PURPOSE: The present study investigated the outcomes of browlift using various surgical methods including direct browplasty, endoscopic browlift and transblepharoplasty browlift. METHODS: Twenty-eight brow ptosis cases in 19 patients were treated in the present study. The mean patient age was 67.9 +/- 9.7 years, and the mean observation period was 9.0 +/- 3.8 months. Nine cases were treated with direct browplasty, eight cases with endoscopic browlift and 11 cases with transblepharoplasty browlift. Photographs of patients were taken before surgery and two months, six months and on the final follow-up after surgery. The brow-to-pupil distance (BPD), brow-to-medial canthus distance (BMCD), and brow-to-lateral canthus distance (BLCD) were analyzed by the Image J Program. RESULTS: BPD increased 1.88 +/- 0.99 mm, BMCD increased 1.06 +/- 1.21 mm and BLCD increased 1.36 +/- 1.17 mm in all patients six months after surgery. Regarding the change in BPD, direct browplasty increased 1.79 +/- 1.29 mm, endoscopic browlift increased 1.94 +/- 0.80 mm and transblepharoplasty browlift increased 1.90 +/- 0.94 mm without significant difference among the groups on the final follow-up. In terms of brow shape, direct browplasty effectively elevated the lateral brow and endoscopic browlift effectively elevated the medial brow compared to other procedures. No significant complications were observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Browlift techniques such as direct browplasty, endoscopic browlift and transblepharoplasty browlift are safe and effective surgical methods to correct brow height and shape in patients with brow ptosis without any significant complications.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated cognitive functions of Korean patients with essential blepharospasm by the Mini Mental State Examination - Korea (MMSE-K). METHODS: Atotal of 33 patients diagnosedwith essential blepharospasm were evaluated. Using the K-MMSEcognitive functions such as orientation, registration and recall, attention and calculation, language, comprehension, and decision were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients were alert and orientedwith an average K-MMSEscore of 25.2 +/- 4.0 points. The normal group scores were above 24 points in 25 patients (75%), suspected dementia scores were from 20 to 23 points in 5 patients (15%), and definite dementia scores were from 15 to 19 points in 3 patients (9%). Neurologic and brain imaging evaluation was performed in the 8 patients with suspected dementia or definite dementia. Among these patients, 2 were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, 2 were shown to have a specific brain lesion on magnetic resonance imaging, and 1 was diagnosed with a stroke and treated with antiplatelet therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The K-MMSE can be a helpful tool for the early detection of cognitive dysfunction in outpatients with essential blepharospasm.
Blepharospasm ; Brain ; Comprehension ; Dementia ; Humans ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroimaging ; Orientation ; Outpatients ; Parkinson Disease ; Stroke

