PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine medical professionals' perception and knowledge of hospice and palliative care (HPC) and attitude toward death. METHODS: The survey was performed on 84 physicians and 172 nurses in Busan, Korea. Data were collected from April 5, 2012 to April 30, 2012. RESULTS: Regarding the purpose of HPC, the most popular perception was "To alleviate pain and accommodate comfort" among both physicians and nurses. For the need for HPC, "Terminal patients need a separate ward for emotional fluctuation" the answer chosen by both groups the most. Both groups scored low on knowledge of HPC. For pain and symptom management, physicians scored higher than nurses (physicians: 6.97+/-1.82, nurses: 5.68+/-1.93, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Considering the survey results, we suggest development of a program to improve medical professionals' perception and knowledge of HPC and attitude toward death.
Hospice Care* ; Hospices* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Palliative Care

The authors report a case of monostotic eosinophilic granuloma which occured in the skull. A 37 year-old woman was presented with headache and soft mass in the occipital region. Plain skull X-ray showed a "punched out" osteolytic lesion in the right paramedian posterior parietal bone. Computed tomography shows a soft tissue mass and irregular bone destruction in corresponding region. On magnetic resonance image, the mass was of high signal intensity, with subgaleal extension and looks like a shirt stud or "collar button" on T2-weighted image. Total excision of the tumor and postoperative radiotherapy(1000cGy) were performed. The woman had no headache complains nor showed any focal neurologic deficit during the six months follow-up period. We report a case of monostotic eosinophilic granuloma of the skull with review of the pertinent literatures.
Adult ; Eosinophilic Granuloma* ; Eosinophils* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Humans ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Parietal Bone ; Skull*

The auther studied 54 lumbar spondylolisthesis patients diagnosed and treated with transpedicular screw fixation and bony fusion at our Hosptial between January 1990 and December 1994, and analysed the outcome. The results may be summarized as follows: 1) Of the 54 cases, 17 were degenerative spondylolisthesis and 37 were spondylolytic spondylolisthesis. Occurrence peaked during the fifth and sixth decades. 2) Posterolateral fusion(P.L.F) was performed in 37 cases and posterior lumbar interbody fusion(P.L.I.F) in eight ; P.L.F and P.L.I.F in combination was performed in nine cases. The mean follow-up period was 25 months. 3) In no patients was significant neurologic injury or functional root loss seen. Complications included two instrument failures and one wound infection. 4) Radiologic and clinical outcome was better in degenerative than in spondylolitic spondylolisthesis. 5) The radiologic and clinical outcome of bony fusion types P.L.F and P.L.I.F was the same. 6) The surgical result as evaluated by Mc.Nab's criteria was satisfactory in 81% of patients.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Spine* ; Spondylolisthesis* ; Wound Infection

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze a trend in studies of hospice care in Korea and to suggest future research directions. METHODS: This study analyzed a total of 183 studies related to hospice care which were found at http://www.riss.kr. RESULTS: Of the 183 studies, 62 (33.9%) were for thesis studies for a degree, 121 (66.1%) for academic journals. There were 159 (87.8%) quantitative studies, 18 (8.9%) qualitative studies, and 6 (3.3%) Q-Method studies. The most frequently used study design was a descriptive study. The majority of study participants were terminal cancer patients, patients' family members and health care personnel. The thesis articles were searched by using key words as follows: health, nursing, environment, children's hospice, and others. CONCLUSION: The number of studies of hospice care has increased, and research key words varied. Furthermore, more experimental research is needed on nursing intervention such as pain relief, alternative therapies and hospice care for children.
Child ; Complementary Therapies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Hospice Care ; Hospices ; Humans ; Korea

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore decision making experiences of Korean women with breast cancer who underwent breast reconstruction with/after a mastectomy. METHODS: Data were collected during 2015-2016 through individual in-depth interviews with 10 women who had both mastectomy and breast reconstruction, and analyzed using phenomenological method to identify essential themes on experiences of making a decision to have breast reconstruction. RESULTS: Five theme clusters emerged. First, “expected loss of sexuality and discovery of autonomy” illustrates various aims of breast reconstruction. Second, “holding tight to the reputation of doctors amid uncertainty” specifies the importance of a trust relationship with their physician despite a lack of information. Third, “family members to step back in position” describes support or opposition from family members in the decision making process. Fourth, “bewilderment due to the paradox of appearance-oriented views” illustrates paradoxical environment, resulting in confusion and anger. Lastly, “decision to be made quickly with limited time to oneself” describes the crazy whirling process of decision making. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight aims, worries, barriers, and facilitators that women with breast cancer experience when making a decision about breast reconstruction. Deciding on breast reconstruction was not only a burden for women in a state of shock with a diagnosis of breast cancer, but also an opportunity to decide to integrate their body, femininity, and self which might be wounded from a mastectomy. These findings will help oncology professionals provide effective educational counselling before the operation to promote higher satisfaction after the operation.
Anger ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Decision Making* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Femininity ; Humans ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy ; Methods ; Qualitative Research ; Sexuality ; Shock ; Wounds and Injuries

The alterations in the localization of keratinocyte membrane glycoconjugates in allergic contact dermatitis were investigated in guinea pig skin treated with topical application of 2.4-dinitro-chlorobenzene. We employed the avidin-biotin complex(ABC) method for the detection of localization of 10 commercially available lectins labelled with biotin: Con-A, SBA, WGA, DBA, UEA-1, RCA-1, PNA, HP, MPA, and ECA. Staining with WGA showed a remarkably decreased intensity in basal and spinous layers of the allergic skin in comparison to those of the control skin, suggesting loss of terminal sialic acids in cell membrane glycoconjugates. The other lectins showed no remarkable difference in the staining patterns between the normal and the allergic ski. The results suggest that epidermal cell membrane glycoconjugates undergoes selective perturbations in acute allergic contact dermatitis, and that the keratinocytes might be an active part of the cutaneous immune system.

No abstract available.
Cryptococcosis* ; Sputum*

Ovarian cysts are common incidental findings in term infants and, if unusually large, may result in dystocia, torsion, or rupture. We report the case in which serial sonographic examination revealed changing pattern of cystic ovarian mass from hypoechogenic to well defined multiseptated echogenic during pregnancy. Postnatal T2-weighted MR images revealed a multilocular with high signal density. After delivery a laparotomy was performed, and a twisted ovary measuring 6.7x5x4.5 cm was removed. Ovarian torsion was left-sided and had been almost autoamputated. The resected specimens were nontense, thin walled cysts, filled with hemorrhage like fluid. Histological examination demonstrated the presence of lymphangioma with widespread hemorrhage and necrosis. The neonate did well after the procedure.
Dystocia ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidental Findings ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Laparotomy ; Lymphangioma ; Necrosis ; Ovarian Cysts* ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Rupture ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVE: Although a common clinical problem, no uniform definition for fear of childbirth has been settled. The purpose of this study was to identify the association of serotonin in labor. METHODS: A prospective study of serotonin and review of the medical records from the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Catholic University of Korea Holy Family Hospital from January 2004 to May confirmed 30 patients with the diagnosis of singleton pregnancy without medical or obstetrical complications, being in 37-42 weeks. Blood sampling of serotonin was done during labor according to cervix dilatation. Sample collection series on patients latent phase (before labor begins S1), active phase (cervix dilatation 3-5 cm S2), second stage (cervix dilatation full S3), third stage (at delivery of placenta within 24 hours S4), cord artery blood (S5) could be administered. Patient were divided into two groups. From this group 17 patients (G1) who were initial serotonin normal concentration (1.5-7.5 ng/mL), and 13 patients (G2) who were initial serotonin high concentration. RESULTS: The concentration of serotonin of G1 were S1-5.8 +/- 0.8 ng/mL, S2-7.2 +/- 2.5 ng/mL, S3-8.5 +/- 3.7 ng/mL, S4-6.5 +/- 1.5 ng/mL, S5-4.9 +/- 1.2 ng/mL. The serotonin concentration of G2 were S1-10.1 +/- 2.7 ng/ mL, S2-11.2 +/- 5.2 ng/mL, S3-10.3 +/- 3.9 ng/mL, S4-11.8 +/- 8.6 ng/mL, S5-5.0 +/- 1.0 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: The association of serotonin in labor was studied that the change of serotonin concentration was determined according to initial serotonin concentration. This difference of initial serotonin concentration will be studied about genetic polymorphism and factor by molecular biology.
Arteries ; Cervix Uteri ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Molecular Biology ; Obstetrics ; Parturition ; Placenta ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Prospective Studies ; Serotonin*

Placenta increta is a life-threatening complication of pregnancy characterized by invasion of placenta villi into the underlying myometrium. Usually, presentation is in the early postpartum period with hemorrhage during difficult placental removal. Although placenta increta may complicate first and early second-trimester pregnancy loss, this lesion is rarely found, whose diagnosis can be very difficult during these trimester. We had experienced a case of placenta increta which was found about 14 days after dilatation and curettage (D and C) due to missed abortion at private obstetrics' clinic and report this with brief reviewed the literatures.
Abortion, Missed ; Animals ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation and Curettage ; Female ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Mice ; Myometrium ; Placenta Accreta* ; Placenta* ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First