No abstract available.
Animals ; Rats*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and technical problems of the endoscopic balloon dilatation of esophageal anomalies in children. METHODS: The medical records of 8 children treated by endoscopic balloon dilatation for esophageal anomalies over a 10-year period at Pusan National University Hospital were reviewed retrospectively. The balloon catheter (Maxforce TTS or CRE, Boston Scientific Co., USA) was positioned across the area of narrowing by direct visualization. The balloon was slowly inflated with normal saline to specified pressures for each balloon and maintained for 60 seconds and then deflated. After 60 seconds pause, the procedure was repeated with a larger sized balloon (increments of 1 mm for each subsequent dilation) till effective dilatation was confirmed by direct visualization without complications. RESULTS: Three male and five female were included and their mean age was 4.2 years. A total of 27 (average of 3.2 per patient) dilatation were performed. Underlying diseases of patients are postoperative stricture of esophageal atresia in 3 cases, esophageal ring in 2 cases, achalasia, corrosive esophagitis and hypertensive LES in one case respectively. The size of initial dilating balloon was chosen on the basis of the diameter of the narrowing determined by endoscopy. The first dilation in patients with severe esophageal stricture was made with a 6 mm sized balloon. Complications observed were esophageal perforation and respiratory holding during the procedure in one case respectively. Successful outcome was seen in 6 patients (75%). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic balloon dilatation can provide a safe and effective mean of treating esophageal anomalies in children and should be considered the treatment of choice in the initial management of those cases.
Busan ; Catheters ; Child* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Dilatation* ; Endoscopy ; Esophageal Achalasia ; Esophageal Atresia ; Esophageal Perforation ; Esophageal Stenosis ; Esophagitis ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Though symptomatic improvements after treatment of donepezil is well documented in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the electrophysiological change have not yet been elucidated. Among the parameters of quantitative electroen-cephalography (q-EEG), high frequency activity, especially gamma rhythm, may play a role in normal cognitive function including the integration of sensory processing, association, coupling or selective attention, which are characteristically impaired in AD. METHODS: In order to define the profile of q-EEG changes including gamma rhythm after donepezil treatment, we followed 17 AD patients for 12 weeks. We analyzed the spectra power taken from 16 derivations by averaging twenty-2-sec epoch in normal controls and AD patients. After logarithmic transformation of spectra power, statistical test was done and the effect of donepezil treatment on q-EEG profile was analyzed during follow up period. RESULTS: Before medication of donepezil, AD patients had a significantly lower alpha spectra power as well as a significant higher delta spectra power, compared with normal control. After medication of donepezil in AD patients, compared to base-line q-EEG, gamma spectra power was significantly increased, whereas delta spectra power was significantly reduced. Compared to absolute power, relative power was more sensitive in detecting change of EEG after donepezil treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that donepezil significantly change delta and gamma spectra power in q-EEG, and the increase in gamma rhythm may be correlated with the clinical improvements after donepezil treatment. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(3):245~250, 2001)
Alzheimer Disease* ; Electroencephalography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

No abstract available.
Acidosis, Renal Tubular* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Sjogren's Syndrome*

Myasthenia gravis is a disorder characterized by fluctuating muscle weakness. This is frequently associated with thymoma or thymic hyperplasia, and thymectomy is an important step of treatment. We present one case of primary wquamous cell carcinoma of the thymus in myasthenia gravis. Review of literature indicate relative good prognosis.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Muscle Weakness ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Prognosis ; Thymectomy ; Thymoma ; Thymus Gland ; Thymus Hyperplasia

