One, two, six and ten week old Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to carbon monoxide at 3,700 ppm for 30 minutes, and carboxyhemoglobin was measured immediateley, 5, 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes after the exposure. In each time after the exposure, the means of the carboxyhemoglobin levels were "compared among the week age groups. The regression analysis was done using the natural logarithm. of the carboxyhemoglobin concentration as a dependent variable and the time after the exposure. as an independent vaiable. From the regression equation, the half lives of the carboxyhemoglobin were calculated. The one week old rats showed significantly higher carboxyhemoglobin level than other week age rats in the entire time after the exposure. The corrected carboxyhemoglobin concentration calculated by subtracting the normal carboxyhemoglobin level from the me cured carboxyhemoglobin at each age group, showed no uniform differences.
Animals ; Carbon Monoxide ; Carboxyhemoglobin* ; Humans ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Intracranial nerve sheath tumors unrelated to the cranial nerve roots are extremely rare, and the origin of the tumors are debatable. We report a case of pathologically-proven neurofibroma inside the lateral ventricle. A 49-year-old man presented with headache of 6 months duration, urinary incontinence, visual disturbance and right hemiplegia. Brain CT scan showed a well defined isodense mass with homogenous contrast enhancement and marginal calcification. At surgery the tumor was found to be a 4cm-sized lobulated mass attached only to the choroid plexus. Histologically, the tumor masses consisted of fasciculating bundles of wavy spindle cells, with a considerable collagen laydown.
Brain ; Choroid Plexus ; Collagen ; Cranial Nerves ; Headache ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms ; Neurofibroma* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urinary Incontinence

PURPOSE: If the primary palatoplasty fails, mobilization of the mucoperiosteal flap will become difficult because of mucoperiosteal scarring. Likewise, cleft palate with wide gap makes it difficult to secure a sufficient mobilization of the periosteal flap. Authors have achieved satisfactory results with the operation of troublesome cleft palate using two-flap palatoplasty with dissection of neurovascular bundle from the mucoperiosteal flap. MATERIAL & METHODS: From January to December of 2005, Authors treated 3 troublesome cleft palates with two-flap palatoplasty with dissection of neurovascular bundle from the mucoperiosteal flap. Authors dissected pedicle wide enough to check it from operation field to make mobilization of flap easier, so that any restriction on mobilization of flap or wide gap of cleft palate can be overcome. Among the three patients, two patients are boys and one patient is a girl. Incomplete cleft palate is one case, and complete cleft palates are two cases. Two patients ware treated with cleft palate in the past. But, there still remained the cleft with marginal scarring. One patient has cleft palate with wide gap. RESULTS: All of the cleft palates were repaired with one- stage operation. There was no morbidity or complication reported such as flap necrosis, hemorrhage, palatal fistula and delayed wound healing. CONCLUSION: The excellence of two flap palatoplasty has proved by numerous authors, and it has been widely used as a primary palatoplasty. The two flap palatoplasty by our method is useful for mobilization of the flap. Dissection of neurovascular bundle from the mucoperiosteal flap creates sufficient mobilization, reduces injury on soft tissue, and eliminates tension when the cleft is closed. Also, no other donor site was needed. As two flap palatoplasty boasts many more advantages than those mentioned above, authors applied it to troublesome cleft palate as an alternative to other complicate operation methods to acquire good and positive results.
Cicatrix ; Cleft Palate* ; Female ; Fistula ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Tissue Donors ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: Recently, in dermatologic area, the number of skin biopsy for diagnosis and treatment has been increased and the dermatosurgery which should give patients satisfaction developed widely. As the frequency of direct contact with patients increases, we must recognize and prevent infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C. Also, because drugs which may affect function of liver were used in many medical clinics and shops, we have more chance of evaluating liver function before the treatment. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the prevalence and associated diseases of the patients with elevated transaminase (AST,ALT), positive of hepatitis B surface antigen and anti-HCV Ab. And we tried to study the causes of elevated transaminase. METHOD: All the 1704 outpatients who visited the dermatologic clinic of Pusan National University Hospital from March 1996 to February 1999 were enrolled. AST and ALT level were assessed by kinetic method and elevated group comprised the subjects with AST and ALT levels exceeding the upper limit of normal for our laboratories (AST >40IU/L or ALT >37IU/L). HBsAg and anti-HCV Ab were tested by enzymeimmunoassay(EIA) and medical records were reviewed. RESULTS: The prevalence of elevated transaminase was 13.6% and the peak age was the sixth decade. Most common associated disease categories were drug druption, eruption & urticaria. The prevalence of positive hepatitis B surface antigen was 9.7% and the peak age was the fourth decade (42.4%). Associated diseases of antigen positive patients were lichen planus, urticaria, cryoglobulinemia, etc. The prevalence of positive anti-HCV Ab was 3.4% and the sixth decade was the peak incidence of age distribution. The diseases such as urticaria, erythema nodosum, psoriasis, alopecia, and so on were investigated in the patients. Common suspected causes of elevated transaminase(AST, ALT) were hepatotoxic drug and viral hepatitis. Conclusion: Increased hepatic parenchymal enzyme was investigated in a high percentage of studied patients. Also, the prevalence of HBV and HCV infection in dermatologic patients were relatively higher than that of reported normal Korean people. Therefore dermatologists should recognize these facts and be careful in dermatologic procedure.
Age Distribution ; Alopecia ; Biomarkers* ; Biopsy ; Busan ; Communicable Diseases ; Cryoglobulinemia ; Diagnosis ; Erythema Nodosum ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lichen Planus ; Liver ; Medical Records ; Outpatients ; Prevalence* ; Psoriasis ; Skin ; Urticaria

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to be evaluated the adequacy on DRG classification in Obstetric group and analyzed the difference for medical benefit payment from the insurance and total medical reimbursement according to complication and age in vaginal delivery group and Cesarean section group. METHODS: This study has been analyzed for medical benefit payment from the insurance and total medical reimbursement of patients from University of hospital since Feburary 1999 to December 2000 and the data from Health Insurance Review Agency since Feburary 2001 to July 2001. RESULTS: Since these cases were not reported even 1 case in Korea, there were 113 cases needed to be deleted in DRG classification disease group. In the evaluation of disease severity for DRG classification disease group, there were 11 cases should be added to severe complicating diagnosis, 5 cases should be removed from severe complicating diagnosis, and 6 cases should be added to moderate complicating diagnosis in vaginal delivery and Cesarean section group. Medical benefit payment from the insurance and total medical reimbursement in the group with having severe complication were significantly higher than in the group without complication in Cesarean section group. Medical benefit payment from the insurance and total medical reimbursement in the group with having severe complication in primigravida vaginal delivery group and the group with having severe complication in multigravida vaginal delivery group were significantly higher in the group without complication in primigravida vaginal delivery group and the group without complication in multigravida vaginal delivery group, separately. CONCLUSION: Severity classification system-severe complication, multiple complication, moderate complication, non-complication-should be included in obstetric DRG classification system.
Cesarean Section ; Classification* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis-Related Groups* ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Pregnancy

There are multiple causes of acute parotid swelling, including tumors, viral and bacterial infections, enlargement accompanying connective tissue and obstruction to salivary flow. A rare but well-documented cause of parotid swelling is pneumoparotitis. This is a condition in which there is insufflation of air into the acini of the parotid gland via Stensen's duct. The air may rupture through the parotid capsule, spread into the subcutaneous tissues of the face and neck, and even cause pneumomediastinum. We present a case of pneumoparotitis caused by flute playing. The clinical presentation, proposed pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of this rare condition are presented and discussed.
Bacterial Infections ; Child* ; Connective Tissue ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Insufflation ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Neck ; Parotid Gland ; Rupture ; Salivary Ducts ; Subcutaneous Tissue

Lingual thyroid is the most common benign ectopic thyroid tissue but is a rare clinical entity. This developmental anomaly is due to the failure of descent of the gland anlage early in the course of embryogenesis. Patients may have symptoms of dysphagia due to obstruction or even hemorrhage. These symptoms can occur at any time from infancy through adulthood. The clinical findings, laboratory tests, and radiographic imaging studies employed in confirming the diagnosis and in planning appropriate treatment have been evaluated. The primary therapeutic goal is to restore thyroid function but surgical excision of the gland is reserved for more advanced cases of gland enlargement resulting in airway compromise, severe dysphagia that limits oral intake, or hemorrhage. We experienced a case of lingual thyroid that was successfully treated by transcervical approach and summarized the principles of current management for this condition.
Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Lingual Thyroid* ; Pregnancy ; Thyroid Dysgenesis ; Thyroid Gland

OBJECTIVE: To study risk factors of secondary lumbar discectomy (LD) for recurrent herniated lumbar disc (HLD) and identify methods to lower the rate of recurrence.METHODS: Data from 160 patients who underwent primary LD were collected retrospectively. Demographic features, radiologic findings including Pfirrmann disc degeneration, and surgical information were analyzed to compare risks between revision and non-revision patients.RESULTS: The revision rate was 15% (24 patients), and the mean follow-up was 28.3 months. HLD recurrence was not related to any demographic characteristics. Primary and secondary LD were most common at the L4–5 level, but the level of operation was not significantly associated with revision. Primary LD most commonly had a Pfirrmann disc degeneration grade of 3, followed by 4. For recurrent HLD, Pfirrmann grade 4 was most common and was statistically significant (p<0.05). A body mass index (BMI) over 30 was considered obese and was significantly related with HLD revision (p<0.05).CONCLUSION: Patients with high BMI or severe disc degeneration should be informed of HLD revision.
Body Mass Index ; Diskectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Recurrence ; Reoperation ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is still one of the most seriously threatening infections in Korea, because of multidrug resistant tuberculosis. Results of antituberculosis drug susceptibility test can provide clinicians very important informations for selection of proper regimens for treatment. METHODS: In this study the results of antituberculosis drug susceptibility test of 298 cases at Kyunghee Medical Center from 2000 to 2003 were retrospectively analysed to evaluate the trend of antituberculosis drug susceptibility. The procedure of drug susceptibility test was based on the absolute concentration method using Lowenstein-Jensen solid media. RESULTS: The resistance rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to one or more drugs was increased from 29.3% in 2000 to 48.2% in 2003, and the rates of multiple resistance to two or more drugs increased from 13.3% in 2000 to 20.5% in 2003. The increase in resistance rate to individual drug during study period were 20.0% to 24.1% in isoniazid, 9.3% to 19.3% in rifampicin, 5.3% to 15.7% in ethambutol, 4.0% to 10.8% in para-aminosalicylic acid, 2.7% to 6.0% in kanamycin, 1.3% to 7.2% in ethionamide, 1.3% to 6.0% in capreomycin, 1.3% to 7.2% in prothionamide, 0.0% to 12.1% in ofloxacin, 6.7%to 3.6% in streptomycin, 6.7% to 7.2% in cycloserine, 10.7% to 8.4% in pyrazinamide, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The resistance rate of M. tuberculosis has been increased with years and multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis was commonly encountered in the specimens from the patients visited Kyunghee Medical center.
Aminosalicylic Acid ; Capreomycin ; Cycloserine ; Ethambutol ; Ethionamide ; Humans ; Isoniazid ; Kanamycin ; Korea ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis ; Ofloxacin ; Prothionamide ; Pyrazinamide ; Retrospective Studies ; Rifampin ; Streptomycin ; Tuberculosis

OBJECTIVE: Correlations between semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were investigated to identify characteristics of sperm without DNA damage that could be used in selecting sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Pregnancy outcomes were compared to determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI is a better choice for patients who have sperm with a high-DFI. METHODS: Semen analysis was carried out in 388 patients who visited our IVF center for the first time to investigate correlations between sperm DFI and semen parameters. In addition, 1,102 IVF cycles in 867 patients were carried out in the present study; 921 cycles in the low-DFI group (DFI <30%) and 181 cycles in the high-DFI group (DFI ≥30%). Both the low- and high-DFI groups were subdivided into IVF and ICSI cycle groups. RESULTS: Sperm DFI showed significant inverse correlations with sperm motility (r=−0.435, p<0.001) and morphology (r=−0.153, p<0.05). Sperm DFI also showed significant correlations with rapid motility (r=−0.436, p<0.001), and the kinetic parameters of average-path velocity (r=−0.403) and linearity (r=−0.412). Although there was no significant difference in the pregnancy rates between IVF (48.6%) and ICSI (44.8%) in the low-DFI group, the pregnancy rate of ICSI cycles (44.8%, p<0.05) was significantly higher than IVF cycles (25.0%) in the high-DFI group. No significant difference was observed in the abortion rates between the low-DFI (52 of 921, 5.6%) and high-DFI groups (7 of 181, 3.8%). CONCLUSION: ICSI is a better choice than IVF for improving the pregnancy outcomes of patients who have sperm with a high DFI.
Abortion, Induced ; DNA Damage ; DNA Fragmentation* ; DNA* ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa*