PURPOSE: Fever plays an important role in causing disturbances in fluid and electrolyte balance. Hyponatremia has been thought to enhance the susceptibility to febrile convulsions in childhood and to increase a risk of repeat convulsion during same febrile illness. I therefore carried out a study in attempt to investigate how high the serum sodium level is in children with febrile convulsions, and whether there is an association between the recurrence of febrile convulsions and hyponatremia METHODS: Blood samples for serum sodium measurement were taken from 136 children visited to the Seoul Red Cross Hospital due to an acute febrile convulsion during the period between 1994 and 1996(patient group). I also checked serum sodium in a group of age-matched controls(control group I: no fever, no convulsion, control group II: fever only, control group In non-febrile convulsions). The patient group was divided into two groups, recurrent and non-recurrent groups. The results were analyzed by Student's t-test. RESULTS: The mean serum sodium level(134.99+/-3.59mmol/L) was significantly lower as compared to all control groups(control group I : 137.92+/-2.19mmol/L, control group II : 137.49+/-2.94mmo1/L, control group III : 137.73+/-2.52mmo1/L, p<0.001). The mean serum sodium levels were not different between each other control groups(p>0.05). Thirty-two of the 136 children(23.5%) with a febrile convulsion developed a repeat convulsion. The mean serum sodium level in the group with repeat convulsions(133.00 +/-3.21mmo1/L) was significantly lower than the mean in the group without repeat convulsions(135.85+/-3.28 mmol/L) The risk of a repeat convulsion approaches 60% In cases with serum sodium levels of 130 mmol/L and gradually decreases to less than 10% in cases with serum sodium levels of 140mmo1/L. CONCLUSION: Hyponatremia may increase the susceptibility to the febrile convulsions. The lower the serum sodium level, the higher the probability of a repeat convulsion This may be of practical value in deciding whether to admit the child and in advising parents or carers of the risk of a repeat convulsion.
Caregivers ; Child ; Fever ; Humans ; Hyponatremia ; Parents ; Recurrence* ; Red Cross ; Seizures ; Seizures, Febrile* ; Seoul ; Sodium* ; Water-Electrolyte Balance

BACKGROUND: Pemphigus is a rare, chronic blistering disease of the skin and mucous membranes with severe morbidity and occasional mortality. The clinical data of Korean pemphigus patients are quite limited, and an appropriate treatrnent regimen is not yet established. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to analyze the clinical characteristics of, and establish an appropriate treatment regimen for Korean pemphigus patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted for 24 pemphigus patients seen between 1992 and 1996. RESULTS: Pemphigus vulgaris(PV) was the most common type with 17 cases, followed by seven cases of pemphigus foliaceus(PF). There were no sexual preferences, and the average age at onset for PV and PF was 46 and 50 years old, respectively. Mucosal involvement was noted in 14 cases(82%) of PV and only in one case(14/o) of PF. There was no correlation between the extent of involvement and the titer of anti ICS(intercellular substance) antibody. Most patients received prednisolone of lmg/kg, and 12 PV patients also received immunosuppressive agents. Systemic side effects were noted in 10 cases of PV, and seven PF cases did not manifest any systemic side effects. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations and results of imrnunofluorescent studies of 24 Korean pemphigus patients were similar to those of the previous studies. For treatment of pemphigus, the lowest possible doses(less than 1mg/kg) of corticosteroid in combination with immunosuppressive agents appears to be more effective and less toxic than high doses of corticosteroid. We propose a regimen for treatment of Korean pemphigus patients based on these experiences. Further rnulti-center clinical trials are advocated to confirm an effective management protocol for Korean pemphigus patients.
Blister ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Mucous Membrane ; Pemphigus* ; Prednisolone ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Orthognathic Surgery*

The physical conditions of the Korean and the Japanese young adults (aged 18-29) were analyzed for the 10 important body dimensions such as stature, body weight, sitting height, chest circumference, and etc.. The Korean data published in 1979 and 1992 were compared with the Japanese data published in 1984 and 1994, respectively. Also, the physical developments and the sex differences of the Korean in past 13 years were compared with those of Japanese. The results are as follows. 1) The stature, sitting height and perineum height of the Korean young male and female are significantly smaller than those of the Japanese. 2) In the past, the chest circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, body weight of the Korean are larger values than those of the Japanese. But, there are no significant differences in recent surveys. 3) Most body dimensions of male show significantly larger than those of female in the two countries. 4) There is no significant difference in thigh circumference between the Korean male and female in 1992. 5) There are no significant differences in thigh circumference between the '84 Japanese male and female and in hip circumference between the '94 Japanese male and female. 6) Compared with the results of the past surveys, the relative body weight, perineum height, and chest circumference of female to male are decreased in the two countries. But, the relative hip circumference of female to male are increased in both countries.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Body Weight ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Perineum ; Sex Characteristics ; Thigh ; Thorax ; Waist Circumference ; Young Adult

The purpose of this paper is to report the rare complicated radioulnar cross union following open reduction for fractures of the forearm bones. The case was 62 years old male who complained of swelling and pain on forearm by the car accident. Roentgenogram revealed forearm bones fracture. Atpost operative 4 months, roentgenogram noted new bone crossing between radius and ulna. Excision of new bane was performed with extraction of nail and inserted chips of muscle. Post operative course was satisfactory, showing 50 degree of range of motion (20 degree supination and 30 degree pronation) from fixed pronation position.
Forearm ; Humans ; Male ; Pronation ; Radius ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Supination ; Ulna

To analyze the changes of range of motion and manifestation frequency of impingement sign according to ages in shoulder impingement syndrome after excluding complete rotator tears by MRI, the authors reviewed 74 patients whose impingement injection tests to the subacromial space were positive in the Dankook university hospital. We used paired student t-test for comparison with the contralateral shoulder. l. Average forward elevation, abduction, external rotation and internal rotation of the shoulders were not significantly different in stage I and II, but significantly different statistically in stage II over 40 years old. 2. Average external rotation at 90degrees abductions of the shoulders was not significantly different statistically in stage I, II and stage II over 40 years old. 3. Frequencies of the painful arc were 83% in stage I, 71% in stage II and 58 % in stage II over 40 years old. Physical examinations of painful arc in 1 case of stage II, 7 cases of stage II over 40 years old were impossible because of limitation of motion. 4. Frequencies of lateral impingement sign were 100% in stage I, 86% in stage II, 100% in stage II over 40 years old. Frequencies of Neer's impingement sign were 75% in stage I, 67% in stage II, 88% in stage II over 40 years old. Frequencies of Hawkins impingement sign were 67% in stage I, 62% in stage II and 82% in stage over 40 years old. Except external rotation at 90degrees abduction, range of motion of the shoulder may be decreased in impingement syndrome over 40 years old. Because of difference of frequencies, more than two impingement signs should be tested for the diagnosis of shoulder impingement syndrome.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Physical Examination ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Shoulder Impingement Syndrome* ; Shoulder Joint ; Shoulder*

We report a case of giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath involving the foot, in a 21-year-old female patient, who presented with an asymptomatic tumor on the dorsum of her right foot. Histopathologically the tumor is surrounded by thin fibrous connective tissue. The characteristic findings of the excised specimen revealed a typical mixture of abundunt round or polygonal histocyte-like cells with varying portions of spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells and multinucleated giant cells. Variable amounts of hyalinized fibrous stromal tissue were also present. After excision, local recurrence has not been observed for 3 months.
Connective Tissue ; Female ; Foot* ; Giant Cell Tumors* ; Giant Cells* ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Recurrence ; Tendons* ; Young Adult

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Hematoma*