The self-insertion of foreign bodies into the urethra to obtain sexual gratification is an uncommon paraphilia and may be complicated by their passage into the urethra and subsequent difficulties in recovering the foreign body. There are two key areas of discussion in relation to this issue: (1) the psychological aspects of the action and (2) the possible treatment options. With careful attention to the patient's history, it is usually possible to identify the foreign body and the time since insertion. In most cases, the individual seeks emergency surgical treatment. Radiological evaluation is necessary to determine the exact size, location, and number of objects. Endoscopic retrieval is usually successful, but open surgical removal is required in some cases. We present two cases of self-insertion of foreign bodies into the urethra.
Emergencies ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Male ; Paraphilic Disorders ; Urethra*

Lithium has long been a primary drug used to treat bipolar mood disorder. Recently, in vivo and in vitro studies have demonstrated neuroprotective actions of lithium, even though therapeutic mechanisms of lithium remain obscure. The present study was undertaken to examine whether pretreatment with lithium can reduce the expression of aquaporin4 (AQP4) related to brain edema. Chronic lithium treatment was produced by pellet of standard diet containing 40 mmol/dL and/or 60 mmol/dL lithium chloride for 25 days. The serum concentrations of lithium were increased to 0.60+/-0.1 mEq/L in the 40 mM/dL and 60 mM/dL lithium treated rats which is therapeutic dose of clinical practice. After chronic lithium treatment, there was a dose-dependent down-regulation of AQP4 expression in the cerebrospinal fluid-brain interfaces and blood brain barrier. Down-regulation of AQP4 after chronic lithium treatment suggest that lithium may be used for the prevention or treatment of brain edema.
Animals ; Aquaporin 4* ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; Brain Edema ; Brain* ; Diet ; Down-Regulation* ; Lithium ; Lithium Chloride ; Mood Disorders ; Rats*

This study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality used in maternal-child nursing clinical practicums on nursing students’ competencies through a systematic review. Methods: The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed papers in English or Korean presenting analytic studies of maternal-child nursing practicums using virtual reality. An electronic literature search of the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, ERIC, PubMed, and Research Information Sharing System databases was performed using combinations of the keywords “nursing student,” “virtual reality,” “augmented reality,” “mixed reality,” and “virtual simulation” from February 4 to 15, 2022. Quality appraisal was performed using the RoB 2 and ROBINS-I tools for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs, respectively. Results: Of the seven articles identified, the RCT study (n=1) was deemed to have a high risk of bias, with some items indeterminable due to a lack of reported details. Most of the non-RCT studies (n=6) had a moderate or serious risk of bias related to selection and measurement issues. Clinical education using virtual reality had positive effects on knowledge, skills, satisfaction, self-efficacy, and needs improvement; however, it did not affect critical thinking or self-directed learning. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that using virtual reality for maternal-child nursing clinical practicums had educational effects on a variety of students’ competencies. Considering the challenges of providing direct care in clinical practicums, virtual reality can be a viable tool that supplements maternal-child nursing experience. Greater rigor and fuller reporting of study details are required for future research.

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term visual outcome of arteriovenous adventitial sheathotomy in BRVO-induced macular edema. METHODS: The visual outcomes of 8 patients following vitrectomy with arteriovenous adventitial sheathotomy for BVO-induced macular edema (surgery group) were retrospectively evaluated. The three-year post-operative visual acuity of the surgery group was compared with that of the conservatively managed controls. RESULTS: All patients were followed for a minimum of 36 months. Mean BCVA (logMAR) in the surgery group changed from 1.10+/-0.34 to 1.19+/-0.70 and to 0.80+/-0.36 at 12 and 36 months, respectively (p=0.959 at 12 months, p=0.018 at 36 months). In the control group, visual acuity improved from 1.15+/-0.43 to 0.43+/-0.44 and to 0.43+/-0.39 at 12 and 36 months, respectively (p=0.015 at 12 months, at p=0.003 at 36 months). A strong trend toward better visual acuity at 12 months and final examination was observed for controls. (surgery vs. control group, p=0.052 at 12 months, p=0.066 at 36 months). CONCLUSIONS: Considering the favorable natural course of BVO and the unproven effect of reperfusion on macular edema, surgical efficacy of arteriovenous adventitial sheathotomy requires further evaluation.
Aged ; Connective Tissue/*surgery ; Decompression, Surgical/methods ; Female ; Humans ; Macular Edema/etiology/physiopathology/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Artery ; Retinal Vein ; Retinal Vein Occlusion/complications/physiopathology/*surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity/*physiology ; Vitrectomy/*methods

PURPOSE: We compared the clinical manifestations and prognosis of Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) in children with and without abdominal pain to investigate the usefulness of endoscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 185 HSP inpatients (group A [with abdominal pain] and group N [without abdominal pain]) who had been admitted to the BundangCHA hospital between 2001 and 2010. We compared clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and endoscopic and ultrasonographic findings. RESULTS: Of the 185 children, 112 (60.5%) had abdominal pain and 31 (16.8%) presented with abdominal pain before developing cutaneous purpura. Group A patients were older (6.9+/-3.5 vs. 5.3+/-3.3 years), had higher rates of positive results for stool occult blood (53.8%, p<0.001), and had longer hospital stays (5.2+/-4.2 vs. 3.6+/-2.5 days) than group N patients. Group A had a higher frequency of renal involvement than group N on admission (p=0.047). Ultrasonography showed small bowel wall thickening in 31 cases (43.7%) and increased Doppler flow in the bowel wall in 22 cases (31%) in Group A. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed HSP - related lesions in the stomach (25 cases) and duodenum (19 cases). The second portion of the duodenum was a more common lesion site than the duodenal bulb. Ultrasonography showed abnormalities in 13 of 19 patients with duodenal lesions. Recurrence was more common in Group A. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that recurrence and renal involvement are more common in HSP patients with abdominal pain. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy could be a useful diagnostic tool for HSP patients who develop abdominal pain before cutaneous purpura.
Abdominal Pain ; Child ; Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Length of Stay ; Occult Blood ; Prognosis ; Purpura ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach

Cerebellar Hippocampal and Basal Nuclei Transient Edema with Restricted diffusion (CHANTER) syndrome is characterized by an altered mental status. The acute MRI lesions show abnormal restricted diffusion imaging bilaterally and symmetrically in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and basal nuclei. This syndrome is an unknown syndrome and is presumed to be mainly an opioidinduced toxidrome. Here, we present a case study wherein we show that it can also be caused by an antidepressant overdose.

PURPOSE: The management of prenatally detected bilateral ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) remains controversial. We attempted to develop a treatment plan for patients with severe bilateral UPJO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the records of 13 patients with prenatally diagnosed grade 3 or more bilateral hydronephrosis that led to the postnatal diagnosis of severe bilateral UPJO. Ultrasonography and (99m)technetium mercaptoacetyltriglycine ((99m)Tc-MAG3) renal scans were performed within 1 month. Four renal units had grade 3 and 22 had grade 4 hydronephrosis. All 13 patients were managed by unilateral pyeloplasty, and the patients' mean age was 3 months. At 1 month postoperatively, we decided whether delayed surgery in the opposite renal unit was necessary according to the findings of ultrasonography and (99m)Tc-MAG3 scans. RESULTS: Of 13 patients, 11 underwent initial pyeloplasty on renal units with more severe hydronephrosis or lower relative renal function (RRF) on (99m)Tc-MAG3 scans. The remaining 2 patients simultaneously underwent percutaneous nephrostomy on renal units with a lower RRF and initial pyeloplasty on renal units with a higher RRF. In 5 patients, contralateral hydronephrosis had spontaneously improved at 1 month postoperatively, and 8 patients underwent delayed contralateral pyeloplasty at 2 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: In children with severe bilateral UPJO, the non-operated renal units with grade 3 and some with grade 4 hydronephrosis improved spontaneously after unilateral pyeloplasty. Therefore, delayed pyeloplasty of the opposite side should be considered at 1 month following initial pyeloplasty.
Child ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Infant, Newborn ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Ureteral Obstruction

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare perinatal outcomes between in vitro fertilization (IVF) twins and naturally conceived twins born to women aged 35 years or older and to provide basic information for taking care of IVF twins born to women aged 35 years or older. METHODS: We reviewed the records of perinatal and neonatal outcomes in 288 IVF twins and 220 naturally conceived twins born to women aged 35 years or older between January 2001 and December 2010 at CHA Bundang Medical Center. RESULTS: No difference was observed in the maternal ages of mothers giving birth to IVF twins and those giving birth to naturally conceived twins. Gestational ages and birth weights of IVF twins were not different from those of naturally conceived twins. Various perinatal outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension, placenta previa, premature amniotic membrane rupture, and need for a Cesarean section did not differ between the 2 groups. However, the 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores (P=0.019 and P=0.045, respectively) were different between the 2 groups. The incidence of early-onset sepsis was lower in the IVF twins than in the naturally conceived twins (P=0.02). However, the 2 groups did not show any difference in the incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, and other congenital anomalies. CONCLUSION: The perinatal outcomes in IVF twins born to women aged 35 years or older were not significantly different from those of naturally conceived twins.
Aged ; Amnion ; Birth Weight ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Cesarean Section ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Enterocolitis, Necrotizing ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Maternal Age ; Mothers ; Parturition ; Placenta Previa ; Pregnancy ; Rupture ; Sepsis ; Twins

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical presentation and outcomes of metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC) caused by prostate cancer (PCa) and to determine the prognostic factors for relieving the symptoms of MSCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 52 patients (47 who underwent radiotherapy and 5 who underwent surgery) treated between 1989 and 2007 were included. We investigated potential prognostic factors for the improvement of symptoms caused by MSCC. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine the independent significant factors for disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS: Twenty-four (51.1%) of 47 patients and 3 (60%) of 5 patients showed symptom improvement after radiotherapy or surgery, respectively. The number of involved vertebrae (1 or 2) as well as ambulatory and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS, 1 or 2) before radiotherapy or surgery were significant predictors of improvement of symptoms caused by MSCC (p=0.024, p=0.001, and p=0.001, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, hemoglobin (> or =11.1), the number of involved vertebrae (1 or 2), and ECOG PS (1 or 2) remained significant predictors (p=0.021, p=0.033, and p=0.034, respectively). On the Kaplan-Meier curve, however, only ECOG PS (1 or 2) was a significant factor predicting DSS (p=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, improvement of symptoms after treatment was observed in half of the MSCC patients; however, there were no factors predicting symptom improvement other than the number of involved vertebrae and the patients' ambulatory and performance status at the time of treatment. Patients with ECOG PS 1 or 2 may therefore be expected to have good DSS after radiotherapy or surgery.
Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prostate ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Compression ; Spine ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: This study aims to review the appropriateness of the issued death certificates and autopsy reports and to evaluate the improvement points of these documents in accordance with the guidelines of the Korean Medical Association and the National Statistical Office. Moreover, this study also examines why the guideline is necessary for the credibility of these documents. METHODS: The death certificates and autopsy reports written by a training hospital were analyzed for a 12-month period, between December 2014 and November 2015. The reference to analysis was the “guidelines to medical certificate 2015” written by the Korean Medical Association, “World Health Organization (WHO) death certificate principle”, and “guideline leaflet,” as provided by the National Statistical Office. Two researchers analyzed the documents that were against the guidelines, and suggested improvement points. The analyzed variables were age, sex, issued date, direct cause of death, manner of death, location of death, and types of accident. The primary goal was to see the rate of issued documents written correctly according to the guidelines and to suggest possible improvement points. The secondary goal was to analyze the reason for accordance and discordance between researchers. RESULTS: There were a total of 603 death certificates and autopsy reports issued during the research period; 562 (93.2%) and 41 (6.8%) cases, respectively. As for the manner of death, 521 cases were “death from disease,” 64 were “external causes,” and 18 were “others or unknown” (86.4%, 10.6%, and 3.0%, respectively). As for the issued department, internal medicine and emergency medicine issued 301 (49.9%) and 126 (20.9%) documents, respectively. Of these, 139 (23.1%) cases were regarded to be in accordance with the guidelines, while 304 (50.4%) were considered to be discordant cases. Among the discordant cases, there were 177 (29.4%) cases that were the mode of death directly written to cause of death. As for the records of “period of occurrence to death” were recorded only 70 (11.7%) cases (including “unknown” 65 cases) and the others were blank. The Kappa number of analysis regarding the evaluation correspondence of the two researchers was 0.44 (95% confidence interval, 0.38 to 0.51). CONCLUSION: The most frequent error was ‘the condition of death to direct cause of death’ with the ratio of 29.4%. This may have been because the rate of concordance between the researchers based on the guidelines was not high enough. There is a need to provide specific guidelines for each case, and also promote and educate regarding significant errors.
Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Death Certificates* ; Emergency Medicine ; Internal Medicine ; Medical Errors ; Observational Study*