This report presents the latest statistics on the stroke population in South Korea, sourced from the Clinical Research Collaborations for Stroke in Korea-National Institute for Health (CRCS-K-NIH), a comprehensive, nationwide, multicenter stroke registry. The Korean cohort, unlike western populations, shows a male-to-female ratio of 1.5, attributed to lower risk factors in Korean women. The average ages for men and women are 67 and 73 years, respectively.Hypertension is the most common risk factor (67%), consistent with global trends, but there is a higher prevalence of diabetes (35%) and smoking (21%). The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (19%) is lower than in western populations, suggesting effective prevention strategies in the general population. A high incidence of large artery atherosclerosis (38%) is observed, likely due to prevalent intracranial arterial disease in East Asians and advanced imaging techniques.There has been a decrease in intravenous thrombolysis rates, from 12% in 2017–2019 to 10% in 2021, with no improvements in door-to-needle and door-to-puncture times, worsened by the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. While the use of aspirin plus clopidogrel for noncardioembolic stroke and direct oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation is well-established, the application of direct oral anticoagulants for non-atrial fibrillation cardioembolic strokes in the acute phase requires further research. The incidence of early neurological deterioration (13%) and the cumulative incidence of recurrent stroke at 3 months (3%) align with global figures. Favorable outcomes at 3 months (63%) are comparable internationally, yet the lack of improvement in dependency at 3 months highlights the need for advancements in acute stroke care.

Background: This study aimed to analyse the trends in changes of radiologic parameters according to age to predict factors affecting the progression of thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK). Methods: Records of patients with achondroplasia were retrospectively reviewed from July 2001 to December 2020. We measured imaging parameters (T10–L2 angle, sagittal Cobb angle, width, height, and number of wedge vertebrae, and apical vertebral translation [AVT]) of 81 patients with radiographically confirmed TLK. Based on the angle on X-ray taken in 36 months, 49 patients were divided into the progression group (P group, TLK angle ≥ 20°) and resolution group (R group, TLK angle < 20°). The mean values between the groups were compared using Student t-test, and the pattern of changes in each radiologic parameter according to age was analysed using a generalized estimating equation. Results: Some imaging parameters showed significant differences according to age between P group and R group: T10–L2 angle (p < 0.001), sagittal Cobb angle (p < 0.001), AVT (p = 0.025), percentage of wedge vertebral height (WVH) (p = 0.018), and the number of severely deformed wedge vertebral bodies (anterior height less than 30% of posterior) (p = 0.037). Regarding the percentage of wedge vertebral widths (superior and inferior endplates), the difference between the two groups did not significantly increase with age, but regardless of age, it was higher in P group than in R group. Conclusions The difference in the TLK angle between P group and R group of the achondroplasia patients gradually increased with age. Among the imaging parameters, AVT and WVH could be factors that ultimately affect the exacerbation of kyphosis as the difference between the groups increased significantly over time.

PURPOSE: To analyze prognostic factors for the treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures (PFFs) using the cable-plate construct. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of a consecutive series of 41 PFFs treated by osteosynthesis using the cable-plate system. The mean age of patients was 67.3±12.1 years (range, 42-86 years) and the mean follow-up period was 31.5±11.6 months (range, 12–58 months). Fresh frozen cortical strut allografts were leveraged in three cases for additional stability. Prognostic factors that may potentially affect clinical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: At the time of final follow-up, fracture union was obtained in 29 hips (70.7%; Group I) after an average of 13.5 weeks (range, 12–24 weeks). Healing failure after surgical treatment was observed in 12 cases (29.3%; Group II), including delayed union (n=10) cases and nonunion (n=2). Factors significantly associated with fracture union included fracture pattern (P=0.040), plate overlap percentage to stem length (P<0.001) and T-score at the preoperative bone mineral density (P=0.011). Transverse-type fractures around or just distal to a well-fixed femoral stem were observed in six cases (50.0%) of Group II. CONCLUSION: The cable-plate osteosynthesis of PFFs should be performed with caution in transverse-type fractures or in cases with severe osteoporosis. Fixation with sufficient plate overlap to stem length may be critical to prevent healing failure.
Allografts ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bone Density ; Femoral Fractures ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Periprosthetic Fractures ; Retrospective Studies

In order to determine the status of malaria among schoolchildren on Kome Island (Lake Victoria), near Mwanza, Tanzania, a total of 244 schoolchildren in 10 primary schools were subjected to a blood survey using the fingerprick method. The subjected schoolchildren were 123 boys and 121 girls who were 6-8 years of age. Only 1 blood smear was prepared for each child. The overall prevalence of malaria was 38.1% (93 positives), and sex difference was not remarkable. However, the positive rate was the highest in Izindabo Primary School (51.4%) followed by Isenyi Primary School (48.3%) and Bugoro Primary School (46.7%). The lowest prevalence was found in Muungano Primary School (16.7%) and Nyamiswi Primary School (16.7%). These differences were highly correlated with the location of the school on the Island; those located in the peripheral area revealed higher prevalences while those located in the central area showed lower prevalences. Plasmodium falciparum was the predominant species (38.1%; 93/244), with a small proportion of them mixed-infected with Plasmodium vivax (1.6%; 4/244). The results revealed that malaria is highly prevalent among primary schoolchildren on Kome Island, Tanzania, and there is an urgent need to control malaria in this area.
Blood/parasitology ; Child ; Coinfection/epidemiology/parasitology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Malaria/*epidemiology/parasitology ; Male ; Microscopy ; Plasmodium falciparum/*isolation & purification ; Plasmodium vivax/*isolation & purification ; Prevalence ; Tanzania/epidemiology ; Topography, Medical

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal cancer (CRC) develops from colonic adenomas. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with a higher risk of CRC and metformin decreases CRC risk. However, it is not certain if metformin affects the development of colorectal polyps and adenomas. This study aimed to elucidate if metforminaffects the incidence of colonic polyps and adenomas in patients with type 2 DM. METHODS: Of 12,186 patients with type 2 DM, 3,775 underwent colonoscopy between May 2001 and March 2013. This study enrolled 3,105 of these patients, and divided them in two groups: 912 patients with metformin use and 2,193 patients without metformin use. Patient clinical characteristics, polyp and adenoma detection rate in the two groups were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The Colorectal polyp detection rate was lower in the metformin group than in the non-meformin group (39.4% vs. 62.4%, P<0.01). Colorectal adenoma detection rate was significantly lower in the metformin group than in the non-metformin group (15.2% vs. 20.5%, P<0.01). Fewer advanced adenomas were detected in the metformin group than in the non-metformin group (12.2% vs. 22%, P<0.01). Multivariate analysis identified age, sex, Body mass index and metformin use as factors associated with polyp incidence, whereas only metforminwas independently associated with decreased adenoma incidence (Odd ratio=0.738, 95% CI=0.554-0.983, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with type 2 DM, metformin reduced the incidence of adenomas that may transform into CRC. Therefore, metformin may be useful for the prevention of CRC in patients with type 2 DM.
Adenoma* ; Body Mass Index ; Colon ; Colonic Polyps* ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Metformin* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Polyps ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transnasal esophagogastroduodenoscopy (T-EGD) has been reported to be well tolerated and is known to reduce patient discomfort that occurs with conventional EGD (C-EGD) performed via an oral route. We aimed to evaluate factors that influence preferences for T-EGD as a surveillance EGD in a general medical checkup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 658 subjects (median age, 49 years; 45% men) underwent T-EGD procedures by 8 endoscopists using a 5.2-mm diameter endoscope. All examinees and endoscopists were asked to assess the T-EGD examinations using the post-endoscopy questionnaire. The post-endoscopy questionnaire included a 10-point visual analogue scale, which asked the patient to place a cross on the line according to examinee's or endoscopist's experience of the endoscopy procedure. Zero represented the worst experience and 10 the best experience. RESULTS: T-EGD was feasible in 96.6% of the subjects. Younger age (<35 years) and female sex were significant predictive factors for failure of the procedure. Older age (> or =35 years) or male examines preferred T-EGD as the modality for the next examination. The endoscopist's overall discomfort level was higher in the beginner group than in the expert group. CONCLUSIONS: The T-EGD may be better tolerated than C-EGD and offers a more comfortable surveillance endoscopic procedure to older (> or =35 years), male, or sedated C-EGD-experienced examinees in a general medical checkup. More experience with and education about T-EGD may help to improve the tolerance of the beginner group of endoscopists.
Education ; Endoscopes ; Endoscopy* ; Endoscopy, Digestive System* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Personal Satisfaction ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Early colon cancer can be effectively diagnosed and treated by colonoscopy, and surveillance colonoscopy is necessary to detect precursor lesions or new early colon cancer. We analyzed the surveillance results of patients with endoscopically resected early colon cancer to evaluate the detection rate of advanced neoplasia and its associated factors. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, from May 2003 to December 2011. Patients who underwent endoscopic resection for early colon cancer, showed mucosal and submucosal invasion on histopathologic examination, and received surveillance colonoscopy at least once were enrolled in the current study. Patients who underwent operation and those who were lost during surveillance period were excluded. RESULTS: Among a total of 305 patients diagnosed with early colon cancer, 211 patients met our inclusion criteria. Of these patients, 15 (7.1%) advanced neoplasias were detected at first colonoscopy. One hundred ninety-eight patients (93.8%) underwent surveillance colonoscopy within one year and 14 (7.0%) advanced neoplasias were detected in this group of patients. When patients with and without advanced neoplasia at first surveillance colonoscopy performed within one year were compared, inadequate bowel preparation (OR, 18.237; 95% CI, 3.741-88.895; p<0.001) and three or more colon polyps (OR, 9.479; 95% CI, 1.103-81.452; p=0.040) were significant risk factors for detecting advanced neoplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the high detection rate of advanced neoplasia at first surveillance colonoscopy in patients with endoscopically resected early colon cancer, surveillance interval should be within one year, especially when the bowel preparation has been inadequate and three or more colon polyps have been detected.
Aged ; Colonic Polyps/pathology/surgery ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms/*diagnosis/surgery ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Odds Ratio ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

A 50-year-old male patient presented with a right scrotal mass that had been growing rapidly for more than one year. A heterogeneous enhancing right scrotal mass (12x9 cm) with para-aortic and peri-caval lymphadenopathies was found on abdominal computed tomography (CT). Right orchiectomy was performed and the gross finding had shown intact testis with a well-defined, huge, whitish solid mass adjacent to the testis. According to pathology, the mass was characterized as a leiomyosarcoma, grade 3 (by National Cancer Instituted [NCI] system). Therefore, the diagnosis was stage III, grade 3 paratesticular leiomyosarcoma. The patient underwent additional systemic chemotherapy using ifosfamide and adriamycin. After nine cycles of chemotherapy, positron emission tomography-CT was performed and no FDP uptake was observed. The patient has been followed up for 12 months after systemic chemotherapy, and he has maintained a complete response. We report here on a rare case of paratesticular leiomyosarcoma treated successfully with orichiectomy and additional systemic chemotherapy.
Doxorubicin ; Electrons ; Formycins ; Humans ; Ifosfamide ; Leiomyosarcoma ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orchiectomy ; Ribonucleotides ; Testis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In Korea, limited data are available on small bowel bleeding in patients with portal hypertension. This study reports on the use of capsule endoscopy in cases of suspected small bowel bleeding in patients with portal hypertension. METHODS: Capsule endoscopy was used at our hospital to evaluate small bowel disease in 501 cases from July 2003 to June 2010. Of those cases, nine patients with portal hypertension due to liver cirrhosis with suspected small bowel bleeding were selected for the study. A retrospective analysis was performed using data from medical records. RESULTS: Six of the nine (66.7%) patients were males with an average age of 53.4 years. The average hemoglobin level was 8.1 g/dL. Abnormalities noted during capsule endoscopy included portal hypertensive enteropathy in all nine cases (100%), jejunal varices in four (44.4%), jejunal and ileal angiodysplasia in five (55.5%), multiple small bowel erosions in one (11.1%), granularity of the jejunal mucosa in one (11.1%), and small bowel erythema in three (33.3%). Active bleeding from jejunal varices was detected in two patients (22.2%). Despite having no obvious active bleeding during the capsule endoscopy, four patients (44.4%) were diagnosed with portal hypertensive enteropathy with obscure small bowel bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Capsule endoscopy is a useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of small bowel bleeding in patients with portal hypertensive enteropathy. Additional prospective and multicenter studies on the use of capsule endoscopy are needed to evaluate the incidence and clinical importance of portal hypertensive enteropathy.
Angiodysplasia ; Capsule Endoscopy ; Erythema ; Hemoglobins ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Incidence ; Korea ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Retrospective Studies ; Varicose Veins

Diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess, and may be associated with metastatic complications. We report a case of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) precipitated by a K. pneumoniae liver abscess and followed by a brain abscess. A 31-year-old man with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes was admitted for DKA. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography scans showed multiple abscesses in the lung, liver, both kidneys, and prostate gland. The blood culture yielded K. pneumoniae. The patient's condition improved following antibiotic and insulin therapy, and he was discharged. However, he was rehospitalized 10 days after discharge due to a generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed a brain abscess in the right basal ganglia. The patient was given an intravenous injection of antibiotics (vancomycin and carbapenem), and he recovered well with no neurological sequelae.
Abscess ; Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Brain Abscess ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Ketoacidosis ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Insulin ; Kidney ; Klebsiella ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Liver ; Liver Abscess ; Lung ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pneumonia ; Prostate ; Risk Factors ; Seizures