BACKGROUND: There are prerequisites for fungal nail infection: fungal organism, susceptible host, and environments with damaged nail. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the growth rate of the great toe nail in distal subungual onychomycosis(DSO). MATERIALS AND METHODS:: The subjects are 60 adult patients with DSO and 19 age- and sex-matched controls with tinea pedis but no DSO. The growth rate of the great toe nail was measured. Data were evaluated with Mann-Whitney U-test and regression analysis using the statistical program for PC. RESULTS: The growth rate of the patients group showed a decrease against that of the controls. The equation for expected nail growth rate of specific age and sex was as follows: the expected nail growth rate(mm/day) = 0.07382 + (0.01498 × G) - (0.00033 × Age) - (0.00669 × S): if a person has DSO, G is 1, and if he has no DSO, G is 2; if a person is male, S is 1, and, female, 2. CONCLUSION: Patients with DSO often have a decreased growth rate of the nail compared with that of the controls. The authors propose the equation of expected nail growth rate in persons with or without DSO, and think that the growth rate of the nail is one of factors in the pathogenesis of onychomycosis.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Onychomycosis* ; Tinea Pedis ; Toes*

A granular cell tumor (GCT) is a relatively rare benign tumor that has been seldom reported since Abrikossoff first described it as a granular cell myoblastoma in 1926. While GCTs can occur anywhere in the human body, they are very rarely observed in the gastrointestinal tract and are especially rare in the large intestine. Most GCTs are small and asymptomatic and are often found by endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal series, and autopsy. We report two cases in which a submucosal tumor in the cecum was accidentally discovered by colonoscopy and was subsequently removed by colon polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection. Immunohistochemical analysis of the samples confirmed both cases as GCT. The literature review and reports of other growths in the gastrointestinal tracts support the necessity for proper identification of GCTs within the body to differentiate them from more malignant tumors.

A granular cell tumor (GCT) is a relatively rare benign tumor that has been seldom reported since Abrikossoff first described it as a granular cell myoblastoma in 1926. While GCTs can occur anywhere in the human body, they are very rarely observed in the gastrointestinal tract and are especially rare in the large intestine. Most GCTs are small and asymptomatic and are often found by endoscopy, upper gastrointestinal series, and autopsy. We report two cases in which a submucosal tumor in the cecum was accidentally discovered by colonoscopy and was subsequently removed by colon polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection. Immunohistochemical analysis of the samples confirmed both cases as GCT. The literature review and reports of other growths in the gastrointestinal tracts support the necessity for proper identification of GCTs within the body to differentiate them from more malignant tumors.

Holoprosencephaly(HPE), a common developmental defect affecting the forebrain and cranioface, is etiologically heterogenous. Teratogen, chromosomal anomalies, genetic syndrome, or genetic disorder of non-syndromic HPE are usually accepted as etiology. But the severity of brain and craniofacial malformation are not associated with etiology. Individuals with microform of HPE, who usually have normal cognition and brain imaging, are at the risk of having children with HPE. Several studies on the basis of HPE gene have been performed, which shed valuable insight on normal brain development. As additional HPE genes are identified, more accurate recurrent risk counseling can be given. We experienced a case of recurrent HPE diagnosed by transabdominal ultrasound examinations at 22 weeks' gestation.
Brain ; Child ; Cognition ; Counseling ; Holoprosencephaly* ; Humans ; Microfilming ; Neuroimaging ; Pregnancy ; Prosencephalon ; Ultrasonography

Occupational dermatosis is one of the most prevalent occupational disorders. However, the extent of the occupational dermatoses including incidences and prevalencies of each disease entity, and etiologic materials are not yet well stated in Korea. Authors reviewed the literatures on the statistic data and reports on the occupational dermatoses, and surveyed on the occupational dermatoses in two factories, and surveyed the physicians responsible to the occupational dermatoses with formed questionnaire. The results are as follows; 1. Among medical journals published since 1964, there were 31 articles on the occupational dermatoses. Of 31 articles, 18 were case reports and all others were review articles. Of 18 case reports, 9 were epidemiologic survey. The Workers' Periodic Health Examinations revealed that prevalence of the occupational dermatoses was highest(4.36 per 10,000 workers) in 1974, but number of the cases reported were decreased sharply since 1978 with some tendency to increase since 1987. There were 2,240 reported cases of occupational dermatoses between 1966 and 1992, which is 1.90% of all the reported occupational diseases. Skin infection and injuries due to chemicals were most frequent and there were 6 cases of skin cancer. 2. In an epidemiological survey on the dermatoses among 995 workers in a metal product manufacturing factory and 225 workers with acne, 130 workers with scar, 123 workers with deformity of toe nails. Scars, photosensitivity dermatitis, deformity of finger and toe nails, and acne were more prevalent in the metal product manufacturing factory(p<0.05). In the metal product manufacturing factory, workers treating organic solvents and oils had more dermatoses than those without treating the materials(p<0.05). On the skin patch performed on 16 workers in the metal product manufacturing factory, there were 8 cases of irritation dermatitis and 5 cases of contact dermatitis. Prevalence of contact dermatitis in the metal product manufacturing factory was 1.3%. 3. On the questionnaire survey, 34 dermatologists, 29 doctors of preventive medicine, and 22 family physician replied. The proportion of occupational etiology among all dermatoses assumed by the physicians were below 9%, and the most important occupational dermatosis in Korea was contact dermatitis. Main etiologic materials related to the occupational dermatosis were organic solvent, acid and alkali, and metals. The reason for the scarcity of report of occupational dermatoses were difficulty in diagnosis and physician's ignorance of the occupational etiology. They replied that to prevent the occupational dermatosis in the workplace, the use of protective devices was most important, and development of diagnostic criteria on the occupational dermatoses is urgent. Above results shows us that there is many workers with occupational dermatoses, but they are mostly unreported. Measures to prevent and manage the occupational dermatoses are not satisfactory at present. Hence, authors suggest measures for the precises diagnosis, report and prevention of the occupational dermatoses. a. Dernatikigustm orevebtuve physician, and industrial hygienist should work as a team to examine the high risk group and establish the preventive measures. b. Disease entities, diagnostic criteria of occupational dermatoses should be listed, criteria for the compensation and job fitting at recruitment should be established, and manual for the proper treatment and effective prevention of each occupational dermatosis should be developed. c. Patch test antigens against each occupational category should be developed and it should be available to any physicians responsible. d. To facilitate the diagnosis of occupational dermatoses by the doctors responsible for the Workers' Periodic Health Examination, development of standardized questionnaire, education on the techniques of the patch test, and cooperation with the dermatologist in diagnosis of occupational dermatoses is essential.
Acne Vulgaris ; Alkalies ; Cicatrix ; Compensation and Redress ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Diagnosis ; Education ; Fingers ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Metals ; Occupational Diseases ; Oils ; Patch Tests ; Physicians, Family ; Prevalence ; Preventive Medicine ; Protective Devices ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Skin ; Skin Diseases* ; Skin Neoplasms ; Solvents ; Toes

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary exercise test is a useful test for the evaluation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Obese subjects have an increased resting metabolic rate (VO2) compared to non-obese subjects and the increase is more marked during dynamic exercise, which results in the limitation of maximal exercise in obese subjects. In this study, the influence of the obesity and fat distribution on the maximal exercise capacity were evaluated. METHODS: Maximal exercise capacity was represented by maximam maximum oxygen uptake and VO2 max in the cardiopulmonary test. Obesity, total fat content and abdominal obesity(waist to hip ratio, WHR) were measured by bioelectrical impedence method. Total of 42 volunteers(male 22, female 20) were evaluated. RESULTS: 1) Weight to height ratio(mean±SD) was 110%±14.9% in men and 100±11.1% in women. 2) Fat ratio(mean±SD) was 23.3±5.2% in men and 27.55±3.9% in woman. 3) Waist to hip ratio(mean±SD) was 0.85±0.04 in men and 0.8±0.03 in woman. 4) In men, VO2max/min/Kg was negatively correlate with obesity, fat ratio, and abdominal fat distribution. 5) In woman, VO2max/Kg was negatively correlated with obesity and fat ratio, but did not show significant relationship with abdominal fat distribution. CONCLUSION: Obesity was a limiting factor for maximal exercise in both men and women. Abdominal obesity was a limiting factor for maximal exercise in men but its implication to women needs further evaluation.
Abdominal Fat ; Exercise Test* ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Oxygen ; Respiratory System

The leiomyoma of the uterus is most common benign genital tumor in women of reproductive age but occurs in the vagina rarely and may be confused with a variety of vaginal tumors. A preoperative diagnosis is seldom made. Recently we experienced a case of vaginal leiomyoma arising in the anterior vagina wall and concomitant uterine leiomyoma, so we report this case with a brief review of literature.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyoma* ; Uterus ; Vagina*

Dengue fever is an acute febrile disease caused by the dengue virus, which belongs to the family Flaviviridae. The increasing number of people traveling abroad has increased the number of cases of imported dengue fever in Korea. The most common symptoms in patients with dengue fever are malaise, fever, musculoskeletal pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Neurological manifestations such as myelitis, encephalitis, and cranial nerve palsies have been recognized as clinical consequences of dengue infection, but meningitis is a rare complication. We report the case of a 38-year-old man who presented with fever, headache, and nuchal rigidity while traveling in Vietnam. The etiology of meningitis was confirmed by the presence of dengue IgM antibody in his serum. This case report highlights the potential of dengue infection as a cause of meningitis.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Dengue ; Dengue Virus ; Encephalitis ; Fever ; Flaviviridae ; Headache ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Korea ; Meningitis ; Muscle Rigidity ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Myelitis ; Nausea ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Vietnam ; Vomiting

A pulmonary thromboembolism usually results from deep vein thrombosis as a serious and fatal complication. It is well known that several risk factors are predisposed to these thrombotic events, causing sudden death. Recently, new variant forms of pulmonary thromboembolism, termed as "economy class syndrome or e-thrombosis" were reported in association with sitting for long time in aircraft seat or at computer. The authors experienced a case of death developed after prolonged gambling at casino in 46-year-old man and concluded that the cause of death was fatal pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep vein thrombosis, associated with prolonged sitting. Therefore, the author thought that this case may be contribute to another possible risk factor of life-threatening pulmonary thromboembolism and highlights the importance of predicting deep vein thrombosis after prolonged gambling in sitting position at casino in the similar mechanism of aforementioned reported cases.
Aircraft ; Autopsy* ; Cause of Death ; Death, Sudden ; Gambling* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Embolism* ; Risk Factors ; Venous Thrombosis

An isolated aneurysm of the iliac artery is a very rare disease that can occur as the result of atherosclerotic degeneration, mycosis, trauma, medial necrosis, fibrodysplasia, or Marfan syndrome. This abnormality is often asymptomatic, and it has a potential risk of rupture. Since patients with chronic renal failure on hemodialysis have many comorbid conditions, the risk of rupture is increased. Here, we report the case of an isolated common iliac artery aneurysm that was caused by atherosclerosis in a patient on hemodialysis, and we review the relevant literature.
Aneurysm ; Atherosclerosis ; Humans ; Iliac Aneurysm ; Iliac Artery ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Marfan Syndrome ; Necrosis ; Rare Diseases ; Renal Dialysis ; Renal Insufficiency ; Rupture