Airway difficulties are a major concern for anesthesiologists. Even though fiberoptic intubation is the generally accepted method for management of difficult airways, it is not without disadvantages-requires patient cooperation, and cannot be performed on soiled airway or upper airways with pre-existing narrowing pathology. Additionally, fiberoptic bronchoscopy is not available at every medical institution. In this case, we encountered difficult airway management in a 71-year-old man with a high Mallampati grade and a thick neck who had undergone urologic surgery. Several attempts, including a bronchoscope-guided intubation, were unsuccessful. Finally, blind nasal intubation was successful while the patient's neck was flexed and the tracheal cartilage was gently pressed down. We suggest that blind nasal intubation is a helpful alternative in difficult airway management and it can be a lifesaving technique in emergencies. Additionally, its simplicity makes it a less expensive option when advanced airway technology (fiberoptic bronchoscopy) is unavailable.
Aged ; Airway Management ; Bronchoscopy ; Cartilage ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Methods ; Neck ; Pathology ; Patient Compliance ; Soil

Airway difficulties are a major concern for anesthesiologists. Even though fiberoptic intubation is the generally accepted method for management of difficult airways, it is not without disadvantages-requires patient cooperation, and cannot be performed on soiled airway or upper airways with pre-existing narrowing pathology. Additionally, fiberoptic bronchoscopy is not available at every medical institution. In this case, we encountered difficult airway management in a 71-year-old man with a high Mallampati grade and a thick neck who had undergone urologic surgery. Several attempts, including a bronchoscope-guided intubation, were unsuccessful. Finally, blind nasal intubation was successful while the patient's neck was flexed and the tracheal cartilage was gently pressed down. We suggest that blind nasal intubation is a helpful alternative in difficult airway management and it can be a lifesaving technique in emergencies. Additionally, its simplicity makes it a less expensive option when advanced airway technology (fiberoptic bronchoscopy) is unavailable.
Aged ; Airway Management ; Bronchoscopy ; Cartilage ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Methods ; Neck ; Pathology ; Patient Compliance ; Soil

A 27-year-old male patient, previously diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), presented with gait disturbance. Brain MRI showed a 4.5 cm mass lesion in the right occipital lobe, suggesting either intracranial involvement of HL or a potential meningioma. Despite high-dose methotrexate and steroid treatment, the patient’s symptoms persisted, and imaging showed an enlarging mass, leading to surgical intervention. Histopathological examination confirmed central nervous system (CNS) involvement of HL. Postoperatively, the patient underwent whole-brain radiotherapy and demonstrated marked clinical improvement. Our literature review from 1980 to 2023 identified only 46 cases of intracranial HL (IC-HL), underscoring its rarity. Lymphomas represent 2.2% of brain tumors, with 90%–95% being diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In contrast, the incidence of CNS-HL patients is a mere 0.02%. Notably, IC-HL and intracranial DLBCL have differences in their typical locations and treatment strategies. Unlike DLBCL, which predominantly appears in the supratentorial region (87%), IC-HL is found there in 61.5% of cases. Additionally, 33.3% of IC-HL cases occur in the cerebellum, with 43.5% associated with posterior circulation regions. Furthermore, while biopsy followed by chemotherapy induction is a common strategy for DLBCL, 81.8% of IC-HL cases underwent surgical resection, and only 18.1% had a biopsy alone. The distinct characteristics of IC-HL tumors, including their larger size, attachment to the dura, and fibrotic nature with clear boundaries, might account for the preference for surgical intervention. The unique features of IC-HL compared to DLBCL highlight the need for distinct considerations in diagnosis and management.

Background and Objectives: Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as a treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects a large number of people across the world. Treatment of AD using human umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs (hUCB-MSCs) has recently been studied. However, the mechanism underlying their effect needs to be studied continuously. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) secreted by hUCB-MSCs on AD. Methods: and Results: To explore the mechanism involved in the therapeutic effect of MSCs for AD, a secretome array was performed using culture medium of hUCB-MSCs. Among the list of genes common for epithelium development and skin diseases, we focused on the function of EGF. To elucidate the effect of EGF secreted by hUCB-MSCs, EGF was downregulated in hUCB-MSCs using EGF-targeting small interfering RNA. These cells were then co-cultured with keratinocytes, Th2 cells, and mast cells. Depletion of EGF disrupted immunomodulatory effects of hUCB-MSCs on these AD-related inflammatory cells. In a Dermatophagoides farinae-induced AD mouse model, subcutaneous injection of hUCB-MSCs ameliorated gross scoring, histopathologic damage, and mast cell infiltration. It also significantly reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)-4, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and IL-22, as well as IgE levels. These therapeutic effects were significantly attenuated at all evaluation points in mice injected with EGF-depleted hUCB-MSCs. Conclusions EGF secreted by hUCB-MSCs can improve AD by regulating inflammatory responses of keratinocytes, Th2 cells, and mast cells.

Background: In pediatric patients, the common cold coronavirus (ccCoV) usually causes mild respiratory illness. There are reports of coronavirus causing central nervous system (CNS) infection in experimental animal models. Some immunocompromised patients have also been reported to have fatal CNS infections with ccCoV. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of CNS complications related to ccCoV infection. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2019, a retrospective analysis was performed of medical records from hospitalized patients under 19 years of age whose ccCoV was detected through polymerase chain reaction in respiratory specimens. The CNS complications were defined as clinically diagnosed seizure, meningitis, encephalopathy, and encephalitis. Results: A total of 436 samples from 420 patients were detected as ccCoV. Among the 420 patients, 269 patients were immunocompetent and 151 patients were immunocompromised.The most common type of ccCoV was OC43 (52% in immunocompetent, 37% in immunocompromised). CNS complications were observed in 9.4% (41/436). The most common type of CNS complication was the fever-provoked seizure under pre-existing neurologic disease (42% in immunocompetent and 60% in immunocompromised patients).Among patients with CNS complications, two immunocompetent patients required intensive care unit admission due to encephalitis. Three patients without underlying neurological disease started anti-seizure medications for the first time at this admission. There was no death related to ccCoV infection. Conclusion ccCoV infection may cause severe clinical manifestations such as CNS complications or neurologic sequelae, even in previously healthy children.

Filamin A is an actin-binding protein and, in humans, is encoded by FLNA gene in the long arm of X chromosome. Filamin A plays a role in the formation of cytoskeleton by crosslinking actin filaments in cytoplasm. FLNA mutations affect cytoskeletal regulatory processes and cellular migrating abnormalities that result in periventricular heterotopia. A 5-month-old girl was hospitalized because of breathing difficulty and was diagnosed as having periventricular heterotopia with laryngomalacia, cricopharyngeal incoordination, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic lung disease. A genetic test was performed to find the cause of periventricular heterotopia, and FLNA gene mutation (c.5998+1G>A) was confirmed for the first time in Korea. After discharge, she developed respiratory failure due to a viral infection at 8 months of her age. In spite of management with mechanical ventilation, she died of pneumothorax and pulmonary hemorrhage. Herein, we report a case of FLNA gene mutation who presented with periventricular nodular heterotopia with respiratory insufficiency.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Arm ; Ataxia ; Cytoplasm ; Cytoskeleton ; Female ; Filamins ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Infant ; Korea ; Laryngomalacia ; Lung Diseases ; Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia ; Pneumothorax ; Respiration ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; X Chromosome

A dermatophyte is a zoonotic infection that causes infection on the skin, hair, and nails and is transmitted through contact. The species of Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton are the major dermatophytes that infect humans. Tinea capitis is a dermatophyte infection in the scalp, and it may progress to Kerion celsi, including severe redness, swelling, and pus formation. Kerion celsi is sometimes misdiagnosed as a bacterial infection or a tumor. Trichophyton verrucosum is a zoophilic dermatophyte that mainly causes infection in cattle. It can be spread to dairy farmers or ranchers who have frequent contact with infected cattle. We report a pediatric case who received scalp tumor excision and a split-thickness skin graft for extensive and severe inflammatory scalp tumors that occurred after contact with cattle with ringworm. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with Kerion celsi caused by T. verrucosum infection. This was based on the patient’s medical history, clinical manifestations, and histopathologic findings.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the usefulness of quantitative salivary single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) using Tc-99m pertechnetate in Sjögren's syndrome (SS).METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed quantitative salivary SPECT/CT data from 95 xerostomic patients who were classified as either SS (n = 47, male:female = 0:47, age = 54.60 ± 13.16 y [mean ± SD]) or non-SS (n = 48, male:female = 5:43, age = 54.94 ± 14.04 y) by combination of anti-SSA/Ro antibody, labial salivary gland biopsy, unstimulated whole saliva flow rate, and Schirmer's test. Thyroid cancer patients (n = 43, male:female = 19:24, age = 46.37 ± 12.13 y) before radioactive iodine therapy served as negative controls. Quantitative SPECT/CT was performed pre-stimulatory 20 min and post-stimulatory 40 min after injection of Tc-99m pertechnetate (15 mCi). The %injected dose at 20 min and the %excretion between 20 and 40 min were calculated for parotid and submandibular glands, generating four quantitative parameters: %parotid uptake (%PU), %submandibular uptake (%SU), %parotid excretion (%PE), and %submandibular excretion (%SE). The most useful parameter for SS diagnosis was investigated.RESULTS: The uptake parameters (%PU and %SU) were significantly different among the SS, non-SS, and negative controls (p = 0.005 for %PU and p < 0.001 for %SU, respectively), but the excretion parameters (%PE and %SE) were not (p > 0.05 for both). The%PU and%SU were significantly lower in SS than in the negative controls and non-SS (p < 0.05 for all pair-wise comparisons). Additionally, the %SU was significantly lower in non-SS than in the negative controls (p < 0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that the %SU had the greatest area-under-the curve of 0.720 (95% confidence interval = 0.618–0.807). Using the optimal cut-off value of %SU ≤ 0.07%, SS was identified with a sensitivity of 70.21% and a specificity of 70.83%.CONCLUSION: Reduced submandibular uptake of Tc-99m pertechnetate at 20 min (%SU) was proved useful for the diagnosis of SS. Quantitative salivary gland SPECT/CT holds promise as an objective imaging modality for assessment of salivary dysfunction and may facilitate accurate classification of SS.
Biopsy ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Iodine ; Retrospective Studies ; Saliva ; Salivary Glands ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m ; Submandibular Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the usefulness of quantitative salivary single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) using Tc-99m pertechnetate in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed quantitative salivary SPECT/CT data from 95 xerostomic patients who were classified as either SS (n = 47, male:female = 0:47, age = 54.60 ± 13.16 y [mean ± SD]) or non-SS (n = 48, male:female = 5:43, age = 54.94 ± 14.04 y) by combination of anti-SSA/Ro antibody, labial salivary gland biopsy, unstimulated whole saliva flow rate, and Schirmer's test. Thyroid cancer patients (n = 43, male:female = 19:24, age = 46.37 ± 12.13 y) before radioactive iodine therapy served as negative controls. Quantitative SPECT/CT was performed pre-stimulatory 20 min and post-stimulatory 40 min after injection of Tc-99m pertechnetate (15 mCi). The %injected dose at 20 min and the %excretion between 20 and 40 min were calculated for parotid and submandibular glands, generating four quantitative parameters: %parotid uptake (%PU), %submandibular uptake (%SU), %parotid excretion (%PE), and %submandibular excretion (%SE). The most useful parameter for SS diagnosis was investigated. RESULTS: The uptake parameters (%PU and %SU) were significantly different among the SS, non-SS, and negative controls (p = 0.005 for %PU and p < 0.001 for %SU, respectively), but the excretion parameters (%PE and %SE) were not (p > 0.05 for both). The%PU and%SU were significantly lower in SS than in the negative controls and non-SS (p < 0.05 for all pair-wise comparisons). Additionally, the %SU was significantly lower in non-SS than in the negative controls (p < 0.05). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis revealed that the %SU had the greatest area-under-the curve of 0.720 (95% confidence interval = 0.618–0.807). Using the optimal cut-off value of %SU ≤ 0.07%, SS was identified with a sensitivity of 70.21% and a specificity of 70.83%. CONCLUSION Reduced submandibular uptake of Tc-99m pertechnetate at 20 min (%SU) was proved useful for the diagnosis of SS. Quantitative salivary gland SPECT/CT holds promise as an objective imaging modality for assessment of salivary dysfunction and may facilitate accurate classification of SS.

The common data model (CDM) has found widespread application in healthcare studies, but its utilization in cancer research has been limited. This article describes the development and implementation strategy for Cancer Clinical Library Databases (CCLDs), which are standardized cancer-specific databases established under the Korea-Clinical Data Utilization Network for Research Excellence (K-CURE) project by the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. Fifteen leading hospitals and fourteen academic associations in Korea are engaged in constructing CCLDs for 10 primary cancer types. For each cancer type-specific CCLD, cancer data experts determine key clinical data items essential for cancer research, standardize these items across cancer types, and create a standardized schema. Comprehensive clinical records covering diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, with annual updates, are collected for each cancer patient in the target population, and quality control is based on six-sigma standards. To protect patient privacy, CCLDs follow stringent data security guidelines by pseudonymizing personal identification information and operating within a closed analysis environment. Researchers can apply for access to CCLD data through the K-CURE portal, which is subject to Institutional Review Board and Data Review Board approval. The CCLD is considered a pioneering standardized cancer-specific database, significantly representing Korea’s cancer data. It is expected to overcome limitations of previous CDMs and provide a valuable resource for multicenter cancer research in Korea.