Objective: Imaging modalities such as intravascular ultrasonography or computed tomography or angiography have shown limitations in assessing coronary calcification. In this study, we investigated whether quantitative indices of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in calcified lesions are correlated with the late outcome of a coronary stent. Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients who had more than grade 2 coronary calcification on fluoroscopy. OCT was performed at baseline, immediately after stenting, and at 9 months after stenting. We analyzed qualitative and quantitative characteristics of plaque, calcification, and stent-related indices. Results: All images of 3-time points were available in a total of 10 patients. Calcified lesions were frequently associated with thin cap fibroatheroma (100%), plaque erosion (20%), or rupture (20%) before the procedure. Thrombus was found in 100% of cases in the OCT immediately after stenting. Maximal calcium area before stenting was strongly correlated with late luminal loss assessed by 9-month follow-up OCT (r= 0.766, P= 0.01). Conclusion Preprocedural OCT assessment on calcified coronary lesion may predict high-risk procedure and late stent outcome. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Objective: Imaging modalities such as intravascular ultrasonography or computed tomography or angiography have shown limitations in assessing coronary calcification. In this study, we investigated whether quantitative indices of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in calcified lesions are correlated with the late outcome of a coronary stent. Methods: We consecutively enrolled patients who had more than grade 2 coronary calcification on fluoroscopy. OCT was performed at baseline, immediately after stenting, and at 9 months after stenting. We analyzed qualitative and quantitative characteristics of plaque, calcification, and stent-related indices. Results: All images of 3-time points were available in a total of 10 patients. Calcified lesions were frequently associated with thin cap fibroatheroma (100%), plaque erosion (20%), or rupture (20%) before the procedure. Thrombus was found in 100% of cases in the OCT immediately after stenting. Maximal calcium area before stenting was strongly correlated with late luminal loss assessed by 9-month follow-up OCT (r= 0.766, P= 0.01). Conclusion Preprocedural OCT assessment on calcified coronary lesion may predict high-risk procedure and late stent outcome. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to investigate psychological distress in pneumothorax patients. METHODS: A cohort study was performed in 101 patients with spontaneous pneumothorax. They were divided into three groups: (A) under 19 years old, (B) those of an intermediate age, and (C) over 45 years old. General well-being [Psychological Wellbeing Index-Short Form (PWI-SF)], traumatic event [Impact of Event Scale (IES)], and resilience [Life Orientation Test-Revised (LOT-R)] were assessed. RESULTS: There were 35 patients in Group A, 51 in B, and 15 in C. The mean length of hospital stay was five days in all patients. The overall recurrence rate after surgery was 8%. All patients were under severe stress and reported an average PWI-SF score of 39. The IES score was 27, which did not meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder but was higher in Group C than in the other groups (p=0.02). Age and operation were significant factors for a high IES, but age was the only significant factor according to multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Pneumothorax patients may be at high risk for severe stress. Moreover, post-traumatic stress was higher in elderly patients. Actions to reduce the psychological problems in these patients are required.
Aged ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pneumothorax* ; Recurrence ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

Torsion of the gallbladder is a rare entity that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. The condition occurs most often in the elderly. Although its etiology is unknown, a constant finding is the presence of the gallbladder on a mobile mesentery (floating gallbladder). Torsion, or volvulus, of the gallbladder occurs when it twists axially, with the subsequent occlusion of bile and/or blood flow. Herein, a case of torsion of the gallbladder is presented where preoperative computed tomographic scan and laparoscopy were successfully used to diagnose and treat this condition without the usual requirement of open exploration. Given the possibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the increasing incidence with which torsion of the gallbladder is being witnessed today, the importance of a preoperative computed tomographic scan is emphasized when there is a high index of clinical suspicion.
Torsion/radiography/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Humans ; Gallbladder Diseases/pathology/*radiography/*surgery ; Female ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Aged, 80 and over

Primary pericardial mesothelioma is an extremely rare neoplasm with a bleak prognosis. It is often misdiagnosed as constrictive pericarditis initially, especially as tuberculosis pericarditis in Korea due to the high incidence of active tuberculosis. A targeted pericardial biopsy and noninvasive imaging modalities, such as delayed phase contrast chest computed tomography (CT) images and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), can play an important role in the differential diagnosis of pericardial disease. We present the case of a 37-year-old man with a 3-week history of exertional dyspnea. A large pericardial effusion with pericardial thickening was noted, but its etiology was not revealed after conventional diagnostic procedures, including a closed pericardial biopsy. Empirical antituberculosis treatment was started, but the dyspnea recurred 5 months later. A malignant pericardial mesothelioma was diagnosed through a pericardiectomy and biopsy under direct visualization
Adult ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mesothelioma ; Pericardial Effusion ; Pericardiectomy ; Pericarditis ; Pericarditis, Constrictive ; Pericarditis, Tuberculous ; Prognosis ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND: It is very important to determine the surgical anatomy of the aortic root when performing spreading aortic root preserving heart surgery. This study focuses on the surgical aspect of the aortic root anatomy by performing dissection of Korean cadavers. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The subjects were 62 cadavers. We measured the intercommissural distances, heights of the sinuses and the circumference of the sinotubular junction and the aortic annulus. RESULT: The mean age of death was 61.3 years. The intercommissural distance for the right coronary sinus was 0.73+/-2.23 mm, that for the non coronary sinus was 19.34+/-2.03 mm, and that for the left coronary sinus was 18.58+/-2.15 mm. The height of sinus was 20.59+/-2.48 mm for the right coronary sinus, 18.61+/-2.26 mm for the non coronary sinus and 17.95+/-19 mm for the left coronary sinus. The circumference of the sinotubular junction was 70.73+/-5.94 mm and that of the aortic annulus was 77.94+/-5.63 mm. There is no correlation between age and STJ, aortic annulus and the ratio of STJ of aortic annulus respectively (p=0.920, p=0.111, p=0.073). The tilting angle of the sinotubular junction and aortic annulus is from 2.03 degrees to 7.77 degrees (mean=4.90 degrees). CONCLUSION: The intercommissural distance and the height of the sinus were largest in the right coronary sinus, and the position of the sinotubular junction to the aortic annulus is obliquely tilted levo-posteriorly.
Aortic Valve ; Cadaver ; Coronary Sinus ; Sinus of Valsalva ; Thoracic Surgery

Cholethorax is a bilious pleural effusion caused by a pleurobiliary fistula or leakage of bile into the pleural space. Most cases of cholethorax arise from a complication of abdominal trauma, hepatobiliary infection, or invasive procedures or surgery of hepatobiliary system. However, we experienced a case of a patient with cholethorax of unknown origin. There was no evidence of pleurobiliary fistula or leakage of bile from the hepatobiliary system although we examined the patient with various diagnostic tools including chest and abdominal computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, tubography, bronchofiberscopy, hepatobiliary scintigraphy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Herein we report a case of cholethorax for which the specific cause was not identified. The patient was improved by percutaneous drainage of pleural bile.
Bile ; Biliary Fistula ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Diaphragm ; Drainage ; Fistula ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; Thorax

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a rare thrombotic complication characterized by a triad of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure. HUS may be caused by several different conditions, including infection, malignancy, and chemotherapeutic agents, such as mitomycin, cisplatin, and most recently, gemcitabine. The outcome of gemcitabine-induced HUS is poor, and the disease has a high mortality rate. This study reports a case of gemcitabine-induced HUS in a patient with pancreatic cancer in Korea.
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic/*adverse effects ; Deoxycytidine/adverse effects/*analogs & derivatives ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome/*chemically induced ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/*drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: Head injury in children is a common problem presenting to emergency departments, and cranial computed tomography scan is the diagnostic standard for these patients. Several decision rules are used to determine whether computed tomography scans should be used; however, the use of computed tomography scans is often influenced by guardian favor toward the scans. The objective of this study was to identify changes in guardian favor for explanation of minor head injuries based on the institutional clinical practice guidelines. METHODS: A survey was conducted between July 2010 and June 2012. Patients younger than 16 years with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15 after a head injury and guardians of these patients were included. Pre- and post-explanation questionnaires were administered to guardians to evaluate their favor for computed tomography scans and factors related to the degree of favor. Treating physicians explained the risks and benefits of cranial computed tomography scans using the institutional clinical practice guidelines. Guardian favor for a computed tomography (CT) scan was examined using a 100-mm visual analog scale. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients and their guardians were included in this survey. Guardian favor for computed tomography scans was significantly reduced after explanation (46.7 vs. 17.4, p<0.01). Pre-explanation favor and the degree of physician recommending computed tomography were the most important factors affecting pre- and postexplanation changes in favor. CONCLUSION: Explanation of the risks and benefits of cranial computed tomography scans using the institutional clinical practice guidelines may significantly reduce guardian favor for computed tomography scans.
Child ; Craniocerebral Trauma* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Glasgow Coma Scale ; Head* ; Humans ; Pediatrics ; Risk Assessment ; Visual Analog Scale

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The distribution of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes varies geographically. In Korea, genotypes 1 and 2 comprise more than 90% of HCV infections, while genotype 6 is very rare. This study compared the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with genotype 6 HCV infection with those infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 2. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter HCV cohort study that enrolled 1,173 adult patients, of which 930 underwent HCV genotype analysis, and only 9 (1.0%) were found to be infected with genotype 6 HCV. The clinical and epidemiological parameters of the genotypes were compared. RESULTS: The patients with genotype 6 HCV had a mean age of 41.5 years, 77.8% were male, and they had no distinct laboratory features. A sustained virologic response (SVR) was observed in four (67%) of six patients who received antiviral therapy. Risk factors such as the presence of a tattoo (n=6, 66.7%), more than three sexual partners (n=3, 33.3%), and injection drug use (n=3, 33.3%) were more common among genotype 6 patients than among genotypes 1 or 2. CONCLUSIONS: The epidemiology and treatment response of patients infected with genotype 6 HCV differed significantly from those with genotypes 1 or 2, warranting continuous monitoring.
Adult ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cohort Studies ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepacivirus/*genetics ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/*diagnosis/drug therapy/epidemiology ; Humans ; Liver/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; RNA, Viral/blood ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Sexual Behavior ; Substance-Related Disorders/complications ; Tattooing