The purpose of this study was to evaluate the muscle performance and functional level after as well as the necessity of postoperative rehabilitation the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We prospectively examined twenty patients after primary reconstruction of ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of the knee with the isokinetic tests of the knee and ankle joints using the Isokinetic Rehabilitation and Testing System (Model No. Cybex 6000), and the modified Cincinnati scale and Lysholm scale. The results showed that the values of peak torque, total work, power, and TAE(torque acceleration energy) of the involved knee extensors and flexors were significantly low compared to the uninvolved limb. The deficiency ratios of peak torque, total work, and power between uninvolved and involved limbs in knee extension and flexion at the angular velocity of 60 degrees/sec and 180 degrees/sec were more than 10%. The knee flexors to extensors imbalances(H/Q ratios) of uninvolved and involved limbs were 55.5+/-6.1% and 71.5+/-24.1% respectively at the angular velocity of 60 degrees/sec (p<0.01). The peak torque and total work of the ankle plantarflexors in the involved limbs decreased significantly compared to the uninvolved sides (p<0.01). Average scores of modifed Cincinnati scale and Lysholm scale were 87.3+/-6.6 and 87.1+/-7.2, respectively, and these functional scales correlated well to the deficiency ratios inversely (p<0.05). These results suggest that the isokinetic testing and functional scales are effective tools for the evaluation of muscle performances and functional levels after the anterior cruciate ligment reconstructions. Postoperative rehabilitation was needed to correct the muscle imbalance that existed in the knees after 34 months of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
Acceleration ; Ankle ; Ankle Joint ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction* ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament* ; Extremities ; Humans ; Knee ; Prospective Studies ; Rehabilitation ; Torque ; Weights and Measures

Mucosal malignant melanomas (MM) within the nose and paranasal sinuses are rare, representing 1-3% of MM and 3-4% of malignant sinonasal tumors. The incidence of amelanotic MM with primary lesions in the sinonasal cavity is also extremely rare. The absence of pigmentation in the tumor may result in diagnostic confusion. Amelanotic MM may masquerade as a variety of other conditions leading to a delay in the diagnosis and worsen the prognosis. In this report, we present, along a brief review of the literature, an interesting case of amelanotic MM misconceived as a nasal polyp. Although paranasal MRI and endoscopy showed no evidence of remnant mass after surgery, positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) image showed an area of increaed fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake.
Electrons ; Endoscopy ; Incidence ; Melanoma ; Melanoma, Amelanotic ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Polyps ; Nose ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Pigmentation ; Prognosis

In this paper, a case of corneal squamous cell carcinoma is reported. Invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cornea is a rare disorder and has not been previously described in the Korean literature. In this case, the invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the cornea was treated by complete excision and cryotherapy. No evidence of metastasis or recurrence has been found since the procedure. Complete excision and adjunctive cryotherapy has become the treatment of choice because of the higher recurrence rate following a simple excision.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/*pathology/surgery/therapy ; Case Report ; Corneal Diseases/*pathology/surgery/therapy ; Cryotherapy ; Eye Neoplasms/*pathology/surgery/therapy ; Human ; Male ; Neoplasm Invasiveness

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluated the results of skin prick test using 55 allergens at 20 centers in the Republic of Korea in 2006, 2010, and 2014–2015. The aim was to assess changes in the positive rate of allergens according to temporal, regional, and environmental factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 20 hospitals were selected based on the population distribution in the Republic of Korea. A skin prick test panel comprising 55 aeroallergens was distributed to 18 hospitals for this prospective study. The 2006 and 2010 skin prick test results were collected and analyzed retrospectively from 20 hospitals, while the 2014/2015 skin prick test results (from June 2014 to May 2015) were collected prospectively from 18 hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 14,897 SPT test results were analyzed: 4,319 in 2006, 7,431 in 2010, and 1,852 in 2014/2015. The overall rate of skin prick test positivity to more than two allergens was significantly higher in males than females. The positive rates of alder pollens and birch, oak and ragweed pollen positivity were increased in older patients. Several positive rates were increased according to the temperature in spring. The positive rates for beech pollen, birch pollen, hazel pollen, oak pollen, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, mugwort, cat, Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were significantly increased, while those of Cult rye pollen and dandelion were significantly decreased over the three test periods. The overall positive rate for allergens in Jeju province varied significantly from Seoul and other cities. CONCLUSION: Change in the positive rate of multiple aeroallergens was evaluated in the Republic of Korea over time. Our findings can be used to recommend aeroallergens suitable for inclusion in skin prick test panels in the Republic of Korea and will facilitate further investigation of changes in the patterns of allergic diseases.
Allergens* ; Alnus ; Ambrosia ; Animals ; Artemisia ; Betula ; Cats ; Demography ; Fagus ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Mites ; Pollen ; Prospective Studies ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Secale ; Seoul ; Skin* ; Taraxacum

PURPOSE: To compare the variable inflammatory parameters of acute pyelonephritis patients treated with inpatient therapy at 13 hospitals, according to the age and gender distributions. MATERIALS AND MATHODS: A total of 3,544 medical records of patients with confirmed acute pyelonephritis, and admitted to hospital between January 2000 and December 2005, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 43.2+/-16.2 years old, with a male:female ratio of 1 : 5.1. The average duration of hospital admission was 7.9+/-5.3 days. Underlying diseases were found in 23.0% (749/3,252 patient), largely due to diabetes (35.1%). Radiological abnormal findings were found in 13.7%. The leukocyte count, ratio of segmented form, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), c-reactive protein, pyuria, positive blood culture, positive urine culture were 11,014+/-5,778/mm(3), 74.8+/-14.5%, 44.0+/-32.0 mm/hr, 12.4+/-9.3mg/dl, 83.9%, 10.5% and 46.7%, respectively. E. coli grow in 79% of the urine culture positive patients. In a comparison of 3 age groups (<40 years, 40-60 years, >61 years), the elderly patients had a greater number of underlying diseases and more pathogens in cultured blood. When divided into males and females, the elderly male patients had more pathogen in cultured urine, but contrary to the male patients, the elderly female patients had elevated leukocyte count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Also, the old patient group had more resistance to ampicillin when they had E. coli as the uropathogen (p=0.021). Patients with higher ESR required longer hospital admission periods. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that variable clinical parameters of acute pyelonephritis patients treated with inpatient therapy differed according to both gender and age group in Korea. Therefore, these factors should be taken into account in the treatment plan.
Aged ; Ampicillin ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Korea ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Medical Records ; Pyelonephritis* ; Pyuria ; Retrospective Studies