PURPOSE: While the use of coupling material (CM) during defibrillation is known to decrease transthoracic impedance more so than other materials elsewhere, the situation in Korea is unclear. The study assessed the use of paddleskin CM during defibrillation in South Korean emergency institutes (EIs) and measured the impedances. METHODS: From October 15 to October 19, 2009, 112 EIs (all of regional emergency medical centers (EMCs), specialized care centers, and local EMCs) were surveyed. Institute members were queried about their current use of paddleskin CMs during defibrillation. Indications for use were studied by means of a World Wide Web search, descriptions on the CM packaging, and telephone conversations with CM manufacturers and related people. Impedance measurements were recorded from April 13 to August 3, 2009. RESULTS: During defibrillation, 27 different CMs were used in the 108 EIs. Only nine institutes used CMs directly for defibrillation. Impedence of nine CMs could not be measured. The impedance values were 1.69, 1.71, 2.00, and 6.12 ohm for four CMs used for defibrillation; 6.66 and 11.94 ohm for two CMs used for electrodes; 9.71, 9.82, 11.57, 13.68, 13.89, 14.36, 18.31, and 19.66 ohm for eight CMs used for ultrasonography; and 14.05, 17.71, 35.44, and 41.15 ohm for four other CMs. CONCLUSION: More education and public information about the use of CMs for defibrillation are needed.
Academies and Institutes ; Cardiography, Impedance ; Electric Countershock ; Electric Impedance ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Internet ; Korea ; Product Packaging ; Republic of Korea ; Telephone

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory arthritis associated with psoriasis. There are no generally accepted diagnostic criteria for PsA. Indeed, the diagnosis of this inflammatory arthritis is made by exclusion of other possible diseases and based upon immunologic, radiologic, and clinical features which are consistent with the diagnosis. Inflammatory arthritis in a patient with psoriasis can be an important clue for the diagnosis of PsA, but the possibility for diagnosis of other inflammatory arthritides ever remains. Herein we report a case of a female patient who was not diagnosed with PsA, but with rheumatoid arthritis, even though she had psoriasis.
Adult ; Arthritis/classification/*diagnosis/*immunology ; Arthritis, Psoriatic/classification/*diagnosis/*immunology ; Bone and Bones/radiography/radionuclide imaging ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Skin/pathology

Hormone therapy for peri- and postmenopausal women is widely used for relieving vasomotor symptoms or preventing osteoporosis. Even though exogenous hormone is the most common cause of vaginal bleeding in postmenopausal women under hormone therapy, in clinical practice, physicians must never exclude the possibility of endometrial disorders, such as endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. Taking thorough medical history and performing physical and pelvic examinations are essential for the evaluation of abnormal uterine bleeding in menopausal hormone therapy. Transvaginal ultrasonography, endometrial aspiration biopsy, dilatation and curettage, and hysteroscopy are the options which physicians may use. This case is about a woman with continuous combined hormone therapy for 5 years who had experienced rather sudden onset of vaginal spotting lasting for several months and was finally diagnosed as having malignant mixed Mullerian tumor. Our purpose is to inquire into the proper approaching steps for vaginal bleeding in menopausal hormone therapy.
Biopsy, Needle ; Dilatation and Curettage ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; Female ; Gynecological Examination ; Humans ; Hysteroscopy ; Metrorrhagia ; Osteoporosis ; Uterine Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: Headache is a common disorder in childhood and adolescence and frequently associated with emotional or psychological problems. In this study we studied behavioral and psychological characteristics of recurrent headache patients. METHODS: We evaluated 120 patients over 9 years old with headache who visited Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital. 33 patients who didn't have headache were included in the control group. Diagnosis was confirmed according to ICHD-2 classification and KCBCL, TAIC, CDI, and SAIC were conducted in all participants. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 0.7:1 in the study group and 1.1:1 in the control group and the mean age was 11.5+/-2.1 and 12.6+/-2.0 years old respectively. 73.3% of patients were migraine and 26.7% were tension type headache. The mean of KCBCL total scores was 56.2 in the migraine group, 54.0 in the tension type headache group, and 38.3 in the control group and the score was higher in the headache group(P<0.001). The means of internalizing and externalizing scores were 59.8 and 54.1 in the migraine group, 57.4 and 51.3 in the tension headache group, and 40.1 and 42.4 in the control group respectively and the scores were higher in the headache group(P<0.001). The mean scores of SAIC and TAIC were 36.3 and 33.6 in the migraine group, 36.3 and 34.6 in the tension type headache group, and 25.3 and 26.9 in the control group respectively and the scores were higher in the headache group(P<0.001). The mean scores of CDI were 14.9 in the migraine group, 14.5 in the tension type headache group, and 9.1 in the control group and the scores were higher in the headache group(P=0.002). CONCLUSION: The patients with recurrent headache showed statistically significant higher scores in CBCL total, internalizing, and externalizing scores, SAIC, TAIC, and CDI in comparison with the control group.
Adolescent ; Child ; Female ; Headache ; Heart ; Humans ; Male ; Migraine Disorders ; Stress, Psychological ; Tension-Type Headache

Kikuchi-Fujimoto's disease (KFD), or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, is a rare benign and self-limiting disease. KFD are confused with systemic autoimmune disease as they present with localized lymphadenopathy, fever, fatigue, arthritis, leukopenia. Furthermore as KFD can occur associated with other autoimmune disease, we need to diagnose carefully. Here, we describe a case of 27-year-old female patient, diagnosed as KFD, who subsequently developed adult onset Still's disesase (AOSD). As far as we know, this is the first case of KFD with AOSD in Korea.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans

Antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by recurrent arterial or venous thrombosis, and pregnancy loss. A 57-year-old woman was admitted for aggravation of both leg ulcers. Venogram showed chronic venous obstructions at both lower extremities, and chest x-ray and computed tomography revealed serositis in pericardium and pleura. The laboratory tests revealed pancytopenia, and positive tests for antinuclear antibody, anti-dsDNA antibody, lupus anticoagulant and anticardiolipin antibody, which led to a diagnosis of antiphospholipid syndrome secondary to systemic lupus erythematous. After medical treatments by anticoagulation and immunosuppression, and surgical managements including subtotal skin graft and local flap surgery, leg ulcers had been successfully treated without recurrence. Recognition of antiphospholipid syndrome as a cause of venous ulcer and the treatment plans including anticoagulation and surgical management is important in proper managements.
Antibodies, Anticardiolipin ; Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Antiphospholipid Syndrome* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Leg Ulcer* ; Leg* ; Lower Extremity ; Lupus Coagulation Inhibitor ; Middle Aged ; Pancytopenia ; Pericardium ; Pleura ; Pregnancy ; Recurrence ; Serositis ; Skin ; Thorax ; Transplants ; Varicose Ulcer ; Venous Thrombosis

The calcinosis, dystrophic soft tissue calcification, occurs in damaged or devitalized tissues normal calcium/phosphorus metabolism. It is the subcutaneous tissues of connective tissues disease ?primarily systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, or dermatomyositis - and may involve a relatively localized area. The calcinotic accumulations may result in muscle atrophy, joint contractures, and skin ulceration complicated by recurrent episodes of local inflammation and infection. Calcinosis may be the source of both pain and disability in connective tissue disease patients. While various therapeutic modality have been used, no treatment has convincingly prevented or reduced calcinosis. We report two cases of calcinosis cutis combined with rheumatic disease.
Calcinosis* ; Connective Tissue ; Connective Tissue Diseases ; Contracture ; Dermatomyositis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Joints ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Metabolism ; Muscular Atrophy ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Skin Ulcer ; Subcutaneous Tissue

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is becoming one of the common malignant tumors worldwide, and it is characterized by its high vascularity. Caveolin is the major structural protein in caveolae, which are small omega-shaped invaginations within the plasma membrane. Caveolin has been implicated in mitogenic signaling, oncogenesis and angiogenesis. The expression of caveolin-1 and -2 in HCC and its potential relationship with angiogenesis has not been examined. METHODS: Paraffin sections of 35 HCC specimens were immunostained with caveolin-1, caveolin-2, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and CD34 antibodies. In addition, the expression of caveolin-1 and -2 mRNA in HCC was examined. The relationship between the radiological findings and the number of unpaired arteries and microvessel density (MVD) was also investigated. RESULTS: Caveolin-1 and -2 were expressed in the sinusoidal endothelial cells in 20 out of 35, and 18 out of 35 HCC specimens, respectively. Caveolin-1 and -2 were also expressed in the smooth muscle cells of the unpaired arteries in 26 out of 35, and 18 out of 35 HCC specimens, respectively. Increased expression of caveolin-1 and -2 mRNA was detected in 26.7% and 33.3% of the tumor specimens, respectively, compared with the corresponding non-tumorous adjacent liver tissues. There was a significant correlation between expression of caveolin-1, -2 in the smooth muscle cells of unpaired arteries and the number of unpaired arteries. The number of unpaired arteries in HCCs was found to be associated with the degree of contrast enhancement in the arterial phase imaging. However, it did not correlate with the degree of MVD. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the expression of caveolin-1, -2 is associated with the formation of unpaired arteries in HCC. In addition, there is a correlation between the degree of contrast enhancement of the HCC in the arterial phase image and the number of unpaired arteries.
Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*blood supply/metabolism/radiography ; Caveolin 1/genetics/*metabolism ; Caveolin 2/genetics/*metabolism ; Female ; Hepatic Artery/pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*blood supply/metabolism/radiography ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/etiology/*metabolism/radiography ; Retrospective Studies

Ataxia-telangiectasia is an autosomal recessive disorders characterized by cerebellar ataxis, oculocutaneous telangiectasia and frequent respiratory infections due to immunoincompetence. Ataxia usually appear by age of 2 years with most patients need wheelchairs for morbility by early teenage. Speech and eye movements are also affected. Other important features are immunodeficiency, a high level of serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration, growth retardation, telangiectasia and a very high risk of a lymphoid tumor. Patients also show an increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation. We report a case of a 7-year-old girl who had ataxic gate, conjunctival telangiectasia, and frequent upper respiratory infection. Her alpha-fetoprotein was elevated and the serum IgA was decreased. The brain MRI showed prominent cerebellar atrophy. From the 1 st year of life to death, the level of serum gamma- GTP became steadily elevated up to 10 times of a normal level.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Ataxia ; Ataxia Telangiectasia* ; Atrophy ; Brain ; Child ; Eye Movements ; Female ; Guanosine Triphosphate ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Telangiectasis ; Wheelchairs

Bacterial meningitis after head trauma is a rare complication, but the cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leakage after head trauma greatly increases the risk of bacterial meningitis. Most of the infections passes through the defects in the basal skull fracture, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common organism. MRI, coronal thin sections of cranial CT and radioiosotope cisternography are considered to diagnose the CSF fistulae. We report a case of a 14-year-old girl with pneumococcal meningitis complicated by CSF rhinorrhea following an asymptomatic period of 3 years after head trauma. We found a bone defect of the cribrium of the skull base by means of paranasal sinus CT scanning and MRI.
Adolescent ; Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningitis, Bacterial ; Meningitis, Pneumococcal* ; Skull Base ; Skull Fractures ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed