PURPOSE: Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage is not rare disease which can be caused by such risk factors as sepsis, large baby, birth trauma and asphyxia. The clinical manifestations include jaundice, anemia, abdominal mass and differentiation from neuroblastoma, renal vein thrombosis and adrenal abscess is needed. Through the clinical assessment of presenting features, we hope that this study be of any help to early detection and proper management of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage. METHODS: The 16 subjects out of neonates admitted to our hospital from July 1991 to June 1997 were diagnosed as neonatal adrenal hemorrhage. The risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods and prognosis of neonatal adrenal hemorrhage were evaluated in these 16 cases. RESULTS: 1) Among 16 cases, males were 10 (62.5%) and females were 6 (37.5%). Mean birth weight was 3.601.08kg and mean gestational age was 39.82+1.08 week, and all were fullterm babies. In modes of delivery, vaginal deliveries were 12 cases (75.0%) and cesarean sections were 4 cases (25.0%). 2) 13 cases (81.2%) were involved in right side, 2 cases (12.5%) in left side and 1 case (6.3%) bilaterally. 3) The risk factors include sepsis in 6 cases (37.5%), large baby in 5 cases (31.3%), birth trauma in 5 cases<31.3%) and asphyxia in 3 cases (18.8%). 4) The clinical manifestations include jaundice in 7 cases (43.8%), anemia in 7 cases (43.8%), fever in 6 cases (37.5%) and abdominal mass in 3 cases (18.8%). 5) In the time of diagnosis, until 7 days of birth were 9 cases (56.2%), 8-14 days were 3 cases (18.8%), 15-21 days were 2 cases (12.5%) and 22-28 days were 2 cases (12.5%). Follow-up studies were done in 13 cases (81.2%), and tha lesions all decreased without any specific complications or sequelae. CONCLUSION: Neonatal adrenal hemorrhage can be diagnosed by abdominal ultrasono- gram in the presence of suggestive manifestations of jaundice, anemia, fever and abdominal mass, with relatively good prognosis. Differentiation from other conditions as well as avoidance of unnecessary explorations can be achieved by serial follow-up examinations of abdominal ultrasonogram.
Abscess ; Anemia ; Asphyxia ; Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Hope ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Jaundice ; Male ; Neuroblastoma ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Rare Diseases ; Renal Veins ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography

Purpose: Considering the risk of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission through infected droplets, emergency department (ED) operations in response to febrile patients should be planned. We investigated the general and clinical characteristics of febrile patients visiting the ED and changes in admission rates via the ED during the COVID-19 outbreak. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected patients who visited 402 EDs in the Republic of Korea with febrile symptoms between January 27 and May 31, 2020 and compared them to those enrolled before the COVID-19 outbreak. The primary outcome was admission rate; the secondary outcome was length of stay (LOS) in the ED. Results: In total, 266519 patients had febrile symptoms at ED presentation after the COVID-19 outbreak. In 2019, before the outbreak, there were 437762 patients. The rate of ED visits among pediatric patients (aged <15 years) decreased to 21.4% after the COVID-19 outbreak, compared with 41.8% in 2019. The proportion of patients admitted after ED management was higher after the outbreak (31.3%) than before (25.2%). The adjusted odds ratio for admission was 1.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.05) after the outbreak. Compared to before the COVID-19 outbreak, the median ED LOS increased by 16 min after the outbreak. Conclusion This study confirmed that admission rates and ED LOS increased for febrile patients visiting the ED after the COVID-19 outbreak. This could provide evidence for developing ED-related strategies in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and other infectious disease pandemics.

Background: We compared the effects of palonosetron with ondansetron for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during the first 24 h after surgery in women receiving intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with fentanyl for pain control. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, 204 healthy patients who were undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia were enrolled. In the palonosetron group (n = 102), 0.075 mg bolus was given intravenously (i.v.) 30 min before the end of surgery and 8 ml saline was added to the IV-PCA. In the ondansetron group (n = 102), 8 mg bolus i.v. was given 30 min before the end of surgery and 16 mg of ondansetron was added to the IV-PCA. The incidence of PONV, severity of nausea, and use of rescue anti-emetics were evaluated 6 and 24 h after the operation. Results: The incidences of nausea (55.6%) and vomiting (14.1%) in the palonosetron group did not differ from those (58.3 and 19.8%) in the ondansetron group during the first 24 h after surgery (P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the severity of nausea and use of rescue anti-emetics between the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions The effects of palonosetron in preventing PONV were not different from those of ondansetron during the first 24 h postoperatively in women receiving IV-PCA with fentanyl.

Background: Only a few studies have tried to assess factors relevant to the satisfaction of the participants in atopic dermatitis (AD) educational programs. More systematic modeling of this issue is needed. Objective: To examine the benefit of a conjoint educational program for AD on patients and caregivers in a clinical setting. Methods: In a half-day educational program called “AD school”, 831 people (493 patients and 338 family members) participated for 8 years. Various educational and entertaining programs were provided. The on-site survey was administered to measure participants’ satisfaction and perception of the benefit. We applied structural equation modeling to identify the relations among satisfaction and perception. Results: A total of 209 family survey data was obtained and analyzed. The survey items were grouped into four categories. The categories were classified as individual education, group education, fun activity, and overall satisfaction (fun, benefit, intention to re-join and recommend to others). According to the model that we built, comprehensive group education was demonstrated to be the most relevant factor affecting overall satisfaction. Conclusion Our holistic approach would allow dermatologists to improve the efficacy of the conjoint educational program for AD.

Background: Only a few studies have tried to assess factors relevant to the satisfaction of the participants in atopic dermatitis (AD) educational programs. More systematic modeling of this issue is needed. Objective: To examine the benefit of a conjoint educational program for AD on patients and caregivers in a clinical setting. Methods: In a half-day educational program called “AD school”, 831 people (493 patients and 338 family members) participated for 8 years. Various educational and entertaining programs were provided. The on-site survey was administered to measure participants’ satisfaction and perception of the benefit. We applied structural equation modeling to identify the relations among satisfaction and perception. Results: A total of 209 family survey data was obtained and analyzed. The survey items were grouped into four categories. The categories were classified as individual education, group education, fun activity, and overall satisfaction (fun, benefit, intention to re-join and recommend to others). According to the model that we built, comprehensive group education was demonstrated to be the most relevant factor affecting overall satisfaction. Conclusion Our holistic approach would allow dermatologists to improve the efficacy of the conjoint educational program for AD.

Goltz syndrome(focal dermal hypoplasia) is a rare disorder characterized by ectodermal and mesodermal dysplasia described in 1962 by Goltz. In Korea, one case of Goltz syndrome was reported in 1994. The inheritance mode is mostly X-linked dominant. Skin abnormality is the most common manifestation including hypoplasia of the dermis. Skeletal involvement such as syndactyly, polydactyly, scoliosis, kyphosis and spina bifida occulta may be present, also ocular and dental abnormalities are reported. Radiologic findings are the osteopathy and striation of the long bone. We experienced a case of Goltz syndrome in a 9-year old female who was presented with right side hypotrophy, focal dermal hypoplasia, ocular(anidria, microcornea), dental(oligodontia, amelogenesis) and skeletal(syndactyly) abnormalities. Skin biopsy was performed and showed decreased expression of type I collagen gene with Northern blotting.
Biopsy ; Blotting, Northern ; Child ; Collagen Type I ; Dermis ; Ectoderm ; Female ; Focal Dermal Hypoplasia* ; Humans ; Korea ; Kyphosis ; Mesoderm ; Polydactyly ; Scoliosis ; Skin ; Skin Abnormalities ; Spina Bifida Occulta ; Syndactyly ; Wills

PURPOSE: To determine treatment protocol for inoperable esophageal cancer patients, we evaluated survival rate and prognostic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated esophageal cancer treated by curative or palliative aim in KCCH from 1992 to 1996, retrospectively. Recurrent or underdose case below 40 Gy were excluded. The number of male and female were 35 and 5, respectively. Thirty-eight patients were squamous carcinoma and 2 patients were not biopsy proven. Ten patients were treated with radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Median dose of radiation therapy was 59.4 Gy and the range was 40-60 Gy. RESULTS:The median survival is 6.5 months and 1-year survival rate was 28.3%. Age, location, radiation dose and chemotherapy were not significant prognostic factors. Median survivals of patients with below stage III and over stage IVA were 7.6 and 6.2 months respectively, but it is not significant. CONCLUSION:The survival for esophageal cancer is very poor. For patients with curative aim, chemotherapy must be considered. For patients with palliative aim, short-term external beam radiation therapy and/or brachytherapy must be considered.
Biopsy ; Brachytherapy ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Clinical Protocols ; Drug Therapy ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

Alagille syndrome is characterized by chronic cholestasis, posterior embryotoxon, skeletal abnormalities, cardiovascular abnormalities, and a typical face with prominent forehead and pointed chin. Its histological feature includes paucity of interlobular bile ducts. We experienced a 49-day-old female infant presenting with frequent upper respiratory tract infection and persistent jaundice. She had a typical face and chronic cholestasis. Echocardiograms revealed peripheral pulmonary stenosis. The histological examination of liver revealed paucity of interlobular bile ducts.
Alagille Syndrome* ; Cardiovascular Abnormalities ; Chin ; Cholestasis ; Female ; Forehead ; Humans ; Infant ; Jaundice ; Liver ; Pulmonary Valve Stenosis ; Respiratory Tract Infections

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare lung perfusion scan with single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) for the evaluation of lung function and to elucidate the most appropriate modality for the prediction of postoperative lung function in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: A total of 181 patients underwent Tc-99m macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scan and SPECT/CT to examine the ratio of diseased lung and diseased lobe. Forty-one patients with lung cancer underwent both preoperative and postoperative pulmonary function tests within 1 month to predict postoperative pulmonary function. Predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 s (ppoFEV₁) was calculated by the % radioactivity of lung perfusion scan and SPECT, and the % volume of the residual lung, assessed on CT. RESULTS: The ratios of diseased lung as seen on lung perfusion scan and SPECT showed significant correlation, but neither modality correlated with CT. The ratios of the diseased lung and diseased lobe based on CT were higher than the ratios based on either perfusion scan or SPECT, because CT overestimated the function of the diseased area. The lobar ratio of both upper lobes was lower based on the perfusion scan than on SPECT but was higher for both lower lobes. Actual postoperative FEV₁ showed significant correlation with ppoFEV₁ based on lung perfusion SPECT and perfusion scan. CONCLUSIONS We suggest SPECT/CT as the primary modality of choice for the assessment of the ratio of diseased lung area. Both perfusion scan and SPECT/CT can be used for the prediction of postoperative lung function.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy between a covered metallic ureteral stent (CMS) and a double-J ureteral stent (DJS) for the treatment of a malignant ureteral obstruction (MUO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen patients (seven men and 12 women; mean age, 53.4 years) were randomly assigned to the CMS (n = 10) or DJS (n = 9) group. The following were compared between the two groups: technical success, i.e., successful stent placement into desired locations; stent malfunction; stent patency, i.e., no obstruction and no additional intervention; complications; and patient survival. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100% in all 10 and 12 ureteral units in the CMS and DJS groups, respectively. During the mean follow-up period of 253.9 days (range, 63–655 days), stent malfunction was observed in 40.0% (4/10) and 66.7% (8/12) in the CMS and DJS groups, respectively. In the per-ureteral analysis, the median patency time was 239.0 days and 80.0 days in the CMS and DJS groups, respectively. The CMS group yielded higher patency rates compared with the DJS group at three months (90% vs. 35%) and at six months (57% vs. 21%). The overall patency rates were significantly higher in the CMS group (p = 0.041). Complications included the migration of two metallic stents in one patient in the CMS group, which were removed in a retrograde manner. The two patient groups did not differ significantly regarding their overall survival rates (p = 0.286). CONCLUSION: Covered metallic ureteral stent may be effective for MUO.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Prospective Studies* ; Stents* ; Survival Rate ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction*