Congenital agenesis of the seminal vesicle is commonly associated with mullerian duct cysts and frequently combined with anomalies of the vas deferens or urinary tract. We report a case of a 29 year-old man with congenital agenesis of the seminal vesicle without any associated anomaly of the urogenital organs. He had infertility for 2 years and two semen analyses revealed azoospermia. There was no abnormal finding in physical examination of the testis, epididymis, or vas deferens. However, we could not locate the seminal vesicles in a transrectal ultrasound and computed tomography. We referred him to an infertility clinic for assisted reproductive technology.
Azoospermia ; Epididymis ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Semen Analysis ; Seminal Vesicles ; Testis ; Urinary Tract ; Vas Deferens

Congenital agenesis of the seminal vesicle is commonly associated with mullerian duct cysts and frequently combined with anomalies of the vas deferens or urinary tract. We report a case of a 29 year-old man with congenital agenesis of the seminal vesicle without any associated anomaly of the urogenital organs. He had infertility for 2 years and two semen analyses revealed azoospermia. There was no abnormal finding in physical examination of the testis, epididymis, or vas deferens. However, we could not locate the seminal vesicles in a transrectal ultrasound and computed tomography. We referred him to an infertility clinic for assisted reproductive technology.
Azoospermia ; Epididymis ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Semen Analysis ; Seminal Vesicles ; Testis ; Urinary Tract ; Vas Deferens

Tumor endothelial marker 7 (TEM7) is a putative transmembrane protein that is highly expressed in the tumor endothelium. In the present study, the expression profile of TEM7 in the rat forebrain was investigated using immunohistochemistry with a specific polyclonal antibody against the extracellular region of TEM7. The immunohistochemical research revealed that TEM7 expressions were localized to specific neuronal areas such as cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamic magnocellular nuclei. The TEM7 protein was mainly present in the dendrite and cell body of the projection neurons. However, glial cells, vascular endothelial cells and meningeal cells did not show the expression of TEM7, indicating the specific roles of TEM7 in the neuronal cells in the vertebrate nervous system.
Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; Dendrites ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium ; Hippocampus ; Immunohistochemistry ; Nervous System ; Neuroglia ; Neurons ; Prosencephalon* ; Rats* ; Vertebrates

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to improve the Korean influenza management system and to determine the status of influenza vaccination in some community health centers through a survey of the officers in charge of influenza vaccination. METHODS: The authors conducted a questionnaire survey by e-mail for the officers in charge of influenza vaccination of 8 community health centers in Daegu-si, 5 community health centers in Ulsan-si and 25 community health centers in Gyeongsangbuk-do. The authors developed a questionnaire including selection methods of the influenza vaccination objects, results of influenza vaccination in 2002, problems of influenza vaccination, the population within the respondents`jurisdiction and so on. RESULTS: The proportion of influenza vaccination at community health centers among all residents in the 2002-2003 influenza season was 3.8% in Daegu-si, 14.8% in Ulsan-si, 15.1% in urban Gyeongsangbuk-do and 24.9% in rural Gyeongsangbuk-do. The proportion of influenza vaccination at community health centers among priority cases for vaccination was 12.9% in Daegu-si, 43.1% in Ulsan-si, 39.3% in urban Gyeongsangbuk and 41.6% in rural Gyeongsangbuk-do. The officers in charge of influenza vaccination stated that the problems of influenza vaccination were deficiencies in preparatory examination such as manpower shortage. Twenty-five persons stated as a problem that influenza vaccinations conducted in the hospitals were hardly reported, and fifteen of these clarified that this was due to hospital indifference. CONCLUSIONS: The authors examined all community health centers of Daegu-si, Ulsan-si, and Gyeongsangbuk-do, and investigated the vaccination states and problems that health officers were dealing with. Therefore, this study is meaningful with its basic data for the management of domestic influenza vaccination.
Community Health Centers* ; Electronic Mail ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Influenza, Human* ; Seasons ; Vaccination* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objectives: We aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics of carbapenemaseproducing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) outbreaks in healthcare settings in the Republic of Korea between 2017 and 2022. Methods: Under the national notifiable disease surveillance system, we obtained annual descriptive statistics regarding the isolated species, carbapenemase genotype, healthcare facility type, outbreak location and duration, and number of patients affected and recommended interventions. We used epidemiological investigation reports on CPE outbreaks reported to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency from June 2017 to September 2022. Results: Among the 168 reports analyzed, Klebsiella pneumoniae (85.1%) was the most frequently reported species, while K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC, 82.7%) was the most common carbapenemase genotype. Both categories increased from 2017 to 2022 (p < 0.01). General hospitals had the highest proportion (54.8%), while tertiary general hospitals demonstrated a decreasing trend (p < 0.01). The largest proportion of outbreaks occurred exclusively in intensive care units (ICUs, 44.0%), and the frequency of concurrent outbreaks in ICUs and general wards increased over time (p < 0.01). The median outbreak duration rose from 43.5 days before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic (2017–2019) to 79.5 days during the pandemic (2020–2022) (p = 0.01), and the median number of patients associated with each outbreak increased from 5.0 to 6.0 (p = 0.03). Frequently recommended interventions included employee education (38.1%), and 3 or more measures were proposed for 45.2% of outbreaks. Conclusion In the Republic of Korea, CPE outbreaks have been consistently dominated by K. pneumoniae and KPC. The size of these outbreaks increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight the need for continuing efforts to control CPE outbreaks using a multimodal approach, while considering their epidemiology.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for early colorectal cancer (ECC) is increasing, but in Korea, little is known about long-term results of this treatment, especially in cases of incomplete resection. In this study, we reviewed the records of patients with ECC who underwent EMR, and we analysed the clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings, as well as the follow-up data, to evaluate the effectiveness and the long-term results of EMR. METHODS: From May 1995 to December 2003, 45 patients underwent EMR for ECC at Seoul National University Hospital and followed for over 10 months. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: 45 patients with average age of 62 accounted for 47 ECCs out of 164 colon mucosal lesions. En-bloc resection rate was 78.7%. Submucosal invasion was found in 10 cases (21.3%). De novo cancer rate was 12.8% and relatively high in submucosal cancer (40%). The complete resection rate was 70.2%. During the mean follow-up period of 25 months, residual tumor growth occurred in 3 out of 14 incompletely resected cases, and that was related to piecemeal resection. One of those 3 patients underwent surgical resection due to submucosal invasion, and the other two were treated endoscopically with no additional abnormal findings. No tumor recurred in completely resected cases. CONCLUSIONS: A complete en-bloc resection was a prerequisite for prevention of tumor recurrence. In cases of incomplete resection, especially those performed using piecemeal method, within 3 months after the resection and within 1 year thereafter, follow-ups are essential for the early detection of tumor regrowth, and additional endoscopic treatment can achieve complete removal of residual tumor, despite initial incomplete resection.
Colon ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

Objectives: On February 26, 2021, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination was started for high-priority groups based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with 2 available COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech) in Korea. This report provides a summary of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination as of April 30, 2021. Methods: Adverse events following immunization are notifiable by medical doctors to the Korea Immunization Management System (KIMS) under the national surveillance system. We analyzed all adverse events reports following COVID-19 vaccination to the KIMS from February 26 to April 30, 2021. Results: In total, 16,196 adverse events following 3,586,814 administered doses of COVID-19 vaccines were reported in approximately 2 months (February 26 to April 30, 2021). Of these, 15,658 (96.7%) were non-serious adverse events, and 538 (3.3%) were serious adverse events, including 73 (0.5%) deaths. The majority of adverse events (n=13,063, 80.7%) were observed in women, and the most frequently reported adverse events were myalgia (52.2%), fever (44.9%), and headache (34.9%). Of the 73 deaths following the COVID-19 vaccination, none were related to the vaccines. Conclusion By April 30, 3.6 million doses of the COVID 19 vaccine had been given in Korea, and the overwhelming majority of reports were for non-serious events. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency continues to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccination.

Objectives: On February 26, 2021, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination was started for high-priority groups based on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices with 2 available COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca and Pfizer-BioNTech) in Korea. This report provides a summary of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination as of April 30, 2021. Methods: Adverse events following immunization are notifiable by medical doctors to the Korea Immunization Management System (KIMS) under the national surveillance system. We analyzed all adverse events reports following COVID-19 vaccination to the KIMS from February 26 to April 30, 2021. Results: In total, 16,196 adverse events following 3,586,814 administered doses of COVID-19 vaccines were reported in approximately 2 months (February 26 to April 30, 2021). Of these, 15,658 (96.7%) were non-serious adverse events, and 538 (3.3%) were serious adverse events, including 73 (0.5%) deaths. The majority of adverse events (n=13,063, 80.7%) were observed in women, and the most frequently reported adverse events were myalgia (52.2%), fever (44.9%), and headache (34.9%). Of the 73 deaths following the COVID-19 vaccination, none were related to the vaccines. Conclusion By April 30, 3.6 million doses of the COVID 19 vaccine had been given in Korea, and the overwhelming majority of reports were for non-serious events. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency continues to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccination.

The diagnosis of pyomyositis in the pelvic region is difficult, as its incidence is relatively, with symptoms that mimic those of discogenic pain. Sciatica is a common presentation of a prolapsed lumbar disc. Less common causes, such as spinal stenosis, pelvic tumors or even primary nerve tumors can also cause these symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful diagnostic tool. Herein, the case of a patient with an acute pyogenic infection in the iliopsoas muscle, presenting with sciatica, is reported. This is a rare infective disease, which if promptly treated with intravenous antibiotics, can be completely resolved; otherwise, it can result in deep abscess formation, sepsis and death.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pelvis ; Pyomyositis* ; Sciatica ; Sepsis ; Spinal Stenosis

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine an effective survey method for the accurate calculation of obesity prevalence by comparing the self-reported and measured height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) using the 2018 Korea Community Healthy Survey (CHS) data. METHODS: Raw data from the 2018 CHS were used to analyze the differences, correlation, and agreement between self-reported and measured height, weight, and BMI. RESULTS: The self-reported height was over-reported than the measured height (0.59 cm greater for men and 0.71 cm greater for women), while the self-reported weight was under-reported than the measured weight (0.55 kg less for men and 0.67 kg less for women). Subsequently, the self-reported BMI was under-estimated (0.35 kg/m2 lower for men and 0.49 kg/m2 lower for women) compared with the measured BMI. The kappa statistic and agreement between measured and self-reported values per BMI category (underweight, normal, overweight, and obesity) were 0.82 and 79.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of obesity should be calculated using the measured values provided in the CHS in order to promote local health projects based on accurate evidence.