BACKGROUND: Although a number of indices of diastolic function based on transmitral flow have been proposed, no single factor seems to be adequate for seperating patients with normal from with abnormal diastolic functions. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography of pulmonary venous flow(PVF) is another non-invasive method to evaluate left ventricular diastolic performance. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the normal PVF pattern by TEE. METHOD: We performed pulsed-wave Doppler studies of the PVF and of the mitral flow by transesophageal-(TEE) and transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) in a healthy young adults. RESULTS: In TEE, all sublects showed four phases of the PVE pattern ; two antewgrade systolic phase(early and late : SE and SL), one antewgrade diastolic phase(D) and one retrograde diastolic phase(A). In TTE, there were three phases of the PVF pattern ; two antewgrade phase(systolic, diastolic) and one retrograde diastolic phase but we couldn't find out early systolic phase flow. Peak velocity of each phase of PVF was as follows:SE was 48.9+/-14.1cm/sec, SL was 56.3+/-16.1cm/sec, D was 52.6+/-14.9cm/sec. The timing of SL flow was correlated significantly with that of peak aortic flow(r=0.42, p=<0.01), while the timing of D flow and that of A flow were correlated significntly with timing of mitral E peak and A peak, respectively(r=0.84, p<0.01 ; r=0.80, p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In the young normal subject, PVF showed four phase of flow pattern and could be easily obtained by TEE. Furthermore it may be used for evaluation of left ventricular function.
Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Humans ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Young Adult*

BACKGROUND: The prompt and accurate diagnosis of acute aortic dissection is decisive for the prognosis of the patient, since an effective surgical and medical therapy can improve the high rate of mortality due to this pathology. Among the various diagnostic methods, transesophageal echocardiography can provide a rapid and accurate method of diagnosing and evaluating dissecting aortic aneurysm and permits prompt initiation of appropriate treatment. Thus we performed transesophageal echocardiography in patients supected to dissecting aortic aneurysm, as a preliminary examination, and now we reported the result. METHODS: We have studied 4 case of dissecting aortic aneurysms among the patient received examination of cardiovascular system by transesophageal echocardiography, since January 1991 at Keimyung University hospital. In these 4 cases, 3 cases had CT scan, 2 cases had MRI scan, and all cases had transthoracic echocardiography simultaneously as a adjuvant diagnostic method. RESULTS: All 4 cases could be promptly and accuratoly diagnosed and typed by transesophageal echocardiography. As a consequence, patients could receive the early medical treatment and good clinical results. CONCLUSION: Transesophageal echocardiography is fast, inexpensive and accurate method in diagnosis of dissecting aortic aneurysm. So we recommend transesophageal echocardiography, as a preliminary examination in case of suspecting dissecting aortic aneurysm.
Aortic Aneurysm* ; Cardiovascular System ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mortality ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Endocarditis*

Fat embolism syndrome is a serious complication that can occur after trauma or operation of the limbs. Clinical criteria are used for the diagnosis of fat embolism syndrome and sometimes radiologic findings are helpful. Fat embolism syndrome is known to occur less frequently in children than in adults, but there is an increased risk in children with connective tissue disease. However, there are only a few reported cases of fat embolism syndrome in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis which is the most common connective tissue disease in children. We report a case of fat embolism syndrome diagnosed in a 13-year-old boy with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which was treated with corticosteroid.
Adult ; Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid ; Child ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Embolism, Fat ; Extremities ; Humans

PURPOSE: Dyspnea is the cardinal symptom of asthma, but it is difficult to quantify clinically. Although modified Borg (mBorg) scale has been successfully used in adult, but there has been some difficulties to apply in children. Recently, Pediatric Dyspnea Scale (PDS) was adequately designed and has been widely used. The aim of this study is to compare 2 evaluating scales of dyspnea provoked by induced-bronchoconstriction in childhood asthma. METHODS: Seventy-three clinically suspected children with asthma were enrolled in this study. Each ‘fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO)’ was documented. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁), mBorg score and PDS score were recorded during methacholine provocation test. RESULTS: Mapping using canonical plot demonstrated global similarity between 2 scales with some distinctive features. Whereas mBorg score showed more diverse categories in low level of dyspnea, PDS score did in medium level of it. A distribution of dyspnea perception score at a 20% decrease in FEV₁ relative to baseline (PS₂₀), a perception score of dyspnea at 20% fall in FEV1 of 2 scales represented similar wide, biphasic feature. Statistical relevance was verified with spearman correlation (R(s)=0.903, P<0.001) and Bland-Altman analysis. PS₂₀ of both scores and FeNO had no statistical relationship. While relationship between PS20 by mBorg score and the concentration of methacholine at 20% fall in FEV₁ (PC₂₀) was not significant (R(s)=0.224, P=0.154), that between PS₂₀ by PDS and PC₂₀ was weak positive (R(s)=0.29, P=0.063). CONCLUSION: PDS had similar pattern to assess the dyspnea with the mBorg scale suggesting adequacy of PDS in evaluating pediatric clinical asthma. We expect these scales to help clinical practice in complementary ways.
Adult ; Asthma* ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Bronchoconstriction* ; Child* ; Dyspnea* ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Methacholine Chloride ; Nitric Oxide ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: There is currently no information regarding predisposing factors for chronic and recurrent rhinosinusitis (RS), although these are considered to be multifactorial in origin, and allergic diseases contribute to their pathogenesis. We evaluated the predisposing factors that may be associated with chronic and recurrent RS. METHODS: In this prospective study, we examined patients with RS younger than 13 years of age, diagnosed with RS at six tertiary referral hospitals in Korea between October and December, 2006. Demographic and clinical data related to RS were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 296 patients were recruited. Acute RS was the most frequent type: 56.4% of the patients had acute RS. The prevalences of other types of RS, in descending order, were chronic RS (18.9%), subacute RS (13.2%), and recurrent RS (11.5%). Factors associated with recurrent RS were similar to those of chronic RS. Patients with chronic and recurrent RS were significantly older than those with acute and subacute RS. The prevalences of allergic rhinitis, atopy, and asthma were significantly higher in patients with chronic and recurrent RS than those with acute and subacute RS. CONCLUSIONS: An association between atopy and chronic/recurrent RS, compared to acute and subacute RS, suggests a possible causal link.
Aluminum Hydroxide ; Asthma ; Carbonates ; Child ; Humans ; Korea ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; Tertiary Care Centers

A 29-month-old boy presented with fever, dyspnea, and paleness. He was initially diagnosed with pneumonia and severe sepsis. Although he was treated with intravenous antibiotics and high dose methylprednisolone, dyspnea and paleness recurred two times. Under suspicion of pulmonary hemosiderosis, we performed video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy and bronchoalveolar lavage on him and found hemosiderin-laden macrophages in both specimens. Despite thorough history and laboratory examination, we could not find any pathologic or serologic evidence for primary and secondary causes of pulmonary hemosiderosis except for one that indicating Heiner's syndrome. After taking oral prednisolone he showed improvement of anemia and dyspnea, which was maintained by milk avoidance. Based on the history and the existence of immunoglobulin G antibodies against milk components, we are considering it as the case of Heiner's syndrome.
Anemia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antibodies ; Biopsy ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Dyspnea ; Fever ; Hemosiderosis ; Immunoglobulin G ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Macrophages ; Methylprednisolone ; Milk ; Milk Hypersensitivity ; Pneumonia ; Prednisolone ; Sepsis

BACKGROUND: Atelectasis is a state of a collapsed and non-aerated region of the lung parenchyma, which is otherwise normal. This condition is usually associated with pulmonary disorders. The purpose of this study is to analyze the incidence and risk factors of atelectasis in patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and chest radiography of 280 PICU patients under 18 years old. We analyzed the incidence and pattern of atelectasis and compared the incidence according to the phase and mode of mechanical ventilation. We compared the incidence of ventilator care need and respiratory disease in 93 atelectasis patients. RESULTS: Atelectasis incidence was 33.2%. The age (4.9 +/- 4.4 years) was younger and the admission-duration (17.8 +/- 25.1 days) was significantly longer in atelectasis patients (p < 0.01). Ventilator care need and respiratory disease in atelectasis patients (86.0%, 66.7% respectively) was significantly higher than in non-atelectasis patients (62.6%, 43.3% respectively) (p < 0.01). Atelectasis incidence in ventilator-required patients and respiratory-diagnosed patients (40.6%, 43.4% respectively) was significantly higher than that in non ventilator-required patients and non respiratory-diagnosed patients (15.7%, 22.6% respectively) (p < 0.01). Atelectasis was more common in the right upper lobe (55.6%) and during or after ventilator care (62.6%) (p < 0.05). Atelectasis incidence in ventilator care did not differ between the assist-control and intermittent mandatory ventilation modes. CONCLUSIONS: In the PICU, atelectasis incidence was higher in patients with ventilator care and respiratory disease. Atelectasis was more common in the right upper lobe and in the phase after ventilator initiation. Atelectasis incidence in ventilator care did not differ between ventilation modes.
Humans ; Incidence ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Lung ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thorax ; Ventilation ; Ventilators, Mechanical

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to analyze the factors associated with mortality and complication in children requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in a pediatric intensive care unit. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 96 patients who required CRRT at a pediatric intensive care unit in Seoul National University Hospital between April 2005 and April 2011. We evaluated the clinical features, diagnosis, mortality risk factors and complications related to CRRT. RESULTS: Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyze the mortality risk factors of patients requiring CRRT. The overall mortality was 56.3%, the median age was 8 years, and the ages ranged from 4 days to 22 years. The median weight of the patients was 7.9 kg, and the weights ranged from 3.6-72.9 kg. 16 patients were diagnosed with primary renal disease, and the remainder with other underlying diseases. Mortality was higher in children who received stem cell transplantation and in children with a diagnosis of imunologic disease and neurologic disease. The Pediatric Risk of Mortality (PRISM) III score at initiating CRRT was 17.8 +/- 8.9 and the degree of fluid overload at CRRT (FO%) was 12.9 +/- 16.0. The PRISM III score at the start of CRRT and low uric acid level were the factors associated with an increased risk of mortality. Of the 96 children, 13 (13.53%) presented problems of venous catheterization. Hypotension during connection to CRRT was detected in 28 patients (29.2%). Clinically significant hemorrhage occurred in 10 patients (10.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Children who require CRRT have a high mortality rate. The higher score of PRISM III at the starting time of CRRT and the lower uric acid level are the factors associated with a higher mortality. The most frequent complication of CRRT was hypotension on connection to CRRT.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Child ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Critical Care ; Intensive Care Units ; Multivariate Analysis ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Uric Acid ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND: Test for Respiratory and Asthma Control in Kids (TRACK) questionnaires were developed and validated in various languages to monitor respiratory control in preschool-aged children. We aimed to assess the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the TRACK questionnaire. METHODS: We administered the linguistically validated TRACK questionnaires to caregivers of asthmatic preschool children on two separate visits 4–6 weeks apart. Each physician graded the level of the guideline-based asthma control, assessed the timing of symptoms, and adjusted the therapeutic level at each visit. RESULTS: A total of 137 children were enrolled in the study. Cronbach's alpha was 0.65 for a questionnaire as a whole. The test-retest reliability was 0.72. The median TRACK scores were significantly different between asthma control status categories, with the lowest scores in children classified as poorly controlled and the highest in the well-controlled group (P < 0.001). They were different among groups classified according to the physician adjusted therapeutic levels, with the lowest values in children prescribed step-up therapy (P < 0.001), and according to the recency of respiratory symptoms (P < 0.001). Finally, the changes in TRACK scores between visits were highest in subjects showing improved control, followed by unchanged, and worsened control. When we applied the traditional cut-off of 80 for a well-controlled condition, a sensitivity of 75.6% and a specificity of 70.9% were calculated. CONCLUSION: The Korean translated version of the TRACK questionnaire is valid and reliable to assess respiratory and asthma control in Korean preschool children with asthma symptoms.
Asthma* ; Caregivers ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Reproducibility of Results* ; Sensitivity and Specificity