Myokymia is a clinical phenomenon characterized by undulating, vermicular, rippling and wavelike movements spreading across the muscle surface. Facial myokymia is an unusual complication of brainstem hemorrhage. It tends to occur in brainstem tumor or multiple sclerosis. We report a 51-year-old man with continuous facial and neck myokymia after brainstem hemorrhage, who revealed focal myokymic discharges in face, neck and pharyngolaryngeal muscles in-nervated by cranial nerve V, VII, X, and XI. After injection of 20-80 units of Botulinum toxin type A (Dysport ) to the left orbicularis oris, mentalis, mylohyoid and posterior belly of digastric muscles, amplitude of continuous myokymic discharges was markedly reduced. We recommend Botulinum toxin injection as a very effective therapeutic method in managing focal movement disorders.
Botulinum Toxins* ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A ; Brain Stem ; Brain Stem Neoplasms ; Facial Nerve Diseases ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Movement Disorders ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Muscles ; Myokymia* ; Neck* ; Trigeminal Nerve

PURPOSE: Change of foods intake during infancy and early childhood is being indicated as a causal factor for recent dramatic increase in the number of allergic diseases in children. The food allergens may have an important role for the development of allergic diseases including atopic dermatitis in children. Early prevention and treatment of atopic dermatitis are important to prevent of allergic disease later in life. METHODS: The questionaire survey about the diet patterns of their children and the parents' awareness and knowledge on the relationship between food and allergy was performed for the parents of 316 patients aged under 48 month old at 7 university hospitals (4 allergy clinics and 3 general clinics) or 4 private clinics in September, 2002. RESULTS: Formular fed is more common in all age group and it comprised over 70% in the group under age 6 month old in compare with breast milk fed. The mean age of the start of weaning was 5.2+/-1.8 months in a child with a history of allergy, and 4.6+/-2.0 months who had no allergy history. The most common reason to start weaning was nutritional supplement and the next was to train for adult foods. Fruit juice was the first introduced weaning food in most cases. Among 316 children, 108 children had experience of having grain diet, live diet or natural diet for better nutrition. More than half of the parents had relatively correct knowledge about allergy such as the relationship between food and allergy especially in the group with a allergic disease. Many parents started grain diet, live diet, a soup of bone, and the white of an egg to their children under 12 months of age. CONCLUSION: In general, most of the parents enrolled had relatively correct information about the time and the purpose of weaning. However, their knowledge about the kinds of food and time of first exposure is at issue to be pointed out. Especially as a point of view for early intervention of allergic disease, continued more active education about the food allergens and their relation to allergic diseases are strongly recommended.
Adult ; Allergens ; Edible Grain ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Diet ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Eating* ; Education ; Fruit ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Infant ; Milk, Human ; Ovum ; Parents ; Weaning

PURPOSE: The lateralization of cognitive functions in crossed aphasia in dextrals (CAD) has been explored and compared mainly with cases of aphasia with left hemisphere damage. However, comparing the neuropsychological aspects of CAD and aphasia after right brain damage in left-handers (ARL) could potentially provide more insights into the effect of a shift in the laterality of handedness or language on other cognitive organization. Thus, this case study compared two cases of CAD and one case of ARL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The following neuropsychological measures were obtained from three aphasic patients with right brain damage (two cases of CAD and one case of ARL); language, oral and limb praxis, and nonverbal cognitive functions (visuospatial neglect and visuospatial construction). RESULTS: All three patients showed impaired visuoconstructional abilities, whereas each patient showed a different level of performances for oral and limb praxis, and visuospatial neglect. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of these three aphasic patients' performances, we highlighted the lateralization of language, handedness, oral and limb praxis, visuospatial neglect and visuospatial constructive ability in aphasic patients with right brain damage.
Aged ; Aphasia/*etiology/*physiopathology ; Brain Injuries/*complications ; Cognition/*physiology ; Female ; Functional Laterality/*physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of minor clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Korean children to aid the diagnosis and treatment of AD. METHODS: From April 2007 to December 2007, we enrolled 106 children (aged 1 month [infants] to 15 years) diagnosed with AD at the Pediatric Allergy Respiratory Center in Soonchunhyang University Hospital. Clinical manifestations were examined and laboratory findings (total and specific immunoglobulin E [IgE] levels and peripheral blood eosinophil count) were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: Minor symptoms, in order of frequency, included xerosis (78.3%), aggravation due to environmental or emotional stress (43.4%), lichenification (35.8%), orbital darkening (34.0%), periauricular eczema (33.0%), and cutaneous infection (31.1%). Older children (> or =2 years) showed more orbital darkening (P=0.01), horizontal crease (P=0.01), and lichenification (P=0.001) than infants. Patients with severe AD (scoring atopic dermatitis [SCORAD] score, > or =40) showed higher frequencies of xerosis (P=0.04), cutaneous infection (P=0.03), ichthyosis (P=0.18), keratosis pilaris (P=0.02), pityriasis alba (P=0.07), recurrent conjunctivitis (P=0.02), orbital darkening (P=0.001), aggravation due to environmental or emotional stress (P=0.05), facial eczema (P=0.001), lichenification (P=0.001), and hand/foot eczema (P=0.04) than those with mild-to-moderate AD. Children with atopic eczema showed more facial eczema (P=0.01) and lichenification (P=0.04) than those with non-atopic eczema. CONCLUSION: The clinical manifestations of AD were similar to those established by Hanifin and Rajka. However, we need to develop our own diagnostic criteria for AD, because the frequencies shown by our subjects differed from those observed in other countries.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; Child ; Conjunctivitis ; Darier Disease ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Eczema ; Eosinophils ; Eyebrows ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Ichthyosis ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Infant ; Keratosis ; Orbit ; Pityriasis ; Respiratory Center ; Stress, Psychological

