OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between meteorological factors and occurrence of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) according to age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 735 ICH patients in a metropolitan hospital-based population. Observed and expected numbers of ICH patients were obtained at 5degrees C intervals of ambient temperature and a ratio of observed to expected frequency was then calculated. Changes in ambient temperature from the day before ICH onset day were observed. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used to test differences in meteorological variables between the onset and non-onset days. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison of meteorological variables across gender and age. RESULTS: ICH was observed more frequently (observed/expected ratio > or = 1) at lower mean, minimum, and maximum ambient temperature (p = 0.0002, 0.0003, and 0.0002, respectively). Significantly lower mean, minimum, and maximum ambient temperature, dew point temperature, wind speed, and atmospheric pressure (p = 0.0003, 0.0005, 0.0001, 0.0013, 0.0431, and 0.0453, respectively) was observed for days on which spontaneous ICH occurred. In the subgroup analysis, the ICH onset day showed significantly lower mean, minimum, and maximum ambient temperature, dew point temperature, relative humidity, and higher atmospheric pressure in the older (> or = 65 years) female group (p = 0.0093, 0.0077, 0.0165, 0.0028, 0.0055, and 0.0205, respectively). CONCLUSION: Occurrence of spontaneous ICH is closely associated with meteorological factors and older females are more susceptible to lower ambient temperature.
Atmospheric Pressure ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Female ; Humans ; Humidity ; Meteorological Concepts* ; Meteorology ; Retrospective Studies ; Wind

Reports of thrombosis and recanalization of cerebral aneurysm are rare. We report two cases of small, saccular aneurysms in which spontaneous thrombosis had occurred during the preparation for endovascular coiling. Also, we review reported cases and propose the presumed pathogenesis.
Aneurysm ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Thrombosis*

The Sundt encircling clip was developed to repair defects of the vessel wall. With the advent of microvascular techniques, most parts of the damaged vessel wall during aneurysm surgery can be repaired by primary closure or by the bypass technique. However, these methods are not always successful. Here, we illustrate two cases of surgical clipping with the Sundt encircling clip in the ruptured internal carotid artery trunk aneurysm. The Sundt clip provides prompt control of unexpected tearing of the vessel wall or aneurysm and plays an important role in vascular rescue during aneurysm surgery.
Aneurysm ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Surgical Instruments

The current case describes a case of uterine rupture from placenta percreta in a woman who had only a single gynecologic surgery. We met the case of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) with hemoperitoneum and found uterine rupture from placenta percreta by CT imaging. A 25-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency service for acute upper abdominal pain and severe hypotension at 33 weeks' gestation. She had undergone a single pelviscopic surgery due to cornual pregnancy 11 months previously. Ultrasonogram detected IUFD and hemoperitoneum. CT showed uterine rupture from placenta percreta. An emergency laparotomy was performed to correct the defect. The current case presents that placenta percreta can occur in a woman who had a single gynecologic surgery and clinicians should consider possible placenta percreta in diagnosing pregnant patients who present with acute abdominal pain and shock.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Emergencies ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures* ; Hemoperitoneum ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Laparotomy ; Placenta Accreta* ; Placenta* ; Pregnancy* ; Shock ; Ultrasonography ; Uterine Rupture*

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in culture release a biologically active human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This effect is detectable during pregnancy with a maximum between the 16th and 19th week. HCG plays an important role for the corpus luteum rescue during the early gestational age and possibly for the immunotolerance. This study was performed to investigate the relationships between the productivity of cultured PBMC of pregnant women and the ability to maintain early pregnancy, and whether 12-o-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) increases hCG sectetion by cultured PBMCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PBMC were obtained from 20 pregnant women between 16th to 19th week of gestation , and cultured with TPA. Culture cells were harvested and hCG mRNA were extracted and RT-PCR were performed. Culture supernatants were collected and hCG concentration were determined by commercial RIA methods. RESULTS: The mean age was 31.0 years old, 19 of 20 (95%) pregnant women's PBMC secereted hCG and expressed hCG mRNA, but in control group exept male hepatitis B patient, none of them produced hCG. TPA activated expression of hCG in PBMC in linear manner. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women's cultured PBMC secreted hCG, but not in non-pregnant or male. We could confirm the mRNA of hCG in PBMC as well in the placental control. The productivity of hCG in PBMC might be closely related with maintenance of early pregnancy.
Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Corpus Luteum ; Efficiency ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; RNA, Messenger

OBJECTIVE: Escherichia coli (E. coli) O26 has been the most common type of non-O157 human isolates and it has been related with urinary tract infection and its sequelae. So we investigated the clinical significance of E. coli O26 among the cases of urinary tract infection. METHODS: From January, 2005 to December, 2007, the 22 E. coli isolates that were related with urinary tract infection were analyzed. The isolates were identified biochemically by Vitek 1. We performed antisera test by O157, O26, O111 diagnostic antisera about the 22 E. coli isolates. We reviewed clinical history of the same patients retrospectively. RESULTS: 331 E. coli isolates in the urine specimen were isolated from January, 2005 to December, 2007. 175 E. coli isolates that were related with urinary tract infection were analyzed by O157, O26, O111 antisera test. As a result, 22 isolates (13.5%) were O26 antisera positive. There were 8, 3, and 2 cases of watery diarrhea, hemolytic uremic syndrome, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura repectively. CONCLUSION: In our study, because E. coli O26 was pathogenic and developed major complications, we concluded that patients with urinary tract infection with E. coli. should examine the antisera test about E. coli O157 and O26.
Diarrhea ; Escherichia coli ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome ; Humans ; Immune Sera ; Purpura, Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections

OBJECTIVE: In 2002, the Korean Society for Affective Disorders developed the guidelines for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD), and revised it in 2006 and 2012. The third revision of these guidelines was undertaken to reflect advances in the field. METHODS: Using a 44-item questionnaire, an expert consensus was obtained on pharmacological treatment strategies for MDD 1) without or 2) with psychotic features, 3) depression subtypes, 4) maintenance, 5) special populations, 6) the choice of an antidepressant (AD) regarding safety and adverse effects, and 7) non-pharmacological biological therapies. Recommended first, second, and third-line strategies were derived statistically. RESULTS: AD monotherapy is recommended as the first-line strategy for non-psychotic depression in adults, children/adolescents, elderly adults, patient with persistent depressive disorder, and pregnant women or patients with postpartum depression or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. The combination of AD and atypical antipsychotics (AAP) was recommended for psychotic depression in adult, child/adolescent, postpartum depression, and mixed features or anxious distress. Most experts recommended stopping the ongoing initial AD and AAP after a certain period in patients with one or two depressive episodes. As an MDD treatment modality, 92% of experts are considering electroconvulsive therapy and 46.8% are applying it clinically, while 86% of experts are considering repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation but only 31.6% are applying it clinically. CONCLUSION: The pharmacological treatment strategy in 2017 is similar to that of Korean Medication Algorithm for Depressive Disorder 2012. The preference of AAPs was more increased.
Adult ; Aged ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Biological Therapy ; Consensus ; Depression ; Depression, Postpartum ; Depressive Disorder ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Drug Therapy ; Electroconvulsive Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Mood Disorders ; Pregnant Women ; Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder ; Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

BACKGROUND: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) results from an inherited defect in enzymatic steps required to synthesize cortisol from cholesterol. 21-hydroxylase deficiency accounts for 95% cases of CAH. It appears that the frequency and the type of the responsible mutations differ according to the ethnic background and the type of mutation can predict the clinical outcomes such as salt losing type (SL), simple virilizing type (SV) and non-classic type (NC). METHODS: We have analyzed CYP21 genes in 55 Korean cases (110 chromosomes) of CAH by Southern blotting, PCR-dot hybridization and PCR amplification-created restriction site method. The patients include 43 cases of SL and 12 of SV. None of the NC was found. RESULTS: We found the mutations in 94% (103/110) of the examined chromosomes. A total of 10 types of mutations were discovered. The mutations include aberrant splicing of intron 2 (i2, 35%), CYP21 gene deletion (32%) and I172N (11%) in order. When the relationship between the clinical types and genotypes were correlated, most of the SL patients have either i2 (42%) or CYP21 gene deletion (41%), while SV patients have I172N (33%) or P30L (21%). The parents' mutation was investigated in 20 cases. In 4 families, one of the parents was not the obligatory heterozygote carrier i.e. did not have a mutation. The results suggest the high incidence of de novo mutation. CONCLUSION: We have identified the frequency of mutations of the CYP21 in Korean AGS patients. Our results shows that the clinical type of AGS can be predicted from the genotypes of CYP21. Also the high incidence of de novo mutation of CYP21 confirmed the genetic instability of major histocompatibility III region where the CYP21 is located.
Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital ; Adrenogenital Syndrome* ; Blotting, Southern ; Cholesterol ; Gene Deletion ; Genotype* ; Heterozygote ; Histocompatibility ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Incidence ; Introns ; Parents ; Phenotype* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Steroid 21-Hydroxylase*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the Korean version of the Hypomania Checklist-32, second revision (HCL-32-R2) in mood disorder patients. METHODS: A total of 454 patients who diagnosed as mood disorder according to Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, clinician version (SCID-CV) (bipolar disorder [BD] I, n=190; BD-II, n=72; and major depressive disorder [MDD], n=192) completed the Korean module of the HCL-32-R2 (KHCL-32-R2). RESULTS: The KHCL-32-R2 showed a three-factorial structure (eigenvalue >2) that accounted for 43.26% of the total variance. Factor 1 was labeled “active/elated” and included 16 items; factor 2, “irritable/distractible” and included 9 items; and factor 3 was labeled “risk-taking/indulging” and included 9 items. A score of 16 or more on the KHCL-32-R2 total scale score distinguished between BD and MDD, which yielded a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 70%. MDD and BD-II also could be differentiated at a cut-off of 15 with maximized sensitivity (0.67) and specificity (0.66). Cronbach’s alpha of KHCL-32-R2 and its subsets (factors 1, 2, and 3) were 0.91, 0.89, 0.81 and 0.79, respectively. Correlations between KHCL-32-R2 and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale and Korean version of Mood Disorder Questionnaire were −0.66 (p=0.41), −0.14 (p=0.9), and 0.61 (p < 0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: The KHCL-32-R2 may be a useful tool in distinguishing between bipolar and depressive patients in clinical settings.
Bipolar Disorder ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Humans ; Mood Disorders* ; Psychometrics* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVE: Since the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in 1980s, there have been many changes in the treatment strategies for depressive disorders. To be of help for clinicians to select appropriate treatment strategies, Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Major Depressive Disorder was developed in 2002 and revised in 2006. To reflect changes in treatment pattern for depressive disorders since 2006, we revised the previous algorithm and developed Korean Medication Algorithm Project for Depressive Disorder 2012 (KMAP-DD 2012). METHODS: 123 psychiatrists who have vast clinical experiences in treating depressive disorders are primarily selected, and the survey was sent to them via mails. Among them, 67 psychiatrists answered the survey. This survey was composed of 44 questionnaires of which the contents covered from overall treatment strategies to treatment strategies under the specific circumstances. Based on 95% confidence interval and overall scores, each treatment of option was classified into three categories of recommendation; first-line, second-line, and third-line treatment option. RESULTS: In child and adolescent, antidepressant monotherapy was selected as first-line treatment option for mild, moderate, and severe episode without psychotic features. The combination of antidepressant and atypical antipsychotics was advocated as first-line treatment option for severe episode with psychotic features. In geriatric depression, antidepressant monotherapy was advocated as treatment of choice for mild to moderate episode. For severe episode without psychotic features, antidepressant monotherapy was selected as first-line treatment option. For severe episode with psychotic features, combination of antidepressant and atypical antipsychotics was selected as treatment of choice. In premenstrual dysphoric disorder, antidepressant monotherapy was advocated as first-line treatment option. In postpartum depression, antidepressant monotherapy was selected as first-line treatment option for mild to moderate episode. For severe episode without psychotic features, both antidepressant monotherapy and combination of antidepressant and atypical antipsychotics were selected as first-line treatment option. For severe episode with psychotic features, both combination of antidepressant and atypical antipsychotics and combination of mood stabilizer and atypical antipsychotics were advocated as first-line treatment option. CONCLUSION: In KMAP-DD 2012, the recommendations for treatment options in Child and Adolescent Depressive Disorder and Geriatric Depression were newly introduced. In aspects of treatment options for Female Depression, KMAP-DD 2006 and KMAP-DD 2012 had some similarities. But there were some changes of the treatment strategies in KMAP-DD 2012 which seemed to reflect recent study results.
Adolescent ; Aged ; Antipsychotic Agents ; Child ; Depression ; Depression, Postpartum ; Depressive Disorder ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Female ; Humans ; Postal Service ; Psychiatry ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Serotonin