BACKGROUND: An Epidemiological study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of E. vermicularis infestation among children in kindergartens. METHODS: A total of 247 cellotape anal swab specimens from kindergarten children in Inchon were examined for E. vermicularis eggs. Each specimen was collected in the morning. RESULTS: Out of 247 specimens from two kindergartens in Inchon, E. vermicularis eggs were detected in 168 specimens, the egg detection rate being 68.0%. The egg detection rates in boys and girls were 63.9% out of 133 children and 72.8% out of 114 children, respectively. The egg detection rate in girls was higher than that of boys. The egg detection rates by age group was 65.5%(age 3), S7.4%(age 4), 72.0%(age 5) and 75.4%(age 6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Enterobiasis is a cosmopolitan infection. Surveys for children of kindergartens indicate that E.vermicularis is probably the most widely distributed human helminth, its incidence varing from 59.2% to 73.8% in groups studied since pinworm infection is frequently a familial problem that infestation of the household frequently results in reinfection. Careful washing of hands and cleansing of fingernails before meals and after use of the toilet are the most practical measures, all member of family should be treated simultaneously when practicable.
Child* ; Eggs ; Enterobiasis ; Enterobius* ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Hand ; Helminths ; Humans ; Incheon ; Incidence ; Meals ; Nails ; Ovum ; Prevalence

Thirteen patients were operated for cubital tunnel syndrome and followed for an average of 26 months postoperatively. Ten patients had a history of relevant trauma and three patients had degenerative osteoarthritis of the elbow. The average duration of symptoms was 18 months (range, 2 to 96 months). Diagnosis was made by physical examination, electromyography and nerve conduction study. Among these, nerve conduction study was found to be the most valuable diagnostic method for the patients with atypical clinical findings. Most of the operations were performed by anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. At the most recent follow-up, the result was excellent in two patients, good in eight, and fair in three; thus ten patients(77%) showed satisfactory results. The rating system for ulnar neuropathy based on sensory, motor dysfunction and pain was useful for evaluating the operative results. The postoperative gain of score for pain and sensory function were larger than that of motor function. Factors known to influence the result of the operation (age, duration of symptom, history of trauma, method of operation) did not effect the outcome in this study. For successful operation, the ulnar nerve must be thoroughly examined, all possible levels of compression must be released and new foci of compression must be created.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; Diagnosis ; Elbow ; Electromyography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Methods ; Neural Conduction ; Osteoarthritis ; Physical Examination ; Sensation ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Neuropathies

We examined the effect of various levels of dietary protein on long term prognosis of Adriamycinnephropathy of S-D rat, fed with high protein (30%), intermediately low (10%), and strictly low (5%) protein diet for 15 weeks. 1) In rats fed with strictly low protein diets (5%), proteinuria and serum creatinine decreased and creatinine clearance and histological changes were relatively well preserved. But hypoproteinemia and weight loss were more marked and 2 rats died due to severe ascites and pleural effusion in cachexic state. 2) In rats fed with high protein diets (30%), general health condition and weight gain were relatively well preserved. But there were massive proteinuria, progressive increase in serum creatinine and progressive decrease in creatinine clearance. Focal glomerular sclerosis and severe tubulointerstitial change on histologic examination were marked. 3) With intermediately low protein diet (10%), renal function and pasma protein levels were relatively well preserved compared with high protein diet group. But weight gain did not increase normally. 4) We tentatively conclude that appropriately restricted dietary protein can prevent functional and histological renal damage. But too strict protein restriction aggravate nutitional state and general condition.
Animals ; Ascites ; Creatinine ; Diet ; Diet, Protein-Restricted ; Dietary Proteins* ; Hypoproteinemia ; Pleural Effusion ; Prognosis* ; Proteinuria ; Rats ; Renal Insufficiency ; Sclerosis ; Weight Gain ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary metastasis from carcinoma of the uterine cervix is relatively rare, and their clinical outcomes are not still remain unknown. This study is to evaluate survival and prognostic factors in recurrent cervical cancer patients showing lung metastasis. METHODS: From Jan. 1993 to Dec. 1996, 53 recurrent cervical cancer patients showing lung metastasis, registered in Korea Cancer Center Hospital, were retrospectively evaluated with respect to their clinical characteristics, response rate to salvage therapy, survival and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Median age of patients at recurrence was 58 years, and median interval of initial diagnosis to recurrence was 17 months. The most common histologic type was squamous cell carcinoma(82%), followed by adenocarcinoma(6%), adenosquamous(6%), and others(6%). Response rate to salvage therapy was 47%(complete response rate 23.5%, partial response rate 23.5%), and median survival was 10 months(range 1-39). 3 year survival rate was 18%. Age, initial stage, initial tumor size, interval of recurrence and type of chemotherapeutic regimen were not significant prognostic factors, but squamous cell carcinoma antigen(SCC) level at recurrence and response to salvage therapy was significant(p=0.0087, p=0.0104). CONCLUSION: Survival of recurrent cervical cancer patients with lung metastasis was poor despite salvage therapy. Those patients who showed low SCC level at recurrence and good response to salvage therapy had favorable outcomes.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Salvage Therapy ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVES: This non-randomized retrospective study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and to evaluate the actual 5-year survival rate of the patients with invasive cancer of the cervix. METHODS: 489 evaluable patients with invasive cancer of the cervix were treated at Korea Cancer Center Hospital from January to December 1992. In this retrospective study, we studied the clinico-pathologic characteristics(age, FIGO stage, histologic type, nodal metastasis) and treatment modalities by the review of medical records. Especially, the survival was confirmed by the support of the police and government office. RESULTS: The most common subsets of patients were found in the group of FIGO stage IIb(32.5%) and age between 51 and 60(33%). Surgery was the main treatment in stage Ib/IIa(65%) and radiation in stage IIb or more(97%). Nodal metastasis were surgically identified in 6% of stage Ib, 29% of stage IIa and 36% of stage IIb. Overall actual 5-year survival rate was 72.2%; stage Ia(100%), Ib(94%), IIa(82%), IIb(63%), IIIa(36%), IIIb(47%), and IV(0%). The five-year survival rate according to LN status in surgically confirmed FIGO stage Ib-II patients were 91.9% in negative patients and 73.1% in positive patients respectively. Five-year survival rate was significantly different according to stage(P < 0.02) and nodal metastasis(p < 0.01). However, age and histologic type did not show any significant differences in survival. CONCLUSION: Overall actual five-year survival rate of 489 evaluable patients with invasive cancer of the cervix who were treated at Korea Cancer Center Hospital from January to December 1992 was 72.2%. Five-year survival rate was different according to stage and nodal metastasis.
Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Police ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate clinicopathologic findings of patients with small cell carcinoma of uterine cervix, and to evaluate the recurrence pattern and prognosis of patients with small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. Methods: From Jan. 1990, to Dec. 1997, 23 patients with small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were registered and followed-up at Korea Cancer Center Hospital. Clinical characteristics, survival of these patients were studied retrospectively. RESULTS: Among the 23 cases of small cell carcinoma of uterine cervix, 17 cases(74%) were of the neuroendocrine type (NE group), and 6 cases(26.0%) of the squamous cell type (SCC group). The median age, FIGO stage, and treatment modality were not significant difference between two groups. Pelvic lymph node metastases were found 53% in NE group, and 33% in SCC group, but there were not significant difference between two groups(p>0.05). Three patients showed distant metastases in NE group(bone 18%, bladder 9%), but there was no distant metastasis in SCC group. The 3 year survival rate was 50.0% in SCC group and 32.1% in NE group, but there were not statistical significance(p>0.05). Six patients showed recurrence after treatment (4/17 cases in NE group, 2/6 cases in SCC group). Recurrence sites were liver (3/6, 50%), and lung (2/6, 33%), brain (2/6, 33%), retroperitoneum (1/6, 17%), and axillae lymph node (1/6, 17%). CONCLUSION: This study showed neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma may have more aggressive than squamous small cell carcinoma, but there were not significant difference in prognosis between the two groups. Because of limitation of number of patients, further large scaled multicenter studies are needed.
Axilla ; Brain ; Carcinoma, Small Cell* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

PURPOSE: Aspirin(acetylsalicylic acid) has been used to treat unstable angina and acute myocardial infarction in adults and Kawasaki disease in children. The antithrombotic effect of aspirin was attributed to its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation by inhibiting platelet cyclooxygenase, which leads to decreased thromboxane synthesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect on the platelet aggregation by low dose aspirin in Kawasaki patients and to learn the side effects of low-dose aspirin. METHODS: Fifty patients with Kawasaki disease who were treated with low-dose aspirin, and 22 normal children were studied from Jan. 1996 to Dec. 1997. The platelet count, bleeding time, clotting time, platelet aggregation test(induced by ADP, epinephrine, collagen and ristocetin) and blood aspirin level by colorimetric method were checked. RESULTS: The platelet count, bleeding time, and clotting time in the patient group were not significantly different from the control group. The mean maximum platelet aggregation was 54.4+/-12.8% induced by ADP, 15.9+/-11.7% by epinephrine, 55.5+/-23.8% by collagen, 52.6+/-32.2% by ristocetin in the patient group. It was significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05). The mean blood aspirin level in the patient group was 5.4+/-3.7mg/dl. Side effects of low-dose aspirin were bruise, epistaxis and hematuria. CONCLUSION: Low-dose aspirin therapy in patients with Kawasaki disease inhibited platelet aggregation, but attention would be needed because of the tendency to bleed in these patients. Further investigations should be focused on the subject such as the onset of the maximal antiplatelet effect and time needed for the recovery of platelet function.
Adenosine Diphosphate ; Adult ; Angina, Unstable ; Aspirin* ; Bleeding Time ; Blood Platelets* ; Child ; Collagen ; Contusions ; Epinephrine ; Epistaxis ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Platelet Aggregation* ; Platelet Count ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Ristocetin

Emphysematous pyelonephritis is a rare complication of acute pyelonephritis that occurs in diabetics or urinary obstruction and spontaneous gas formation around renal parenchyme. Diagnosis. in appropriate clinical setting. is confirmed radiographically. Plain film demonstrates a surprising pneumonephrogram, mottled gas shadow in the renal parenchyme as well as perirenal gas. Surgical intervention after unsuccessful antibiotics and conventional medical measurement is necessary. We experienced 3 cases of emphysematous pyelonephritis which occurred in diabetic women with brief review of the literature.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Pyelonephritis*

No abstract available.
Atrial Fibrillation* ; Mitral Valve Stenosis*

Total 513 heterophyid flukes were collected from a carcass of wild Korean raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides koreensis, in Korea. With morphological and molecular characteristics, the flukes were identified to Cryptocotyle lata. The adult C. lata were minute, transparent, pentagonal, 522 µm long by 425 µm wide. Ceca extended into post-testicular region. Ventrogenital sac elliptical, 79 µm by 87 µm with genital pore and ventral sucker. Two testes semielliptical and slightly lobed, located in the posterior region, right testis 173 µm by 155 µm, left testis 130 µm by 134 µm. In a phylogenetic tree, the fluke specimen of this study was grouped with C. lata divergent from Cryptocotyle lingua. We report here N. procyonoides koreensis first as a natural definitive host of C. lata.