PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of an infection control program on the Clonorchis sinensis (CS) infection ratio, CS-related knowledge and health behavior of people living near the Geum River. METHOD: A one-group pretest-posttest design was used with 102 participants. For 12 months the participants were provided with promotion announcements, health education, counseling, and medication. Outcome variables measured were the CS infection ratio by stool examination, CS-related knowledge and health behavior from self-report questionnaires. The pre intervention data were collected from January to February 2008 and the post intervention data during the same period in 2009. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, generalized estimating equation analysis, and paired t-test with SPSS for Windows version 15.0. RESULTS: In the pre test 21 of the 102 participants showed infection with CS for the first time. In the post test 9 were newly infected with CS, and one was re-infected. The CS-related knowledge was significantly improved after the infection control program (p<0.05). The CS-related health behaviors did not improve. CONCLUSION: These results showed that an infection control program is effective in decreasing CS infection ratio and improving CS-related knowledge of people living near the river.
Clonorchis sinensis ; Counseling ; Geum ; Health Behavior ; Health Education ; Infection Control ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rivers

Postpartum ischemic necrosis of the pituitary gland, known as Sheehan's syndrome, is well-established clinical entity. The recent progress in radiological imaging allows an easy and noninvasive study of the pituitary area in the patients while still alive. An empty or partially empty sella is a constant feature of Sheehan's syndrome in the later phase. We report a case of nonhemorrhagic postpartum pituitary infarction documented in the acute phase with clinical, endocrine, and sequential magnetic resonance (MR) imaging studies.
Humans ; Hypopituitarism* ; Infarction ; Necrosis ; Pituitary Apoplexy* ; Pituitary Gland ; Pituitary Neoplasms* ; Postpartum Period

PURPOSE: Social concern about atopic dermatitis is increasing these days, and there is much informations from the mass media. However, we have difficulties to diagnose and treat atopic dermatitis because there is no general guideline. So these studies were done to help establish guidelines for proper diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis. METHODS: The authors made up a questionnaire consisting of symptoms, environment, birth, diet, family history, previous treatment and common knowledge about atopic dermatitis. We studied moderate to severe atopic dermatitis patients, from February to August, 2003, using a survey containing 40 questions. We tested serum total IgE, specific IgE (Pharmacia, uni CAP), skin culture, complete blood counts, AST/ALT, and IgA. RESULTS: In our study results, the onset of atopic dermatitis, which was over moderate, was averaged 13 months after birth, and the earliest onset was 1 week after birth. The locations of skin lesion were lower extremities, face, buttocks, neck, and body, according to frequency. The most common type of housing was apartments. Many were getting breast milk feeding, had family members who smoke and most had no pets. Regardless of the severity of clinical manifestations, many patients did not have allergic tests and took just oriental medicine. Secondary infections were more common in patients who had fewer baths. CONCLUSION: Therefore the education of patients and their parents about etiology and progress of atopic dermatitis is needed. And for pediatricians, a general guideline of diagnosis and treatment needs to be established.
Baths ; Blood Cell Count ; Buttocks ; Coinfection ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Education ; Housing ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Immunoglobulin E ; Lower Extremity ; Mass Media ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Milk, Human ; Neck ; Parents ; Parturition ; Patient Education as Topic ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Skin ; Smoke

BACKGROUND: A predominant accumulation of adipose tissue in abdominal region confers increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The best technology available for measurement of regional fat distribution is computed tomography. However, computed tomography is limited its use for clinical purposes by cost. The aim of this study is to identify the best simple anthropometric index of abdominal visceral fat accumulation. METHODS: To quantify the relationship between anthropometric indices of abdominal obesity(waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio, body mass index, abdominal sagittal diameter) and abdominal(total, visceral, subcutaneous) fat areas measured by computed tomography, correlation and multiple regression analyses have been conducted. RESULTS: No significant difference for waist circumference, body mass index and sagittal diameter between men and women have been found. Mean value of waist to hip ratio is larger in women, but waist to height ratio is larger in men. The mean abdominal total fat area and mean subcutaneous fat area are higher in women. Interestingly, men, despite lower total fat area, have higher mean abdominal visceral area. Thus, the mean visceral fat to subcutaneous fat ratio is much higher in men. Abdominal sagittal diameter shows the highest correlation(men: 0.69, women: 0.76) with abdominal visceral fat area in both genders. Stepwise regression analyses have been performed to determine the best simple anthropometric index of abdominal visceral fat accumulation. In men, the significant indices are abdominal sagittal diameter, body mass index, and waist to height ratio. In women, abdominal sagittal diameter is the only significant index. CONCLUSION: Abdominal sagittal diameter, in comparison with the waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, waist to height ratio and body mass index, is the best predictor of the amount of abdominal visceral fat.
Adipose Tissue ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat* ; Male ; Obesity ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

Regarding to preserve the cadaver, formaldehyde has been used as a major preservative. However, the usage of formaldehyde has been considered by its harmful effects such as the disturbing ordor, toxicities and limitations to use. Therefore we studied the effect of decomposition-inhibition which is a natural product, grapefruit seed extract (GSE). Concerning the preservative activity, we sacrificed 8 week old male SD rat and collected liver. Using liver tissues, we treated GSE as a time dependant manner under 37degrees, 80+/-5% humidity conditions. To confirm GSE effects, we applied light and electron microscopic analysis. In results, we observed GSE attenuated the morphological changes and putrefaction of liver tissues more than 3 days. Herein, we introduced the potential substitute of formaldehyde to preserve the cadaver as well as animal tissues.
Animals ; Cadaver ; Citrus paradisi ; Electrons ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Humidity ; Light ; Liver ; Male ; Rats ; Seeds

In most cases, sudden deafness results from viral infection, vascular occlusion or cochlear membrane rupture, but occasionally, its central origin can not be excluded. Although a number of signs are theoretically plausible in patients with pontine infarction such as facial weakness, lateral gaze palsy, Horner syndrome, limb dysmetria, crossed sensory loss or vertigo, isolated sudden deafness is a very rare manifestation. When pontine infarction occurs, it is usually identified on T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Early treatment with anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents leads to a more rapid resolution of symptoms and preservation of existing brain function. Recently, the authors have experienced two cases of sudden hearing loss caused by acute pontine infarction. Hence, we report two cases with a review of literature.
Brain ; Brain Stem Infarctions ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Extremities ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Membranes ; Paralysis ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Pons ; Rupture ; Vertigo

Schwannoma, also referred to as neurilemmoma, is an encapsulated benign soft tissue tumor arising from the schwann cells of the nerve sheath. Although 25 to 45% of schwannomas arise in the head and neck region, pterygopalatine fossa is the rarest sites of involvement with only 23 cases reported in the medical literature. It is usually seen in the second and fifth decades, but sex or racial predilection has not been noted. Clinical features of this tumor are dependent on the involved anatomical site, nerve of origin, and compression of adjacent structures. The differential diagnosis of masses in pterygopalatine fossa includes angiofibroma, fibrous histiocytoma, malignant melanoma, lymphoma, and low-grade rhabdomyosarcoma. The treatment of choice is that the tumor is completely removed with careful preservation of its nerve. Recently, the authors experienced a case of schwannoma arising in pterygopalatine fossa, which was removed with transantral approach. Hence, we report a rare case with a review of literature.
Angiofibroma ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Head ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; Lymphoma ; Melanoma ; Neck ; Neurilemmoma ; Pterygopalatine Fossa ; Rhabdomyosarcoma ; Schwann Cells

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF-1) is an inherited neurocutaneous disorder arising from the chromosome 17q with a prevalence of one in 4,000. Neurofibroma, Cafe-au-lait spots, freckles in axilla, Lisch nodule and bony dysplasia are features of NF-1. It is diagnosed preoperatively by history taking, physical examination, CT, MRI and intraoperatively by tissue biopsy. Scalp neurofibroma accompanying pain, motor disturbance, rapid growth, and suspicious of malignancy are indications for surgical removal. We present a case of NF-1 with two giant neurofibromas (15x7x4 cm, 3x5x2 cm) on the left scalp in a patient suffering from a head injury after falling down. The neurofibromas were successfully removed after diagnosed by MRI and histology.
Axilla ; Biopsy ; Cafe-au-Lait Spots ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Humans ; Melanosis ; Neurocutaneous Syndromes ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence ; Scalp ; Stress, Psychological

Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage is a very rare manifestation in Henoch-Schoenlein purpura. Recently we experience a case of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage associated with Henoch-Schoenlein purpura which was diagnosed by typical clinical manifestation and renal biopsy. A 25 year old male was admitted due to hemoptysis and dyspnea. Chest X-ray, HRCT and BAL revealed diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. He also had a history of skin rash, polyarthralgia, and hematochezia with abdominal pain. Renal biopsy which was taken for the evaluation of microscopic hematuria showed IgA nephropathy. Under the diagnosis of Henoch-Schoenlein purpura, we treated him with solumedrol pulse therapy, plasma-pheresis and prednisolone with cytoxan. After then he showed marked improvement in clinical manifestation and was discharged with prednisolone and cytoxan.
Abdominal Pain ; Arthralgia ; Biopsy ; Cyclophosphamide ; Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Exanthema ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; Hematuria ; Hemoptysis ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Male ; Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate ; Prednisolone ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch* ; Thorax

OBJECTIVES: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) can be treated using a simple repositioning maneuver. This study demonstrates the effects of early repositioning therapy in patients with BPPV, especially with regard to recurrence. METHODS: We enrolled 138 consecutive patients who had been diagnosed with BPPV in the emergency rooms and ENT out-patient clinics of Chung-Ang University Hospital and Samyook Medical Center from January to June 2009. All patients immediately underwent appropriate canalith repositioning procedures (CRPs) depending on canalith type and location. The CRPs were performed daily until the patient's symptoms were resolved. The patients were classified into two groups according to the duration between symptom onset and initial treatment: less than 24 hours (early repositioning group, n=66) and greater 24 hours (delayed repositioning group, n=72). We prospectively compared the numbers of treatments received and the recurrence rates between the two groups. RESULTS: Follow-up periods ranged from 8 to 14 months, 77 cases involved posterior canal BPPV, 48 cases were lateral canal BPPV (of which 20 cases were cupulolithiasis), and 13 cases were multiple canal BPPV. BPPV recurrence was found in a total of 46 patients (33.3%). The necessary numbers of CRPs were 2.3 for the early repositioning group and 2.5 for the late repositioning group, a difference that was not statistically significant (P=0.582). The early repositioning group showed a recurrence rate of 19.7%, and the delayed repositioning group showed a recurrence rate of 45.8% (P=0.002). CONCLUSION: Performing repositioning treatments as soon as possible after symptom onset may be an important factor in the prevention of BPVV recurrence.
Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Vertigo