No abstract available.
Alcoholics* ; Humans ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic*

No abstract available.
Hepatitis A* ; Hepatitis*

No abstract available.
Antiviral Agents* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic* ; Hepatitis, Chronic*

No abstract available.
Hepatitis, Chronic*

In Korea, the pattern of age-specific seroprevalence of anti-HAV has changed with economic growth. The prevalence of anti-HAV in age 1~20 years declined from 60% in 1980 to 9% in 1995. As a result, this age group has a high risk for HAV infection, and actually the incidence of clinically overt hepatitis A is increasing in adolescents and young adults recently. In contrast, the prevalence of HBV carriers has been markedly decreased up to less than 1% in children because of the preventive strategies for HBV infection. The prevalence of HBsAg among Korean adults also declined from 8.0% in male and 6.1% in female in the 1980s to 7.4% in male and 3.6% in female in 1997. This article reviews recent epidemiologic changes of acute and chronic hepatitis in Korea.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Economic Development ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Hepatitis A ; Hepatitis A Antibodies ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis, Chronic* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea* ; Male ; Prevalence ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome* ; Humans* ; Immunization*

We present a series of 10 Patients(Seven men and three women with an average age of 53 years) who underwent decompressive craniectomy for treatment to massive brain swelling following acute cerebral infarction. Clinical signs of cerebral herniation(anisocoria or fixed and dilated pupil, and/or hemiplegia with decerebrate righidity) were present in all patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed the mass effect by cerebral edema through midline shift. All patients were treated with an extensive craniectomy and duroplasty. Among them, one recovered without neurological deficit, three were moderately disabled but functionally dependent, three remained in a persistent vegetative state and three died within 9 days after surgery(good recovery=1, moderate disability=3, persistent vegetative state=3, death=3). The results suggest that decompressive craniectomy can be an useful lifesaving procedure for massive cerebral edema following widespread hemispheric infarction.
Brain Edema ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Decompressive Craniectomy* ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Persistent Vegetative State ; Prognosis ; Pupil

Spinal stenosis denoting a critical reduction of the A-P diameter of spinal canal, foramina and lateral recesses can be existed in both cervical and lumbar regions. But it is relatively rare that cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis are coexisted simulataneously. The authors report a case of coexisting cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis with historical background and discussion. The patient was 49 years old male who complained intermittent neurogenic claudication, paraparesis and voiding disturbance. A successful result was obtained through one stage decompressive laminectomies in cervical and lumbar reaions.
Humans ; Laminectomy ; Lumbosacral Region ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paraparesis ; Spinal Canal ; Spinal Stenosis*

Chronic infection with HCV represents second most common cause of end-stage liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma in Korea. The introduction of new agents and regimens for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, such as pegylated forms of interferon-alpha (Peg-IFN) and combination with oral ribavirin has resulted in substantial improvement in sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. SVR rate of Peg-IFN and ribavirin combination therapy can be 40-46% of individuals infected with genotype 1 and approximately 75-85% with genotype 2 and 3. Peg-IFN/ribavirin combination therapy represents current standard therapy of chronic hepatitis C. This article reviews the treatment objectives, outcomes, optimal regimens, efficacy and predictors of response, monitoring during treatment, adverse events, retreatment of persons who failed to respond to previous treatments, and treatment of special patient groups in chronic hepatitis C.
Drug Therapy, Combination ; English Abstract ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon Alfa-2a/administration & dosage ; Interferon Alfa-2b/administration & dosage ; Polyethylene Glycols/administration & dosage ; Ribavirin/administration & dosage

A 35-year-old man, with a previous history of intermittent generalized seizure attacks since 13 years of age, presented with status epilepticus and spastic right hemiparesis. Plain skull films showed a mottled, granular calcified core and a surrounding halo of calcification in the subcortical area of the central fissure, and a smooth erosion of the overlying skull inner table. Left carotid angiogram revealed neither definite mass effect nor abnormal vascularities. Surgery through a left parietal craniotomy was performed. Upon direct inspection of the brain a 2.5+/-3.0cm, stony hard, generally circular mass was noted within the left frontal lobe. Although embedded within the frontal lobe, the mass was partially covered by a gliotic cyst which might be made from cortical tissue. The tumor was obviously calcified, demonstrating numerous superficial white excrescences, and readily removed without difficulty. Microscopic, pathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of densely calcified arteriovenous malformation. The patient was discharged without any evidence of neurological deficit except dull mentality.
Adult ; Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Brain* ; Craniotomy ; Diagnosis ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Muscle Spasticity ; Paresis ; Rabeprazole ; Seizures ; Skull ; Status Epilepticus