Cerebrovascular complications are of the most frequent intracranial complications of bacterial meningitis. Most of the previous reports suggest that the prognosis for the pafients with cerebrovascular complications was unfavorable. We recently experienced a case of meningococcal meningitis with fulminant meningococcemia associated with multifocal non-enhancing lesions on, initial brain MRI. These lesions were hyperintense on T2weighted image and were located in left basal ganglia, both medial thalami, periventricular white matter, left cerebellar hemisphere, and right midbrain and were considered to be resulted from small vessel involvement. Gram negative diplococci were detected by Gram staining of specimens from skin lesion. After antimicrobial therapy and glucocorticoid replacement the patient was recovered without any neurologic sequelae. After one month, follow-up MRI showed resolution of all the ischemic lesions except in midbrain. Additionally there was a small focal hemtoma formation in left basal ganglia. The small hematoma was considered to be resulted from rupture of microaneurysm and disappeared on follow up MRI performed after 3 months. This case suggests that the cerebrovascular complications in meningococcal mningitis might be treated successfully.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningitis* ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Meningitis, Meningococcal ; Mesencephalon ; Prognosis ; Rupture ; Skin

The authors present a 67-year-old man who developed trigeminal neuralia caused by a dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar artery. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a tubular structure traversed the anterior surface of the sbrainstem, which compressed the left ven trilateral pons in the region of the trigeminal root entry zone. Vertebral angiography demonstrated a tortuous dilated vertebrobasilar artery. Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve from the dolichoectatic vertebral artery and simultaneous selective trigeminal rhizotomy were performed. Postoperatively, the patient was relieved of pain but suffered a hearing deficit in the ipsilateral side.
Aged ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Brain ; Hearing ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery ; Pons ; Rhizotomy ; Trigeminal Nerve ; Trigeminal Neuralgia* ; Vertebral Artery*

Hydronephrosis is the most common abnormal finding of genitourinary tract detected by fetal ultrasonography. The causes of majority are attributed to ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) obstruction. The remaining are secondary to vesicoureteral reflux, megaureter, or posterior urethral valves. Congenital midureteral stricture is an unusual cause of hydronephrosis. We report a case in a one month old male baby with hydronephrosis(grade V, 20mm in AP diameter). He was diagnosed as a ureteropelvic junction obstruction. A mid ureteral stricture was identified with intraoperative anterograde pyelography. After removal of severely strictured ureter, the dilated proximal end was anastomosed to the spatulated distal ureter by microscope. Pathologic finding was subepithelial fibrosis and segmental inner smooth muscle attenuation. Ureteral stent was removed 2 months after surgery. Degree of hydronephrosis was markedly reduced on the follow up ultrasonography(14mm in AP diameter) 6 months after surgery.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Stents ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Ureter ; Urography ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Background: To date, few studies have investigated the feasibility of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for identifying pathogens in tissue samples. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of LAMP for the rapid detection of methicillin-susceptible or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA or MRSA) in tissue samples, using a bead-beating DNA extraction method. Methods: Twenty tissue samples infected with either MSSA (n = 10) or MRSA (n = 10) were obtained from patients who underwent orthopedic surgery for suspected musculoskeletal infection between December 2019 and September 2020. DNA was extracted from the infected tissue samples using the bead-beating method. A multiplex LAMP assay was conducted to identify MSSA and MRSA infections. To recognize the Staphylococcus genus, S. aureus, and methicillin resistance, 3 sets of 6 primers for the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) and the femA and mecA genes were used, respectively. The limit of detection and sensitivity (detection rate) of the LAMP assay for diagnosing MSSA and MRSA infection were analyzed. Results: The LAMP result was positive for samples containing 10 3 colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL for 16S rRNA, 10 4 CFU/mL for femA, and 10 5 CFU/mL formecA. The limits of detection for 16S rRNA and femA were not different between MSSA and MRSA. For the 10 MSSA-positive samples, the LAMP assay showed 100% positive reactions for 16S rRNA and femA and a 100% negative reaction for mecA. For the 10 MRSA-positive samples, the LAMP assay showed 100% positive reactions for 16S rRNA and mecA but only 90% positive reactions for femA. The sensitivity (detection rate) of the LAMP assay for identifying MSSA and MRSA in infected tissue samples was 100% and 90%, respectively. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the LAMP assay performed with tissue DNA samples can be a useful diagnostic method for the rapid detection of musculoskeletal infections caused by MSSA and MRSA.

We report the first case of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) and a spontaneous acute subdural hematoma (SDH) in Korea. A 79-year-old male presented with fever and thrombocytopenia. On the third day of hospitalization, his mental changed from drowsy to semi-coma. Brain computed tomography indicated an acute subdural hemorrhage on the right convexity. He was given early decompressive craniectomy, but did not survive. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of a blood sample indicated the presence of SFTS virus (SFTSV). This is the first reported case with intracranial hemorrhage and SFTS. This case report describes our treatment of a patient with acute SDH and an infection from a tick-borne species of Bunyaviridae.
Aged ; Brain ; Bunyaviridae ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Fever* ; Hematoma, Subdural* ; Hematoma, Subdural, Acute ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Korea ; Male ; Orthobunyavirus ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; Thrombocytopenia* ; Ticks*

Paracentesis is a diagnostic, therapeutic procedure performed in patients with ascites. It is generally thought to be a safe procedure and transfusion of platelet concentrate or fresh frozen plasma is not recommended before the procedure, because the incidence of clinically significant bleeding is very low. We report a case of lateral abdominal wall hematoma due to the injury of the deep circumflex iliac artery after paracentesis in patient with alcoholic liver cirrhosis who was treated with transcatheter arterial embolization.
Abdominal Wall/*blood supply ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Hematoma/etiology/*therapy ; Humans ; Iliac Artery/injuries ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/diagnosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paracentesis/adverse effects

BACKGROUND: There have been few objective data about the most preferred nasal shape. OBJECTIVES: Understanding the attitude towards rhinoplasty and preference for external nasal appearances is the foundation for successful rhinoplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred college students and employees filled out a questionnaire on rhinoplqsty. RESULTS: Rhinoplasty had been performed in 1.4% of totql subjects. Furthermore, 5.2% were so displeased with their nasal appearances that they wanted to correct them. More common reasons why they wished to correct their nasal shapes were due to low nasal dorsum and wide alar base. The most preferred nasal appearance includes nasal height as 6mm(72.0% of the total), the straight shape of the dorsum in 63.2%, the 35 degree nasofacial angle in 75.8%, the 105 degree tip angle in 55.4%, the straight axis of the alar in 83.4%, the smooth concave and straight shape of the columella limb in 46.7% and 46.4%, respectively, and the smooth concave shape of the subnasale segment in 80.6%.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Extremities ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rhinoplasty

Background and Objectives: Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a devastating complication after the Fontan operation. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment response, and outcomes of Fontan-associated PLE. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of 38 patients with Fontan-associated PLE from 1992 to 2018 in 2 institutions in Korea. Results: PLE occurred in 4.6% of the total 832 patients after the Fontan operation. After a mean period of 7.7 years after Fontan operation, PLE was diagnosed at a mean age of 11.6years. The mean follow-up period was 8.9 years. The survival rates were 81.6% at 5 years and 76.5% at 10 years. In the multivariate analysis, New York Heart Association Functional classification III or IV (p=0.002), low aortic oxygen saturation (<90%) (p=0.003), and ventricular dysfunction (p=0.032) at the time of PLE diagnosis were found as predictors of mortality. PLE was resolved in 10 of the 38 patients after treatment. Among medical managements, an initial heparin response was associated with survival (p=0.043). Heparin treatment resulted in resolution in 4 patients. We found no evidence on pulmonary vasodilator therapy alone. PLE was also resolved after surgical Fontan fenestration (2/6), aortopulmonary collateral ligation (1/1), and transplantation (1/1). Conclusions The survival rate of patients with Fontan-associated PLE has improved with the advancement of conservative care. Although there is no definitive method, some treatments led to the resolution of PLE in one-fourth of the patients. Further investigations are needed to develop the best prevention and therapeutic strategies for PLE.

Background: The Korean government has established Health Plan and reinforced tobacco control policies step by step according to Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC). This study aims to investigate yearly smoking and secondhand smoking (SHS) exposure rates adjusted by demographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted about the smoking experience, current smoking, and exposure to SHS at home, at work, and in public places using data from the 6th to 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2015– 2020). Results: Comparing 2015 with other years, smoking experience rates significantly decreased from 2015 to 2018 in men and significantly increased from 2018 to 2020 in women. Compared to 2015, current smoking rates significantly decreased only in 2020 for men and significantly increased in 2018 and 2019 for women. The rate of exposure to SHS at home significantly decreased until 2018. Rates of exposure to SHS in the workplace and public places were significant all year. Conclusion There were a slowly decreasing trend in men and an increasing trend in women at current smoking rates. It was found that there were significant decreasing trends at exposure to SHS. There is a need to set policies that reduce current smoking rates and especially to set a customized program to lower women’s smoking rates.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: This study is intended to investigate the clinicopathological features of the intraductal papillary neoplasms of the intrahepatic bile duct (IPNB), especially focused on malignant changes. METHODS: From the institutional database of liver resection cases (Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine), 18 patients who met the definition of IPNB were selected. They had undergone liver resection between February 2002 and October 2006; thus, the follow-up period was more than 5 years. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, 11 patients were male. Their mean age was 61.3+/-6.7 years. There were no differences between the non-malignant and malignant lesions, in the comparison of the CEA levels (5.6+/-2.7 vs.12.6+/-31.1 ng/ml, p=0.439) and the CA19-9 levels (29.2+/-34.7 vs.31.9+/-30.2 ng/ml, p=0.871). The common radiologic findings were: intraductal growing mass in 10; bile duct dilatation in 6; and saccular duct dilatation in 2. Left and right hepatectomies were performed in 15 and 3, respectively. Five patients showed benign lesions of IPNB, and 13 patients revealed malignant lesions of intraductal papillary adnocarcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma. All 4 patients with benign lesions survived for a mean period of 53 months without recurrence. In 13 patients with the malignant lesions, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 84.6%, and 59.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that intrahepatic IPNB is a rare type of biliary neoplasm which includes a histological spectrum, ranging from benign disease to invasive malignancy. The long-term survival was anticipated after complete curative resection.
Academic Medical Centers ; Bile Ducts ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Male ; Recurrence ; Survival Rate