Solitary osseous plasmacytoma accounts for 3-5% of plasma cell tumor and are assumed to have a fairly good prognosis, with long duration of relapse free survival after local irradiation. A 64 year old woman with a lytic lesion involving left iliac bone was diagnosed as a solitary plasmacytoma, with a negative work-up for coexisting plasma cell disorders. Three months after irradiation of 5,400 cGy, the patient was readmitted with hypercalcemia and mass in left forehead and left gingiva. New multiple osteolytic lesions were developed. A aspiration cytology of forehead mass and curetted specimen of right femur due to pathologic fracture revealed plasmacytoma. MRI of thoracolumbar spine revealed abnormal high signal intensity in the L2 body, T8 and T9 vertebrae. Serum protein electropheresis revealed monoclonal gammopathy of IgG-kappa type. This aggressive case of solitary plasmacytoma, evolving into multiple myeloma after brief duration of remission, is in sharp contrast with the natural course of a solitary plasmacytoma.
Female ; Femur ; Forehead ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Paraproteinemias ; Plasma Cells ; Plasmacytoma* ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence ; Spine

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in survival rates between primary gastric and intestinal gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and to investigate risk factors for survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed survival rates and risk factors in 60 cases with stage I and II primary gastrointestinal lymphomas treated at Keimyung University Hospital between January 1972 and August 1999. RESULTS: No differences in sex, age, histology, stage, or percentage of curative resection were observed between primary gastric and intestinal lymphoma. The overall 10-year survival rates of gastric and intestinal NHL were 68.1% and 39.6%, respectively (p<0.05). The overall 10-year survival rates in stage I gastric and intestinal NHL were 66.7% and 70.0%, respectively, while those in stageII were 65.1% and 23.7%, respectively (p<0.001). A multivariate analysis of risk factors for survival revealed that the site of origin (5.68, CI=1.8-17.5) and stage (4.22, CI= 1.19-14.85) were significantly correlated with prognosis (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of bcl-2 and p53 between gastric and intestinal NHL. Furthermore bcl-2 and p53 expressions were not correlated with the prognosis. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that stage II primary intestinal lymphoma has lower survival rate than gastric lymphoma.
Lymphoma* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate*

The incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has increased with the advanced technology of society. A careful evaluation of associated problems, initial severity, and complications is important for the acute management and rehabilitation of patients with TBI. To predict the rehabilitation potentials of patients with TBI, we have retrospectively investigated the causes, types of injury, associated problems, and complications in 186 patients and also assessed the rehabilitation outcomes by measuring the functional gains according to the types of brain injury and the initial severities evaluated by the Glasgow coma scale in 82 patients. The functional gains were measured by differences of the Mini-mental status examination, PULSES profile, and Barthel index of pre- and post-rehabilitation states. The incidence of TBI was highest in the 3rd decade men and the most common cause was a traffic accident (120 cases, 64.5%). The types of brain injury were a diffuse axonal injury, 87 cases (46.8%); epidural hematoma, 21 cases (11.3 %); subarachnoid hemorrhage, 25 cases (13.4%); subdural hematoma, 28 cases (15.1%); and intracerebral hematoma, 25 cases (12.9%). Common associated problems were fractures and injuries of nervous system. The 7th cranial nerve and the peroneal nerve were the most common injuries for cranial and peripheral nerves, respectively. Common complications were pulmonary and skin disorders. Total hospital stay and the duration for rehabilitation were not significantly different by the types of injury. Functional gain tended to be higher in the intracerebral hematoma compared to the other types of brain injury. The functional gain was statistically higher in patients with initial severity of moderate degree according to the Glasgow coma scale. In conclusion the moderate traumatic brain injured patients seem to have a higher potential for the good functional outcome.
Accidents, Traffic ; Brain ; Brain Injuries* ; Cranial Nerves ; Diffuse Axonal Injury ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Humans ; Incidence ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Nervous System ; Peripheral Nerves ; Peroneal Nerve ; Rehabilitation* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Treatment Outcome*

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are among the most important threats to patient safety. When hospitalized children face these threats, there is morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and increased healthcare costs. Research on local healthcare epidemiology is necessary to enhance collective knowledge and evidence formanaging this problem. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of databases of patients who were diagnosed with HAIs at Chung-Ang University Hospital (CAUH) from 2007 through 2011. Cases were selected from the microbiology registry databases. The data on prevalence of HAIs in various wards and its annual trends were compared to previously reported nationwide data. Moreover, we analyzed the patterns of antibiotic susceptibility results for HAI pathogens. RESULTS: A total of 181 HAIs were identified in 122 patients. The HAI rate among pediatric patients at CAUH was 2.4/1,000 person-hospital days. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) (53 episodes, 29.3%) were the most common, followed by pneumonia (33 episodes, 18.2%). Staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most common gram-positive organism, whereas Escherichia coli was the most common gram-negative organism. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) comprised 84% of the S. aureus infections. Imipenem resistance was detected in 58.8% and 55.0% of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, respectively. CONCLUSION: Between 2007 and 2011, UTIs were the most common type of HAIs, and MRSA was the most common pediatric HAI pathogen, both in the general ward and intensive care unit at the CAUH. Further research on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of HAIs is necessary and prevention measures should be implemented to prevent HAIs in children.
Acinetobacter baumannii ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Delivery of Health Care ; Escherichia coli ; Health Care Costs ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Intensive Care Units ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Patient Safety ; Patients' Rooms ; Pneumonia ; Prevalence ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Retrospective Studies ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Urinary Tract Infections

