PURPOSE: To evaluate the stability of corneal endothelial cells after ICL (implantable contact lens) implantation. METHODS: Retrospective review of 50 eyes were subjected to implantation of ICL by one surgeon from December 2003 to April 2008. During the follow-up period, the number of eyes with regular follow-up decreased and remained at 18 eyes at the time of a three-year follow-up. Patients were examined preoperatively and at one, three, and six months and one, two, and three years postoperatively. The main outcome measures were the change in corneal endothelial cell density (CD), coefficient of variation (CV), and hexagonality (HA). This analysis was done in all eyes and especially in the 18 eyes with regular follow-up for three years and 11 eyes with changes in CV and HA corresponding to the normal endothelial wound healing process for three years. RESULTS: Corneal endothelial CD, CV, and HA were not significantly changed compared with their preoperative values throughout the three-year follow-up period for all eyes. In the early postoperative period, there was a slight decrease in CD, but it increased after the second year of follow-up (range: -3.12%~+2.84%); there was a slight increase in CV, but it decreased after the six-month follow-up (-6.63%~+5.56%); and there was a slight decrease in HA, but it increased after the three-month follow-up (range: -0.88%~10.64%). Similarly, there were no significant changes in corneal endothelial cell density in the 18 eyes with regular follow-up or the 11 eyes with changes in CV and HA corresponding to normal endothelial wound healing process for three years. CONCLUSIONS: The results show stability of corneal endothelial cells after ICL implantation.
Endothelial Cells ; Eye ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Postoperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Wound Healing

PURPOSE: Although neonatal intensive care and development of obstetrics play a role in improving survival rate in prematurity, cerebral palsy (CP) is still one of the neurologic sequelae. We tried to find what kinds of risk factors in the patients with abnormal neurosonographic findings who developed CP later. This study was performed to predict early enough who will develop CP later and to treat rapidly for rehabilitation. METHODS: The one hundred and forty one infants with intraventricular hemorrhage, cyst, or abnormal increased periventricular echodensity in serial neurosonographic findings were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Gil general hospital from January 1992 to December 1994. Neurosonographic findings in CP group and non-CP group during postpartum 18 months to 54 months were analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: 1) 18 of one hundred and forty one cases with abnormal neurosonographic findings developed CP. The duration of mechanical ventilation of the CP group was 11.6+/-16.1 days. It is significantly shorter than that of the control group (non-CP group : 2.2+/-7.0 day). The duration of oxygen therapy in the CP group was 22.4+/-19.2 days. Which is also significantly shorter than that of the control group (non-CP group : 5.4+/-8.4 day) (P<0.01). 2) Increased periventricular echodensity and the size of the cyst in neurosonographic findings in the CP group is significantly different from those of the non-CP group P<0.01). 3) In CP group (N=18), Increased periventricular echodensity and cyst formation were located most commonly in the parietal region. 4) The grade of the intraventricular hemorrhage in the CP group was significantly different from that in the non-CP group (P<0.01). 5) The neurosonographic findings give the diagnostic accuracy for predicting CP. CONCLUSIONS: We studied the relationship of the abnormal neurosonographic findings, CP, and associated risk factors. In review, By using neurosonographic examination the risk of the development of CP could be predicted, and by early diagnosis of CP the quality of the life of CP-patient could be better.
Cerebral Palsy* ; Early Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Obstetrics ; Oxygen ; Postpartum Period ; Rabeprazole ; Rehabilitation ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate

The diaphragm is especially important in sustaining minute ventilation in the neonate. Consequently, diaphragmatic paralysis is not tolerated well by the neonate and often results in prolonged respiratory failure. We experienced a case of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis with the brachial plexus palsy in a male newborn infant who presented with apnea and cyanosis due to birth asphyxia. After endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilaton was started. At two weeks after therapy, chest X-ray showed atelectasis and elevation of the right hemidiaphragm. The diagnosis of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis was confirmed by real-time ultrasonography. At 4 weeks old, after several unsuccessful attempts at weaning from ventilatory support, right hemidiaphragm was plicated. On the second postoperative day, he could be weaned from ventiatory support without difficulty. He was doing well at follow-up 3 months later.
Apnea ; Asphyxia ; Brachial Plexus* ; Cyanosis ; Diagnosis ; Diaphragm ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Male ; Paralysis* ; Parturition ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Respiratory Paralysis* ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography ; Ventilation ; Weaning

We report a case of suspicious neurofibromatosis associated with multiple spinal tumors with dual pathology. The patient was a 16-year-old girl who had developed progressive paraparesis for 6 months. She had cafe-au-lait spots and multiple subcutaneous nodule. Magnetic resonance(MR) imaging of the lumbar spine had shown dumbbell-shape spinal tumor at L1-2. The tumor had been removed successfully at the local hospital. But, she had got worse to paraplegia. Postoperative MR image of the whole spine had revealed multiple spinal tumors at T3-4, T6-7, C2-3, C7-T1. She underwent 3 additional operations to remove the compressive lesions. Histopathologic findings documented 3 schwannomas and 2 meningiomas. She improved dramatically and was discharged from the hospital. Subsequent MR images of the whole spine revealed numerous small spinal tumors around the spinal cord and cauda quina.
Adolescent ; Cafe-au-Lait Spots ; Female ; Humans ; Meningioma* ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibromatoses ; Paraparesis ; Paraplegia ; Pathology ; Spinal Cord ; Spine

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate the variables predicting violent behavior in schizophrenic patients. METHODS: Subjects were 65 schizophrenic patients diagnosed according to DSM-IV. Schizophrenic symptom and the insight of patients were evaluated with the Postive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Scale of Unawareness of Mental Disorder (SUMD). Violent behaviors were evaluated with the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). The State Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI) and the Symptom Checklist-90-Reversion (SCL-90-R) self-reported measures were used for the evaluation of anger state & trait, and general psychopathology. Statistic method used in analized variables were stepwise multiple regression and discriminant analysis as well as t-test. RESULTS: Anger out style, hostility and trait anger variables were extracted as the significant predictors in stepwise multiple regression (37%). Emotion and attitude factors related to anger were more powerful predictor than symptom factors. These three variables could discriminate between violent group and nonviolent group in 72.4%. CONCLUSION: Violent behavior of schizophrenic patients could be predicted more accurately by stable factors such as attitude and emotion related to anger than by symptom factors.
Aggression ; Anger ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Factor VII ; Hostility ; Humans ; Mental Disorders ; Psychopathology ; Schizophrenia

We studied the incidence and results of treatment of secondary hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital. Nineteen hundred fifty patients with hypertension were included from march 1990 to march 1994. We analysed the prevalence of secondary hypertension and results of treatment. The incidence of secondary hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital was six percent. The most common underlying causes of secondary hypertension was renal parenchymal disease. Patients with three forms of potentially reversible secondary hypertension, namely, renovascular hypertension, endocrine disease, exogenous hormone, were assed to determine whether surgery or withdrawal of the exogenous hormane had led to an improvement in blood pressure control. The incidence of secondary hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital was low(6%), but some of these are curable. Thus it is very inportant that evaluate the secondary hypertension.
Blood Pressure ; Endocrine System Diseases ; Equidae ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Incidence ; Prevalence

No abstract available.
Craniocerebral Trauma* ; Head* ; Humans ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the effect of Rapid Streptococcal Screening Test (RSST) results on the use of antibiotics for patients with sore throat in the ER setting and the effect of education about Centor criteria for primary physicians on the use of antibiotics. METHODS: Between June 2008 and January 2009, we recruited 786 patients with sore throat who visited our emergency center. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to the RSST. Centor scores and antibiotic usage were assessed. Primary physicians were educated about Centor scoring and RSST. We analyzed the use of antibiotics to evaluate the effect of education on Centor scoring and RSST. RESULTS: RSST results significantly correlated with antibiotic usage for the RSST done on a group of patients with sore throat (p<0.001). Education of primary physicians regarding Centor scoring reduced the use of antibiotics (p<0.001) for the low risk group of patients (Centor scores<3). The use of antibiotics for the high risk group (Centor scores> or =3) was not significantly reduced (p=0.6394) after education regarding Centor criteria. CONCLUSION: The use of an RSS test and education of primary physicians will reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics by patients and will result in appropriate use of antibiotics for patients who need antibiotics.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Pharyngitis ; Streptococcal Infections

PURPOSE: Infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) represents approximately 10% of all breast cancers. Its detection and staging for appropriate surgical planning may be difficult on account of its unique growth pattern, including a linear file arrangement of the tumor cells and a planar growth pattern and the resulting low density of the lesions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features of an ILC of the breast including multifocality, the preoperative accuracy of the pathological diagnostic tools, and its impact on the surgical procedure. METHODS: Between 1997 and 2003 at the Asan Medical Center, a group of 63 patients with a pathologically proven invasive lobular carcinoma who had undergone surgery were included. They were all in stage I~III, and their medical records, mammographic and sonographic results, and pathologic findings were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients with a mean age of 48 years (range 35 to 70), multifocal lesions were identified in 27.0% by a pathological examination. For a preoperative evaluation of a multifocal lesion, the sensitivity and positive prediction value were 21.4% and 50% by mammography, and 92.9% and 52.0% by ultrasonography, respectively. Only 27.0% of all patients were confirmed as having an ILC preoperatively; surgical excision or incision biopsies 75%, core-needle biopsy 36.4%, frozen biopsy 22.7%, FNA 5.9%. Conservative surgery was performed in only 14.3% and a mastectomy was performed on 85.5%. The mean tumor size was 3.0 cm, and according to the TNM stage, stage I was found in 22.2%, stage II in 58.7%, stage III in 19.1%. ER-positive was found in 83.9% and PR-positive was found in 74.2%. Seven out of 11 patients, who underwent the planed conserving surgery, had a positive resection margin, 1 case had re- excision, 2 cases underwent mastectomies, and 4 cases underwent radiation therapy without additional surgery. CONCLUSION: Since invasive lobular carcinomas have more often multifocal lesions and a preoperative accurate evaluation may be difficult pathologically or radiologically, a careful evaluation of the accurate tumor extent as well as the multifocal lesion is needed particularly for patients with an ILC considering conserving surgery.
Biopsy ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Lobular* ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Mammography ; Mastectomy ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: This paper compares a RSS (Rapid Streptococcal Screening) detection test with a throat culture. The RSS detection kit is an easier and faster way to identify the infection of Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (GABHS), the most common causal agent of acute bacterial pharyngitis. We also examine the clinical symptoms that are associated with bacterial pharyngitis. METHODS: A throat culture and a RSS detection test were performed simultaneously to all 239 patients who were suspected of having acute pharyngitis, and visited the emergency department between September 1st, 2002, and June 30th, 2003. Then the values of the RSS detection test were analyzed comparatively on a chi square test. The correlation between Centor criteria clinical features and bacterial pharyngitis was examined through a logic regression test. RESULTS: Comparative analysis of the results of a throat culture and RSS detection test showed a test sensitivity of 83.6%, specificity was 97.2%, and the kappa coefficient was 0.83 (95% C.I: 0.75~0.91). This suggests that the RSS detection test is valuable statistically. CONCLUSION: The RSS detection test is more accurate than the diagnosis of bacterial pharyngitis based on clinical features. Assuming that all patients with acute pharyngitis take antibiotics, an RSS detection test reduce of unnecessary antibiotics use.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Logic ; Pharyngitis ; Pharynx ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Streptococcal Infections ; Streptococcus