No Abstract Available.
Pterygium*

BACKGROUND: Pilomatricoma(Benign calcifying epithelioma of Malherbe) is a uncommon benign tumor with differentiation toward hair cortex cells. It commonly manifests itself as a firm, deep seated nodule with normal Overlying skin, However, anetodermic cutaneous changes have also been described in the literature since 1943. Although the authors hypothesized this phenomenon as a chronic mechanical irritation or a step of transepidermal elimination of the tumoral mass, distinctive elucidation of pathomechanism of it remained. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical and histopathologic features of 25 cases with pilomatricoma and to elucidate pathomechanism of the anetodermic cutaneous changes through the comparison of the anetodermic pattern of overlying skin with the changes of the tumoral mass or collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis. METHODS: Twenty-five cases with pilomatricoa have been collected at Chunganam National University Hospital and Kongju Medical Center during 15 years and 5 years, respectively, And we studied the clinical and histopathological characteristics of patients and tried to reveal the relationship between the cutaneous manifestations and the histologic changes through the test for independence. RESULTS: 1. In the age distribution, the patients lesser than 30 years old was 23 cases(92%). The mean age was 18.9 years old. The ratio of males to females was 1 : 2.6. 2. The duration of lesions was from 2 months to 7 years, with the mean duration of 11 months. The predilection sites were arm(40%), face(28%), neck(12%), shoulder(8%), scalp(4%) and back(4%) in order. All lesions were hard in consistency, and were from bean to walnut sized. Clinically, 10 cases (40%) showed reddish discoloration and/or anetodermic cutaneous changes. 3. Histopathologically, the typical patterns of pilomatricoma were commonly located at the dermis (23 cases) and consisted of the shadow cells predominantly(21 cases). Calcium deposits(21 cases, 84%) were noted within the shadow cells. Eight cases(32%) had the tumoral maese demarcated with fibrous capsules, and the foreign body reaction with giant cells and chronic mononuclear cell infiltrations around the shadow cells ruptured the fibrous capsules in 17 cases(68%). 4. When we compared the relationship between the inflammatory cell infiltrations around the tumoral mass and the changes of dermal collagen and elastic fibers, we observed that the changes of dermal fibers and foreign body reaction and mononuolear cell infiltrations were statistically co-related. When compared the cutaneous changes with the inflammatory cell infiltrations of the tumoral masses, we could also reveal that the anetodermic cutaneous changes of the overlying skin might be influenced by the foreign body reactions with chronic mononulcer cell. Based on the status of foreing body reaction, the average of onset was inversely proportional to the average of age. CONCLUSION: Pilomatricomas are slowly growing, firm, deep seated benign tumor which occurs commonly on the arm, face and neck. However, they often showed the anetodermic changes on the overlying skin. Anetodermic cutaneous changes or discoloration may be correlated with the degree of foreign body reactions without the evidences of transepidermal elimination histopathologically.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Arm ; Calcium ; Capsules ; Carcinoma ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Giant Cells ; Hair ; Humans ; Juglans ; Male ; Neck ; Pilomatrixoma* ; Skin

The blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome(CRBNS) is a rare disorder characterized by distinctive vascular malformations of the skin and gastrointestinal tract. The syndrome is associated commonly with iron deficiency anemia due to gastrointestinal bleeding. Most cases are sporadic, although a few have been reported with autosomal dominant inheritance. We report a case with clinical characteristics of the blue rubber bleb nevus syndrome. The patient had typical skin manifestations of the BRBNS and chronic iron deficiency anemia. However, we could not find any gastrointestinal vascular malformations radiologically.
Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Blister* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Nevus* ; Rubber* ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; Vascular Malformations ; Wills

More than half of the cryptococcal infections occur in acquired immune deficiency (AIDS) patients, and more than half of the non-AIDS patients with cryptococcosis are immunocompromised. Most immunocompromised patients have meningoencephalitis at the time of diagnosis. Without the appropriate therapy, this from of the infection is invariably fatal. Death can occur any time from 2 weeks to several years after the onset of symptoms. Pulmonary crytococcosis in immunocompromised patients is usually asymptomatic, but coughing, chest pain, fever, or hemoptysis may occur in immunocompetent patients. Pulmonary cryptococcosis symptoms in immunocompetent patients tend to improve without treatment. Here, we describe the various pulmonary manifestations of cryptococcal pneumoniae in three immunocmpetent patients.
Chest Pain ; Cough ; Cryptococcosis ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Hemoptysis ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Meningoencephalitis ; Pneumonia*

PURPOSE: Physical activity is important for postpartum women. The objective of this study was to evaluate bladder symptoms, fatigue, and physical activity according to time after birth and birth modes. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using web-based questionnaire or one-to-one contact. A total of 290 women after giving birth responded to self-administered questionnaires. Multivariate analysis of variance determined the differences in variables. RESULTS: Bladder symptoms were significantly different by time after birth and birth mode; they were the highest in the first week after birth and in Cesarean birth. Postpartum fatigue showed a significant tendency by birth mode, but not by time after birth. Physical activity was significantly different by birth mode. The lowest level of physical activity was found for women who gave Cesarean birth. Moderate physical activity was also significantly different by time after birth, but vigorous physical activity was not significantly different. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, bladder symptoms and physical activity are different by time after birth and birth mode in postpartum women. The first week after giving birth is an important period for postpartum women whose bladder symptoms and physical activity should be of concern.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fatigue* ; Female ; Humans ; Motor Activity* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Parturition ; Postpartum Period* ; Urinary Bladder*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Infant*

This study was conducted to measure the lead level in the blood, scalp hair and toenail of the elementary schoolchildren and assess the relationship among those samples. Lead concentration of the blood, scalp hair and toenail was measured for l00(male 50, female 50) fourth grade elementary schoolchildren in Taegu city. The mean lead level in the blood, scalp hair and toenail was 6.00+/-2.44 microgram/dl, 6.28+/-3.54 microgram/dl 6. 68 and 7.33+/-3.18 microgram/g. The mean lead level in the blood of schoolboys was 6.43+/-2.77 microgram/dl and that of schoolgirls was 5.59+/-2.01 microgram/dl. The mean lead level in the scalp hair of schoolboys was 7.66+/-2.97 microgram/dl and that of schoolgirls was 6.88+/-3.54 microgram/g. The mean lead level in the toenail of schoolboys was 8.19+/-3.5 microgram/g and that of schoolgirls was 6.47+/-2.52 microgram/g and their difference was statistically significant. In schoolboys, the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the blood and scalp hair was 0.4909, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.5255X+4.2810, where Y and X are scalp hair and blood concentration. In schoolgirls the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the blood and scalp hair was 0.3778, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.6655X+2.9632, where Y and X are scalp hair and blood concentration. In schoolboys. the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the blood and in the toenail was 0.5533, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.7076X+3.6472, where Y and X are toenail and blood concentration. In schoolgirls the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the blood and in the toenail was 0.2738, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.3431X+4.5570 where Y and X are toenail and blood concentration. In schoolboys, the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the scalp hair and in the toenail, in the schoolboys was 0.4148, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.4956X+4.3986, where Y and X are toenail and scalp hair concentration. In schoolgirls the correlation coefficient between the lead level in the scalp hair and in the toenail 0.1159, and the data were fitted best by the regression equation Y=0.0825X+5.9214 here Y and X are toenail and scalp hair concentration. Correlation among lead concentration in the blood, scalp hair and toenail of schoolchildren were statistically significant except between scalp hair and toenail in schoolgirls. These finding suggest that blood, scalp hair and toenail can be used substitutive samples between each others.
Daegu ; Female ; Hair* ; Humans ; Nails* ; Scalp*

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the impact of job stress on low back symptoms among Clinical nurses (CNs) in university hospital. METHODS: A total of 322 CNs employed in a hospital in Seoul were interviewed by a well-trained interviewer using the structured questionnaire. Data collected for this study includes demographics, social and work characteristics, low back symptoms, and job stress. To test the impact of job stress on low back symptoms, we used multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of low back symptoms was 25.8% in this study. Low back symptoms differed significantly by factors, such as physical work burden, past history of injury and work duration. Also low back symptoms differed significantly by organizational system among independent variables of job stress. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio of organizational system to low back symptoms was 2.07 after an adjustment. CONCLUSION: This study showed that organizational system among job stress was a significant variable in explaining low back symptoms. We suggest the improvement of organizational system category as a preventive strategy for low back pain in CNs working in hospital.
Demography ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Low Back Pain ; Odds Ratio ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Women, Working

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of MRI on postoperative pain syndrome (POPS), including early complications such as hematoma or infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the 54 patients with the POPS, we analyzed pre-operative MRI findings compared with operative findings on 39 patients, excluding nonunion, instability, metal failure and pseudarthrosis, who underwent an operation for POPS from December 1994 to June 1997. There were 25 men (64.1%) and 14 women (35.9%), aged from 16 to 68 years (average 44.5 years). They were divided into 5 subgroups and calculated for sensitivity, specificity and positive predictability. RESULTS: MRI accuracy in recurred disc was 84%, scar adhesion, recurred or developed stenosis, infection and hematoma was 100% for each overall accuracy of MRI was 93%. Average interval of reoperation in POPS was 3.2 years. In 21 cases (53.8%), symptoms persisted without pain-free interval after first operation. CONCLUSIONS: Early complications, including hematoma and infection, are easily detected with MRI. Especially if patient complains of severe leg pain or neurologic deficit, MRI is a good diagnostic tool. MRI is a useful method for evaluation of most cases of POPS, but it is limited in evaluating recurred disc or scar adhesion only in T1, T2 weighted image. Therefore, Gd-DTPA enhancement is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.
Cicatrix ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pain, Postoperative* ; Pseudarthrosis ; Reoperation ; Sensitivity and Specificity

No abstract available.
Sinusitis*