Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. Owing to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms, diagnosing retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy at the initial presentation poses a significant challenge. Typically, the diagnosis relies on non-radiation imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography and MRI, whereas CT is infrequently used. Herein, we report a rare case of a retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy, which was diagnosed using CT.

Rectal syphilis is a rare form of syphilis presentation and its symptoms, endoscopic and radiologic findings are nonspecific. Rectal syphilis typically presents with features such as concentric rectal wall thickening, mucosal hyperemia, perirectal fat stranding, and lymphadenopathy. Rectal cancer exhibits asymmetric wall thickening and lymph node necrosis, aiding in the differentiation between these two diseases. However, due to the considerable overlap in their respective manifestations, distinguishing between rectal syphilis and rectal cancer is extremely challenging without considering the patient’s medical history. Rectal syphilis often leads to unnecessary tests or delayed treatment, as it can be mistaken for other benign diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases in addition to rectal cancer. In this case report, we aim to provide a detailed report on the endoscopic, imaging, and pathological findings based on our experience with a case of suspected rectal malignancy that turned out to be rectal syphilis.

Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. Owing to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms, diagnosing retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy at the initial presentation poses a significant challenge. Typically, the diagnosis relies on non-radiation imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography and MRI, whereas CT is infrequently used. Herein, we report a rare case of a retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy, which was diagnosed using CT.

Rectal syphilis is a rare form of syphilis presentation and its symptoms, endoscopic and radiologic findings are nonspecific. Rectal syphilis typically presents with features such as concentric rectal wall thickening, mucosal hyperemia, perirectal fat stranding, and lymphadenopathy. Rectal cancer exhibits asymmetric wall thickening and lymph node necrosis, aiding in the differentiation between these two diseases. However, due to the considerable overlap in their respective manifestations, distinguishing between rectal syphilis and rectal cancer is extremely challenging without considering the patient’s medical history. Rectal syphilis often leads to unnecessary tests or delayed treatment, as it can be mistaken for other benign diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases in addition to rectal cancer. In this case report, we aim to provide a detailed report on the endoscopic, imaging, and pathological findings based on our experience with a case of suspected rectal malignancy that turned out to be rectal syphilis.

Retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy is a rare form of ectopic pregnancy. Owing to its rarity and nonspecific symptoms, diagnosing retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy at the initial presentation poses a significant challenge. Typically, the diagnosis relies on non-radiation imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography and MRI, whereas CT is infrequently used. Herein, we report a rare case of a retroperitoneal ectopic pregnancy, which was diagnosed using CT.

Rectal syphilis is a rare form of syphilis presentation and its symptoms, endoscopic and radiologic findings are nonspecific. Rectal syphilis typically presents with features such as concentric rectal wall thickening, mucosal hyperemia, perirectal fat stranding, and lymphadenopathy. Rectal cancer exhibits asymmetric wall thickening and lymph node necrosis, aiding in the differentiation between these two diseases. However, due to the considerable overlap in their respective manifestations, distinguishing between rectal syphilis and rectal cancer is extremely challenging without considering the patient’s medical history. Rectal syphilis often leads to unnecessary tests or delayed treatment, as it can be mistaken for other benign diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases in addition to rectal cancer. In this case report, we aim to provide a detailed report on the endoscopic, imaging, and pathological findings based on our experience with a case of suspected rectal malignancy that turned out to be rectal syphilis.

Background: and Purpose Subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs) are gaining attention as a self-perceived symptom for cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), but there are few suitable tools for assessing SCCs in PD. This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire for assessing SCCs in PD, called the Subjective Cognitive Complaints Questionnaire for Parkinson’s Disease (SCCQ-PD). Methods: The SCCQ-PD consists of 12 yeso questions on subjective cognitive function, and the questionnaire was completed by patients with PD (score-P) and their caregivers (score-C). The cognitive function of patients was examined using comprehensive neuropsychological tests. Results: This study included 73 patients (38 cognitively normal, 25 with mild cognitive impairment [MCI], and 10 demented) and their caregivers. Score-P and score-C had excellent reliability (Kuder-Richardson formula 20 coefficients of 0.893 and 0.931, respectively), and the scores exhibited a strong intercorrelation. Both score-P and score-C were negatively correlated with cognitive performance, and both were excellent in discriminating demented patients from those with normal cognition or MCI (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.83 and 0.88, respectively). Conclusions The SCCQ-PD is a reliable tool for assessing SCCs in patients with PD. SCCs measured using the SCCQ-PD are correlated with objective cognitive decline and useful for discriminating demented patients from nondemented patients.

BACKGROUND: It is important to know and decide when to end regimen for the quality of life of the patients. However, there is currently no clear agreement on when to terminate palliative chemotherapy. We investigated the duration between the last chemotherapy and death, and associated factors affecting patients receiving palliative care after the last chemotherapy. METHODS: We studied 242 patients who were put into palliative care ward after receiving chemotherapy and died during hospitalization from 2008 to 2009. Electronic medical records were used to gather information on demographic characteristics, types of primary cancer, and palliative chemotherapy. Then we analyzed the relationship between the clinical characteristics of patients and interval between last chemotherapy and death. RESULTS: The average survival time of patients after referral to palliative care was 17.5 days; survival time after discontinuation of chemotherapy was 103 days. Also, 104 (43.0%) patients died within 3 months and 14 (5.8%) patients died within 1 month of persistent palliative chemotherapy. Chemotherapy on patients within 3 months from their death was not associated with the social characteristics of the population. CONCLUSION: The patients who were referred to palliative care were found to have continued to receive chemotherapy within 3 months before death. However, only a small number of patients received chemotherapy within 1 month before death, which confirms that futile chemotherapy that extends to the end of life was less frequent. Doctors should be able to recognize the implications of excessive and aggressive use of chemotherapy and should actively communicate with patients about therapeutic choices.
Electronic Health Records ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Quality of Life ; Referral and Consultation ; Sociology

PURPOSE: People with a family history of mood disorder are more likely to have depression. This study compared the characteristics of non-psychotic major depression disorder according to family history of depression. METHOD: Subjects were total of 817 persons recruited for the CRESCEND-K multicenter trial. Characteristics of depression and suicide history of patients with and without a family history of depression were assessed. Family history was determined through self-report. RESULTS: Of 817 participants, 12.4% had a positive family history of depression. Those with family history of depression reported an earlier age at onset of MDD, and more psychiatric comorbidity. Severity of depression and anxiety were not different according to family history of depression. There were no difference in attempted suicide history, number of attempted suicide and age at onset of 1st attempted suicide according to such a family history. CONCLUSION: Patients with family history of depression reported earlier onset of MDD and more history of psychiatric comorbidity.
Anxiety ; Comorbidity ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Humans ; Mood Disorders ; Suicide ; Suicide, Attempted

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics and factors of voluntary discharged patients after suicide attempt and analyze the effectiveness of follow-up measures. METHODS: Total 504 adult patients aged 14 years and over, who visited a local emergency medical center from September 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015 were enrolled and retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the relationship with voluntary discharge group (VDG) among basic characteristics, suicidal attempt variables, outcome variables related to suicide attempts, and treatment related variables comparing with normal discharge group (NDG). RESULTS: Of the total 504 suicide attempts, three hundred eleven (61.7%) patients were VDG and 193 (38.2%) were NDG. The proportion of patients who completed the community service linkage were 18.7% (36/193) in NDG, compared with 7.7% (24/311) in VDG (p < 0.05). In addition, the ratio of the patients who visited psychiatric outpatient department in NDG were 57.0% (110/193), more than four times as likely as 14.5% (45/311) in VDG (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Over sixty percent of suicide attempters discharged against medical advice. Further various aspects of national supportive measures including strengthening case management service should be considered.
Adult ; Case Management ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Linear Energy Transfer* ; Outpatients ; Retrospective Studies ; Social Welfare ; Suicide ; Suicide, Attempted*