No abstract available.
Cerebral Infarction* ; Korea* ; Lipoprotein(a)* ; Risk Factors*

The purpose of the study was to find prognostic indicators of dysphagia recovery after stroke. 26 dysphagic patients with history of aspiration divided into two groups, oral feeding group and persisting aspirating group(c ontinue tube feeding after acute stage of stroke rehabilitation). We evaluated the neurologic locus of stroke lesion. Functional Independence Measure(FIM) score, parameters of the bedside swallowing test and videofluoroscopic modified barium swallow. The neurologic locus of stroke lesion was not correlate with the recovery of aspiration due to stoke. The low FIM score(less than 50), large amount of pharyngeal residue, decreased clearing ability of residue, and delayed pharyngeal transit time(over 3 sec) were bad prognostic indicators of dysphagia recovery. We may use criteria for recommendation of continuous tube feeding especially, Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy(PEG) in dysphagic patients after stroke.
Barium ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Enteral Nutrition ; Gastrostomy ; Humans ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: In Korea, around the abandoned metal mines, heavy metals are being accumulating in the cultivated areas. Among exposed heavy metals, mercury is known to harm for cardiovascular system known to affect blood pressure. So, we studied the relationship between blood mercury level and hypertension in residents around abandoned metal mines. METHODS: From 2008 to 2011, we surveyed 7,055 residents in provinces affected by abandoned metal mines and collected data from 6 Hospitals. We conducted a personal questionnaire interview survey with residents on the basis of household questionnaires, sex, age, household income, smoking, and drinking items. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between blood mercury level and hypertension. RESULTS: We compared residents with low and high groups based on blood mercury level 5.8 μg/L, and higher group was significantly higher risk of hypertension than lower group (odds ratio [OR]: 1.277; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.135–1.436), also in adjusted model, higher group was significantly higher risk of hypertension than lower group (OR: 1.276; 95% CI: 1.117–1.457). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a significant correlation between mercury and hypertension in residents around abandoned metal mines. Therefore, we should continuously monitor people who are higher than the standard value and the hypertensive patients.
Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular System ; Drinking ; Family Characteristics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Metals, Heavy ; Smoke ; Smoking

No abstract available.
Apolipoproteins* ; Genotype* ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction*

PURPOSE: Among the many factors associated with acute intestinal mucosal infection, numerous studies have proposed the usefulness of fecal calprotectin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fecal calprotectin in the diagnosis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). METHODS: We collected 154 stool samples from 16 very low birth weight and premature newborns at the Konyang University Hospital neonatal intensive care unit or neonatal nursery. The stool samples were collected using the Calprest device, and the fecal calprotectin level was measured with the BUHLMANN Calprotectin enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULTS: Fecal calprotectin levels were significantly higher in the NEC group than in the non-NEC group (P=0.02). There was a significant positive linear relationship between the fecal calprotectin level and number of days after birth (P=0.00) in the gestational age <26 weeks group. There was a significant negative linear relationship between the calprotectin level and number of days after birth (P=0.03) in the gestational age > or =26 weeks and <30 weeks group. There was no difference in the calprotectin levels according to the type and method of feeding between the NEC and non-NEC groups. CONCLUSION: Fecal calprotectin levels were significantly increased in premature infants with NEC. The fecal calprotectin test is a noninvasive, easy, and useful tool for the diagnosis of NEC.
Diagnosis ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex* ; Nurseries ; Parturition

We present two cases of focal fatty sparing caused by a nontumorous arterioportal shunt. Two patients underwent ultrasonography (US) as a part of routine medical screening, which revealed a hypoechoic lesion in the diffuse fatty liver. Each lesion appeared to be an arterioportal shunt on triphasic mutidetector computed tomography (CT) and was seen as being slightly hyperdense on noncontrast CT. No tumors were delineated around or within the arterioportal shunt. Both lesions remained unchanged on six-month follow-up US.
Fatty Liver* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Ultrasonography

Citrobacter freundii is frequently isolated in antimicrobial-resistant nosocomial infections. Many strains of Citrobacter freundii are capable of producing an inducible broad-spectrum beta-lactamase. We report a case of an abdominal aortic aneurysm infected with Citrobacter freundii. A 55-year-old woman presented with acute lower back pain. Contrast enhanced computed tomography revealed a saccular aneurysm of the infrarenal abdominal aorta, with impending rupture. She underwent emergency surgery, during which a segment of aneurysmal aorta and infected tissue were completely removed and an in situ graft was placed for vascular reconstruction. The anastomotic site and inserted graft were wrapped with greater omentum. Citrobacter freundii was isolated by tissue culture from the resected aneurysmal wall.
Aneurysm ; Aorta ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; beta-Lactamases ; Citrobacter ; Citrobacter freundii ; Cross Infection ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Middle Aged ; Omentum ; Rupture ; Transplants

PURPOSE: We wanted to assess the efficacy of using CT fluoroscopy during Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) for focal lung lesion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 22 patients who had undergone FNA under CT fluoroscopic guidance. The final diagnosis of focal lung lesion was based on surgery, the results of biopsy taken from another site or the clinical diagnosis with imaging follow-up. We reviewed the imaging and recorded the location of the lesion, the lesion size and the depth from the puncture site. RESULTS: In 24 cases of 22 patients, 16 lesions were benign and 8 were malignant. The sensitivity and specificity for malignant lesions were 100%, and 75%, respectively. The mean size of the malignant lesions was 3.75+/-1.68 cm, and that of the benign lesion was 3.05+/-2.98 cm. The mean depth of the lesion divided by the size was 1.85+/-1.09 for 20 lesions of the correct result group and 3.13+/-1.73 for 4 lesions of the incorrect result group; the difference between the two groups was statistically different (p=0.030). The complications after FNA were pneumothoraces in three cases and parenchymal hemorrhage in one case, but no significant complication was noted after the procedures. CONCLUSION: We could perform the FNA accurately and safely under CT fluoroscopy guidance, so this technique can be used for FNA of focal lung lesion for obtaining a correct result with fewer complications.
Biopsy ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Diagnosis ; Fluoroscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lung* ; Punctures ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

PURPOSE: To present a case report of fungal keratitis related to prolonged overnight use of orthokeratology contact lenses. METHODS: A 13 year-old girl presented with a corneal ulcer in her left eye refractory to antibacterial medication. She had a history of wearing orthokeratology contact lenses overnight for seven months. RESULTS: The organism Aspergillus was isolated by corneal scraping, the contact lens itself, and from the storage case. The patient was treated with topical fluconazole and Natamycin pimaricin in addition to oral itraconazole, resulting in a resolution of the ocular lesion. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of fungal infection as a potential complication of the use of overnight orthkeratology contact lenses should be considered when using these lenses.
Aspergillus ; Contact Lenses ; Corneal Dystrophies, Hereditary ; Corneal Ulcer ; Eye ; Fluconazole ; Humans ; Itraconazole ; Keratitis ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ ; Natamycin

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of increased aminotransferase levels and to identify associated factors in children admitted to hospital with urinary tract infections (UTIs). METHODS: The study included children with a diagnosis of UTI who were admitted to the Konyang University Hospital from January 2007 to May 2011. The total number of patients was 249 and the mean age was 15.88+/-28.21 months. UTI was defined as a positive urine culture (>105/colony forming unit [CFU]) with pyrexia. Patients were treated by intravenous antibiotics, such as ampicillin/sulbactam, aminoglycoside, cephalosporins or vancomycin. Patients with neonatal jaundice or other liver disease were excluded. We investigated the relationship of aminotransferase levels with the type of antibiotic, degree of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), and causative organisms. RESULTS: Children with increased aminotransferase levels were younger than those with normal levels (p=0.001), but white blood cell count, platelet count, causative organisms, type of antibiotics and presence of VUR were not associated with aminotransferase levels. Aminotransferase levels became normal within 1 month after discharge without special measures, except in 1 case. CONCLUSION: We found that many children with UTI have abnormal aminotransferase levels. In most cases, this change is mild and self-limiting. We conclude that increased aminotransferase level increase during UTI do not require unnecessary tests and excessive treatment.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cephalosporins ; Child ; Fever ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice, Neonatal ; Leukocyte Count ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Function Tests ; Platelet Count ; Prevalence ; Sepsis ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vancomycin ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux