Verrucous carcinoma is a low-grade squamous cell carcinoma first described in 1948 by Ackerman. It is a slowly growing, fungating and verrucous tumor that may penetrate deep into the tissue. There are many causative agents such as HPV infection, chronic irritation, radiation, and etc. We report a case of verrucous carcinoma developed at the wrist joint, a relatively unusual site.

Cervical epidural abscess (CEA) is a very uncommon disease with diverse clinical presentations. Clinically, it is difficult to diagnose this disease, especially in early stage. We report an atypical case of CEA showing only progressive quadriparesis without any other symptoms or signs of CEA. From this experience, CEA must be considered when progressive quadriparesis without any specific cause is developed in immuno-compromised patients and diabetic patients with polyneuropathies.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Epidural Abscess ; Humans ; Polyneuropathies ; Quadriplegia

Cervical epidural abscess (CEA) is a very uncommon disease with diverse clinical presentations. Clinically, it is difficult to diagnose this disease, especially in early stage. We report an atypical case of CEA showing only progressive quadriparesis without any other symptoms or signs of CEA. From this experience, CEA must be considered when progressive quadriparesis without any specific cause is developed in immuno-compromised patients and diabetic patients with polyneuropathies.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Epidural Abscess ; Humans ; Polyneuropathies ; Quadriplegia

Gradual decline in cognitive function and behavioral changes are characteristic in degenerative dementia. Although acute to subacute subcortical lesion can affect behavior and cognition, few reports have described both cognitive and behavioral deficits in patients with right basal ganglia lesion. An 82-year-old man presented with memory impairment, pathological crying, delusion and other psychological symptoms that developed insidiously over the previous 2 months. Initially, the patient had been diagnosed with degenerative dementia, but brain MRI showed the hematoma in the right basal ganglia. Our case shows that cognitive dysfunction, behavioral and psychological symptoms including pathological laughing and delusion can be developed concurrently by the lesion of the right basal ganglia. Our case suggests that cerebrovascular disease should be considered in elderly patients presenting with subacute cognitive and behavioral deterioration, even when there were no other neurological signs.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Cognition ; Crying ; Delusions ; Dementia ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Memory

No abstract available.
Cerebral Infarction ; Stroke* ; Thrombocythemia, Essential*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients with diffractive multifocal toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. METHODS: Thirty-four eyes of 26 patients underwent diffractive multifocal toric IOL. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) at distant, intermediate and near and residual refractive astigmatism were measured on the first day, at 2 weeks, and 1, 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Optical quality obtained using the Optical Quality Analysis System II (OQAS II), high-order aberrations (HOA) and patient satisfaction questionnaire were evaluated 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At the 6 month postoperative visit, the mean UCVA at distant, intermediate (63 cm, 100 cm) and near were 0.06 +/- 0.07, 0.18 +/- 0.11, 0.16 +/- 0.12 and 0.03 +/- 0.06 (log MAR), respectively. The refractive astigmatism decreased significantly from -1.66 +/- 1.04 D to -0.54 +/- 0.32 D at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.01). The means of objective scatter index, modulation transfer function (MTF) cut-off value, Strehl ratio and pseudo-accommodation range measured by OQAS II were 1.33 +/- 0.67, 37.24 +/- 9.67 cdp, 0.22 +/- 0.09 and 3.08 +/- 0.53 D, respectively. HOA scores for 5 mm and 6 mm were 0.30 +/- 0.09 and 0.49 +/- 0.15, respectively; 82.3% of the patients were satisfied with the postoperative results, 79.4% of the patients reported they would recommend the procedure to others, and 14.7% of patients reported moderate or severe visual disturbance at night. CONCLUSIONS: Implantation of a diffractive multifocal toric IOL in patients with cataract and corneal astigmatism provided excellent distant, intermediate, and near visual outcomes, good optical quality and high patient satisfaction.
Astigmatism ; Cataract ; Cytidine Diphosphate ; Humans ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular* ; Lenses, Intraocular ; Patient Satisfaction ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Visual Acuity

