We evaluated median value and lower confidence limit of total serum IgE level in each age group of 1,493 pure atopic dermatitis patient without respiratory atopic diseases. The results were as follows . 1. The median value of total serum IgE level of each age group in patients with atopic dermatitis distributed from 56.5 IU/@Ll to 660It.J/C. The distributions of the median value of total serum IgE levels of total patients with atopic dermatitis, total male patients with atopic dermatitis, and total female patients with atopic dermatitis were 185 IU/C, 220 IUj'@C, and 165 IUj'C. There was no statistical significance of median value of total serum IgE level between mole patients and female patients. 2. The 95% and 99% lower confidence limit(one-sided) of total serum IgE level of ea.ch age group in patients with atopic dermatitis distributed from 32.6 IU /n4 to 287IU/v4 and from 31 IU/m0 to 202 IU4. The 95% lower confidence limit (one-sided) of total serum IgE level of total patients with atopic dermatitis, tatal male patients with atopic dermatitis, and. total female patients with atopic dermatitis were 170 II.J/m0, 185 IU,m/l, and 133 IUm/l. The 99% lower confidence limit.(one-sided) of total serum IgE level of total patient with atopic dermatitis, total male patient with atopic dermatitis, and total female patients with atopic dermatitis were 165 IU/ml, 180 IU/ml, and 125 IU/ml.
Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Male

PURPOSE: A wide variety of surgical materials have been used for blepharoptosis such as catgut, silicone, 4-0 nylon polyfilament cable-type ophthalmic suture (Supramid(R)), autogenous tendon (palmaris longus),banked sclera, dura mater, fascia lata, and temporalis fascia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of frontalis suspensory surgery with temporalis fascia. METHODS: The authors studied 91 frontalis slings (71 patients) performed from 1993 to 1999 at our hospital for repair of blepharoptosis. Results with temporalis fascia (group A) as the suspensory material were compared to those with autogenous (group B) and preserved (group C) fascia lata. RESULTS: The success rates of group A (31 lids 21 patients), group B (28 lids 24 patients), group C (32lids 26 patients) were 80.6%, 75%, 78.1% respectively. But there was no statistically significant difference in each groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that temporalis fascia for frontalis sling could be used as suspensory material successfully. Moreover, long term and further evaluations must be considered.
Blepharoptosis ; Catgut ; Dura Mater ; Fascia Lata ; Fascia* ; Nylons ; Sclera ; Silicones ; Sutures ; Tendons

PURPOSE: To compare the keratometry obtained from optical low-coherence reflectometry (Lenstar LS900®), autokeratometer (KR-8100®), and topography (Medmont E300®) in children. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 316 eyes of 160 subjects. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to age. Group 1 was younger than 10 years, group 2 was older than 10 years and younger than 18 years, and group 3 was older than 18 years. Subjects were tested using the Lenstar LS900®, KR-8100®, and Medmont E300®. Comparisons were made for steep K, flat K, mean K, and astigmatism among three groups. Agreement among the 3 devices was examined using the Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: The keratometry measured by Medmont E300® was highest, followed by that of Lenstar LS900® and KR-8100® in all 3 groups. Almost all keratometry was significantly different among the 3 devices except for the flat K measured by LS900® and KR-8100® in all 3 groups and flat K measured by KR-8100® and Medmont E300® in Group 3 (p < 0.05). With regard to mean K, the agreement between Lenstar LS900® and KR-8100® was better than that between the other two pairs in both Groups 1 and 2, while agreement between Lenstar LS900® and Medmont E300® was better in Group 3. The agreement between KR-8100® and Medmont E300® was worse than that between the other two pairs in Groups 1 and 3, while the agreement between Lenstar LS900® and Medmont E300® was worse in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences in keratometry among the 3 devices in all 3 groups. In children, Medmont E300® showed relatively less agreement compared with the other two devices. In adults, however, the agreement between 2 devices showed variable results. Consideration of the keratometry measurement from Lenstar LS900®, KR-8100®, and Medmont E300® might be helpful to estimate accurate corneal keratometry in children.
Adult ; Astigmatism ; Child* ; Humans ; Methods ; Retrospective Studies

We report herein a. case of angio-Behqets syndrome, arterial occlusion type in a 31 year-old male. He had a history of scrotal ulceration, frequent oral ulceration and ocular pain with decreased visual acuity. About 8 months ago, moderately dull pain developed on the volar aspect of left index finger. Subsequently, a bean sized bluish patch developed on the previous painful area and on the ipsilateral thumb tip. Subungual splinter hemorrhages developed on the distal portions of left thumb and index finger nails at the same time. The result of saline puncture test showed the positive reaction in both intradermal and subeutaneous injections. The hrachial angiography showed an obliteration of digital artery at the second proxirnal phalanx of ulnar side.
Adult ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Behcet Syndrome* ; Fingers ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Oral Ulcer ; Punctures ; Thumb ; Ulcer ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of unilateral blepharoptosis repair on contralateral eyelid position. METHODS: The medical records of 39 patients who had undergone unilateral blepharoptosis repair were reviewed for preoperative and postoperative margin reflex distance (MRD). RESULTS: Of the 39 patients, 28 (71.8%) had congenital ptosis and 11 (28.2%) revealed acquired ptosis. Twenty-two (56.4%) patients were male and 17 (43.6%) were female. Ages ranged from 3 to 55 years (mean 15.3+/-20.1 years). After unilateral blepharoptosis repair, the postoperative mean (+/-SD) change in MRD of nonoperated eye was -0.3+/-0.7 mm at week one, -0.3+/-0.6 mm at three months, and -0.2+/-0.7 mm at six months. CONCLUSIONS: After unilateral blepharoptosis repair, 35.9% of patients had a decrease in contralateral eyelid height at postoperative 3 months and amount of decrease was 0.2+/-0.7 mm.
Blepharoptosis ; Eye ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Reflex

Pulmonary endomertiosis is a rare disorder with the typical symptom of hemoptysis during menstruation (catamenial hemoptysis). We report a case of a 19-year-old woman, gravida 0, with 3-month history of catamenial hemoptysis which was confirmed with chest computed tomography. She was treated by means of thoracoscopic wedge resection for the right lesion and fuperior segmental resection through the left thoracotomy, successively. Preoperative fluoroscopy-guided hooking for thoracosopic target lwsion was helpful in circumstances with one lung anesthesia. Four months of follow-up after an uneventful discharge revealed out no recurrence of catamenial hemoptysis in symptoms and images.
Anesthesia ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoptysis* ; Humans ; Lung ; Menstruation ; Recurrence ; Thoracotomy ; Thorax ; Young Adult

In a placebo-controlled trial, we have studied the vasodilator properties of bolus dose of nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate and chlorpromazine in 38 patients during cardiopulmonary bypass with a constant pump flow. Mean arterial pressure and blood volume of the venous reservoir were recorded for 10 min after drug administration to detect changes in arteriolar resistance and venous capacitance, respectively. Nitroglycerin, 2.5 ug/kg, decreased arterial pressure, but the effect lasted for 3 minutes. Chlorpromazine, 0.1 mg/kg, decreased arterial pressure for 9 minutes. Isosorbide dinitrate, 20 ug/kg, had no significant change on arterial pressure. The venous capacitance-increasing effects of nitroglycerin and chlorpromazine were significant for 4 minutes after the bolus. Thereafter the effect of nitroglycerin began to decline, while that of chlorpromazine significantly continued. Isosorbide dinitrate had no significant change on venous reservoir level. The SVR reduction effects of nitroglycerin was significant for 3 minutes, chlorpromazine decreased SVR for over 10 minutes. In conclusion chlorpromazine effect on arterial pressure and venous capacitance was more potent and longer than nitroglycerin and isosorbide dinitrate. Nitroglycerin and chlorpromazine effect on preload and afterload were significant after bolus dose.
Arterial Pressure ; Blood Volume ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Chlorpromazine* ; Humans ; Isosorbide Dinitrate* ; Isosorbide* ; Nitroglycerin* ; Vascular Access Devices

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of anterior displacement of four rectus muscles in exposure of porous polyethylene orbital implant (Medpor(R)). CASE SUMMARY: This retrospective study reviewed 4 eyes with exposed orbital implant who underwent evisceration with porous polyethylene orbital implant (Medpor(R)). The technique involves dissection of conjunctiva and tenon's capsule and isolation of four rectus muscles from sclera. Unsure if each muscle was sutured to each other or if a group of muscles were sutured to another group (i.e. superior and inferior to medial and lateral). Posterior tenon's capsule was closed interruptedly and conjunctiva was closed continuously. Orbital implant exposure was occurred at 2~36 months later after evisceration and implant insertion. One eye was noted wound dehiscence 1 week after operation, then re-suture was done. Re-exposure was notified in 1 eye at postoperative 3 months, but it was small, then we just observed. In other 3 cases, exposure was not identified till last follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Four rectus muscle anterior displacement procedure may be simple and useful method in exposure of orbital implant.
Conjunctiva ; Follow-Up Studies ; Muscles ; Orbit* ; Orbital Implants* ; Polyethylene* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclera ; Tenon Capsule ; Wounds and Injuries

The number of people with chronic diseases has been increasing steadily but the indicators for the management of chronic diseases have not improved significantly. To improve the existing chronic disease management system, a new policy will be introduced, which includes the establishment of care plans for hypertension and diabetes patients by primary care physicians and the provision of care coordination services based on these plans. Care coordination refers to a series of activities to assist patients and their families and it has been known to be effective in reducing medical costs and avoiding the unnecessary use of the hospital system by individuals. To offer well-coordinated and high-quality care services, it is necessary to develop a service quality assurance plan, track and manage patients, provide patient support, agree on patient referral and transition, and develop an effective information system. Local governance should be established for chronic disease management, and long-term plans and continuous quality improvement are necessary.
Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Information Systems ; Patient Care Management ; Physicians, Primary Care ; Quality Improvement ; Referral and Consultation ; Transitional Care

The number of people with chronic diseases has been increasing steadily but the indicators for the management of chronic diseases have not improved significantly. To improve the existing chronic disease management system, a new policy will be introduced, which includes the establishment of care plans for hypertension and diabetes patients by primary care physicians and the provision of care coordination services based on these plans. Care coordination refers to a series of activities to assist patients and their families and it has been known to be effective in reducing medical costs and avoiding the unnecessary use of the hospital system by individuals. To offer well-coordinated and high-quality care services, it is necessary to develop a service quality assurance plan, track and manage patients, provide patient support, agree on patient referral and transition, and develop an effective information system. Local governance should be established for chronic disease management, and long-term plans and continuous quality improvement are necessary.