STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of a TLSO brace treatment for the correction of axial rotational deformities in idiopathic scoliosis. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW: A TLSO brace treatment is effective in correcting 2-dimensional deformities of idiopathic scoliosis but is questionable in axial rotational deformities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty three cases treated by bracing in March, 1999~February, 2005 at our department were reviewed. The posteroanterior and lateral radiographs were checked in the standing position throughout the study. The change in axial rotational deformity were analyzed using Nash & Moe method and Perdriolle's method. RESULTS: The rotational deformity had improved in 2 curves, was aggravated in 8 curves, and showed no change in 43 curves with the TLSO brace. CONCLUSIONS: The TLSO brace treatment in axial rotational deformity of idiopathic scoliosis is not effective in correcting the rotational deformity but is effective in preventing the progress of a rotational deformity.
Braces ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Orthotic Devices ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis

The purpose of this study was to analyse the center of resistance of the maxillary first molar using the 3-dimension finite element method. An extracted maxillary first molar of normal shape and average root length was selected and sectioned every 1.5mm parallel to the cementoenamel junction. Each section was traced and digitized to construct 3-D finite element model of the maxillary first molar. After a certain magnitude of counterbalancing moment(M) was applied to the tooth, a varying single force(F) of distomesial direction was applied to a certain point of the tooth until the tooth was translated. The force producing translation(Ft) was substituted to the equation deltad = M/Ft to calculate the center of resistance of the maxillary first molar. And reducing the alveolar bone level 1.68mm, and 3.36mm below to the cementoenamel junction, the tooth movement was analysed to see the effect of reducing the alveolar bone level to the location of the center of resistance. The results were as follows; 1. The center of resistance of the maxillary first molar was 3.72mm apical, 1.10mm buccal, and 0.71mm mesial to the geometric center of the horizontally sectioned surface at the cementoenamel junction. This point was 0.36mm apical, 1.20mm buccal, and 0.71mm mesial to the trifurcation point, indicating that it was not on the tooth root. 2. As the alveolar bone level was reduced, the center of resistance of the maxillary first molar was moved to the apical direction.
Finite Element Analysis* ; Molar* ; Tooth ; Tooth Cervix ; Tooth Movement ; Tooth Root

PURPOSE: To analyze difference in bone mineral density (BMD) between intertrochanteric fracture and control group and to explore the predictive value of BMD for intertrochanteric fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 57 patients who were over 60-year-old with intertrochanteric fracture were examined. For control group, 110 patients who did not have any fracture were selected. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was studied at 1, 2, 3, 4 lumbar vertebrae, femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle. BMD was compared at each site between two groups statistically. RESULTS: Fracture group consisted of 16 male, 41 female and was average 70.8 year old. Control group consisted of 21 male, 89 female and was average 68.1 year old. There was no differences in sex and age between two groups (p>0.05). BMD of L1, L2 and mean lumbar area were significantly less in fracture group than control group (p<0.05). There was no difference between two groups in BMD of another sites (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: BMD of L1, L2 and mean lumbar area in fracture group had lower value significantly, but had no differences between two groups at another sites. BMD of L1, L2 and mean lumbar area might be used as the most sensitive predictive indicator for risk of osteoporotic fractures including intertrochanteric fracture in elderly patient.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged* ; Bone Density* ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporotic Fractures

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Eosinophils play a major role in the pathophysiology of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRS/NP). The secreted form of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is considered to be the marker of eosinophil activity. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between serum ECP and CRS/NP. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective review of medical records was carried out on 198 patients who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery from March, 2001 through July, 2006 at our institution. We reviewed blood eosinophil counts, tissue eosinophil, serum ECP, symptom scores, CT scan scores according to the Lund-Mackay system, recurrence of polyp and revision surgery during follow-up. RESULTS: The serum ECP concentration was significantly higher in the CRS/NP patients than in the normal control subjects. The serum ECP concentration was significantly correlated with the blood eosinophil count, CT score and tissue eosinophil count. The serum ECP concentration was significantly higher in patients with recurrence or revision surgery than in patients without recurrence or revision surgery. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the level of serum ECP is correlated with the disease severity, and is one of prognostic factors after endoscopic sinus surgery.
Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Polyps ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Colonoscopy is a very effective and essential examination to diagnose colorectal cancer; however, many patients experience discomfort due to post-examination abdominal pain, which reduces colonoscopy compliance. This study was conducted to determine methods for reducing post-colonoscopic abdominal pain. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled study of 405 male and female adults who visited Hana General Hospital in Cheongju. We surveyed general characteristics, history of colonoscopy, and other related factors, then categorized examinees into 5 groups (0-5) according to the site of scope reinsertion. Pain was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS). RESULTS: The mean age of examinees in this study was 47.8 years, and 210 participants had prior experience of colonoscopy. No significant difference was observed between variables, with the exception of reinsertion duration (P=0.005). Pain scores were different between performing physicians (P=0.006), and were higher when the subjective level of procedure difficulty was low (P=0.026) in univariate analysis. Pain scores decreased as the reinsertion site became closer to the proximal colon (P<0.001), but there was no significant difference between groups 3 and 4. The results of multiple logistic regression analysis, including univariate analysis, showed that group 1 had 0.48 times, group 2 had 0.38 times, group 3 had 0.09 times, and group 4 had 0.03 times odds ratio (moderate-to-severe pain, NRS ≥4) than control group 0. CONCLUSION: Air decompression by scope reinsertion is an effective way to reduce abdominal pain after colonoscopy. Removing air when the reinserted scope approaches the hepatic flexure seems to be the most effective method to reduce post-colonoscopic pain.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Compliance ; Decompression* ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Methods ; Odds Ratio

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Superantigens such as Staphylococcus aureus exotoxin (SE) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (NP). The aim of this study was to determine the immunologic response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to staphylococcal exotoxin B (SEB) in patients with NP. METHODS: The interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) responses of PBMCs to nonspecific mitogens such as phylohemagglutin (PHA) and SEB were examined in 24 NP patients and 16 control subjects. The presence or absence of atopy and asthma was determined to evaluate the correlation of these conditions with the levels of cytokines. RESULTS: PBMCs from the NP patients were more likely to produce IL-4 and IL-5 in response to SEB than those from controls. There was no difference in the mitogen-induced cytokine responses between NP patients and controls. SEB-induced IL-5 and IL-4 levels were higher in patients with NP with asthma than in patients with NP without asthma. CONCLUSION: Patients with NP show an exaggerated Th2 cytokine response of PBMCs to SEB.
Asthma ; Exotoxins ; Humans ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Interleukins ; Mitogens ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Superantigens

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Allergic rhinitis is closely related to asthma. The skin prick test is an essential diagnostic tool for allergic disease. We evaluated differences in skin sensitization patterns between groups of patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma, or allergic rhinitis with asthma, in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2000 to 2009, patients with positive results from skin prick testing were divided into three groups: allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic asthma (AS), and allergic rhinitis with allergic asthma (AR+AS). We analyzed demographic data, rhinitis and asthma symptoms, and sensitization patterns. RESULTS: The most common aeroallergen was the house dust mite. The age distributions of the three disease groups differed significantly. Sensitization number, sensitization index, and atopy index were all significantly higher among the AR+AS group than among the AR or AS groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with allergic rhinitis with high numbers of skin sensitizations or intensive positivities should be considered to have concomitant asthma or to be at high risk for asthma development.
Age Distribution ; Asthma ; Humans ; Korea ; Pyroglyphidae ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Skin

OBJECTIVE: This study was to estimate the prevalence of and identify the predisposing risk factors of delirium and to determine the effect of delirium on the prognosis, especially death in burn patients. METHOD: The study was completed by thorough examination of medical records, with additional confirmation, of the 245 patients who were admitted to the Burn ICU in Burn treatment center of Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital during last one year (Jan. 1. 1998-Dec. 31. 1998). Delirium was retrospectively diagnosed according to DSM-IV. Only when disturbance of consciousness and attention, cognitive dysfunction especially disorientation, or perceptual disturbance were observed, diagnosis of delirium were given. Final outcome such as death was discriminated through examination of medical records or question to those who knew the patient. RESULTS: One year prevalence of delirium in burn patients is 34.4%. Statistically significant predisposing risk factors of delirium were five;Age 65 and over (OR=45.51, 95% CI:6.07-341.11), burn size over 60% of total body surface (OR=6.48, 95% CI:3.16-13.28), current psychiatric disorder (OR=6.81, 95% CI:1.42-32.57), current medical disease (OR=3.00, 95% CI:1.40-6.45), alcohol abuse (OR=3.17, 95% CI:1.07-9.43) Statistically significant deathrelated risk factors were three;burn size over 60% of total body surface (OR=4.58, 95% CI:2.00-10.46), delirium (OR=2.94, 95% CI:1.25-6.94), current psychiatric disorder (OR=4.09, 95% CI:1.05-15.87). Aging is not the death-related factor in this study. CONCLUSION: Three factors, such as delirium, organic brain damage, and burn size over 60% of total body surface may predict higher risk of death in burn patients.
Aging ; Alcoholism ; Brain ; Burns* ; Consciousness ; Delirium* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Heart ; Humans ; Critical Care* ; Medical Records ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

We report on a case involving total en bloc uncinatectomy of C7 without removal of the previously inserted cage, performed on a patient with a history of previous anterior cervical discectomy and fusion without uncoforaminotomy at C5-6-7 who had persistent pain radiating to the upper extremity along with progressive weakness. Satisfactory results were achieved. This procedure should be regarded as an effective option for surgical treatment of persistent or recurrent radiculopathy caused by remaining foraminal stenosis following anterior cervical fusion, and we suggest it as a new indication for this procedure.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Diskectomy* ; Humans ; Radiculopathy* ; Upper Extremity

Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Hantaan viruses has been one of the principal acute febrile disease in Korea. To analysis the sero-epidemiological patterns of HFRS, 4,177 patient sera of acute febrile illness submitted for serological assay to National Institute of Health from Community Health Centers, Institutes of Health and Environment and hospitals from 1996 to 2005 were examined for antibodies against Hantaan virus by indirect immunofluorescent assay (IFA). Serum samples with greater than 1:32 antibody titer were considered positive. The results were analyzed seroepidemiologically by annual, sexual, seasonal, age and regional distribution of HFRS patients. Out of 4,177 serum samples tested, 1,415 samples (33.9%) were positive to Hantaan virus. The ratio of males (48.2%, 682/1,415) to females (38.2%, 541/1,415) was 1.3:1. Seasonal incidence showed that 69.5% (985/1,415) of cases occurred from October to December, resulting with higher prevalence in November (41.3%, 584/1,415). Regionally, seropositive rates of samples collected in Gyenggi, Gangwon and Chungbuk were 39.9% (564/1,415), 19.3% (274/1,415) and 8.5% (120/1,1415), respectively. Age distributions of seropositive of HFRS were detected from 20 to 79 years (78%).
Academies and Institutes ; Age Distribution ; Antibodies ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Community Health Centers ; Female ; Fever* ; Gangwon-do ; Hantaan virus ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Male ; Prevalence ; Seasons