Though basal cell carcinoma is the most frequent and increasing malignant tumor of the skin in Korea, its pathological analysis has been done only on the small numbers. So, we did a comprehensive pathologic study on the 283 patients with basal cell carcinoma diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, Seoul National(233cases) and Chung-Ang(50cases) University Hospital during 1975-1992. The age distribution was ranged from 15 to 84 years with highest incidence rate in the age group of 5th-8th decades and 83.7% of all patients were over 40 years of age. Sex difference was not noted. The most common site was face occuring in 235 out of 283cases(83.0%) especially in the eyelid(25.5%), nose(17.9%) and cheek(16.6%). The most frequent histopathologic type was solid type(54.0%) followed by mixed(23.9%), adenoid(7.5%), and metatypical(4.7%). Among 51 mixed type, all showed solid components with adenoid(51.0%) followed by morphea(25.5%) and metatypical type(13.7%). And among 14 recurrent cases, solid type is found in 50% of cases. The characteristic clinicopathological findings are solid arrangement of tumor cells with various histological pattern and predominant occurence on the face.
Incidence

Objectives: This study was conducted to develop a generalizable annotation tool for bilingual complex clinical text annotation, which led to the design and development of a clinical text annotation tool, ANNO. Methods: We designed ANNO to enable human annotators to support the annotation of information in clinical documents efficiently and accurately. First, annotations for different classes (word or phrase types) can be tagged according to the type of word using the dictionary function. In addition, it is possible to evaluate and reconcile differences by comparing annotation results between human annotators. Moreover, if the regular expression set for each class is updated during annotation, it is automatically reflected in the new document. The regular expression set created by human annotators is designed such that a word tagged once is automatically labeled in new documents. Results: Because ANNO is a Docker-based web application, users can use it freely without being subjected to dependency issues. Human annotators can share their annotation markups as regular expression sets with a dictionary structure, and they can cross-check their annotated corpora with each other. The dictionary-based regular expression sharing function, cross-check function for each annotator, and standardized input (Microsoft Excel) and output (extensible markup language [XML]) formats are the main features of ANNO. Conclusions With the growing need for massively annotated clinical data to support the development of machine learning models, we expect ANNO to be helpful to many researchers.

OBJECTIVES: Through telehealth, medical services have expanded beyond spatial boundaries and are now available in living spaces outside of hospitals. It can also contribute to patient medical knowledge improvement because patients can access their hospital records and data from home. However, concepts of telehealth are rather vague in Korea. METHODS: We refer to several clinical reports to determine the current clinical status of and obstacles to telehealth in Korea. RESULTS: Patients' health conditions are now reported regularly to doctors remotely, and patients can receive varied assistance. Self-improvement based on minute details that are beyond medical staff's reach is another possible benefit that may be realized with the help of a variety of medical equipment (sensors). The feasibility, clinical effect, and cost-benefit of telehealth have been verified by scientific evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients will be able to improve their treatment adherence by receiving help from various professionals, such as doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and sports therapists. This means that the actual treatment time per patient will increase as well. Ultimately, this will increase the quality of patients' self-administration of care to impede disease progression and prevent complications.
Disease Progression ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Korea* ; Nutritionists ; Remote Consultation ; Sports ; Telecommunications ; Telemedicine*

Cytologic findings from five cases with variable types of Hodgkin's disease were reviewed with special emphasis on the Reed-Sternberg (R-S) cells and their variants, Typical R-S and Hodgkin's cells were mono- or binucleated, and nuclei had rounded smooth con- tour. Acidophilic prominent nucleoli with perinucleolar halo were conspicuous. In comparison to typical Reed-Sternberg cells, L & H (lymphocytic and histiocytic) cells in the lymphocyte predominant type tended to show pop-corn like irregular nuclear contour and to lack the prominent nucleoli. Lacunar cells in the nodular sclerosis type had multilobated nuclei with prominent acidophilic nucleoli. There was no prominent perinucleolar halo in L & H and lacunar cells. In conjuction with the number of Reed-Sternberg cells and back ground findings observed on the smears, the characteristic features of R-S cells and their variants allowed to make typing of Hodgkin's disease.
Epidemiologic Studies* ; Hodgkin Disease ; Lymphocytes ; Multiple Myeloma ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Reed-Sternberg Cells ; Sclerosis

PURPOSE: This is to examine the neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants by Korean infant developmental screening test. METHODS: 29 VLBW infants and 39 normal term infants, at their corrected age of 1 to 3 years, were included for the study. Risk factors which influence neurodevelopmental outcomes were analyzed. RESULT: The mean levels of developmental quotients for VLBW infants were lower than those of term infants (P<0.001); gross motor 99.3+/-27.28 vs. 121.3+/-19.08, fine motor 95.9+/-27.22 vs. 118.3+/-17.77, social-personality 100.2+/-28.01 vs. 126.3+/-21.31, language 99.5+/-27.34 vs. 120.1+/-18.82, cognitive-adaptive 101.4+/-28.60 vs. 122.7+/-19.59, and total developmental quotient is 99.3+/-27 vs. 121.7+/-19.18. Nevertheless, the mean levels of the individual developmental quotients for VLBW infants were in normal range. There were five VLBW infants (17%) those who scored lower than 80, also showed neurologic sequelae. The infants who had the more risk factors during hospitalization scored the less developmental quotient (R(2)=0.35, P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Although the mean levels of the individual developmental quotient for VLBW infants, assessed by Korean infant developmental screening test, were lower than those of term infants, they are in normal range.
Child ; Child Development* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight* ; Mass Screening* ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors

Ultrasound is over 20 khz, which represents the upper frequency limit of human hearing. Acoustic vibrations are generated when piezoelectric materials on the thin disc-shaped transducers expand and contract. Although low frequency ultrasound devices have been used widely in the dermatologic area for a long time, the mechanism and side effects have been overlooked. A low-frequency ultrasound device has many benefits on the cosmetic dermatology area by thermal effect, vibration effect, and increase of transdermal delivery of lipophilic drugs or cosmetics. However, there have been reports of dermatitis, dyspnea, dizziness, and burns after treatment with ultrasound. Therefore, the use of this device should be under a doctor's supervision.
Acoustics ; Burns ; Contracts ; Cosmetics ; Dermatitis ; Dermatology ; Dizziness ; Dyspnea ; Hearing ; Humans ; Organization and Administration ; Transducers ; Ultrasonics ; Vibration

Korea experienced an unprecedented national level disaster caused by the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in the first half of 2015. Because of the secretiveness of the government and the insufficiency of the nation's quarantine system, Korea could not effectively respond to the MERS coronavirus (CoV) outbreak. Many people suffered huge losses across most sectors, and medical clinics were no exception. Now the Korean Government and many professionals are discussing the matter of compensation. This study aimed to provide evidence for the necessity of compensation support. We conducted a questionnaire survey of the level of economic damage over the course of a month. The financial loss rate of medical clinics that experienced MERS damage has decreased by more than half over the previous year. The total financial loss of 48 medical clinics was about 1.6 billion Korean won (KRW) based on insurance benefits and 3.4 billion KRW based on sales. Due to the spreading of the MERS-CoV outbreak after May 20, 2015 in Korea, the loss rate in June was much higher than that in May or July. In July, the financial position tended to be restored to more than half of that in June but had not fully recovered to the level prior to the MERS-CoV outbreak. As most of the population, including professionals, perceive that the government is liable for damages from the MERS-CoV outbreak, the authorities concerned should prepare a compensation and redress plan. Furthermore, we expect our study to be used as good evidence for a redress plan for medical clinics damaged by the MERS-CoV outbreak.
Commerce ; Compensation and Redress ; Coronavirus Infections ; Coronavirus* ; Disasters ; Insurance Benefits ; Korea* ; Middle East* ; Quarantine

To evaluate the clinical utility of Tc-99m MIBI scan in the detection of residual thyroid tissue or metastatic lesion in postoperative thyroid cancer patients, we compared Tc-99m MIBI scan with I-131 diagnostic and therapeutic scan in 30 postoperative well-differentiated thyroid cancer patients. Thyroglobulin levels of both on and off thyroid hormone medication and antithyroglobulin antibody were tested [Tg(on), Tg(off)l Positive rates for I-131 diagnostic and Tc-99m MIBI scan were 81% and 68% respectively. Concordance between I-131 diagnostic and Tc-99m MIBI scan was observed in 15 cases; 12 positive and 3 negative respectively Among the 6 cases with negative I-131 diagnostic scan and positive Tc-99m MIBI scan, 4 were positive in the therapeutic I-131 scan. We concluded that Tc-99m MIBI scan maybe a useful complementary modality to the currently established method of I131 scan and serum thyroglobulin level in the detection of recurrent or metastatic thyroid cancer, especially in the case of negative I-131 diagnostic scan.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

To evaluate the utility of I-131, T1-201 scintigraphy, and serum thyroglobulin(Tg) in the follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer, we compared retrospectively the data from 33 patients who underwent total or subtotal thyroidectomy. I-131 scintigraphy was performed after optimal endogenous TSH stimulation (TSH>50microgram/ml). Total 41 cases of I-l3l and T1-201 scintigraphy pairs were examined. Concomitant serum thyroglobulin levels were measured for 41 pairs of scan. Tg-off levels(that measured after discontinuation of the thyroid hormone) higher than 40ng/ml were considered positive, and Tg-on levels(that measured during the thyroid hormone replacement) higher than 5ng/ml were considered positive. The concordance rates between I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy and T1-201 scintigraphy was 48% in the 38 case of total scan pairs(59% in the 17 cases of postoperative preablation group, and 38% in the 21 cases of postoperative postablation group), Of 17 studies before the I-131 ablation therapy (preablation group), 7 showed positive I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy despite of negative T1-201 scintigraphy. Among patients with negative I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy, no patients had abnormal T1-201 uptake. However, of 21 studies which were done after radioiodine therapy(postablation group) 6 had abnormal uptake on T1-201 scintigraphy which were not seen on I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy, and Tg-off levels also elevated in this 4 of 6 cases. As a result, I-131 therapeutic scintigraphy showed highest positive rate at postoperative preablation follow-up study in differentiated thyroid cancer patients. T1-201 scintigraphy may be useful in postablation studies, and the use of the combined modalities(T1-201 and Tg levels) provides a higher diagnostic yield.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroglobulin* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is known as a common symptom of several organic and psychological disorders. Although medically unexplained CWP (MUE) has lots of clinical distress symptoms, there were no distinct symptoms or signs. Therefore, we conducted this study to investigate clinical distress symptoms of MUE distinct from those of medically explained CWP (ME). METHODS: One hundred nine patients with CWP were enrolled in the study. We classified the study subjects into three groups depending on their medical problems associated with CWP: organic group (ORG), psychological group (PSY), and MUE. All subjects were asked to fill out self-report questionnaires consisting of clinical distress scales including the Korean version of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ-K), fatigue scale, depression scale, and stress scale. And physicians examined 18 tender points over their entire body of the subjects. RESULTS: MUE patients had higher FIQ-K and fatigue severity scores than ORG patients (all P < 0.05). The average number of tender points were 11.33 in MUE patients, 6.48 in ORG patients and 5.02 in PSY patients and statistically significant (P < 0.0001). There were no statistically different factors between MUE and PSY patients with exception for the number of tender points. Depressive symptom was the highest in PSY patients but not statistically different from MUE patients. CONCLUSION: MUE patients had higher physical impairments, fatigue severity and more number of tender points than ORG patients, but had no different clinical characteristics from PSY patients except for the number of tender points.
Chronic Pain ; Depression ; Fatigue ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic ; Fibromyalgia ; Humans ; Primary Health Care ; Weights and Measures