A 46-year old woman presented with progressive limb weakness and fatigue. Laboratory tests showed abnormalities consistent with autoimmune hepatitis and she was diagnosed with biopsy-proven inflammatory myopathy. The patient was commenced on immunosuppressive therapy with azathioprine 50 mg and prednisolone 1 mg/kg. At the six-month follow up, her symptoms subsided and aminotransferase and muscle enzymes were normalized. This case presents rare case of concomitant development of polymyositis and autoimmune hepatitis.
Autoimmunity ; Azathioprine ; Extremities ; Fatigue ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis ; Hepatitis, Autoimmune* ; Humans ; Myositis ; Polymyositis* ; Prednisolone

No abstract available.
Myelitis* ; Polyneuropathies*

Pyridoxine deficiency and excess have both been implicated as causes of peripheral neuropathy. A 74-year-old man presented with paresthesia in both legs that first appeared 2 months previously. A nerve conduction study revealed axonal sensory polyneuropathy. He had consumed 100 milligrams of pyridoxine every day for 1 year, in the form of vitamin tablets. His blood levels of vitamin B6 were markedly elevated to above 250 nmol/L. This case indicates that the consumption of high-dose pyridoxine can cause sensory polyneuropathy.
Aged ; Axons ; Humans ; Leg ; Neural Conduction ; Paresthesia ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Polyneuropathies* ; Pyridoxine* ; Tablets ; Vitamin B 6 ; Vitamin B 6 Deficiency ; Vitamins

OBJECTIVE: Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is the least invasive surgical option for patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). However, the indications and long term outcomes of GKRS are still controversial. Additionally, a series with uniform long-term follow-up data for all patients has been lacking. In the present study, the authors analyzed long-term outcomes in a series of patients with TN who underwent a single GKRS treatment followed by a minimum follow-up of 60 months. METHODS: From 1994 to 2009, 40 consecutive patients with typical, intractable TN received GKRS. Among these, 22 patients were followed for >60 months. The mean maximum radiation dose was 77.1 Gy (65.2-83.6 Gy), and the 4 mm collimator was used to target the radiation to the root entry zone. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.5 years (25-84 years). The mean follow-up period was 92.2 months (60-144 months). According to the pain intensity scale in the last follow-up, 6 cases were grades I-II (pain-free with or without medication; 27.3%) and 7 cases were grade IV-V (<50% pain relief with medication or no pain relief; 31.8%). There was 1 case (facial dysesthesia) with post-operative complications (4.54%). CONCLUSION: The long-term results of GKRS for TN are not as satisfactory as those of microvascular decompression and other conventional modalities, but GKRS is a safe, effective and minimally invasive technique which might be considered a first-line therapy for a limited group of patients for whom a more invasive kind of treatment is unsuitable.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery ; Radiosurgery ; Trigeminal Neuralgia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the actual state of quality control in Korea through an analysis of mammographic phantom images obtained from a multicenter, and to determine the proper exposure conditions required in order to obtain satisfactory phantom images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April and June, 2002, 193 phantom images were referred to the Korea Food and Drug Administration for evaluation. Two radiologists recorded the number of fibers, specks and masses they contained, and the "pass" criteria were as follows: checked number of fibers: four or more; specks, three or more; masses, three or more (a total of ten or more features). Images in which optical density was over 1.2 were classified as satisfactory. In addition, changes in the success ratio, and difference between the two groups (i.e. "pass" and "fail", with regard to exposure conditions and optical density) were evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 193 images, 116 (60.1%) passed and 77 (39.9%) failed. Among those which passed, 73 /100 (73%) involved the use of a grid, 80/117 (68.3%) were obtained within the optimal kVp range, 50/111 (45.0%) involved the use of optimal mAs, and 79/112 (70.5%) were obtained within the optimal range of optical density. Among those which failed, the corresponding figures were 17/52 (32.6%), 33/66 (50.0%), 31/69 (44.9%), and 35/65 (53.8%). There were statistically significant differences between the pass and fail rates, and with regard to kVp, optical density, and the use of a grid, but with regard to mAs, statistical differences were not significant. If only phantom images with an optical density of over 1.2 [as per the rule of the Mammographic Quality Standard Act (MQSA)] was included, the success rate would fall from 60.1% to 43.0%. CONCLUSION: The pass rate for mammographic phantom images was 60.1%. If such images are to be satisfactory, they should be obtained within the optimal range of optical density, using optimal kVp and a grid.
Korea ; Quality Control ; United States Food and Drug Administration

