed at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Patient baseline characteristics, perioperative data, and postoperative outcomes were compared, and major complications were recorded. RESULTS: In all groups, significant improvements in subjective and objective voiding parameters were achieved and were sustained throughout follow-up. TURIS-V had the shortest operation time compared with conventional TUR-P and TURIS (p=0.211). TURIS-V significantly decreased procedural irrigation fluid volume, postoperative irrigation duration, catheter duration, and hospital stay compared with conventional TUR-P and TURIS. There were no significant differences between the groups in hemoglobin levels or serum sodium levels before and after the operations. There were three transfusions and four clot retentions in the TUR-P group, and one transfusion and one clot retention in the TURIS group. The TURIS-V group had no complications. CONCLUSIONS: TURIS and TURIS-V were effective for the surgical treatment of BPH in addition to conventional TUR-P. TURIS-V was not inferior to conventional TUR-P or TURIS in terms of safety.
Catheters ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Pilot Projects ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Retention (Psychology) ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Urologic Surgical Procedures ; Volatilization

PURPOSE: There is an unmet need for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD), leading to variation in management strategies. To investigate distinct features and treatment modalities according to physicians' specialties, we collected data on the current treatment approach to moderate-to-severe AD among allergists, pediatric allergists and dermatologists in Korea. METHODS: This questionnaire-based study was administered to physicians from the Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology (KAAACI), Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease (KAPARD), and Korean Atopic Dermatitis Association (KADA). RESULTS: A total of 93 physicians participated in the study; 64.5% were pediatric allergists and 31.2% were dermatologists. The major patient age groups were “less than 5 years” for 100% of pediatric allergists and “6–12 years old” for 38% of dermatologists. The proportion of patients with moderate-to-severe AD was higher for dermatologists and allergists compared to pediatric allergists. Physicians agreed on the necessity of education including demonstration of basic skin care and application of topical therapies (88.2%), nutritional consultation (83.9%) and psychological counseling (75.3%). However, less than half were able to educate and counsel their patients in real practice. There were noticeable differences in first-line treatment among physician groups. For pediatric allergists, the order of preferred systemic treatment was wet wrap therapy, systemic corticosteroids and oral cyclosporin. Dermatologists ranked cyclosporin, phototherapy, and systemic corticosteroids as first-line treatment regimens. Major reported barriers to proper management were steroid phobia, unproven complementary and alternative medicine, lack of education, and the unreasonable insurance system. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest there are distinct differences in moderate-to-severe AD treatment according to physicians' specialties. Medical policy changes along with governmental supports are required in order to implement the ideal approach in real practice. For moderate-to-severe AD, a consensus on the approach to optimal management should be reached for the best outcomes, based on further randomized controlled trials.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Allergy and Immunology ; Asthma ; Complementary Therapies ; Consensus ; Counseling ; Cyclosporine ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Education ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Insurance ; Korea* ; Phobic Disorders ; Phototherapy ; Skin Care

The epidural blood patch is a relatively new technique for treatment of post spinal headache. Injection of autologous blood into the epidural space afforded prompt and permanent relief. "Pathcing" the dura hole with autologous blood is the most direct therapy available. It has always been used within a few days of development of headache. This procedure may be considered for patients who continue to experience in capacitating symptoms following a trial of supportive therapy. In our patient the epidural blood patch was used successfully on four cases after the development of headache.
Blood Patch, Epidural ; Epidural Space ; Headache* ; Humans

We present a case of scalp metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma which developed on the scalp of a 57-year-old man. The lesion was noticed at the scalp of left parietal area and a biopsy from the nodule showed mostly metastatic papillary form structures with colloidal structure. We performed immunohistochemistry stain using antithyroglobulin antibody, which established the diagnosis of a metastatic lesion from thyroid papillary carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy, excision of scalp nodule, and 131I radiotherapy were performed. No further metastasis has been discovered during the last 12 months.
Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Papillary ; Colloids ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Rabeprazole ; Radiotherapy ; Scalp* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy

Purpose: We investigated the effects of upper eyelid surgery on corneal higher-order aberrations and astigmatism. Methods: We enrolled 38 patients (66 eyes) who underwent blepharoplasty and 48 (81 eyes) who underwent levator resection. The marginal reflex distance1 (MRD1), corneal astigmatism, and corneal higher-order aberrations were measured preoperatively, and at 6 months postoperatively, and the two groups were compared. Results: Corneal astigmatism decreased significantly in the ptosis repair group (p < 0.001) but there was no significant change in the axis of astigmatism. Preoperative third-order and coma-like aberrations were significantly more common in the ptosis repair group than in the other group (p = 0.027 and p = 0.044, respectively); both decreased significantly after the operation (p = 0.030 and p = 0.006, respectively). The decrease in MRD1 and changes in the two aberrations showed a significantly stronger negative correlation in the ptosis repair group than in the other group (b = -0.186; p < 0.001 and b = -0.159; p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions For patients with both cataract and ptosis, it is best to perform levator resection surgery before cataract surgery, because corneal higher-order aberrations and astigmatism are improved by levator resection. In turn, this reduces postoperative refractive error and improve vision quality.

