PURPOSE: We evaluated the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of mycoplasma pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 559 medical records of children with mycoplasma pneumonia admitted to The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean annual number of cases was 51. There was a higher occurrence in autumn (September-November, 41.7%) and in winter(26.7%). Outbreaks of mycoplasma pneumonia were noted in 1993-94, 1997, 2001, and 2003. The age distribution showed a peak frequency of 5-6 years of age and 68.2 percent of patients were in 3-8 years of age. The male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1. In comparison between 1994 and 2003, there was a difference in age distribution with a peak frequency of 5-6 years of age in 1994, and of 3-4 years of age in 2003. There were outbreaks during autumn and winter in 1993-94, and during summer and autumn in 2003. CONCLUSION: Outbreaks of mycoplasma pneumonia occurred every 2-4 years in Daejeon in accordance with nationwide epidemics during 1993-2003. The peak incidence of age in the recent outbreak was younger than in the outbreak which occurred 10 years ago, and in outbreaks in Western countries.
Age Distribution ; Child ; Disease Outbreaks ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Medical Records ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: From May 2000 to January 2008, We experienced the 10 cases of the thenar free flap for the coverage of the large volar soft tissue defect in the finger. METHODS: The pedicles of the flap were the superficial palmar artery of radial artery and subcutaneous vein, and we anastomosed them to the digital artery and subcutaneous vein of the finger. RESULTS: The average size of the flaps was 12cm2 and it was large enough to cover the entire color soft tissue defect of a phalanx or the defect of the neighbored phalanges. All of donor wounds were closed primarily. CONCLUSION: The color and skin texture of the flap was matched with the volar skin of the finger functionally and cosmetically and the debulking of the flap was not necessary. Other advantages were constant anatomic pedicle of the flap, minimal donor site morbidity, one operation field. We consider that the thenar free flap is another reliable and useful method for the reconstructing of the large volar defect of the finger especially at the situation of emergency.
Arteries ; Fingers ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Radial Artery ; Skin ; Tissue Donors ; Veins

Purpose : The clinical features and microbiologic characteristics of acute pyelonephritis (APN) have been changing due to an increased prevalence of chronic disease, overuse and/or misuse of antibiotics and so on. We investigated the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivity profile and clinical manifestation with the purpose to suggest a proper empirical therapy of the disease. METHODS: We analysed the medical records of 246 APN patients older than 15 years who were admitted at Hallym University, Kandong Sacred Heart Hospital from January 1997 to December 2001, excluding hospital-acquired infections. RESULTS: Patients were 46.2+/-19.0 years old with male : female ratio of 1 : 10.2. The severity score was 4.43+/-1.63 out of 8. The average duration of hospital admission was 6.1+/-2.8 days and all of the cases were cured without a complication such as septic shock or renal abscess. In 133 cases, their etiologic microorganisms were identified, among which E. coli was the most common (91.7%). Antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated E. coli strains were as follows; 29.8% to ampicillin, 44.2% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol, 75% to ciprofloxacin, 86.8% to cefazolin and 99.2% to amikacin. CONCLUSION: E. coli was the most common pathogen of community-acquired APN. Ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol and cephalothin are inappropriate for its empirical therapy. Ciprofloxacin, 3rd generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides are effective as the first-line empirical agent.
Abscess ; Amikacin ; Aminoglycosides ; Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cefazolin ; Cephalosporins ; Cephalothin ; Chronic Disease ; Ciprofloxacin ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Prevalence ; Pyelonephritis* ; Shock, Septic

