OBJECTIVE: To describe factors associated with the severity of post-stroke dysphagia. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively medical records of patients having dysphagia following stroke in Seoul National University hospital from April 2002 through Dec 2009. A total of 578 patients (male and female, 331 and 247) were included. The following parameters were recorded and analyzed: patient's sex, age, type of stroke, onset of dysphagia, location of lesion and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association National Outcome Measurement System Swallowing Scale (ASHA NOMS). Using Binary logistic regression and multiple regression analysis, the relationship between dysphagia severity and other factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Their average duration between onset of stroke and the date of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) was 32.3 +/- 18.4 days. Patients with hemorrhagic stroke (172 patients, ASHA 4.06 +/- 1.98) showed poorer swallowing function than those with ischemic stroke (406 patients, ASHA 4.49 +/- 2.02, p=0.013). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that patients who had longer duration from onset to the first study, hemorrhagic stroke, bilateral lesion and older age were at higher risk for dysphagia requiring non-oral supplements (p=0.031, 0.039, 0.042, and 0.043, respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed that longer duration from onset to study, older age and hemorrhagic stroke were associated with the lower ASHA NOMS (p=0.006, 0.009 and 0.021, respectively). Bilateral lesion, sex, history of previous stroke and involvement of the brainstem, however, were not significant factors. CONCLUSION: Hemorrhagic stroke, longer duration from stroke onset to the initial evaluation, and older age were identified as associated factors with the poorer swallowing function after stroke. Further prospective studies will be required to evaluate the prognostic value of these characteristics.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association ; Brain Stem ; Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Regression Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke

A 55-year-old male presented with dysesthesia of the right anteromedial thigh. A magnetic resonance image revealed a globular mass at the right extraforaminal area of the L3/4 level. Based on the diagnosis of neurogenic tumor, surgical excision was performed. The surgical impression and pathology confirmed extrusion of intervertebral disc. In a retrospective review of the magnetic resonance image, we noticed a fibrillary pattern directed from the intervertebral disc space to the lesion, and disrupted annulus fibrosus and indentation caused by the ring apophysis. We suggest aforementioned features, indicative of intervertebral disc lesions, to be checked when interpreting mass lesions around the intervertebral foramen.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paresthesia ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Thigh

A 55-year-old male presented with dysesthesia of the right anteromedial thigh. A magnetic resonance image revealed a globular mass at the right extraforaminal area of the L3/4 level. Based on the diagnosis of neurogenic tumor, surgical excision was performed. The surgical impression and pathology confirmed extrusion of intervertebral disc. In a retrospective review of the magnetic resonance image, we noticed a fibrillary pattern directed from the intervertebral disc space to the lesion, and disrupted annulus fibrosus and indentation caused by the ring apophysis. We suggest aforementioned features, indicative of intervertebral disc lesions, to be checked when interpreting mass lesions around the intervertebral foramen.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Paresthesia ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Thigh

To determine the incidence, clinical characteristics and coronary angiographic findings of postinfarction angina, clinical course and coronary angiogram were studied in 45 patients with acute myocardial infarction. During a mean follow-up period of 12 weeks, 17 patients(37.8%) developed angina. Of 5 patients with postinfarction angina within 1 week of infarction, 2 patients died during hospitalization, whereas all 12 patients with postinfarction angina which occured more than 1 week after acute myocardial infarction were discharge alive. The frequency of stenosis over 90% and multivessel disease by coronary angiography were 51.7% and 64.7% respectively in patients with postinfarction angina, and 25%, 28.5% respectively in patients without postinfarction angina.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction

It is well known that hypertension is associated with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction which frequently precede systolic dysfunction. To determine whether nifedipine could improve left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive patients, we studied 15 hypertensive patients and 15 normotensive subjects matched for sex, age with Doppler echocardiography. After oral administration of 10mg of nifedipine, there were no significant changes in Doppler-derived transmitral diastolic filling indexes of normotensive subjects. On the other hand, although peak flow velocity in atrial systole(PFVA), time velocity integral in atrial systole(TVIA) did not change significantly after nifedipine, nifedipine significantly increased peak flow velocity in early diastole(PFVE) from 40.2+/-6.4cm/sec to 46.5+/-10.9cm/sec(p<0.005), time velocity integral in early diastole(TVIE) from 5.24+/-1.2cm to 5.97+/-1.43cm(p<0.001), the ratio of PFVE/PFVA from 0.69+/-0.11 to 0.76+/-0.12(p<0.05), the ratio of TVIE/TVIA from 1.18+/-0.21 to 1.29+/-0.24(p<0.05), deceleration slope(DS) from 244.9+/-51.9cm/sec2 to 289.9+/-49.1cm/sec2 (p<0.001) and decreased isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT) from 132.3+/-10.3msec to 117.2+/-13.5msec(p<0.001), deceleration time(DT) from 168.8+/-30.3msec to 154.9+/-29.8msec(p<0.05) in hypertensive patients. These fimdings indicated that nifedipine improves Doppler-derived early diastolic filling indexes in hypertensive patients and may be related to improvement of active relaxation of left ventricle in early diastole.
Administration, Oral ; Deceleration ; Diastole ; Echocardiography, Doppler* ; Hand ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Nifedipine* ; Relaxation

BACKGROUND: The pattern of left ventricular filling as depicted by Doppler echocardiographic transmitrial flow velocities has been used to left ventricular diastolic properties. Especially, altered transmitral flow by abnormal myocardial wall motion and left ventricular function in ischemic heart disease, was predicted during exercise test. METHODS: To determine the effects of exercise on Doppler echocardiographic measures of left ventricular diastolic filling, we studied 15 angina pectoris patients and 20 normal control subjects. Transmitral flow measurements comprised peak and integrated early passive(E) and late atrial(A) filling velocities and diastolic filling period. RESULTS: Heart rate in negative exercise treadmill test group was 70/min at rest, 111/min just after exercise, and 86/min at 5 minutes after exercise. Positive exercise treadmill test group was 69/min, 109/min and 82/min, respectively. DFP and E duration were also significantly decreased after exercise in group with negative treadmill exercise test. In positive treadmill exercise group, peak A was significantly increased from 0.57+/-0.15m/sec to 0.75+/-0.20m/sec at just after exercise(p<0.01), 0.67+/-0.12m/sec at 5 minuties after exercise. DFP and E duration were also significantly decreased after exercise. CONCLUSION: Doppler echocardiographic transmitral flow was altered by abnormal regional wall motion and left ventricular dysfunction in ischemic heart disease during exercise test. The use of Doppler echocardiography for this purpose is limited, however, because a number of variables may influence transmitral flow patterns, including age, preload, afterload and systolic function.
Angina Pectoris ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diagnosis* ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler* ; Exercise Test ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Isoflurophate ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; Ventricular Function, Left

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Esophageal reconstruction by the hypopharyngointestinal anastomosis was done in 7 patients of corrosive upper esophageal stricture at St. Mary's Hospital from August 1995 to January 1997. RESULT: There were one male and six female patients ranging from 20 to 63 years of age. The causative agents were acid in 6 patients and alkali in 1 patient. The esophageal reconstruction was made by hypopharyngcolojejunostomy in 4 patients and hypopharyngocologastrostomy in 3 patients. There were no operative mortalities. One patient developed anastomotic stenosis but others were free from dysphagia. All gained 4 kg to 13 kg of body weight during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: In this experience right colon and terminal ileum including ileocecal valve was revealed as a good substitute for the esophagus and the esophageal reconstruction by hypopharyngocologastro (jejuno)stomy seems to be a satisfactory method with acceptable morbidity and mortality in corrosive upper esophageal stricture patient.
Alkalies ; Body Weight ; Colon ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Deglutition Disorders ; Esophageal Stenosis* ; Esophagus ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ileocecal Valve ; Ileum ; Male ; Mortality

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inter-rater agreement for the clinical dysphagia scale (CDS). METHOD: Sixty-seven subjects scheduled to participate in a video-fluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) were pre-examined by two raters independently within a 24-hour interval. Each item and the total score were compared between the raters. In addition, we investigated whether subtraction of items showing low agreement or modification of rating methods could enhance inter-rater agreement without significant compromise of validity. RESULTS: Inter-rater agreement was excellent for the total score (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC): 0.886). Four items (lip sealing, chewing and mastication, laryngeal elevation, and reflex coughing) did not show excellent agreement (ICC: 0.696, 0.377, 0.446, and kappa: 0.723, respectively). However, subtraction of each item either compromised validity, or did not improve agreement. When redefining 'history of aspiration' and 'lesion location' items, the inter-rater agreement (ICC: 0.912, 0.888, respectively) and correlation with new videofluoroscopic dysphagia score (PCC: 0.576, 0.577, respectively) were enhanced. The CDS showed better agreement and validity in stroke patients compared to non-stroke patients (ICC: 0.917 vs 0.835, PCC: 0.663 vs 0.414). CONCLUSION: The clinical dysphagia scale is a reliable bedside swallowing test. We can improve inter-rater agreement and validity by refining the 'history of aspiration' and 'lesion location' item.
Deglutition ; Deglutition Disorders ; Humans ; Mastication ; Reflex ; Stroke

Objective: To retrospectively review the characteristics of preschool children with speech and language disorders to determine their clinical features and compares the average degrees of language delay based on hospital visit purposes, language developmental delay causes, and maternal language. Methods: One thousand one hundred two children (832 males, 270 females) with the chief complaint of language or speech problems who underwent language assessment for the first time were included. Their medical records, including demographic data, language environments, and family history of language problems and other developmental problems, were collected. Furthermore, the results of language and developmental assessments and hearing tests were collected. Results: Among the children enrolled in this study, 24% had parental problems and 9% were nurtured by their grandparents. The average degree of language delay did not differ regarding purposes of hospital visits. The average degree of language delay was greatest in children with autism spectrum disorders and least in children with mixed receptive–expressive language disorders. In children with mothers who do not speak Korean as their native language, social quotients in the social maturity scale were less than 70. Conclusion Language environment is an essential factor that may cause speech and language disorders. Moreover, maternal language seems to affect the social quotient of the social maturity scale.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on the lymphoscintigraphic findings in patients with secondary lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. METHOD: Fourteen patients were included in this retrospective study. Consecutive SGBs were performed three times, once every two weeks. The parameters for the lymphoscintigraphic findings included the extent of dermal backflow (small extent/large extent group), the presence of a washout pattern (washout/non-washout group) and visualization of lymph nodes on the 3-hour image (visualized/non-visualized group). The upper arm and forearm circumferences were used as the outcome parameters. We investigated the relationship between the lymphoscintigraphic findings and the arm circumferences. RESULTS: Regardless of the extent of dermal backflow, significant decreases of the upper arm and forearm circumferences were observed between the initial and final follow-up data. The small extent group showed a significant decrease of the forearm circumference at the first follow-up. The large extent group showed a pattern of significant decrease of the forearm circumference since the second follow-up. The washout group showed a decrease in both the upper arm and forearm circumferences, while the non-washout group showed a decrease only in the forearm circumference at the last follow-up. No difference was observed between the visualized and the non-visualized group. CONCLUSION: The extent of dermal backflow and the presence of a washout pattern on lymphoscintigraphy showed correlation with the change of arm circumference. Lymphoscitigraphy prior to performance of SGB for lymphedema patients might be helpful to predict the outcome of SGB.
Arm ; Breast Neoplasms ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forearm ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphedema ; Lymphoscintigraphy ; Retrospective Studies ; Stellate Ganglion