External-beam radiation therapy with intracavitary high-dose-rate brachytherapy is the standard treatment modality for advanced cervical cancer; however, late gastrointestinal complications are a major concern after radiotherapy. While radiation proctitis is a well-known side effect and radiation oncologists make an effort to reduce it, the sigmoid colon is often neglected as an organ at risk. Herein, we report two cases of radiation sigmoiditis mimicking sigmoid colon cancer after external-beam radiation therapy with intracavitary high-dose-rate brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer with dosimetric consideration.
Brachytherapy ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Proctitis ; Sigmoid Neoplasms ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diagnosis*

OBJECTIVE: A recent revision of the FIGO staging system does not recommend the mandatory use of cystoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. The objective of this study was to assess the clinical utility of CT or MRI scans for ruling out bladder or rectal invasion and determine the indication for endoscopy in patients with cervical cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 769 patients with cervical cancer, who underwent imaging and endoscopic work-up between January 1997 and December 2010. Using endoscopy as the standard reference for comparison, we calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of the imaging modality for bladder or rectal invasion. RESULTS: The CT scan showed 68.2% and 85.7% for sensitivity and 96.4% and 98.9% for specificity in detecting bladder and rectal invasion, respectively. CT scan provided a low PPV (51.7%, 54.5%) and a high NPV (98.2%, 99.8%). MRI scan showed 88.0% and 75.0% for sensitivity and 93.1% and 98.9% for specificity in detecting bladder and rectal invasion, respectively. MRI scan provided a low PPV (35.6%, 42.9%) and a high NPV (99.4%, 99.7%). The accuracies of CT and MRI scans in identifying bladder invasion were 94.9% and 92.8%, respectively. The accuracies of CT and MRI in identifying rectal invasion were 98.7% and 98.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate that additional invasive endoscopy is not necessary for patients who present with no invasion on imaging work-up, and therefore, endoscopy should be considered a tool for confirming cases that are positive for invasion based on imaging work-up.
Cystoscopy ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sigmoidoscopy ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Hazardous chemicals, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals, are known as being harmful to human health were included in oils released by the Herbei Spirit Oil Spill accident in December 2007. To investigate changes of eating habits by the exposure to harmful substances, we conducted 5 focus group interviews for residents at Taean coast areas, who had experienced the oil spill accident. Participants included 46 women (mean age: 57.2 +/- 10.9) who were mainly responsible for preparing family meals. Focus group discussions were audio-taped, transcribed and categorized by themes. Participants expressed more frequent illness symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, visual loss, and skin diseases after the accident. They mentioned that their worries about economic hardship and worsened health status since the accident induced mental problems, such as depression about their children. Regarding eating habits, participants reported less intakes of fishes and meats and relatively more intakes of vegetables and kimchi due to the lack of household incomes after the accident. Although the participants had been used to collecting or catching fish or shellfish for their consumption previously, they mainly purchased these foods from local markets after the accident. Changes of eating habits induced by the accident included drinking boiled water and having steamed or fried seafood rather than raw seafood. Changes of food intakes occurred less frequently in older adults due to their long-term fixed eating habits, although they felt uncomfortable for having raw fish. The findings of this study clearly present that the exposure of hazardous substances by the oil spill accident had a significant impact on changes in eating habits besides economic, physical, and mental problems among the residents in Taean. Continuous health and nutrition monitoring and support are needed.
Adult ; Child ; Depression ; Dizziness ; Drinking ; Eating ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Fishes ; Focus Groups ; Hazardous Substances ; Humans ; Korea ; Meals ; Meat ; Metals, Heavy ; Oils ; Petroleum Pollution ; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic ; Seafood ; Shellfish ; Skin Diseases ; Steam ; Vegetables ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; Vomiting ; Water

In the conservative management of uterine fibroids is radiofrequency ablation (RFA) considered to be one of the safe, effective and minimal invasive approaches in selected women who desire to retain their uterus. Few studies were conducted on its adverse outcomes and most of the reported complications were minor events such as pain, discharge, adhesion which didn't require any intervention. However, although safe and effective, the RFA of a uterine myoma can be the cause for severe complications such as penetration and burn injuries of pelvic organs. In general, a rectouterine fistula is one of the rarest complications but can lead to serious adverse outcomes. Herein, to our knowledge, we report the first case involving a rectouterine fistula after laparoscopic ultrasound-guided RFA of a uterine myoma with pelvic endometriosis. In addition, we provide a brief review of the relevant literature.
Burns ; Catheter Ablation* ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Uterus

A cross-over study was conducted to compare the pharmacokinetic properties of controled release form of Sodium Valproate (Orfil Retard(R)) with that of conventional forrnulation (Orfil(R) in healthy adult volunteers. The clinical efficacy of Orfil Retard(R) was also investigated in 15 epileptic patients under Orfil(R) monotherapy by replacing an equivalent bid dosage of Orfil Retard(R) for 2 months. Orfil Retard(R) achieved more stable blood level than Orfil(R), which was statistically significant(P;0.0051). Orfil Retard(R) was associated with less side effect. Especially of gastrointestinal system. None of epileptic patients showed worsening of seizure control after switch to the equivalent b.I.d. dosage of Orfil Retard(R). Our results indicate that Orfil Retard(R) offers more advantage than Orfil(R) in terms of more stable blood level and less side effect. Clinically. Orfil Retard(R) in equivalent b I d dose is as effective as Orfil(R) in b.I.d. or t.I.d. dosing schedule.
Adult ; Appointments and Schedules ; Cross-Over Studies ; Humans ; Seizures ; Sodium* ; Valproic Acid* ; Volunteers

Cardiac manifestations of hypereosinophilic syndrome rarely include left ventricular thrombosis leading to peripheral emboli. And the cases of thrombectomy in patients with left ventricular thrombus and hypereosinophilic syndrome are extremely rare. Recently we experienced a 58-years-old woman with hypereosinophilic syndrome, the history of thalamic infarction and a huge thrombi in left ventricle. We report this case with literatures.
Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome* ; Infarction ; Thrombectomy ; Thrombosis*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of whole body bone mineral densitometry in the diagnosis of frequent osteopenia of preterm infants by comparison with the wrist radiographs and biochemical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1995 to January 1996, we obtained whole body bone mineral density(BMD) studies using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) and wrist radiographs of 39 preterm infants. They were divided into three groups according to birth weight, under 1500g, 1501g to 2000g and above 2000g, and four grades of skeletal change, as seen on wrist radiography, according to the scoring method of Koo et al. Groups of birth weight and grades of skeletal change were then correlated with whole body BMD and biochemical parameters. For comparison, normal data were obtained from 13 infants born at full term. Data were analyzed by one way analysis of variation(ANOVA) and correlation and regression analysis. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESUTLS: Whole body BMDs were significantly lower in the more premature and smaller birth weight infants(r=0.77, p=0.0000), and in the higher grade of skeletal change (r=-0.5276, p=0.0000). Aggravated skeletal changes were found in infants with lower birth weight(r=-0.3822, p=0.01). Interobserver variation in grading skeletal change was 42.9%, and intraobserver variation was 18.4%. Biochemical parameters such as serum calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, parathromone, calcitonin and 25-hydroxy-vitamine D did not vary significantly according to either birth weight or skeletal change (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Premature osteopenia is more effectively diagnosed by measuring whole body BMD using DXA than by grading radiographical skeletal change or by biochemical parameters.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Birth Weight ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic* ; Calcitonin ; Calcium ; Densitometry* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Observer Variation ; Parturition ; Radiography* ; Research Design ; Rickets ; Wrist*

BACKGROUND: Korea is an endemic area of viral hepatitis B. In spite of the HBV vaccination program since 1983, the prevalence of HBV antigen had remained high, which was 3.9% in male, 2.7% in female in 1994. But there is no approved management guideline on isolated anti-HBc and the meaning of which is not clear except the evidence of past infection. Therefore, we tried to investigate the factors which influence the seroconversion of anti-HBs during follow-up period. METHODS: Medical records of 239 subject with isolated anti-HBc, who visited a health promotion center from 1995 to 1997 and who were retested at least once during the 1-3 years' follow-up period, were analyzed. RESULTS: The seroconversion rate of anti-HBs was 45.61%(109/239) on the follow-up test. The number of newly vaccinated or non-newly vaccinated subjects during the follow-up period was 156 and 72, respectively. The seroconversion rate of anti-HBs of each group were 57.69%(90/156) and 22.22% (16/72) respectively(p<0.01). The subjects without previous history of HBV vaccination was 103. Among them the seroconversion rate of anti-HBs of the newly vaccinated or the non newly vaccinated group were 59.70%(40/67) and 22.22% (8/36), respectively(p<0.01). Sex, age, BMI, smoking, previous history of HBV vaccination did not influence significantly on the seroconversion rate of anti-HBs among the subjects with isolated anti-HBc. CONCLUSIONS: The seroconversion rate in people with isolated anti-HBc was significantly higher in the newly vaccinated than the non-newly vaccinated regardless of the previous history of HBV vaccination in this study. In spite of the non-differentiation of an-amnestic response from primary antibody response, we can expect to benefit from HBV vaccination in those with isolated anti-HBc.59.70%(40/67) and 22.22% (8/36), respectively(p<0.01). Sex, age, BMI, smoking, previous history of HBV vaccination did not influence significantly on the seroconversion rate of anti-HBs among the subjects with isolated anti-HBc. CONCLUSIONS: The seroconversion rate in people with isolated anti-HBc was significantly higher in the newly vaccinated than the non-newly vaccinated regardless of the previous history of HBV vaccination in this study. In spite of the non-differentiation of an-amnestic response from primary antibody response, we can expect to benefit from HBV vaccination in those with isolated anti-HBc.
Antibody Formation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Health Promotion ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vaccination

Objectives: . This study evaluated the surgical outcomes of patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome who underwent tongue-reduction surgery and analyzed whether the malocclusion and mandibular prognathism caused by macroglossia could be improved. Methods: . A retrospective medical record review was performed for 11 patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome whose macroglossia was surgically treated. Demographic data, symptoms and signs, and intraoperative and postoperative surgical outcomes were evaluated. Surgery was performed by a single surgeon using the “keyhole” technique, involving midline elliptical excision and anterior wedge resection. Preoperative and postoperative plain skull lateral X-rays were evaluated to assess prognathism improvement. Results: . The median age at the time of surgery was 35.09 months, and the ratio of males to females was 4:7. The median surgical time was 98±31.45 minutes, and the median duration of the postoperative intensive care unit stay was 3.81±2.4 days. There were no airway complications. Two patients (18.2%) had postoperative wound dehiscence; however, there was no nerve damage, recurrence, or other complications. Among the five patients who underwent postoperative speech evaluation, all showed normal speech development, except one patient who had brain dysfunction and developmental delay. Measurements of the A point-nasion-B point (ANB) angles and sella-nasion-B point (SNB) angles (point A is the most concave point of the anterior maxilla; point B is the most concave point on the mandibular symphysis) on plain X-rays showed a significant decrease in the postoperative SNB angle (P <0.001) and a significant increase in the ANB angle (P <0.011). Conclusion . Tongue-reduction surgery is an effective and safe technique for severe forms of macroglossia associated with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome. In addition, it improves mandibular prognathism in young Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome patients with macroglossia.