BACKGROUND: Primary hyperhidrosis is the disease of production of exessive sweat which is mainly localized in palm, sole, and axilla, treatment of the disease is usually accomplished with topical 20% aluminum chloride solution, an iontophoretic device, and surgery(sympathectomy) being reserved for recalcitrant cases. OBJECTIVE: We have compared the therapeutic effects with each treatments for hyperhidrosis using a skin surface hydrometer. METHODS: Thirty six patients(11 ; male, 25 ; femlale) with primary hyperhidrosis were evaluated in this study. Nineteen patients used topical 20% aluminum chloride solution, 10 patients used iontophoretic device, and 7 patients in recalcitrant cases. had sympathectomy. We have measured the conductance on the stratum corneum of the palm and sole suing skin surface hydrometer before and after treatment every weeks for a month. the control group were composed of healthy 10 males and 2 females. RESULTS: 1) In the patients of primary hyperhidroisis the conductances of palm, sloe and axilla were higher than that of control group(P<0.01). 2. There was a marked reduction of conductance after the treatment for one week by topical 20% aluminum chloride solution, an lontophoretic device, and sympathectomy(P<0.01). 3. After 2-4 week of treatment by the change obsetved after treatment for one week. 4. By iontophoretic device, there was a slight increasement of conductance of the palm after 2-3weeks of treatment. 5. We obseved a sustained decrease in the conductance by sympathectomy into 4 week. CONCLUSION: Topical 20% aluminum chloride solution, iontophoretic device, and sympathectomy were effective for treatment of hyperhirosis. Among hem sympathectomy showed the best effect. We observed that the skin surface hydrometer is useful to evaluate of the efficacy of the treatment.
Aluminum ; Axilla ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis* ; Male ; Skin* ; Sweat ; Sympathectomy

This study aimed to establish the optimal amount of thickening agent for the appropriate viscosity in soups and beverages, which are part of the dysphagia diet. The soups were bean sprout soup and soybean paste soup; the beverages were orange juice, regular milk, and low-fat milk; the thickening agent was one type of xanthan gum product. After adding the thickening agents (from 1 g to 5 g per 200 mL of the test food), syringe tests were conducted over time (5, 10 and 15 minutes) to verify the effects of the amount of thickening agent added per sample and the time between addition and achieving the resulting viscosity, and to establish the optimal addition conditions to reach IDDSI levels 1, 2, and 3 of the dysphagia diet. Water (based on 200 mL) was used as the standard control. These results provide a useful basis for customized diets based on the patient's dysphagia severity. On the other hand, this study is limited by including only liquid foods in the dysphagia diet and one type of xanthan gum-based thickening agent. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct continuous research, based on the study results, to modify the viscosity of the dysphagia diet using various thickening agents and foods and prevent nutritional deficiencies by managing the diet according to the patient's swallowing ability.

Neurologic manifestations rarely occur as presenting feature of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We describe two women who presented with several episodes of neurologic symptoms mimicking multiple sclerosis. Several years after disease onset, clinical and laboratory finding were compatible with SLE. These cases show that demyelinating syndrome resembling multiple sclerosis may present as a first manifestation of SLE.
Female ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Multiple Sclerosis* ; Neurologic Manifestations

OBJECTIVE: To show the prevalence of the dorsomedial cutaneous nerve (DMCN) injury in the hallux valgus and to evaluate whether the sensory nerve damage contributes to pain and sensory impairment in the great toe. METHOD: Sixty feet of healthy adults (normal group) and 26 feet of patients with hallux valgus (hallux valgus group) were evaluated with sensory nerve conduction study of DMCN. The prevalence of the nerve injury was compared between the two groups. Sensory nerve action potentials of DMCN in hallux valgus feet were analyzed and compared according to the patient's symptom and the severity of the radiographic measurements of the feet. RESULTS: The prevalence of DMCN injury was 42.3% of the hallux valgus group. The peak latency of the DMCN sensory action potential of the symptomatic feet showed statistically significant delay compared to the asymptomatic group (p<0.05). Delay of the peak latency and decrement of the amplitude of the DMCN were statistically significant among the three groups as the valgus deformity worsened (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: DMCN injury should be considered in addition to soft tissue injury or arthritis in the differential diagnosis of the pain, burning sensation or numbness associated with hallux valgus.
Action Potentials ; Adult ; Arthritis ; Burns ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Foot ; Hallux Valgus* ; Hallux* ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Neural Conduction* ; Prevalence ; Sensation ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Toes

In this research, we examined the frequency of exposure to violence in the home, school and neighborhood among middle school students as well as its related psychiatric symptoms. A total of 1,345 students from 5 middle schools in Seoul participated in this study: 670 were male, 675 were female. We administered self-reported questionaires including discriptions of exposure to violence and a trauma symptom checklist(TSC)(Singer 1995). 1) The total frequency of exposure to any type of violence was 45% in our sample. The frequency of girls' being hit in home was 22.8%, which was significantly higher than it was for boys(p<0.001). The frequency of boys' exposure to violence in school and in the neighborhood was 22.1% and 10.1% respectively, which was higher than it was for girls(p<0.005). 2) In factor analysis of TSC, 4 factors were identified. TSC including depression-anxity, PTSD, dissociation and anger was correlated with violence exposure variables. Multiple regression analysis revealed that TSC is related with violence victimization in life(R2=0.18), sexual assault(R2=0.12), recent victimization in the home(R2=0.08), recent witness to violencein the home(R2=0.07), recent victimization in school(R2=0.08) and all violence exposures(R2=0.29). 3) Among the demographic variables, sex, parental alcohol problem and student alcohol-smoking-drug problems influenced the TSC(p<0.005). TSC could be result of witness to violence as well violence victimization. And the risk factors for violence-related psychiatric symptoms were mainly seen in females, who have parents with alcohol problems or who themselves have alcohol-substance problems. So intervention programs for violence victims should be focused on the these high risk group.
Adolescent ; Anger ; Crime Victims ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Parents ; Residence Characteristics ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; Violence*

A 74-year-old woman who had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation without mitral stenosis was hospitalized for syncope and right-sided weakness. Echocardiography revealed a large free-floating thrombus in the left atrium, sometimes prolapsing partially into the left ventricle in diastole. Because of her poor neurological status, she was managed with anticoagulation. On the 12th day, the thrombus had disappeared on the follow-up echocardiography, and aortoiliac embolization was later detected on computed tomography. Unfortunately, she developed various complications of stroke and limb infarction, and died after 4 months of hospital care. In addition to this case report, we reviewed a total 70 cases of left atrial free-floating thrombus. Atrial fibrillation and mitral pathology were two major causative factors. All the cases, except 1, were confirmed on echocardiography. The most common presentation that led to echocardiography was systemic embolization, followed by heart failure. Others were acute hemodynamic decompensation from mitral obstruction, chest pain, palpitation, and bacteremia. Cardiac thrombectomy was the preferred treatment modality with favorable outcomes.
Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Bacteremia ; Chest Pain ; Diastole ; Echocardiography ; Extremities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Atria ; Heart Failure ; Heart Ventricles ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infarction ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Pathology ; Stroke ; Syncope ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombosis*

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are very popular drugs to lower blood pressure (BP) without significant side effects. A 72-year-old man admitted for uncontrolled hypertension. He had history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response, angina, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and stage 3 chronic kidney disease. He had taken several anti-hypertensives, such as amlodipine 5 mg, perindopril 8 mg, and indepamide 1.5 mg. To control BP, nifedipine 120 mg was added. Then pulmonary edema and pleural effusion was developed. Echocardiography showed preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and mild mitral regurgitation. Fluid restriction and high dose furosemide did not cease pleural fluid accumulation. Thus a total of 4 times of thoracentesis were done and all fluid analyses revealed transudate. We thought that pleural effusion and pulmonary edema was induced by CCBs and discontinued the drugs. He recovered quickly and finally discharged in a stable condition.
Aged ; Amlodipine ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Blood Pressure ; Calcium Channel Blockers* ; Calcium Channels* ; Calcium* ; Echocardiography ; Exudates and Transudates ; Furosemide ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Nifedipine ; Perindopril ; Pleural Effusion* ; Pulmonary Edema* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Stroke Volume

In 25 aortic regurgitation patients relationship between degree of aortic regurgitation graded by 2-D color Doppler echocardiography and diastolic fluttering of anterior mitral leaflet on M-mode echocardiography was evaluated. The results were that all 13 aortic regurgitation patients, not associated with mitral stenosis, showed diastolic fluttering of anterior mitral leaflet; but only 3 patients among 12 patients (25%), associated with mitral stenosis, had characteristic mitral fluttering. On the whole, regardless of associated mitral stenosis, the sensitivity was 64%. In severe aortic regurgitation (Grade 3, 4 group) 12/13 patients revealed diastolic fluttering of anterior mitral leaflet (sensitivity of 92%); in mild to moderate aortic regurgitation (Grade 1, 2 group), only 4/12 patients (sensitivity of 33%). In conclusion, 2-D color Doppler echocardiography is a very useful method for detection of aortic regurgitation without difficulty. And in aortic regurgitation, not associated with mitral stenosis, fine fluttering of anterior mitral leaflet is a very sensitive sign of existence of aortic regurgitation, though there may be some false positive findings in normal individuals.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency* ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Color* ; Humans ; Mitral Valve Stenosis

BACKGROUND: Reduced heart rate varaibility (HRV) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an important risk factor for mortality and life-threatening arrhythmias. The correlation between the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and autonomic balance expressed by HRV in patients with AMI was evaluated in this study. METHODS: A 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography and a 24-hour Holter monitoring were performed at 5th to 7th day after attack in 50 patients with AMI. The restrictive filling pattern of the LV diastolic function was defined by E/A ratio >2 or deceleration time (DT) of the mitral inflow Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Deceleration ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Heart Rate* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Risk Factors ; Ventricular Function

OBJECTIVES: In an effort to improve hearing aid users’ satisfaction, recent studies on trainable hearing aids have attempted to implement one or two environmental factors into training. However, it would be more beneficial to train the device based on the owner’s personal preferences in a more expanded environmental acoustic conditions. Our study aimed at developing a trainable hearing aid algorithm that can reflect the user’s individual preferences in a more extensive environmental acoustic conditions (ambient sound level, listening situation, and degree of noise suppression) and evaluated the perceptual benefit of the proposed algorithm. METHODS: Ten normal hearing subjects participated in this study. Each subjects trained the algorithm to their personal preference and the trained data was used to record test sounds in three different settings to be utilized to evaluate the perceptual benefit of the proposed algorithm by performing the Comparison Mean Opinion Score test. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that of the 10 subjects, four showed significant differences in amplification constant settings between the noise-only and speech-in-noise situation (P<0.05) and one subject also showed significant difference between the speech-only and speech-in-noise situation (P<0.05). Additionally, every subject preferred different β settings for beamforming in all different input sound levels. CONCLUSION: The positive findings from this study suggested that the proposed algorithm has potential to improve hearing aid users’ personal satisfaction under various ambient situations.
Acoustics ; Classification ; Hearing Aids* ; Hearing* ; Humans ; Noise ; Patient Preference ; Personal Satisfaction ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted