BACKGROUND: Although warts are known to be caused by viruses, one of their peculiarities is that they may be treated by suggestion therspy or hypnosis. This suggests that psychologic or emotional factors influence the hosts response to the virus lesions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to analyze the role of psychologic factors in the therapeutic response of warts. METHODS: The self-concept scale test(Korean Testing Center) was done in all 61 patients with common wsrts before the cryot.herapy from September 1991 to June 1993. Clinical follow-up data were obtained on 50 patients after 2 months, and then were evaluated usir g the self-eoncept scale in treated vs untreated group. RESULTS: 1. The overall cure rate was 56.0%, being higher in females and patients with high education, 1-3 in number of lesions and no previous treatment history as well as in those with less than 1 year of duration. 2. In the comparison of self-concept scale between treated(n=18) and untreated(n=22) groups, the treated group had remarksble results in moral ethical self, personal self and family self scores (p<0.05). Only 14 items were significantly different between two groups(p<0.05 by Wilcoxon rank sum test). 3. Patients of 20 years or more showed a high cure rate(67.79%, p<0.05 by t-test) and demonstrated significance in total positive self score and its self identity, and satisfaction, self behavior, physical self, moral ethical self and family self scores(p<0.05, by t-test). CONCLUSION: The self-cancept significantly related to the positive aersonality, harmonious family, stable self-esteem and high normal ethics, may influence at least the therapy to the warts in the treated patients in contradistintion to the untreated ones.
Cryotherapy* ; Education ; Ethics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypnosis ; Warts*

Desmoplastic trichilemmoma is a rare variant of trichilemmoma characterized by typical features of trichilemmoma with abundant desmoplastic stroma. We report herein a 54-year-old man presented with 2-year history of a solitary bean sized verrucous nodule on the occipital scalp. Histologically, the tumor showed a well-defined lobular growth extending from the epidermis into the dermis with abundant central desmoplastic stroma. Epithelial lobules at the margins of the neoplasm showed the typical features of trichilemmoma composed of glycogen-rich clear cells and peripheral palisading columnar cells. In contrast, at the center the cells assume a more random pattern of cords and strands traversed by the hyaline stroma, mimicking invasive carcinoma. It was diagnosed desmoplastic trichilemmoma by the distinctive histologic appearance and totally excised.
Dermis ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Middle Aged ; Scalp

PURPOSE: This study was performed for investigation of epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and serial value of cardiac troponin level of patients who had myocardial injury due to Carbon monoxide poisoning. METHODS: This study reviewed 98 cases of Carbon monoxide poisoning patients who visited Emergency Department from January 1, 2008 to October 31, 2013. We categorized them by two groups, one with elevation of cardiac troponin level and the other with normal level. We had comparison between two groups data using statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among 98 patients of Carbon monoxide poisoning who were admitted to hospital, 10 patients were excluded. 88 patients who were included to our study, 70 patients with normal value of Troponin, and 18 patients with elevated troponin level. Of all patients, Carbon monoxide inhalation due to suicided trial patients has more higher proportion in elevated troponin level group compared with normal group (40 (57.1%) vs 15 (83.3%), P=0.041). Furthermore, corrected QT interval, length of hospital stay, number of ICU admission, also were showed higher value in elevated troponin level group. CONCLUSION: Carbon monoxide induced myocardial injury is associated with subside trial, prolongation of correted QT interval, length of hospital stay, and number of ICU admission.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning ; Carbon Monoxide* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Length of Stay ; Reference Values ; Troponin ; Troponin I

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of and patient's satisfaction with treatment of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation with a Nd:YAG laser and a high speed rotary instrument. METHODS: Three patients with melanin hyperpigmentation in the anterior parts of the gingiva were chosen for this case study. Clinical photographs were taken at the preoperative state and three patients were treated under local anesthesia. In the maxilla, the gingival deepithelization was conducted with a high speed diamond bur, whereas, in the mandible with a Nd:YAG laser. Clinical photographs were taken immediately after the procedures and at the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week to evaluate clinical color changes. A week after the procedure, the patients filled out a questionnaire about any pain or discomfort. At the 4th week after the procedure, the patients filled out questionnaires about esthetic aspects of the results of treatment. RESULTS: In all cases, both anterior gingival areas were depigmented with satisfaction and the patients did not complain of severe pain or discomfort. At the 1st week of healing, the gingiva showed moderate to fast epithelization. Two weeks after the procedure, clinically, the gingiva showed almost complete healing. Four weeks after the procedure, there was significant improvement in gingival melanin hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: The Nd:YAG laser and the high speed rotary instruments seem to be effective for the esthetic treatment of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation.
Anesthesia, Local ; Diamond ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Melanins ; Surveys and Questionnaires

