PURPOSE: The accurate analysis of urinary stone components is fundamental for studying of the etiology of stone formation and it is essential for the treatment of urinary stone and its prevention. We compared the analysis of urinary stone components during the last two decades. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stone analysis was performed by Louis C. Herring and Company. The urinary stones were aobtained from January, 1986 to December, 2005. We compared the stone components of the first decade (Group A, 301 cases) with that of the second decade(Group B, 158 cases). RESULTS: The mean age was 47.2+/-14.5 in Group A and 46.0+/-10.2 in Group B(p=0.658). The ratio of males to females was 2.04:1 in Group A and 1.98:1 in Group B(p=0.888). Ureteral stones were the most common stones in both groups. Among all the components analyzed in Group A, calcium oxalate made up 73.1% of the total. Other components found in the stones were uric acid 12.3%, calcium phosphate 8.3%, magnesium ammonium 5.3%, ammonium acid urate 0.7% and cystine 0.3%. In Group B, calcium oxalate was only 56.3% of the total and uric acid was 22.2%, calcium phosphate was 11.4%, magnesium ammonium phosphate was 8.2%, ammonium acid urate was 1.3% and cystine was 0.6%. On comparison of the stones of the two groups, the incidence of calcium oxalate was decreased in Group A(73.1% vs 56.3%, p<0.001). However, the incidence of uric acid in Group B was increased(12.3% vs 22.2%, respectively, p=0.006). There were no notable statistical increases in the frequency of the other components(p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the incidence of calcium oxalate was decreased and that of the uric acid was increased in the recent decade. These changes of stone components probably resulted from the increased animal protein diet.
Ammonium Compounds ; Animals ; Calcium ; Calcium Oxalate ; Cystine ; Diet ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnesium ; Male ; Ureter ; Uric Acid ; Urinary Calculi*

PURPOSE: Open prostatectomy have been considered primarily when the prostate volume is large(e.g. >75 cc). However, with the development of surgical skills and instruments, transurethral resection of prostate(TURP) can be an alternative. We assessed the feasibility of TURP for patients with large benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) by comparing the efficacy of TURP with that of open prostatectomy, retrospectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to March 2005, a total of 54 BPH patients with a prostate larger than 75 cc in volume on transrectal ultrasonography underwent surgery in our hospital. Among these patients, 26 patients underwent TURP(Group T) and 28 patients underwent suprapubic prostatectomy(Group O). Group T was subclassified Group T-1(prostate volume 75~100 cc, n=12) and T-2(prostate volume > or = 100 cc, n=14). In the same way, Group O was divided into Group O-1(n=9) and O-2(n=19). Operative time, time to catheter removal, hospitalization, and complications were compared. Operative results were evaluated at 6 months postoperative by comparing preoperative and postoperative International Prostate Symptom Scores(IPSS), maximal flow rates(Qmax) and post void residual(PVR). RESULTS: Preoperatively, there were no significant differences in IPSS, Qmax or PVR between Groups T-1 and O-1 or between Groups T-2 and O-2. Although delta IPSS, delta Qmax and delta PVR improved in Group O-2 more than T-2, there were no statistically significant differences between Group T-1 and O-1. The mean operative time, time to catheter removal, and hospitalization were shorter in Group T than Group O. Postoperative complication rates were similar in the T and O groups. In Group T, there was no TUR syndrome, but urinary tract infections and urethral stricture were more common than in Group O. However, Group O had higher incidences of severe complications, including wound infection or bleeding requiring transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: Open prostatectomy is commonly considered when prostate volume is greater than 75 cc. If enough resection is performed, TURP is a valuable non-invasive surgical method with respect to absence of incision, effective symptom improvement, and short hospitalization in symptomatic BPH patients who have prostate volume less than 100 cc.
Catheters ; Hemorrhage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Prostate ; Prostatectomy* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Retrospective Studies ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate* ; Ultrasonography ; Urethral Stricture ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Wound Infection

In order to investigate the implication of viral replication in acute, subacute, and chronic infections of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), we examined the histopathological changes and plus- and minus-strand viral RNA dynamics in heart, pancreas, brain, and liver of CVB3-infected A/J mice. Mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with CVB3 and sacrificed on 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, 30, 60, and 90 days post infection (p.i.). Plus- and minus-strand viral RNAs in the organs were quantitated and the organs were additionally evaluated histopathologically for inflammation. No inflammatory infiltrates were observed in the liver, brain, and heart. In contrast, massive lymphocyte infiltration and fat replacement were shown in the pancreas with loss of acinar cells. Both plus- and minus-strand viral RNA levels were detected by 21 days p.i. in heart, 90 days p.i. in pancreas, 4 days p.i. in liver, and 10 days p.i. in brain. The plus-strand RNA was found at least fifty fold higher than the minus-strand RNA by 4 days p.i. in heart and pancreas and by 3 days p.i. in liver. The plus- to minus-strand RNA ratio in brain was found less than 1:20. Our data indicate that viral replication was actively occurred in heart, pancreas, and liver during acute CVB3 infection, whereas viral replication was limited in brain. Furthermore, chronic persistent viral RNA was observed in pancreas. In conclusion, CVB3 at low dose of virus induces severe pancreatitis but marginal or no inflammatory changes in the heart, liver, and brain.
Acinar Cells ; Animals ; Brain ; Heart ; Inflammation ; Liver ; Lymphocytes ; Mice ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis ; RNA ; RNA, Viral ; Viruses

Severe osteoporosis is classified as those with a bone mineral density (BMD) T-score of −2.5 or lower, and demonstrate one or more of osteoporotic, low-trauma, fragility fractures. According to the general principle of surgical approach, patients with severe osteoporosis require not only more thorough pre- and postoperative treatment plans, but improvements in surgical fixtures and techniques such as the concept of a locking plate to prevent bone deformity and maximizing the blood flow to the fracture site by using a minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis. Arthroplasty is often performed in cases of displaced femoral neck fracture. Otherwise internal fixation for the goal of bone union is the generally accepted option for intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric, and femoral shaft fractures. Most of osteoporotic spine fracture is stable compression fracture, but vertebroplasty or kyphoplasty may be performed some selective patients. If neurological paralysis, severe spinal instability, or kyphotic deformity occurs, open decompression or fusion surgery may be considered. In order to overcome shortcomings of the World Health Organization definition of osteoporosis, we proposed a concept of ‘advanced severe osteoporosis,’ which is defined by the presence of proximal femur fragility fracture or two or more fragility fractures in addition to BMD T-score of −2.5 or less. In conclusion, we need more meticulous approach for surgical treatment of severe osteoporosis who had fragility fracture. In cases of advanced severe osteoporosis, we recommend more aggressive managements using parathyroid hormone and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand monoclonal antibody.
Arthroplasty ; Bone Density ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Decompression ; Femoral Neck Fractures ; Femur ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Kyphoplasty ; Osteoporosis* ; Paralysis ; Parathyroid Hormone ; Spine ; Vertebroplasty ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND: Several studies have been conducted regarding people with disabilities, however no studies have estimated the disease burden due to premature death. As such, we aimed to compare the years of life lost (YLLs) due to premature death between a population with disabilities and the total population of Korea. METHODS: To calculate the YLLs in people with disabilities, we combined disability registration data from the 2002–2011 Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea and the causes of mortality data by Statistics Korea for 3,158,231 people. RESULTS: YLLs of people with disabilities were 517,337, which accounted for 23.4% of YLLs of the total population. YLLs per 100,000 people with disabilities were approximately 3.8 times higher than those in the total Korean population. Ischemic stroke was associated with the highest YLLs per 100,000 people, followed by ischemic heart disease, hemorrhagic, and other non-ischemic stroke, diabetes mellitus, and self-harm. Among individuals with physical disabilities, ischemic heart disease was associated with the highest YLLs. For intellectual disability, epilepsy contributed to the most YLLs. For individuals with mental disability, self-harm was the largest contributor to YLLs. CONCLUSION: The burden of disease was higher in the population with disabilities than that in the general population. Cardiovascular diseases and cancer had a higher burden of disease than did other diseases in the population with disabilities; thus, overall, non-communicable diseases have a higher burden of disease than communicable diseases or injuries in the population with disabilities than in the general population.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Communicable Diseases ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Disabled Persons* ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; Korea* ; Mortality ; Mortality, Premature* ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Stroke

PURPOSE: Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) is considered an important cause of early degenerative arthritis development. Although three-dimensional (3D) imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging are considered precise imaging modalities for 3D morphology of FAI, they are associated with several limitations when used in out-patient clinics. The paucity of FAI morphologic data in Koreans makes it difficult to select the most effective radiographical method when screening for general orthopedic problems. We postulate that there might be an individual variation in the distribution of cam deformity in the asymptomatic Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2015, CT images of the hips of 100 subjects without any history of hip joint ailments were evaluated. A computer program which generates 3D models from CT scans was used to provide sectional images which cross the central axis of the femoral head and neck. Alpha angles were measured in each sectional images. Alpha angles above 55° were regarded as cam deformity. RESULTS: The mean alpha angle was 43.5°, range 34.7–56.1°(3 o'clock); 51.24°, range 39.5–58.8°(2 o'clock); 52.45°, range 43.3–65.5°(1 o'clock); 44.09°, range 36.8–49.8°(12 o'clock); 40.71, range 33.5–45.8°(11 o'clock); and 39.21°, range 34.1–44.6°(10 o'clock). Alpha angle in 1 and 2 o'clock was significantly larger than other locations (P < 0.01). The prevalence of cam deformity was 18.0% and 19.0% in 1 and 2 o'clock, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cam deformity of FAI was observed in 31% of asymptomatic hips. The most common region of cam deformity was antero-superior area of femoral head-neck junction (1 and 2 o'clock).
Adult ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Femoracetabular Impingement ; Femur ; Head ; Hip Joint ; Hip ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; Neck ; Orthopedics ; Osteoarthritis ; Outpatients ; Prevalence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

