Objective: The purpose of the present study was to screen the prevalence of aneurysms in migraineurs; to differentiate presenting features in migraineurs with and without aneurysm; and also to correlate the locations of aneurysm to the clinical features of migraine. Methods: A total of 4,416 subjects were interviewed and completed self-reported questionnaires on headache. Of these, 1,773 subjects diagnosed to have migraines based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders II (ICHD-II) criteria were screened for aneurysm by magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). When aneurysm was suspected, further investigation with trans femoral cerebral angiography (TFCA) or three dimensional computerized tomography (CT) angiography was performed. Based upon MRA findings, subjects were grouped into unruptured aneurysm migraine patients (UAMP) and no aneurysm migraine patients (NAMP). Results: The prevalence of aneurysm was 3.6% (63 of 1,773) with the mean age of 56.0 years, which were not different from those of general population. There was no difference in migraine subtypes between UAMP and NAMP. Aggravation of headache by estrogen replacement therapy during menopause (p=.039), history of migraine in young age (p= .021), diplopia (p=.026), and retroauricular pain (p=.025) were significantly associated with presence of aneurysm. Although aneurysms were detected more in anterior circulation, there was no correlation between aneurysm site and headache location. The average size of aneurysm was 3.5 ± 2.1 mm and none were ruptured. Interventional therapy of aneurysm did not alter the feature of migraine. Conclusions: The incidence of aneurysm was not different in migraine patients as compared to the general population. Some features which significantly differentiate whether migrainuers have aneurysm or not warrant further study to have a predictive and localizing value.

No abstract available.
Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Receptors, Androgen*

No abstract available.
Carbon Dioxide* ; Carbon* ; Respiratory Rate* ; Tidal Volume*

PURPOSE: This study was to ascertain whether there are differences in health care utilization and expenditure for Type I Medical Aid Beneficiaries before and after applying Copayment. METHODS: This study was one-group pretest posttest design study using secondary data analysis. Data for pretest group were collected from claims data of the Korea National Health Insurance Corporation and data for posttest group were collected through door to-door interviews using a structured questionnaire. A total of 1,364 subjects were sampled systematically from medical aid beneficiaries who had applied for copayment during the period from December 12, 2007 to September 25, 2008. RESULTS: There was no negative effect of copayment on accessibility to medical services, medication adherence (p=.94), and quality of life (p=.25). Some of the subjects' health behaviors even increased preferably after applying for copayment including flu prevention (p<.001), health care examination (p=.035), and cancer screening (p=.002). However, significant suppressive effects of copayment were found on outpatient hospital visiting days (p<.001) and outpatient medical expenditure (p<.001). CONCLUSION: Copayment does not seem to be a great influencing factor on beneficiaries'accessibility to medical services and their health behavior even though it has suppressive effects on outpatients' use of health care.
Cost Sharing ; Delivery of Health Care ; Early Detection of Cancer ; Health Behavior ; Health Care Costs ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Korea ; Medicaid ; Medication Adherence ; National Health Programs ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life ; Statistics as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to compare recipients' health behavior, attitude to using medicaid, medication compliance, and the changes in hospital cost and visit-day of in-patient and out-patient care between tele-care regions (TCR) and general care regions (GCR) in Korean medicaid. METHOD: The design of the study was ex-post facto comparing recipients in TCR and GCR. The sample included 625 persons in TCR and 410 persons in GCR. To collect materials, the case manager interviewed recipients of medicaid and filled out questionnaires which were analyzed through SAS/PC 9.1. RESULTS: In studying health behavior and medication, compliance was not significant. However, the attitude to using medicaid was significantly more positive in TCR than in GCR. In out-patients, the change of hospital visit-day was not significant between TCR and GCR, but TCR showed a reduction in hospital cost compared to GCR. For in-patient recipients, GCR showed a greater reduction in changes in hospital cost and visit-day compared to TCR. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study show that attitudes to using medicaid via telephone are positive and results are more effective than hospital visit consultation, and the cost of out-patient care could be reduced.
Case Management ; Compliance ; Delivery of Health Care ; Health Behavior ; Hospital Costs ; Humans ; Medicaid ; Medication Adherence ; Outpatients ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Telephone

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study is to analyze 1,068 cases of prenatal genetic amniocentesis and to compare the results with reported studies. METHOD: We analyzed 1,068 cases of midtrimester prenatal genetic amniocenteses from September 1994 to February 1999, and investigated the fetal chromosomal abnormality, obstetric outcomes and complications by the indications of genetic amniocentesis and prophylactic antibiotic use at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine. RESULTS: Abnormal maternal serum markers were the most common indication of amniocentesis (57.7%) and the most common age distribution was 25-29 years (39.2%). One case of early amniocentesis (14 gestational weeks) was performed. The overall incidence of chromosomal aberration was 5.2% (56/1,068), of which there were 28 cases (50.0%; 28/56) of numerical aberrations and 28 cases (50.0%; 28/56) of structural aberrations. There were 50 cases (4.7%) of autosomal chromosomal aberrations and 6 cases (0.6%) of sex chromosomal aberrations. The pregnancy outcome was full-term delivery in 86.5%, preterm delivery in 7.6%, termination of pregnancy in 4.0%. There were no cases of serious complications including fetal death except for a case of self-limited amniotic fluid leakage(high leakage) in which the pregnancy was maintained. There were no significant differences between prophylactic antibiotics user group and non-user group in obstetric complications and outcomes. CONCLUSION: We could confirm that the trend in the indication of genetic amniocentesis had changed from advanced maternal age(35 year-old) toward abnormal maternal serum marker(triple test), and we recognized the importance of genetic amniocentesis according to the various antenatal screening tests of maternal serum marker, antenatal ultrasound, past history of fetal anomaly or family history of fetal chromosomal anomaly in the younger age groups(< 35 year-old) that are involved in more than half of the chromosomal anomaly. Further study will be needed to elucidate the efficacy of using prophylactic antibiotics in amniocentesis.
Age Distribution ; Amniocentesis* ; Amniotic Fluid ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biomarkers ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography

Leiomyoma is rare. Most of patients present with urinary tract infection, hematuria, dyspareunia, or complaint of mass. A case of leiomyoma on urethrovaginal septum in a 36 years old female was presented. The presenting symptom was a protruding mass at the anterior vaginal wall The mass was removed surgically and confirmed as a leiomyoma pathologically.
Adult ; Dyspareunia ; Female ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Urinary Tract Infections

PURPOSE: The purpose was to evaluate the procedure-related complications of the TIPS and its clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials consisted of 52 patients who had 57 TIPS procedures for the management of variceal bleeding due to portal hypertension. To detect the occurrence of complications during transhepatic needle puncture(from hepatic vein to the portal vein), contrast material was injected with the withdrawl of the puncture needle. RESULTS: Procedure-related complications occurred in 28 patients (54%) among 52 patients. The corn lications were biliary tree puncture(15 cases), transperitoneal puncture(14 cases), stent malposition(3 cases) stent migration(1 case), hepatic arteries puncture(1 case), splenic vein perforation(1 case), and paroxysmal tricular tachycardia(1 case). Three patients had acute stent thrombosis with rebleeding immediately after procedure. The procedure was repeated in two patients. One patient was expired due to rebleeding. CONCLUSION: The procedure related complications were clinically insignificant in most instances, when stent thrombosis or proxysmal ventricular tachycardia was developed.
Biliary Tract ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hepatic Artery ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Needles ; Portasystemic Shunt, Surgical* ; Punctures ; Splenic Vein ; Stents ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Thrombosis ; Zea mays

To evaluate the results and clinical impact of defecography in patients with anorectal diseases, 304 defecographic examinations from 304 patients were reviewed. The defecographic results were screened for the anorectal angle and perineal descent at rest, squeezing and during straining. Changes of rectal configuration and canal width during straining were reviewed. 304 patients had defecation problems such as terminal constipation, defecation defficulty, blood or mucus discharge, tenesmus, obstruction sensation etc. They were performed anorectal physical examination and anal manometry etc., and were later treated by operation and conservative management. Normal anorectal angle were measured to be 101°, 91°, 131°at rest, during squeezing and straining respectively. In the spastic pelvic floor syndrome, increase of anorectal angle less than 10 ° from rest to straining was observed. Incontinent patients had a larger anorectal angle (mean: 128°) at rest. 7.8cm of perineal descent was found in descending perineal syndrome in comparison to 4.0cm in normal. Normal anal canal width was measured 1.4cm only during straining but identified in incontinent patients at rest (mean:1.2cm). Abnormal rectal configuration was found in 254 defecographic examinations: rectoceles were observed in 235 cases and were associated with rectal prolapse in 115 cases, and rectal prolapses were found in 134 cases. In conclusion, the anorectal angle was valuable in evaluation of spastic pelvic floor syndrome and fecal incontinence. Degree of perineal descent was abnormally increased in descending perineal syndrome. In the cases of the rectoceles and rectal prolapses, defecography is helpful in preoperative evaluation of rectal wall change and postoperative follow up.
Anal Canal ; Constipation ; Defecation ; Defecography* ; Fecal Incontinence ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Manometry ; Mucus ; Muscle Spasticity ; Pelvic Floor ; Physical Examination ; Rectal Prolapse ; Rectocele ; Sensation

BACKGROUND: Ischemic preconditioning(a prior short period of coronary artery occlusion) has been known to have protective effects on ischemia-induced myocardial injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hypoxic preconditioning or ischemic preconditioning on the
Animals ; Anoxia ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac* ; Cats* ; Coronary Vessels ; Heart* ; Hypoventilation ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; Methods ; Reperfusion ; Tachycardia, Ventricular ; Thoracotomy ; Ventilation ; Ventricular Fibrillation