No abstract available.
Aged* ; Humans

BACKGROUND: It is not yet clear whether the abnormal cytokine production in relation to serum IgE levels in atopic dermatitis (AD) is associated with the amount of mRNA of cytokine gene. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to delineate the effect of reciprocal correlation in the level of mRNA between interleukin-4 (I") and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in severe AD. METHODS: We examined 15 cases including 5 AD patients with high serum IgE (>2,000 kU/liter), 5 AD patients with low serum IgE (<100 kU/liter), and 5 healthy controls. Using semi quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, IL-4 and IFN-γ gene expressions in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) were examined. RESULTS: 1) IL-4 gene expression in spontaneous PBMC was higher in AD patient groups than in control group, significantly higher only in AD patient group with high serum IgE level (p < 0.05). 2) IFN-γ gene expression in spontaneous PBMC showed increased tendency in AD patient groups than in control group without statistical significance. 3) IL-4 and IFN-γ gene expressions in stimulated PBMC were not different among all three groups. CONCLUSION: In light of our results, high and low IgE subgroups in AD can exist and AD may not be R characterized by the shift in the reciprocal relationship between IL-4 and IFN-γ when T cells are stimulated under antigen presenting cell-independent conditions.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Interferon-gamma* ; Interleukin-4* ; RNA, Messenger ; T-Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the accuracy of reduction based on postoperative computed tomography (CT) images after arthroscopic stabilization using tightrope system for unstable distal clavicle fracture. METHODS: Twelve patients with distal clavicle fracture combined with coracoclavicular (CC) ligament injury (type II, V) who received arthroscopically assisted fixation using a flip button device were evaluated for accuracy of reduction using 3-dimensional postoperative CT scan by measuring the degree of distal clavicular angulation and clavicular shortening. RESULTS: Immediate postoperative plain radiograph confirmed restoration of the CC distance (CCD) in 10 patients. At final follow-up, the CCD remained reduced anatomically on plain radiographs in these patients. All patients showed excessive posterior angulation and shortening compared to the opposite side. The average Constant score recovered to 94.8 at final follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Indirect reduction and arthroscopic subacromial approach with flip button fixation of unstable distal clavicle fractures demonstrated favorable clinical results despite unavoidable posterior angulation of distal clavicle and shortening the total length of clavicle.
Arthroscopy ; Clavicle ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Echocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies*

Treatment of femoral neuropathy caused by iliacus hematoma can be divided according to operative treatment and non-operative treatment. Recently, percutaneous drainage has been more popular because it is relatively simple, convenient, and less invasive. After warfarin overuse, a 71-year-old male patient visited the emergency room with femoral neuropathy caused by a left iliacus muscle hematoma measuring approximately 110x64 mm, 75x60 mm in size on coronal and sagittal computed tomography angiograhy. Without trauma, weakness of the left hip flexor and left knee extensor was noted with strength of 2/5 (poor) each. Immediate medical treatment using vitamin K and fresh frozen plasma was started and percutaneous drainage was performed. Two days after visiting the emergency room, neurological symptoms were improved and non-operative treatment was continued. Twenty four days after being hospitalized, the size of the hematoma was reduced to approximately 75x45 mm, 62x40 mm in size. Approximately three months after hospitalization, most of the hematoma was absorbed. After one year, mild atrphy of quadriceps and mild diffuse pain were noted, however, no other symptoms were observed.
Aged ; Drainage ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Femoral Neuropathy* ; Hematoma* ; Hip ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Plasma ; Vitamin K ; Warfarin

A low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumor that has a tendency to develop in the deep soft tissue of young adults and the potential for local recurrence or distant metastasis. There have been several case reports and sporadic reports in the literature. However, only 1 case has been reported in Korea but without a follow-up result. We describe a 54-year-old female patient with a low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma of the thigh that had been growing slowly for 34 years. A marginal resection of this tumor was performed. Currently, the patient is doing well without evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis at 5 years after surgery.
Female ; Fibrosarcoma/*pathology/surgery ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery ; Thigh/*pathology/surgery

A psoas abscess is a potentially life-threatening infection. Multiple pyogenic spondylodiscitis with bilateral psoas abscesses accompanying an osteomyelitis of the lateral malleolus is an extremely rare event. We present our experience with needle aspiration for the treatment of osteomyelitis of the lateral malleolus and CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage for a psoas abscess in an elderly patient. Both infections were completely resolved without recurrence. A psoas abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of a patient with low back pain during musculoskeletal infection. Percutaneous needle aspiration or CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage is an effective method for treating certain musculoskeletal infections.
Aged ; Catheters ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Discitis ; Drainage ; Humans ; Low Back Pain ; Needles ; Osteomyelitis ; Psoas Abscess ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVES: To identify work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and any associated work-related risk factors, focusing on structural labor factors among hotel workers. METHODS: A total of 1,016 hotel workers (620 men and 396 women) were analyzed. The questionnaire surveyed participants' socio-demographics, health-related behaviors, job-related factors, and work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. All analyses were stratified by gender, and multiple logistic regression modeling was used to determine associations between work-related musculoskeletal symptoms and work-related risk factors. RESULTS: The risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms was 1.9 times higher among male workers in the kitchen department than males in the room department (OR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.03-3.79), and 2.5 times higher among male workers with lower sleep satisfaction than those with higher sleep satisfaction (OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.57-4.04). All of the aforementioned cases demonstrated a statistically significant association with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. Moreover, the risk of developing work-related musculoskeletal symptoms was 3.3 times higher among female workers aged between 30 and 34 than those aged 24 or younger (OR = 3.32, 95% CI = 1.56-7.04); 0.3 times higher among females in the back office department than those in the room department (OR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.12-0.91); 1.6 times higher among females on shift schedules than those who were not (OR = 1.60, 95% CI = 1.02-2.59); 1.8 times higher among females who performed more intensive work than those who performed less intensive work (OR = 1.88, 95% CI = 1.17-3.02), and; 2.1 times higher among females with lower sleep satisfaction than those with higher sleep satisfaction (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.34-3.50). All of the aforementioned cases also displayed a statistically significant association with work-related musculoskeletal symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study focused on structural risk factors in the working environment, such as the gender-based division of labor, shift work and labor intensity, that demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with the work-related musculoskeletal symptoms of hotel workers. Both men and women reported different prevalence rates of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among different departments. This could indicate that a gender-based division of labor produces different ergonomic risk factors for each gender group. However, only females displayed a statistically significant correlation between shift work and labor intensity and musculoskeletal symptoms. Thus, minimizing ergonomic risk factors alone does not suffice to effectively prevent musculoskeletal diseases among hotel workers. Instead, work assignments should be based on gender, department, working hours and work intensity should be adjusted to address multi-dimensional musculoskeletal risk factors. In addition, an approach that seeks to minimize shift work is needed to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders.
Appointments and Schedules ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: To report a case of surgical treatment of bilateral bullous exudative retinal detachment associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old woman presented with decreased visual acuity, headache, and hearing loss for 2 months. Visual acuity was hand motion in the right eye and light perception in the left eye. Intraocular pressure was 16 mmHg in the right eye and 24 mmHg in the left eye. Slit lamp examimation disclosed corneal edema, conjunctival ciliary injection with chemosis, rubeosis iridis, and posterior synechia in both eyes. Fundus examination demonstrated bilateral bullous exudative retinal detachment. Lumbar puncture revealed pleocytosis and auditory function test showed neurosensory hearing loss. She was diagnosed as having bilateral bullous exudative retinal detachment associated Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. On hospital day 3, intravitreal triamcinolone injection with external subretinal fluid drainage was performed in the right eye and on hospital day 6, intravitreal triamcinolone injection with external subretinal fluid drainage was performed in the left eye. Two months later, best corrected visual acuity was 0.2 in the right eye and 0.04 in the left eye. CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal trimacinolone acetonide injection with external subretinal fluid drainage is one of the good treatment for bullous exudative retinal detachment associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.
Corneal Edema ; Drainage ; Eye ; Female ; Hand ; Headache ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Leukocytosis ; Light ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Detachment ; Spinal Puncture ; Subretinal Fluid ; Triamcinolone ; Uveomeningoencephalitic Syndrome ; Visual Acuity

BACKGROUND: With cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), weight loss and low body weight have been found to correlate with increased mortality and poor prognosis. Therefore, nutritional aspects are an important part of the treatment in cases of COPD. In Korea, there is only limited data available for the changes of resting pulmonary function in relation to nutritional status. This study was carried out to investigated the differences of resting pulmonary function in relation to the nutritional status of patients with COPD. METHOD: 83 stable patients, with moderate to severe COPD, were clinically assessed for their nutritional status and resting pulmonary function. The patients' nutritional status was evaluated by body weight and fat-free mass (FFM), which was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. According to their nutritional status, the 83 patients were divided into two groups, designated as the depleted, and non-depleted, groups. RESULT: Of the 83 patients, 31% were characterized by body weight loss and depletion of FFM, whereas 28% had either weight loss or depleted FFM. In the depleted group, significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate(p<0.05) and Kco(p<0.01), but significantly higher airway resistance(Raw, p<0.05) were noted. There was no difference for the non-depleted group in forced expiratory volume at one second, residual volume, inspiratory vital capacity, or total lung capacity. Maximal inspiratory pressure(PImax) was also significantly lower in the depleted group(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude, from our clinical studies, that nutritional depletion is significantly associated with the change in resting pulmonary function for patients with moderate to severe COPD.
Body Weight ; Electric Impedance ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Korea ; Mortality ; Nutritional Status* ; Prognosis ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* ; Residual Volume ; Total Lung Capacity ; Vital Capacity ; Weight Loss