INTRODUCTION: Thyroid fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an established investigation for the preoperative evaluation of thyroid nodules and is often done under ultrasonography guidance. While its accuracy has been widely reported, there is little evidence in the literature on the approach to non-diagnostic cytology results. In our study, we aimed to determine the diagnostic performance of ultrasonography-guided thyroid FNAC for the preoperative diagnosis of thyroid cancer at our institution and evaluate the significance of a non-diagnostic thyroid FNAC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the thyroid ultrasonography studies and medical records of all patients who underwent both thyroid FNAC and subsequent thyroid surgery at our institution from 2011 to 2013. FNAC results were correlated with the final histological diagnosis from surgery and the ultrasonography studies were reviewed for suspicious sonographic features. RESULTS: FNAC predicted malignancy with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, false positive rate, false negative rate and total accuracy of 90.7%, 53.6%, 43.3%, 93.7%, 46.4%, 9.3% and 64.1%, respectively. We found that only one of 26 nodules with non-diagnostic FNAC results was proven malignant on a second FNAC and subsequent thyroidectomy. CONCLUSION The accuracy of ultrasonography-guided FNAC at our institution was comparable to that reported in the literature. There appears to be very low probability of malignancy in sonographically benign nodules with initial non-diagnostic FNAC results.

OBJECTIVES: This Study was designed to investigate the pattern of AUI(Alcohol Use Inventory) and MAST(Michigan Alcohol Screening Test) according to the awareness of drinking problem and receptiveness to treatment, and to know whether the type(type1 and type 2 according to Barbor's typology) has effects on the RECPAWAR(acknowledgement and awareness of use problem and receptive to treatment of these problem) score. METHODS: Subjects were 134 alcoholic patients from Alcoholic treatment ward. They were requested to fill up the questionnaires of Korean version of AUI and MAST(MAST for patient and MAST for caretaker). At first, based on the RECPAWAR, they divided into high RECPAWAR group(above 30 percentile) and low RECPAWAR group(below 30 percentile). According to typology, they divided into type 1 and type 2. The data was analyzed by T-test, Correlation, and Regression Analysis. RESULTS: 1) Significant negative correlation was observed between RECPAWAR score and MAST difference score(patient's MAST-caretaker's MAST). 2) High RECPAWAR group had significantly higher scores in the most scales than low RECP-AWAR group, except ENHANCED scale in AUI. 3) There was not significant difference on RECPAWAR score between type 1 and type 2. CONCLUSION: Except ENHANCED scale, the high RECPAWAR group had higher score in the second level scale. As compared with the low RECPAWAR group, the high RECPAWAR group responds more negative in drinking, and is more anxious about their drinking problems. So, they seem to have the objective view about their drinking problems. However the type was not related to receptive and awareness of drinking problem.
Alcoholics* ; Drinking* ; Humans ; Mass Screening* ; Michigan* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self Report* ; Weights and Measures

Drug-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis is one cause of acute kidney injury. Although traditional remedies have been widely used in South Korea, Dioscorea quinqueloba-induced tubulointerstitial nephritis has not been reported in the general population. A 72-year-old male patient was transferred to our hospital with pulmonary edema, oliguria, decreased mentality, severe generalized edema after taking D. quinqueloba 25 days ago. His initial lab findings showed a blood urea nitrogen level of 43.4 mg/dL, a creatinine level of 5.3 mg/dL. Urinalysis revealed SG (1.015), blood (many), protein (++) and WBC (0-3/HPF). Kidney biopsy demonstrated severe mononuclear cell infiltration into the renal interstitium with mild tubular atrophy. Aggressive renal replacement therapy and supportive care resulted in gradual restoration of his renal function. This case implies that D. quinqueloba may be one cause that induces tubulointerstitial nephritis in some patients.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Aged ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Dioscorea* ; Edema ; Humans ; Kidney ; Korea ; Male ; Nephritis, Interstitial* ; Oliguria ; Pulmonary Edema ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Urinalysis

Peritonitis is a major cause of morbidity in peritoneal dialysis patients; however, Aeromonas caviae rarely causes peritonitis in these patients. We report peritonitis due to A. caviae in a 72-year-old male with end-stage renal failure who had been undergoing automated peritoneal dialysis for 1 year. The white blood cell (WBC) count in the peritoneal fluid was 2,722/mm3 with 85% neutrophils. Gram staining of the peritoneal fluid yielded Gram-negative rods. Empirical antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone was initiated intraperitoneally. However, drug sensitivity testing revealed that the organism was resistant. On the third hospital day, A. caviae was cultured from the peritoneal effluent, and the antibiotic regimen was switched to ciprofloxacin. The patient recovered rapidly and the WBC count of the peritoneal effluent decreased. He was discharged and the intraperitoneal ciprofloxacin therapy was continued for 14 days. The peritoneal catheter was not removed.
Aeromonas ; Aeromonas caviae ; Animals ; Ascitic Fluid ; Catheters ; Ceftriaxone ; Ciprofloxacin ; Guinea Pigs ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Leukocytes ; Male ; Neutrophils ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritonitis

PURPOSE: Percutaneous closure with occluding coils has been recently described as a method of nonsurgical treatment of the small patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The snare-assisted technique or detachable coil has been newly developed, improving coil delivery and eliminating the incidence of coil embolization. This method is also applicable to residual PDA following surgical ligation or device implantation. The study purpose is to discuss our experience with percutaneous closure of the small patent ductus arteriosus by occluding coils. METHODS: Between February 1995 and September 1996, 41 patients underwent coil occlusion. Thirty-one patients had native PDAs and 10 residual PDAs. Mean age was 5.0 +/- 3.2 years (1.5 to 14.0 years), and mean body weight 18.0 +/- 7.2kg (8.7 to 45kg). Mean ductal diameter was 1.9 +/- 0.6mm (1.0 to 3.5mm). Occlusion was performed by using the snare technique in 34 patients and by using a detachable coil in 6 patients. Follow-up was done at week 1, 3, 6, and a 12-month postprocedure was dont by echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients with successful coil implantation, 32 patients (78%) had no residual shunting, 8 trace residual shunting, and 1 small residual shunting shown by angiogram immediately after coil embolization. All the patients except for one were followed up for 6.5 +/- 4.5 months (1 day to 12 months). Complete closure was confirmed in 38 patients (95%) at 6 months after implantation (34/40 at 1 month, 37/40 at 3 months, 38/40 at 6 months). There were no significant complications. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous occlusion of PDA can be safely and effectively performed in patients with small PDA, irrespective of native or residual nature, by using the snare technique or a detachable coil.
Body Weight ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent* ; Echocardiography ; Embolization, Therapeutic* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Ligation ; SNARE Proteins

Drug-induced interstitial nephritis is one cause of acute kidney injury. Although traditional remedies have been widely used in South Korea, Corni fructus-induced interstitial nephritis has not been reported in the general population. A 65-year-old female patient was admitted with sudden onset of gross hematuria after ingesting Corni fructus tea for 2 weeks. Her initial lab findings showed a blood urea nitrogen level of 35.1 mg/dL, creatinine level of 1.7 mg/dL, albumin level of 4.5 g/dL, and hemoglobin level of 10.3 g/dL. Urinalysis revealed SG (1.025), blood (many), protein (+), and WBC (0-3/HPF). Her 24-hour total protein level was 1,120 mg/day. No specific abnormalities were found on serum and urine protein electrophoresis. Kidney biopsy demonstrated severe mononuclear cell infiltration into the renal interstitium with mild tubular atrophy and pericapsular fibrosis. Immediate withdrawal of Corni fructus, appropriate education, and conservative management resulted in gradual restoration of her renal function. This case implies that Corni fructus may be a causative allergen that induces acute interstitial nephritis in some patients.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Aged ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Cornus ; Creatinine ; Education ; Electrophoresis ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hematuria ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Kidney ; Nephritis, Interstitial* ; Pyridines ; Republic of Korea ; Tea ; Thiazoles ; Urinalysis ; Urine

Drug-induced interstitial nephritis is one cause of acute kidney injury. Although traditional remedies have been widely used in South Korea, Corni fructus-induced interstitial nephritis has not been reported in the general population. A 65-year-old female patient was admitted with sudden onset of gross hematuria after ingesting Corni fructus tea for 2 weeks. Her initial lab findings showed a blood urea nitrogen level of 35.1 mg/dL, creatinine level of 1.7 mg/dL, albumin level of 4.5 g/dL, and hemoglobin level of 10.3 g/dL. Urinalysis revealed SG (1.025), blood (many), protein (+), and WBC (0-3/HPF). Her 24-hour total protein level was 1,120 mg/day. No specific abnormalities were found on serum and urine protein electrophoresis. Kidney biopsy demonstrated severe mononuclear cell infiltration into the renal interstitium with mild tubular atrophy and pericapsular fibrosis. Immediate withdrawal of Corni fructus, appropriate education, and conservative management resulted in gradual restoration of her renal function. This case implies that Corni fructus may be a causative allergen that induces acute interstitial nephritis in some patients.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Aged ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Blood ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Cornus ; Creatinine ; Education ; Electrophoresis ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hematuria ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Kidney ; Nephritis, Interstitial* ; Pyridines ; Republic of Korea ; Tea ; Thiazoles ; Urinalysis ; Urine

A retrospective observational study is one of the most widely used research methods in medicine. However, evidence postulated from a single data source likely contains biases such as selection bias, information bias, and confounding bias. Acquiring enough data from multiple institutions is one of the most effective methods to overcome the limitations.However, acquiring data from multiple institutions from many countries requires enormous effort because of financial, technical, ethical, and legal issues as well as standardization of data structure and semantics. The Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) research network standardized 928 million unique records or 12% of the world’s population into a common structure and meaning and established a research network of 453 data partners from 41 countries around the world. OHDSI is a distributed research network wherein researchers do not own or directly share data but only analyzed results. However, sharing evidence without sharing data is difficult to understand. In this review, we will look at the basic principles of OHDSI, common data model, distributed research networks, and some representative studies in the cardiovascular field using the network. This paper also briefly introduces a Korean distributed research network named FeederNet.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Olmesartan, a widely used angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), has been linked to sprue-like enteropathy. No cases of olmesartan-associated enteropathy have been reported in Northeast Asia. We investigated the associations between olmesartan and other ARBs and the incidence of enteropathy in Korea. METHODS: Our retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service to identify 108,559 patients (58,186 females) who were initiated on angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis), olmesartan, or other ARBs between January 2005 and December 2012. The incidences of enteropathy were compared among drug groups. Changes in body weight were compared after propensity score matching of patients in the ACEis and olmesartan groups. RESULTS: Among 108,559 patients, 31 patients were diagnosed with enteropathy. The incidences were 0.73, 0.24, and 0.37 per 1,000 persons, in the ACEis, olmesartan, and other ARBs groups, respectively. Adjusted rate ratios for enteropathy were: olmesartan, 0.33 (95% confidential interval [CI], 0.10 to 1.09; p = 0.070) and other ARBs, 0.34 (95% CI, 0.14 to 0.83; p = 0.017) compared to the ACEis group after adjustment for age, sex, income level, and various comorbidities. The post hoc analysis with matched cohorts revealed that the proportion of patients with significant weight loss did not differ between the ACEis and olmesartan groups. CONCLUSIONS: Olmesartan was not associated with intestinal malabsorption or significant body weight loss in the general Korean population. Additional large-scale prospective studies of the relationship between olmesartan and the incidence of enteropathy in the Asian population are needed.
Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Body Weight ; Cohort Studies* ; Comorbidity ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insurance Claim Review ; Intestinal Diseases ; Korea ; National Health Programs ; Propensity Score ; Prospective Studies ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; Retrospective Studies ; Weight Loss

To evaluate exercise capacity, treadmill test and exercise pulmonary function test with cycle ergometer were preformed in 52 patients(pts) (M/F : 18/34, mean age : 43+/-11 yrs) with mitral stenosis before and 5~10 days after percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty(PMV). Twenty four pts had atrial fibrillation. The results are as follow : 1) The mitral valve area increased from 0.9+/-0.2 to 1.8+/-0.3cm2(P<0.001). 2) The duration of exercise time on treadmill test(modified Bruce protocol) increased from 7.7+/-3.3min to 11.1+/-2.6min(P<0.001), but peak heart rate(HR) and maximum double product(MDP) did not change significantly. After exclusion of the patients with atrial fibrillation, peak HR and MDP increased from 157+/-24beats/min and 22350+/-8220mmHg beat to 165+/-19beats/min and 26290+/-5770mmHg beat respectively(P<0.05). 3) Diffusion capacity and diffusing capacity/alveolar volume at rest decreased from 95+/-25% and 112+/-24% to 87+/-22% and 100+/-18% respectively(p<0.001). 4) FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, FEF25~75% and maximum voluntary ventilation increased from 77+/-12%, 79+/-16%, 104+/-10%, 69+/-25%, and 68+/-14%, to 80+/-11%, 84+/-14%. 106+/-9%, 78+/-25%, and 74+/-12%, respectively(P<0.05). But total lung capacity, residual volume and functional residual capacity did not change significantly. 5) Maximum oxygen consumption, anaerobic threshold, oxygen pulse and maximum work load during exercise increased form 53+/-14%, 34+/-8%, 6.2+/-2.1ml/min and 48+/-18 watts to 61+/-13%, 39+/-7%, 7.3+/-2.0ml/min and 58+/-20 watts respectively(P<0.0005). We conclude that oxygen transport and exercise capacity improve within 10days after PMV and the improvement results from not only hemodynamic improvement but also improvement of static pulmonary function.
Anaerobic Threshold ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Balloon Valvuloplasty* ; Diffusion ; Exercise Test ; Functional Residual Capacity ; Heart ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Oxygen Consumption* ; Oxygen* ; Residual Volume ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Total Lung Capacity ; Ventilation