Uremic pruritus is the most common skin manifestat,ion of chronic renal failure nnd cloes not respond to conventional treatment for pr uritus such as antihistamine. Although the pathophysiology of pruritus in uremia is uncliar, UVE3 phototherapy is consi(dered as the most effective and safest, therpy. We report two rases of uremic pruritus treated with LJVB. Initial doses were 70mJ, cm and 60mJ/cm. Pruritus was some relieved after two treatments and nearly completely disappeared after eight, treatments. Total doses were 840mJ/cm and 94G)mJ/
Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Phototherapy ; Pruritus ; Skin ; Uremia

Objective: We sought to compare the activity times of the 119 service ambulance units before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic based on emergency medical service reports. Methods: This study analyzed the emergency medical service reports (1.26-10.31) of 69 ambulance units belonging to the Busan Fire Department in 2019 (before) and 2020 (after) the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study to understand the changes in the activity times (response time, scene time interval, transport time interval, total prehospital time, turnaround time interval, and total activity time) according to the presence of fever or respiratory symptoms (symptom group). The data used for analysis included 150,771 cases, of which 79,121 were in 2019 and 71,650 in 2020, excluding incomplete transfer reports (128,082). Results: There was a total decrease of 7,471 cases in 2020. Compared to 2019, the dispatch and transport distance, outer dispatch jurisdiction, and transport to university hospitals increased. That was found to be greater in the symptom group than in the no symptom group. In the yearly comparison of activity times, there were significant differences in all the activity times and an overall increase in 2020. The increase in the active times was greater in the symptom group than in the no symptom group. Conclusion In this study, the activity times of the 119 service ambulance units after the COVID-19 showed an increase compared to the pre-COVID period. Therefore, the concerned people must identify the factors which lead to delays and prepare a plan to shorten the activity times, thereby reducing the fatigue of paramedics and providing the means to enhance assistance for the well-being of patients.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of MRI in the evaluation of vascular changes of the meningioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied the MRI findings in 20 cases of intracranial meningiomas. The images were assessed for vascular hilum, vascular rim, sinus invasion, and vascular encasement. Cerebral angiograms were obtained in 15 cases and compared with MRI findings. RESULTS: MRI was as accurate as angiography in detection of vascular hilum(MRl=8/20, Anglogram=9/15), vascular rim(MRl=14/20, Angiogram=9/15) and dural sinus invasion(MRl=4/6, Angiogram=5/6). MRI was superior to angiography in detection of vascular encasement(MRl=2/3, Angiogram=0/2) and cavernous sinus invasion(MRI=3/3, Angiogram=0/2). CONCLUSION: MRI is an excellent noninvasive imaging modality in evaluating vascular changes of omas.
Angiography ; Cavernous Sinus ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Meningioma ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to compare the pulmonary function of residents of Seoul special city (Seoul) and Jeju special self-governing province including Jeju city and Seogwipo city (Jeju), characterized by vastly different annual average airborne particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less ≤10 μm (PM10) concentrations, with the annual average PM10 concentration in Seoul being significantly higher than that in Jeju. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed the pulmonary function test results and sociodemographic data of Korean adults ≥19 years of age derived from the 4th KNHANES, 2007–2009. A total of 830 individuals residing in Seoul or Jeju were included in this study. T-tests were used to analyze predicted values of forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1p), predicted values of forced vital capacity (FVCp) and FEV1/FVC ratio (FEV1/FVC), as dependent variables, to examine the differences in the subjects’ pulmonary function according to the city of residence. Stratified analysis was then performed to adjust for variables potentially affecting pulmonary function. The analysis was performed on subjects as a group and also following stratification according to sex and other variables. RESULTS: Seoul residents had a significantly lower FVCp than that of the Jeju residents (difference: 3.48%, p = 0.002). FEV1p, FVCp and FEV1/FVC of male Seoul residents were significantly lower than those of male Jeju residents (difference: 6.99, 5.11% and 0.03, respectively; p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.001). In male subjects, statistically significant results were obtained even after adjusting the influence of other variables through stratified analysis. CONCLUSION: The present analysis was based on cross-sectional data collected at one point in time. Therefore, unlike longitudinal studies, it does not establish a clear causal association between the variables. Nevertheless, this study found that pulmonary function among subjects residing in Seoul was significantly decreased compared to that of subjects residing in Jeju.
Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Korea ; Longitudinal Studies ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Particulate Matter ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Seoul ; Vital Capacity