Vertigo due to primary cardiac disease, known as cardiogenic vertigo, has been rarely reported. We report one case showing recurrent vertigo episodes due to sick sinus syndrome. A 77-year-old female presented to our department because of long history of intermittent brief episodes of rotatory vertigo and non-vertiginous dizziness. She had no past medical history. There was no abnormal sign in neurological examination. Cardiac murmur, finally confirmed as grade 4 ejection systolic and grade 3 decrescendo diastolic murmurs, was found on physical examination. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and auditory evoked potential did not show any abnormal findings. She was consulted to a cardiologist for the evaluation of cardiac murmur. After the evaluation using electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and holter monitoring, she was diagnosed as sick sinus syndrome. After then, a ventricle ventricle inhibited (VVI) pacemaker was inserted. She did not complain of vertigo and dizziness for 3 months after the insertion of a VVI pacemaker. This case shows the need of auscultation for patients with recurrent vertigo episodes although there is rare cardiogenic vertigo.
Aged ; Auscultation ; Brain ; Dizziness ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Evoked Potentials, Auditory ; Female ; Heart Diseases ; Heart Murmurs ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neurologic Examination ; Physical Examination ; Sick Sinus Syndrome ; Vertigo

PURPOSE: Neurological outcome prediction is an important aspect of post-resuscitation care in cardiac arrest survivors. The appearance of high serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) is known to be associated with ischemic brain injury and poor neurological outcome. The application of therapeutic hypothermia to cardiac arrest survivors has been shown to improve neurological outcomes. As such, we investigated the predictive value of serial serum NSE levels in patients who were resuscitated from cardiac arrest. METHODS: This study included 123 cardiac arrest survivors who were treated by therapeutic hypothermia from January 2008 to June 2011. Blood samples used for evaluating NSE were collected at return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at 6, 24 and 48 hours after initiation of therapeutic hypothermia. Neurological outcome was graded as 'good' or 'poor' at discharge and assessed according to the Cerebral Performance Category scale (CPC). A poor outcome was defined as a CPC value of 3-5. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed NSE cut-off values of 53.9 microg/L (sensitivity 14.6%), 48.5 microg/L (sensitivity 30.6%), 80.0 microg/L (sensitivity 40.0%), and 52.7 microg/L (sensitivity 55.5%) for poor outcomes with a specificity of 100%, measured at ROSC of 6, 24 and 48 hours after initiation of therapeutic hypothermia, respectively. The poor outcome group showed significant change in NSE concentration over time (p=0.002), while the good outcome group did not. CONCLUSION: Detection of NSE at the cut-off value, 48 hr after initiation of therapeutic hypothermia was a specific but moderately sensitive marker of poor outcome at discharge. Single measurements of NSE should be cautiously interpreted, but NSE change over time was helpful in predicting the neurologic outcome.
Brain Injuries ; Dinucleoside Phosphates ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Neurons ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Survivors

PURPOSE: Neurological outcome prediction is an important aspect of post-resuscitation care in cardiac arrest survivors. The appearance of high serum neuron specific enolase (NSE) is known to be associated with ischemic brain injury and poor neurological outcome. The application of therapeutic hypothermia to cardiac arrest survivors has been shown to improve neurological outcomes. As such, we investigated the predictive value of serial serum NSE levels in patients who were resuscitated from cardiac arrest. METHODS: This study included 123 cardiac arrest survivors who were treated by therapeutic hypothermia from January 2008 to June 2011. Blood samples used for evaluating NSE were collected at return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at 6, 24 and 48 hours after initiation of therapeutic hypothermia. Neurological outcome was graded as 'good' or 'poor' at discharge and assessed according to the Cerebral Performance Category scale (CPC). A poor outcome was defined as a CPC value of 3-5. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed NSE cut-off values of 53.9 microg/L (sensitivity 14.6%), 48.5 microg/L (sensitivity 30.6%), 80.0 microg/L (sensitivity 40.0%), and 52.7 microg/L (sensitivity 55.5%) for poor outcomes with a specificity of 100%, measured at ROSC of 6, 24 and 48 hours after initiation of therapeutic hypothermia, respectively. The poor outcome group showed significant change in NSE concentration over time (p=0.002), while the good outcome group did not. CONCLUSION: Detection of NSE at the cut-off value, 48 hr after initiation of therapeutic hypothermia was a specific but moderately sensitive marker of poor outcome at discharge. Single measurements of NSE should be cautiously interpreted, but NSE change over time was helpful in predicting the neurologic outcome.
Brain Injuries ; Dinucleoside Phosphates ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Hypothermia ; Hypothermia, Induced ; Neurons ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Survivors

Posthypoxic myoclonus is poorly controlled with current treatments. Based on clinical experience, valproate and benzodiazepines have been used to treat myoclonic seizures. Rarely, some antiepileptic drugs may exacerbate myoclonic seizures. Although lamotrigine is controversial for treatment in myoclonic seizures, we experience a case of posthypoxic myoclonus improved with lamotrigine add-on therapy.
Anticonvulsants ; Benzodiazepines ; Myoclonus* ; Seizures ; Valproic Acid