Dear Editor, Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myelocytic leukemia, characterized by the chromosomal abnormality t(15:17) coding a PML/RAR alpha fusion protein that affects differentiation of the promyelocyte cell in bone marrow. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), a key treatment for APL, acts as a differentiating agent in combination with other induction chemotherapy. Differentiation syndrome (DS) is a complication in APL patients undergoing induction chemotherapy with ATRA or arsenic trioxide [1]. The pathophysiology of DS is not understood precisely; however, it appears to be associated with a large pool of leukemic blasts, massive tissue infiltration of cells, cytokine increase, and systemic capillary leak syndrome, clinically presenting as dyspnea, fever, peripheral edema, weight gain, pleural, pericardial effusion, and acute kidney injury [2,3]. We present the case of a 66-year-old woman experiencing visual discomfort after starting ATRA treatment. This case highlights that visual symptoms can arise earlier than other well-known life-threatening symptoms of DS. A 66-year-old female patient presented with a fourmonth history of headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Blood tests revealed pancytopenia, and bone marrow examination confirmed PML/RARA gene positive. She was diag-nosed with APL for the first time and was admitted to the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology at Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital for induction chemotherapy, where she received cytarabine, idarubicin, and ATRA as her induction chemotherapy treatment. Five days after ATRA treatment, she was referred for visualdimness and peripheral blurred vision. Her medical history included hypertension and branched retinal vein occlusion in her left eye, which had been treated with intravitreal injections three times two years prior. Her corrected visual acuity was 20 / 40 in the right eye and 20 / 32 in the left eye. Anterior segment finding was normal except for mild nuclear sclerosis in both eyes. Funduscopic examination revealed multiple retinal hemorrhages on the posterior pole in both eyes and Roth’s spot appearance in the left eye. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed subretinal fluid (SRF) in the macula area of the right eye (Fig. 1A). Two days after ocular symptoms appeared, systemic DS symptoms, such as fever, weight gain, and dyspnea appeared, and pulmonary edema was evident in her chest x-ray. As a DS treatment protocol, intravenous dexamethasone was administered for 12 days. Two weeks later after the diagnosis of DS, SRF in macula became more aggravated, with involvement of the fellow eye, while ocular symptoms persisted. Twenty days after DS diagnosis, bilateral serous retinal detachment (SRD) was observed.However, fluorescein angiography showed no significant abnormality, with the exception of a previous branch retinal vein occlusion lesion in her left eye (Fig. 1B); the anterior segment was not remarkable. Her symptoms continued for about 1 month under ATRA treatment and slowly regressed with visual recovery in parallel with discontinuing ATRA (Fig. 1C). Two days after discontinuing ATRA, minimal SRF remained on her right eye. Two weeks later, her corrected visual acuity was 20 / 20 in the right eye and 20 / 25 in the left eye. She achieved complete remission of SRD with improvement in visual symptoms (Fig. 1D). We report the case of DS with ocular manifestation as a first symptom. Ocular manifestation of DS has been reported several times in previous case reports, involving retinal hemorrhage, SRD with intraretinal fluid, choroidal effusion, pseudotumor cerebri, and optic disc edema [2,4,5]. SRD can also appear in ocular infection, inflammatory disease, retinal vascular disease, malignancy, and leukemic retinopathy. Therefore, differential diagnosis should be considered. However, in this patient, the ocular symptom had developed after using the differentiating agent, ATRA. Systemic symptom appeared later. Anterior segments and fluorescein angiography findings were unre-markable to consider other differential diagnoses. After ceasing ATRA, bilateral SRD on optical coherence tomography was regressed, and the patient’s symptom was also relieved.In conclusion, patients receiving ATRA treatment may first present with acute visual symptoms, followed by life-threatening complications such as fever, dyspnea, peripheral edema, and weight gain. Thus, careful observation of ocular symptoms in APL patients is of the utmost importance if the patient is undergoing ATRA treatment.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the usefulness of initial electroencephalograms (EEG) in the prediction of neurological outcomes of acute encephalitis. METHODS: Thirty-one patients diagnosed with acute encephalitis between January 2007 and March 2010 were included in the study, all of whom were less than 18 years old. Patients were divided into two groups. Those who had recovered completely were designated group A, and those who had neurological sequalae were designated group B. We compared the severity of EEG background abnormalities according to the Synek classification, and the incidence of interictal epileptiform discharges, electrographic seizures, normal sleep features, and EEG reactivity to pain stimuli between the two groups upon initial EEGs. RESULTS: Compared with group A, group B showed a higher grade of EEG background abnormalities (P = 0.004). The incidence of interictal epileptiform discharge (P = 0.004) and electrographic seizure (P = 0.049) were also higher in group B. Further, Group A had more EEG reactivity (P = 0.002) and the incidence of normal sleep features tended to be higher in group A (P = 0.081). CONCLUSION: Initial EEG features including the severity of EEG background abnormalities are helpful in predicting the prognosis of acute encephalitis.
Electroencephalography ; Encephalitis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prognosis ; Seizures

