On the basis of the study intended to research by crosssectional study keeps pace with semilongitudinal study the growthaccelerating phenomena that Maximum Growth age in teenager's body-height. By the random sampling method, the subject of study are 12659 persons(male;6355, female;6304) that they are from 7 ages to 17 ages in the whole country including the rural community. The measurement period passed three month days, the statistical data became electronic data processing system with computer.The other side, body-height and MGA of Koreans who had been for during the period from 1925 to 1966 proved transition of the growth-accelerating phenomena by research data reported between 1913 and 1983. The results are as follows; 1. The Growth and Development-Value of Body-height. An age bracket the growth and development-value of body-height were, respectively, male is 123.88+/-5.05cm and female is 123.29+/-5.54cm for 7 ages group. these indices increased with age. The top-value reach, respectively. 169.08+/-5.62cm and 157.57+/-6.13cm. The intersecting ages of male and female were the age 8.5~12.5, during these periods, female excelled male but after these periods, male excelled female again. In case of body-height, MGA's are 7.0cm for male between 12 and 13 age, and 7.01cm for female between 8 and 9 ages. As a rule, body-height of male excelled female but intersection phenomena of male and female appeared between 8.5 and 12.5 ages. By reginal groups, it is most prevailing is Seoul, and medium size cities and rural community come in order. By regional groups, intersection phenomena of male and female are. a region of Seoul; 8.5~11.5 ages, a region of Daejeon; 7.5~9.5 ages, rural community; 11.5~14.5 ages the whole country's average; 8.5~12.5 ages By regional groups, the rate of maximum increase in a year are a regional of Seoul; male is 7.23cm as 13 ages, female is 7.65cm as 9 ages. a region of Daejeon; male is 7.85cm as 11 ages, female is 8.39cm as 9 ages. rural community; male is 7.65cm as 14 ages, female is 6.25 as 12 ages. the whole country's average; male is 7.0cm as 13 ages, female is 7.01 as 9 ages. 2. Maximum Growth Age (M.G.A.) By reginal groups, maximum Growth Age's are as below in a region of Seoul, MGA's are 12.63 for male and 9.01 for female, which shows that MGA for female appears about 3.5 years earlier than that for male. In a retion of Daejeon, MGA's are 9.20 for male and 8.93 for female, which show that they are all much the same in M.G.A. In rural community, MGA's are 14.00 for male and 11.89 for female, which shows that MGA for female appears about 2 years earlier than that for male. In the whole average, MGA's are 13.01 for male and 8.97 for female, which shows that for female appears about 4 years earlier than that for male. For boy, M.G.A. shows fastest-growing in Daegjeon, and Seoul and rural community come in order. For girl, It shows equal growth in Seoul and Daejeon, rural community comes later. 3. The M.G.A's in body height of male are respectively the age 15.02 in 1913, 14.23 in 1956, 13.86 in 1967, 13.62 in 1975, and 12.82 in 1981, while those of female are the age 12.0 in 1940, 11.52 in 1965, 9.53 in 1975, ad 11.16 in 1980; these data show that the MGA of the Koreans has been getting younger. 4. The equation of linear regression of all the MGA's in body height are as follow; Male: Y(M.G.A) = -0.020 x (the year) + 15.19 : female: Y(MGA) = -0.028 x (the year) + 13.2549. 5. The corelation of all the MGA's in body height are as below; male;r=-0.329, female;r=-0.252. 6. From the transition of the growth-accelating phenomena in 1980 we can capture the fact that the MGA's has been getting younger by 0.2 year per 10 years. 7. The MGA's in bodyheight are shown in table 4. 8. The future growth-accelating phenomena in body height are expected to show the similar tondency like that of the past, in 1910's but it should by more precisely reviewed after investigating the phenomena of the years directly ahead.
Acceleration* ; Automatic Data Processing ; Body Height* ; Female ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Male ; Rural Population ; Seoul

