BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The incidence of retropharyngeal abscess has been decreased with use of antibiotics, but it still causes critical complications such as airway obstruction, aspiration pneumonia, mediastinitis, or sepsis. For this reason, early diagnosis and proper management of retropharyngeal abscess should be undertaken as soon as possibile. The treatment includes maintaining airway, performing surgical drainage, and administering antibiotics; but there are no definite guidelines for treating patients with retropharyngeal abscess, nor a golden rule for the correct surgical approach. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of patients with retropharyngeal abscess who were treated at the Chungbuk University Hospital from 1993 to 2003 was performed. We analized general symptoms, signs, causing factors, and causing bacteria. We also analized the treatment outcome and selected approaches from the surgically treated patients. RESULTS: The general symptoms of retropharyngeal abscess were sore throat, fever, dyspnea, with the most common cause being the upper airway infection. Bacteriologically, hemolytic streptococcus was the most common bacteria among aerobes and bacteroides was the most common bacteria among anaerobes. However, in most cases, both aerobe and anaerobes were cultured at the same time. Among 18 cases, 6 cases were treated conservatively with antibiotics and surgical interventions were performed in 12 cases, which included 11 cases of transoral and 1 case of transcervical approach. CONCLUSION: Retropharyngeal abscess can be treated with either conservative or surgical treatment according to initial abscess size. The abscess size which is greater than 3 cm is prefered to be treated surgically, and transoral approach is a useful way of dealing with less invasive procedure.
Abscess ; Airway Obstruction ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Bacteroides ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Drainage ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mediastinitis ; Pharyngitis ; Pneumonia, Aspiration ; Retropharyngeal Abscess* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis ; Streptococcus ; Treatment Outcome

Metastatic malignancy of the palatine tonsil is extremely rare. Several primary malignancies with tonsillar spread that have been described are renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and carcinoma of the breast, bronchus, stomach, prostate, and choriocarcinoma. But metastatic leiomyosarcoma of the palatine tonsil has not been previously reported. In this report, we present a 53-year-old female patient who had metastatic uterine leiomyosarcoma spread to the palatine tonsil. In addition, she was confirmed to have distant metastasis in the lung. Uterine leiomyosarcoma with palatine tonsil metastasis is reported here for the first time.
Breast ; Bronchi ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Choriocarcinoma ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Lung ; Melanoma ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Palatine Tonsil* ; Pregnancy ; Prostate ; Stomach

OBJECTIVE: The association of neurotrophic factors with the etiology of schizophrenia has been widely studied. Among them, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is known to promote the survival and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons. Considering dopamine hypothesis and neurodevelopmental theory, GDNF gene may be related with schizophrenia. In this study, we tried to clarify the association between schizophrenia and GDNF gene polymorphism. METHODS: Genotype and allele frequencies in the promoter and intron regions of GDNF gene were studied by using restriction fragment length polymorphism to compare 180 Korean schizophrenics with 105 Korean controls. RESULTS: We found significant differences between the schizophrenics and the controls in genotype and allele frequencies of BsaI polymorphism in the promoter region of GDNF gene (x2=18.208, df=2, p=0.0001/x2=11.264, df=1, p=0.0008). But no significant differences were found in intron region (p=0.06, p=0.984). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that polymorphism of GDNF gene might be related to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.
Dopamine ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor* ; Introns ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Schizophrenia

PURPOSE: Serum creatinine is a late marker of acute kidney injury (AKI). We assessed the diagnostic value of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) for predicting acute kidney injury in emergency department patients with sepsis. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of adult sepsis patients. Plasma NGAL levels were measured upon admission to the hospital, and clinical data and serum creatinine were collected daily during the hospital stay. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of AKI based on criteria from the Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN). RESULTS: A total of 178 patients were included, with 13 patients (7.3%) that developed AKI during their hospital stay; 9 and 4 were classified as AKIN stage 1 and 2, respectively. Six patients out of the 13 with AKI died. Mean plasma NGAL levels were 277 ng/mL in patients without AKI and 852 ng/mL in patients with AKI. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.883 (95% confidence interval 0.803 to 0.964), the sensitivity was 91.7%, and the specificity was 80.5% for the prediction of AKI (using a cut-off value of 353.5 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: Plasma NGAL is a useful early marker that predicts the development of AKI in adult sepsis patients.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Adult ; Biomarkers ; Creatinine ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Lipocalins ; Neutrophils ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sepsis

Background: Carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious global health problem. We investigated the clonal distribution and its association with the carbapenem resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates from three Korean hospitals. Methods: A total of 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates collected between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed for sequence types (STs), antimicrobial susceptibility, and carbapenem resistance mechanisms, including carbapenemase production, the presence of resistance genes, OprD mutations, and the hyperproduction of AmpC β-lactamase. Results: Sixty STs were identified in carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates.Two high-risk clones, ST235 (N = 41) and ST111 (N = 20), were predominant; however, sporadic STs were more prevalent than high-risk clones. The resistance rate to amikacin was the lowest (49.7%), whereas that to piperacillin was the highest (92.3%). Of the 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates, 43 (27.7%) produced carbapenemases. Three metalloβ-lactamase (MBL) genes, blaIMP-6 (N = 38), blaVIM-2 (N = 3), and blaNDM-1 (N = 2), were detected. blaIMP-6 was detected in clonal complex 235 isolates. Two ST773 isolates carried blaNDM-1 and rmtB. Frameshift mutations in oprD were identified in all isolates tested, regardless of the presence of MBL genes. Hyperproduction of AmpC was detected in MBL gene–negative isolates. Conclusions Frameshift mutations in oprD combined with MBL production or hyperproduction of AmpC are responsible for carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa. Further attention is required to curb the emergence and spread of new carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clones.

Background: Carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious global health problem. We investigated the clonal distribution and its association with the carbapenem resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates from three Korean hospitals. Methods: A total of 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates collected between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed for sequence types (STs), antimicrobial susceptibility, and carbapenem resistance mechanisms, including carbapenemase production, the presence of resistance genes, OprD mutations, and the hyperproduction of AmpC β-lactamase. Results: Sixty STs were identified in carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates.Two high-risk clones, ST235 (N = 41) and ST111 (N = 20), were predominant; however, sporadic STs were more prevalent than high-risk clones. The resistance rate to amikacin was the lowest (49.7%), whereas that to piperacillin was the highest (92.3%). Of the 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates, 43 (27.7%) produced carbapenemases. Three metalloβ-lactamase (MBL) genes, blaIMP-6 (N = 38), blaVIM-2 (N = 3), and blaNDM-1 (N = 2), were detected. blaIMP-6 was detected in clonal complex 235 isolates. Two ST773 isolates carried blaNDM-1 and rmtB. Frameshift mutations in oprD were identified in all isolates tested, regardless of the presence of MBL genes. Hyperproduction of AmpC was detected in MBL gene–negative isolates. Conclusions Frameshift mutations in oprD combined with MBL production or hyperproduction of AmpC are responsible for carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa. Further attention is required to curb the emergence and spread of new carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clones.

Background: Carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious global health problem. We investigated the clonal distribution and its association with the carbapenem resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates from three Korean hospitals. Methods: A total of 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates collected between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed for sequence types (STs), antimicrobial susceptibility, and carbapenem resistance mechanisms, including carbapenemase production, the presence of resistance genes, OprD mutations, and the hyperproduction of AmpC β-lactamase. Results: Sixty STs were identified in carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates.Two high-risk clones, ST235 (N = 41) and ST111 (N = 20), were predominant; however, sporadic STs were more prevalent than high-risk clones. The resistance rate to amikacin was the lowest (49.7%), whereas that to piperacillin was the highest (92.3%). Of the 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates, 43 (27.7%) produced carbapenemases. Three metalloβ-lactamase (MBL) genes, blaIMP-6 (N = 38), blaVIM-2 (N = 3), and blaNDM-1 (N = 2), were detected. blaIMP-6 was detected in clonal complex 235 isolates. Two ST773 isolates carried blaNDM-1 and rmtB. Frameshift mutations in oprD were identified in all isolates tested, regardless of the presence of MBL genes. Hyperproduction of AmpC was detected in MBL gene–negative isolates. Conclusions Frameshift mutations in oprD combined with MBL production or hyperproduction of AmpC are responsible for carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa. Further attention is required to curb the emergence and spread of new carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clones.

Background: Carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a serious global health problem. We investigated the clonal distribution and its association with the carbapenem resistance mechanisms of carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates from three Korean hospitals. Methods: A total of 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates collected between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed for sequence types (STs), antimicrobial susceptibility, and carbapenem resistance mechanisms, including carbapenemase production, the presence of resistance genes, OprD mutations, and the hyperproduction of AmpC β-lactamase. Results: Sixty STs were identified in carbapenem-non-susceptible P. aeruginosa isolates.Two high-risk clones, ST235 (N = 41) and ST111 (N = 20), were predominant; however, sporadic STs were more prevalent than high-risk clones. The resistance rate to amikacin was the lowest (49.7%), whereas that to piperacillin was the highest (92.3%). Of the 155 carbapenem-non-susceptible isolates, 43 (27.7%) produced carbapenemases. Three metalloβ-lactamase (MBL) genes, blaIMP-6 (N = 38), blaVIM-2 (N = 3), and blaNDM-1 (N = 2), were detected. blaIMP-6 was detected in clonal complex 235 isolates. Two ST773 isolates carried blaNDM-1 and rmtB. Frameshift mutations in oprD were identified in all isolates tested, regardless of the presence of MBL genes. Hyperproduction of AmpC was detected in MBL gene–negative isolates. Conclusions Frameshift mutations in oprD combined with MBL production or hyperproduction of AmpC are responsible for carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa. Further attention is required to curb the emergence and spread of new carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa clones.

Despite the relatively common incidence of sacrococcygeal dermoids, rectal or vaginal cysts are uncommon. We report a case of a dermoid cyst occurring in the ischiorectal space. A 42-years-old woman visited our hospital because of anal pain. Computed tomography showed a well-circumscribed cystic mass of about 9 9 8 cm along the ischiorectal space abutting the vagina and occupying almost the entire pelvic cavity. The resected tumor was a cyst entirely covered with a firm, fibrous, capsule, which was filled with an amorphous white creamy substance. The histological findings showed that the cyst consisted of a keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium with sebaceous glands, which was compatible with a benign cystic teratoma. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged from the hospital 5 days after the opreation.
Dermoid Cyst* ; Epithelium ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Sebaceous Glands ; Teratoma ; Vagina

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The knowledge about chromosomal aberrations manifestated in cancer has been spotlighted recently. The genetic analyses based on the knowledge about chromosomal aberrations are important for the development of diagnotic methods and evaluation of prognostic factors in cancers. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a powerful tool for evaluating chromosomal aberrations and array CGH significantly enhances these diagnostic effectiveness. The incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been increasing worldwide but the treatment outcomes still have been limited. The aim of this study is to evaluate the location of chromosomal aberrations in HNSCC cell lines with the combination of CGH and array CGH. Materials and MethodZZThe locations of chromosomal aberrations were evaluated in 3 HNSCC cell lines (PCI-1, PCI-13, PCI-50) using the combination of CGH and array CGH. RESULTS: The sites of chromosomal gain shown by CGH in all 3 cell lines were 8q22-qter, 9q32- qter, 10q22, 10q26-qter, 16q12.1-qter, 17p10-p13, 17q21-qter, 19p13.2-pter and 20q. The chromsomal loss found in 2 cell lines were 3p, 4q21-qter, and 18q21-qter. In array-CGH, gained loci were AHRR, MYT1 and PTGIS, etc. Loci of genetic losses were ELAVL4 and GRM7. CONCLUSION: In this study, we identified various genetic gains and losses using CGH and high resolution array-CGH. These data about the patterns of chromosomal aberrations in HNSCC cell lines would be a basic step for understanding more detailed genetic events in the carcinogenesis. CGH combined with array CGH can be a powerful option for transitional oncologic research.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Line ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Incidence ; Neck ; Nucleic Acid Hybridization