Purpose : The clinical features and microbiologic characteristics of acute pyelonephritis (APN) have been changing due to an increased prevalence of chronic disease, overuse and/or misuse of antibiotics and so on. We investigated the causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivity profile and clinical manifestation with the purpose to suggest a proper empirical therapy of the disease. METHODS: We analysed the medical records of 246 APN patients older than 15 years who were admitted at Hallym University, Kandong Sacred Heart Hospital from January 1997 to December 2001, excluding hospital-acquired infections. RESULTS: Patients were 46.2+/-19.0 years old with male : female ratio of 1 : 10.2. The severity score was 4.43+/-1.63 out of 8. The average duration of hospital admission was 6.1+/-2.8 days and all of the cases were cured without a complication such as septic shock or renal abscess. In 133 cases, their etiologic microorganisms were identified, among which E. coli was the most common (91.7%). Antibiotic sensitivity of the isolated E. coli strains were as follows; 29.8% to ampicillin, 44.2% to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol, 75% to ciprofloxacin, 86.8% to cefazolin and 99.2% to amikacin. CONCLUSION: E. coli was the most common pathogen of community-acquired APN. Ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol and cephalothin are inappropriate for its empirical therapy. Ciprofloxacin, 3rd generation cephalosporins and aminoglycosides are effective as the first-line empirical agent.
Abscess ; Amikacin ; Aminoglycosides ; Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Cefazolin ; Cephalosporins ; Cephalothin ; Chronic Disease ; Ciprofloxacin ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Prevalence ; Pyelonephritis* ; Shock, Septic

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic lateral ankle instability also have peroneal tendinopathy often. However, preoperative MRIs of these patients are vague in many cases. Our study was performed to see the reliability of MRI findings of peroneal tendinopathy in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. METHODS: MRI images for 82 patients who had chronic lateral ankle instability, and had received surgical treatment between March 2006 and November 2009 were compared with impressions from operating rooms. The mean age of patients was 36.4 years (range, 15 to 64 years), 82 ankles were studied, and patients with rheumatoid diseases were excluded from the study. RESULTS: Of the 82 cases, 26 were true positives, 38 true negatives, 13 false positives and 5 false negatives. Of 39 cases of peroneal tendinopathy diagnosed from MRI, 14 had peroneal tendon partial tears, 15 tenosynovitis, 3 dislocations, 17 low-lying muscle bellies, and 6 peroneus quartus muscles. Of 31 cases of peroneal tendinopathy observed in surgery 11 had peroneal tendon partial tears, 4 tenosynovitis, 5 dislocations, 12 low-lying muscle belliess, and 1 peroneus quartus muscle. Sensitivity and specificity of peroneal tendinopathy were 83.9% and 74.5%, respectively. Positive predictive value was 66.7%. Negative predictive value was 88.4%. Accuracy rate was 78.0%. CONCLUSIONS: MRI is a useful diagnostic tool for detecting peroneal tendinopathy in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. However, MRI is vague in many cases. Therefore, a thorough delicate physical examination and careful observation is needed.
Adolescent ; Adult ; *Ankle Joint/surgery ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Humans ; Joint Instability/*complications/surgery ; *Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Observer Variation ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tendinopathy/*diagnosis/etiology/surgery ; Tendon Injuries/complications/diagnosis ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome and prognostic factors of postoperative radiotherapy in endometrial carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 1991 to August 2003, 76 patients with endometrial carcinoma received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy after hysterectomy at Asan Medical Center. Stage was classified as FIGO I in 41 (53.9%), II in 12 (53.9%), and III in 23 (30.3%). Histologic grade 1, 2 and 3 were in 29 (38.2%), 20 (26.3%), and 27 (35.5%) respectively. Forty two patients received both external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and intracavitary radiation (ICR), 34 patients were treated with EBRT or ICR alone. EBRT dose was 50.4 Gy, ICR was performed in 4~6 fractions with 4~5 Gy per fraction. Median follow?up period was 51 (range 5~121) months. RESULTS: Five-year overall survival was 89.6%. In univariate analysis, statistically significant factors to overall survival were FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis and histologic grade. In disease free survival, FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis and lymphovascular invasion were significant prognostic factors. Recurrence was seen in 11 patients. Of these, systemic failure was in 10 patients. There were no moderate to severe complications after radiation therapy. CONCLUSION: The outcome of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy in endometrial carcinoma was good. Main pattern of failure after postoperative radiotherapy was distant metastasis. So, adjuvant chemotherapy may help in improving outcome. Further study on chemotherapy in combined with postoperative radiotherapy will be needed, especially for patients with high risk factors such as high FIGO stage, lymphovascular invasion, and high histologic grade.
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radiotherapy* ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors

We performed three kinds of problem-based learning (PBL) formulas in all of forty-one 3rd grade students after the final examination of the first semester from June 28, 1999 to July 9, 1999 at Konkuk University College of Medicine to investigate which formula is the most efficient and helpful in medical education and polyclinic course. The PBL formulas applied were the typical face-to-face PBL accompanied by mini-lecture (Type I) or by distribution of the guidelines without lecture (Type II) and cyber PBL using web-based module and discussion over cyber space (Type III). Response of students was surveyed using some questionnaires and the evaluation results of each PBL were analyzed with Pearson's correlation test. All participating students were satisfied with the face-to-face PBL especially in applying time of PBL, using discussion to solve the problem, and studying with tutors. In cyber PBL, in spite of excellency of the contents, limitations in discussion over cyber space and computer skills, misunderstanding of computer system, and additional cost for private PC rent seemed to decrease the satisfaction with this PBL. Experience in Type II PBL was turned out to be the most helpful and discussion among fellow students in PBL to be the most useful experience for incoming polyclinic course. There were no significant correlations between the evaluation results of face-to-face PBL and cyber PBL or between the evaluation results of each type of PBL and the average credit of that semester, suggesting that evaluation of the newly acquired knowledge through PBL using tools such as Triple Jump, OSCE (objective structured clinical examination), and MEQ (modified essay question) should be included in assesment of academic achievement in addition to the evaluation of activities during PBL.
Computer Systems ; Education, Medical ; Equidae ; Humans ; Problem-Based Learning* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) updated the previous clinical practice guidelines for Korean adults with diabetes and prediabetes and published the seventh edition in May 2021. We performed a comprehensive systematic review of recent clinical trials and evidence that could be applicable in real-world practice and suitable for the Korean population. The guideline is provided for all healthcare providers including physicians, diabetes experts, and certified diabetes educators across the country who manage patients with diabetes or the individuals at the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. The recommendations for screening diabetes and glucose-lowering agents have been revised and updated. New sections for continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pump use, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with diabetes mellitus have been added. The KDA recommends active vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with diabetes during the pandemic. An abridgement that contains practical information for patient education and systematic management in the clinic was published separately.

The Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Korean Diabetes Association (KDA) updated the previous clinical practice guidelines for Korean adults with diabetes and prediabetes and published the seventh edition in May 2021. We performed a comprehensive systematic review of recent clinical trials and evidence that could be applicable in real-world practice and suitable for the Korean population. The guideline is provided for all healthcare providers including physicians, diabetes experts, and certified diabetes educators across the country who manage patients with diabetes or the individuals at the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. The recommendations for screening diabetes and glucose-lowering agents have been revised and updated. New sections for continuous glucose monitoring, insulin pump use, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with diabetes mellitus have been added. The KDA recommends active vaccination for coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with diabetes during the pandemic. An abridgement that contains practical information for patient education and systematic management in the clinic was published separately.

Background: As the number of large-scale studies involving multiple organizations producing data has steadily increased, an integrated system for a common interoperable format is needed. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a number of global efforts are underway to develop vaccines and therapeutics. We are therefore observing an explosion in the proliferation of COVID-19 data, and interoperability is highly requested in multiple institutions participating simultaneously in COVID-19 pandemic research. Results: In this study, a laboratory information management system (LIMS) approach has been adopted to systemically manage various COVID-19 non-clinical trial data, including mortality, clinical signs, body weight, body temperature, organ weights, viral titer (viral replication and viral RNA), and multiorgan histopathology, from multiple institutions based on a web interface. The main aim of the implemented system is to integrate, standardize, and organize data collected from laboratories in multiple institutes for COVID-19 non-clinical efficacy testings. Six animal biosafety level 3 institutions proved the feasibility of our system. Substantial benefits were shown by maximizing collaborative high-quality non-clinical research. Conclusions This LIMS platform can be used for future outbreaks, leading to accelerated medical product development through the systematic management of extensive data from non-clinical animal studies.