The argon laser has been used in the treatment of a variety of cutaneous vascular and pigmented lesions. In 1983, authors reported on the therapeutic effect from argon laser treatment of nevus flammeus. This study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic effect and complication of the argon laser on many cutaneous lesions except nevus flammeus. The data of the 67 patients who were treated between November, 1984 and March, 1986 and could be followed up over 3 months at the Department of Dermatology, Seoul National University Hospital were analyzed. Patients were treated with Coherent Radiation Model No. 920 Laser with a spot size of 1 mm in diatemer. The pawer ranges were between 1.6 and 2.6 W using pulsed wave or continuous wave according to the size and the shape of the lesions. The argon laser is an effective modality in the treatment of superficial vascular lesions and especially when telangiectasia is prominent. In pigmented lesions, argon laser is effective for pigmented nevi excluding intradermal nevi and has been found effective in small sized nevus spilus and lentigines.
Argon* ; Dermatology* ; Humans ; Lentigo ; Nevus ; Nevus, Intradermal ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Port-Wine Stain ; Seoul ; Telangiectasis

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the pattern of psychiatric consultation-liaison in a new general hospital over a 5-year period. METHOD: Retrospective chart review was conducted for psychiatric consultations performed from May 2004 to December 2008 in a new general hospital in Hwasun, Korea. RESULTS: A total of 1,852 patients who were referred to the Department of Psychiatry for consultation were included in the analysis. The main reasons for psychiatric consultation were changes in mental status(20.5%), depression(16.8%), insomnia(12.8%), and anxiety(7.9%). Psychiatric consultations were conducted with diagnoses of delirium(39.7%), depressive disorder(28.2%), adjustment disorder(7.9%), and anxiety disorder(4.1%). Patients with delirium were significantly older than were those with other psychiatric diagnoses(p<0.001). Delirium was more common in male patients than in female patients(47.1% vs. 29.9%, respectively), and depression was more common in female patients than in male patients(48.3% vs. 33.9%, respectively)(p<0.001). Delirium was more common in patients who underwent surgical operation than those who did not(p=0.010). CONCLUSION: Delirium was the most common diagnosis for psychiatric consultation followed by depression in a university hospital. Delirium was more prevalent in men than in women, while depression was more common in women.
Anxiety ; Delirium ; Depression ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Male ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: The EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) is the most frequently used questionnaire in cost-utility studies such as the quality-adjusted life year measure. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to the relationship between an individual's visual analogue scale (VAS) score and EQ-5D dimensions. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the EQ-5D and VAS quality of life measures after adjusting for socio-demographic factors in the Korean general population. METHODS: The Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is a national representative sample, was used to analyze the impact of the EQ-5D dimensions on the VAS. The known-group construct validity of the VAS was assessed by factors that included age, income and comorbidities. The ordinary linear regression models were applied to test for the effect of the EQ-5D dimensions after adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: We found that the VAS showed good construct validity. The VAS significantly declined as age increased, and as education and income levels decreased. VAS scores decreased for all EQ-5D dimensions as the response level rose. The explanatory power of the VAS increased from 23.0% in the first model, which included only the EQ-5D dimensions and levels, to 25.0% in the full model, which included socio-demographic and clinical factors. CONCLUSIONS: While the EQ-5D dimensions were significant factors in determining the VAS, they did not, however, explain a sufficient amount of variance in the VAS. Further research is required on adding more dimensions to the EQ-5D preference-based instrument.
Comorbidity ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Nutrition Surveys ; Quality of Life ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years

A case of epidermal cyst arising from the frenulum of the penis in an eighteen year-old male was presented with review of literatures.
Epidermal Cyst* ; Humans ; Male ; Penis*

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*

PURPOSE: To report the prevalence and the characteristics of outer retinal tubulation (ORT) in Bietti's crystalline dystrophy in 6 eyes of 3 patients. CASE SUMMARY: Three patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy were examined using color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence picture, spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT), fluorescein angiography, electroretinogram and electrooculogram. ORT was detected in 3 of 3 (100%) Bietti's crystalline dystrophy patients. SD-OCT B-scan revealed hyperreflective material inside the hyporeflective internal space with hyperreflective border. ORT was observed under the fovea or outside the fovea and on the outer nuclear layer in the retina. ORTs were no greater than 70 x 140 microm in size when measured using SD-OCT B-scan image. CONCLUSIONS: ORT was observed frequently in patients with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy. These findings can potentially predict the extensive photoreceptor abnormalities in retinal pigment epithelial atrophy.
Atrophy ; Crystallins* ; Electrooculography ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Photography ; Prevalence ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde* ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

The Pill Questionnaire (PillQ) has been proposed as a simple way to evaluate cognitive deficits and their impact on the daily lives of those with Parkinson’s disease (PD) by asking patients or caregivers about whether patients can independently manage their pills. We used the PillQ to investigate the association of ability to manage medication with cognition and activities of daily living (ADLs) in patients with PD. Patients were divided into two groups based on PillQ scores. The no-impact group was able to take their antiparkinsonian medication independently, and the impact group exhibited problems describing their treatment or taking their drugs independently. A total of 208 participants (93 men) were included. 111 patients (53.4%) were included in the no-impact group, and 97 (46.6%) were included in the impact group. The impact group showed significantly lower cognitive functioning, difficulties with the performance of ADLs, and severe motor dysfunction. PillQ scores were significantly correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Clinical Dementia Rating scores. Management of medication by PD patients is associated with cognitive function, and the PillQ is an easy and useful test for detecting cognitive impairment and its impact on daily life.

No abstract available.
Animals ; Neurons* ; Neurotransmitter Agents* ; Rats*

No abstract available.
Olfactory Bulb* ; Signal Transduction*

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) occurs in all age groups, and the application of treatment may vary according to age. The study was designed to identify the characteristics of CRC by age. Methods: A total of 4,326 patients undergoing primary resection for CRC from September 2006 to July 2019 were reviewed. Patient and tumor characteristics, operative and postoperative data, and oncologic outcome were compared Results: Patients aged 60 to 69 years comprised the largest age group (29.7%), followed by those aged 50 to 59 and 70 to 79 (24.5% and 23.9%, respectively). Rectal cancer was common in all age groups, but right-sided colon cancer tended to be more frequent in older patients. In very elderly patients, there were significant numbers of emergency surgeries, and the frequencies of open surgery and permanent stoma were greater. In contrast, total abdominal colectomy or total proctocolectomy was performed frequently in patients in their teens and twenties. The elderly patients showed more advanced tumor stages and postoperative ileus. The incidence of adjuvant treatment was low in elderly patients, who also had shorter follow-up periods. Overall survival was reduced in older patients with stages 0 to 3 CRC (P<0.001), but disease-free survival did not differ by age (P=0.391). Conclusion CRC screening at an earlier age than is currently undertaken may be necessary in Korea. In addition, improved surgical and oncological outcomes can be achieved through active treatment of the growing number of elderly CRC patients.