Deep Brain Stimulation(DBS) analgesia is known to be an effective method of otherwise intractable chronic pain. The authors report a case of thalamic DBS for the relief of recurred deafferentation pain after DREZotomy. The patient was a 53-year-old female who had presented with neuropathic pain on right shoulder and upper extremity, owing to previous brachial plexus injury. She underwent DREZotomy on C3-C5 level with resultant pain relief, but symptom recurred 3 months after surgery. The authors performed left VPL nucleus stimulation, and good relief of the pain was achieved. We reviewed the pertinent literature, and discussed pathophysiology, clinical result of the DBS on deafferentation pain.
Analgesia ; Brachial Plexus ; Brain ; Causalgia* ; Chronic Pain ; Deep Brain Stimulation* ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neuralgia ; Shoulder ; Upper Extremity

The author reports a case of reVersible parkinsonism induced by valproate. The patient (61 years old male) with bipolar disorder developed typical parkinsonism from the initial period of valproate administration (dose: 1500 mg, serum level: 08.1 ug/mL). Parkinsonism was partially relieved by coadministration of anticholinergic agent and disappeared rapidly after discontinuation of valproate. In psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder or other psychotic illness, the possibility that the extrapyramidal sympoms be induced by valproate should be taken into careful consideration. In that case, carbamazepine can be recommended as a substitute medication.
Bipolar Disorder* ; Carbamazepine ; Humans ; Parkinsonian Disorders* ; Valproic Acid*

The author reports a case of reVersible parkinsonism induced by valproate. The patient (61 years old male) with bipolar disorder developed typical parkinsonism from the initial period of valproate administration (dose: 1500 mg, serum level: 08.1 ug/mL). Parkinsonism was partially relieved by coadministration of anticholinergic agent and disappeared rapidly after discontinuation of valproate. In psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder or other psychotic illness, the possibility that the extrapyramidal sympoms be induced by valproate should be taken into careful consideration. In that case, carbamazepine can be recommended as a substitute medication.
Bipolar Disorder* ; Carbamazepine ; Humans ; Parkinsonian Disorders* ; Valproic Acid*

The authors performed frontalis suspension using palmaris longus tendon in 3 patients, 2 with congenital blepharoptosis and 1 with acquired blepharoptosis. Good results without any complication as undercorrection, overcorrection, irregular lid magin, ectropion were obtained for 5 to 11 months of follow up check.
Blepharoptosis* ; Ectropion ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Tendons*

The authors performed frontalis suspension using palmaris longus tendon in 3 patients, 2 with congenital blepharoptosis and 1 with acquired blepharoptosis. Good results without any complication as undercorrection, overcorrection, irregular lid magin, ectropion were obtained for 5 to 11 months of follow up check.
Blepharoptosis* ; Ectropion ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Tendons*

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we propose effective policies for preventing transmission in the closed ward of psychiatry department at the subject hospital. METHODS: 15 patients (9 in 2010, 3 in 2012, and 3 in 2013) infected by 2009 H1N1 Influenza A were treated with Tamiflu® (Roche), and preventive Tamiflu® was administered to patients without symptoms as well as healthcare workers. Infected patients were placed in cohorts or isolation rooms with droplet and contact precautions. The ward was cleaned daily with chloride. Influenza vaccinations were administered to immunosuppressed patients and long-term patients. In addition, respiratory etiquette posters were posted on the closed ward during the latter half of 2012. The 2013 outbreak involved the same controls as 2012. RESULTS: The incidence of outbreak among patients during the three outbreaks was 53%, 18%, and 19%. The incidence of infection among healthcare workers was 0% throughout the three periods, and there was no additional infection. CONCLUSION: In a closed ward of the psychiatry department, there is constant contact between healthcare workers and patients. Therefore, the possibility of influenza transmission is expected to be high. It is important to maintain constant inspection to detect outbreaks. Effective infection control should be applied to block the virus.
Cohort Studies ; Delivery of Health Care ; Disease Outbreaks ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infection Control* ; Influenza, Human* ; Vaccination

No abstract available.

Osteoid osteoma is a relatively common benign tumor that most commonly affect the cortex of the long bone, Adolescent and young adult males are most frequently affected. It causes aching pain that worsens at night and commonly is relieved by aspirin. The typical radiographic appearance is a lucent nidus with surrounding dense cortical thickening. If the lesion is located in intra-articular cancellous bone, an osteoid osteoma may present with clinical findings that are more indicative of an inflammatory synovitis, and with atypical radiographic findings such as lack of both surrounding sclerosis and a lucent nidus. Therefore intra-articular osteoid osteoma may pose a diagnostic difficulty. Recently, we experienced 3 cases of intra-articular osteoid osteoma(2 humeral haed, 1 femoral head) and present them in detail.
Adolescent ; Aspirin ; Humans ; Male ; Osteoma, Osteoid ; Sclerosis ; Synovitis ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Lymphangioma* ; Mediastinal Cyst*

BACKGROUND: Aging is a significant issue worldwide, and Korea is one of the most rapidly aging countries. Along with the demographic transition, the age structure of intensive care unit (ICU) patients changes as well. METHODS: The aim of this study was to analyze the change in age distribution of the ICU patients over the last 10 years and its effect on clinical outcomes. Single-center, retrospective analysis of all patients aged ≥18 years admitted to either the medical or surgical ICU at St. Paul's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, between January 2005 and December 2014 was conducted. For clinical outcome, in-hospital mortality, duration of ICU stay, and hospital stay were analyzed. Cost analysis was performed to show the economic burden of each age strata. RESULTS: A total of 10,366 ICU patients were admitted to the chosen ICUs during the study period. The proportion of elderly patients aged ≥65 years increased from 47.9% in 2005 to 63.7% in 2014, and the proportion of the very elderly patients aged ≥80 years increased from 12.8% to 20.7%. However, this increased proportion of elderly patients did not lead to increased in-hospital mortality. The percent of ICU treatment days attributable to elderly patients increased from 51.1% in year 2005 to 64.0% in 2014. The elderly ICU patients were associated with higher in-hospital mortality compared to younger age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of elderly patients admitted to ICUs increased over the last decade. However, overall in-hospital mortality has not increased during the same period.
Age Distribution ; Aged* ; Aging ; Costs and Cost Analysis ; Critical Care* ; Hospital Mortality ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units* ; Korea* ; Length of Stay ; Mortality ; Population Dynamics ; Retrospective Studies*