In patient with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, it is difficult to localize gastrinoma because the tumor is frequently small and multiple. However, accurate localization of the tumor is important for the treatment. Among various imaging modalities, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) has been recognized to be the most sensitive tool for the detection of neuroendocrine tumors such as gastrinomas based on the presence of high-affinity binding sites for somatostatin. Recently, we experienced a case of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome caused by gastrinomas which was localized by SRS. This is the first case report of gastrinoma detected by SRS in Korea. SRS can facilitate tumor detection in patient with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and should be considered as the first-line diagnostic method in the early course of the disease.
Binding Sites ; Gastrinoma* ; Humans ; Korea ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Radionuclide Imaging ; Receptors, Somatostatin ; Somatostatin ; Zollinger-Ellison Syndrome*

Peritonitis is a common and potentially serious infection in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The most common organisms usually associated with CAPD peritonitis are Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Rarely, aerobic gram negative bacilli have been the causative agents of CAPD peritonitis. The treatment of CAPD peritonitis requires removal of the peritoneal catheter and treatment with parenteral antibiotics active against the causative pathogen. While hospitalized for CAPD peritonitis, a 55-year-old man on CAPD had nosocomial peritonitis secondary to infection by ESBL-producing E.coli, that was sensitive to imipenem and meropenem. He was treated successfully with a 4-week course of intraperitoneal meropenem therapy without subsequent relapse, loss of peritoneal catheter, ultrafiltration failure, or dialysis inadequacy.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters ; Dialysis ; Escherichia coli ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Peritonitis ; Recurrence ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Thienamycins ; Ultrafiltration

PURPOSE: A cross-calibration equation is needed to compare bone mineral density measured by different dual X-ray absoptiometry systems. We performed this study to establish appropriate cross-calibration equations between two different dual X-ray absorptiometry systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone mineral density of anterior-posterior lumbar spine (L2-4 level) and femoral neck were measured in 109 women (55+/-11yr) using two different dual X-ray absorptiometry systems (Lunar EXPERT-XL) and Hologic QDR 4500-A). Bone mineral density values measured by two systems, including area, bone mass content, bone mineral density and percentile of young normals were compared and cross-calibration equations between two systems derived. RESULTS: The bone mineral density values of 109 women measured by Lunar system were 0.958+/-0.17 g/cm2 at L2-4 and 0.768+/-0.131 g/cm2 at femur neck, which were significantly higher (13+/-6% at L2-4 and 19+/-7% at femur neck, p<0.001) than those (0.851+/-0.144 g/cm2 at L2-4 and 0.649+/-0.108 g/cm2 at femur neck) by Hologic system. Bone mineral content and percentile of young normals measured by Lunar system were also significantly higher than those by Hologic system (p<0.001), whereas there was no difference in area (p>0.05). There was a high correlation between bone mineral density values of L2-4 and femoral neck obtained with both dual X-ray absortiometry systems (r=0.96 and 0.95, respectively). Cross-calibration equations relating the bone mineral density were Lunar=1.1287xHologic-0.0027 for L2-4 and Lunar=l.1556xHologic+0.0l82 for femoral neck. CONCLUSION:: We obtained cross-calibration equations of bone mineral density between Lunar EXPERT-XL and Hologic QDR 4500-A. These equations can be useful in comparing bone mineral density obtained by different dual X-ray absorptiometry systems.
Absorptiometry, Photon* ; Bone Density* ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Spine

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We analyzed chronological changes in hemoglobin according to renal function changes over a 5-year follow-up period. METHODS: We enrolled 5,266 adults with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) > or = 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 at an initial examination at a routine health check-up; a follow-up examination was conducted 5 years later. We categorized the subjects according to GFR ratio (groups 1, 2, and 3, defined as GFRratio > or = 1.00, 0.75 to 0.99, and < 0.75, respectively). RESULTS: The mean hemoglobin level in subjects with a GFR of 60 to 74 was higher than in those with a GFR of 75 to 89 or > or = 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 at the initial examination (all p < 0.001). Among females and males, the frequencies of increased hemoglobin were 46.8% and 40.6% in the GFRratio group 1, 52.4% and 46.1% in group 2, and 59.6% and 52.5% in group 3 over the 5-year period, respectively (all p < 0.001). With multiple logistic regression, group 3 showed 1.594-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.127 to 2.225) and 1.353-fold (95% CI, 1.000 to 1.830) higher likelihoods of increased hemoglobin over the 5-year follow-up period in females and males, respectively. The estimated difference in hemoglobin level was highest in group 3 in both genders. These findings were more evident in subgroups without metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or GFR less than 90 mL/min/1.73 m2. CONCLUSIONS: Among a population with GFR > or = 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, a mild decrease in GFR over a 5-year follow-up period was associated with an increase in hemoglobin levels.
Adult ; Aged ; Biological Markers/blood ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; *Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Hemoglobins/*metabolism ; Humans ; Kidney/*physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases/blood/diagnosis/*physiopathology ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Republic of Korea ; Time Factors ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion(mini-TLIF) is an increasingly popular method because of several advantages, including rapid patient recovery, less postoperative pain, and minimized iatrogenic injury of soft tissue and muscle. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and imaging outcomes after mini-TLIF procedures. Results are compared with open posterior lumbar interbody fusion(oPLIF, Group B) and mini-TLIF(Group A) approach. METHODS: Between March 2007 and May 2008, mini-TLIF and oPLIF were performed in 23 and 36 consecutive patients with single or multilevel lumbar degenerative disease. Clinical outcomes were assessed by postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS) score, operation time, volume of blood loss, number of days to ambulation and duration of hospital stay. To assess fusion rate, all patients underwent postoperative radiography. And postoperative access were compared with an institutional reference series of 36 oPLIF procedures. RESULTS: Fusion success outcomes were obtained in 23(100%) out of 23 patients with mini-TLIF procedure. Mean VAS scores decreased from 8.2 to 1.9 in group A and from 8.1 to 2.4 in group B. The operation time, volume of blood loss, number of days to ambulation and duration of hospital stay were reduced in group A compared with group B. There was no complication associated to mini-TLIF procedure. CONCLUSION: Mini-TLIF yielded good clinical and radiological outcomes with safe and low complication. Further long- term investigating study is required to assess the definitive advantage of mini-TLIF.
Humans ; Imidazoles ; Length of Stay ; Muscles ; Nitro Compounds ; Pain, Postoperative ; Walking

OBJECTIVE: The time to positivity (TTP) of blood culture reflects bacterial load and has been reported to be associated with outcome in bloodstream infections. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between the TTP of blood culture and the mortality rates associated with sepsis and septic shock according to the site of infection. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study on patients with sepsis and septic shock. The rates of blood culture positivity and mortality as well as the relationship between the TTP and 28-day mortality rate were compared among patients with different sites of infection, such as the lungs, abdomen, urogenital tract, and other sites. RESULTS: A total of 2,668 patients were included, and the overall mortality rate was 21.6%. The rates of blood culture positivity and mortality were different among the different infection sites. There was no relationship between the TTP and mortality rates of total, lung, and urogenital infections. Patients with abdominal infections showed a negative correlation between the TTP and 28-day mortality rate. In patients with abdominal infections, a TTP < 20 hours was independently associated with 28-day mortality compared with patients with negative blood culture (hazard ratio, 1.73; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–2.58). However, there was no difference in mortality rates of patients with a TTP≥20 hours and a negative blood culture. CONCLUSION: The shorter TTP in patients with abdominal infections in sepsis and septic shock was associated with a higher 28-day mortality rate.
Abdomen ; Bacterial Load ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Lung ; Mortality* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sepsis* ; Shock, Septic