PURPOSE: We have evaluated the mutations of the OPTN gene, which has been reported to be associated with the normal tension glaucoma (NTG). METHODS: The OPTN gene was analyzed in 53 patients with NTG and 40 normal subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples of each patients, exon 5 and exon 6 of the OPTN gene were amplified by PCR and DNA sequencing was performed. RESULTS: No mutation was found in normal subjects. But three kinds of point mutation (G412A, C459T in exon 5, G577C in exon 6) were found in 7 patients with NTG. CONCLUSIONS: We report the novel point mutations of OPTN gene in NTG patients. This shows the possibility of diagnosis of NTG by detecting the mutation of OPTN gene.
Diagnosis ; DNA ; Exons ; Glaucoma* ; Humans ; Low Tension Glaucoma ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

PURPOSE: Gastric neuroendocrine tumors (GNETs) are relatively uncommon. Although they frequently follow indolent clinical courses, GNETs have the potential for metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of GNETs and explore the prognostic factors associated with overall survival of patients with GNETs.METHODS: All patients who underwent resection of GNETs from 2003 to 2016 at St. Vincent's Hospital were identified retrospectively. Demographic data, tumor characteristics, and survival results were evaluated.RESULTS: Of the 32 patients with GNETs, 10 patients (31.3%) had an endoscopic resection and 22 (68.7%) had a surgical resection. In terms of the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging systems, three (9.4%), seven (21.9%), five (15.6%), 13 (40.6%), and four patients (12.5%) were classified as stages 0, I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Overall survival differed significantly according to disease stage. Patients with positive symptoms, larger tumor size, and advanced stage had lower survival rates than those with other types.CONCLUSION: ENETS TNM stage is a reliable parameter for assessment of the prognosis of patients with GNETs. Clinical symptoms, tumor size, and TNM stage are associated with survival of patients with GNETs.
Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: The coronal approach for repair of frontal sinus fractures is associated with significant adverse sequelae including a long scar, alopecia, paresthesias, and, uncommonly, facial nerve injury. To minimize these complications, an endoscopic approach for repair of frontal sinus fractures was developed. The authors now present the results of an endoscopy-assisted approach for the treatment of frontal sinus fractures. METHODS: From 2002 to 2009, five patients with frontal sinus fracture underwent endoscopic repair. Two slit incisions were placed in the scalp, and one or two stab incisions directly over the fractures were placed in the forehead. After subperiosteal dissection, fracture segments were reduced under direct vision and fixed with microplates or fibrin glue. RESULTS: All patients had good cosmetic results and remained free of sinus complaints. There were no perioperative complications reported. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic repair of frontal sinus fractures is an efficacious technique that significantly reduces patient morbidity. A relatively wide range of anterior table fractures can be reduced using an endoscope. In cases of complicated comminuted fractures, fibrin glue helps to achieve satisfactory endoscopic reduction. Endoscopic repair is an alternative treatment for various anterior table fractures of the frontal sinus.
Alopecia ; Cicatrix ; Cosmetics ; Endoscopes ; Facial Nerve Injuries ; Fibrin Tissue Adhesive ; Forehead ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Frontal Sinus ; Humans ; Paresthesia ; Scalp ; Vision, Ocular

PURPOSE: NTM(non tuberculous mycobacteria) is rare cause of surgical site infection after plastic surgery in immunocompetent patients. There are some reports about NTM infection after body contouring procedure from Latin America. But, there is no report in Korea. The purpose of this article is to report 2 patients with soft tissue infection caused by NTM after body contouring procedure. METHODS: Two young female patients exhibited signs of inflammation and abscess after body contouring procedure. One patient underwent liposuction. The other underwent HPL(hypotonic pharmacologic lipo-dissolution) injection. RESULTS: The result of tissue cultures were positive for NTM. All patients responded to the combined therapeutic approach. CONCLUSION: The goal of this article is to raise awareness among plastic surgeons who may encounter such patients in their practice. NTM should be included in the differential diagnosis of surgical site infection after body contouring surgery.
Abscess ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Latin America ; Lipectomy ; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Surgery, Plastic

Novel agents to treat multiple myeloma (MM) have increased complete respone (CR) rates compared with conventional chemotherapy, and the quality of the response to treatment has been correlated with survival. The purpose of our study was to show how of early response to bortezomib combined chemotherapy influences survival in patients with newly diagnosed MM who are ineligible for stem cell transplantation. We assessed patient responses to at least four cycles of bortezomib using the International Myeloma Working Group response criteria. The endpoints were comparisons of progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between early good response group (A group) and poor response group (B group). We retrospectively analyzed data from 129 patients registered by the Korean Multiple Myeloma Working Party, a nationwide registration of MM patients. The 3 yr PFS for the A and B groups was 55.6% and 18.4%, respectively (P < 0.001). The 3 yr OS for the A and B groups was 65.3% and 52.9%, respectively (P = 0.078). The early response to at least four cycle of bortezomib before next chemotherapy may help predict PFS in patients with MM who are ineligible stem cell transplantation.
Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents/*therapeutic use ; Boronic Acids/*therapeutic use ; Disease-Free Survival ; drugs Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma/*drug therapy/mortality ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Pyrazines/*therapeutic use ; Registries ; Retrospective Studies ; *Stem Cell Transplantation ; Treatment Outcome