Background: and Purpose: The importance of the specialized management of neurocritical patients is being increasingly recognized. We evaluated the impact of neurointensivist comanagement on the clinical outcomes (particularly the mortality rate) of neurocritical patients admitted to a semiclosed neurocritical-care unit (NCU). Methods: We retrospectively included neurocritical patients admitted to the NCU between March 2015 and February 2018. We analyzed the clinical data and compared the outcomes between patients admitted before and after the initiation of neurointensivist co-management in March 2016. Results: There were 1,785 patients admitted to the NCU during the study period. Patients younger than 18 years (n=28) or discharged within 48 hours (n=200) were excluded. The 1,557 remaining patients comprised 590 and 967 who were admitted to the NCU before and after the initiation of co-management, respectively. Patients admitted under neurointensivist co-management were older and had higher Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores. The 30-day mortality rate was significantly lower after neurointensivist co-management (p=0.042). A multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that neurointensivist co-management significantly reduced mortality rates in the NCU and in the hospital overall [odds ratio=0.590 (p=0.002) and 0.585 (p=0.001), respectively]. Conclusions Despite the higher severity of the condition during neurointensivist co-management, co-management significantly improved clinical outcomes (including the mortality rate) in neurocritical patients.

OBJECTIVE: This multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel trial aimed to provide a detailed dose-response profile for atomoxetine in Korean pediatric outpatients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: Male and female outpatients aged 6-18 years with ADHD meeting symptom severity criteria of 1.5 standard deviations above age and gender norms on the ADHD Rating Scale-IV-Parent: Investigator-Administered and Scored (ADHDRS-IV-Parent: Inv), and a Clinical Global Impression-ADHD-Severity score > or =4 were randomized to atomoxetine (mg/kg/day) 0.2 fixed, 0.5 fixed or 0.5 (7 days), 0.8 (7 days) then 1.2 for 28 days. The primary efficacy measure was change in ADHDRS-IV-Parent: Inv total score after 6 weeks of atomoxetine treatment. RESULTS: Of 153 randomized patients, 83.7% were male and mean age was 9.8 (SD+/-2.4) years. The completion rate was 86.9%. A graded dose response was apparent with mean change in ADHDRS-IV-Parent: Inv total scores of -9.6, -12.3 and -14.5 with atomoxetine 0.2, 0.5 and 1.2 mg/kg/day, respectively (p=0.024 - F-test). Moreover, a greater reduction in ADHD symptoms, as assessed by mean change from baseline to endpoint CGI-S and mean CGI-ADHD-Improvement at endpoint, was also observed with increasing atomoxetine dose. More patients receiving atomoxetine 1.2 mg/kg/day reported > or =1 treatment-emergent adverse event/s (58.3%) compared with 0.5 (40.7%; p=0.11) or 0.2 mg/kg/day (29.4%; p=0.005). These were generally mild to moderate. CONCLUSION: Atomoxetine was found to be safe and well tolerated at all doses administered in Korean pediatric ADHD patients, and 1.2 mg/kg/day was an efficacious dose in this population.
Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Outpatients ; Propylamines ; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine whether a preoperative urodynamic parameter is a valuable predictor for the persistence of OAB symptoms after the AVP repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 65 OAB patients with concomitant POP-Q stage III, IV anterior vaginal wall prolapse underwent a surgical repair were involved. All the patients were subjected to a preoperative urodynamic study, for whom the OABSS on questionnaire were preoperatively recorded. We firstly analyzed the correlation between the BOOI and the OABSS, then randomly divided patients into two groups: the group A (high PdetQmax, BOOI> or =20) and the group B (low PdetQmax, BOOI<20). In each group, the OABSS was repeatedly measured post-operatively and the change were analyzed. RESULTS: 31 patients were classified as the group A and 34 patients were classified as the group B. The group B showed significant decrease of symptom score in daytime frequency (p<0.01), urgency (p=0.04), urge incontinence (p=0.03), nocturnal frequency (p=0.01) and total score (p=0.01). The group A showed no significant decrease of symptom score in daytime frequency (p=0.42), urgency (p=0.61), urge incontinence (p=0.3), total score (p=0.15) except nocturnal frequency (p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A preoperative pressure-flow study can be a valuable tool in predicting the OAB symptoms change after the combined AVP repair. While the AVP repair leads to the improvement of OAB symptoms generally, some patients with a higher preoperative PdetQmax are still in need of the additional medical treatment.
Humans ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse ; Pilot Projects ; Prolapse ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; Urinary Incontinence, Urge ; Urodynamics

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recurrent aphthous ulceration (RAU) is most common among benign oral mucosal diseases, but its pathogenesis is not clearly defined yet. We aimed to evaluate the allergic reaction and identify the allergen by using the multiple allergosorbent test (MAST). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We selected a total of 20 patients with RAU. RAU was not diagnosed by biopsy but by clinical findings, and MAST was performed in all patients. Parameters used were total IgE concentration, type of positive allergens, and the specific IgE concentration. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) The total IgE concentration was increased more in the RAU group than in the control group (p<0.05). 2) The type of positive allergens was multiple and had more even distribution in the RAU group than in the control group (p<0.05). 3) The specific IgE concentration according to the positive allergen was higher in the RAU group than in the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Allergic reactions could be invol-ved in the pathogenesis of RAU. The pathomechanism of allergic reaction to the RAU and the feasibility of treatment options such as avoidance therapy, the immune therapy, and the antihistamine usage need further study.
Allergens ; Biopsy ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Stomatitis ; Stomatitis, Aphthous*