In 1883 Fournier, a French venereologist, described 5 patients with unexplained fulminating gangrene of the male genitalia. Fournier emphasized 3 characteristics 1) the abrupt onset in a young, healthy male subjects, 2) the rapid progression to gangrene and 3) the absence of a discernible cause. As currently used by many authors, Fournier's gangrene describes a widely destructive, gangrenous process of the genitalia, with little regard for Fournier's original tenets of patient's age or definable etiology. Early identification and prompt initiation of medical and surgical therapy is imperative. We report two cases of Fournier's gangrene with brief review of the literatures.
Fournier Gangrene* ; Gangrene ; Genitalia ; Genitalia, Male ; Humans ; Male

Parovarian cysts constitute 10% of adnexal masses. They were found in broad ligament and mostly arise from mesothelium and less commonly from paramesonephric element and rarely from mesonephric element. In most cases parovarian cysts were asymptomatic. So, they were found incidentally at surgery for other conditions. Torsion is infrequent and it is difficult to distinguish it from torsion of other adnexal masses, appendicitis, etc. Recently, we experienced a voluminous parovarian cyst undergoing torsion, 25 cm in diameter. The case is presented with a review of literature.
Appendicitis ; Broad Ligament ; Epithelium ; Female ; Parovarian Cyst*

BACKGROUND: Currently the most common treatment modality of refractory ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis was large volume paracentesis, but this procedure usually needed albumin infusion and occasionally developed unwanted complications. By reason of albumin shortage in Korea and occasional unfavorable complications, we studied the usefulness of dialytic ultrafiltration as an another treatment modality of refractory ascites. METHODS: Dialytic ultrafiltration was done in 10 patients (total 48 times) with liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. Two drainage conduit (via 16 gauge angio-catheter) of input and output were made by puncture of patient's right and left lower quadrant abdomen. The initial ultrafiltration rate of dialyser was 250mL/min. Ascitic fluid was removed continuously until the filtration rate down at 50mL/min. After ultrafiltration, ascitic fluid contained concentrated albumin and large molecules was reinfused via input conduit. Pre-treatment and post-treatment level of blood chemistry, plasma renin concentration, aldosterone, and electrolytes in serum; total protein and albumin in ascites were measured. During the ultrafiltration, we closely observed the change of blood pressure, heart rates and mental status. RESULTS: The mean ultrafiltration time was 231+/-28min, ultrafiltrated volume was 5.15+/-1.41 L. During dialytic ultrafiltration, patient's blood pressure and heart rate were stable and there was no change of mental status. After dialytic ultrafiltration, blood urea nitrogen level significantly decreased from 30.5+/-23.7mg/dL to 25.7+/-20.2mg/dL; serum aldosterone level decreased from 807.3+/-301.1pg/ml to 431.1+/-187.2pg/ml in serum (P<0.01). The albumin level in the ascitic fluid significantly increased from 0.67+/-0.28g/dL to 1.90+/-1.16g/dL (P<0.01). Plasma renin concentration level tend to decreased (P=0.06). The patient's serum total protein, albumin, electrolytes, and creatinine were not changed. Complications of dialytic ultrafiltration were peritonitis (one case) and hypotension (one case). But these unwanted complications were readily managed by adequate antibiotics and intravenous fluid therapy. CONCLUSION: The dialytic ultrafiltration can be used effectively without albumin infusion in the treatment of refrartory ascites in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis.
Abdomen ; Aldosterone ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ascites* ; Ascitic Fluid ; Blood Pressure ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Chemistry ; Creatinine ; Drainage ; Electrolytes ; Filtration ; Fluid Therapy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Korea ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Paracentesis ; Patient Rights ; Peritonitis ; Plasma ; Punctures ; Renin ; Ultrafiltration*

BACKGROUND: Irbersatan, an orally active antihypertensive agent, effectively reduce blood pressure by directly blocking angiotensin II receptors without any significant adverse effects. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of irbesartan in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. METHODS: This study enrolled 83 patients who had diastolic pressure above 95 mmHg and below 110 mmHg on two measurements. Sixty eight patients were administered 150mg of irbesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker, daily for four weeks as an initial dosage. If the sitting diastolic pressure was equal to or greater than 90 mmHg after a 4 week treatment period, the dosage was doubled until the end of 8 weeks. Baseline pressures, antihypertensive effect, side effects, laboratory findings were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Fourty two patients out of 53 patients having completed this study showed decreased blood pressure equal to or more than 5 mmHg of the sitting diastolic pressure (response rate=79%). Twenty one patients out of 53 patients showed normalized blood pressure below 90 mmHg of the sitting diastolic pressure (normalization rate=40%). The extent of decrease in diastolic and systolic blood pressure after eight week treatment was an average 11.7+/-10.1 mmHg and 16.3+/-18.9 mmHg, respectively (p<0.05). Nineteen ontoward side effects was observed in 17 patients out of 68 patients with medication (frequency of ontoward effects=25%). Only one case with headache was considered to be related to the medication. Abnormal laboratory findings were observed in eight patients, and only one case with elevation of bilirubin and ALT levels was considered to be related to the medication. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, irbesartan is a safe and effective antihypertensive drug in patients with mild to moderate hypertension with tolerable side effects.
Bilirubin ; Blood Pressure ; Headache ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Receptors, Angiotensin

OBJECTIVE: To identify the prevalence and risk factors for lower limb lymphedema in the patients after gynecologic neoplasms treatment in Korea. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and interviewed 242 gynecologic neoplasms patients who have managed surgically and medically over a 4 year period between January 2003 and December 2006. We identified the patients with lower limb lymphedema as described by the medical records or reported by the interviews. We obtained demographic characteristics, other medical history, cancer type, stage of cancer, lymph node dissection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and laboratory findings. Multiple logistic regression analysis was done to evaluate the risk factors for lower limb lymphedema. RESULTS: Forty eight (19.8%) patients out of two hundred forty two had lower limb lymphedema. Those patients with lower limb lymphedema had a higher body mass index, radiotherapy history, chemotherapy history and lymph node dissection history, radical hysterectomy. Multivariate analysis revealed that body mass index, radiotherapy and lymph node dissection were independently risk factors for lower limb lymphedema after gynecologic neoplasms treatment. CONCLUSION: The patients who had radiotherapy, body mass index greater than 25 or lymph node dissection must be considered as potential candidates to have lower limb lymphedema in the patients after gynecologic neoplasms treatment. Therefore, these patients should be informed during the follow-up period about this morbidity, the preventive measures, and the treatments.
Body Mass Index ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genital Neoplasms, Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Lower Extremity ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymphedema ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Rabies is a uniformly fatal encephalitis and cannot be treated, therefore efforts must be focused on preventing the disease. The incidence of rabies in humans and animals has decreased with the introduction of rabies vaccination for animals since the early 1950s in Korea. There was no rabies occurrence either in human or animal for 8 years from 1985 to 1992. However, a case of animal rabies recurred in 1993. Since then, rabies endemic areas were expanded into 17 counties near the demilitarized zone, and 6 human cases were reported from the endemic areas of animal rabies. According to epidemic studies, wild raccoon dogs were suspected to be the transmission source of rabies in dogs, domestic animals, and other wild animals, which resulted in human rabies. Rabies prevention strategies were aimed at the animals capable of transmitting rabies or vaccination for the high risk group and postexposure prophylaxis for the bitten patients. Unfortunately, these activities were not conducted appropriately and substantially. All rabies victims were either not treated or did not receive timely and appropriate postexposure treatment. Prevention of rabies can only be achieved by securing political and financial support for an effective rabies program. Key activities for rabies prevention should include changing current public perception regarding rabies, strengthening surveillance for the exposed person to suspected rabid animals, and laboratory-based rabies surveillance.
Animals ; Animals, Domestic ; Animals, Wild ; Dogs ; Encephalitis ; Epidemiology* ; Financial Support ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Rabies* ; Raccoon Dogs ; Vaccination

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The effective management of tinnitus should start with an accurate diagnosis, but no concensus has been developed in Korea concerning how to measure the features of tinnitus. This study surveyed otologists in the training hospitals and hospitals specialized in otologic care in Korea to identify the current status in the assessment of patients with tinnitus. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The questionnaire on the assessment of tinnitus was sent by email to otologists in training and to specialized hospitals specializing in otologics in Korea. The questionnaire included inquiry about various types of tests conducted, such as the audiologic test, tinnitus test, blood test, radiologic test, and the methods of history taking and physical examination for somatic tinnitus. RESULTS: Regarding the audiologic assessment of tinnitus, all the otologist were using pure tone audiometry, 97% speech audiometry, and 87% tinnitus test. For the psychophysical measure of tinnitus, both loudness and pitch matching were conducted by all the otologists. The performance rate of blood test were 38.5%, and the most preferred radiologic test in pulsatile tinnitus was temporal bone computed tomography (59%). Finally, the rate of investigation including the history taking and physical examination of somatic tinnitus was between 74-84%. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that although the tests perfermed by otologists varied, the essential tests for assessing tinnitus were commonly practiced. We analyzed the current status of tinnitus assessment and supplemented guidlines to help measure tinnitus. Further concensus on tinnitus diagnosis is needed, particularly about the standadized and unified principles.
Audiometry ; Audiometry, Speech ; Diagnosis ; Electronic Mail ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Korea ; Physical Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Temporal Bone ; Tinnitus*

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the short term effect of hospital-based clinical training for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) on improving the quality of prehospital assessment and intervention. METHODS: Three EMTs-level 1 were assigned to a regional emergency medical center and trained as to a designed program with three months. Three EMTs alternatively ran to the scene during later two months. In order to compare the completeness and the appropriateness of prehospital assessment and intervention between trained and nontrained EMTs, we collected pre-hospital records and divided the subjects into a study group who were managed by trained EMTs and a control group who were managed by non-trained EMTs-level 1 (level-1 control) or EMT-level 2 (level-2 control). The completeness and the appropriateness were evaluated by three expert panel groups, each consisting of three emergency physicians, on the basis of the guidelines and professional opinion. In assessing intergroup agreement, weighted kappa values for inter-panel agreement were all above 0.4 except on one factor (k=0.28). RESULTS: No significant difference existed in demographic findings between the study group (N=129) and the control (N=469). The study group showed significantly higher completeness (78.9%) than the level-1 (14.9%, p<0.001) or level-2 control group (9.8%, p<0.001) in their assessment of vital signs. The study group also scored significantly better for appropriateness than did the two control groups, both in evaluation of chief complaints and in prehospital management (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The quality of pre-hospital assessment and intervention could be significantly improved through hospital-based EMT training, especially in the assessment of vital signs, appropriate evaluation of chief complaints, and prehospital intervention.
Emergencies* ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Medical Technicians* ; Humans ; Pilot Projects* ; Vital Signs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the causes and characteristics of golf-related shoulder injuries in Korean amateur golfers. METHODS: Golf-related surveys were administered to, and ultrasonography were conducted on, 77 Korean amateur golfers with golf-related shoulder pain. The correlation between the golf-related surveys and ultrasonographic findings were investigated. RESULTS: The non-dominant shoulder is more likely to have golf-related pain and abnormal findings on ultrasonography than is the dominant shoulder. Supraspinatus muscle tear was the most frequent type of injury on ultrasonography, followed by subscapularis muscle tear. Investigation of the participants' golf-related habits revealed that only the amount of time spent practicing golf was correlated with supraspinatus muscle tear. No correlation was observed between the most painful swing phases and abnormal ultrasonographic findings. Participants who had not previously visited clinics were more likely to present with abnormal ultrasonographic findings, and many of the participants complained of additional upper limb pain. CONCLUSION: Golf-related shoulder injuries and pain are most likely to be observed in the non-dominant shoulder. The supraspinatus muscle was the most susceptible muscle to damage. A correlation was observed between time spent practicing golf and supraspinatus muscle tear.
Golf ; Shoulder Pain* ; Shoulder* ; Tears ; Ultrasonography ; Upper Extremity

More than 17 different terms, including carcinosatcoma and pseudosarcoma, have been applied to the rare polypoid tumors of the esophagus that demonstrate both carcinomatous and sarcomatous components. The multiplicity in terminology seems related to the uncertain histogenesis of these tumors. A demonstration of the ultrastructure of the spindle cells (containing desmosomes and tonofilaments) is consistent with an epithelial origin. The patient was a 53 year-old man who had suffered from dysphagia and foreign body sensation in larynx. Endoscopic finding was a large polypiod mass with ulceroinfiltrative lesion at the level of 27cm from the incisor. Pathologic findings were that the covering epithelium showed well differentiated squamous carcinoma with invasive pattern and the stroma contained islands of sarcoma and squamousl cell carcinoma. Immunoreactivity to cytokeratin was not observed. Partial esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy was done. We report a case of rare malignant esophageal carcinosarcoma.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Carcinosarcoma* ; Deglutition Disorders ; Desmosomes ; Epithelium ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagus* ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Incisor ; Intestines* ; Islands ; Keratins ; Larynx ; Middle Aged ; Sarcoma ; Sensation ; Stomach*