Spinal epidural abscesses were evaluated using Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 19 surgically and clinically confirmed cases, including 13 with tuberculous spondylitis and 6 with pyogenic spondylitis. We observed rim enhancement patterns in 10 patients and diffuse enhancement patterns in 9 patients. The spread patterns were localized to ventral or dorsal epidural space and encircled entire epidural space. We conclude that rim enhancement indicates abscess and diffuse enhancement indicates granulation tissue and fibrosis. Tuberculous epidural abscess spreads to ventral epidural space and pyogenic epidural abscess encircles entire epidural space.
Abscess ; Epidural Abscess* ; Epidural Space ; Fibrosis ; Granulation Tissue ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Spondylitis

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of MR characteristics of cystic acoustic neurinomas and to correlate with pathologic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the MR findings of 12 patients with cystic acoustic neurinomas. The signal intensity and enhancement pattern of the cystic components as well as the location relative to the tumors were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 30 cysts were found in 15 acoustic neurinomas;28 were intratumoral cysts and the remaining two were extratumoral cysts. The signal intensity of all 28 intratumoral cysts was higher than that of CSF on Tl-weighted images, and isointense to CSF on T2-weighted images, while the signal intensity of the two extratumoral cysts was same as CSF on both Tl-weighted and T2-weighted images. Rim enhancement was seen in 27 of 28 intratumoral cysts but in none of the two extratumoral cysts. CONCLUSION: We concluded that intratumoral cyst was due to tumoral necrosis, hemorrhage or degenerative change and extratumoral cyst due to secondary arachnoid cyst formation.
Acoustics* ; Arachnoid ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Neuroma, Acoustic* ; Retrospective Studies

The purpose of this study was to investigate recognition and buying practices of street-vended foods among college students in Chungbuk Area. A general dietary practices including snacks, related factors of buying street-vended foods were analyzed. The results showed that many students had irregular dietary habit, especially more than eighty percent of them skipped breakfast. More than sixty percent of students had frequent snacks. It was investigated that college students ate street-vended foods two or three times per week. The order of frequent choice of street-vended foods was rice cake with pasted red pepper(51.9%), sweet and sour pork(19.7%), sundae(5.7%). In microbiological examination, MPN of Coliform and CFU of standard plate count was over a standard value respectively, and acid value of frying oil revealed over value for maximum limitation point. Therefore, food and equipment in street-vended food store was evaluated as poor sanitation status. Most of college students have opinion that street-vended food store must be kept the line. In conclusion, nutrition education for college students should be required to protect them from unsafe street-vended foods.
Breakfast ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Education ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Sanitation ; Snacks

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of unilateral open-angle glaucoma, patients diagnosed with unilateral open-angle glaucoma from January 2017 to October 2018 were divided into primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma groups according to the type of glaucoma diagnosed. The glaucoma and the contralateral eyes were compared, and the contralateral eye was analyzed for conversion to glaucoma and its risk factors were assessed during the 2-year follow-up period. Among 99 patients, 36 were diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma and 63 with normal-tension glaucoma. When comparing the glaucoma eye with the contralateral eye, the visual field mean deviation value (all p<0.001), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (all p<0.001), macular ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness (p< 0.001, p=0.003), and optic nerve cup-disc ratio (p=0.005, p<0.001) were significantly different in both the primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma groups. In normal-tension glaucoma, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly thinner in the glaucoma conversion group than in the glaucoma non-conversion group (p=0.008). It was significantly associated with glaucoma conversion (odds ratio=0.97, p=0.023). In conclusion, in patients with unilateral open-angle glaucoma, the contralateral eye may develop glaucoma. In particular, if the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is decreased in normal-tension glaucoma, the possibility of glaucoma conversion is high; hence, careful examination is required.

To evaluate the clinical characteristics of unilateral open-angle glaucoma, patients diagnosed with unilateral open-angle glaucoma from January 2017 to October 2018 were divided into primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma groups according to the type of glaucoma diagnosed. The glaucoma and the contralateral eyes were compared, and the contralateral eye was analyzed for conversion to glaucoma and its risk factors were assessed during the 2-year follow-up period. Among 99 patients, 36 were diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma and 63 with normal-tension glaucoma. When comparing the glaucoma eye with the contralateral eye, the visual field mean deviation value (all p<0.001), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (all p<0.001), macular ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer thickness (p< 0.001, p=0.003), and optic nerve cup-disc ratio (p=0.005, p<0.001) were significantly different in both the primary open-angle glaucoma and normal-tension glaucoma groups. In normal-tension glaucoma, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly thinner in the glaucoma conversion group than in the glaucoma non-conversion group (p=0.008). It was significantly associated with glaucoma conversion (odds ratio=0.97, p=0.023). In conclusion, in patients with unilateral open-angle glaucoma, the contralateral eye may develop glaucoma. In particular, if the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is decreased in normal-tension glaucoma, the possibility of glaucoma conversion is high; hence, careful examination is required.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide a basis for non-humidified low flow oxygen by nasal cannula and to provide a guide for consistent care in nursing practice. METHODS: A methodological study on the development of guidelines with experts' opinions on collected items, framing PICO questions, evaluating and synthesizing texts which were searched with the key words (low flow oxygen, nasal cannula, humidification of oxygen, guideline) from web search engines. RESULTS: Of the 45 researched texts on the web, 9 texts relevant to the theme were synthesized and evaluated. All patients with humidified or non-humidified oxygen therapy reported that they had no discomfort. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there are no tangible grounds for patients' perceived differences between the humidified and non-humidified oxygen under 4L/min supplied by nasal cannula. with oxygen. Therefore, non-humidification oxygen therapy is strongly advised when suppling under 4L/min oxygen by nasal cannula (recommended grade A).
Catheters ; Humans ; Oxygen

Purpose: To compare the structural features of the optic nerve head (ONH) in moderate glaucoma patients with single-hemispheric and bi-hemispheric visual field (VF) defects. Methods: Patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and a VF mean deviation between -6 and -12 dB were retrospectively enrolled. Based on VF defect patterns, eyes were classified into two groups: those with single-hemispheric VF defects and those with bi-hemispheric VF defects. Structural features analyzed included Bruch’s membrane opening area, lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness, temporal β-zone parapapillary atrophy with and without Bruch's membrane (βPPA+BM, βPPA-BM, respectively), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Results: Out of 137 eyes from 124 patients, 80 eyes had single-hemispheric VF defects and 57 eyes had bi-hemispheric VF defects. The bi-hemispheric group exhibited longer axial length (p = 0.038), thinner central corneal thickness (p = 0.003), thinner LC (p < 0.001), and larger temporal βPPA+BM (p = 0.002) compared to the single-hemispheric group. Conclusions Among Korean OAG patients with moderate VF defects, those with bi-hemispheric VF defects showed more structurally vulnerable optic discs characterized by longer axial lengths, thinner central corneal thickness, thinner LC, and larger β PPA+BM compared to those with single-hemispheric VF defects. These findings underline the importance of evaluating ONH structures in monitoring glaucoma progression particularly in patients with extensive VF damage.

We report a case of a 44 year old femele with unilateral aldosterone-proudcing adrenal adenoma characterized by hypertension, plasma aldosterone excess, and low plasma renin, commonly but not invariably with hypokalemia. She also had asymmetric septal hypertrophy of left ventricle established with two-dimensional echocardiography. The electrocardiogram showed inverted T wave and prominent U wave with high QRS voltage on precordial leads. In the case of this patient, we are not sure whether asymmetric septal hypertrophy was caused by secondary hypertension and chronic aldosterone excess of primary aldosteronism, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy per se, so further long=term follow-up is required to determine it. Following the successful unilateral adrenalectomy, however, the systemic pressure fell down to the normal level and electrolyte abnormalities were corrected immediaterly within a few days and the modest regression in septal hypertrophy was noted in one year, suggesting that the promary aldosteronism contributes to the development or porgression of asymmetric septal hepertrophy.
Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Adult ; Aldosterone ; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Echocardiography ; Electrocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism* ; Hypertension ; Hypertrophy ; Hypokalemia ; Plasma ; Renin

BACKGROUND: Upregulation of one type of the pro-inflammatory chemokine (CCL2) and its receptor (CCR2) following peripheral nerve injury contributes to the induction of neuropathic pain. Here, we examined whether another type of chemokine (CCL3) is involved in neuropathic pain. METHODS: We measured changes in mechanical and thermal sensitivity in the hind paws of naive rats or rats with an L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) after intra-plantar injection of CCL3 or met-RANTES, an antagonist of the CCL3 receptor, CCR1. We also measured CCL3 levels in the sciatic nerve and the hind paw skin as well as CCR1 expression in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells from the lumbar spinal segments. RESULTS: Intra-plantar injection of CCL3 into the hind paw of naive rats mimicked L5 SNL-produced hyperalgesia. Intra-plantar injection of met-RANTES into the hind paw of rats with L5 SNL attenuated hyperalgesia. L5 SNL increased CCL3 levels in the sciatic nerve and the hind paw skin on the affected side. The number of CCR1-positive DRG cells in the lumbar segments was not changed following L5 SNL. CONCLUSIONS: Partial peripheral nerve injury increases local CCL3 levels along the degenerating axons during Wallerian degeneration. This CCL3 binds to its receptor, CCR1, located on adjacent uninjured afferents, presumably nociceptors, to induce hyperalgesia in the neuropathic pain state.
Animals ; Axons ; Chemokine CCL3 ; Chemokine CCL5 ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Ganglia, Spinal ; Hyperalgesia ; Ligation ; Neuralgia ; Nociceptors ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries ; Peripheral Nerves ; Rats ; Receptors, CCR1 ; Sciatic Nerve ; Skin ; Spinal Nerves ; Up-Regulation ; Wallerian Degeneration

Aloe is one of the leading products used in phytomedicine. Several cases of aloe-induced toxic hepatitis have been reported in recent years. However, its toxicology has not yet been systematically described in the literature. A 21-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with acute hepatitis after taking an aloe vera preparation for four weeks. Her history, clinical manifestation, laboratory findings, and histological findings all led to the diagnosis of aloe vera-induced toxic hepatitis. We report herein on a case of acute toxic hepatitis induced by aloe vera.
Adult ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase/blood ; Alkaline Phosphatase/blood ; Aloe/*chemistry/metabolism ; Drug-Induced Liver Injury/*diagnosis/etiology/pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Liver/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Plant Extracts/*adverse effects/*chemistry ; Splenomegaly/diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult