The clinical manifestations in filarial infection were examined during 1965-1966 from the known endemic areas: Yongju, a mountainous inland area and Cheju-Do, an island. All the microfilaria which were found during the survey were Brugia malayi. The principal symptom was cuticular hypertrophy (elephantiasis). It was found in 4 cases from Yongju among 707 villagers, 84 cases from Cheju-Do among 2,376 villagers. Four microfilaremia cases (4.5%) were found among a total of 88 cases of elephantiasis. In Cheju-Do, the higher incidence of elephantiasis was observed among people over 20 years old and the females showed much higher incidence than males (30 males and 54 females). The cuticular hypertrophic changes (elephantiasis) appeared more often in the lower extremities(77%) than in the upper part of the body, and in the right side than in the left.
parasitology-helminth-nematoda ; Brugia malayi ; filariasis ; hypertrophy

BACKGROUND: Succinylcholine is metabolized by plasma cholinesterase (PChE). When it was pretreated by small doses of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants in order to minimize the side effects, there are evidences to be associated with alteration in the duration of action. This study is investigated whether the responses would be related to the enzymatic activities. METHODS: In 21 adult patients, ASA class I or II, PChE levels were measured by the modified Garry method after induction of anesthesia (control value) and at 3, 10, 20 and 30 min following administration of pancuronium 0.1 mg/kg, vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg and atracurium 0.5 mg/kg. Data were expressed as mean (SEM). RESULTS: The levels of PChE were significantly lower (p<0.05) than the control values at 3, 10, 20 and 30 min after given pancuronium as 4764 (270), 4777 (261), 4796 (306) and 4740 (332) IU/L respectively and after given vecuronium as 5004 (341), 5051 (329), 4969 (340) and 4960 (340) IU/L respectively whereas enzyme levels after given atracurium were not significant differences to compare the control values as 5153 (336), 5136 (320) 5124 (312) and 5151 (275) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of present study show that both pancuronium and vecuronium may possibly inhibit PChE activity but this was not affected by atracurium.
Adult ; Anesthesia ; Atracurium* ; Cholinesterases* ; Humans ; Pancuronium* ; Plasma* ; Succinylcholine ; Vecuronium Bromide*

This report was designed to investigate a rare case that brachialis tear and hematoma caused by acute elbow posterior dislocation. We studied a 20-year-old male patient with right elbow joint pain after outstretched injury. Physical examination showed instability of hright elbow joint and simple radiography indicated a posterolateral dislocation of right elbow joint. Computed tomography taken after closed reduction using Parvin technique revealed a few small bone fragment located on posterior humerus capitulum. Magnetic resonance imaging showed complete tear of brachialis and anterior articular capsule with hematoma. The patient was managed with long arm splint and hinge brace for an elbow dislocation with brachialis rupture and hematoma. The elbow joint range of motion was recovered to be in a normal range, and pain was diminished. There are few reported cases of acute elbow posterior dislocation combined with brachialis rupture and hematoma. The patient showed good clinical outcome after conservative treatment.
Arm ; Braces ; Dislocations* ; Elbow Joint ; Elbow* ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Humerus ; Joint Capsule ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Physical Examination ; Radiography ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Reference Values ; Rupture ; Splints ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Although several risk factors associated with reduced age at natural menopause (ANM) have been investigated, the results are inconsistent. Excessive stress, which leads to elevation of stress hormones, can also negatively affect reproductive ability, including by accelerating menopause. However, a direct association between stress level and ANM has not yet been demonstrated. Therefore, the object of this study was to investigate the association between stress level and ANM in Korean women. METHODS: Study participants were Korean women between 40 and 70 years old who were in natural menopause during the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n=3,176). The level of stress in daily life was estimated based on data from the mental health topics of the survey. We used the t-test and one-way analysis of variance to analyze the correlation between stress level and ANM. Regression (beta) coefficients calculated by multiple regression analysis were used to estimate various factors affecting ANM. RESULTS: Women who experienced a high level of stress in daily life had a lower mean ANM than women with a low stress level (50.17+/-3.7 and 50.58+/-3.5 years, respectively), with a statistically significant correlation (P<0.05). This correlation was still observed after adjusting for age, body mass index, menstrual regularity, and personal income (P<0.05 for variables). CONCLUSION: In Korean women between 40 and 70 years of age who are in natural menopause, there is a statistically significant correlation between stress level and ANM. In particular, women who experience a high level of stress in daily life have reduced ANM.
Body Mass Index ; Female ; Humans ; Menopause* ; Mental Health ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Risk Factors

The deletion 22q13 syndrome (Phelan-McDermid syndrome) is a rare microdeletion syndrome characterized by prominent neurobehavioral deficits including neonatal hypotonia, developmental delay, language delay, autism, and minor dysmorphic features. Due to nonspecific facial features and difficulties in detection in routine chromosome analysis, this chromosome deletion syndrome has gone under-diagnosed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is required to confirm the presence of this deletion. Here we report the first case of 22q13 deletion syndrome in Korea. An 18-month-old girl was admitted to a pediatric clinic due to severe developmental delay and hypotonia from the neonatal period. She was diagnosed as 22q13 deletion syndrome through a chromosomal analysis and FISH using arylsulfatase A probe.
Autistic Disorder ; Cerebroside-Sulfatase ; Chromosome Deletion ; Developmental Disabilities ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Infant ; Korea ; Language Development Disorders ; Muscle Hypotonia

We report a case of renovascular hypertension (RVH) by severe left renal artery stenosis (RAS) that was successfully treated by percutaneous intervention in a single-kidney patient with Leriches syndrome. A 51-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to uncontrolled hypertension on medications with maximal doses. CT angiography showed complete occlusion of the infrarenal abdominal aorta, the absence of the right kidney and the approximately 80% stenosis of the proximal left renal artery. The proximal left RAS was considered as an important factor in uncontrolled secondary hypertension and aggravation of his renal function. We made an attempt to relieve the RAS by transaxillary renal artery angioplasty and stenting because of the total occlusion of the bilateral iliac artery. His renal function was remarkably improved and his hypertension was well controlled with less antihypertensive medications after the procedure.
Angiography ; Angioplasty* ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Iliac Artery ; Kidney ; Leriche Syndrome* ; Middle Aged ; Renal Artery Obstruction ; Renal Artery* ; Stents*

Spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave Syndrome) is an unusual condition that frequently leads to fatal complications. It typically occurs with rigorous emesis after an unduly large meal or heavy drinking. Its diagnosis is often delayed in almost all cases due to nonspecific symptoms and signs, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are very important. Recently we experienced a case of esophagogastric junctional perforation accompanied by bilateral empyema and mediastinitis after heavy alcohol drinking in a 56-year-old male patient. He was presented with hematemesis and abdominal pain. We diagnosed him using esophagography and chest CT. Thus, we report a case with a brief review of related literatures.
Abdominal Pain ; Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholics* ; Diagnosis ; Drinking ; Early Diagnosis ; Empyema* ; Esophageal Perforation ; Hematemesis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic* ; Lung* ; Male ; Meals ; Mediastinitis ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vomiting

Secondary polycythemia is a condition for which the red blood cell count is increased due to the physiologic response to hypoxia, autonomous erythropoietin production or deliberate erythropoietin administration. Hydronephrosis and postrenal obstruction have rarely been reported as the causes of secondary polycythemia. We report here on a case of a 30-year- old man with secondary polycythemia that was caused by giant hydronephrosis due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and this patient was successfully treated by nephrectomy.
Anoxia ; Erythrocyte Count ; Erythropoietin ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis* ; Nephrectomy ; Polycythemia*

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the prostate, a rare variant of prostate cancer, is derived from the basal cells of prostatic ducts and acini. BCC generally occurs in elderly men with obstructive voiding symptoms and levels of serum prostate-specific antigen within the normal range. In most cases, diagnosis is made through transurethral resection or simple enucleation. Most cases are indolent, but local recurrence and metastasis have been reported in a few cases. Thus, radical surgery and long-term follow-up are recommended. We report a case of a 54-year-old man who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy after being diagnosed with BCC during a transurethral resection performed for lower urinary tract symptoms. The patient has remained free of disease for 4 months after surgery.
Aged ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Reference Values ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate

As an emergency encountered in orthopedic practice requiring prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment, necrotizing fasciitis around the hip must be discriminated from Fournier gangrene. The current case report describes a patient who suffered from bilateral type I necrotizing fasciitis around the hips, which was alleviated by prompt surgical debridement and intensive postoperative care.
Debridement ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing* ; Fournier Gangrene* ; Hip* ; Humans ; Orthopedics ; Postoperative Care