BACKGROUND: HBsAg carriers are 6-12% of population in Korea. The patients knowledge on hepatitis B and regular follow-up tests are important, because HBsAg carriers have infectivity and the disease may progress without symptoms. We surveyed their knowledge on the hepatitis B and the frequency of follow-up blood test and sonogram. METHODS: From March 1993 through September 1994, 630 patients who were diagnosed as HBsAg positive and Anti-HBs negative in a health promotion center of college hospital were surveyed by mailing questionnaire. The questionnaire included the result of HBV viral marker test, transmission routes, complications, and prevention methods of Hepatitis B, frequency of follow-up test, and doctors recommendation. RESULTS: Of the 490 questionnaires excluded the 140 questionaires returned due to wrong address, 100 were answered, making the reply rate 20.4%. As for the result of HBV marker test, 64% answered their HBV marker as HBsAg positve, 10% answered HBsAg negative, and 26% answered I dont know. 65% answered that they are HBV carrier. As for the mode of transmission, 59% answered that HBV is transmitted by blood, 57% from carrier mother at birth, 29 % by sexual intercourse. 76% of responders know that vaccination is needed for preventing vertical transmission. When making score on their knowledge, significant differences were showed according to education, income and doctors recommendation about regular follow-up test. The number of persons who took regular blood test every 6 to 12 months were 56(56%), and the number of persons who took regular abdominal ultrasonogram were 39(39%). The number of patients who were recommended regular follow-up by doctor was 76%. In this group, 51 persons(67.0%) took regular blood test and 35 persons(35%) took regular sonogram so this frequency is significantly higher than the other group(each 20.8%, 16.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The knowledge on hepatitis B in HBsAg positive patients is relatively low and the frequency of regular follow-up test is significantly higher in the group who took doctors recommendation. So it is very important that HBsAg carriers must be educated about the infectivity, preventive methods, and regular follow-up for early detection of complication like hepatocellular cancer.
Biomarkers ; Coitus ; Education ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Health Promotion ; Hematologic Tests ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Neoplasms ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Postal Service ; Ultrasonography ; Vaccination ; Surveys and Questionnaires

No abstract available in English.
Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Stomach* ; Ureter*

No abstract available.
Polycythemia*

Acupuncture with gold needle insertion is utilized in Oriental medicine, and the effect of therapy is represented by anti-inflammatory and analgesic function, But sometimes the needle is erroneously inserted into abdominal organs, and then it may cause dangerous complications. We report a case of multiple gold needles in the abdominal organs without having definete clinical symptoms.
Acupuncture* ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Needles* ; Radiography*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Poisoning*

Using 3D ultrasound, bilateral chylothorax was diagnosed antenatally in the second trimester. Apparently stable, bilateral pleural effusion progressed rapidly to severe hydrops with facial edema during observation, and then we decided bilateral pleural-amniotic shunt operation. Here we present a case where drainage of pleural effusion by a double reverse pig tail stent made by ourself was achieved, although placement of the thoracoamniotic shunt resulted in near complete drainage of bilateral pleural effusion with normalization of intrathoracic anatomic relationships, subsequent resolution of fetal hydrops, but the ultimate outcome was unsuccessful due to the internalization of one catheter and unknown sudden death. We think that ongoing research is required to further evaluation about complications associated with this procedure, specifically failure of function due to obstruction, migration of the catheter,
Catheters ; Chylothorax* ; Death, Sudden ; Drainage ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrops Fetalis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Stents ; Tail ; Ultrasonography

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially lethal outcome caused by sudden discontinuation or dose reduction of dopaminergic agents. We report an extremely rare case of NMS after deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery in a cerebral palsy (CP) patient without the withdrawal of dopaminergic agents. A 19-year-old girl with CP was admitted for DBS due to medically refractory dystonia and rigidity. Dopaminergic agents were not stopped preoperatively. DBS was performed uneventfully under monitored anesthesia. Dopaminergic medication was continued during the postoperative period. She manifested spasticity and muscle rigidity, and was high fever resistant to anti-pyretic drugs at 2 h postoperative. At postoperative 20 h, she suffered cardiac arrest and expired, despite vigorous cardiopulmonary resuscitation. NMS should be considered for hyperthermia and severe spasticity in CP patients after DBS surgery, irrespective of continued dopaminergic medication.
Anesthesia ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Cerebral Palsy* ; Deep Brain Stimulation* ; Dopamine Agents ; Dystonia ; Female ; Fever ; Globus Pallidus* ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Muscle Rigidity ; Muscle Spasticity ; Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome ; Postoperative Period ; Young Adult

Lymphangioma is an uncommon malformation of the lymphatic system that involves a benign proliferation of the lymphatics, with no established treatment method. Multiple colonic lymphangioma, or colonic lymphangiomatosis, is an extremely rare condition. We report a case of colonic lymphangiomatosis that was detected during a colonoscopic examination conducted as part of a general health check-up. The lesion completely resolved after excisional biopsy.
Biopsy* ; Colon* ; Lymphangioma ; Lymphatic System

Nevoid melanoma is a very rare histological subtype of vertical growth phase melanoma. Histologically, it mimics benign nevus and thus may lead to an erroneous diagnosis. We report a case of nevoid melanoma arising in a 53-year-old American woman. High index of suspicion and evaluation of cytologic atypia with ancillary tests may help in establishing the diagnosis.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Forearm* ; Humans ; Melanoma* ; Middle Aged ; Nevus ; Skin

PURPOSE: Cancer patients require emotional, financial and practical support as well as information/advice regarding their illness. This study aims to explore opportunities and barriers for the provision of the social support services in Australia and Korea. METHODS: The survey was carried out by an email questionnaire for social workers in Australia and Korea, and collected data were analyzed using a thematic analysis by Braun and Clarke. RESULTS: In Australia and Korea, various types of social support were available for cancer patients. However, social support for cancer patients should be better understood first in Korea, and more personalized support is needed in Australia. CONCLUSION: These findings will ultimately help to improve social support services for cancer patients in Korea an Australia, through grasping the current state and making up for the weak points.
Australia ; Electronic Mail ; Hand Strength ; Hospice Care ; Humans ; Korea ; Social Workers