BACKGROUND: Although ondansetron is effective at preventing and treating postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), the optimal timing of its administration has not been established. In this study we evaluated the effect of the timing of ondansetron administration on its antiemetic efficacy in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. METHODS: One hundred and twelve patients undergoing thyroidectomy were randomized to receive placebo (control group, n = 40) or 70microgram/kg of ondansetron prior to induction (Pre-group, n = 36), or 70microgram/kg of ondansetron at the end of surgery (Post- group, n = 36). The incidence of PONV, adverse events, the need for rescue antiemetics, and nausea severity scores were assessed at 0 to 1 hour and 1 to 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: During the first 24 hours after anesthesia, the incidences of PONV in the control, and Pre- and Post-groups were 62.5%, 52.8%, and 52.8%, and there was no significant difference among the groups. During the period 1 hour to 24 hours after anesthesia, the incidences of vomiting (with nausea) and rescue antiemetics were significantly lower in the Pre- and Post-groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). Overall, the incidence of vomiting (with nausea) was significantly lower in the Pre-group than in the control group and the incidence of rescue antiemetics was significantly lower in the Pre- and Post-groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with thyroidectomy, the perioperative administration of 70microgram/kg ondansetron was found to reduce the incidence of vomiting and the need for rescue antiemetics. However, the timing of ondansetron administration did not affect antiemetic efficacy.
Anesthesia ; Antiemetics ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nausea ; Ondansetron* ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Thyroidectomy* ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect and usefulness of cervical selective nerve root block in advance for the patients who was scheduled for operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2001 to December 2008, 28 cases were selected from the patients, who underwent selective nerve root block before operation. The mean follow-up period was 30.4 months and the mean age was 59.2 years. The patients were divided into the operation group and the only cervical nerve root block group. The groups were compared for age, gender, the contraction period and the, solidity of the disc. The groups were radiologically evaluated for the existence of cervical spondylosis and the neural compression rate. The clinical results were analyzed using the neck disability index (NDI) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: Among the 28 cases that were scheduled for operation, 18 cases did not proceed to operation and 10 cases among them were treated with additional conservative treatment. The average VAS score for the operation group and the cervical nerve root block group was 8.3 and 7.7 at the preoperative state and the preinjection state, respectively. After surgical treatment and cervical nerve root block, the scores were 3.2 and 3.6, respectively. The NDI for the operation group was 40.6 at the preoperative state and this decreased to 11.2 at the last follow up. The NDI for the cervical nerve root block group was 38.4 at the preinjection state and this decreased to 13.6 at the last follow up. The mean contraction period was 3.2 months and the mean age was 51.9 years for the operative group. The mean contraction period was 14.82 months and the mean age was 55.9 years for the root block group. There was no difference of clinical outcomes between the operative group and the cervical nerve root block group. The operation group's mean age was younger and the duration of symptom was shorter than those of the cervical nerve root block group. CONCLUSION: Cervical nerve root block is considered to be an effective treatment for patients with cervical disc herniation with radiating pain and who are scheduled for an operation.
Contracts ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Neck ; Nerve Block ; Spondylosis

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

Objectives: To assess the trends and disparities in the utilization of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in Korea between 2018 and 2022, with a focus on disease classification, patient demographics, and regional distribution. Methods: This national surveillance retrospective study uses data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, which includes all FDG PET/CT examinations conducted in Korea from 2018 to 2022. Disease classifications, cancer types, age groups, gender, and geographic regions were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Utilization rates per 100,000 population were calculated for regional comparisons. Results: FDG PET/CT utilization increased by 25.4%, from 174,885 examinations in 2018 to 219,377 in 2022. Older age groups (60 years and above) accounted for the majority of examinations, with males undergoing more examinations than females. Oncology remained the primary indication, with lung, colorectal, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma leading in examination numbers. The number of examinations performed on patients aged 60 and above increased at a higher rate compared to those under 60. Significant geographic disparities were found, with Seoul reporting the highest utilization rate (1,114.3 examinations per 100,000 population), while Gyeongbuk exhibited much lower rate (26.2 examinations per 100,000 population). Conclusions This study highlights the growing utilization of FDG PET/CT in Korea, particularly among older adults, with significant gender differences in cancer types. The findings also reveal disparities in FDG PET/CT utilization across regions, indicating varying access to advanced imaging technology.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of vascular anomalies in the head and neck is higher than in the extremities. It is especially common for vascular anomalies to involve the lip. The lips are a functionally and aesthetically important component of the head and neck area. A retrospective analysis of data from our vascular anomaly center was performed in order to understand the characteristics and treatment requirements of vascular anomalies of the lip and to establish which treatments are likely to lead to the best outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the medical records of patients diagnosed with vascular anomalies of the upper or lower lip from January 2001 to September 2013. Using clinical photographs, radiologic findings, and patient records, the diagnosis of each case and the location of the vascular anomaly were recorded, along with information about treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 1,606 patients were diagnosed with vascular anomalies over this time period, of whom 127 (7.9%) were found to have vascular anomalies in the lip only. Surgical treatment with or without embolization, sclerotherapy, laser therapy, medication only, and observation were the treatment strategies adopted in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Vascular anomalies of the lip should be diagnosed accurately. Radiologic diagnosis played a crucial role in treatment planning, and several techniques were used to treat vascular anomalies of the lip. When surgical excision is indicated for the correction of vascular anomalies of the lip, the aesthetic and functional characteristics of the lip should be considered.
Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laser Therapy ; Lip* ; Medical Records ; Neck ; Plastics ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerotherapy ; Vascular Diseases