No abstract available.
Toluene* ; Xylenes*

Two patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated with itraconazole. One patient was a 24-year-old man who had several erythematous papulonodules on the extremities for 1 month, which revealed cutaneous leishmaniasis, histopathologically. He was treated with itraconazole (200 mg/day) for 2 months. After treatment he showed clinical healing and the biopsy specimens no longer showed leishmania organisms. The other patient was a 27-year-old female who had several erythematous papulonodules on the face and neck for 3 months. The skin lesions revealed leishmania organisms in the tissue sections and culture media. She was also treated with itraconazole (200 mg/day) for 2 months. After treatment she also showed satisfying clinical healing and the biopsy specimens revealed no leishmania organisms. No specific side effects were encountered in both patients during the treatment. From these results, itraconazole is considered to be one of the promising anti-leishmanial drugs.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Culture Media ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Itraconazole* ; Leishmania ; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous* ; Neck ; Skin ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: An effective control of postoperative pain may contribute to success of day-case surgery. After knee arthroscopy, local anesthetics was injected into the knee joint to reduce postoperative pain, but results were variable and the duration of action may be short. The recent reports have suggested that intraarticular morphine would provide more effective and longer acting analgesia than expected from the same dose given systemically. METHODS: A randomized, controlled study was conducted in patients undergoing elective knee arthroscopy under general anesthesia to assess the analgesic effect of intraarticular bupivacaine and morphine, either alone or in combination. Patients in group I(n=20) received 20 ml of normal saline as a control; patients in group II(n=20) received 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine; patients in group III(n=20) received 5 mg of morphine in 20ml of normal saline; patients in IV(n=20) received a combination of 5 mg of morphine and 50 mg of bupivacaine in 20 ml of normal saline. All the drugs were injected intraarticularly. Postoperative pain was assessed using the VAS at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24h after the intraarticular injection. Whenever patients want supplemental analgesia, 90 mg of diclofenac(dicknol ) was injected intramuscularly and then the need for supplemental analgesia was recorded. RESULTS: Patients in groups III and IV had significantly lower pain scores than those in groups I and II. There was no significant difference in the pain scores or analgesics requirements between groups III and IV. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that intraarticular morphine(5 mg) significantly reduces postoperative pain following knee arthroscopy and there is no significant advantage of combining bupivacaine with morphine.
Analgesia ; Analgesics ; Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Anesthetics, Local ; Arthroscopy* ; Bupivacaine* ; Humans ; Injections, Intra-Articular ; Knee Joint ; Knee* ; Morphine* ; Pain, Postoperative*

PURPOSE: Myasthenia gravis(MG) is relatively rare in childhood and shows some distinct epidemiologic and clinical features according to ages and races. The role of immunosuppressive therapy such as steroid treatment is not well established. The objective of this study is to characterize clinical features of childhood MG and to evaluate the outcomes of steroid treatment. METHODS: We studied 23 MG patients(7 male and 16 females) with symptom onsets from 1 to 14 years of age(mean 4.1 years). RESULTS: Fifteen patients were ocular type and 6 patients were generalized type. Sero-positivity to acetylcholine receptor antibodies was found in 85% of the patients. Two patients who showed initial ocular manifestations experienced secondary generalization without steroid treatment. Alopecia totalis and moyamoya disease were associated with systemic MG in two cases. Eighteen patients were treated with both anticholine esterase and steroid while 2 patients were treated with steroid only. Complete remission was observed in 6 patients(30%) while 11 patients(55%) had one or more recurrences and only partial responses were acquired in 4 patients(20%). CONCLUSION: We found some different epidemiologic features from western countries including a relatively high proportion of ocular MG and earlier onset age especially in ocular MG. Further long-term follow up study on responses to steroid treatment will be necessary to evaluate clinical benefits in the disease progression.
Acetylcholine ; Age of Onset ; Alopecia ; Antibodies ; Continental Population Groups ; Disease Progression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Generalization (Psychology) ; Humans ; Male ; Moyamoya Disease ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Recurrence

Uterine anomalies have been reported in 4% of women with infertility and in up to 15% of those with recurrent abortion. One of the major intrauterine disorder associated with infertility and recurrent abortions is intrauterine septum, The reproductive outcome of 41 patients of intrauterine septum (7 complete, 34 incomplete) with repeated abortions or infertility was assessed after the uterine septotomy. 5 of 7 patients with comlete uterine septum undergone uterine septotomy (3; hysteroscopic metroplasty, 2; abdominal metroplasty) had total 6 pregnancies and all of them had live biths. 28 patients with incomplete uterine septum got the hysteroscopic intrauterine septotomy and the viable pregnancy rate was 62% (3 ongoing pregnancies, 13 live biths of total 26 pregnancies). 6 patients with incomplete uterine septum had not the operation and 5 patients had 5 live births after total 6 pregnancies with 1 spontaneus abortion. Even though, the number of cases were small, the live birth rate in the group of septotomy of the patients of complete uterine septum (100%, 6/6) was higher than that in the group of not-done (50%, 1/2). The live birth rate in the group of not-done of the patients with incomplete uterine septum (83%, 5/6) was higher than that in the group of hysteroscopic uterine septotomy (62%, 16/26), but 5 of 6 had short uterine septal length (<1 cm), 1 had 1.5 cm septal length in the group of not-done. All the patients with successful pregnancy outcome had no other co-factors at the diagnostic laparoscopy, but the 5 primary infertility patients with no live birth even after treatment (all were with incomplete septum; 3 undergone hysteroscopic septotomy, 2 not-done with one abortion) had other co-factors such as endometriosis, peritoneal or tubal facor. In conclusion, hysteroscopic uterine septotomy would be useful for the patients with habitutal abortion or infertility and more advanced managemnet protocols should be applied to the patients having other co-factors if there was no pregnancy even after the uterine septotomy.
Abortion, Habitual* ; Endometriosis ; Female ; Humans ; Hysteroscopy* ; Infertility* ; Laparoscopy ; Live Birth ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate

OBJECTIVES: Due to the economic crisis and globalization, many workers have been suffering from severe occupational stress due to job insecurity and struggles related to downsizing and restructuring. This study aims to assess the stress levels among workers involved in fierce labor disputes and massive layoffs and to evaluate their specific needs and satisfaction with counseling services set up to help workers cope with severely stressful situations? METHODS: The authors provided crisis intervention to workers in traumatic situations to compare the differential level of stress responses and needs among the workers remaining employed in a large auto factory, those laid off by it, and those laid off by other companies in the same region (Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province). We measured stress levels using the worker's stress response inventory (WSRI) and heart rate variability (HRV), and assessed workers' satisfaction with the counseling services. RESULTS: 502 workers participated in the program. Fifty-seven percent of them consulted with occupational problems. The mean WSRI score of the workers remaining employed in the automobile factory was higher than that of the unemployed (employed: 39.8+/-19.9, unemployed: 29.3+/-18.8). Ninety-five percent of workers responded that they were satisfied or very satisfied with the counseling services. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the urgent need for the establishment of a national crisis intervention program dedicated to supporting workers in severely stressful situations.
Adult ; *Crisis Intervention ; Employment/*psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Industry ; *Labor Unions ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Negotiating ; Occupational Health Services ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Severity of Illness Index ; Stress, Psychological/*therapy ; Young Adult

Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) is a congenital disorder characterized by typical facial features, broad thumbs and toes, with mental retardation. Additionally, tumors, keloids and various congenital anomalies including congenital heart defects have been reported in RTS patients. In about 50% of the patients, mutations in the CREB binding protein (CREBBP) have been found, which are understood to be associated with cell growth and proliferation. Here, we describe a typical RTS patient with Arnold-Chiari malformation. A mutation in the CREBBP gene, c.4944_4945insC, was identified by mutational analysis.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation ; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities ; CREB-Binding Protein ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Keloid ; Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome ; Thumb ; Toes

Pediatric stroke is relatively rare but may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Along with the advance of brain imaging technology and clinical awareness, diagnosis of pediatric stroke is increasing wordwide. Pediatric stroke differs from adults in variable risk factor/etiologies, diverse and nonspecific clinical presentation depending on ages. This review will be discussed pediatric stroke focusing on their clinical presentations, diagnosis and etiologies/risk factors.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Mortality ; Neuroimaging ; Risk Factors ; Stroke*

Pacemaker twiddler's syndrome is reported as a very rare complication of permanent pacemaker implantation. There was a recent report suggesting that the incidence of pacemaker twiddler's syndrome increase recently presumably as a result of the implantation of thinner and smaller pacemaker system than before. We experienced a case of pacemaker twiddler's syndrome complicated 3 times with the conventional method of implantation or replacement during 14 months after the first implantation(Optims MP 158C and Pacing lead 400, Telectronic)on June 13th 1987. This case was an 18 year-old high school girl who had suffered frequent syncope for 2 years and extertionl dyspnea for 5 years due to congenital complete heart block, of which block site was proved to be AV nodal by His bundle electrogram. Pacemaker twiddler's syndrome developed 3 times;firstly 6 weeks after the first implantation in the right subclavicular fossa, secondly 10 weeks after the replacement of the twisted pacing lead, thirdly 10 months after the change of implantation site to the left subcalvicular fossa with the replacement of the twisted and fractured lead. Finally, the pacemaker generator was anchored to the clavicular periostium and pectoralis fascia at several points by using Dacron pouch.
Adolescent ; Dyspnea ; Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac ; Fascia ; Female ; Heart Block ; Humans ; Incidence ; Polyethylene Terephthalates ; Syncope

The only clinically avilable levo-isomer type of beta-recepter blocker is penbutolol sulfate, and it is already accepted as one of beta-receptor blockers for initial antihypertensive drug therapy according to the report of 1988 Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Tratment of High Blood Pressure. To evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy, effect on the quqlity of life, and side effects of penbutolol recently introduced into Korea, penbutolol was administered to 29 essential hypertensive(mild 9, moderate10, and severe 10) patients for 12 weeks or longer. The result of the clinical analysis are as follows; 1) The mean age was 50.0+/-10.9(M+/-SD), and the sex distribution between male and female was16:13. 2) The blood pressure lowering effects of penbutolol as a monotherapy were marked in 16, moderate in 6, and insignificant in 2 cases. The systolic blood pressure was significantly decreased from 179.1+/-20.2 to 135.4+/-16.5mmHg(P<0.005), and the diastolic blood pressure from 112.6+/-13.5 to 84.0+/-11.9mmHg(P<0.005)after 12 weeks' penbutolol therapy. 3) The heart rate was significantly decreased from70.3+/-13.3 to 65.5+/-9.1 per minute(P<0.05). 4) The quality of life was improved markely in 5(17.2%) and slightly in 8 cases(29.6%). 5) There were no significant laboratory changes after 12 weeks' penbutolol therapy. 6) Two out of three cases with non-specific ST segment and T wave changes in EKG and two out of 9 cases with EKG were normalized, 2 cases of LAH with strain were improved. 7) The side effects of penbutolol were dizziness in 4, sexual dysfunction in 2, and skin rash in 1 case. 8) Final multifarious assessment of penbutolol therapy showed that it was very useful in 11(37.9%), useful in 4(13.8%) and slightly useful in 7 cases(24.1%). These reult suggest that penbutolol is a first-line antihypertensive agent with an effective antihypertensive action, improving quality of life, with no significant laboratory changes and few side effects.
Blood Pressure ; Dizziness ; Drug Therapy ; Electrocardiography ; Exanthema ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Joints ; Korea ; Male ; Penbutolol ; Pheniramine ; Quality of Life ; Sex Distribution