Addison's disease is a rare disorder resulted from a chronic deficiency of the adreanl cortical hormone. The clinical manifestations are general weakness, weight loss, hyperpigmentation, hypovolemia with hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. We report a case of Addison's disease in a 60-year-old woman who has experienced slowly progressive weakness, weight loss and generalized cutaneous pigmentation, especially sun exposed area, extensor surface and nail bed for the last, 2 years. On a hormonal assay of the adrenal glands, basal plasma cortisol level was decreased and basal plasma ACTH level was markedly elevated. A chest X-ray showed streaky tuberculous infiltration in left, upper lobe field and adrenal CT scan showed calcific densities of both adrenal glands with nodular enlargement of right adrenal gland. There was a clinical improvement with steroid replacement therapy and anti-tuber- culosis chemotherapy. A nearly normal appearance was obtained after 5 months' treatment.
Addison Disease ; Adrenal Glands ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperkalemia ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hyponatremia ; Hypovolemia ; Middle Aged ; Pigmentation ; Plasma ; Solar System ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Weight Loss

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to find the most helpful midsagittal reference plane for diagnosis in PA cephalometry compared with 3D CT. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 25 adults who showed no facial asymmetry by gross inspection. 3D CT and posteroanterior cephalogram of the subjects were taken. To find the most helpful midsagittal reference plane in PA cephalometry, we considered five kinds of midsagittal planes from which the distances to five landmarks were measured and compared the result with that of 3D CT. The midsagittal plane for 3D CT was determined by the landmarks Nasion, Sella and Basion. RESULTS: PA measurements using the midsagittal reference plane on a perpendicular plane lying through the midpoint of the right and left latero-orbitales was closest to those of 3D CT. CONCLUSIONS: It was considered that latero-orbitale perpendicular could be used as the helpful midsagittal reference plane to assess facial asymmetry in PA cephalometry.
Adult ; Cephalometry ; Deception ; Facial Asymmetry ; Humans

Nefazodone, a newer antidepressant is a phenylpiperazine derivative that inhibits the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin, and antagonizes 5-HT2A and alpha1 adrenergic receptors. Compared with SSRIs nefazodone caused the fewer activating symptoms, adverse gastrointestinal effects(nausea, diarrhea, anorexia) and adverse effects of sexual function, but is associated with the more dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, visual disturbances and confusion. We report on 4 cases of visual disturbances and hallucinations in patients taking nefazodone. 1) Nefazodone, as a 5-HT2A antagonist, might induce visual disturbances. 2) mCPP, metabolite of nefazodone might contribute to the hallucination through action on 5-HT receptor. 3) Dopaminergic enhancing activity of nefazodone might cause hallucination. The case report raises the possibility that dose-related perceptual disturbances may exist with nefazodone. The fact emphasizes the need to pay close attention to all possible drug interactions, particularly in patients treated with multiple psychoactive agents, older patients, and patients with decreased hepatic function.
Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Dizziness ; Drug Interactions ; Hallucinations ; Humans ; Mouth ; Norepinephrine ; Psychotropic Drugs ; Receptors, Adrenergic ; Serotonin ; Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ipriflavone on periodontal reorganization and prevention of relapse following tooth movement. METHODS: Orthodontic rubber bands were inserted between the first and second maxillary molars of 27 white male rats for 3 weeks for experimental tooth movement. From one day before the removal of orthodontic rubber band, ipriflavone was administered 50 or 400 mg/kg daily in each experimental group whereas carboxymethyl cellulose solution was administered in the control group. They were sacrificed at the 5, 10, and 15th day from the day of removal of orthodontic rubber bands. The amount of relapse was evaluated by measuring the interdental space, and the extent of periodontal reorganization was compared through histological examination. RESULTS: In case of ipriflavone administration, the amount and velocity of relapse was less and slower compared to the control group. In addition, the ipriflavone group showed more rapid periodontal reorganization compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study suggest that ipriflavone administration can be used effectively in the prevention of relapse following orthodontic tooth movement through the acceleration of periodontal reorganization.
Acceleration ; Animals ; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; Male ; Molar ; Rats ; Recurrence ; Rubber ; Tooth ; Tooth Movement

Surgery for pathologic hip fracture poses significant challenges regarding the fixation of fracture and management of the original tumor lesion. An extensive destruction of the femoral neck and intertrochanteric region by benign or malignant lesions complicated by a pathological fracture generally necessitates total hip arthroplasty; however, in adolescents and young adults, preservation of the hip is preferable. We present a 14-year-old female patient, who sustained a pathological intertrochanteric fracture through a pre-existing aneurysmal bone cyst. Several operative interventions with internal fixation and bone graft were unsuccessful, and combined nonunion and progression of osteolysis around the compression hip screw eventually caused femoral head collapse, mimicking osteonecrosis. Hip preservation and resolution of the original tumor were achieved by free vascularized fibular graft.
Adolescent ; Aneurysm ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bone Cysts ; Female ; Femur Neck ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Head* ; Hip ; Humans ; Osteolysis ; Osteonecrosis ; Transplants* ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The arterial switch operation (ASO) has become the preferred procedure for the surgical management of transposition of the great arteries (TGA). We conducted a retrospective evaluation of our experience in 30 patients seen from January 2003 to July 2008, in order to determine outcomes and related risk factors after the arterial switch operation. METHODS: Patients charts, surgical reports, and echocardiograms were retrospectively reviewed. And they were analyzed in 2 different groups: complex (n=16) versus simple TGAs (n=14). Complex TGAs are TGAs with VSD or the Taussig-Bing anomaly with or without aortic arch anomalies. Simple TGAs are defined as TGAs with intact ventricular septum having no such anomalies. Median follow-up time was 44 months (3-63 months). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 0%. However, follow-up echocardiographies revealed potential complications, including stenosis of the branch pulmonary arteries, neo-aortic and/or neo-pulmonary valvar regurgitation, and right or left ventricular outflow tract obstructions. Great arterial relationship (side-by-side), association of aortic arch anomalies, and the existence of the Taussig-Bing anomaly were assessed as significant risk factors of neo-aortic and/or neo-pulmonary valvar regurgitation in this series. On the other hand, right or left ventricular outflow tract obstructions were more frequently found in patients demonstrating VSD, side-by-side positioned great arteries, or associated coronary anomalies. CONCLUSION: The ASO is the procedure of choice in the treatment of TGA. However, special attention and follow-ups are needed to detect residual problems like the stenosis of the branch pulmonary arteries, neo-aortic and/or neo-pulmonary valvar regurgitation, as well as ventricular outflow tract obstructions.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Double Outlet Right Ventricle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Artery ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Transposition of Great Vessels ; Ventricular Septum

Trichoblastoma is occasionally observed in association with a pre-existing nevus sebaceous in the Korean literature. However, there has been no report on the pigmented type. Herein, we report the first Korean case of a pigmented trichoblastoma arising from the nevus sebaceous on the forehead. A 28-year-old male presented with a dark nodular lesion within a yellowish plaque on the forehead. The surrounding yellowish plaque on the forehead had existed since birth. The central, dark-pigmented nodule began to appear three years ago and enlarged gradually. Histopathologic findings of central pigmented lesion showed heavy melanin deposits within and around the tumor nests. Complete excision was made as treatment.
Adult ; Forehead ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Melanins ; Nevus ; Parturition

BACKGROUND: There are few comparative studies about the optimal method of pneumatic compression to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The aim of this prospective randomized study was to compare venous hemodynamic changes and their clinical influences between two graded sequential compression groups (an alternate sequential compression device [ASCD] vs. a simultaneous sequential compression device [SSCD]). METHODS: In total, 34 patients (68 limbs) undergoing knee and spine operations were prospectively randomized into two device groups (ASCD vs. SSCD groups). Duplex ultrasonography examinations were performed on the 4th and 7th postoperative days for the detection of DVT and the evaluation of venous hemodynamics. Continuous data for the two groups were analyzed using a two-tailed, unpaired t-test. Relative frequencies of unpaired samples were compared using Fisher exact test. Mixed effects models that might be viewed as ANCOVA models were also considered. RESULTS: DVT developed in 7 patients (20.6%), all of whom were asymptomatic for isolated calf DVTs. Two of these patients were from the ASCD group (11.8%) and the other five were from the SSCD group (29.4%), but there was no significant difference (p = 0.331). Baseline peak velocity, mean velocity, peak volume flow, and total volume flow were enhanced significantly in both device groups (p < 0.001). However, the degrees of flow and velocity enhancement did not differ significantly between the groups. The accumulated expelled volumes for an hour were in favor of the ASCD group. CONCLUSIONS: Both graded sequential compression devices showed similar results both in clinical and physiological efficacies. Further studies are required to investigate the optimal intermittent pneumatic compression method for enhanced hemodynamic efficacy and better thromboprophylaxis.
Aged ; *Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects ; *Fracture Fixation/adverse effects ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; *Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Devices ; Knee/surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; *Spinal Fusion/adverse effects ; Spine/surgery ; Treatment Outcome ; Venous Thrombosis/etiology/physiopathology/*prevention & control/ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common pigmentary disorder of facial skin. It can have significant emotional, social, and psychological effects. But little is known about the impact of melasma on the quality of life (QOL) in Korean patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of life in patients with melasma. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with melasma were enrolled and interviewed against the Melasma Quality of Life scale (MELASQOL), which was recently developed by Balkrishnan et al. The patients were also evaluated by the investigator using the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI). RESULTS: The average score of MELASQOL was 41.2. A high score meant that melasma had a great effect on quality of life. It was high in patients with high MASI scores (p<0.01), young patients (p<0.01), and short duration of melasma (p<0.05). It was also high in those who had a high education level (p<0.05), or a previous treatment history (p<0.01). However, presence or absence of other skin diseases or preceding causes made no significant difference. CONCLUSION: This study shows that melasma has significant impact on the QOL of Korean melasma patients. Therefore, in addition to treating melasma, clinicians need to consider the psychosocial aspects of improving QOL in order to give patients optimal satisfaction.
Education ; Humans ; Melanosis* ; Quality of Life* ; Research Personnel ; Skin ; Skin Diseases

Detailed information on additional drug resistance patterns of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is essential to build an effective treatment regimen; however, such data are scarce in Korea. We retrospectively analyzed the results of phenotypic drug susceptibility testing (DST) of culture confirmed-TB patients from January 2010 to December 2014 in 7 university hospitals in Korea. MDR-TB was identified among 6.8% (n = 378) of 5,599 isolates. A total of 57.1% (n = 216) of the MDR-TB patients had never been treated for TB. Strains from MDR-TB patients showed additional resistance to pyrazinamide (PZA) (35.7%), any second-line injectable drug (19.3%), and any fluoroquinolone (26.2%). Extensively drug resistant TB comprised 12.4% (n = 47) of the MDR-TB patients. Of 378 MDR-TB patients, 50.3% (n = 190) were eligible for the shorter MDR-TB regimen, and 50.0% (n = 189) were fully susceptible to the 5 drugs comprising the standard conventional regimen (PZA, kanamycin, ofloxoacin, prothionamide, and cycloserine). In conclusion, the proportion of new patients and the levels of additional drug resistance were high in MDR-TB patients. Considering the high levels of drug resistance, the shorter MDR-TB treatment regimen may not be feasible; instead, an individually tailored regimen based on the results of molecular and phenotypic DST may be more appropriate in MDR-TB patients in Korea.