We experienced two cases of occupational asthma induced by Elk dander in Elk-feeders and confirmed these cases by the bronchial provocation test with Elk dander. Both of them showed dual asthmatic response. They also showed positive reaction to the skin prick test with EIK dander. Now one of them has no asthmatic symptoms at all after complete avoidnce of EIK dander.
Asthma, Occupational* ; Bronchial Provocation Tests ; Dander ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to obtain the accurate information on the obesity indices, such as body mass index(BMI), relative weight and waist-hip ratio(WHR) and to investigate their relationship in order to assess the childhood and adolescent obesity more appropriately. METHODS: In May, 1995, a total of 6943(male; 3469, female; 3474) students from primary, middle and high schools in Seoul were selected and each students height, weight, waist and hip circumference data were collected. RESULTS: The BMI increased with age in both sexes. From age 12 to 16, values of BMI 50th percentiles for females exceeded those for males. And the BMI 95th percentiles at the age of 13 to 14 years were higher for females than for males. The prevalence of obesity by relative weight was higher in males than in females(male ; 17.9%, female ; 13.1%). The WHR was higher in males than females in all age group and decreased with age in both sexes, showing more sharp reduction in females. Strong correlations were observed between the BMI and the relative weight, and the BMI and the relative weight correlated closely with WHR. The WHR was significanly higher in obese group' than in non-obese group. In the female obese group aged 6 to 11 years, no significant correlation was found between the relative weight and the WHR. CONCLUSIONS: There were significant relationships between the indices of obesity and body fat distribution. This study suggests that WHR as well as BMI and relative weight might be useful in assessing the childhood and adolescent obesity.
Adolescent* ; Body Fat Distribution ; Body Mass Index* ; Child* ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Pediatric Obesity ; Prevalence ; Seoul* ; Waist-Hip Ratio*

Herein, we report a case of multiple myeloma with multiple plasmacytomas of thyroid, lung, lymph nodes and adrenal gland, who presented as upper airway and esophageal obstruction with vocal cord palsy. An 80-year-old women complained of dysphagia, hoarseness and anterior neck mass. Ultrasonography of the neck showed huge inhomogeneous solid mass involving left thyroid lobe and isthmus with several lymphadenopathy along the both upper deep cervical chain. Chest CT scanning revealed 4x3 cm sized, low density mass in posterobasal segment of the right lower lobe with both lower paratracheal lymphadenopathy, and abdominal CT scanning revealed 4.5x4.5 cm sized round low density mass in left adrenal gland. Serum and urine electrophoresis was normal and immunofixation of serum and urine was negative. Bone marrow smear and a bone scintigram revealed no abnormality, but iliac bone marrow biopsy revealed infiltration of abnormal plasma cells. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations of the thyroid and lung mass revealed monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells of kappa light chain. After local irradiation of the neck with parenteral dexamethasone injection, anterior neck mass was much diminished in size, but 2 weeks later she had a pneumonia with fatal outcome.
Adrenal Glands ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Deglutition Disorders ; Dexamethasone ; Electrophoresis ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Neck ; Plasma Cells ; Plasmacytoma* ; Pneumonia ; Thyroid Gland ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography ; Vocal Cord Paralysis

Peroneal neuropathy presenting at birth is a rare disorder. Although neonatal mononeuropathies may be related to obstetrical complications, prenatal mechanisms should be also considered. We describe an infant who was born at term by cesarean section due to breech presentation with a unilateral footdrop. Lack of compound muscle action potential in the peroneal nerve and denervation potentials confined to the tibialis anterior and the extensor hallucis longus muscles in the electrophysiological studies on the fourth day of life strongly suggest an isolated peroneal neuropathy of intrauterine onset. Early and sequential electrodiagnostic studies will be important to provide better temporal and pathophysiologic definitions, the better timing of onset and prognosis for mononeuropathies presenting in newborn infants.
Action Potentials ; Breech Presentation ; Cesarean Section ; Denervation ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mononeuropathies ; Muscles ; Parturition ; Peroneal Nerve ; Peroneal Neuropathies* ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis

Herein we wish to report a case of pernicious anemia and myasthenia gravis occurred after treatment with removal of an invasive thymoma and irradiation. Nine years ago, the male patient was visited due to chest pain, and was found a mediastinal mass at his age of 55. He received open thoracotomy and was found stage III invasive thymoma which infiltrated phrenic nerve and pericardium. After removal of thymoma, he received 4,500cGy of radiation. Two years later, he complained of left eyelid drooping and diagnosed as myasthenia gravis with tensilon test. His myasthenic eye symptom was controled with Mestinon. After 9 years from thymectomy, he complained of dizziness and dyspnea on exertion. Bone marrow smear revealed megaloblastic anemia and serum vitamin B12 level was 42.24pg/ml. Gastric juice analysis revealed achlorhydria with positive anti-intrinsic factor antibody. 6 weeks after treatment with parenteral vitamin B12, hematologic findings were normalized.
Achlorhydria ; Anemia, Megaloblastic ; Anemia, Pernicious* ; Bone Marrow ; Chest Pain ; Dizziness ; Dyspnea ; Edrophonium ; Eyelids ; Gastric Juice ; Humans ; Male ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Pericardium ; Phrenic Nerve ; Pyridostigmine Bromide ; Thoracotomy ; Thymectomy* ; Thymoma* ; Vitamin B 12

No abstract available.
Thanatophoric Dysplasia*