Congenital absence of the cruciate ligament is an extremely rare condition that was first reported in Giorgi's radiographic study in 1956. The authors report on a case of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction performed on a 21-year-old female patient with congenital anterior cruciate ligament absence. We also discuss radiographic evidence that could provide clues to the congenital absence and possible difficulties that may be encountered during surgery with a review of the relevant literature.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Female ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Asians were known to have a relatively lower incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE), and there is insufficient evidence to suggest a specific D-dimer threshold level for screening VTE in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to Jeju National University Hospital. The inclusion criteria were: 1) aged ≥18 years, 2) admission within seven days of symptom onset, and 3) an initial National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score >1 for the affected lower limb. Ultrasound scans of the lower limbs and plasma D-dimer assays were performed on days 7–14 and 15–28 after stroke onset. RESULTS: Of 285 patients admitted during the study period, 52 patients met inclusion criteria (mean age 74.5, male 40.4%, median initial NIHSS score 12, and unable to walk unassisted at discharge 76.9%). During 7–14 days, 23 of 52 patients (44.2%) had a D-dimer level above 1.57 mg/L, and 9.6% had a level above 5.50 mg/L. Proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was detected in 3 patients (5.8%, 95% confidence Interval 1.2–16.0%) on ultrasound examination. All DVTs were found in elderly female patients with severe leg weakness. No patient was diagnosed with pulmonary embolism during the study period. CONCLUSION: The incidence of VTE seems to be very low among Korean patients with acute ischemic stroke. Advanced age, female sex, and severe leg weakness were important risk factors for developing DVT in this study.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Leg ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Plasma ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Ultrasonography ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Venous Thrombosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the follow-up result of 11 cases that were operated with internal fixation of scapular neck and internal fixation of clavicle or acromioclavicular dislocation for severely displaced floating shoulder which was high energy injury and unstable. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the scapular neck fracture with clavicle fracture or acromioclavicular joint dislocation by multidisciplinary research from August 1997 to July 2004. The scapular neck fractures were operated in the case of translational displacement of more than 25 mm and angular displacement of more than 45 degrees with 3.5 mm reconstruction plate fixation and internal fixation for clavicle fracture or acromioclavicular joint perpormed simultaneously. And we evaluated 11 cases that can be followed up for more than 9 months. RESULTS: We achieved bony union in all cases. In ASES functional score, we got average 89.2 (75~95) points. In Rowe functional score, we got average 89.1 (75~100) points. In complication, there was external rotation weakness in 1 case. CONCLUSION: In severely displaced floating shoulder due to high energy injury, we got good clinical and functional result after internal fixation for scapular neck and clavicle or acromioclavicular joint.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Clavicle ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Neck ; Shoulder*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The relationship between the symptoms and severity of GERD may be difficult to prove. The intensity and frequency of reflux induced symptoms are poor predictors of the presence or severity of an endoscopic mucosal break. The aim of this study was to determine which factors can be predicted by the presence of GERD symptoms among esophageal sensitivity to acid, abnormal acid reflux, and severity of esophagitis in pateints with reflux esophagitis. METHODS: Fourty-four patients who were diagnosed with reflux esophagitis by an endoscopy at a tertiary medical facility, were given a validated questionnaire, and underwent an acid perfusion test, 24 hr ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring, and esophageal manometry. These patients were divided into a symptomatic group and asymptomatic group according to the questionaire. Comparisons between the two groups for each factor were analyzed by Chi-square. RESULT: Of 44 patients, 26 had symptoms and 18 did not. The positive and equivocal rates of the acid perfusion test were not different between the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups (47% vs. 39%). The abnormal reflux rate (DeMeester score > 14.72) from pH monitoring was significantly higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group (65% vs. 28%, p < 0.05). The severity of esophagitis, presence of a hiatal hernia, and abnormal esophageal manometric findings were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: It would be impossible to predict esophageal sensitivity to acid, severity of the esophagitis grade, and the presence of hiatal hernia with GERD symptoms, but it could be possible to predict abnormal gastroesophageal reflux.
Endoscopy ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Esophagitis ; Esophagitis, Peptic* ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Hernia, Hiatal ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Manometry ; Perfusion ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Linkage of public healthcare data is useful in stroke research because patients may visit different sectors of the health system before, during, and after stroke. Therefore, we aimed to establish high-quality big data on stroke in Korea by linking acute stroke registry and national health claim databases. METHODS: Acute stroke patients (n = 65,311) with claim data suitable for linkage were included in the Clinical Research Center for Stroke (CRCS) registry during 2006–2014. We linked the CRCS registry with national health claim databases in the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA). Linkage was performed using 6 common variables: birth date, gender, provider identification, receiving year and number, and statement serial number in the benefit claim statement. For matched records, linkage accuracy was evaluated using differences between hospital visiting date in the CRCS registry and the commencement date for health insurance care in HIRA. RESULTS: Of 65,311 CRCS cases, 64,634 were matched to HIRA cases (match rate, 99.0%). The proportion of true matches was 94.4% (n = 61,017) in the matched data. Among true matches (mean age 66.4 years; men 58.4%), the median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 3 (interquartile range 1–7). When comparing baseline characteristics between true matches and false matches, no substantial difference was observed for any variable. CONCLUSION: We could establish big data on stroke by linking CRCS registry and HIRA records, using claims data without personal identifiers. We plan to conduct national stroke research and improve stroke care using the linked big database.
Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Information Storage and Retrieval ; Insurance, Health ; Korea* ; Male ; National Health Programs* ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Parturition ; Stroke*