This study was designed to evaluate whether the nurses' assessment of postoperative pain can be an alternative to patients' self-reporting. We examined 187 patients receiving postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. The nurses assessed the patients' pain with three pain indices (therapeutic efficacy, pain intensity, and facial pain expression) 8 hr after operation. The patients recorded their resting and movement pain using 100-mm visual analog scales immediately following the nurses' assessment. There was an acceptable correlation between overall pain measurement assessed by patients and that assessed by nurses (canonical correlation coefficient=0.72, p=0.0001). The resting pain was more reliably reflected than the movement pain in overall measurement assessed both by nurses and by patients. Among the three pain indices assessed by nurses, the pain intensity most reliably reflected the patients' self-reports. The pain intensity assessed with a simple verbal descriptor scale therefore is believed to be an effective alternative to the patients' self-reports of postoperative pain at rest. However, it mirrored the patients' self-reports during movement less reliably. Therapeutic efficacy and facial pain expression indices were not effective alternatives to patients' self-reporting.
Analgesia, Patient-Controlled ; Facial Expression ; Human ; Nursing Assessment/*methods/standards ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative/*nursing ; Perioperative Nursing/*methods ; Reproducibility of Results

We reported a case of complicated silicosis that occurred in a glass manufacturing plant worker who had presumably been exposed to low-concentration free silica for almost 20 years. To the best of our knowledge this report is the first in the Republic of Korea. The physician's first impression was cancer since the enlargement of neck and supraclavicuar lymph nodes had clearly progressed and metastasis was suspected in ultrasonography. However, it turned out to be reactive hyperplasia and anthracosis. Although lung cancer was suspected and tests were performed in 2 hospitals due to repetitive cough and dyspnea, along with weight loss of approximately 10% over the course of 7 months, the patient was eventually diagnosed with complicated silicosis and pneumothorax occurred after 1 year. Herein, we report this case with a literature review.
Anthracosis ; Cough ; Dyspnea ; Glass* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lymph Nodes ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Plants ; Pneumothorax ; Republic of Korea ; Silicon Dioxide ; Silicosis* ; Ultrasonography ; Weight Loss

We present a rare case of an enterogenous cyst of the testis in a 21-year-old man. On ultrasonography, an ovoid hypoechoic solid mass (2x2x1.5 cm) was confined to the right testis. The left testis and bilateral epididymis were within normal limits. Grossly, the tumor was a unilocular cystic mass, without a solid component. Microscopically, the cystic mass was composed of mucin-secreting simple columnar epithelial lining cells, lamina propria and a well-differentiated muscularis propria. There was no evidence of any germ cell derivatives or neoplasia in the cystic mass and in the surrounding testicular parenchyma. Immunohistochemistry showed a positive reaction for cytokeratin and the epithelial membrane antigen in the epithelial lining; in addition, it was positive for smooth muscle actin in the well-differentiated muscularis propria.
Actins ; Epididymis ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; Male ; Mucin-1 ; Mucous Membrane ; Muscle, Smooth ; Testis* ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) is common especially among patients with chronic conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the percentage and characteristics of patients who make use of CAM and analyse the effect of CAM in RA. METHODS: Two hundreds and twelve patients with RA were interviewed by a trained nurse according to structured questionnaire about sociodemographic features and type, effect and cost of CAM which was used. RESULTS: Among 212 patients with RA, 73 patients had used CAM (34.4%). There was no difference in sociodemographic features between the user and non-user of CAM. The chinese medicine containing herbal medicine and acupuncture (43.8% and 24.7%) was most commonly used. There was no difference in the score of Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ) between the user and non-user of CAM. In the user group, the scores of the subjective effect and satisfaction for CAM were higher than those for the hospital services. The average yearly cost for CAM was 790,000 Won/person and it was about 67.5% of the one for hospital services. CONCLUSION: In patients with RA, the percentage of using CAM was 34.4%. Herbal medicine was most commonly used. CAM did not affect the outcome of the patients with RA. However, the scores of the subjective effect and satisfaction for CAM were higher than those for the hospital services. For the proper management of patients with RA, it is necessary to know further data about the effectiveness and side effects of CAM through experimental and clinical research.
Acupuncture ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Complementary Therapies* ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires