Purpose: To investigate the genetic characteristics of patients with non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP) analyzed at a single institution. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 63 patients clinically diagnosed with non-syndromic RP who underwent genetic testing. The clinical features of patients exhibiting the most common mutations, EYS and USH2A, were further assessed through routine ophthalmic examinations. Results: Of the 63 patients, 22 (34.9%) exhibited significant mutations. Notably, EYS and USH2A mutations were each found in 5 patients (7.9%); RP1 mutations were found in 4 patients (6.3%). The average ages at diagnosis were 38.8 years for EYS mutations and 41.8 years for USH2A mutations. The average best-corrected visual acuities were logMAR 0.08 for EYS mutations and logMAR 0.51 for USH2A mutations. Both mutation types showed a decrease in the normal macular area in fundus photographs with increasing age. In USH2A mutations, optical coherence tomography revealed a more pronounced reduction in central macular thickness and central foveal ellipsoid length compared with EYS mutations. Visual field tests indicated a reduction within the central 10° in 40% of EYS mutations and 60% of USH2A mutations. Electroretinography showed non-detectable responses in 2 individuals with EYS mutations and 4 individuals with USH2A mutations (40% and 80%, respectively). Conclusions EYS and USH2A mutations represented 45% of the genetically identified cases; affected patients typically were diagnosed in their 40s. EYS mutations tended to preserve retinal function and central foveal structure better than USH2A mutations.

Purpose: To investigate the genetic characteristics of patients with non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP) analyzed at a single institution. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 63 patients clinically diagnosed with non-syndromic RP who underwent genetic testing. The clinical features of patients exhibiting the most common mutations, EYS and USH2A, were further assessed through routine ophthalmic examinations. Results: Of the 63 patients, 22 (34.9%) exhibited significant mutations. Notably, EYS and USH2A mutations were each found in 5 patients (7.9%); RP1 mutations were found in 4 patients (6.3%). The average ages at diagnosis were 38.8 years for EYS mutations and 41.8 years for USH2A mutations. The average best-corrected visual acuities were logMAR 0.08 for EYS mutations and logMAR 0.51 for USH2A mutations. Both mutation types showed a decrease in the normal macular area in fundus photographs with increasing age. In USH2A mutations, optical coherence tomography revealed a more pronounced reduction in central macular thickness and central foveal ellipsoid length compared with EYS mutations. Visual field tests indicated a reduction within the central 10° in 40% of EYS mutations and 60% of USH2A mutations. Electroretinography showed non-detectable responses in 2 individuals with EYS mutations and 4 individuals with USH2A mutations (40% and 80%, respectively). Conclusions EYS and USH2A mutations represented 45% of the genetically identified cases; affected patients typically were diagnosed in their 40s. EYS mutations tended to preserve retinal function and central foveal structure better than USH2A mutations.

Purpose: To investigate the genetic characteristics of patients with non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP) analyzed at a single institution. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 63 patients clinically diagnosed with non-syndromic RP who underwent genetic testing. The clinical features of patients exhibiting the most common mutations, EYS and USH2A, were further assessed through routine ophthalmic examinations. Results: Of the 63 patients, 22 (34.9%) exhibited significant mutations. Notably, EYS and USH2A mutations were each found in 5 patients (7.9%); RP1 mutations were found in 4 patients (6.3%). The average ages at diagnosis were 38.8 years for EYS mutations and 41.8 years for USH2A mutations. The average best-corrected visual acuities were logMAR 0.08 for EYS mutations and logMAR 0.51 for USH2A mutations. Both mutation types showed a decrease in the normal macular area in fundus photographs with increasing age. In USH2A mutations, optical coherence tomography revealed a more pronounced reduction in central macular thickness and central foveal ellipsoid length compared with EYS mutations. Visual field tests indicated a reduction within the central 10° in 40% of EYS mutations and 60% of USH2A mutations. Electroretinography showed non-detectable responses in 2 individuals with EYS mutations and 4 individuals with USH2A mutations (40% and 80%, respectively). Conclusions EYS and USH2A mutations represented 45% of the genetically identified cases; affected patients typically were diagnosed in their 40s. EYS mutations tended to preserve retinal function and central foveal structure better than USH2A mutations.

BACKGROUND: Uterine myoma is the most common benign gynecologic tumor in reproductive-aged women. During myomectomy for women who want to preserve fertility, it is advisable to detect and remove all myomas to decrease the risk of additional surgery. However, finding myomas during surgery is often challenging, especially for deep-seated myomas. Therefore, three-dimensional (3D) preoperative localization of myomas can be helpful for the surgical planning for myomectomy. However, the previously reported manual 3D segmenting method takes too much time and effort for clinical use. The objective of this study was to propose a new method of rapid 3D visualization of uterine myoma using a uterine template. METHODS: Magnetic resonance images were listed according to the slide spacing on each plane of the multiplanar reconstruction, and images that were determined to be myomas were selected by simply scrolling the mouse down. By using the selected images, a 3D grid with a slide spacing interval was constructed and filled on its plane and finally registered to a uterine template. RESULTS: The location of multiple myomas in the uterus was visualized in 3D and this proposed method is over 95% faster than the existing manual-segmentation method. Not only the size and location of the myomas, but also the shortest distance between the uterine surface and the myomas, can be calculated. This technique also enables the surgeon to know the number of total, removed, and remaining myomas on the 3D image. CONCLUSION: This proposed 3D reconstruction method with a uterine template enables faster 3D visualization of myomas.
Animals ; Female ; Fertility ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Methods ; Mice ; Myoma ; Uterine Myomectomy ; Uterus

Uterine perforation related with dilatation and curettage (D&C) is an uncommon event. Combined complications such as hemorrhage, adjacent organ injury, and omental incarceration may require an emergent surgical treatment. These are usually evident immediately or several days after the D&C, and a delayed presentation of uterine perforation are extremely rare. Herein, we report a rare case of omental incarceration presenting as a hyperechoic endometrial mass in a postmenopausal woman, diagnosed twenty-three years after the D&C. According to this case, when we encounter a hyperechoic endometrial lesion penetrating the uterine wall in women with a history of an intrauterine procedure such as D&C, we need to consider the possibility of an incarcerated omentum.

Uterine perforation related with dilatation and curettage (D&C) is an uncommon event. Combined complications such as hemorrhage, adjacent organ injury, and omental incarceration may require an emergent surgical treatment. These are usually evident immediately or several days after the D&C, and a delayed presentation of uterine perforation are extremely rare. Herein, we report a rare case of omental incarceration presenting as a hyperechoic endometrial mass in a postmenopausal woman, diagnosed twenty-three years after the D&C. According to this case, when we encounter a hyperechoic endometrial lesion penetrating the uterine wall in women with a history of an intrauterine procedure such as D&C, we need to consider the possibility of an incarcerated omentum.

BACKGROUND: This study aims at making a survey on health care service providers' cultural competence and making an appraisal of Chinese medical tourists on service quality, health care service providers' cultural competence, perceived value, and satisfaction. METHODS: The data was collected from August until November, 2014 and 150 health care service providers and 65 Chinese medical tourists from 12 medical institutions in Daegu were enrolled in analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that health care service provider's knowledge on Chinese culture was very low with 33.5% of correct answer. Health care service providers were found to get 3.82 point on a 5 point-scale in cultural perception, 3.53 points in cultural sensitivity, and 2.85 points in cultural skills. Chinese medical tourists were analyzed to give 4.08 points on a 5-point scale to satisfaction on health care service, followed by 4.01 points to health care service quality, 4.00 points to perceived value of health care service, and last 3.85 points to a health care service providers' cultural skills. However, there was a difference in points in cultural skills between health care service providers and Chinese medical tourists. Chinese medical tourists' satisfaction with health care service in Daegu was found to be comparatively high, but in relation to satisfaction with communication, it was found to be relatively low. CONCLUSION: Through this research, health care service providers' knowledge level of Chinese culture and cultural skills were low while they seemed to take a half-hearted attitude towards educational experience for building up cultural competence and foreign patient service response.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Cultural Competency* ; Daegu* ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Health Personnel* ; Health Services Research ; Humans

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common cause of gynecological disease in elderly women. The prevalence of POP has increased with an aging society. Abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) is safer and more effective than the vaginal approach in patients with apical compartment POP because it has a higher anatomical cure rate, a lower recurrence rate, less dyspareunia, and improved sexual function. Laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) has replaced ASC. Robotic sacrocolpopexy (RSC) also helps overcome the challenges of LSC by facilitating deep pelvic dissection and multiple intracorporeal suturing. The RSC is technically easy to apply, has a steep learning curve, and offers many advantages over the LSC. However, insufficient data led us to conclude that the LSC is superior overall, especially in terms of costeffectiveness. The present review provides insights into different aspects of RSC, highlighting the most common benefits and concerns of this procedure. We searched for eligible articles discussing this issue from January 2019 to March 2022 to reveal the outcomes of RSC.

PURPOSE: To determine the means, medians and reference intervals for TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and fT4 (free thyroxine) for each month of gestation and for three trimesters in Korean pregnant women. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 265 pregnant women with singleton gestation. Levels of TSH, fT4 were measured by immunoassay. After exclusion of subjects with positive antimicrosomal autoantibodies, the means, medians and reference intervals based on 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles for TSH, fT4 were determined. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 94 women in first trimester, 49 women in second trimester, and 122 women in third trimester. The trimester-specific reference intervals were: TSH (1st trimester: 0.03~2.72, 2nd: 0.27~2.29, and 3rd: 0.03~2.88 mIU/L), fT4 (1st trimester 4.50~19.75, 2nd: 4.70~12.98 and 3rd: 5.07~11.84 pg/mL). fT4 levels were significantly lower in the second and third trimesters. TSH levels were lower in the first trimester than second and third trimester, with gradual elevation in the second and third trimester. CONCLUSION: Levels of TSH, fT4 during pregnancy differ from those in non-pregnant women. Gestational age specific reference intervals will play a cental role in screening and diagnosis of thyroid disorders. Further studies for normal reference ranges during pregnancy are needed to create reference intervals in Korean pregnant women.
Autoantibodies ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Mass Screening ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Pregnant Women ; Reference Values ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotropin

The corpus callosum consists of white fibers connecting the cerebral hemispheres. Agenesis of the corpus callosum is an uncommon congenital anomaly which is easily diagnosed in the postnatal period by ultrasound and computed tomographic scan or MRI, but its prenatal sonographic diagnosis is difficult because of fetal head positioning and limiting trans-axial scans. We experienced a case of agenesis of the corpus callusum with chromosomal anomaly. The prenatal sonographic findings are ventricular abnormalities that demonstrated dilatation of lateral ventricles and disproportionate enlargement of the occipital horns, which were suggestive findings for the corpus callosal agenesis. We could confim the diagnosis of the corpus callosal agenesis with chromosome anomaly by postnatal MRI and chromosome analysis.
Agenesis of Corpus Callosum* ; Animals ; Cerebrum ; Corpus Callosum ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Head ; Horns ; Lateral Ventricles ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Ultrasonography