Intravascular lymphomatosis (IL) is a variant of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with an predilection for the CNS. Most cases are not diagnosed until postmortem. IL is characterized by neoplastic proliferation of lymphoid cells within the lumen of small veins and arteries with minimal involvement of the parenchyma. We experienced a 62-year-old woman who presented with seizure and fever associated with anemia, elevated LDH and beta 2-microglobulin without systemic involvement. This report illustrates the diagnostic challenge of this rare disorder with a grave prognosis. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(4):413~416, 2001)
Anemia ; Arteries ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; Central Nervous System* ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Seizures ; Veins

BACKGROUND: It is well known that a lacunar infarction has characteristic clinical features and a relatively good prognosis. However, the significance of lesions in the parent artery of patients with lacunar syndrome as regard to the prognosis remains unsettled. METHODS: Using the data of consecutive patients with their first ischemic stroke and were followed longer than 1 year, were divided the patients by their clinical features and the results of the work-up was as follows; (1) mismatching [MM] group; lacunar syndrome and the presence of parent arterial lesion, (2) large artery artherosclerosis [LAD]; non-lacunar syndrome and the presence of parent arterial lesion, (3) no determined etiology [NE]; non-lacunar syndrome without parent arterial lesion, and (4) small artery disease [SAD]; lacunar syndrome without parent arterial lesion. Patients with a potential source of embolism were excluded from this study. The prognosis and recurrence rate of patients with the MM group were compared with those of other groups. RESULTS: A total of 176 patients were included; 56 LAD, 62 SAD, 22 MM and 36 NE groups. An unstable hospital course was more frequently found in LAD than in the other groups. The recurrence rate of the MM group (23%) was significantly higher than that of SAD (2%), but was similar to that of patients with non-lacunar syndrome (LAD 16%, NE 28%). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with lacunar syndrome, the prognosis of those with parent arterial lesions was different from those without lesions. Therefore, a systematic work up of the stroke mechanism may be important in patients with lacunar syndrome.
Arteries ; Embolism ; Humans ; Parents* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Stroke ; Stroke, Lacunar*

BACKGROUND: Exposure to organic solvents becomes a common problem to workers of heavy industries in Korea. A number of volatile organic solvents which are frequently used in painting can cause various derangements of the nervous system, especially cognitive impairments and peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: This study was carried out on 190 workers as a control group who had never been exposed to organic solvents and on 674 spray painters with long-term exposure to organic solvent mixtures. The major components of organic solvent mixtures were determined. All subjects underwent neurological examination as well as routine physical check-up after completing questionnaires on general, musculoskeletal, neuropsychiatric and neurological systems. Subjects with abnormal findings on neurological examination related with the exposure of organic solvent mixtures took further neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests. RESULTS: The prevalence rates of cognitive impairments and of peripheral neuropathy in the exposed group were significantly higher than the control group (9.5% vs 2.1% and 2.1% vs 0%, respectively). High exposure group (more than 2.64 of cumulative exposure index, CEI) showed also higher prevalence of cognitive impairments and of peripheral neuropathy than low exposure group (cognitive impairments; 12.3% vs 6.4%, peripheral neuropathy; 2.3% vs 1.8%). Most common cognitive impairments were attentional deficit, and abnormal sense on the extremities or face was most common symptom of the peripheral nervous system. CONCLUSION: This study is the first large-scale, case-control study extensively evaluating cognitive impairments and peripheral neuropathy related with volatile organic solvent mixtures in spray painters working in a shipbuilding industry in Korea. The results show that the prevalence rates of cognitive impairments and of peripheral neuropathy are relatively low, but clearly related with the exposure extent of organic solvents.
Case-Control Studies ; Extremities ; Korea ; Metallurgy ; Nervous System ; Neurologic Examination ; Paint ; Paintings ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Solvents*

No abstract available.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome* ; Syncope

Though congitive functions of a man decline in normal aging and memory decline is the most common complaint of an elderly, the status of quantitive and qualitative estimates of these are rare in Korea. To assess the qualitative and quantitive aspect of changes of memory in aging, neuropsychological tests about memory functions were performed and the results were.analyzed in healthy adult volunteers of 20 to 9 year-old, having no evidence-of organic brain dysfunction. The scores of each tests.are lower than that of English-speaking countries, but memory functions declined significantly in normal aging and the qualitative aspect of these are characteristics. Contrary to the western reports. The visuospatial memory declined significantly before the age of 50 and the verbal memory after 50 in aging. So we should take care in screening and diagnosis of dementia and amnesia using these neuropsychological test in Korea.
Adult* ; Aged ; Aging* ; Amnesia ; Brain ; Child ; Dementia ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Memory* ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Volunteers

No abstract available.
Lymphadenitis*

An extra-ovarian teratoma has been reported in a few cases of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. A 25-year-old woman presented with psychiatric symptoms. We did not find an ovarian teratoma on initial examination, and her initial simple chest X-ray was normal. We incidentally found an abnormality on follow-up simple chest X-ray and diagnosed an anterior mediastinal teratoma. Therefore, in patients with suspected anti-NMDAR encephalitis, even if simple chest X-ray is normal, chest computed tomography should be performed to investigate a hidden teratoma.
Adult ; Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Encephalitis ; Encephalitis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Teratoma ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy* ; Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial*

PURPOSE: This prospective, open-label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of adjunctive levetiracetam (LEV) in Korean adults with uncontrolled partial epilepsy. METHODS: A total of 100 patients whose partial seizures were inadequately controlled on their current antiepileptic drugs were enrolled and received LEV (1000-3000 mg/day). Seizure count and adverse events (AEs) were recorded by patients. Global evaluation scale (GES) and quality of life (QOLIE-31) were also evaluated. Additionally effectiveness over 1-year follow-up was investigated. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients completed the short-term 16-week trial. The median percent reduction in weekly seizure frequency over the treatment period was 43.2%. The > or =50% and > or =75% responder rates were 45.4% and 36.1%, respectively. Seizure freedom was observed in 17 patients throughout the initial 16-week treatment period. On investigator's GES, 81 patients were considered improved, with 41 patients showing marked improvement. Most QOLIE-31 scales improved significantly. At the end of the trial, 79 chose to continue follow-up treatment with LEV. At the follow-up visit (ranging 60 to 81 weeks), 64 patients were still taking LEV; during the last 16 weeks, 65.6% of patients had > or =50% reduction, 50.0% had > or =75% reduction, and 35.9% had a 100% reduction. Seven patients showed continuous seizure freedom from the initiation of LEV treatment. During the entire treatment period, LEV was withdrawn in 36 patients; due to lack of efficacy in 22, AEs in six, both in three, other reasons in five. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive LEV therapy in patients with refractory partial epilepsy was effective and well-tolerated, as evidenced by the high seizure freedom and retention rates in both the short-term trial and the long-term follow-up.
Adult ; Anticonvulsants ; Epilepsies, Partial* ; Epilepsy ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Freedom ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Quality of Life ; Seizures ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate the safety and the feasibility of laparoscopic colorectal surgery performed by a surgeon during a learning period. METHODS: Between April and December 2008, 101 consecutive patients with colorectal cancers underwent laparoscopic surgery by one colorectal surgeon who previously had no experience with laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Standard laparoscopy with a lymphadenectomy using a 5-port technique was performed according to the tumor location. The patients were divided into two chronological groups: 50 cases early in learning period (early cases) and 51 cases later in the learning period (late cases). RESULTS: The operations were 29 right hemicolectomies, 9 left hemicolectomies, 18 anterior resections, 35 low anterior resections, 6 intersphincteric resections, 2 abdominoperineal resections, and 2 Hartmann's operation. There were 7 conversions (6.9%). The median operating time was 205 (range, 95-385) min, and the median blood loss was 258 (50-800) mL. The median times to flatus per anus and to feeding of soft diet were 2 (1-5) and 4 (2-13) days, respectively. The median hospital stay was 9 (6-27) days. There were 21 postoperative complications, including 7 anastomotic complications (3 leakages, 3 abscesses, and 1 stenosis). The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 20 (4-65). The operating time, blood loss, and complication rates were significantly decreased in the late group. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience with laparoscopic colorectal surgery appears to have acceptable perioperative results and short-term oncologic outcomes, which improved with the experience of the surgeon.
Abscess ; Anal Canal ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Colorectal Surgery ; Diet ; Flatulence ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Learning ; Learning Curve ; Length of Stay ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Postoperative Complications