A 24-year-old female who have had pseudoxanthoma elasticum for 14 years, showed brownish, umbilicated papules forming serpiginous pattern on the anterior neck, A skin biopsy specimen from the neck lesion revealed epidermal hyperplasia and perforating canal containing basophilic, necrotic materials and degenerated elastic fibers, also showed short, swollen and irregularly clumped elastic fibers in the lower dermis.
Basophils ; Biopsy ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Neck ; Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum* ; Skin ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare nursing students' attitudes toward death, self-esteem and life satisfaction according to clinical experience. METHODS: We surveyed 1,030 nursing students from two different universities with a questionnaire consisting of items regarding attitudes toward death, self-esteem and life satisfaction. The data were analyzed using a PASW program. RESULTS: Students with clinical experience scored 2.85 on the attitude toward death, while those without clinical experience scored 2.79 (t=2.775, P=0.006). Students with clinical experience had significantly higher self-esteem (t=4.541, P<0.001) and life satisfaction (t=4.050, P<0.001) than those without it. Students with clinical experience showed correlations between attitude toward death and self-esteem (r=0.159, P<0.001) and life satisfaction (r=0.090, P=0.025), while those without it did not (r=0.106, P=0.014). CONCLUSION: These results provide guidance for developing educational strategies such as educational program to help students build positive attitude toward death through their experience in clinical practice.
Humans ; Personal Satisfaction ; Self Concept ; Students, Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The gigantic lipoma could be categorized into subcutaneous and subfascial type. We experienced eight cases from seven patients. Five cases of them were proved to be subcutaneous gigantic lipomas, and three cases were proved to be subfascial gigantic lipomas. Among the subcutaneous type, three cases of liposarcomas were confirmed by final biopsy results. And three cases of recurrences were shown. Among the subfascial type, one case of chondrolipoma was confirmed by final biopsy result and no recurrence was not found. In brief, subcutaneous and subfascial gigantic lipoma had a specific characteristics as followings: Subcutaneous type showed asymptomatic mass with bulging, multilobulated and poorly marginated. And it was difficult for complete removal with a high recurrence rate. Radical excision and liposuction recommended for its treatment. On the other hand, subfascial type showed diffuse expansion, late onset of symptom. And it was readiness for complete removal with no recurrence after complete excision.
Biopsy ; Hand ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Lipoma* ; Liposarcoma ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibromatosis 1

PURPOSE: We created an 'AAPM TG18 Evaluation Tool' and we determined its usefulness for the quality control of a diagnostic monitor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We created an evaluation tool (the AAPM TG18) for conducting quality control of a diagnostic monitor, and we evaluated the measurement items of the AAPM TG18 evaluation tool. The measurement items were geometric distortion, fixed quantity assessment and visual assessment of the veiling glare, and we carried out adjustment for the luminance meter 0% calibration, which was used to revise the diagnostic monitor DICOM LUT. RESULTS: With the AAPM TG18 Evaluation Tool, we measured the 2-dimensional length when evaluating the quantitative geometric distortions in the TG18-QC test pattern, and we measured the veiling-glare ring response function, which provided information regarding the spatial extent of the luminance spread, and this measurement of the can be performed using the TG18-GV pattern. Additionally, the AAPM TG18 Evaluation Tool can be used for sensor calibration to standardize the basic rate of 0% luminance when performing periodic calibration. CONCLUSION: The evaluation tool is a very useful for easily evaluating many of the examination items of the AAPM TG18 for performing quality control of a diagnostic monitor.
Calibration ; Computer Terminals ; Glare ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Quality Control ; Radiology Information Systems ; Total Quality Management

BACKGROUND: Residual and recurrent bile duct stones after biliary surgery cause many difficult problems. and reoperation on biliary tract has limitation due to its high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, various non-operative modalities for management in residual and recurrent stone have been developed. METHODS: We analyzed 69 cases of residual and recurrent bile duct stones which were managed with non-operative modalities at the Department of surgery, Dae Dong Hospital from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1997, and evaluated the efficacy of these modalities. RESULTS: Female exceeded male with a ratio 1.76:1. and the peak incidence of age group was 6th decade. The most common diagnostic procedure was T-tube cholangiography (53.6%). Interval between previous operation and second procedure for residual or recurrent stones was within 6 months in most cases (82%). Cholecystectomy with T-tube choledochostomy was performed most frequently in previous operation. Residual and recurrent stones were found only at common bile duct in 34 cases (49.3%) most commonly. Common bile duct stones were managed most frequently with endoscopic sphincterotomy (39.5%), but the complete removal rate was heighest in choledochoscopic stone removal (100%). Complete removal rate of intrahepatic duct stone was heighest with interventional radiologic stone removal as well as choledochoscopic stone removal (43.6%), but average number of session was smaller in choledochoscopic stone removal (2.5) than interventional radiologic stone removal (3.5). Associated complication with non-operative management modalities were very low, except three cases of hepaticocutaneous jejunostomy. The latter required reoperation due to continuous bile fistula in two cases, and long jejunal loop in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Choledochoscopic stone removal is most effective method in the management of residual and recurrent bile duct stones.
Bile Ducts* ; Bile* ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiography ; Cholecystectomy ; Choledochostomy ; Common Bile Duct ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jejunostomy ; Male ; Methods ; Mortality ; Reoperation ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic

BACKGROUND: Sleep-related breathing disorders(SRBD) and periodic leg movements disorder(PLMD) are both common, and are considered as separate sleep disorders. However, both disorders show high comorbidity. SRBD and PLMD can result in excessive daytime sleepiness and insomnia due to frequent sleep fragmentation So, it is very important to consider the presence of PLMD, when we are dealing with the diagnosis and management of SRBD. The objectives of this study were to determine the incidence of PLMD in patients with SRBD, and 13 describe any differences between patients with and without PLMD. METHOD: The authors reviewed the sleep recordings of 106 Patients with a final diagnosis of SRBD(obstruclive sleep apnea or upper airway resistance syndrome), who underwent full nocturnal polysomnography, including the monitoring of the anterior tibialis electromyogram. All sleep records were recorded and scored using the standard criteria. The data was analyzed by the student t-test. RESULTS: 106 patients(M=76, F=30) were included in the analysis. Data revealed a mean age of 49.5 +/- 13.6 years, a respiratory disturbance index(RDI) of 22.3 +/- 25.4/hour sleep, a lowest oxygen saturation of 84.9 +/- 11.3%, a mammal esophageal pressure of -41.0 +/- 19.1cm H2O, and PLM index(PLMI) index(PLMI) 13.1 +/- 22.4 movements/ hour sleep. Forty four percent(47 of 106 patients) had a PLMI of greater than 5 on this study. The mean age of the patients with PLMD was significantly higher than that of the patients without PLMD(p < 0.005). Fe-male patients with SRBD accompanied more PLMD(p < 0.05). The apnea index of the patients with PLMD was significantly lower than that of the patients without PLMD(p < 0.01). The percentage of stage 1 sleep in the patients with PLMD was significantly lower than that of the patients without PLMD(p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PLMD in the patients with SRBD was high at 44.3%. The patients with PLMD were older and had more high RDI in comparison to the patients without PLMD, which was consistent with previous findings. The authors recommend that more careful consideration of PLMD is required when diagnosing and treating SRBD.
Airway Resistance ; Apnea ; Comorbidity* ; Diagnosis ; Extremities* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leg ; Mammals ; Oxygen ; Polysomnography ; Prevalence ; Respiration* ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Deprivation ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

Eight neonates with transient tricuspid insufficiency are presented which was confirmed clinical and two dimensional echocardiographic assessment. We found that two dimensional Doppler echocardiography was very useful in the detection of transient tricuspid insufficiency during neonatal age as noninvasive method. Transient tricuspid insufficiency is a clinical disorder in the newborn period caused by myocardial dysfunction, secondary to asphyxia with or without hypoglycemia and associated with right ventricular overloading caused by pulmonary hypertention. The clinical diagnosis was based on a history of perinatal distress, distinctive murmur, ECG changes, biochemical abnormalities and myocardial imaging. 1) The sex ratio of TTI was 1:1. 2) The average gestational age was 34 weeks and mean body weight was 2.06 Kg, respectably. 3) Major symptoms were dyspnea, cyanosis, and tachypnea. 4) Tricuspid regurgitation was detected from the lst day to the 4th day of the life and was improved from the 7th day to the 30th day of the life. 5) The peak velocity through tricuspid valve ranged from the 2.7 m/sec to 4.0 m/sec and the estimated right ventricular pressure ranged from 39 mmHg to 74 mmHg. 6) Associated diseases were neonatal hyperbilirubinemia (100%), prematurity (87.5%), atrial right to left shunt (87.5%), patent ductus arteriosus (75%), hyaline membrane disease (25%), and transient tachypnea of newborn (12.5%).
Asphyxia ; Body Weight ; Cyanosis ; Diagnosis ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Electrocardiography ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hyaline Membrane Disease ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal ; Hypoglycemia ; Infant, Newborn ; Sex Ratio ; Tachypnea ; Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn ; Tricuspid Valve ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency ; Ventricular Pressure

Malignant melanoma has shown a dramatic increase in its incidence in the last two decades in the western hemisphere, but it is still rare in Korea. We respectively reviewed the medical records of 10 melanoma patients who had been admitted to and treated at Daedong Hospital between January 1986 and December 1996. The age of the patients was between 26 and 81 (average 60). There were 4 men and 6 women, most often over the fifth decade of life. Malignant melanoma was common in the extremities, especially the acral portion of the lower extremities: 4 in the sole, 2 in the dorsum of the foot, 1 in the palm, 1 in the thumb, 1 in the neck, and 1 in the anus. The sizes of the melanoma were from 0.4 cm to 4.5 cm in diameter and depths of invasion were from 0.8 mm to 6 mm microscopically. According to the TNM staging of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, the distribution of the patients was one for IB, two for IIA, two for III, and four for IV. In one case, the staging was difficult. Wide excision with skin graft was carried out in six patients with a 2-cm excision margin. Another two patients were treated with a 1-cm excision margin. In the other two patients, the melanoma was found in the biopsy of the cervical lymph node and in the widely excised anus. Elective inguinal lymph node dissection was carried out around the femoral and the external iliac arteries in 3 patients whose inguinal lymph nodes were palpated during physical examination. One patient with an anal lesion was vaccinated with BCG, but without much benifit. One patient was treated with radiation and chemotherapy, but he suffered brain metastasis. Four patients with stage IV melanoma died due to metastasis to the brain or the iver. The others were being follow up. Supportive treatments were under investigation, therfore early detection followed by wide excision is the best way to obtain a better outcome in malignant melanoma.
Anal Canal ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Drug Therapy ; Extremities ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Incidence ; Joints ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Male ; Medical Records ; Melanoma* ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Physical Examination ; Skin ; Thumb ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Neuroblastoma* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*