OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of memory disturbance caused by traumatic brain injury. METHODS: We measured the memory functions of 90 patients who complained of memory impairment after traumatic brain injury and were referred for mental disability evaluation, using Rey-Kim Memory Test. The patients were divided into three groups according to Memory Quotient and brain imaging studies. We also examined their intelligence and emotional characteristics using K-WAIS and MMPI. RESULTS: 1) Among the patients who complained of memory impairment and had abnormal brain imaging after traumatic brain injury, more than half showed no actual memory disturbance. 2) The group with actual memory disturbance showed normal verbal short-term memory but showed deficits in verbal long-term memory. And their visuospatial functions were preserved but visual short- and long-term memory were impaired. 3) There was notable correlation between memory function and intelligence in patients with traumatic brain injury. 4) The group with abnormal brain imaging showed more social withdrawal than the group without abnormal brain imaging. The group without abnormal brain imaging showed more somatization than the group with abnormal brain imaging. CONCLUSION: We suggest the special memory function test as well as brain imaging studies for patients who complain of memory impairment after traumatic brain injury.
Brain Injuries* ; Disability Evaluation ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Memory* ; Memory, Long-Term ; Memory, Short-Term ; MMPI ; Neuroimaging

Purpose: To assess associations between surveillance intervals in a national hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance program and receiving curative treatment and mortality using nationwide cohort data for Korea. Materials and Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Service Database of Korea, we retrospectively identified 3201852 patients, the target population of the national HCC surveillance program, between 2008 and 2017. After exclusion, a total of 64674 HCC patients were divided based on surveillance intervals: never screened, ≤6 months (6M), 7–12 months (1Y), 13–24 months (2Y), and 25–36 months (3Y). Associations for surveillance interval with the chance to receive curative therapy and all-cause mortality were analyzed. Results: The 6M group (51.9%) received curative therapy more often than the other groups (1Y, 48.3%; 2Y, 43.8%; 3Y, 41.3%; never screened, 34.5%). Odds ratio for receiving curative therapy among the other surveillance interval groups (1Y, 0.87; 2Y, 0.76; 3Y, 0.77;never screened, 0.57; p<0.001) were significantly lower than that of the 6M group. The hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality were 1.07, 1.14, and 1.37 for 2Y, 3Y, and never screened groups. The HR for the 1Y group (0.96; p=0.092) was not significantly different, and it was lower (0.91; p<0.001) than that of the 6M group after adjustment for lead-time bias. Curative therapy was associated with survival benefits (HR, 0.26; p<0.001). Conclusion HCC surveillance, especially at a surveillance interval of 6 months, increases the chance to receive curative therapy.

Purpose: To assess associations between surveillance intervals in a national hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance program and receiving curative treatment and mortality using nationwide cohort data for Korea. Materials and Methods: Using the National Health Insurance Service Database of Korea, we retrospectively identified 3201852 patients, the target population of the national HCC surveillance program, between 2008 and 2017. After exclusion, a total of 64674 HCC patients were divided based on surveillance intervals: never screened, ≤6 months (6M), 7–12 months (1Y), 13–24 months (2Y), and 25–36 months (3Y). Associations for surveillance interval with the chance to receive curative therapy and all-cause mortality were analyzed. Results: The 6M group (51.9%) received curative therapy more often than the other groups (1Y, 48.3%; 2Y, 43.8%; 3Y, 41.3%; never screened, 34.5%). Odds ratio for receiving curative therapy among the other surveillance interval groups (1Y, 0.87; 2Y, 0.76; 3Y, 0.77;never screened, 0.57; p<0.001) were significantly lower than that of the 6M group. The hazard ratios (HRs) of all-cause mortality were 1.07, 1.14, and 1.37 for 2Y, 3Y, and never screened groups. The HR for the 1Y group (0.96; p=0.092) was not significantly different, and it was lower (0.91; p<0.001) than that of the 6M group after adjustment for lead-time bias. Curative therapy was associated with survival benefits (HR, 0.26; p<0.001). Conclusion HCC surveillance, especially at a surveillance interval of 6 months, increases the chance to receive curative therapy.

Background: The relationship between serum vitamin D levels and depressive symptoms has not been consistent in previous studies in Korean women. Menopause is known to be related to depression and vitamin D. Methods: This study included 11,573 women from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Serum vitamin D levels were divided into four groups according to quartiles, and depressive symptoms were collected into two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted in each group of women before and after menopause. Results: Compared with the highest vitamin D group, the lowest vitamin D group did not show significant differences in all females (odds ratio [OR], 0.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.78-1.22). In premenopausal women, compared to the first quartile, ORs were presented in the second quartile (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07), third quartile (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.49-1.00) and fourth quartile (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.43-0.92) respectively, and they were statistically significant (P=0.016). In postmenopausal women, compared to the first quartile, ORs were presented in the second quartile (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.78-1.44), third quartile (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 0.87-1.61), and fourth quartile (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 0.98-1.66) respectively; however, they were not statistically significant (P=0.057). Conclusions Depression symptoms increased with a decrease in serum vitamin D in premenopausal women, but the opposite trend was observed in postmenopausal women. In future studies, if the relationship between blood vitamin D and depression is studied, the menopausal status of women can be used as an important criterion.

Adrenocorticotropin-independent adrenal hyperplasias are rare diseases, which are classified into macronodular (>1 cm) and micronodular (≤1 cm) hyperplasia. Micronodular adrenal hyperplasia is subdivided into primary pigmented adrenocortical disease and a limited or nonpigmented form 'micronodular adrenocortical disease (MAD)', although considerable morphological and genetic overlap is observed between the 2 groups. We present an unusual case of a 44-month-old girl who was diagnosed with Cushing syndrome due to MAD. She had presented with spotty pigmentation on her oral mucosa, lips and conjunctivae and was diagnosed with multiple bone tumors in her femur, pelvis and skull base at the age of 8 years. Her bone tumor biopsies were compatible with osteoblastoma. This case highlights the importance of verifying the clinicopathologic correlation in Cushing syndrome and careful follow-up and screening for associated diseases.
Biopsy ; Child* ; Child, Preschool ; Conjunctiva ; Cushing Syndrome* ; Female ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Lip ; Mass Screening ; Mouth Mucosa ; Osteoblastoma* ; Pelvis ; Pigmentation ; Rare Diseases ; Skull Base

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are one type of representing total infections in compromised patients. To analyze the characteristics and to determine the prognostic factors of IFI in patients with hematologic diseases undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and/or chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients (n=122) who received antifungal treatment with the impression of fungal infection complicating post-HSCT or chemotherapy from March- 2000 to February-2001. RESULTS: Seventy-four out of 122 registered patients belonged to the IFI on the basis of EORTC/ MSG criteria. Six patients were proven IFI, 46 were probable, and 22 were in the category of possible one. The most commonly involved organ was lower respiratory tract (72/74). The mortality was 32.4%. Univariate analysis revealed duration of hospitalization, days to diagnosis of IFI, and total amount of amphotericin B as significant prognostic factors. But multivariate analysis determined only duration of hospitalization from these variables as an independently influencing factor on the prognosis. CONCLUSION: Invasive fungal infection is still the major threatening complication of HSCT and chemotherapy. Further follow-up and extension of this study is necessary to elucidate more prognostic factors.
Amphotericin B ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Diseases* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Respiratory System ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium Glutamate

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are one type of representing total infections in compromised patients. To analyze the characteristics and to determine the prognostic factors of IFI in patients with hematologic diseases undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and/or chemotherapy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients (n=122) who received antifungal treatment with the impression of fungal infection complicating post-HSCT or chemotherapy from March- 2000 to February-2001. RESULTS: Seventy-four out of 122 registered patients belonged to the IFI on the basis of EORTC/ MSG criteria. Six patients were proven IFI, 46 were probable, and 22 were in the category of possible one. The most commonly involved organ was lower respiratory tract (72/74). The mortality was 32.4%. Univariate analysis revealed duration of hospitalization, days to diagnosis of IFI, and total amount of amphotericin B as significant prognostic factors. But multivariate analysis determined only duration of hospitalization from these variables as an independently influencing factor on the prognosis. CONCLUSION: Invasive fungal infection is still the major threatening complication of HSCT and chemotherapy. Further follow-up and extension of this study is necessary to elucidate more prognostic factors.
Amphotericin B ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematologic Diseases* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Respiratory System ; Retrospective Studies ; Sodium Glutamate