PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.
Aged ; Angiography ; Choroid ; Ethnic Groups ; Eye ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Korea ; Macular Degeneration ; Male ; Membranes ; Photography ; Retinaldehyde ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Specialization

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pilomatricoma, also known as calcifying epitheliomas of Malherbe is uncommon, benign skin neoplasm that arise from outer root sheath cell of hair follicle or hair follicle of sebaceous glands. In more than half of the cases, pilomatricoma typically involves the head and neck followed by upper extremities and trunk, with the majority occurring in children. The purpose of this study is to analyze the data from the author's experience with head and neck pilomatricoma and to discuss diagnostic and therapeutic management. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of the patients of pilomatricoma treated between 1994 and 2004 revealed 21 cases of head and neck pilomatricoma. RESULTS: The typical clinical manifestation of pilomatricoma was non-tender, firm, subcutaneous, and nodular mass. The age range was from 9 months to 62 years (mean 17.4 years). The male-to-female ratio was 4 : 3. The common sites of occurrence were the neck (33%), cheek (24%), suboccipital (14%), preauricular (14%). The size of the mass ranged from 0.5 cm to 3 cm, and the mean was 1.1 cm. CT with contrast enhancement scans revealed densely calcified, mild enhancing and well circumscribed soft tissue densities in subcutaneous tissues. Additionally, MRI with gadolinum enhancement scans revealed partially enhanced, well demarcated and intermediate signal intensity mass lesions. Surgical excision was curative in all cases. CONCLUSION: Pilomatricoma is cutaneous neoplasms that occur commonly in the head and neck region. Even if the preoperative diagnosis may be difficult in some cases, pilomaticoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a superficial head and neck mass.
Carcinoma ; Cheek ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Hair Follicle ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Head* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck* ; Pilomatrixoma* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sebaceous Glands ; Skin Neoplasms ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Upper Extremity

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) occurs in esophagus, stomach, bile duct, salivary gland, lung, uterus, skin, and so on. The incidence of gastric LELC is 1~4 percents of all stomach cancers. Gastric LELC has a lymphoid stroma and shows a good prognosis and high association with Epstein-Barr virus. We experienced a case of patient with gastric LELC. The patient was 49-year-old woman. and the endoscopic finding showed a submucosal tumor with central erosion. The histologic findings of endoscopic biopsies were suggestive of low grade MALT lymphoma. but the histologic findings of the surgical specimen were consistent with gastric LELC. We report a case of gastric LELC presenting as a submucosal tumor, with a brief review of the literature.
Bile Ducts ; Biopsy ; Esophagus ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lung ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Salivary Glands ; Skin ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Uterus

BACKGROUND: The emergence of multi-drug resistant Gram-positive cocci, such as MRSA, VRE, and VRSA, necessitated to develop new antibiotics, which could replace the glycopeptide. As a result, a new antibiotics named linezolid was developed. Linezolid is different line of oxazolidinones with a good oral bioavailability, compared to other antibiotics. Since appropriate oral antibiotics are not presently available for MRSA, which is a major cause of nosocomial and community acquired infections, the introduction of linezolid will have favorable effect on treatment of infections such as pneumonia or skin infections. In this study, we investigated the antibiotic effect of linezolid on MRSA and VRE isolated from patients who were treated in Korea University Guro Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: By using broth microdilution and agar dilution method we measured minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with sixty S. aureus, forty three Enterococcus spp., and twenty five S. pneumoniae isolates from patients who were diagnosed as skin, soft tissue, respiratory, and urinary infections in Korea University Guro Hospital from January, 1998 to December, 2002. RESULTS: All of S. aureus used in this study were MRSA, and MIC90 of linezolid was below 2 microgram/ml (MIC ranged between 1-2 microgram/ml). All of Enterococcus spp. were VRE, and had MIC90 of 2 microgram/ml (MIC ranged between 1 to 4 microgram/ml). One of the VRE showed intermediate susceptibility with MIC of 4 microgram/ml. However, none was resistant with MIC breakpoint above 8 microgram/ml. All of S. pneumoniae were resistant to penicillin, but they were susceptible to linezolid with MIC90 of 1 microgram/ml(MIC range 0.5-1 microgram/ml). CONCLUSION: In conclusions, linezolid has an excellent in vitro antibiotic effect on multi-drug resistant Gram-positive cocci, such as MRSA, PRSP, and VRE.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biological Availability ; Community-Acquired Infections ; Enterococcus ; Gram-Positive Cocci ; Humans ; Korea ; Linezolid ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Oxazolidinones ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The emergence of multi-drug resistant Gram-positive cocci, such as MRSA, VRE, and VRSA, necessitated to develop new antibiotics, which could replace the glycopeptide. As a result, a new antibiotics named linezolid was developed. Linezolid is different line of oxazolidinones with a good oral bioavailability, compared to other antibiotics. Since appropriate oral antibiotics are not presently available for MRSA, which is a major cause of nosocomial and community acquired infections, the introduction of linezolid will have favorable effect on treatment of infections such as pneumonia or skin infections. In this study, we investigated the antibiotic effect of linezolid on MRSA and VRE isolated from patients who were treated in Korea University Guro Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: By using broth microdilution and agar dilution method we measured minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) with sixty S. aureus, forty three Enterococcus spp., and twenty five S. pneumoniae isolates from patients who were diagnosed as skin, soft tissue, respiratory, and urinary infections in Korea University Guro Hospital from January, 1998 to December, 2002. RESULTS: All of S. aureus used in this study were MRSA, and MIC90 of linezolid was below 2 microgram/ml (MIC ranged between 1-2 microgram/ml). All of Enterococcus spp. were VRE, and had MIC90 of 2 microgram/ml (MIC ranged between 1 to 4 microgram/ml). One of the VRE showed intermediate susceptibility with MIC of 4 microgram/ml. However, none was resistant with MIC breakpoint above 8 microgram/ml. All of S. pneumoniae were resistant to penicillin, but they were susceptible to linezolid with MIC90 of 1 microgram/ml(MIC range 0.5-1 microgram/ml). CONCLUSION: In conclusions, linezolid has an excellent in vitro antibiotic effect on multi-drug resistant Gram-positive cocci, such as MRSA, PRSP, and VRE.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biological Availability ; Community-Acquired Infections ; Enterococcus ; Gram-Positive Cocci ; Humans ; Korea ; Linezolid ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Oxazolidinones ; Penicillins ; Pneumonia ; Skin

Aortic regurgitation in the pediatrics who had previous cardiac surgery is increased with their improved longterm survival rate and their complexity of heart disease. So the need of aortic valve surgery in pediatrics is also on the increase. A 10-year old boy was admitted for progressive cyanosis and dyspnea on exertion(DOE). The patient had been underwent lateral tunnel Fontan operation before. Echocardiography and cardiac catheterization study revealed hepatic vein drained to pulmonary atrium via intrahepatic collaterals, moderate atrioventricular regurgitation, and severe aortic regurgitation due to aortic root dilation. We report a case who had aortic root reconstruction, valvuloplasty of the atrioventricular valve, and hepatic vein ligation successfully. Cyanosis and DOE was dramatically improved after the operation
Aortic Valve ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Child ; Cyanosis ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Fontan Procedure* ; Heart Diseases ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Pediatrics ; Survival Rate ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pharyngoesophageal musculature plays an important role in swallowing, and prevents aspiration and supraesophageal reflux. These muscles are closed during the resting state and opens with swallowing to allow the passage of food. In this study, the histochemical characteristics of the upper esophageal sphincter muscles in human were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Muscle samples from the inferior pharyngeal constrictor, cricopharyngeus, upper esophageal muscle and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle were obtained from the healthy portion of nine laryngectomized specimen. We used the H&E staining for identifying the gross anatomy of these muscles, and the myofibrillar ATPase staining and the NADH-TR staining for differentiating the muscle fiber type. RESULTS: Analysis of the muscle fiber types of the upper esophageal sphincter muscle revealed a predominance of type I in the cricopharyngeus (78.9%) and the upper esophageal muscle (85.2%), and type II in the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (80%). In the SCM muscle, the percentage of each fiber type was almost the same. The proportion of oxidative fibers within these muscles correlated well to that of the type I fibers. CONCLUSION: The distribution of the type I fibers tended to be higher in the upper esophageal muscle than in the inferior pharyngeal constrictor. These findings about fiber types represents well the physiological features of each muscle, i.e. the inferior pharyngeal constrictors are capable of short rapid contraction and the upper esophageal muscles are capable of slow rhythmic movement.
Adenosine Triphosphatases ; Deglutition ; Esophageal Sphincter, Upper* ; Histocytochemistry ; Humans* ; Muscles ; Pharyngeal Muscles

Renal oncocytomas account for approximately 5% of renal parenchymal tumors. Usually it has unilateral solitary oncocytic nodule, but bilateral multifocal renal oncocytomasis is rare. The term renal oncocytoma should be used to characterize a well-differentiated renal epithelial tumor with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm that has benign behavior and favourable progress. Also, multiple oncocytoma distributed diffusely in both kidneys is termed renal oncocytomatosis Because of the benign nature, multicentricity, possible bilaterality and absence of pathognomonic radiographic features, renal oncocytomas should be considered in differential diagnosis of solid masses, especially renal cell carcinoma. We report a patient with bilaleral multifocal renal oncocytomatosis, who had progressive renal failure. Renal oncocytomatosis was diagnosed pathologically after bilateral nephrectomy.
Adenoma, Oxyphilic ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Nephrectomy ; Renal Insufficiency

Henoch-Schonlein purpura or Anaphylactiod purpura is rare syndrome in adults characterized by a symmetrical, non traumatic, nonthrombocytopenic, painless purpuric rash, arthritis, nephritis, gastrointestinal manifestation. G-I tract involvement is characterized by abdominal pain, G-I bleeding. Although the small bowel is more frequently involved, cases of esophageal, gastroduodenal and colorectal localization have been rarely reported. Recently, we have experienced a case of Henoch-schonlein purpura with renal, skin, extensive gastrointestinal involvement in a 53 year-old male patient who complained of pain, purpura, generalized abdominal pain, dyspnea. The endoscopic findings of duodenum and colon in a patient with Henoch-Schonlein purpura are presented.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Arthritis ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Duodenum ; Dyspnea ; Exanthema ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephritis ; Purpura* ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; Skin

Henoch-Schonlein purpura or Anaphylactiod purpura is rare syndrome in adults characterized by a symmetrical, non traumatic, nonthrombocytopenic, painless purpuric rash, arthritis, nephritis, gastrointestinal manifestation. G-I tract involvement is characterized by abdominal pain, G-I bleeding. Although the small bowel is more frequently involved, cases of esophageal, gastroduodenal and colorectal localization have been rarely reported. Recently, we have experienced a case of Henoch-schonlein purpura with renal, skin, extensive gastrointestinal involvement in a 53 year-old male patient who complained of pain, purpura, generalized abdominal pain, dyspnea. The endoscopic findings of duodenum and colon in a patient with Henoch-Schonlein purpura are presented.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Arthritis ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Duodenum ; Dyspnea ; Exanthema ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephritis ; Purpura* ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; Skin