BACKGROUND: Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is known as the easieat and most economical and the quality of autologous blood saved by it is the best of all methods of autotransfusion. To investigate the efficacy of ANH, we studied whether it could reduce the transfusion requirement in spinal surgery. METHODS: Forty patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. In the hemodilution group (n=20), 2 or 3 units of autologous blood were procured immediately before or after anesthetic induction while Ringer's lactate and pentastarch were infused to maintain normovolemia. All patients received deliberate hypotension induced by labetalol. Perioperative changes of hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelets, the transfusion requirement and the amount of postoperative drainage were compared between each group. RESULTS: Perioperative changes of hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet showed no significant differences between each group. Less packed RBC were used in the hemodilution group (1.9 2.0 units) than in control group (5.9 6.8 units) (p<0.05). In the control group, 4 patients were transfused with fresh frozen plasma (mean 4.8 units), 3 patients with platelets (mean 13 units) and 1 patient with cryoprecipitate (10 units) while only one patient was transfused with 3 units of fresh frozen plasma in the hemodilution group. Postoperative drainage was significantly less in the hemodilution group (1,494 488 ml) than in the control group (2,476 1,730 ml). CONCLUSION: ANH seems to decrease the transfusion requirement in spinal surgery. Reduction of postoperative wound drainage appears to play an important role in that.
Blood Platelets ; Blood Transfusion, Autologous ; Drainage ; Hematocrit ; Hemodilution* ; Humans ; Hydroxyethyl Starch Derivatives ; Hypotension ; Labetalol ; Lactic Acid ; Plasma ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: Primary pulmonary lymphoma(PPL) arising in the lung as the initial site is very rare. Authors experienced two cases of PPL and report the radiologic findings and clinical characteristics with a brief reviewof the literature. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Plain chest radiograph and enhanced axial CT scan of the chest were taken. We analyzed radiologic findings of the two cases and correlated with broncoscopic and pathologic findings. RESULTS: Plain chest radiograph showed a mass like consolidative lesion on RML without peripheral atelectasis. Chest CT scan revealed a mass like consolidation with airbronchogram and the absence of a hilar mass or thoracic adenopathy. Percutaneous needle aspiration and biopsy(PCNA and PCNB) of the RML mass confirmed B-cell lymphoma, in both cases. CONCLUSION: PPL must be included in the differential diagnosis of chronic alveolar consolidation such as bronchioloalveolar cell carcinoma.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Lung ; Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Needles ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with suicidal ideation among the elderly living alone received the elderly care service in a rural area. METHODS: This study was surveyed 206 the elderly living alone who received the elderly care service in G-gun, Jeollanamdo. The collected data were socio-demographic and health-related characteristics, family support and suicidal ideation. The used methods for statistical analysis were used t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlational analysis and the multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the suicidal ideation of the elderly living alone was statistically significant associated with age, monthly income, sufficiency of sleeping, depression, stress, activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, perceived health status and family support. As a result of multiple regression analysis, the associated factors with suicidal ideation were age, depression, stress and the activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS: The suicidal ideation of the elderly living alone in the rural area was associated with age, mental health and independency of living. It will be needed the multidisciplinary approaches to prevent the suicidal ideation and attempts of the elderly living alone.
Activities of Daily Living ; Aged* ; Depression ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Jeollanam-do ; Logistic Models ; Mental Health ; Suicidal Ideation*

An anastomosis stricture with a total obstruction is rare and treatment options are variable. We describe our experience with a combination of a single port transanal laparoscopic approach and intraoperative colonoscopic balloon dilatation. The patient was a 48-year-old man with rectal cancer. A laparoscopic single port lower anterior resection and diverting ileostomy were performed followed by a colon study and ileostomy takedown. The colon study and sigmoidoscopy revealed total obstruction of the rectum at the anastomosis level. We employed a transanal approach using a single port to correct this. We located the anastomosis stricture site and generated a lumen using a dissector and electocautery method to insert the balloon device. Colonoscopic balloon dilatation was subsequently successful. The patient was discharged with no postoperative complications. A laparoscopic single port transanal approach with an intraoperative colonoscopic balloon dilatation is a viable alternative approach to treating an anastomosis stricture of the rectum.

OBJECTIVE: The needs of sharing clinical documents in order for health professionals to provide better diagnosis and treatment have been tremendously increasing. However, when a patient visits the hospital, current hospital information system doesn't allow for physicians to obtain patient's medical history even though she has some records in different hospital, because the lack of the standardization to overcome the incompatibility among heterogeneous systems. CDA(Clinical Document Architecture) of HL7(Health Level 7) is standardized technology in purpose of creating and exchanging various clinical documents. In this article, we discuss the method of exchanging, storing, and utilizing CDA and present the work of development and implementation based on CDR(Clinical Document Repository) framework reported earlier9). METHODS: We convert paper-based discharge summary from each health institutions into CDA format. And in order to exchange, manage, and utilize those CDA, Registry structure of ebXML is introduced and applied. RESULTS: The relationship among patients, physicians, clinical organizations, and clinical documents is well-organized and modeled. Because transfered CDA document can be easily registered and managed by complying with RIM structure of ebXML, this system can effectively exchange and share patient's CDA document when patient move to other area or among heterogenous systems. CONCLUSION: This system can be utilized to categorize and store various clinical documents such as, ECG and Radiology reading report. In addition, this system suggests the potential of Electronic Health Record system that is able to communicate among heterogenous systems and manage the CDA documents via this CDR system.
Diagnosis ; Electrocardiography ; Electronic Health Records* ; Health Occupations ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Medical Informatics Applications