Staphylococcus epidermidis is a normal inhabitant of skin, throat, mouth, vagina, and urethra. It is not usually pathogenic, particularly in immunocompetent hosts. This report describes a case of a pyogenic liver abscess caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis in a healthy 12-year-old boy. He was admitted to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital with intermittent fever for 6 days. Findings on abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a mass measuring 7.0x6.5 cm in the right hepatic lobe. Culture of the abscess resulted in growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis as a causative organism. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous administration of antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of the abscess.
Abscess ; Administration, Intravenous ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Drainage ; Fever ; Humans ; Liver Abscess ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Mouth ; Pharynx ; Skin ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Urethra ; Vagina

The major presenting manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Korea are known to be cutaneous manifestations, arthritis, nephritis, and fever. The ascites due to peritoneal involvement in SLE is quite common. However, it is unusual for massive ascites to be major presenting manifestations of SLE. In this report, we describe a case of SLE patient whose disease manifested as intractable ascites. This illustrates an unusual presentation and natural history of a complex autoimmune disease.
Arthritis ; Ascites* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Fever ; Humans ; Korea ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic* ; Natural History ; Nephritis

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics of human bocavirus (HBoV)-associated lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples were obtained from 658 children who had been hospitalized for LRTIs in Seoul National University (SNU) Children's Hospital and SNU Bundang Hospital from March 2000 to September 2005. Multiplex RT-PCR was performed to detect 11 respiratory viruses including respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza viruses 1 and 3, influenza viruses A and B, human metapneumovirus, HBoV, human coronavirus (HCoV) OC43/229E, and HCoV-NL63. Clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Overall, respiratory viruses were detected in 325 (49.4%) among 658 patients. HBoV was detected in 62 cases (9.4%) and was responsible for 19.1% of virus-positive cases. HBoV was prevalent among infants and young children aged from 3 months to 5 years with the mean age of 25.3 months. Co-detection of HBoV and other respiratory viruses was observed in 37.1% which is significantly higher than average co-detection rate (12.3%) among overall virus-positive cases (P=0.000). HBoV was identified mainly in late spring and early summer from May to July. CONCLUSION: This study describes epidemiologic features of HBoV in Korean children compared with those associated with other respiratory viruses. HBoV was prevalent among LRTIs in childhood, especially in late spring and early summer season in Korea.
Adenoviridae ; Aged ; Bronchiolitis ; Child ; Coronavirus ; Coronavirus NL63, Human ; Human bocavirus ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Metapneumovirus ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Paramyxoviridae Infections ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Rhinovirus ; Seasons

PURPOSE: The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional study was to identify the factors affecting health-related quality of life by examining the relationships among posttraumatic stress, health-related work limitations, and family support in firefighters. METHODS: The data were collected from 390 firefighters working in four fire stations located in the G district using self-report questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA along with the Scheffé test, and multiple regression. RESULTS: As per the results of multiple regression analysis, the factors affecting health-related quality of life in firefighters were posttraumatic stress, health-related work limitations, and family support. This model explained 31% of the variance in health-related quality of life (F=30.03, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Considering the findings of this study, there is a need to reduce posttraumatic stress and health-related work limitations and develop family support toward firefighters.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Firefighters* ; Fires ; Humans ; Quality of Life*

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is an important period with respect to health promotion, because development of health behavior at this stage is the foundation of health in adalts. Among the social factors, family factor which affects the primary social function can be the most fundamental. We investigated the effects of father's health behavior on the health behavior of their children during adolescence. METHODS: From June to August 1999, 300 adolescent students from middle schools and high schools of areas including four cities (Seoul, Incheon, Anyang, Gunpo) and their fathers were questioned about general characteristics and health behavior such as smoking, alcohol drinking, exercise, duration of sleep, body weight, height and eating habits for breakfast ('Alameda 7'). The relationship between father's health behavior and their adolescents' health behavior was analyzed by chi-squared test. RESULTS: Among 300 adolescents and their fathers, 211 pairs responded appropriately to the questionnaires. Adolescent's smoking was not associated with father's smoking. In drinking there was no significant association between father and adolescent, but in drinking amount, father's high drinking amount was significantly associated in all students, especially in females and high school students. Regular diet, exercise, sleep did not show significant association between father and adolescent. The proportion of obesity in adolescents whose fathers were obese was significantly greater compared to those whose fathers were not. CONCLUSION: High drinking amount and obesity had a statistical significance of association between fathers and adolescents. When we consider adolescents' health behavior, their fathers' health behavior must be considered.
Adolescent ; Alcohol Drinking ; Body Weight ; Breakfast ; Child ; Diet ; Drinking ; Eating ; Fathers ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Behavior* ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Incheon ; Obesity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is an important period with respect to health promotion, because development of health behavior at this stage is the foundation of health in adalts. Among the social factors, family factor which affects the primary social function can be the most fundamental. We investigated the effects of father's health behavior on the health behavior of their children during adolescence. METHODS: From June to August 1999, 300 adolescent students from middle schools and high schools of areas including four cities (Seoul, Incheon, Anyang, Gunpo) and their fathers were questioned about general characteristics and health behavior such as smoking, alcohol drinking, exercise, duration of sleep, body weight, height and eating habits for breakfast ('Alameda 7'). The relationship between father's health behavior and their adolescents' health behavior was analyzed by chi-squared test. RESULTS: Among 300 adolescents and their fathers, 211 pairs responded appropriately to the questionnaires. Adolescent's smoking was not associated with father's smoking. In drinking there was no significant association between father and adolescent, but in drinking amount, father's high drinking amount was significantly associated in all students, especially in females and high school students. Regular diet, exercise, sleep did not show significant association between father and adolescent. The proportion of obesity in adolescents whose fathers were obese was significantly greater compared to those whose fathers were not. CONCLUSION: High drinking amount and obesity had a statistical significance of association between fathers and adolescents. When we consider adolescents' health behavior, their fathers' health behavior must be considered.
Adolescent ; Alcohol Drinking ; Body Weight ; Breakfast ; Child ; Diet ; Drinking ; Eating ; Fathers ; Female ; Gyeonggi-do ; Health Behavior* ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Incheon ; Obesity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Recent studies have suggested that nitric oxide (NO) exerts various effects on aspects of tumor biology, including angiogenesis and metastasis. There have been, however, scanty reports on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) response for tumors of the head and neck. This study was carried out to assess the distribution of both endothelial NOS (eNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) in normal salivary gland tissue and in pleomorphic adenoma by using immunohistochemistry. In the present study, eNOS and iNOS were higher expressed in pleomorphic adenoma than adjacent normal salivary gland tissue, suggesting that up-regulation of this enzyme is associated with tumor progression. Additionally, eNOS and iNOS expression were higher in epithelial components than in mesenchymal components. Overall, iNOS expression was higher than eNOS expression in pleomorphic adenoma. In normal tissues adjacent to pleomorphic adenoma, iNOS expression was higher in the mesenchymal type than in the epithelial type of pleomorphic adenoma. It is suggested that NO may play a role in the tumorgenesis and propagation of pleomorphic adenoma.
Adenoma, Pleomorphic* ; Biology ; Head ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Salivary Glands* ; Up-Regulation

Subdural hematoma (SDH) due to spontaneous rupture of intracranial aneurysm rarely occurs. The prevalence of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with SDH is approximately 0.5%–10.3% of all aneurysmal SAH. We report a case of aneurysmal rupture with SDH and SAH due to arachnoid defect after aneurysm clipping. The decedent was a 51-year-old woman who underwent brain surgery for SAH a few years ago. Two days before she died, she had nausea and sentinel headache. She was alive in the morning and was found dead at 6 PM. Injuries in the external surface were not found. A fresh SDH, measured approximately 90 mL, was found in the right hemisphere. SAH was diffusely distributed at the base of the brain and the right sylvian fissure. Two aneurysmal clippings were found in the anterior communicating artery and right internal carotid artery. A ruptured de novo aneurysm was also found in the right proximal middle cerebral artery. An uncal herniation was also observed. The cause of death was SAH with SDH due to de novo intracranial aneurysm. The tearing caused by the adhesion between the aneurysm and arachnoid, high blood pressure, and massive bleeding has been thought to be the causative mechanism of aneurysmal SAH with SDH. However, in this case, the arachnoid defect was caused by aneurysmal clipping through pterional approach. This defect served as the passage between the subarachnoid and subdural spaces. The autopsy for recurrent intracranial aneurysm will increase according to the extending life expectancy of patients after aneurysmal clipping.
Aneurysm ; Arachnoid ; Arteries ; Autopsy ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Cause of Death ; Female ; Headache ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Life Expectancy ; Middle Aged ; Middle Cerebral Artery ; Nausea ; Prevalence ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Subdural Space ; Tears

When inflammatory products are found in both periodontal and pulpal tissues simultaneously, a periodontal-endodontic combined lesion is established. The treatment of periodontal-endodontic combined lesions includes root canal therapy and periodontal regenerative procedure for resolution of both the apical and marginal inflammatory lesions. The present study reports the treatment of periodontal-endodontic combined lesions in the mandibular anterior area with root canal therapy, followed by guided tissue regeneration therapy. Teeth with severe bone destruction in each case could be preserved, without extraction, over a 3-year period. Therefore, it appears that treatment of periodontal-endodontic combined lesions in the mandibular anterior area using guided tissue regeneration technique after root canal therapy may provide clinical advantages.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Periodontitis ; Root Canal Therapy ; Tooth

To restore a tooth with a fracture line extending below the marginal bone level, a surgical crown lengthening procedure accompanied by ostectomy could be considered to expose the fracture line and reestablish the biologic width. However, this procedure could lead to esthetic failure, especially in the anterior teeth. Therefore, orthodontic extrusion, which elevates the fracture line from within the alveolar socket without sacrificing the supporting bone and gingiva, is recommended. This technique allows for the proper placement of the crown on a sound tooth structure, with the reestablishment of the biologic width.Alternatively, surgical extrusion is an one-step procedure that is simpler and less time-consuming than orthodontic extrusion; placing and adjusting the orthodontic appliance does not require multiple visits. This study presents successful restoration in 2 cases with a crown-tooth root fracture of the maxillary central incisor treated using a multidisciplinary approach through orthodontic extrusion or surgical extrusion followed by successful restoration.