PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and advantages of the lateral approach for internal fixation of the distal humeral shaft fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients with distal humeral shaft fractures who underwent open reduction and internal fixation using plate and screws by lateral approach from January, 1997 to May, 2002 were investigated. Postoperative results after a minimum 1 year follow-up were assessed using union rate, elapsed time to union, postoperative complications such as iatrogenic radial nerve palsy, range of motion of the elbow joint. Clinical outcomes were evaluated with Mayo elbow performance scoring system. RESULTS: Union was achieved in all cases. The average time to union was 9 weeks (range, 7~12 weeks). Four cases of preoperative radial nerve palsy were revealed as contusion of the intact nerve and resolved completely by three months. The mean elbow range of motion was from 5 to 138 degrees. The average Mayo elbow performance score was 91 points; 9 cases ranked as excellent and 3 as good. CONCLUSION: Distal humeral shaft fractures can be treated successfully through open reduction and internal fixation using plate and screws. Lateral approach is recommended to stabilize distal humeral shaft fractures without compromising the range of motion of the elbow, and to protect or explore the injured radial nerves easily
Contusions ; Elbow ; Elbow Joint ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Paralysis ; Postoperative Complications ; Radial Nerve ; Range of Motion, Articular

PURPOSE: To analyze related factors of retinopathy of prematurity by comparing between premature twins in which retinopathy developed on one twin. METHODS: A retrospective survey consisting of 13 premature twins in which retinopathy of prematurity (stage 1 or more) developed on one twin was performed. All twins were born in Kosin University Gospel Hospital. The twins were separated into two groups according to whether they had retinopathy of prematurity: the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) group and non-ROP group. The twins' gestational age, weight, sex, Apgar score, treatments, blood tests, and neonatal complications were investigated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the twins except platelet count and aspartate aminotransferase. Platelet count was 191 (±46) ×10³/µL in the ROP group and 240 (±77) ×10³/µL in the non-ROP group, a significant difference (p = 0.046). Aspartate aminotransferase was 36 (±26.6) IU/L in the ROP group and 22 (±5.9) IU/L in the non-ROP group, a significant difference (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we found platelet count and aspartate aminotransferase to be significant factors related to development of retinopathy of prematurity. It is thought that these factors should be considered when screening for ROP, although a larger prospective study is be needed before the results can be applied in clinical practice.
Apgar Score ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Platelets ; Gestational Age ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Platelet Count ; Prospective Studies ; Retinopathy of Prematurity ; Retrospective Studies ; Twins*

No abstract available.
Thorax*

PURPOSE: To help predict the severity of ocular complications in orbital blunt trauma by analyzing clinical features of ocular complications and orbital wall fracture. METHODS: A retrospective survey consisting of 169 eyes of 168 patients with orbital blunt trauma who visited Kosin University Gospel Hospital was performed. The patients' age, gender, height, weight, cause of accident, and ocular complications were investigated. The patients were imaged using computer tomography and divided into two groups according to whether they had orbital wall fracture: the orbital contusion group and the orbital wall fracture group. Variables of orbital wall fracture, including the location, length, width, and area were measured using computer tomography in the orbital wall fracture group. RESULTS: The incidence of ocular complication was 27 of 67 eyes (40.2%) in the orbital wall fracture group and 75 of 102 eyes (73.5%) in the orbital contusion group; ocular complications were found significantly more often in the orbital contusion group than in the orbital wall fracture group (p < 0.001). Among causes of the accident, 'flying object' showed the highest incidence of ocular complication at 40 of 48 eyes (85.1%). In the orbital wall fracture group, there was no significant difference in orbital fracture location, length, width or area between the ocular complication group and the non-ocular complication group. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular complications were found significantly more often in the orbital contusion group than in the orbital wall fracture group, and 'flying object' showed the highest incidence of ocular complication among causes of the accident.
Contusions ; Humans ; Incidence ; Orbit* ; Orbital Fractures ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVES: To assess the inadvertent intraocular retention of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) after vitreoretinal surgery and their complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 108 patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgeries using intraoperative PFCL (perfluoro-n-octane (C8F18), 0.69 centistoke at 25degrees C, PERFLUORN(R), Alcon, USA) and the removal of PFCL through fluid-air exchange. The analysis was focused on the occurrence of intraocular retained PFCL, diagnoses,surgicalprocedures,andcomplications. RESULTS: Retinal detachment (51 cases, 47%) was the most common surgery which used PFCL intraoperatively. Other causes were vitreous hemorrhage (24 cases, 22%), posteriorly dislocated lens (22 cases, 21%), and trauma (11 cases, 10%). Intraocular PFCL was found in a total of 9 (8.3%) eyes. PFCL bubbles remained in anterior chamber and vitreous cavity were observed in 4 cases and subretinal retained PFCL was observed in 5 cases. Three of 5 cases of subretinal PFCL exhibited in subfoveal space. Among the three subfoveal cases, macular hole developed after PFCL removal in 1 case, epiretinal membrane in the area where had been PFCL bubble. However, we observed no complications in 1 case of subfoveal PFCL that was removed by surgery. PFCL in anterior chamber and vitreous cavity were in 4 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of subfoveal PFCL might affect visual and anatomic outcomes. However, subfoveal PFCL may induce visual complications, and therefore requires special attention.
Anterior Chamber ; Epiretinal Membrane ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Perforations ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitrectomy* ; Vitreoretinal Surgery ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: We report a case of orbital apex syndrome associated with ocular ischemic syndrome after unenventful cataract surgery. CASE SUMMARY: A 74-year-old female came to our clinic with vision loss, ptosis, total ophthalmoplegia and ocular pain in the left eye after cataract surgery. On radiologic examination, diffuse hypertrophy of the extraocular muscles and a crowded orbital apex were observed. Additionally, the arm to retina and choroidal filling times were delayed on fluorescence angiography. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with ocular ischemia complicated by orbital apex syndrome. After prompt pulse steroid therapy, improvement in extraocular muscle and pupil movement, ptosis and proptosis were observed; however, visual acuity failed to return to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: We report a rare case of orbital apex syndrome associated with ocular ischemic syndrome after cataract surgery, indicating the orbital apex syndrome may occur in healthy patients after uneventful cataract surgery.
Aged ; Arm ; Cataract ; Choroid ; Exophthalmos ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Ischemia ; Muscles ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Orbit* ; Phacoemulsification* ; Pupil ; Retina ; Visual Acuity

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to re-validate the clinical efficacy of the Korean Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Rating Scale (K-AARS), which is a self-report scale for ADHD in adults, and to determine the clinical utility and cut-off scores of K-AARS. METHODS: The participants were 135 drug naïve adults with ADHD and 144 healthy controls. To diagnose ADHD based on the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition, two board-certified pediatric psychiatrists interviewed the participants and completed the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. K-AARS was applied to all participants. K-AARS comprises six clinical subscales, one impairment subscale, and one driving behavior subscale. The receiver operating characteristic analysis was conducted to calculate the cut-off scores of K-AARS. RESULTS: All subscale scores, including six clinical subscale, impairment subscale, and driving behavior subscale scores, were found to be significant in distinguishing adults with ADHD from healthy controls. The sensitivity and specificity of the six clinical subscales were 63.0–77.0% and 66.7–79.9%, respectively. The combined total score of the six clinical subscales, had a sensitivity of 80.0% and specificity of 79.9%. CONCLUSION: The discriminative power of K-AARS for the diagnosis of ADHD in adults was excellent, and K-AARS and the empirical diagnosis of adults can be useful in diagnosing ADHD in adulthood.
Adult ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Humans ; Psychiatry ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) occurs outside hospitals, but its characteristics are similar to those of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). We evaluated the clinical and microbial characteristics of HCAP in Korea. METHODS: Of 130 subjects with suspected pneumonia, 49 were classified as HCAP and 81 as HAP. We retrospectively examined the clinical presentations, outcomes, pathogens, and drug resistance rates of Pseudomonas aeruginosae in both groups. RESULTS: The clinical presentations, including the symptoms and laboratory findings, at the time of hospitalization were comparable in both groups. The hospital mortalities of HCAP (28.6%) and HAP (34.6%) did not differ significantly; the length of the hospital stay was similar for all of the survivors (14 vs. 17 days, respectively). Of the identified pathogens, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was significantly less common in HCAP than in HAP (two vs. 18 cases, respectively, p<0.01), whereas Klebsiella pneumoniae was more common in HCAP (five vs. zero cases, respectively, p<0.01). The frequency of other Gram-negative rods was similar in both groups. The rate of resistance to antibiotics in P. aeruginosae in both groups was substantial, with the highest resistant rate to ciprofloxacin (50% and 61.5% in HCAP and HAP, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although the clinical features and outcomes of HCAP were comparable to those of HAP in the study population, the frequency of methicillin-resistant S. aureus was significantly lower in HCAP compared to HAP.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ciprofloxacin ; Drug Resistance ; Hospital Mortality ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Methicillin Resistance ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; Pneumonia ; Pseudomonas aeruginosa ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic pleural biopsy is often required for rapid and confirmative diagnosis in patients with suspected pleural tuberculosis (PL-TB). However, this method is more invasive and costly than its alternatives. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical utility of the chest computed tomography (CT)-based bronchial aspirate (BA) TB-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in such patients. METHODS: Bronchoscopic evaluation was performed in 54 patients with presumptive PL-TB through diagnostic thoracentesis but without a positive result of sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear, pleural fluid AFB smear, or pleural fluid TB-PCR test. Diagnostic yields of BA were evaluated according to the characteristics of parenchymal lesions on chest CT. RESULTS: Chest radiograph and CT revealed parenchymal lesions in 25 (46%) and 40 (74%) of 54 patients, respectively. In cases with an absence of parenchymal lesions on chest CT, the bronchoscopic approach had no diagnostic benefit. BA TB-PCR test was positive in 21 out of 22 (95%) patients with early-positive results. Among BA results from 20 (37%) patients with patchy consolidative CT findings, eight (40%) were AFB smear-positive, 18 (90%) were TB-PCR-positive, and 19 (95%) were culture-positive. CONCLUSION: The BA TB-PCR test seems to be a satisfactory diagnostic modality in patients with suspected PL-TB and patchy consolidative CT findings. For rapid and confirmative diagnosis in these patients, the bronchoscopic approach with TB-PCR may be preferable to the thoracoscopy.
Biopsy ; Bronchoscopy ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sputum ; Thoracoscopy ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Pleural*

Short telomeres are known as one of the risk factors for human cancers. The present study was conducted to evaluate the association between 6 polymorphisms, which were related with short telomere length in the Korean population, and lung cancer risk using 1,100 cases and 1,096 controls. Among the 6 polymorphisms, TERT rs2853669 was significantly associated with increased lung cancer risk under a recessive model (odds ratio [OR]=1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.05-1.81, P=0.02). The effect of rs2853669 on lung cancer risk was significant in younger individuals (OR=1.73, 95% CI=1.18-2.54, P=0.005) and adenocarcinoma (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.07-2.07, P=0.02). Our results suggest that a common functional promoter polymorphism, TERT rs2853669, may influence both telomere length and lung cancer risk in the Korean population.
Adenocarcinoma/epidemiology/*genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Frequency/genetics ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/epidemiology/*genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/*genetics ; Promoter Regions, Genetic/*genetics ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Telomerase/*genetics ; Telomere/physiology ; Telomere Homeostasis/*genetics