Congenital dislocation of the knee is very rare skeletal deformity and was firstly described by Chatelaine in 1822. Since then there have been a few number of case reports and some series discussing the etiology and treatment. The tibia is displaced anteriorly in relation to the femur. It is generally subdassified as simple hyperextention, subluxation, and dislocation depending on the degree of the joint displacement and the severity of disease. Early gentle manipulation and serial splintage or plaster cast are recommended for treatment and were successful in the majority except the case of quadriceps contrarture or late correction. The authors experienced one case of congenital dislocation of the right knee and brief review of the related literatures was made.
Casts, Surgical ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dislocations* ; Femur ; Joints ; Knee* ; Tibia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many people experience problems with a dry nasal mucous membrane, often without wondering why. The cause of problem is known as rhinitis sicca, senile rhinitis, and atrophic rhinitis, etc. A common form of treatment for patients who have such symptoms has been to begin by rinsing the inside of the nose with saline solution, to drop peanut oil, to apply antibiotic-ointment and moisturizing agents. Lanolin has been know as a safe skin moisturizing agent and used to treat dry nose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lanolin on a group of patients seeking treatment for dryness of the nose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-three patients experiencing problems with dry nasal mucosa were selected from the out-patient clinic. Fifty-seven patients, average age 36.3 years old, were treated with 1:2 mixture of lanolin and vaseline ointment. Thirty-six patients, average age 32.0 years, were treated with vaseline ointment. Both ointments were applied three times a day for two weeks. The efficacy of treatment was determined with pre and post-treatment six symptoms on a visual analogue scale: nasal obstruction, crust formation, mucosal dryness, respiratory discomfort, sleep disturbance, and general discomfort. RESULTS: For subjects treated with lanolin, the average VAS value for nasal obstruction was 5.84+/-2.28 and it decreased to 2.89+/-1.29, while the corresponding values for subjects treated with vaseline were 4.39+/-1.77 decreasing to 3.11+/- 1.24 (p<0.05). Crust formation of lanolin treated subjects were 5.67+/-2.39 and it decreased to 2.09+/-1.46, while the vaseline treated subjects were 4.83+/-1.99 decreasing to 2.33+/-1.31 (p<0.05). Average total symptom improvement was 65.7% (from 27.95+/-9.30 to 9.86+/-4.58) in lanolin treated group, while it was 44.8% (from 20.9+/-76.59 to 11.64+/-4.18) in vaseline treated group. CONCLUSION: We found that the efficacy of lanolin was statistically signigicantly better than that of vaseline. During the study period, there was no local reactions have been reported, nor have any allergic reactions. The present study underlines the fact that the way to treat nasal mucosal dryness is to use lanolin ointment.
Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Lanolin* ; Mucous Membrane ; Nasal Mucosa ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nose* ; Ointments ; Outpatients ; Petrolatum ; Rhinitis ; Rhinitis, Atrophic ; Skin ; Sodium Chloride

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Taste disorders have not received sufficient attention by otolaryngologists and only a few studies have documented the clinical characteristics of taste disorders. We therefore analyzed the characteristics of patients with taste disorders who visited our Taste and Smell Clinic over a 3-year period. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Sixty patients with taste disorders were investigated. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated according to the age, sex, duration of symptom, cause, and severity of taste disorder. RESULTS: Sixty percent of patients visited the clinic within 6 months of the onset of decrease in taste sensation. Multiple etiology was more common than single etiology. Taste disorder due to olfactory disorder was the most frequent etiology, followed by drug induced taste disorder and taste disorder due to zinc deficiency. Sixty percent of the patients experienced improvement of the taste abnormality. The efficacy of treatment decreased with increasing severity of taste disorder at the initial visit. CONCLUSION: Careful history taking and physical examination are needed for determination of the cause of any taste abnormality. The site and severity of dysgeusia should be determined through the chemical and electrical taste threshold test. Treatment should direct toward the causative abnormality, if possible.
Dysgeusia ; Humans ; Physical Examination ; Sensation ; Smell ; Taste Disorders ; Taste Threshold ; Zinc

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fungi are ubiquitous in the environment and their products may contribute to the development and exacerbation of airway diseases. The respiratory epithelium is the first barrier encountered by airborne allergens and an active participant in airway inflammation. During inflammatory reaction, many inflammatory cells are recruited to tissue from circulation, and they are located in close proximity to the epithelium. In this study, we hypothesized that respiratory epithelial cells and immune cells would interact and fungi could enhance their inflammatory reactions. MATERIALS AND METHOD: BEAS-2B was stimulated with airborne fungi (Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, etc) for 24 hours, and then co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), CD4+ lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and monocytes for 3 to 5 days. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta, granulocyte- macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were measured to determine the activation of immune cells. Transwell insert system was used to determine the importance of physical contact between epithelial cells and immune cells. RESULTS: Fungi, especially Alternaria, enhanced the production of chemical mediators from respiratory epithelial cells. When epithelial cells were co-cultured with immune cells, supernatants contained larger amounts of chemical mediators than when epithelial cells were cultured alone. When co-cultured with activated epithelial cells, TNF-alpha production was significantly increased by PBMCs, and physical contact was needed to interact between epithelial cells and PBMCs. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that fungi enhances the immune reaction between respiratory epithelial cells and peripheral blood immune cells, and the physical contact between epithelial cells and immune cells is needed to enhance the production of cytokines.
Allergens ; Alternaria ; Aspergillus ; Cladosporium ; Colony-Stimulating Factors ; Cytokines ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Fungi ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Monocytes ; Respiratory Mucosa ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: In brain ischemia, increased arachidonic acid metabolism can play important roles in neuronal dam-age. Ibuprofen was reported to have a protective role against neuronal damage in focal brain ischemia and reperfusion. The present study was designed to investigate whether ibuprofen can inhibit the global ischemia-induced neuronal dam-age and changes of polyamine (PA) level which is known to related to the neuronal damage, breakdown of blood brain barrier, and brain edema. METHODS: Male Mongolian gerbils were used in this study. Transient global ischemia was induced by occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries for 3 min with microclips. Ibuprofen was administered imme-diately after ischemia. The animals were sacrificed one day after ischemia for PA measurement and sacrificed 5 days after ischemia for histological evaluation. Histological examination was performed by counting surviving neuronal cells in one mm of CA1 area in dorsal hippocampus. RESULTS: Cerebral cortex and hippocampal putrescine(PU) levels in vehicle-treated ischemic group significantly increased comparing to sham-operated animals and the increase of PU was attenuated by ibuprofen administration (50 mg/kg). Hippocampal spermine level decreased significantly after ischemia. Hippocampal neuronal cell damage in CA1 area was markedly observed in vehicle-treated animals compared to sham operated animals. Ibuprofen administration at the dose of 50 mg/kg significantly inhibited hippocampal CA1 neuronal damage compared to vehicle-treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: Ibuprofen attenuates PA response following transient glob-al ischemia and may have putative neuroprotective effect against neuronal damage induced by global ischemia.
Animals ; Arachidonic Acid ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Brain Edema ; Brain Ischemia ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Cerebral Cortex ; Gerbillinae* ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Ibuprofen* ; Ischemia* ; Male ; Metabolism ; Neurons* ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Reperfusion ; Spermine

Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a disorder caused by the interaction of IgG and other antibodies with the antigen on platelet surface. ITP associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome has been reported rarely to occur in the same patient simultaneously. We presented a young male patient who had acute ITP and Guillain-Barre syndrome at the same time. This case was interesting because IgG might play a prominent role in the development of ITP and Guillain-Barre syndrome. It has been suggested that humoral immune mechanism play a role in the development of Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Antibodies ; Blood Platelets ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Male ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic

BACKGROUND: There were several reports that thyroid autoimrnune disease commonly found in myasthenia gravis patients. We performed this study to determine the prevalence of thyroid autoimmune disease as well as analyze correlation between acetylcholine receptor antibody and various thyroid autoantibadies among the myasthenia gravis patients in Korea. METHOD: The patient group, 48 patients, diagnosed as myasthenia gravis from January 1985 to December 1995 at the department of Neurology, Internal medicine at Dongsan Medical Center was compaired to the control group, 40 patients, with no age and sex difference from the patient group. The samples were collected from both group for the measure of the values of acetylcholine receptor antibody, thyroid autoantibody and thyroid hormones. RESULT: 1) The values of acetylcholine receptor antibody in myasthenia gravis group and control group were 5.78+-0.7nM and 0.05+-0.06nM respectively. Of 48 patients with myasthenia gravis, 38 patients have been measured acetylcholine receptor antibody value > 0.5nM, Their mean average value was 7.24+-0.66nM. 2) The severe myasthenia gravis group with value of acetylcholine receptor antibody 0.5nM and severe myasthenia gravis group with value of acetylcholine receptor antibody 0.5nM showed thyroglobulin antibody value of 159.6+-79.91IU/mL versus 56.86+-32.99IU/mL. also thyroid microsomal antibody value showed 159.0+-79.9IU/mL and 23.633+-0.19IU/mL respectively. 3) Of 48 myasthenia gravis patients, 12 patients (24%) had high value of antithyroglobulin antibody or anti-microsomal antibody and 5 patients (10%) had both antibodies at the same times. In contrast, only 3 patients (8%) were observed with high value of either one of antibodies. Patient with both antibodies was not observed in normal control group. CONCLUSION: According to the datas we have obtained, appearence of the thyroid autoantibody is significantly greater in severe myasthenia gravis group than normal control group. Therefore it is suggested that the prevalence of thyroid autoimmune disease is higher in severe myasthenia gravis group than mild myasthenia gravis group or normal control group.
Acetylcholine* ; Antibodies ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Korea ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Neurology ; Prevalence* ; Sex Characteristics ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Hormones

Carcinoma of Gall bladder remains a terminal illness in most patients despite improved diagnostic capabilities, better perioperative care and a more aggresive surgical approch based on improved knowledge of this tumors natural histiory. Overall 5-year survival rates remain below 5%. This failure to significantly improve patient oucome is largely due to late recognition of gall badder cancer. Authors experienced 21 cases of gall bladder cancer confirmed by operation at the Kwang Ju Christian hospital from march 1983 to March 1991, and the results obtained were summarized as follows. (continue...)
Gallbladder Neoplasms ; Gwangju ; Humans ; Perioperative Care ; Survival Rate ; Urinary Bladder*

BACKGROUND: The development of new drugs or alternative therapies effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is of great importance, and various natural anti-MRSA products are good candidates for combination therapies. We evaluated the antibacterial activities of a Phellinus baumii ethyl acetate extract (PBEAE) and its synergistic effects with beta-lactams against MRSA. METHODS: The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the PBEAE. The PBEAE synergistic effects were determined by evaluating the MICs of anti-staphylococcal antibiotic mixtures, with or without PBEAE. Anti-MRSA synergistic bactericidal effects of the PBEAE and beta-lactams were assessed by time-killing assay. An ELISA was used to determine the effect of the PBEAE on penicillin binding protein (PBP)2a production. RESULTS: The MICs and MBCs of PBEAE against MRSA were 256-512 and 1,024-2,048 microg/mL, respectively. The PBEAE significantly reduced MICs of all beta-lactams tested, including oxacillin, cefazolin, cefepime, and penicillin. However, the PBEAE had little or no effect on the activity of non-beta-lactams. Time-killing assays showed that the synergistic effects of two beta-lactams (oxacillin and cefazolin) with the PBEAE were bactericidal in nature (Deltalog10 colony forming unit/mL at 24 hr: 2.34-2.87 and 2.10-3.04, respectively). The PBEAE induced a dose-dependent decrease in PBP2a production by MRSA, suggesting that the inhibition of PBP2a production was a major synergistic mechanism between the beta-lactams and the PBEAE. CONCLUSIONS: PBEAE can enhance the efficacy of beta-lactams for combined therapy in patients infected with MRSA.
Acetates/chemistry ; Agaricales/*chemistry/metabolism ; Anti-Infective Agents/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Drug Synergism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus/*drug effects/metabolism ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Penicillin-Binding Proteins/analysis/metabolism ; Plant Extracts/chemistry/*pharmacology ; beta-Lactams/*pharmacology

PURPOSE: Investigations of in-hospital pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have been of limited value because of the retrospective nature of the studies, the small sample sizes, and inconsistent definitions of cardiac arrest and CPR. The purpose of this study was to prospectively describe in-hospital pediatric CPR by using the Utstein guidelines and to confirm prognosis predictors. METHODS: All 168 in-hospital pediatric CPRs involving 115 patients, at Asan Medical Center from January 1, 2002, to December 31, 2003 were prospectively described and evaluated by using Utstein reporting guidelines. Uniform reports were made out after the CPRs and were supplemented with chart reviews. The outcome variables included sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), the survival rate at 24 hrs, the survival discharge rate, and the pediatric overall performance category scale (POPC) after CPR. RESULTS: All of the 115 patients who received CPRs, 65 (56.5%) patients had sustained ROSC, 54 (47.0%) patients were alive at 24 hrs, and 33 (28.7%) patients were discharged alive. The most common underlying disease was cardiovascular disease (45.2%), and the most common precipitating cause of CPR was shock (48.7%). The most common initial cardiac rhythm was bradycardia with poor perfusion (41.7%). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that death at discharge was independently associated with a higher POPC score before CPR, a longer duration of CPR, and repeated CPR. CONCLUSION: Independent prognosis predictors of in-hospital pediatric CPR were the POPC score before CPR, the duration of CPR, and repeated CPR.
Bradycardia ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Heart Arrest ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Pediatrics ; Perfusion ; Prognosis* ; Prospective Studies ; Sample Size ; Shock ; Survival Rate