This study was performed to evaluate the titer of serum acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab), the correlation between AChR-Ab titer and clinical state, clinical response to thymectomy and histopathologic finding of thymus in myasthenia gravis. Twenty-seven patients with various clinical grades of myasthenia gravis and twenty-three norrnal controls were included in this study. Mean AChR-Ab titers were 4.21+4.27nM in myasthenia gravis and 0.05+0.06nM in control group(p<0.05). Mean AChR-Ab titers of each clinical grade were 0.80+1.67nM in grade I, 5.05+3.42nN in grade Iia, 8.37+4.50nM in grade Iib, 6.67nM in grade m and 10.89nM in grade IV. There were significant correlation between clinical grade and level of AChR-AB titer. There were no correlation between degree of clinical improvement and changes of serum AChR-Ab titer after thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. There were also no correlation between level of AChR-Ab titers and histopathologic findings of thymus.
Acetylcholine ; Humans ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Thymectomy ; Thymus Gland

This study was performed to evaluate the titer of serum acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab), the correlation between AChR-Ab titer and clinical state, clinical response to thymectomy and histopathologic finding of thymus in myasthenia gravis. Twenty-seven patients with various clinical grades of myasthenia gravis and twenty-three norrnal controls were included in this study. Mean AChR-Ab titers were 4.21+4.27nM in myasthenia gravis and 0.05+0.06nM in control group(p<0.05). Mean AChR-Ab titers of each clinical grade were 0.80+1.67nM in grade I, 5.05+3.42nN in grade Iia, 8.37+4.50nM in grade Iib, 6.67nM in grade m and 10.89nM in grade IV. There were significant correlation between clinical grade and level of AChR-AB titer. There were no correlation between degree of clinical improvement and changes of serum AChR-Ab titer after thymectomy in myasthenia gravis. There were also no correlation between level of AChR-Ab titers and histopathologic findings of thymus.
Acetylcholine ; Humans ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Thymectomy ; Thymus Gland

No abstract available.
Abruptio Placentae* ; Female ; Pregnancy

No abstract available.
Abruptio Placentae* ; Female ; Pregnancy

The Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine (KSNM) is celebrating its 60th anniversary in honor of the nuclear medicine professionals who have dedicated their efforts towards research, academics, and the more comprehensive clinical applications and uses of nuclear imaging modalities. Nuclear cardiology in Korea was at its prime time in the 1990s, but its growth was interrupted by a long pause. Despite the academic and practical challenges, nuclear cardiology in Korea now meets the second leap, attributed to the growth in molecular imaging tailored for many non-coronary diseases and the genuine values of nuclear myocardial perfusion imaging. In this review, we describe the trends, achievements, challenges, and perspectives of nuclear cardiology throughout the 60-year history of the KSNM.

PURPOSE: Kimura's disease is an uncommon benign lymphoproliferative inflammatory disorder with an unknown etiology. The recurrence rate after surgical excision is relatively high and renal involvement is its only systemic manifestation. The condition mainly involves the head and neck, and peripheral involvement is extremely rare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We encountered the case of a 28-year-old man who had a non-tender mass with mild brownish skin color changes and pruritus around the medial side of the distal arm and elbow. RESULTS: The peripheral blood investigation revealed peripheral eosinophilia and elevated serum IgE levels. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an isointensity signal relative to the muscle on the T1-weighted images and hyperintensity signal relative to the muscle on the T2-weighted images. CONCLUSION: A marginal resection of the lesion was performed and there was no recurrence at 2 years postoperatively.
Adult ; Arm ; Elbow ; Eosinophilia ; Head ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Muscles ; Neck ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Skin

The etiology of the obstructive sleep apnea includes the various factors such as anatomical abnormality in upper airway, craniofacial structure, obesity and personal habit. To establish reasonable treatment plan, multi-department approach is should be emphasized because the treatment modality is depend on the result of analysis for degree and site of obstruction and various behavioral factors. In Sleep Clinic in Keimyung University Medical Center, the standard of care for sleep apnea patient was established according to the Standard of practice committee of Americal Sleep Disorders Association. After one year experience of comprehensive approach for sleep apnea we could achieve following recommendation for the treatment. 1) The multi-department examination and diagnosis could prevent unnessesary treatment because the treatment plan could be established under comprehensive discussion. 2) Determination of the site of obstruction is important for treatment planning. However, no single determinant could be found. We expect multi-department approach can reduce the mistake in detection of obstruction. 3) Further evaluation of treatmet outcome should be succeeded to establish Korean standard of care for sleep apnea treatment.
Academic Medical Centers ; Dentistry* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Obesity ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive* ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; Standard of Care

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to introduce a new surgical technique and to evaluate the preliminary results after operative treatment with using TightRope(R) for treating acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studies 10 patients who were followed up for more than 6 months after operative treatment with using an TightRope(R). A longitudinal incision approximately 4cm in length was made from 1cm medial to the acromioclavicular joint to the coracoid process, and then coracocalvicular ligament augmentation using TightRope(R) was done after splitting the deltoid. For postoperative stability, two 1.6 mm Kirschner wires were inserted temporarily across the acromioclavicular joint in all cases. The radiologic results on the serial plain radiographs and the clinical results according to the UCLA score were analyzed. RESULTS: Radiologically, 7 cases showed anatomical reduction, 2 cases showed a slightly loss of reduction and 1 case showed partial loss of reduction. Clinically, 6 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good and 1 case was fair. CONCLUSION: Coracoclavicular ligament augmentation using TightRope(R) for treating acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation is a minimally invasive, safe procedure that provides satisfactory radiologic and clinical preliminary results. Yet the long-term results have to be analyzed to determine the final results of this procedure.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Bone Wires ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Ligaments

PURPOSE: This study was intended to perform cephalometric comparison between the patients with and without obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The factors influencing the OSA in the lateral cephalogram was also investigated. PATIENT AND METHOD: Twenty four patients who visited Sleep Disorder Clinic in Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University and evaluated with polysomnograph(PSG) and cephalogram were included in the study. The patients had apnea-hypopnea episode(AHI) over 10 times per hour was diagnosed as OSA after overnight PSG. To evaluate hard and soft tissue profile, cephalometric radiogram were taken at maximal intercuspation(P1) and mandibular protruding position(P2). The diffefence between the OSA and normal group were evaluated statistically and the stepwise regression analysis was applied to analyse the cephalometric influencing factors to OSA. RESULT: The OSA Group(n=14) had significantly higher Body Mass Index(BMI) than control group(n=10). Lower facial height(ANSGn) was longer in OSA group. However statistically significant difference was not detected in other anteroposterior craniofacial measurements. The soft palate lenth (PNS-P), hyoid position (MP-Hyoid) had positive correlation between AHI (r=0.496, r=0.413, respectively, p<0.05). However, the measurements of oropharyngeal airway was not different between the two groups. The hypothesis, the antero-posteriorly narrow oropharyngeal airway might aggravate the airway resistance and can give rise to higher AHI, was not accepted in the study. This can be attributed by inclusion of the patients performed uvulopalatopharyngoplasty because of the tonsilar or soft palate hypertrophy in the present study. The results of regression analysis revealed that PNS-P, upper airway width(Nph1), upper facial heght(N-ANS), and lower facial height(ANS-Gn) could influence the degree of AHI (F value < 0.0001, R2 = 0.829). CONCLUSION: We suggest lateral cephalogram may utilized as a useful method to evaluate OSA. The patient with long soft palate, narrow upper airway width, long upper and lower facial height can be expected to have high risk of OSA. However, it should be emphasized the comphrehensive intraoral inspection including soft palate and tonsilar hypertrophy because lateral cepahlogram cannot visualize oropharyngeal status completely.
Airway Resistance ; Humans ; Hypertrophy ; Palate, Soft ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive*

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: As we analyze the incidence and the risk factor for proximal junctional problem after surgical treatment of lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance, we want to contribute to reducing the junctional problem of surgical treatment of lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Surgical treatment of degenerative spinal deformity has increased. Rigid fixation was a risk factor for degenerative change of adjacent segment and failure, and it remains a big challenge for the junctional problem of surgical treatment. However, research on the correlation with risk factors is rare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty four patients (mean age 66.5; range, 50-74) who had surgery due to lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance were evaluated by the risk factor associated with junctional problems from January, 2005 to December, 2011. The risk factors were analyzed by surgical factor (proximal fusion level, using iliac screw, correction or undercorrection of lumbar lordosis compared with pelvic incidence) and patient factor (age, bone marrow density, body mass index). RESULTS: Junctional problems occurred in 18 patients (41%) out of 44 patients. Among these problems, there were 10 cases of fractures, 8 cases of junctional kyphosis, and 4 cases of proximal screw pull out. . Among the risk factors, only the correction or undercorrection of lumbar lordosis compared with pelvic incidence in surgical factor was statistically significant. Other surgical factors and patient factors were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Junctional problems after a surgical treatment of lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance were common. However, we could not know the exact risk factor of junctional problems except the degree of correction of lumbar lordosis compared with pelvic incidence, because most of the risk factors were not statistically significant. So, further evaluations of the risk factor of lumbar degenerative sagittal imbalance are required.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kyphosis ; Lordosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*