BACKGROUND: This study was undertaken to compare nosocomial infection rates between intensive care units of military and civilian hospitals. METHODS: From July to December 2000, we surveyed the intensive care unit of Armed Forces Capital Hospital (AFCH). We compared device use ratios and device-day infection rates with those of Korean Society for Nosocomial Infection Control (KOSNIC) and National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system. RESULTS: During the period of study, 185 cases were admitted and 24 nosocomial infections were detected: 7 cases of pneumonia, 6 urinary tract, 3 blood stream, 3 cardiovascular system, 3 surgical site infections, 1 skin and soft tissue, and 1 central nervous system infection. Ventilator, urinary catheter and central venous catheter use ratios were 0.14 (95% confidence interval, 0.12-0.16), 0.58 (0.56-0.60) and 0.33 (0.31-0.35). The ratios of NNIS were 0.41, 0.67 and 0.50. Ventilator-, urinary catheter- and central venous catheter-day infection rates were 18.69(11.36-53.32), 6.65 (3.36-14.20) and 1.95 (1.44-9.92). However, the rates of KOSNIC were 9.93, 5.29 and 3.62. The rates of NNIS were 11.24, 6.14 and 5.55. CONCLUSIONS: In AFCH ventilators were used less frequently than NNIS, but more ventilator-associated pneumonia were developed than KOSNIC and NNIS.
Arm ; Cardiovascular System ; Central Nervous System Infections ; Central Venous Catheters ; Cross Infection* ; Hospitals, Military ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Critical Care* ; Military Personnel* ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Ventilator-Associated ; Rivers ; Skin ; Urinary Catheters ; Urinary Tract ; Ventilators, Mechanical

The pectus carinatum or anterior protrusion of the sternum is a less common than pectus excavatum. It occurs more frequently in boys than girls and associated musculoskeletal abnormalities, spinal scoliosis is most common. Ravitch first reported correction of chondromanubrial prominence in 1952, resecting the multiple deformed costal cartilages and performing a double osteotomy on sternum. We have experienced one case of pectus carinatum and obtained satisfactory postoperative results. The deformity was corrected by the subchondral resection of multiple deformed costal cartilage, bilaterally, with single osteotomy on sternum and fracture of the posterior cortex to correct anterior angulation. Postoperative course was uneventful. We report this case with brief review of the literature.
Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Funnel Chest ; Humans ; Musculoskeletal Abnormalities ; Osteotomy ; Scoliosis ; Sternum

BACKGROUND: After an esophageal resection for an esophageal disease, the stomach becomes the most common organ for a substitute. The stomach has the advantages of being simple with fewer complications when used properly. The complications of an esophageal reconstruction using the stomach as the substitute are assessed and discussed. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between 1990 and 1998, 44 patients who underwent esophagogastric anastomosis were treated in the department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Yongdong Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. RESULT: The rate of postoperative complications and mortality in these 44 patients were 70.5% and 13.6%, respectively. The major complications in our series involved the stricture of anastomosis(13.6%), pneumonia(11.4%), and wound infection(9.1%). The most frequent causes of postoperative deaths were pulmonary complications and sepsis(6.8%). CONCLUSION: Anastomotic leakage is no longer a major complication of an esophagogastrostomy. Most postoperative stricture can be overcome with frequent esophageal dilations. Postoperative pulmonary infection, nutrition, and physiotherapy are very important in reducing the rate of pulmonary morbidity and mortality.
Anastomotic Leak ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Esophageal Diseases ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality* ; Postoperative Complications ; Seoul ; Stomach ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: While performing clean intermittent catheterization(CIC), atraumatic and non-infecting techniques are important in preventing long-term complications secondary to CIC. The aim of this study is to characterize several essential technical aspects of CIC in patients with neurologically stable spinal cord injury or diseases(SCI/D). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 2002 and March 2003, a prospective questionnaire survey was undertaken in 106 neurologically stable SCI/D patients who were performing CIC as primary bladder emptying methods. Structured questionnaire was administered with the interview. Questionnaire items included key technical CIC steps and related questions. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients(74 males and 32 females) were 35.9(+/-1.3, SE) years and the duration of CIC was 17.3(+/-2.3) months. Levels of SCI/D were: cervical in 45 patients(42.4%), followed by thoracic in 43(40.6%), lumbar in 16(15.1%), and sacral in 2(1.9%). Omitting hand washing before CIC was found in 16 patients(15.1%), meatal cleansing before CIC in 13(12.3%), using lubricants in 12(11.3%), and performing CIC as a timed basis in 36(34.0%). The most preferred posture to perform CIC were: sitting(63.0%), followed by lying(19.1%) and standing(14.6%) in men, while sitting(45.6%), followed by the squatting(33.3%) and lying(15.8%) in women. Majority of the patients performed CIC five times a day with spending about ten minutes for each CIC. Omitting key elements were not significantly associated with the sex, age, level of SCI/D, duration of CIC, level of education, socioeconomic status. However, omitting meatal cleaning before CIC were significantly associated with the patients with shorter duration of performing CIC, lower educational level, and lower socioeconomic status(p<0.05). 57.6% of the patients were satisfied with the current CIC methods. CONCLUSION: Our results showed that some patients do omit key elements of the CIC steps. These elements should be emphasized during the initial CIC education and also must be screened during long-term followup in the SCI/D patients performing CIC.
Catheterization ; Education ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand Disinfection ; Humans ; Intermittent Urethral Catheterization* ; Lubricants ; Male ; Posture ; Prospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Social Class ; Spinal Cord Diseases* ; Spinal Cord Injuries* ; Spinal Cord* ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic

Clear cell basal cell carcinoma (clear cell BCC) is a rare variant of BCC, which is characterized by variable proliferation of clear cells within the mass. We herein report three cases of clear cell BCC. Three old Korean men presented lesions as a solitary nodule on their face. Histologic examination showed multiple dermal tumor lobules composed of basophilic cells, clear cells and peripheral palisading with surrounding retraction spaces. The clear cells showed either a clear cytoplasm or eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, and contained glycogen. There were no recurrences after surgical excision.
Basophils ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Glycogen ; Humans ; Male ; Recurrence

The malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is a rare neoplasm arising from the neural sheath of peripheral nerve sheath, accounting for less than 5% of all soft tissue malignancy. Most tumors occur in patients with neurofibromatosis and solitary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor without neurofibromatosis is rare. A review of the literature revealed that there were relatively few documeted cases of these tumors involving digits, although there were several cases of these tumors involving the major peripheral nerve trunk. We report a case of solitary malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor on a finger, which neither originated from the major peripheral nerve nor was associated with neurofibromatosis. A 46-year-old woman showed a solitary, child palm-sized, eroded fungating tumor on her right third finger tip. Immunohistochemical studies for S-100, neuron-specific enolase, vimentin and electron microscopy were used in the diagnosis, confirming the neural origin of this tumor.
Child ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fingers* ; Humans ; Microscopy, Electron ; Middle Aged ; Neurofibromatoses ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Peripheral Nerves* ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Vimentin

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum is a rare, heritable, systemic disease of connective tissue characterized by degeneration of elastic fiber and mainly affects the skin, eye and blood vessels. We report a case of pseudoxanthoma elasticum mimicking cutis laxa. She had a generalized laxity of the skin for about 30 years. There were similar skin lesions in her sister. No other systemic involvement was found. Histopathologic examination revealed clumping, fragmentation and calcification of elastic fibers in the dermis.
Blood Vessels ; Connective Tissue ; Cutis Laxa* ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Humans ; Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum* ; Siblings ; Skin

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although several studies have failed to confirm an increased incidence of sinusitis in association with anatomic factors, the anatomic variations of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus are considered as important factors in causing paranasal sinusitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of anatomic abnormality and septal deviations on the development of paranasal sinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: To evaluate the effect of anatomic variations in sinusitis, computed tomography (CT) of 165 patients with chronic sinusitis and 70 patients with orbital pathology were reviewed to analyze the mucosal abnormalities and the bony anatomic variations. RESULTS: There were no significant difference in the prevalence of anatomic variations between two groups. In patients with deviated septum, paranasal sinusitis was more common and severe in the wide side of the nasal cavity. CONCLUSION: There was no clinical significance of anatomic variations in formation of sinusitis. In septal deviation, the change of air current may affect the development of sinusitis. The increased airflow in the widened nasal cavity may impair the mucociliary clearing function of the nasal cavity and sinuses, which eventually induce the stasis of mucus in sinuses and finally results in paranasal sinusitis.
Anatomic Variation* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mucus ; Nasal Cavity* ; Orbit ; Pathology ; Prevalence ; Sinusitis*

Foreign bodies of the parapharyngeal space are rarely encountered in the otolaryngological fields, and may cause severe complications such as descending suppurative mediastinitis, jugular thrombophlebitis with septic pulmonary emboli, cavernous sinus thrombosis, and carotid erosion. Therefore, early diagnosis and surgical intervention are needed to reduce morbidity and motality. Recently, we experienced two cases penetrating injury of parapharyngeal foreign bodies (woodstick). The one was penetrated in right parapharyngeal space from left medial canthal area and the other in left parapharyngeal space from left infraorbital area. They were removed by skin incision and transantral approach with Caldwell-Luc operation, and we report these cases with a review of literature.
Cavernous Sinus Thrombosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Foreign Bodies* ; Mediastinitis ; Skin ; Thrombophlebitis