No abstract available.
Appendicitis* ; Pregnancy*

BACKGROUND: The treatment of vitiligo requires several months of treatment and often results in disappointing outcomes. Recently, narrow band UVB phototherapy has been reported to be an effective and safe therapeutic option in patients with vitiligo. OBJECTIVE: We attempted to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of narrow band UVB phototherapy in vitiligo patients. METHODS: In an open trial, thirteen vitiligo patients were treated twice weekly with narrow band UVB phototherapy for at least six months. The degree of repigmentation was divided into 4 categories(below 25%, 26-50%, 51-75%, and above 75%). The disease activity by history was scored by means of the "vitiligo disease activity score (VIDA score)" before and 12 months after therapy. RESULTS: In the majority of the patients(85%), more than 25% repigmentation was observed. More than 75% repigmentation was seen in 7 patients(54%). The disease activity, as represented by VIDA scores, was significantly decreased after narrow band UVB therapy(P<0.05). Adverse effects were mild erythema and pruritus in 4 patients. CONCLUSION: According to our results, narrow band UVB phototherapy is an effective therapy which is convenient and safe in vitiligo patients.
Erythema ; Humans ; Phototherapy* ; Pruritus ; Vitiligo*

PURPOSE: Although advancement in treatment and diagnostic tools related to hepatocelluar carcinoma has been much improved, long term survival rates of hepatocellular carcinoma are still low because of delayed clinical manifestations and underlying diseases causing the cancer. Various kinds of modalities to treat hepatocellular carcinoma have developed but surgical resection is still recognized as the best method. Therefore, we studied the associated factors of long-term survival after liver resection. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 184 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma from May 1990 to December 2002. Associated factors of long-term survival classified as preoperative, operative, pathological and recurrence factors. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done using cross tabulation analysis and logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The cumulative 1-, 3- and 5- year survival rates were 66%, 50% and 30%, respectively. Preoperative factors, significantly associated with long-term survival, were age of 60 years and under, tumor size, HBe Ag status and preoperative tumor marker level. As pathological factors, the vascular invasion and lymphatic invasion status were significantly associated. But cirrhosis of the liver was not associated with long-term survival. And in cases of recurrence, patients who had undergone repeat resection survived significantly longer. CONCLUSION: The most significant factors of multivariate analyses were lymphatic invasion status. Tumor size, ICG-R15 and HBe Ag status followed second. We should correct the preoperative factors through screening and early diagnosis. And when recurrence occurs, if the recurring cancer has resectability, repeat hepatectomy will increase the patient's lifespan.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Early Diagnosis ; Fibrosis ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver ; Logistic Models ; Mass Screening ; Multivariate Analysis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: We evaluated the expressions of hTERT, Ki-67 and p53 in patients who underwent a curative resection for hepatic colorectal metastasis to see if there was any relationship of these immunohistochemical analyses with the disease free survival. METHODS: Patients who underwent a curative resection for hepatic colorectal metastasis, between 1995 and 2003, were analyzed. For each patient, the clinical prognostic score was derived from the patient's sex, age, tumor size and lymph node status, and serum CEA level. Tumor specimens were analyzed for Ki-67, hTERT and p53 using standard immunohistochemical techniques. RESULTS: The study included 23 patients: 9 and 12 survived without disease for less and more than 12 months, respectively. Ki-67, hTERT (labeling indexes greater than or equal to 50%) and p53 positivities (labeling indexes greater than or equal to 10%) were observed in 5, 17 and 11 patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing resection of hepatic colorectal metastasis, the expressions of Ki-67, hTERT and p53 did not correlate with the disease free survival.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Disease-Free Survival ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Humans* ; Liver* ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Telomerase*

Microsporum canis is one of the zoophiles and pets(especially dogs and cats) play a role as a source of this organism. M. canis is most likely transmitted by contact of these animal hosts with humans. We report on 16 foreigners who are infected with M. canis transmitted from a show tiger. Fourteen of the patients had directly contact with a show tiger on occasion. Patients showed typical tinea corporis lesions on the extremities, and the tiger showed hairless patches on the abdomen. The culture and microscopic findings from patients' lesions revealed M. canis as the causative fungus.
Abdomen ; Animals ; Dogs ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Extremities ; Fungi ; Humans ; Microsporum* ; Tigers* ; Tinea

PURPOSE: Organophosphorus (OP) pesticides are differentiated into 3 groups according to their toxicity. The differences in chemical composition of each OP pesticide determines its toxicokinetic characteristics. There are few human studies that address the clinical results of poisoning according to the OP pesticide. In this study, we aimed to examine the differences in clinical features among self-poisoning from 4 highly toxic OP pesticides. METHODS: The 4 kinds of OP poisonings included 17 cases of Dichlorvos, 17 cases of EPN, 17 cases of methidathion, and 13 cases of phosphamidon. We set primary outcomes as GCS, atropine dose required, duration of patient need for atropine, proportion who required ventilation, duration on ventilation, and the interval from ingestion to ventilation. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of OP-induced delayed neuropathy, duration of ICU stay, and proportion who required additional infusion of pralidoxime chloride (PAM). RESULTS: The EPN group required the largest amount of atropine, the longest duration of atropine use, the longest duration for support of mechanical ventilation, and the longest ICU stay. Furthermore the proportion who required additional PAM and neuropathy were in the EPN group. However, the EPN group had the longest interval from ingestion to ventilatory support. Meanwhile, the Dichlorvos group exhibited comparatively mild clinical features. CONCLUSION: Throughout this study, we found different clinical features to each OP pesticide poisoning. It can be explained by differences in chemical composition, which determined the speed of aging, the reactivation rate of OPenzyme, the metabolism, the fat solubility, and other characteristics of the pesticides.
Aging ; Atropine ; Dichlorvos ; Eating ; Humans ; Organophosphorus Compounds ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Pesticides ; Phosphamidon ; Pralidoxime Compounds ; Respiration, Artificial ; Solubility ; Ventilation

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of postoperative suction drainage tip cultures as a method of predicting the development of deep wound infections after thoracolumbar surgery using pedicle screws. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The primary diagnostic elements of post-operative spinal infections are a high degree of clinical suspicion by the surgeon combined with aspiration and culture of the suspected infection sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the results of cultures on postoperative suction drainage tips from a total of 471 thoracolumbar surgery cases. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value and investigated the isolated pathogens. In addition, we performed quantitative analyses of serum C-reactive protein using Turbidimetry. RESULTS: The post-operative infection rate was 4.0%. The most common isolated pathogen of the true positive cases was staphylococcus aureus, which was found in 3 cases (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in 2 cases); and that of the false positive cases was coagulase-negative staphylococcus in 5 cases. The sensitivity of the suction drainage tip culture was 52.6%, the specificity was 96.3%, the positive predictive value was 37.0%, and the negative predictive value was 98.0%. In cases of C-reactive protein, true positive and false negative cases followed the same course, where the CRP decreased slowly for the first week but remained elevated persistently at the 14th postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Culture of the suction drainage tips could not predict the development of postoperative deep wound infections, but it had more significance in the exclusion of deep wound infections. We concluded that careful observation for other signs of deep wound infections are necessary when a clinically significant pathogens are isolated.
C-Reactive Protein ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Suction* ; Wound Infection* ; Wounds and Injuries*

BACKGROUND: Throat culture is the golden standard for diagnosis of group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. However, because it is a time-consuming procedure, antibiotics are often empirically administrated. Rapid antigen tests (RATs) can detect bacterial infections within 15 minutes, thus helping to reduce unnecessary administration of antibiotics. METHODS: In total, 108 patients, between 3 and 17 yr of age, who visited our hospital from August 2011 to July 2012, were tested for suspected acute pharyngitis with two RATs––SD Bioline Strep A (SD, Korea) and BinaxNOW Strep A (Binax, Inc., USA)––as well as throat culture. We compared the sensitivity, specificity, and consistency of the two RATs and assessed the clinical manifestations of GAS pharyngitis. RESULTS: Of the 108 patients, 15 were confirmed to have GAS pharyngitis by throat culture. The SD test showed a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 97.8%; the positive and negative predictive values were 87.5% and 98.9%, respectively. The Binax test showed a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 100%; the positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 97.9%, respectively. The Kappa values for conformity degree were high, 0.887 and 0.918 in the SD and the Binax tests, respectively (P=0.00). Clinical manifestation assessment of GAS pharyngitis indicated that scarlatiniform rash and strawberry tongue were significantly associated signs (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: GAS pharyngitis diagnosis based on clinical manifestations alone has practical limitations. The two RATs are useful as substitutes for throat culture and their frequent use in clinical settings is advisable.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacterial Infections ; Diagnosis ; Exanthema ; Fragaria ; Humans ; Pharyngitis* ; Pharynx ; Rats ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Streptococcus pyogenes ; Tongue

BACKGROUND: Nowadays the addictive use of internet is becoming a serious social and health problem. The authors performed a study in PC bang users to evaluate the prevalence of addictive internet use and the association between addictive internet use and behavioral and psychological factors. METHODS: A face-to-face interview survey of 900 Korean internet users at six PC-bangs was performed between 11th and 19th of December, 2002, using standardized questionnaires composed of Young's internet addiction scale, scale of unwillingness to communicate, patient problem questionnaire for screening depression and anxiety, and questions asking internet using patterns and socio- demographic factors. RESULTS: Of the final 888 participants, 3.4% were identified as addictive users and 41.3% as over-users of internet service. The subjects who were male, unemployed, less educated, using internet mainly at PC bang, using internet more frequently, starting or finishing off internet use usually in the morning, using internet service usually for doing games tended to be more addictive users of internet (P<0.05). In proportional odds model analysis, increasing duration of internet use (OR=1.22; 95% CI, 1.16~1.30), daily use of internet (OR=2.06; 95% CI, 1.21~3.51), finishing off internet use between midnight and 6 a.m. (OR=2.00; 95% CI, 1.30~3.07), anxiety (OR=5.38; 95% CI, 2.86~10.1), and increasing approach avoidance (OR=1.05; 95% CI, 1.03~1.08) were significantly associated with a higher degree of internet addiction. CONCLUSION: Addictive use of internet should be suspected in a person who uses internet for long time, daily, and over midnight. An active evaluation and management for anxiety are needed among addictive internet users.
Anxiety* ; Demography ; Depression* ; Humans ; Internet* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Prevalence ; Psychology ; Reward

BACKGROUND: Syringoma is a relatively common benign appendageal tumor derived from the intraepidermal eccrine ducts. It occurs predominantly in women at puberty or later in life. The lesions usually are multiple and may be present in great numbers. Histopathologically, numerous small ducts are embedded in a fibrous stroma and their walls are lined by two rows of epithelial cells. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate clinical and histopathologic features of syringoma in Koreans. METHODS: Total 32 patients were included in this study. Data complied were sex, age, onset of disease, symptoms, family history, localization, distribution, and some histopathologic findings including acanthosis, basal hyperpigmentation, proliferation of fibrous stroma, vacuolization of cells, keratin-filled cyst, and characteristic tad-pole appearance. RESULTS: 1. It was observed predominantly in females as the sex ratio of 31:1. The mean age at diagnosis was 37.5-years-old. 2. The age of onset was in the 2nd decade in 9 patients, 3rd decade in 10 patients, 4th decade in 7 patients, 5th decade in 5 patients, and 7th decade in 1 patient. 3. Only two patients complained of mild itching. 4. Family history was noted in 14 patients. 5. It occurred most frequently in the upper and lower eyelids(28 cases), and followed by forehead(5 cases), genitalia(3 cases), temple(2 cases), cheek(1 case), and neck(1 case). 6. The distribution was bilateral except two patients. 7. The color of lesion showed skin-colored(23 cases), yellowish(6 cases), and brownish (3 cases). 8. Twelve cases of acanthosis, 11 cases of basal hyperpigmentation, 26 cases of proliferation of fibrous stroma, 13 cases showing vacuolization of inner cell layer of ducts, 8 cases showing keratin-filled cysts and 15 cases showing characteristic tad-pole appearance were observed. CONCLUSION: According to our study, syringoma predominantly occurs in eyelids of women as bilateral asymptomatic skin-colored papules and histopathologic findings frequently shows keratin-filled cysts.
Adolescent ; Age of Onset ; Diagnosis ; Epithelial Cells ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Pruritus ; Puberty ; Sex Ratio ; Syringoma*