Radiofrequency neurotomy of the lumbar medial branch, via a caudal approach, is a representative interventional procedure for lumbar zygapophysial joint pain, which can be performed more accurately and easily using a guide needle technique. We experienced a case of burn wound formation along the guide needle trajectory, where heat conduction through the guide needle was suggested to have resulted in the burn wound.
Arthralgia ; Burns* ; Hot Temperature ; Needles* ; Wounds and Injuries*

PURPOSE: It is generally accepted that the air pollution can cause acute respiratory diseases. This study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between the increase in the level of air pollutants and hospital visits for pediatric respiratory diseases in Incheon city. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients who visited the outpatient department(OPD) of Inha University Hospital for respiratory diseases(such as bronchial asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis and URI) from January 1 to December 31 1997. We converted the data into an average per day that included meteorologic data of air pollution(such as O3, CO, SO2, NO2, and PM10) and weather data(such as atmospheric temperature, relative humidity) in three different places in Incheon city. We used a Poisson distribution, selecting a lowess statistics model. We also used the S-PLUS statistics program. RESULTS: Ozone(O3), CO, and SO2 were all found to have significant associations with the OPD visits for pediatric respiratory diseases. After meteorologic variables(such as CO, SO2, NO2, PM10, atmospheric temperature, and relative humidity) controlled, we determined the relative risk between the increase in the OPD visits for respiratory diseases and every 0.01 ppm increase in O3. The relative risk was 1.16 and the 95% confidence intervals were 1.12-1.20. CONCLUSION: There was a significant relationship between the incidence of pediatric respiratory diseases and the increase in the level of air pollutants, especially O3, CO, and SO2 in Incheon city. Further studies on the effects of continuous daily exposure to low or ambient levels of air pollutants are needed.
Air Pollutants ; Air Pollution* ; Asthma ; Bronchiolitis ; Bronchitis ; Humans ; Incheon* ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Outpatients ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Weather

Epidemiologic studies have suggested the association between environmental exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the increased risk of incurring asthma. Yet there is little data regarding the relationship between personal exposure to air pollution and the incidence of asthma in children. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of exposure to air pollution on children with asthma by using exposure biomarkers. We assessed the exposure level to VOCs by measuring urinary concentrations of hippuric acid and muconic acid, and PAHs by 1-OH pyrene and 2-naphthol in 30 children with asthma and 30 children without asthma (control). The mean level of hippuric acid was 0.158+/-0.169micromol/mol creatinine in the asthma group and 0.148+/-0.249micromol/mol creatinine in the control group, with no statistical significance noted (p=0.30). The mean concentration of muconic acid was higher in the asthma group than in the control group (7.630+/-8.915micromol/mol creatinine vs. 3.390+/-4.526micromol/mol creatinine p=0.01). The mean level of urinary 1-OHP was higher in the asthma group (0.430+/-0.343micromol/mol creatinine) than the control group (0.239+/-0.175micromol/mol creatinine), which was statistically significant (p=0.03). There was no difference in the mean concentration of 2-NAP between the two groups (9.864+/-10.037micromol/mol in the asthma group vs. 9.157+/-9.640micromol/mol in the control group, p=0.96). In conclusion, this study suggests that VOCs and PAHs have some role in asthma.
Air Pollutants/*pharmacology ; Asthma/*physiopathology/urine ; Case-Control Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Creatinine/urine ; Female ; Hippurates/urine ; Humans ; Male ; Naphthols/urine ; Organic Chemicals/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic/*pharmacology ; Pyrenes/metabolism ; Sorbic Acid/*analogs & derivatives/metabolism ; Volatilization

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of pretreatment with intravenous nicorandil on the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with renal dysfunction undergoing coronary angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized controlled multicenter study enrolled a total of 166 patients (nicorandil n=81; control n=85) with an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min. Nicorandil 12 mg dissolved in 100 mL of 0.9% saline was administered intravenously for 30 minutes just prior to coronary angiography in the nicorandil group. The same volume of only saline was given to the control group. The primary end-point was the incidence of CIN, defined as >0.5 mg/dL increase or >25% rise in serum creatinine (SCr) concentration within 48 hours of contrast exposure compared to baseline. RESULTS: The final analysis included 149 patients (nicorandil n=73; control n=76). The baseline characteristics and the total volume of the used contrast (Iodixanol, 125.6+/-69.1 mL vs. 126.9+/-74.6 mL, p=0.916) were similar between the two groups. The incidence of CIN also did not differ between the nicorandil and control groups (6.8% vs. 6.6%, p=0.794). There was no difference between the two groups in the relative change in SCr from baseline to peak level within 48 hours after coronary angiography (-1.58+/-24.07% vs. 0.96+/-17.49%, p=0.464), although the nicorandil group showed less absolute change in SCr than the control group (-0.01+/-0.43 mg/mL vs. 0.02+/-0.31 mg/mL, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic intravenous infusion of nicorandil did not decrease the incidence of CIN in patients with renal dysfunction undergoing coronary angiography.
Administration, Intravenous ; Aged ; Contrast Media/*adverse effects ; Coronary Angiography/*adverse effects/methods ; Creatinine/blood ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Diseases/*chemically induced/epidemiology/physiopathology/*prevention & control ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nicorandil/*administration & dosage/therapeutic use

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The most frequent complication of FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) is stenosis of the operation site. The complication may influence the postoperative wound healing and the outcome of surgery. There are several measures proposed to prevent the complication. We sought to determine the efficacy of GUARDIX-SL which is made from sodium hyaluronate and sodium carboxymethylcellulose in soluble form. MATERIALS AND METHOD: For 7 rabbits, we made a surgical opening anterior to sinus ostium of the maxillary sinuses on both sides. We put the gelfoams soaked with GUARDIX-SL into the left openings and those soaked with normal saline into the right openings as a control group. We measured the size of the openings after two weeks. RESULTS: There was no synechiae in GUARDIX-SL group whereas we found synechiae developed in two openings in the control group. The mean area of the opening was 9.29 mm2 and 1.61 mm2 in GUARDIX-SL group and the control group (p=0.027), respectively. CONCLUSION: GUARDIX-SL was effective in reducing postoperative stenosis in the animal model.
Animals* ; Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Maxillary Sinus ; Models, Animal ; Rabbits ; Wound Healing

BACKGROUND: N-terminal fragment of pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro BNP) is a neuro-hormone synthesized from the cardiac ventricles in response to increased wall tension. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between NT-pro BNP levels and New York Heart Association function class (NYHA Fc) and echocardiographic findings in patients, who visited cardiology department. METHODS: From October, 2002 to April, 2003, serum NT-pro BNP levels were measured in 348 patients, who visited Samsung Medical Center and Jong Koo Lee Heart Clinic. RESULTS: NT-pro BNP levels were increased with the progression of NYHA Fc of dyspnea (p<0.001 by ANOVA) as well as with the increase in systolic left ventricular internal dimension (p<0.05) and the decrease in ejection fraction (p<0.01). In NYHA Fc I patients, NT-pro BNP levels were positively correlated with age (p<0.001) and left atrial size (p<0.001). In patients with ischemic heart disease, NT-pro BNP levels were also positively correlated with NYHA Fc (p<0.001 by ANOVA). NT-pro BNP levels were increased with the increase in systolic (p<0.001) and diastolic (p=0.017) left ventricular internal dimension as well as the decrease in ejection fraction (p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for NT-pro BNP levels was 0.994 (95% confidence interval, 0.979-0.999), and the most reliable cut-off level of NT-pro BNP was 293.6 pg/mL. CONCLUSION: NT-pro BNP levels were positively correlated with NYHA Fc of dyspnea and systolic dysfunction in patients, who visited cardiology department. A 300 pg/mL of NT-pro BNP level appears to be a sensitive level to differentiate dyspnea of heart origin or not in patients, who visited cardiology department.
Cardiology ; Dyspnea ; Echocardiography ; Heart Failure* ; Heart Ventricles ; Heart* ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Natriuretic Peptides ; ROC Curve

BACKGROUND: The N-terminal fragment of pro Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro BNP) is a neuro-hormone synthesized in the cardiac ventricles in response to increased wall tension. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between the NT-pro BNP levels and the New York Heart Association function class (NYHA Fc) of dyspnea and echocardiographic findings for the patients who visited our cardiology departments. METHODS: From October, 2002 to April, 2003, serum NT-pro BNP levels were measured in 348 patients who visited the Samsung Medical Center and the Jong Koo Lee Heart Clinic. RESULTS: The NT-pro BNP levels were increased with the progression of NYHA Fc of dyspnea (p< 0.001 by ANOVA), the increase in the systolic left ventricular internal dimension (p< 0.05), and the decrease in the ejection fraction (p< 0.01). For the NYHA Fc I patients, the NT-pro BNP levels were positively correlated with age (p< 0.001) and left atrial size (p< 0.001). For the patients with ischemic heart disease, the NT-pro BNP levels were also positively correlated with the NYHA Fc (p< 0.001 by ANOVA). The NT-pro BNP levels were increased with the increase in the systolic (p< 0.001) and diastolic pressure (p=0.017), the left ventricular internal dimension as well as the decrease in the ejection fraction (p< 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the NT-pro BNP levels was 0.994 (95% confidence interval, 0.979-0.999), and the most reliable cut-off level for the NT-pro BNP was 293.6 pg/mL. CONCLUSION: The NT-pro BNP levels were positively correlated with the NYHA Fc of dyspnea and the systolic dysfunction for the patients who visited our cardiology departments. A 300 pg/mL value for the NT-pro BNP cut-off point appears to be a sensitive level to differentiate dyspnea originating from an ailing heart or not for the patients who visited our cardiology departments.
Dyspnea/physiopathology ; Female ; Heart Failure, Congestive/*blood/*physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/*blood ; Peptide Fragments/*blood ; Prospective Studies ; *Severity of Illness Index ; Stroke Volume/physiology ; Systole/physiology ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left/physiopathology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, Genoss drug-eluting stent (DES)™ stent comprising cobalt-chromium platform with an ultrathin strut thickness, sirolimus, and an abluminal biodegradable polymer was developed. Owing to the lack of substantial evidence for the safety and efficacy of this stent, we report 12-month results of the Genoss DES™ stent. METHODS: We analyzed subjects who were eligible for a 12-month follow-up from the ongoing Genoss DES™ registry, which is a prospective, single-arm, observational, multicenter trial to investigate the clinical outcomes after the successful Genoss DES™ stent implantation among all-comers. The primary endpoint was a device-oriented composite outcome, defined as cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: Among 622 subjects, the mean age of subjects was 66.5±10.4 years, 70.6% were males, 67.5% had hypertension, and 38.3% had diabetes. The implanted stent number, diameter, and length per patient were 1.5±0.8, 3.1±0.4 mm, and 36.0±23.3 mm, respectively. At 12-month clinical follow-up, the primary endpoint occurred only in 4 (0.6%) subjects. CONCLUSIONS The novel Genoss DES™ stent exhibited excellent safety and efficacy in real-world practice.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recently, Genoss drug-eluting stent (DES)™ stent comprising cobalt-chromium platform with an ultrathin strut thickness, sirolimus, and an abluminal biodegradable polymer was developed. Owing to the lack of substantial evidence for the safety and efficacy of this stent, we report 12-month results of the Genoss DES™ stent.METHODS: We analyzed subjects who were eligible for a 12-month follow-up from the ongoing Genoss DES™ registry, which is a prospective, single-arm, observational, multicenter trial to investigate the clinical outcomes after the successful Genoss DES™ stent implantation among all-comers. The primary endpoint was a device-oriented composite outcome, defined as cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization at 12-month follow-up.RESULTS: Among 622 subjects, the mean age of subjects was 66.5±10.4 years, 70.6% were males, 67.5% had hypertension, and 38.3% had diabetes. The implanted stent number, diameter, and length per patient were 1.5±0.8, 3.1±0.4 mm, and 36.0±23.3 mm, respectively. At 12-month clinical follow-up, the primary endpoint occurred only in 4 (0.6%) subjects.CONCLUSIONS: The novel Genoss DES™ stent exhibited excellent safety and efficacy in real-world practice.
Death ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Polymers ; Prospective Studies ; Registries ; Sirolimus ; Stents

Background/Aims: The Genoss DES™ is a novel, biodegradable, polymer-coated, sirolimus-eluting stent with a cobalt- chromium stent platform and thin strut. Although the safety and effectiveness of this stent have been previously investigated, real-world clinical outcomes data are lacking. Therefore, the aim of this prospective, multicenter trial was to evaluate the clinical safety and effectiveness of the Genoss DES™ in all-comer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: The Genoss DES registry is a prospective, single-arm, observational trial for evaluation of clinical outcomes after Genoss DES™ implantation in all-comer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention from 17 sites in South Korea. The primary endpoint was a device-oriented composite outcome of cardiac death, target vessel-related myocardial infarction (MI), and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 12 months. Results: A total of 1,999 patients (66.4 ± 11.1 years of age; 72.8% male) were analyzed. At baseline, 62.8% and 36.7% of patients had hypertension and diabetes, respectively. The implanted stent number, diameter, and length per patient were 1.5 ± 0.8, 3.1 ± 0.5 mm, and 37.0 ± 25.0 mm, respectively. The primary endpoint occurred in 1.8% patients, with a cardiac death rate of 1.1%, target vessel-related MI rate of 0.2%, and clinically driven TLR rate of 0.8%. Conclusions In this real-world registry, the Genoss DES™ demonstrated excellent safety and effectiveness at 12 months among all-comer patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. These findings suggest that the Genoss DES™ may be a viable treatment option for patients with coronary artery disease.