Perioptic Neuritis ls a very rare clinical condition, in which optic disc swelling and inflammation is seen despite of normal intracranial pressure and visual acuity. These condition can be seen in syphilis, sarcoidosis, viral encephalitis, fungal infection. We have seen that the 45 years old woman with perioptic neuritis shows papilledema without IICP in spinal tapping, thought to be due to cryptococcal meningitis.
Encephalitis, Viral ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intracranial Pressure ; Meningitis, Cryptococcal ; Middle Aged ; Neuritis* ; Papilledema ; Sarcoidosis ; Spinal Puncture ; Syphilis ; Visual Acuity

The reliability of emergency ultrasonographic(US) detection of hemoperitoneum and solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma was evaluated retrospectively. From October 1,1995 to August 31,1996,90 patients were included in the study. Ultra- sonographic findings showed a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 97.6%, 97.9%, and 98.1%, respectively, in detecting intraabdominal fluid collection. We believe that US in an emergency center is a quick, safe screening method in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma. In our department, US has replaced diagnostic peritonaeal lavage(DPL) and computed tomography(CT) as the screening study of first choice.
Emergencies* ; Hemoperitoneum* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this radiologic study was to evaluate the geographic patterns of low-energy trochanteric fractures using multiplanar computed tomography (CT) images for application of intramedullary nailing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 117 trochanteric fractures (stable fracture, 39 cases, unstable fractures, 78 cases) sustained from simple slip-down were assessed. The mean age was 78.4 years (range, 60-96 years). Multiplanar CT images were assessed for evaluation of geographic features of trochanteric fracture, and the fracture exit and geographic patterns were analyzed. RESULTS: The medial and lateral exit of the trochanteric fracture showed no statistical difference by age, bone density, and comorbid disease. The exit was located at an average distance of 10.2 mm (range, 1.0-22.2 mm) from the tip of the greater trochanter (GT), and the medial exit, average distance of 8.1 mm (range, 0.0-18.3 mm) from the tip of the lesser trochanter. It was also found that there was no comminution around the anteromedial cortex of the fracture, and its contact loss was from fracture deformity. CONCLUSION: Because of no comminution, the contact restoration of the anteromedial cortex resulted in correction of fracture deformity and reduction. Trochanteric nailing by GT tip could be fixed through the proximal fragment of the fracture because the lateral exit is placed at an average distance of 10.2 mm from the GT tip.
Bone Density ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Femur* ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Hip Fractures

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is an important and common medical problem in postmenopausal women. Depression is another major public health concern. Due to the high prevalence of both depression and osteoporosis, even a weak association between them might result in a greater health problem. We have investigated whether depression is associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in peri- and postmenopausal women. METHODS: The study subjects who visited the office of family medicine department and the health screening and diagnosis center in one general hospital from January to May, 2000 were selected. BMD was measured at the lumbar spine using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. We evaluated the depression scale using the Beck Depression Inventory. The subjects who had disorders known to interfere with bone metabolism or those who had taken medication related to depression were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Significant positive correlation were noted between BMD and height and weight (P<0.05) but no correlation was found with depression in perimenopausal women. In postmenopausal women, significant negative correlation was noted between BMD and age, and postmenopausal duration and depression. Significant positive correlation was found between BMD and height and weight (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that depression was associated with BMD in postmenopausal women which was independent of other factors strongly associated with osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Bone Density* ; Depression* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Menopause ; Metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Spine

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to design an integrated data management system based on the POCT1-A2, LIS2-A, LIS2-A2, and HL7 standard to ensure data interoperability between mobile equipment, such as point-of-care testing equipment and the existing hospital data system, its efficiency was also evaluated. METHODS: The method of this study was intended to design and realize a data management system which would provide a solution for the problems that occur when point-of-care testing equipment is introduced to existing hospital data, after classifying such problems into connectivity, integration, and interoperability. This study also checked if the data management system plays a sufficient role as a bridge between the point-of-care testing equipment and the hospital information system through connection persistence and reliability testing, as well as data integration and interoperability testing. RESULTS: In comparison with the existing system, the data management system facilitated integration by improving the result receiving time, improving the collection rate, and by enabling the integration of disparate types of data into a single system. And it was found out that we can solve the problems related to connectivity, integration and interoperability through generating the message in standardized types. CONCLUSIONS: It is expected that the proposed data management system, which is designed to improve the integration point-of-care testing equipment with existing systems, will establish a solid foundation on which better medical service may be provided by hospitals by improving the quality of patient service.
Clinical Laboratory Information Systems ; Database Management Systems ; Dietary Sucrose ; Hospital Information Systems ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Medical Order Entry Systems ; Point-of-Care Systems

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of an intervention that combined the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and frequency-specific neuromuscular electrical stimulation on changes in trunk muscle activity, muscle fatigue, and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Fifteen subjects were assigned to group I which performed the abdominal drawing-in maneuver combined with low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the other 15 subjects to group II where the abdominal drawing-in maneuver was combined with high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Muscle activity and fatigue were measured using surface electromyography before the intervention. Balance was measured using the Trunk Impairment Scale and re-measured after six weeks of intervention for comparative analysis. Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in muscle activity and balance (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). In the changes in muscle fatigue, only the experimental group II showed a significant increase in muscle fatigue (p < 0.05). The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion It was confirmed that among stroke patients, the combination of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation was more effective in changing the muscle activity and balance of the trunk by minimizing the occurrence of muscle fatigue compared to the combination of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and high-frequency stimulation. These results can be used as basic data for clinical trunk stabilization training.

The effects of chimeric monoclonal antibodies (cMAbs), prostaglandin E, (PGE,), and indomethacin (INDO) on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against human squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) cell line were examined. Using the PCI-50 SCCHN cell line as target and normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as effector, ADCC was enhanced by the treatment of cMAbs (1.25 p,g/ml), but was inhibited by exogenous PGE (5 X 10' M). The effects of cMAb and PGE were dose-dependent. Maximal suppression of activity occured when PGE was present during the entire 4-hr 'Cr-release assay period, whereas pretreatment of effector cells with PGE had minimal inhibitory effect after washing. These results indicate that decreased ADCC seen with SCCHN targets treated with PGE is related to post-binding events, such as binding of effector and target cells. Pre-treatment of effector cells with INDO (1 ug/ml) resulted in restoration of NK activity which was inhibited by PGE. Our in vitro results suggest that INDO can increase tumor cell killing by the reversal of the suppression for many imrnune functions by PGE.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Line ; Head* ; Homicide ; Humans* ; Indomethacin ; Neck* ; Prostaglandins E

PURPOSE: The Mulliken's method is a one of the very excellent technique to correction of the unilateral cleft lip. It could decrease the need of additional operation and second operation by the early simultaneous correction of unilateral cleft lip and nasal deformity, at a time. Numerous procedures were advocated for the correction of nasal deformity, but with general dissatisfaction of the results, it became obvious that no one procedure is the ideal one. The authors have been operating on unilateral cleft lip by Mulliken's method and long term follow-up of postoperative result was evaluated. METHODS: The authors have done long term follow-up of results in the 75 cases unilateral cleft lip patient, during 1-7 years. That was repaired by simultaneous correction of cleft lip and nasal deformity by Mulliken's method at the period from June 1997 to December 2007. The patients were unilateral complete cleft lip 39 cases, unilateral incomplete cleft lip 36 cases. In the severe complete cleft lip cases, lip adhesion operation was done before definite operation. The mean age of unilateral cleft lip operation was 3.2 months. Five anthropometric parameters, which were upper lip, cutaneous lip and vermilion mucosa height, nasal tip protrusion, columella length were measured by Sliding Vernier Caliper. The anthropometric analysis was performed preoperatively, and the results were com pared with those of age- matched, normal children postoperatively in 6 months, 3, 5 and 7 years. T-tests were used to analyze the differences between the measurements. RESULTS: Long-term postoperative results were evaluated by anthropometrically. Most patients showed adequate growth of upper lip height, vermilion mucosa height and columella length. But nasal tip protrusion was relatively short compare to the normal value. Incomplete cleft lip group was nearly normal growth results than complete cleft lip group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we could make harmonious Cupid's bow, natural philtrum and lip, appropriate nasal shape by Mulliken's method. But nasal tip protrusion was under the normal values on complete and incomplete group. And incomplete group showed more good results than complete group. We have experienced repair of cleft lip by Mulliken's method with 75 cases of unilateral cleft lip patients and conclude that it is a very useful method.
Child ; Cleft Lip ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lip ; Mucous Membrane ; Reference Values

PURPOSE: The key points of treatment of cryptotia are the elevation of invaginated ear helix and the correction of deformed cartilage. Prevention of stabilized cartilage contouring from returning to the previous state is also important. The authors carried otoplasty by modified Onizuka's method or Ohmori's method that conchal cartilage graft or high density polyethylene implant(MEDPOR(R)) graft served as fixation after spreading posterior aspect of adhered antihelix and a splint for prevention of recurrence of cartilage deformities. The aim of this study is to reveal the availability of the high density polyethylene implant(MEDPOR(R)) graft for the correction of cryptotia. METHODS: We have repaired 17 cryptotic deformities using cartilage graft from cavum of concha(12 cases) or high density polyethylene implant(5 cases) for correction of deformed cartilage. We investigate the operative time, complications, and satisfaction of postoperative ear shape on both autogenous cartilage graft group and high density polyethylene implant graft group. RESULTS: There was 1 case of reinvagination on autogenous cartilage graft group. Implant exposure was occurred on high density polyethylene implant graft group, as 1 case. These were statistically no differences between autogenous cartilage graft group and high density polyethylene implant graft group to the satisfaction of ear shape. CONCLUSION: High density polyethylene implant (MEDPOR(R)) present an alternative to autogenous material as they allow of fibrovascular ingrowth, leading to stability of the implant and decreased infection rates. The correction of deformed cartilage by using the high density polyethylene implant(MEDPOR(R)) is a good option for the treatment of cryptotia.
Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Ear ; Operative Time ; Polyethylene ; Recurrence ; Splints ; Transplants

BACKGROUND: North Korea's economic and public health problems began in the early 1990s as a result of the gradual loss of economic support from its communist allies, combined with an inordinate number of natural disasters. The decline in public health has increased the incidence of tuberculosis in North Koreans and refugees. This study investigated tuberculosis situation in North Korean refugees in order to prepare for the future impact of tuberculosis control in Korea. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2001 to 2005, tuberculosis patients among North Korean refugees who were diagnosed before or after arriving in South Korea, based on the official records of OO hospital, were enrolled in this study. The demographic and clinical data of the cases were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 42 TB cases were reviewed during the study period. Of these, 37 (88.1%) cases were pulmonary TB. based on the cases identified among the number of North Korean refugees' arriving each year, the annual incidence of pulmonary TB were 900 per 100,000 in 2004, 700 in 2003, The number of smear-positive patients was 20 (47.6%) and the number of culture-positive patients was 18 (42.9%). Of the M. tuberculosis isolates, 2 cases were found to be susceptible to all anti-TB drugs available, 4 were resistant to isoniazid, and 3 were multi-drug resistant. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of pulmonary TB in North Korean Refugees is high. In addition, North Korean refugees suffer from more severe tuberculosis in bacteriological and radiological aspects.
Disasters ; Humans ; Incidence ; Isoniazid ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Refugees* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis*