We describe cytologic findings of two cases of pilomatrixoma which had been cytologically misdiagnosed as suspicious malignant and malignant lesions in 35 year-old and 22 year-old females who presented a palpable neck mass. The cytologic smears showed many basaloid cells with a high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio, nuclear hyperchromatism and prominent nucleoli, keratinized squamous cells with pyknotic nuclei, foreign body giant cells, and chronic inflammatory cells in necrotic background. Retrospective view of this aspiration smear revealed that these findings were characteristic features of pilomatrixoma, and the evenly distributed chromatin pattern as well as the lack of nuclear pleomorphism were considered to be the differential points from malignant neoplasm. Pilomatrixoma is a benign neoplasm which should be included in differential diagnosis if the fine needle aspiration cytologic smear of a neck mass or subcutaneous mass of any site showed these features.
Female ; Humans ; Diagnosis, Differential

The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of mortality and disease prevalence related to occupational diseases among agricultural workers in Korea. We evaluated the age-standardized mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic diseases and compared them with those of other populations using death registration data from 2004 through 2008 and the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In addition, we conducted a literature review on published articles examining the health status of farmers in Korea. Agricultural workers have a significantly higher mortality of cancer, tuberculosis, chronic respiratory diseases, liver diseases, suicide, motor and non-motor vehicle accidents. Compared to other populations, farmers have higher prevalence rates of arthritis and intervertebral disc disorders. The literature review revealed a number of work-related diseases among farmers, such as musculoskeletal diseases, pesticide poisoning, infections, and respiratory and neurologic diseases. Korean farmers demonstrate a distinct pattern of mortality and disease prevalence compared to other populations. Although lifestyle factors remain important contributors to those deaths and diseases, our study suggests that occupation is a major determinant as well. Intensive programs such as surveillance systems, therefore, should be developed in order to identify and prevent work-related diseases among agricultural workers in Korea.
Agricultural Workers' Diseases/*epidemiology/mortality ; Bacterial Infections/epidemiology/mortality ; Humans ; Life Style ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/epidemiology/mortality ; Mycoses/epidemiology/mortality ; Neoplasms/epidemiology/mortality ; Prevalence ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Virus Diseases/epidemiology/mortality

BACKGROUND: To compare the diagnostic value between Phalen's test and reverse Phalen's test using a morphological change of the median nerve and the carpal tunnel in diabetics and normal controls seen by high-resolution ultrasonography and to research on an ultrasonography as an available tool for the screening and follow up aid-test of the carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS). METHODS: A cross-sectional area and a flattening ratio of the median nerve, and a cross-sectional area of the carpal tunnel were measured in neutral, maximally flexed(Phalen's test), and maximally extended (reverse Phalen's test) positions in 59 wrists of 30 normal controls and 60 wrists of 30 diabetics. RESULTS: 1) In controls and diabetics, the mean cross-sectional area of median nerve at the hamatum were 8.8/10.2 mm2, 8.0/9.5 mm2, 8.3/9.4 mm2, the mean flattening ratio were 3.0/3.0 mm2, 2.4/2.0 mm2, 3.2/3.0 mm2, the mean cross-sectional area of carpal tunnel were 176.5/197.7 mm2, 157.9/187.0 mm2, 170.6/192.5 mm2 in neutral, maximal flexion and maximal extension. 2) In controls, the cross-sectional area of median nerve and carpal tunnel were significantly decreased in maximal flexion(p<0.01), and in maximal extension(p<0.01). 3) In controls, the mean flattening ratio of median nerve was revealed significant change in maximal flexion(p<0.01), and in maximal extension(p<0.01). 4) In diabetics, the flattening ratio was significantly decreased in maximal flexion(p<0.01) with com- paring to neutral position. 5) In diabetics, the cross-sectional area of median nerve and carpal tunnel were significantly increased in all positions(p<0.05), and the mean flattening ratio of median nerve was similar to controls. CONCLUSION: In diabetics, increased cross-sectional area of median nerve can be explained by swelling of median nerve, also increased cross-sectional area of carpal tunnel is can be said to have taken place by the decreasing of the useful space in between the median nerve and carpal tunnel, this show that the diabetics have the high risk of the CTS. Phalen's test reveals higher degree of irritation to median nerve, The high-resolution ultrasonography is suggested as an available tool for the screening and follow up aid-test for the CTS
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Follow-Up Studies ; Mass Screening ; Median Nerve* ; Ultrasonography ; Wrist*

BACKGROUND: Whole body 131I scan is routinely performed in the postoperative evaluation of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma to detect recurrence and functioning metastasis. Previous reports suggested that posttreatment whole body scan had higher rate of detecting metastatic lesions that were not visualized by pretreatment images. We observed the frequency of discordance of the two scans and analysed the clinical significances. METHODS: Forty-one patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma underwent radioactive iodine-131 whole body scans after administration of diagnostic dose (4 mCi) and then therapeutic dose (100~200 mCi of iodine-131). The median age of the patients was 46.9 +/- 15.7 years (range, 17~76). RESULTS: In 16 of the 41 patients (39.0%), pretreatment scan showed additional uptakes that were not seen in the pretreatment scan. Serum thyroglobulin was elevated in 13 of the 16 patients. Of the 22 patients who had been received radioactive iodine therapy previously, eight patients showed new additional lesions in the therapeutic scans but there was no significance according to the history of radioactive iodine therapy, Addisional uptakes after therapeutic dose were noted in neck area in 9 cases, lung in 2 cases, bone in 4 cases and mediastinum in one case. Diffuse hepatic uptake was definitely seen in 7 cases and there were 2 cases whose scans showed liver uptake without any thyroid uptake. CONCLUSION: Posttreatment whole body scan is more sensitive to detect residual tissues and metastasis compared to the usual pretreatment diagnostic whole body scan, and it is suggested that posttreatment whole body scan should be routinely performed after 'I therapy in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma for exact evaluation.
Humans ; Iodine ; Liver ; Lung ; Mediastinum ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Whole Body Imaging

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Cicatrix* ; Keratosis, Actinic* ; Laser Therapy*

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Hysterectomy*

BACKGROUND: Obesity is linked to a wide range of respiratory diseases. Several studies have shown that body weight at baseline and weight change were related to pulmonary function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between change in body mass index (BMI) and pulmonary function in adults. METHODS: Of those aged 40-64 years at baseline who had initially visited the health promotion center at one university-level hospital from January 2000 to December 2002, 499 (men: 309, women: 190) patients revisited the center over a 5-year period up to December 2009 and were enrolled in the study. Subjects were classified into 4 groups- group 1: normal-normal, group 2: normal-obese, group 3: obese-normal, and group 4: obese-obese, based on their BMI at baseline and follow-up. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC were measured by spirometry. RESULTS: Change in FEV1/FVC was significantly associated with change in BMI for men in all 4 groups. Change in FEV1/FVC was significantly different between group 1 and 3 and between group 1 and 4. Changes in FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC were significantly associated with change in BMI for women in all 4 groups. Change in FEV1 was significantly different between group 3 and 4, and change in FVC was significantly different between group 1 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a change in BMI is negatively associated with change in pulmonary function. Obesity itself can be a risk factor for pulmonary dysfunction, and a decrease in BMI through weight reduction could reduce pulmonary dysfunction or improve pulmonary function in adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Vital Capacity ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND: While the effect of the flashlamp pumped dye laser in the treatment of telangiectasia and other vascular disease has been reported by many authors, there have been a few reports on the therapeutic effect of the copper vapor laser(CVL) on telangiectasia and other vascular lesions. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the clinical results in Korean patients who had cutaneous vascular disorders that were treated with the CVL at 578 nm. METHODS: A total of 23 patients with vascular lesions such as telangiectasia were involved. The effect of the laser treatment was evaluated 3 months after the last treatment. RESULTS: Of the 15 patients with telangiectasia, 12 patients showed good or excellent responses. 2 out of 3 patients with strawberry hemangioma showed good results. As for the other lesions, 2 out of the remaining patients 5 showed excellent results. CONCLUSION: The CVL has a beneficial effect and is a good alternative treatment modality for vascular lesions.
Copper* ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; Humans ; Lasers, Dye ; Lasers, Gas* ; Telangiectasis ; Vascular Diseases

BACKGROUND: Recently technetium-99m sestamibi (99mTc MIBI), which dose not require withdrawal of thyroid hormone, has been used for imaging of thyroid carcinoma. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical usefulness of Tc MIBI scintigraphy after total thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma. The results were compared with those of standard 131I scintigraphy. METHODS: One hundred twelve patients with a median age of 44 years (range, 14-76 years) were included in the study. After optimal endogenous thyroid stimulating hormone stimulation (>50 mIU/mL), whole body scintigraphy using 4 mCi of 'I and 20 mCi of Tc sestamibi were done simultaneously. Concomitantly serum thyroglobulin and anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels were checked. If abnormal findings on any of the scintigraphic methods or high levels of thyroglobulin (> 10ng/mL) were detected, diagnostic imaging studies were done to confirm the existence of the disease. And high dose (150-200 mCi) 'I was administered as therapy and then whole body scans were performed again after the therapy. The presence or absence of thyroid cancer was established by pathologic, radiologic, and/or high dose I scan findings. RESULTS: In 11 patients, Tc MIBI scan revealed positive accumulations which were not found on 131I scan, of whom 6 had elevated thyroglobulin levels. In these cases, 5 cases were interpreted to have normal thyroid remnant and 6 cases showed pathologic findings (2 lung, 1 lymph node, 1 lung and lymph node, 1 local recurrent cancer, and 1 false positive accumulation of 99mTc MIBI). Metastasis or residual cancer were confirmed histologically in 1 and radiologically in 4 cases. Negative 99mTc MIBI scans, despite of positive I scans, occurred in 9 patients, of whom 2 had abnormal thyroglobulin levels. Seven cases were interpreted to have thyroid remnant, 2 cases were confirmed to have lung metastasis, and another one was misinterpreted due to breast shadow. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, these results suggest that 99mTc MIBI scan may have similar sensitivity and specificity for the detection of residual or metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The 99mTc MIBI scan, especially in cases of negative 131I scan despite of abnormal thyroglobulin levels, can be used as a very useful complementary diagnostic tool.
Breast ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Technetium Tc 99m Sestamibi ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy ; Thyrotropin ; Whole Body Imaging

No abstract available.
Child* ; Gastritis* ; Humans