PURPOSE: To compare the tear film lipid layer thickness (LLT) between patients with incomplete nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO) and normal controls and to analyze the changes in tear film LLT and blinking pattern after silicone tube intubation in NLDO patients. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 68 eyes in 52 incomplete NLDO patients who underwent silicone tube intubation from January 2017 to July 2017. The LLT, blinking pattern, and Meibomian gland image were measured with the LipiView II ocular surface interferometer. The Meibomian gland drop-out ratio was measured using the polygon selection tool in the Image J program. Tear meniscus height, which is the other lacrimal indicator, was assessed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Tear meniscus height was significantly decreased after silicone tube intubation (p < 0.01). Preoperative minimum, maximum, and average LLT values were 62.4 ± 24.0, 86.7 ± 17.9, and 71.7 ± 23.3 nm, respectively. Significant changes in the minimum, maximum, and average LLT (74.8 ± 23.6, 98.8 ± 11.0, and 91.6 ± 16.1 nm, respectively) were observed after silicone tube intubation (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, and p < 0.001). The partial blinking/total blinking ratio in 20 seconds and the Meibomian gland drop-out ratio showed no significant change after silicone tube intubation. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the LLT was increased after silicone tube intubation. Silicone tube intubation may be helpful in maintaining LLT with a normalized of amount of tears.
Blinking ; Humans ; Intubation ; Lacrimal Duct Obstruction ; Medical Records ; Meibomian Glands ; Nasolacrimal Duct* ; Silicon ; Silicones ; Tears* ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical efficacy of lacrimal endoscopy-assisted silicone tube intubation in patients with a nasolacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 86 eyes of 67 patients who underwent lacrimal endoscopy (RUIDO fiberscope; Fibertechco, Tokyo, Japan)-assisted silicone tube intubation from December 2014 to March 2017. We compared clinical characteristics, irrigation test results, and dacryocystographic and lacrimal endoscopic findings, and analyzed factors related to surgical success. RESULTS: In total, 86 eyes of 67 patients underwent lacrimal endoscopy-assisted silicone tube intubation. The success rate was 87.2%. There was a significantly lower preoperative tear meniscus height (420.5 ± 198.1 µm vs. 639.0 ± 224.3 µm, p < 0.001). In the surgically successful group, narrowing was frequently observed (29.0% vs. 0%, p = 0.030). Dacryolith findings were associated with surgical failure (10% vs. 29%, p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Lacrimal endoscopy-assisted silicone tube intubation is considered an effective and successful operative procedure and enables the observation of real-time findings inside the lacrimal drainage passage for the treatment of pathological lesions. Narrowing observed during lacrimal endoscopy indicated successful treatment as opposed to dacryolith findings, which were associated with a failed outcome.
Drainage ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Intubation ; Nasolacrimal Duct ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicon ; Silicones ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Tears ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: The lower eyelid serves important roles in tear distribution and drainage. The purpose of this study was to measure the tear meniscus height (TMH) with anterior segment optical coherence tomography after lower blepharoplasty. METHODS: A total of 52 eyes from 26 patients treated between July 2012 and June 2015 were included in the study. A transcutaneous or transconjunctival approach was performed, depending on whether (1) the supportive lower lid orbicularis oculi muscle was tightened, (2) the middle lamella was elongated, (3) minimal fat was removed or transpositioned, and (4) lateral canthal support was established. Marginal reflex distance 2 and marginal nose distance were analyzed with Image J software. TMH was measured with anterior segment optical coherence tomography. A paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: Marginal reflex distance 2 decreased and marginal nose distance increased with both surgical techniques. TMH decreased from 337.3 ± 117.9 to 289.3 ± 69.1 µm (p = 0.024) in patients who had transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty, but increased from 186.5 ± 35.5 to 274.8 ± 58.3 µm (p = 0.000) in patients who had transconjunctival lower blepharoplasty. Medial and lateral TMHs decreased significantly from 228.8 ± 80.7 to 152.7 ± 42.1 µm (p = 0.008) in patients with transcutaneous lower blepharoplasty. TMH was significantly restored after lower blepharoplasty with either approach. CONCLUSIONS: Enhancing the lower eyelid position combined with orbicularis muscle tightening and lateral canthal support can normalize the TMH following lower eyelid blepharoplasty.
Blepharoplasty* ; Drainage ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Nose ; Reflex ; Tears* ; Tomography, Optical Coherence*

Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the second most common benign hepatic tumor that is usually found in women. Diagnosis of FNH mainly depends on imaging studies such as color Doppler flow imaging, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. It is characterized by the presence of stellate central scar and is nowadays incidentally diagnosed with increasing frequency due to advances in radiologic imaging technique. FNH typically presents as a single lesion in 70% of cases and generally does not progress to malignancy or recur after resection. Herein, we report a case of a young male patient with recurrent multiple FNH who underwent surgical resection for presumed hepatic adenoma on computed tomography.
Adenoma, Liver Cell/diagnosis/pathology ; Bile Ducts/pathology/surgery ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Focal Nodular Hyperplasia/*diagnosis/pathology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/*diagnosis/pathology ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

Familial benign hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FBHH) is an autosomal dominant trait with high penetrance, clinically manifestating a relatively benign, lifelong, persistent hypercalcemia and hypocalciuria without hypercalcemic related complications. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) plays an important role in the regulation of PTH secretion and calcium metabolism. Here we present a family with FBHH of an autosomal dominant inheritance. A heterozygous mutation of E297K (GAG -> AAG, exon 4) of CaSR gene was found in 3 family members. To our knowledge, it is the first confirmed case of FBHH with CaSR gene mutation in Korea.
Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Receptors, Calcium-Sensing/*genetics ; Pedigree ; Parathyroid Hormone/analogs & derivatives/genetics/metabolism ; *Mutation ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors/*genetics ; Male ; Korea ; Hypercalcemia/*genetics ; Humans ; Heterozygote ; Genes, Dominant ; Female ; Family Health ; Exons ; DNA Restriction Enzymes/metabolism ; DNA/metabolism ; Adult

We observed a very rare case of primary lung cancer producing alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). A 70-year-old male with a history of smoking 50 packs per year was diagnosed with large cell carcinoma of the lung. The clinical stage was T2bN3M0 (IIIB), and serum AFP was 23,247 ng/mL. There was no evidence of metastasis to the liver, scrotum or other organs. While undergoing chemotherapy for 1 year, as the cancer progressed the AFP value steadily increased. The patient died of respiratory failure due to pneumonia 12 months after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Aged ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; Carcinoma, Large Cell ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pneumonia ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; Scrotum ; Smoke ; Smoking

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the trend in medical travel by non-Seoul residents to Seoul for treatment of prostate cancer and also to investigate the possible factors affecting the trend. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study represents a retrospective cohort study using data from theKoreanNationalHealth Insurance System from 2002 to 2015. Annual trends were produced for proportions of patients who traveled according to the age group, economic status and types of treatment. Multiple logistic analysiswas used to determine factors affecting surgeries at medical facilities in Seoul among the non-Seoul residents. RESULTS: A total of 68,543 patients were defined as newly diagnosed prostate cancer cohorts from 2005 to 2014. The proportion of patients who traveled to Seoul for treatment, estimated from cases with prostate cancer-related claims, decreased slightly over 9 years (28.0 at 2005 and 27.0 at 2014, p=0.02). The average proportion of medical travelers seeking radical prostatectomy increased slightly but the increase was not statistically significant (43.1 at 2005 and 45.4 at 2014, p=0.26). Income level and performance ofrobot-assisted radical prostatectomy were significant positive factors for medical travel to medical facilities in Seoul. Combined comorbidity diseases and year undergoing surgery were significant negative factors for medical travel to medical facilities in Seoul. CONCLUSION: The general trend of patients travelling from outside Seoul for prostate cancer treatment decreased from 2005 to 2014. However, a large proportion of traveling remained irrespective of direct distance from Seoul.
Cohort Studies ; Comorbidity ; Geography ; Health Services Accessibility ; Humans ; Insurance ; Prostate* ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul*

A conference was convened by the Korean Diabetes Association and the Korean Endocrine Society on September 7, 2009 to discuss and organize the results of research on intensive glucose control for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. Professor Kyung Soo Park led the conference, and Professors Kwang Won Kim and Ho Young Son acted as chairmen. Professors Doo Man Kim, Tae Sun Park, and Bong Soo Cha reported on intensive glucose control and diabetic complications, including the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), Diabetes Control and Complication Trial (DCCT) research results, the recently published Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD), Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE), and Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT) research, as well as meta-analyses. Professor Jeong-Taek Woo reported on the manuscript written by the committee for the Korean Diabetes Association which dealt with the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Professors Kyung Soo Ko, Joong Yeol Park, Hyun Shik Son, Moon-Kyu Lee, Dong-Won Byun, and Yoon-Sok Chung participated in the discussion and collected information for the manuscript from all of the participants. The aim of the debate was to determine how to establish target goals for intensive glucose control and how to individualize those goals. The participants concluded that there was no need to modify the recommendation of maintaining an HbA1c under 6.5%, the current blood glucose treatment goal that is recommended by the Korean Diabetes Association. In addition, individual target goals for glucose control were recommended depending on the situation of each patient. We report on the consensus statement from the meeting.
Blood Glucose ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Consensus ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drug Combinations ; Gliclazide ; Glucose ; Humans ; Indapamide ; Perindopril ; Solar System ; Veterans