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that mental health is affected not only by smoking, but also by secondhand smoking. But the most researches have been conducted in North America and/or Europe. We examined whether this relationship remains evident within the South Korean population. Specifically, we investigated the effect of secondhand smoking on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. METHODS: We analyzed data from 6,043 non-smoking adults who participated in the 2010-2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We compared the presence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in 3,006 participants who were exposed to secondhand smoking in the office or at home with 3,037 non-exposed participants. RESULTS: In unadjusted logistic regression analysis, secondhand smoking exposure group had more suicidal ideations than no secondhand smoking exposure (16.1% vs. 12.2%; odds ratio [OR], 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.241-1.804), but risk of depressive symptoms was not significantly different between two groups (15.2% vs. 12.2%; OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.997-1.460). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, Among those exposed to secondhand smoking, the OR for depressive symptoms was 1.02 (95% CI, 0.866-1.299) and 1.43 (95% CI, 1.139-1.802) for suicidal ideation. Overall, secondhand smoking at home was significantly related to depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. Among females, secondhand smoking exposure at home only (not in the office) was related to depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: Exposure to secondhand smoking, especially at home, may be associated with an increase in especially in female depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among adults in South Korea.
Adult* ; Depression* ; Europe ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Mental Health ; North America ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Odds Ratio ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Suicidal Ideation* ; Tobacco Smoke Pollution*

BACKGROUND: Impaired fasting glucose (IFG) is an established risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This study evaluated the relationship between sleep duration and IFG. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 14,925 Korean adults (5,868 men and 9,057 women) > or =19 years of age who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2011 and 2012. Blood glucose levels were measured after at least eight hours of fasting. Study subjects were categorized into three groups based on self-reported sleep duration (<7, 7-8, or >8 h/d). IFG was diagnosed according to recommendations American Diabetes Association guidelines. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with adjustment for covariates. RESULTS: In men, short sleep duration (<7 hours) was associated with increased risk of IFG (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08 to 1.96) compared to adequate sleep duration (7-8 hours), whereas long sleep duration (>8 hours) was not associated with risk of IFG (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.37 to 2.18). In women, sleep duration was not associated with risk of IFG. CONCLUSION: The association between sleep duration and IFG differed by sex; sleep deprivation, was associated with increased risk of IFG, especially in men.
Adult* ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blood Glucose ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fasting* ; Female ; Glucose* ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Prediabetic State ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Deprivation

PURPOSE: Nocturia has been one of the most bothersome symptoms in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients. Therefore, the authors evaluated the effect of tolterodine and oxybutyninin on nocturia in BPH patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2006 to March 2007, 82 patients who presented over than 2 in nocturnal bladder capacity index (NCBI) in spite of having alpha blockers for 6 months were enrolled. Group I (n=38) took alpha blocker with tolterodine, group II (n=44) took alpha blocker with oxybutynin. The number of their nocturia episodes was separately evaluated by the time before and after the medication. The complications were assessed using a questionnaire. RESULTS: The number of nocturia episodes decreased by at least 1 in 68.4% (26/38), 84.1% (37/44) of patients in group I, II, respectively, and decreased by 2 or more, 1 and were unchanged or increased were 36.8, 31.6, 31.6% in group I patients and 45.5, 38.6, 15.9% in group II patients, respectively. In baseline nocturia > or =6 group, the nocturia decreased by 1 or more in 66.7%, 77.8% in group I, II, respectively. Adverse events, including dry mouth, dizziness, headache, etc, occurred in 21.1% (8/38) in group I and 27.3% (12/44) in group II patients. The complications between two groups showed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Alpha blockers with tolterodine or oxybutynin can be effectively combined as a treatment option for patients with BPH complaining of unresolved nocturia.
Dizziness ; Headache ; Humans ; Mouth ; Nocturia* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Urinary Bladder ; Tolterodine Tartrate

