OBJECTIVE: To compare the age of menarche, changing patterns of the menstrual characteristics in adolescent girls between 1988 and 1998. METHODS: A survey was undertaken for 1,500 highschool girls and compare with those of pervious study for 5,000 middle and highschool girls performed by same author in 1998 by means of questionnaire. RESULTS: During a decade, the mean menarcheal age decreased from 13.5+/-1.0 to 12.7+/-1.0 years(p=0.001). Gynecologic age, Body mass index were associated with age of menarche in both 1988 and 1998. The interval of menstruation was 30.6 3.5dyas in 1998 and shortened compared with 32.1+/-6.3 days in 1988(p=0.001). The duration of menstruation was lengthened in 1998 than in 1988(6.1+/-1.1 days vs 5.8+/-2.2 days, p=0.001). The incidence of irregular cycle(28.2% vs 58.2%, p=0.001), dysmenorrhea(73.9% vs 77.8%, p=0.001), and secondary amenorrhea(16.2% vs 27.2%, p= 0.001) decreased in 1998 compared with those of 1988. The incidence of agonies about menstruation was also decreased in 1998 than in 1988(26.2% vs 69.1%, p=0.001). The most common agony about menstruation in 1988 was irregular cycle(28.4%), but dysmenorrhea( 64.3%) in 1998. CONCLUSIONS: From the above results, the mean age of menarche was advanced since last decade but most of the adolescent girls still have suffered from dysmenorrhea.
Adolescent* ; Body Mass Index ; Dysmenorrhea ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Menarche ; Menstruation ; Surveys and Questionnaire

In the past 13 years period, authors experienced 14 cases of giant cell tumor, 3 of which were treated by bone cementing after curettage. The results of various methods of treatment applied were compared and literatures surveyed. The followings were noted: 1. The most efficient method of treatment for giant cell tumor is en bloc resection. 2. The method of bone graft after curettage has such disadvantages as high recurrence rate and sequelae due to long periods of immoblization, especially for the large lesion with severe bone destruction. 3. Bone cementing after curettage seemed to be a choice in the methods of primary treatment of long bone giant cell tumor, especially useful for the tumors near the knee joint; the main advantages over other methods of treatment were considered to be technical simplicity and lack of complications.
Curettage ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Giant Cells ; Knee Joint ; Methods ; Recurrence ; Transplants

Among 7,500 patients whom we have performed gastrofiberoscopy from July 1979 to June 1,982, 226 cases of stomach cancer were diagnosed. The frequency was 3. 0%. The ratio of male to female was 2: 1, the peak incidence, 69 cases(30.5%) was in 5th decade. 1) The frequency of stomach cancer among the age were 0. 5% in 1st decade, 0.4% in 2nd decade, 1.2% in 3rd decade, 2.5% in 4th decade, 5.9% in 5th decade, 12.6% in 6th decade 16.8% in 7th decade. (continue...)
Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach*

OBJECTIVE: Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is involved in various neuroendocrine reproductive activities and its principal areas of expression are hypothalamus and pituitary gland. However, as it is known as low copy gene, detection of its expression by in situ hybridization is challenging. This study was to examine the degree of basal expression of POMC mRNA and anatomic localization of its expression in rat hypothalamus and pituitary gland as a preliminary study for related reproductive endocrine researches. METHODS: Hypothalamus and pituitary gland of ovariectomized female Spraque-Dawley rat (weight: 250-300 g) was obtained by decapitation with preservation of POMC mRNA by cardiac perfusion of 4% paraformaldehyde. Then, coronal sections of hypothalamus and horizontal sections of pituitary gland were made after paraffin embedding. For in situ hybridization, 35S-labeled antisense RNA probe was used and after in situ hybridization reaction and serial washing procedure, detection of its signal was made by emulsion autoradiography of slide and dark field microscopic examination was done for photographic documentation. Anatomic localization of various nucleus of hypothalamus was done by method proposed by Paxinos and Watson1. RESULTS: Strong expression signal of POMC mRNA was detected in the intermediate lobe of pituitary gland. Less strong, but evenly distributed signals were also detected in the anterior lobe of pituitary gland. In hypothalamic sections, entire area of arcuate nucleus from rostral to caudal direction (between bregma -2.80 mm to bregma -4.30 mm area) showed clear and strong signal of POMC mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Though POMC gene is known as low copy gene, its basal mRNA expression in pituitary gland and hypothalamus in ovariectomized rat were detectable by in situ hybridization technique. As subpopulation of arcuate nucleus are under complex differential regulation, this in situ hybridization model would be helpful for understanding the effects of various regulatory factors on expression of POMC gene in the specific anatomic area of hypothalamus and pituitary gland.
Animals ; Arcuate Nucleus ; Autoradiography ; Decapitation ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothalamus* ; In Situ Hybridization* ; Paraffin Embedding ; Perfusion ; Pituitary Gland* ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; Pituitary Gland, Intermediate ; Pro-Opiomelanocortin* ; Rats* ; RNA, Antisense ; RNA, Messenger

Since 1970, the group B streptococcus(GBS) has been a significant cause of neonatal sepsis in the West. Two distinct forms of disease occur in neonates. Early-onset disease which occurs within 7 days after birth is characterized by respiratory distress, apnea, shock, pneumonia, and occasionally meningitis. Late onset disease usually occurs at 3-4 weeks of age(ranging from 7 days to 3 months) and presents occult bacteremia or meningitis. The GBS is thought to be a rare causative agent for neonatal sepsis in Korea. Lately, we experience a case of early-onset GBS sepsis who died at 3rd day of life. We present this case with brief review of literatures.
Apnea ; Bacteremia ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Meningitis ; Parturition ; Pneumonia ; Sepsis* ; Shock

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of stroke on hypothalamic-pituitary axis using dexamethasone suppression test. The effects were evaluated according to age, sex, type, size, and lesion site of stroke. There tests were performed in 62 patients with stroke(cerebral infarction, 42 cases : intracerebral hemorrage, 20 cases) and 21 disabled controlled patients without intracranial diseases at Yeungnam University Hospital from June 1992 to June 1993. The results summarized as follows. 1. Cerebral infarction showed significantly higher frequency of DST non-suppression in stroke patients than control (p<0.05). 2. Patients with left hemisphere stroke showed more frequent abnormal neuroendocrine test results (p<0.01). 3. Patients with large infarction revealed strongly non-suppressed DST results(p<0.01). 4. Significantly higher basal cortisol level in patients with cerebral infarction was noted(p<0.01). 5. There are no statistical significance between DST results and sex, age, motor impairment, type of cerebral infarction.
Cerebral Infarction ; Dexamethasone* ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Infarction ; Stroke*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinicopathologic characteristics of the torsion of the ovarian tumor in postmenopausal women. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 20 postmenopausal patients with a postoperative diagnosis of torsion of the ovarian tumor in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hanyang University Hospital from January 1989 to December 1998. RESULTS: The postmenopausal patients with torsion of the ovarian tumor constitute 20/94 (21.3%) of all adnexal torsion patients encountered during this period. The mean (+/-SD) age of the 20 patients was 63.5+/-9.0 years, with a range of 52-90 years. The mean time since menopause was 16.5+/-10.3 years, with a range of 1-39 years. The mean parity was 5.4+/-2.0 (range of 3-10). Lower abdominal pain (65%) was the most frequently presenting symptom, palpable mass(20%) or diagnosed mass(15%) being the second. But, in 20% of cases there was no lower abdominal pain. The torsion occurred at the right side in 11cases (55%) and at the left side in 9 cases. The most frequent degree of torsion was those cases that was rotated twice (720 degrees). The neoplasms undergoing torsion ranged in diameter between 5cm and 30cm and the most prevalent size was 6 to 10 cm (8 cases). Most of the patients (17cases) were treated by total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The tumors that produce torsion varied histologically and the most common type was cystic teratoma (in 5 cases), simple cyst(in 3 cases), serous cystadenoma(in 2 cases), mucinous cystadenoma(in 2 cases). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, ovarian tumor torsion occurring in postmenopausal patients constituted approximately 20% of all torsion patients, therefore adnexal torsion should be considered when a postmenopausal woman presents with lower abdominal pain. When torsion is diagnosed, total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is the usual treatment for postmenopausal patients. Histologically, in more than 90% of cases, the tumors that produce torsion were benign. If cancer is evident, more extensive surgery is required.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Medical Records ; Menopause ; Mucins ; Obstetrics ; Parity ; Teratoma

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results and efficacy of posterior dual plating for distal shaft fractures of the humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 12 patients, who underwent open reduction and internal fixation using posterior dual plating for distal shaft fractures of the humerus, between July 2007 and July 2015, with at least 6 months of follow-up. After locating the radial nerve without dissection via posterior triceps splitting, the fracture was stabilized using a short 3.5 mm locking compression plate. Then additional fixation, using a long 3.5 mm locking compression plate, was performed. The clinical outcomes were assessed in accordance with the Mayo Elbow Performance Index (MEPI) scoring system, and the radiological outcomes were assessed using serial plain radiographs. RESULTS: Eleven patients (91.7%) had bony union, and the mean union period was 13.9 weeks. In one patient, delayed union was treated by autogenous iliac bone graft at 8 months after surgery, which resulted in bony union. The mean MEPI score was 95.8, and the clinical outcomes were excellent in 9 patients and good in 3 patients. Postoperative complications included 1 elbow stiffness by heterotopic ossification and 1 temporary radial nerve palsy. One patient with temporary radial nerve palsy was completely recovered within the first 4 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: Posterior dual plating for distal shaft fractures of the humerus revealed satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes. It can be a useful alternative to provide stable fixation without the need for a dissection of the radial nerve.
Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Ossification, Heterotopic ; Paralysis ; Postoperative Complications ; Radial Nerve ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplants

A household survey was conducted to determine the utilization rate of medical facilities and to identify the factors related with the utilization in the South District of Taegu from July 3 to July 15, 1988. Study population included 1,723 family members of 431 households which were selected by one-stage simple cluster random sampling. Well trained medical college students interviewed mainly housewives with a structurized questionnaire. Morbidity rate of acute illness during the 2-week period was 101 per 1,000 persons and it was highest in the age group of 9 years below. The rate for chronic illness was 77 per 1,000 persons, increasing with age, low income and medicaid benefit. During the 2-week period, 689 of 1,000 persons utilized the medical facilities, Of the facilities, most number, 294, used hospital and clinic, and the order ran as pharmacy, health center, and herb medical clinic. The utilization rate was higher in the female, 70-year and older group, medicaid group, the lowest income class and self-employed group than other groups. The average number of visits among users of medical facilities during the 2-week period was 3.25. those who visited medical facilities most frequently were females, the 70-year and older group, the lowest income class and blue collar worker group. During one-year period, admission rate of 1,000 persons was 27.6 and that of female was 38.9, higher than that of male. the eldest group had the highest admission rate. Admission rate of medical insurance beneficiaries was twice or higher than non-beneficiaries. The higher the family monthly income, the more frequently they admitted. During one-year period, average admission days of the persons hospitalized were 22.5 days and males were hospitalized longer than females. The groups which were hospitalized longest were those between the ages of 40 and 49, medical insurance beneficiaries, the lowest income group and unemployed group. During one-year period, average admission days of 1,000 persons were 560 days and those of female were 661 days, more than those of male. The guoups which had the longest admission days were those above 70 years of age, the lowest income and unemployed groups. The medical insurance beneficiaries were three times or longer than non-beneficiaries. In logistic regression analysis of utilization of physician, significant independent variables were the 9-year and younger group(+), the 70-year and older group(+), acute illness episode(+), chronic illness episode(+), medical insurance beneficiary(+) and white collar workers(-). Acute and chronic illness episode(+), and medical insurance for government employees and private school teacher(-) were significant variables in analysis of utilization of pharmacy. In multiple regression analysis of the number of physician visits, siginificant variables were acute illnes episode(+), chronic illness episode(+), industrial, occupational and regional medical insurance beneficiary(+), white collar workers(-). Acute and chronic illness episode(+), and medical insurance beneficiary() were significant variables in analysis of the number of pharmacy visits. In logistic regression analysis of admission event, significant independent variables were the 9-year and younger group(+), the 70-year and older group(+), chronic illness episode(+), and medical insurance beneficiary(+).
Chronic Disease ; Daegu* ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Insurance ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Medicaid ; Pharmacy ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Ganglioneuroma of the adrenal medulla is a rare disease. It is characterized by its composition of mature ganglionic cells and nerve fibers in histology, benign tendency and incidental discovery. We report herein a case of adrenal ganglioneuroma associated with renal tuberculosis which was confirmed by surgical exploration and histopathologic examination.
Adrenal Medulla ; Ganglion Cysts ; Ganglioneuroma* ; Incidental Findings ; Nerve Fibers ; Rare Diseases ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Renal*