BACKGROUND: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) is known to be a relatively effective in decreasing the cardiac loading and improving the symptoms and survivals in the patients with severe left ventricular(LV) dysfunction, who are refractory to conventional medical treatments. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the clinical course and prognosis of 18 patients initiating CAPD and manifesting severe LV dysfunction at the same from September, 1996 to December, 2000 in Inha University Kidney Center. To know the effect of LV dysfunction on the survival, the outcomes of 103 CAPD patients with normal cardiac function was compared as control group. RESULTS: Total subjects were 11 male and 7 female with a mean age of 59.9+/-1.6 years. Causes of end stage renal disease were diabetic nephropathy (12), chronic glomerulonephritis(1), lupus nephritis(1), and unknown(2). Mean follow-up duration was 12.7+/-10.6 months. In pre-CAPD period, all subjects showed cardiac symptoms of NYHA class III or IV with a mean ejection fraction of 27.6+/-0.6%. Six months after CAPD, mean ejection fraction of all patientswas improved up to 44.8+/-3.1%. 13 patients(72.2%) showed improvement of cardiac function in terms of NYHA class. Five patients showed neither improvement nor aggravation of cardiac function, who were mostly female, older, and transferred from hemodialysis and three of whom died. During follow-up period, seven patients died because of aggravation of previous cardiac disease(4), acute myocardial infraction(1), cerebral hemorrhage(1) and peritonitis(2). When compared to 103 patients without LV dysfunction who started CAPD, 1-year survival was poorer in the patients with LV dysfunction(41.7% vs 77.8%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: LV dysfunction is still a risk factor of poor survival, CAPD may improve symptoms and systolic cardiac fucntion in ESRD patients with severe LV dysfunction.
Diabetic Nephropathies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Male ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Prognosis ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of lung cancer in animals and humans has been described in previously published reports. The aim of this study was to present our preliminary experience of treatment of lung cancer involving this approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight patients with lung malignancies [stage IIIB or IV bronchogenic adenocarcinoma (n=6), metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (n=1), metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (n=1)] underwent RFA treatment. In all cases LeVeen-type electrodes were employed and CT was used to monitor the procedure. One-day and one-month follow-up CT scans were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: Prior to treatment, tumor diameter ranged from 2.5 to 5 cm; afterwards, low attenuation consistent with coagulative necrosis was observed. Complications included a small amount of pneumothorax (n=4), pleural effusion (n=8), and subcutaneous emphysema (n=1). Tumor size decreased in five patients, was unchanged in two, and increased in one. CONCLUSION: Radiofrequency ablation of lung cancer is safe and may result in a reduced tumor burden.
Adenocarcinoma ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Catheter Ablation* ; Electrodes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Necrosis ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumothorax ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tumor Burden

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are rare, but the frequency of detection is constantly increasing due to recent advances in diagnostic technology. Since liver metastasis (LM) of PNETs is highly correlated with long-term survival, active treatment is important. Liver-directed treatment is recommended for patients with unresectable LM from PNET if symptomatic or progressing despite medical management. Liverdirected intervention treatment, including locally ablative techniques and hepatic arterial embolotherapy has a vital role in controlling symptoms and improving overall survival rates. The purpose of this article is to address the recent advances in liverdirected intervention treatments for the treatment of LM of PNETs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of sclerotherapy with OK-432 for lymphangiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of twelve patients with lymphangiomas who were treated with OK-432 from 1996 to 2000. RESULTS: Twelve patients were treated by sclerotherapy with OK-432. Ten patients were received sclerotherapy with OK-432 as primary therapy, and two were treated as secondary therapy after failure of surgery. Six cases were cystic hygroma (macrocystic); all of them, complete shrinkage was obtained. The other six cases were cavernous lymphangioma (microcystic): two of them, therapy were successful, but four were failed to achieve satisfactory shrinkage. So, they underwent surgical excision after failure of sclerotherapy. The results were excellent in cystic hygroma (success rate; 100%), however moderately poor results were obtained in cavernous lymphangioma (success rate 33.3%). CONCLUSION: Intralesional injection of OK-432 is effective therapy for cystic hygroma as a primary therapy.
Humans ; Injections, Intralesional ; Lymphangioma* ; Lymphangioma, Cystic ; Picibanil* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerotherapy

Lipiodol brain embolism is a rare complication associated with transcatheter arterial cheomoembolization (TACE). The present case describes a patient with lipiodol brain embolism who presented with several symptoms, including drowsy mental state, right facial palsy, and weakness in the right upper and lower limbs. The patient's non-enhanced computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings revealed multifocal lipiodol deposition and an acute infarction of the brain. A retrospective review of the angiography findings revealed a right inferior phrenic artery-pulmonary vein shunt, which was not observed during the previous TACE. Three days after TACE, the patient's symptoms improved; however, the extent of the brain hyperintensity had widened further on the following MRI. The patient gradually recovered and was finally discharged.
Angiography ; Brain ; Ethiodized Oil ; Facial Paralysis ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Embolism ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Veins

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the efficacy and computed tomography(CT) findings of renal artery embolization with using a mixture of Histoacryl(R) and lipiodol in rabbit depending on the mixture proportions and the temporal course. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen rabbits were equally divided into two groups: group A received a 1:3 mixture and group B received a 1:5 mixture of Histoacryl(R) and lipiodol. We subdivided each group as follows: the 1-day group, the 10-day group and the 20-day group according to the elapsed days after embolization, respectively. As a result, the experimental groups were composed of six subgroups. Afterright renal artery embolizations, plain abdominal radiographs were obtained from all the rabbits. On the first day, the 10th day and the 20th day after embolization, abdominal CT was performed in each subgroup. RESULTS: On the post-embolization radiographs, the embolic casts were formed only at the main or segmental renal arteries in 7 cases of group A. On the other hand, the embolic casts were formed at the entire arterial trees in two cases of group A and all the cases of group B. On the pre- contrast-enhanced CT scans, there were radiopaque densities of embolic casts, residual lipiodol flecks and calcifications in the embolized kidneys. On the contrast-enhanced CT scans, global perfusion defects of the kidneys were noted in 17 rabbits. The cortical rim signs were noted in all rabbits of the 10-day and 20-day groups, except for one rabbit. CONCLUSIONS: The mixture of Histoacryl(R) and lipiodol is effective for renal artery embolization. The CT findings of the embolized kidneys are characteristic depending on the mixture proportions of the embolic agents and the temporal courses.
Embolization, Therapeutic ; Ethiodized Oil* ; Hand ; Kidney ; Perfusion ; Rabbits ; Renal Artery* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed