Juvenile dermatomyositis is an uncommon autoimmune disease with classic heliotrope discoloration of eyelids, erythematous skin rash of joints and proximal muscle weakness. Quite different from adults, malignancy is rarely accompanied in juvenile dermatomyositis. However vasculitis, muscle atrophy, calcification and gastrointestinal involvement are often observed in juvenile dermatomyositis. A six year old boy was admitted with chief complaints of general weakness and skin rash. Muscle biopsy was performed which was consistent with dermatomyositis. The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin, steroid, methotrexate and physiotherapy. We report a case of juvenile dermatomyositis.
Adult ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Biopsy ; Dermatomyositis* ; Exanthema ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Joints ; Male ; Methotrexate ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscular Atrophy ; Vasculitis

No abstract available.
Coronary Stenosis* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Dobutamine* ; Echocardiography, Stress* ; Female ; Humans

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive factors of saline reduction under ultrasound-guidance in patients with intussusception. METHODS: Ultrasound-guided saline enema reductions were performed in 105 patients with intussusception from September 1993 to April 1996 at Ewha Womans University Mok-dong Hospital. Clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic findings were analyzed as the predictive factors of ultrasound-guided saline enema reduction in 15 patients(14.3%) who were not reduced by saline enema reduction compared to 90 patients(85.7%) who were reduced. RESULTS: The mean age of the not-reduced group was 8.9+/-5.8 months old which was significantly younger than 14.5+/-15.4 months old of the reduced group(P<0.05) There were no significant differences in sex and clinical symptoms between the two groups(P>0.05). Among the ultrasonographic findings, the thickness of the hypoechoic outer rim in the not-reduced group was 10.5+/-3.3mm which was significantly thicker than 7.4+/-1.8mm of the reduced group(P<0.05). In stepwise logistic regression analysis, hypoechoic outer rim thickness over 8mm contributed significantly as the predictive factor for the failure of ultrasound-guided saline enema reduction(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The thickness of the hypoechoic outer rim over 8mm on ultrasonogram was the predictive factor for the failure of saline reduction.
Enema ; Female ; Humans ; Intussusception* ; Logistic Models ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Coinfection* ; Female ; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus* ; Herpes Zoster* ; Humans

The diagnosis and assessment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rapidly evolving area, with changes occurring in the definition of the disease, screening and diagnostic techniques, and staging and follow-up assessment. After 4th World Symposium on pulmonary hypertension (PH) which took place in Dana Point in early 2008, the definition of PH has been simplified (mean pulmonary artery pressure > or =25 mmHg) based on currently available evidences. The diagnosis of PH involves two stages: detection (determining the cause of a patient's symptoms, or to detect the presence of PAH in a high-risk patient) and characterization (determining the specific clinical context of the PH, including causal factors, associated diseases or substrates and hemodynamic perturbations). Echocardiography and right heart catheterization have been main diagnostic method in PAH. Also, there has been progress in imaging techniques and biomarkers used to screen patients for the disease and to follow up their response to therapy. Useful tools to predict outcome include functional class, exercise capacity, pulmonary hemodynamics, acute vasoreactivity, right ventricular function, as well as brain natriuretic peptide, endothelin-1, and so on. As new therapies have been developed for PAH, screening, prompt diagnosis, and accurate assessment of disease severity have become increasingly important. A clear definition of PH and the development of a rational approach to diagnostic assessment and follow-up using both conventional and new tools will be essential to advance proper treatment of patients.
Biomarkers ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Echocardiography ; Endothelin-1 ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Hypogonadism ; Mass Screening ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Pulmonary Artery ; Ventricular Function, Right

PURPOSE: Helicobacter pylori infection is probably acquired in childhood and persists as an asymptomatic infection for decades in most individuals. It is unclear why only a minority of those infected develop a clinical manifestation, even in childhood, such as peptic ulcer disease. H. pylori infection activates local immune responses and causes lymphocyte infiltration in the gastric mucosa. We have previously reported that both T and B cells in the lamina propria play important roles in the local immune response of H. pylori-infected children. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between H. pylori genotypes and gastric mucosal lymphocytes. METHODS: Twenty-five H. pylori-infected children (10 with peptic ulcer disease and 15 with gastritis) were enrolled in this study. We investigated the genotypes (cagA, cagE, vacA, and babA2) and evaluated the association with clinical manifestations, histopathology, and gastric mucosal lymphocytes. RESULTS: The prevalence of cagA, cagE, vacA s1m1, and babA2 was 80%, 60%, 84%, and 88%, respectively. The most prevalent (68%) combination of cagA, vacA, and babA2 genotypes was cagA+/ vacA s1m1+/babA2+. H. pylori genotypes were not associated with clinical manifestations, histopathology, or gastric mucosal lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: There was no association between the cagA, cagE, vacA, or babA2 status and gastric mucosal lymphocytes. The role of the host immune response in relation to H. pylori genotypes and disease potential in children needs further studies.
Asymptomatic Infections ; B-Lymphocytes ; Child ; Gastric Mucosa ; Genotype ; Helicobacter ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Mucous Membrane ; Peptic Ulcer ; Prevalence

clinical and radiologic findings that mainly involve the white/gray matter of the parieto-occipital lobes. The purpose of this study was to determine its clinical and radiological characteristics. METHODS: A total of 15 pateints were involved in the study. Their medical records and radiological features of brain MRI were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: Fifteen pateints were involved. (9 males and 5 females). The patients' ages ranged from 2-20 years (mean age:10 years). The brain MRI revealed fairly symmetric areas of increased T2 signal involving both white and gray matter of parieto-occipital regions. The condition seemed to be associated with cyclosporin A and steroid therapy or a variety of other conditions in which blood pressure rises acutely. CONCLUSION: Reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome is a complicated neurological condition, but a better understanding of this complex syndrome may obviate unnecessary investigations and lead to prompt and appropriate management of the associated problems.
Blood Pressure ; Brain ; Child* ; Cyclosporine ; Humans ; Leukoencephalopathies ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Medical Records ; Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seizures

Purpose: This study aimed to comprehensively review the experiences of postpartum depression in men. Methods: A qualitative meta-synthesis suggested by Noblit and Hare was conducted in this study. Three qualitative studies were chosen and synthesized to describe men's experiences of postpartum depression. Results: Four themes emerged as a result of synthesizing: “Frustration stemming from excessive responsibility as a father”, “Life of mine being tied to child-rearing”, “Suppression of emotions due to gender role stereotypes”, and “Communication interruption with wife due to marital conflict”. Conclusion The results of this study provided a deeper understanding of the experiences of postpartum depression in men, and can help establish prevention program and arrang social support for postpartum depression in men.