The author obtained index of red cell volume distribution width(RDW) and other red cell indices in 210 patients of various hematoncologic conditions and 200 healthy control group using, an automated blood analyzer, Coulter Counter Model S-plus II. This study performed to classify various etiologic anemia based on the MCV and RDW, to evaluate availability to the differential diagnosis in korean anemic distoders somewhat different from etiologies of anemias in foreginers. In the most of cases, the increase or decrease of MCV were always combined the pararell changes of MCH and MCHC: But the values of MCV and RDW were not correlated in control group and patient group. So the terms of heterogenous of homogenous anemia were meaningful morphologic classification than hypochromic or normochromic anemia. The heterogenous microcytic anemia contained iron deficiency anemia. In heterogenous normocytic anemia, myelophthisic anemia, acute leukemia were contained. In heterogenous macrocytic anemia, megaloblastic anemia, hemolytic anemia were contained. The homogenous microcytic anemia was observed in anemia of chronic disorders. In homogenous normocytic anemia, acute blood loss, chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma were contained. The aplastic anemia was belonged to homogenous macrocytic anemia. The diagnostic significance of RDW in hemoglobinopathies is most importhant. But this study was not contained hemoglobinopathies. Instead RDW was very helpful to differential diagnosis of most common anemias, iron deficiency anemia and anemia due to chronic disorders in Korea.
Anemia* ; Anemia, Aplastic ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Anemia, Macrocytic ; Anemia, Megaloblastic ; Anemia, Myelophthisic ; Cell Size ; Classification* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Hemoglobinopathies ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Multiple Myeloma

No abstract available.
Titanium*

A clinical review of 31 cases of multiple myeloma which were diagnosed by criteria of the SWOG between May 1983 and February 1990 at Yeungnam University Hospital was done. The results were as followings: 1. The peak incidence was in 7th decade and male to female ratio was 1.8:1. 2. The most common presenting symptom at first diagnosis was bone pain (58%), but fever, dyspnea, dizziness and palpable mass were also noted. 3. The distribution of laboratory findings as following diagnostic criteria of Southwest oncology group (SWOG): Plasmacytoma on tissue biopsy was noted 6 cases, bone marrow plasmacytosis with more than 10% plasma cells was 22 cases, monoclonal globulin spike on serum electrophoresis was 24 cases, lytic bone lesions was observed 22 cases. 4. Initial clinical stages were classified as 2 cases in stage I, 3 cases in stage II, 26 cases in stage III (84%). 5. Immunoelectrophoresis revealed the distribution of IgG 64%, light chain 22%, IgA 10%, Kappa to Lambda ratio of 1.1:1. 6. Hematologic & biochemical findings revealed anemia with <8.5% of hemoglobin in 42%, hypercalcemia with <10.6 mg% of serum calcium in 22%, azotemia >2.0 mg% of serum creatinine in 19%. 7. The multiple punched out lesion of bone x-ray examination were noticed skull (65%), rib (42%), L-spine (35%), pelvis (23%), T-spine (19%). The initial skeletal roentgenographic findings showed osteoporosis, osteolytic lesion and fracture in 55%, only osteolytic lesion in 23%, only osteoporosis in 10%. 8. Complications of multiple myeloma, such as 10 cases of renal impairment, 8 cases of infection, 16 cases of compression fracture of spine were observed.
Anemia ; Azotemia ; Biopsy ; Bone Marrow ; Calcium ; Clinical Study* ; Creatinine ; Diagnosis ; Dizziness ; Dyspnea ; Electrophoresis ; Female ; Fever ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Immunoelectrophoresis ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin G ; Incidence ; Male ; Multiple Myeloma* ; Osteoporosis ; Pelvis ; Plasma Cells ; Plasmacytoma ; Ribs ; Skull ; Spine

In recent years there are so many medical informations that urologists should know. Computer systems offer new opportunities for the storage and manipulation of hospital informations. A computer-based system for urologic patient data management has been designed and developed by the authors. This program was written in dBASE IV language and could be used in IBM PC/AT (16 Bit) with at least 20MB hard disk drive. The main features of this program include storage and retrieval of data easily by pull-down menus using automatic coding system for diagnoses and operation names. Searching a case or a group of cases could be performed by name, chart number and filters (date of input, diagnosis code, operation code, urology number). And they are easily printed out by two different print forms. The automatic coding system is that after diagnoses and operation named are typed, their codes are automatically registered. The urologic code system for automatic coding was also designed by the authors. In our experience this computer-based urologic patient data management system by automatic coding is very useful, easy to handle, and minimizing input errors.
Clinical Coding* ; Computer Systems ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Microcomputers* ; Urology

No abstract available.

Cryptocococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast that can cause life-threatening infections in immunocompromised patients. In this study, the genetic variability and epidemiological relationships of clinical and environmental isolates of C. neoformans from Busan, Korea, 2000~2005 were investigated. A total of 12 strains of C. neoformans, 7 clinical and 5 environmental isolates were analyzed by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) using three different primers and PCR-fingerprinting with a minisatellite-specific core sequence of phage M13. All strains belonged to C. neoformans serotype A and mating type MATa. Two different RAPD profiles (I and II) and a single pattern by M13 PCR-fingerprinting were identified. The major RAPD profile was pattern I (8 of 12 strains) and pattern II was identified from 2 clinical and 2 environmental strains, which clearly distinguished among isolates. Clinical strains with pattern II were isolated from the patients with HIV positive. Taken together, molecular patterns provide a good characterization of strains of C. neoformans as a heterogeneous group and epidemiological relationships in clinical and environmental strains.
Bacteriophage M13 ; Cryptococcus ; Cryptococcus neoformans ; DNA ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Korea ; Yeasts

Recently we performed a modified sternum-splitting approach in surgery for anterior space-taking lesion in the upper thoracic region. In contrast to the original trans-sternal approach introduced by Cauchoix, we cut only the manubrium and split it using vertebral spreader. After reaching the anterior surface of the cervico-Thoracic vertebrae, the central portion of the vertebral body was removed with air-drill under an operating microscope. The longitudinal bone defect of the vertebral bodies was filled with a bone graft obtained from the iliac bone. Removal of the space-taking lesions in the cervico-thoracic junction and upper thoracic region can be performed safely by utilizing the modified sternum-splitting approach. This approach can be applied also to endarterectomies at the origins of the vertebral arteries and the subclavian artery.
Endarterectomy ; Manubrium ; Microsurgery ; Spine ; Subclavian Artery ; Transplants ; Vertebral Artery

Moyamoya disease is an unusual vascular disorder highlighted by progressive bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion and collateralization of intracranial blood flow. The purposes of the bypass procedures : 1) reduce or arrest of the chance of repeated ischemic attack by making the additional collateral blood flow, 2) decrease the chance of repeated bleeding by reducing the number of moyamoya vessels. During the period from June 1989 through February 1991, 8 moyamoya diseases associated with intraventricular hemorrhage were operated by STA-MCA anastomosis plus EMS. Results are as follows : 1) Slightly female dominancy in incidence(5 : 3), and all of the patients were middle aged(range 32 to 55 years). 2) All of the patients had sudden onset of headache, and most patients whad neck stiffness and vomiting. 3) In all of the patients, confirmatory diagnosis could be done by angiography, and all of the patients had gypical angiographic findings of moyamoya disease. 4) All of the patients had IVH in brain CT scan. 5) All of the patients were surgically treated : STA-MCA anastomosis plus EMS. 6) The postoperative revascularization rate was 89%(8 sides in 9 sides). 7) The postoperative results were excellent in 5, good in 1, and death in 2. The rarity of such lesions in KOrea and their surgical results are reviewed briefly.
Angiography ; Brain ; Carotid Artery, Internal ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Headache ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Korea ; Moyamoya Disease* ; Neck ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: This study was to develop, implement, and evaluate an e-learning education program for improving practical knowledge and preventing nursing errors and adverse events of nurses working in the operating room (OR). METHOD: The e-learning program was developed and evaluated according to the following processes: 1) preparation phase 2) implementation phase 3) evaluation phase. In evaluation phase, the effectiveness was analyzed based on the Kirkpatrick's model. RESULTS: The e-learning program consisted of OR basic nursing skills and techniques and nursing activities' manual based on the categories of nursing errors: surgical operation preparation, nursing skills and techniques, environment management, patient safety and comfort, and patient monitoring. The program was provided through on-line, http:// cafe.daum.net/pnuhorn, for 4 weeks. The mean score(percent) of participants' satisfaction was 21.24+/-1.71(68.2%). Their total knowledge level was significantly improved(Z=-3.00, p=.003) and specifically in the category of environment management(Z=-3.77, p<.001) and patient monitoring(Z=-2.46, p=.014). The occurrence of nursing errors or adverse events was a little decreased, but not statistically significant(Z= -3.10, p=.756). CONCLUSION: E-learning for nurses is one way of effective and efficient teaching-learning strategies. For better e-learning, it is important to develop the vital content of the education and objective measures for detecting nursing errors and adverse events.
Education* ; Education, Nursing, Continuing ; Humans ; Medical Errors ; Monitoring, Physiologic ; Nursing* ; Operating Rooms* ; Patient Safety ; Program Development ; Program Evaluation

No abstract available.
Child* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Humans ; Infant* ; Poisoning*