Adenomatoid tumors arising in the parenchyma of the testes are extremely rare neoplasms, and they uniformly behave in a benign fashion. The long reorted history of these tumors and the absence of distant metastasis suggest a benign nature. Thus, the treatment is surgical excision. We report here on a case of an adenomatoid tumor of the testis. Radical orchiectomy was performed, and this revealed an adenomatoid tumor of the parenchyma of the testis.
Neoplasm Metastasis

Adenomatoid tumors arising in the parenchyma of the testes are extremely rare neoplasms, and they uniformly behave in a benign fashion. The long reorted history of these tumors and the absence of distant metastasis suggest a benign nature. Thus, the treatment is surgical excision. We report here on a case of an adenomatoid tumor of the testis. Radical orchiectomy was performed, and this revealed an adenomatoid tumor of the parenchyma of the testis.
Neoplasm Metastasis

PURPOSE: An outbreak of influenza virus is uncommon in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The clinical presentation of influenza virus infection in neonates is diverse. This study was aimed to report an outbreak of influenza A in a NICU and to investigate the clinical characteristics of influenza virus infection in neonates especially preterm infants during the 2011-2012 influenza season in Korea. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 29 patients who were evaluated by respiratory virus multiplex reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) at NICU of Kosin University Gospel Hospital during the 2011-2012 seasonal influenza outbreak in Korea. RESULTS: Eleven patients (37.9%) were influenza A virus RT-PCR positive during the survey periods. They were all preterm infants and three of them had no symptoms. Eight patients had symptoms and it was fever (18%, 2/11), respiratory difficulty (72.7%, 8/11) without symptoms of upper respiratory infection, and gastrointestinal symptoms (27.3%, 3/11). The median duration of symptom was 5 days. There were differences of duration of admission at the test of respiratory RT-PCR, Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB) score, use of mechanical ventilation, and use of dexamethasone before infection between influenza A virus RT-PCR positive and negative group. All 11 patients with influenza A were discharged without any complications. CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms of influenza A virus infection in the preterm infants is nonspecific. Influenza A virus should be considered as a possible cause of infection in NICU during the influenza season in the community.
Dexamethasone ; Fever ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza, Human* ; Intensive Care Units ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Korea* ; Medical Records ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Respiration, Artificial ; Seasons*

PURPOSE: In bladder cancer screening, many methods such as urinary cytology, bladder tumor antigen, and nuclear matrix protein-22 are well known. To learn the value of urinary melanoma antigen gene expression (MAGE) in bladder cancer screening, we compared the urinary MAGE test with irrigated urinary cytology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2000 to July 2007, a total of 142 patients were enrolled in this study. We divided these patients into 2 groups. Eighty-eight patients with bladder cancer were included in group I. Group II consisted of 54 patients who had been treated for bladder cancer and had no evidence of tumor by cystoscopy and irrigated urinary cytology. Urinary cytology, urinary MAGE test, and cystoscopy were performed in all patients. The urinary MAGE test was done by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Sensitivity and specificity were investigated according to cancer grade and stage. RESULTS: The overall sensitivity of the urinary MAGE test and urinary cytology was 69.3% (61/88) and 53.4% (47/88), respectively (p=0.03). The specificity of the urinary MAGE test and urinary cytology was 75.9% (41/54) and 83.3% (45/54), respectively (p=0.34). The sensitivity of each test in superficial tumors (Ta, T1) was 65.5% (38/58) and 46.6% (27/58), respectively (p=0.04). In advanced disease (> or =T2), the sensitivity of the tests was 76.7% (23/30) and 66.7% (20/30), respectively (p=0.39). The sensitivity of the urinary MAGE test in grade 1 tumors (60.5%, 23/38) was significantly higher (p=0.01) than that of urinary cytology (31.6%, 12/38). CONCLUSIONS: The urinary MAGE test was more sensitive than urinary cytology in bladder cancer screening. We consider the urinary MAGE test to possibly be a valuable test together with urinary cytology, especially for Grade 1 and Ta, T1 bladder cancer.
Cystoscopy ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Melanoma ; Nuclear Matrix ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common benign neoplasm of the parotid gland and it accounts for approximately 80% of all reported tumor from parotid. Recurrence rate was noted as 20–45% and high risk factors related to recurrence were the following: over 40 years of age, women, over 30 mm mass size, below 10 mm safety margin, tumor puncture and tumor spillage during surgery, relation to the facial nerve, tumor site, surgical procedure. We experienced a 45-year-old woman who presented a huge left parotid mass. She had a huge parotid pleomorphic adenoma that was removed 18 years ago but had recurred 8 years ago. We removed the mass and obtained good postoperative results.
Adenoma, Pleomorphic* ; Facial Nerve ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Parotid Gland ; Punctures ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors