We report a case of pilomatrixoma presenting in the right cheek of a 6-year-old girl. In the panoramic view, a small, ovoid-shaped, and nonhomogenous calcified mass was superimposed on the right mandibular angle. The mass was located on the skin overlying the right mandibular ramus area in the skull P-A view. The tumor had a strongly reflective pattern with acoustic shadowing in sonographic view. We also illustrate how these lesions can be effectively diagnosed.
Acoustics ; Cheek* ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Pilomatrixoma* ; Shadowing (Histology) ; Skin ; Skin Neoplasms ; Skull ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify the relationship between optimistic bias about health crisis and health behavior of Korean adults in a crisis of health, and to prepare baseline data for developing a health education and promotion program. METHODS: Study subjects were 595 adults aged from 19 to 64 who live in Korea. Data were collected through questionnaires administered by one interviewer. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient were calculated using the SPSS program. RESULTS: The average score for optimistic bias about health crisis was 2.69, and that for health behavior was 107.05. The optimistic bias about health crisis showed a significantly positive correlation with health behavior (r=.187, p=.000). CONCLUSION: To make our results more useful, it is necessary to identity the causal relationship between health attitudes as an explanatory variable and optimistic bias as an outcome variable. In addition, a relatively low score in optimistic bias from this research compared to other studies must be explained through further studies considering unique Korean cultural background. Moreover, research of the relationship between optimistic bias about health crisis and health behavior looking at people who don't have good health behaviors is needed.
Adult ; *Attitude to Health ; Demography ; Female ; *Health Behavior ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Questionnaires ; *Self Assessment (Psychology)

BACKGROUNDS: The first step for the recovery of alcoholics is the formation of true insight which enables them to admit that they are alcoholic. This study was designed to analyze the changes in insight status by treatment programs. METHOD: The subjects were 214 alcohol dependents who participated in the insight-oriented treatment programs for at least 1 week. Their insight status were measured through HAIS before and after treatment. RESULTS: Of 214 subjects, 83 (38.8%) were in poor-, 103 (48.1%) in fair-, and 28 (13.1%) in good-insight before treatment, and 56 (26.2%) in poor-, 97 (45.3%) in fair-, and 61 (28.5%) in good-insight after treatment. Mean HAIS scores of the subjects were 5.35 (SD=8.33) before treatment and significantly increased to 9.00 (SD=8.04) after treatment. The magnitude of insight-improvement was negatively correlated with the HAIS scores before treatment in poor-insight group and positively correlated with the duration of participation in treatment in fair-insight group. CONCLUSION: We confirmed the fact that the insight status of patients could be improved by treatment. It was also suggested that the therapeutic strategy needed an individual approach according to the insight state of a patient.
Alcoholics ; Alcoholism* ; Humans

PURPOSE: Cytogenetic and genetic alterations of tumors are closely related with progressian and promotion of cancers. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has known to be a novel tool for the detection of genetic alteration in solid cancers. We performed CGH for the detection of new genetic alterations of bladder tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biotin-labeled tumor DNA and digoxigenin-labeled normal DNA were hybridized to normal metaphase cells. The fluorescence signals were captured by fluorescence microscope after detection by avidin FITC and antidigoxigenin rhodamin. Then, the ratio of fluorescence was calculated by an image analyzer. RESULTS: CGH results showed amplifications on chromosomes 1q, 3q, 4q, 5p, 6pq, 7p, 8q, 11q, 12q, 13q, 17q, 18q and 20pq (more than 20% of cases). Deletions were on chromosome 2q21-qter, 4q13-q23, 5q, 8p12-p22, 9pq, 11p13-p15 (more than 20% of cases). High level amplifications were noted on chromosomes 1q31-qter, 3p21, 3q24, 4q26, Sq21-qter, llq14-qter, 12q15-q21, 12q21-q24, 13q21-q31, 17q22, 18q22. CONCLUSION: We considered that the amplification on chromosome 4q26, 11q14-qter, 12q21-q24, 18q12 and deletion on 4qll-4q13 as a novel genetic alterations of bladder cancer. Our results revealed different pattem of amplifications that affect other regions from previous study on chromosome 7, llq, 12q, 13q, and 18q. CGH was very useful for the screening of genetic alterations of solid tumors.
Avidin ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 7 ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization* ; Cytogenetics ; DNA ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Fluorescence ; Mass Screening ; Metaphase ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder*

BACKGROUND: Long-term phenytoin therapy induces resistance to the neuromuscular blocking effects of metocurine, atracurium, doxacurium, and pipecuronium. This study examine neuromuscu-lar blocking effect and recovery of mivacurium in isolated rat phrenic-hemidiaphragm with two-weeks phenytoin pretreatment. METHOD: After the administration of 14 days of phenytoin 40 mg/kg, administered intraperitoneally twice daily (n=10), ED90, antagonism of neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine on the electrically evoked twitch response and train-of-four (TOF) stimulation were compared to control groups in isolated rat phrenic-hemidiaphragm preparation. RESULTS: ED90 was significantly greater in the phenytoin group than in the control group (319 +/- 39.5 g vs. 209.5 +/- 52.2 g, respectively). After the administration of neostigmine 0.75 M, the recovery of the single twitch and TOF ratio were significantly lesser in the phenytoin group than in the control group (single twitch; 19.6 +/- 6.6% vs. 69.2 +/- 9.4%, TOF ratio; 0.258 +/- 0.149 vs. 0.543 +/- 0.1, respectively). After the administration of 4-aminopyridine 40uM, the recovery of the single twitch and TOF ratio were no significant differrence between the phenytoin group and the control group (twitch; 118.1 +/- 25.3% vs. 122.6 +/- 24.8%, TOF ratio; 0.937 +/- 0.051 vs. 0.949 +/- 0.067, respectively). CONCLUSION: Long-term phenytoin therapy induces resistance to the neuromuscular blocking effects of mivacurium.
4-Aminopyridine ; Animals ; Atracurium ; Drug Interactions ; Neostigmine ; Neuromuscular Blockade* ; Phenytoin* ; Pipecuronium ; Rats*

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of zoonoses in Korea has increased recently. However, the study of high risk groups for zoonoses has not been conducted to date in Korea. Thus, we did this study to obtain data on brucellosis among slaughterhouse workers in Korea. METHODS: We evaluated the structure of slaughterhouses and the process of slaughtering by reviewing the relevant literature and doing field studies. We visited 73 slaughterhouses and 62 residual products handle houses across the country. In addition, we conducted a questionnaire survey of the work activities, and obtained blood samples in order to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis. The titers of brucellosis antibodies were measured using the standard tube agglutination test (SAT). We diagnosed subjects as seropositive for Brucellosis if the titers were more than 1:160. The data collected was evaluated using SPSS ver. 17.0. RESULTS: We included 1,503 subjects and obtained 1,482 blood samples among them: 849 workers involved in slaughtering, 351 handlers of residual products, 190 inspectors and their assistants, and 92 grading testers and their assistants. The seroprevalence of brucellosis among the slaughterhouse workers was 0.8% (95% CI=0.4-1.5). Broken down, the seroprevalence of brucellosis among the workers involved in slaughtering was 0.7% (95% CI=0.3-1.6), the handlers of residual products was 1.7% (95% CI=0.7-3.9) respectively. Risk factors for contracting brucellosis among slaughterhouse workers were being splashed with cattle blood around the mouth, cattle secretions around the body and not putting on protective apron while at work. CONCLUSIONS: An educational program is needed for high risk groups on zoonoses about the prevention of infection. Thus, effective working guidelines for workers who participate in the slaughter of animals must be developed in order to protect them from zoonoses.
*Abattoirs ; Animals ; Brucellosis/blood/*epidemiology ; Cattle ; Humans ; Korea/epidemiology ; Occupational Diseases/blood/*epidemiology/microbiology ; *Occupational Exposure ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Zoonoses/epidemiology/microbiology

Two cases of Eagle's syndrome are reported. The first case involved a 31-year-old man who complained of pain in his throat and pain at preauricular area on turning his head. Panoramic and computed tomography (CT) views showed bilateral stylohyoid ligament ossification. The symptoms were relieved after surgical removal. The second case involved a 56-year-old female whose chief complaints were a continuous dull pain and occasional "shooting" pain on lower left molar area. During the physical examination, an ossified stylohyoid ligament was palpated at the left submandibular area. Panoramic and CT images showed prominent bilateral stylohyoid ligament ossification. CT scans also showed hypertrophy of left medial and lateral pterygoid muscles. The symptoms were relieved after medication. CT is a useful tool for the examination of ossified stylohyoid ligaments and studying the relationship between Eagle's syndrome and adjacent soft tissue.
Adult ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Ligaments ; Middle Aged ; Molar ; Pharynx ; Physical Examination ; Pterygoid Muscles ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Propofol is a good induction agent. but it has a disadvantage of pain on intravenous injection. Pretreatment of metoclopramide or lidocaine have been reported to reduce pain on injection. thus, we have evaluated the quantity and quality of anagesic effect of metoclopramide and lidocaine. We observed differences in quality of pain according to venous cannula sizes and intravenous injection sites as well as nausea and vomiting in the postoperative state. METHODS: Eighty patients scheduled for an elective operation by general anesthesia were chosen according to ASA (I or II) and divided into four groups randomly. Each group was injected through venous cannulas with normal saline (control group), metoclopramide 5 mg (group 1), metoclopramide 10 mg (group 2), or 2% lidocaine 40 mg (group 3) respectively. Then, propofol was injected of a 2 mg/kg dose with 0.5 ml/sec to all groups and we asked questions about injection pain after 10 seconds. RESULTS: Pain relief was shown in all groups compared with the control. but metoclopramide 10 mg and lidocaine 40 mg pretreatment groups showed significant pain reief. Pain was relieved significantly when the drug was injected in the antecubital area. Postoperative nausea and vomiting were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Metoclopramide 10 mg or lidocaine 40 mg pretreatment to induction by propofol revealed a good analgesic effect for propofol injection pain.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Catheters ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Lidocaine ; Metoclopramide* ; Nausea ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Propofol* ; Vomiting

Traumatic ventricular septal defect (VSD) resulting from blunt chest injury is a very rare event. The mechanisms of traumatic VSD have been of little concern to dateuntil now, but two dominant theories have been described. In one, the rupture occurs due to acute compression of the heart; in the other, it is due to myocardial infarction of the septum. The clinical symptoms and timing of presentation are variable, so appropriate diagnosis can be difficult or delayed. Closure of traumatic VSD has been based on a combination of heart failure symptoms, hemodynamics, and defect size. Here, we present a case of a 4-year-old boy who presented with a traumatic VSD following a car accident. He showed normal cardiac structure at the time of injury, but after 8 days, his repeated echocardiography revealed a VSD. He was successfully treated by surgical closure of the VSD, and has been doing well up to the present. This report suggests that the clinician should pay great close attention to the patients injured by blunt chest trauma, keeping in mind the possibility of cardiac injury.
Child ; Echocardiography ; Heart Failure ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Preschool Child ; Rupture ; Thoracic Injuries ; Thorax ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

Brucellosis is zoonotic disease of worldwide distribution and still remains endemic in some developing countries. The main pathogenic species worldwide are B. abortus, responsible for bovine brucellosis, B. melitensis. The B. abortus is most common in Korea. Each Brucella spp. has a preferred natural host that serves as a reservoir of infection. The incubation period varies between 5 and 60 days, and Brucella infection may be asymptomatic or symptomatic. The majority of patients complained of fever (undulating fever), sweats, malaise, anorexia, and arthralgia. The diagnosis of brucellosis requires the isolation of Brucella from blood or body tissues, or the combination of suggestive clinical presentation and positive serology. There were first patients in 2002, thereafter 16 patients in 2003, and 47 patients in 2004, the human brucellosis are increasing more gradually in Korea. Brucellosis is an occupational risk for farmers, veterinarians, and abattoir workers. The main sources of Brucella are infected animals or their products, such as milk, blood, carcasses, and abortion products. Routes of transmission of the infection to humans include direct contact with infected animals and their secretions through cuts and abrasions in the skin, by way of infected aerosols inhaled or via the ingestion of unpasteurized dairy products. A combination of doxycycline and streptomycin has been used widely in brucellosis. Prevention of brucellosis in human still depends on the eradication or control of the disease in animal hosts, the exercise of hygienic precautions to limit exposure to infection through occupational activities and the effective heating of dairy products, and other potentially contaminated foods. Also, physicians and veterinarians must be concerned about specific environments and clinical patterns of brucellosis.
Abattoirs ; Aerosols ; Animals ; Anorexia ; Arthralgia ; Brucella ; Brucellosis* ; Brucellosis, Bovine ; Cattle ; Dairy Products ; Developing Countries ; Diagnosis ; Doxycycline ; Eating ; Fever ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Korea ; Milk ; Skin ; Streptomycin ; Sweat ; Veterinarians ; Zoonoses