BACKGROUND: Cardiac tamponade is associated with the expiratory increase and the expira-tory decrease in left ventricular filling flow. With Doppler echocardiography, we analyzed the respiratory variations of mitral and tricuspid inflows, and pulmonary and hepatic venous flows in patients with cardiac tamponade. METHODS: Respiratory hemodynamic changes in mitral and tricuspid inflows and pulmonary and hepatic venous flows were evaluated using Doppler echocardiography in 13 patients (6 men and 7 women; mean age 51+/-13 years) with large pericardial effusion and clinical cardiac tamponade, and compared the results with those of 11 control subjects (3 men and 8 women, mean age 53+/-13 years). Doppler examination was repeated after pericardiocentesis in 6 patients. RESULTS: Peak velocity of early diastolic mitral inflow (E velocity) decreased during inspiration compared with expiratory increase; the mean percentage change was 40%. Peak velocity of late diastolic mitral inflow (A velocity) decreased 13% during inspiration. E/A ratio decreased 31% during inspiration. Deceleration time (DT) and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) increased by 26% and 44%, respectively, during inspiration. But respiratory variations of tricuspid inflow were opposite to those of mitral inflow. Tricuspid E velocity increased during inspiration and decre-ased during expiration. The mean percentage change was 123%, which was larger than thte 40% of mitral inflow. The most characteristic findings of pulmonary venous flow during respiration were the expiratory increases of peak diastolic velocity (DV) and diastolic time-velocity integral (D-TVI). The mean percentage changes of peak systolic velocity (SV), DV and D-TVI during respiration were 27%, 45% and 53% respectively. In contrast, the SV and DV of hepatic venous flow increased during inspiration and decreased during expiration. The respiratory variations of peak systolic reverse flow velocity (SR) and peak diastolic reverse flow velocity (DR) were opposite to those of SV and DV. DR notably increased during expiration, and the mean percentage change was 61%. The ratio of RFI (Inspiratory reverse flow integral) to FFI (forward flow integral) of the tamponade group was 270%. The mean percentage changes of each parameters decreased after pericardiocentesis. CONCLUSION: Patients with cardiac tamponade showed inspiratory increases of diastolic tri-cuspid filling flow and hepatic forward flow. Expiratory increases included diastolic mitral filling flow, pulmonary venous systolic and diastolic flow, and hepatic venous reverse flow. Such res-piratory variations decreased after pericardiocentesis.
Cardiac Tamponade* ; Deceleration ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Male ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericardiocentesis ; Relaxation ; Respiration

Castleman's disease is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder of uncertain etiology which most commonly occurs in the mediastinum. We describe a case of a benign Castleman 's disease of the hyaline vascular type affecting the upper extremity, an extremely rare site of the disease.
Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia* ; Hamartoma ; Hyalin ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Mediastinum ; Upper Extremity*

PURPOSE: It is widely known that allergic diseases progress through an allergic march. However, there have not been any recent reports in Korea on how the diseases progress. METHODS: Parents who visited one of the Pediatric Allergy Clinics of four university hospitals in Seoul with a child under the age of 6 years during the period from May 1-30, 2006 were asked to complete a questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 229 parents answered the questionnaire about their children, of which 122 were male and 107 were female. The most common allergic disease before 2 years of age was atopic dermatitis (79%). Meanwhile, in 2- to 4-year age group, allergic rhinitis (38%) and asthma (37%) were predominant. The most common allergic disease in the 4- to 6-year age group was asthma (72%), followed by allergic rhinitis (64%). Seventy-three percent of the children had a family history of allergic disease, most often in the fathers (39%). Among patients with allergic rhinitis, 50% had experienced asthma in their earlier days and 30% had experienced atopic dermatitis. In addition, 57% of the children with asthma had suffered from atopic dermatitis. Parents believed that asthma was the most serious allergic disease. CONCLUSION: In the present study, allergic disease showed a tendency to march from atopic dermatitis to asthma and then to allergic rhinitis. Early diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis is, therefore, considered important for prevention of the allergic march.
Asthma ; Child ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Early Diagnosis ; Fathers ; Female ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Korea ; Male ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial

OBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term functional changes and its underlying factors in stroke patients. METHOD: Data were collected retrospectively from the stroke patients who had been completed at least 2 times of functional evaluation after discharge. 60 stroke patients were included and we investigated long-term change of motor, cognition and activities of daily living score at 6 months from the onset and the last score during the follow up period. The motor function included manual function test (MFT), Korean version of Berg balance scale (K-BBS), cognitive function by Korean version of mini-mental status examination (K-MMSE), activities of daily living by Korean version of modified Barthel index (K-MBI). To identify the factors influencing long-term function outcome after stroke, biographical data and risk factors were collected and bivariate correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 23.4 months and MFT, BBS, MMSE, and K-MBI scores showed no significant difference between 6 months from the onset and final evaluation. History of recurrent stroke (p = 0.007) and hypertension (p = 0.017) were significantly related with decline of cognition during follow up period. All the other independent variables were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: None of the function showed significant changes during the 2 year of mean follow-up period. Recurrent stroke and hypertension were significant predictor for decline of cognitive function. Our results suggest that secondary prevention including blood pressure control is important to prevent decline of cognitive function after stroke.
Activities of Daily Living ; Blood Pressure ; Cognition ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Postural Balance ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Secondary Prevention ; Stroke ; Upper Extremity

OBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term functional changes and its underlying factors in stroke patients. METHOD: Data were collected retrospectively from the stroke patients who had been completed at least 2 times of functional evaluation after discharge. 60 stroke patients were included and we investigated long-term change of motor, cognition and activities of daily living score at 6 months from the onset and the last score during the follow up period. The motor function included manual function test (MFT), Korean version of Berg balance scale (K-BBS), cognitive function by Korean version of mini-mental status examination (K-MMSE), activities of daily living by Korean version of modified Barthel index (K-MBI). To identify the factors influencing long-term function outcome after stroke, biographical data and risk factors were collected and bivariate correlation analysis was performed. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 23.4 months and MFT, BBS, MMSE, and K-MBI scores showed no significant difference between 6 months from the onset and final evaluation. History of recurrent stroke (p = 0.007) and hypertension (p = 0.017) were significantly related with decline of cognition during follow up period. All the other independent variables were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: None of the function showed significant changes during the 2 year of mean follow-up period. Recurrent stroke and hypertension were significant predictor for decline of cognitive function. Our results suggest that secondary prevention including blood pressure control is important to prevent decline of cognitive function after stroke.
Activities of Daily Living ; Blood Pressure ; Cognition ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Postural Balance ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Secondary Prevention ; Stroke ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: It is not surprising that serologically based epidemiologic studies have documented the high incidence of mycoplasma respiratory infection throughout the world. We studied the epidemiologic and clinical aspects of mycoplasma pneumonia in children if there is any differences in the peak age-related incidence, seasonal predominance and clinical manifestations in compare with other studies reported in Korea. METHODS: We reviewed 1004 cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia diagnosed by clinical manifestations and positive serologyc tests, retrospectively, who were admitted to the department of pediatrics in four university hospitals in Seoul and Inchon during the last 5 years from 1993 to 1997. RESULTS: 1) The age distribution of mycoplasma pneumonia showed highest incidence in children 4-6 years old. There was no difference in sex distribution at any age group. 2) Although there was little difference in annual distribution, it was highest in 1997. 3) Cough was the most prevalent prodromal symptom. 4) Vomiting, Nausea, Abdominal pain and headache were noted as the extrapulmonary manifestations. 5) Pulmonary infiltration was noted mostly in lower lobe lobes on chest X-ray. They showed interstial involvement in 34.5%, lobar involvement in 30.0%, and pleural effusion in 7.8% of the total. 6). As the complications, aggravate or trigger the asthma attack were noted in 4.0%, development of sinusitis in 3.5% and otitis media in 1.4% of the total. There were four cases of aseptic meningitis and one case of lung abscess. CONCLUSIONS: In our survey, there was little or no epidemiologic differences in the incidence of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. We can find the increasing tendency of lobar pattern of involvement on chest X-ray in mycoplasma pneumonia in children.
Abdominal Pain ; Age Distribution ; Asthma ; Child ; Cough ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology ; Headache ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Incheon ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lung Abscess ; Meningitis, Aseptic ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Nausea ; Otitis Media ; Pediatrics ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Prodromal Symptoms ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Seoul ; Sex Distribution ; Sinusitis ; Thorax ; Vomiting