Background: Toe ganglion cysts are often symptomatic and recurrent. Communicating lesions between ganglion cysts and the interphalangeal joint (IPJ) or tendon sheath make it difficult to prevent a recurrence. Temporary restriction of the joint and tendon motion can facilitate surgical site healing. This study analyzed the clinical results of temporary pin fixation of the IPJ after toe ganglion cyst excision. Methods: Sixteen patients with symptomatic toe ganglion cysts underwent surgical treatment. Excision alone was initially performed on 10 patients. Six patients underwent temporary pin fixation of the IPJ after ganglion cyst excision. Repeat excision with pin fixation was performed for recurrence in two patients after excision only. Clinical evaluations and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results: Fourteen of 16 toe ganglion cysts were located near the IPJ. Two cysts not adjacent to the joint completely healed after excision alone. Seven of 14 cysts near the joint recurred after initial excision alone and required repeated reoperation. Eight cysts did not recur after excision with pin fixation, including 2 that recurred after excision alone. Conclusions Temporary IPJ pin fixation after excision for ganglion cysts can be effective for preventing the recurrence of ganglion cysts adjacent to toe IPJ.

Purpose: This study analyzed the follow-up results of lateral ankle instability patients without surgery that were recommended surgery from other hospitals. Materials and Methods: From May 2009 to December 2016, a retrospective study was conducted on 55 chronic lateral ankle instability patients at least five years of follow-up and an average of seven years or more. Nonoperative treatment was performed after one time of rehabilitation exercise training at the authors’ hospital. At the final follow-up, a physical examination and sports activity survey were done.Visual analogue scale (VAS), Foot Function Index (FFI), and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scale were measured, respectively. For 37 patients who revisited, an anterior drawer test was done. In addition, the progression of arthritis was confirmed by a weight-bearing radiographic examination and instability was checked in stress radiographic examination. Results: The average follow-up period of the 55 patients was 88.78 (60–136) months. The average VAS was 0.98 (0–4). None of the patients had restrictions of activities of daily living. For 37 patients who revisited, at the final follow-up, the mean FFI score was 11.27 (1–45), and the FAAM subscale scores were 79.35 (activities of daily living subscale) and 27.08 (sports subscale), respectively. As a result of the physical examination, the mean grade of anterior drawer test decreased from 2.08 at the first visit to 2.02 at the final follow-up. At the final follow-up, radiological examination showed no case of progression of degenerative arthritis of the ankle joint. The average value of anterior drawer stress X-ray was measured from 5.64 mm at the first visit to 5.47 mm (contralateral side 4.99 mm) at the final follow-up, and the average value of varus stress X-ray was measured from 12.03° at the first visit to 13.62°(contralateral side 10.62°) at the final follow-up. Conclusion In lateral ankle instability patients with nonoperative treatment after an average follow-up of more than seven years, ankle functions were good. There were no cases of progression to degenerative arthritis on radiological examination.

BACKGROUND: Research into the Baumann skin type (BST) has recently expanded, with growing interest in the development of an efficient and effective skin type classification system for better understanding of this skin condition. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify male-specific skin type characteristics with investigation into the distribution of BST by age and region in the Korean male population and to determine the intrinsic and extrinsic factors related to skin type. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered to collect information about age, region, working behavior, drinking behavior, smoking behavior, usual habit of sun protection, medical history, and the BST which consisted of four parameters; oily (O) or dry (D), sensitive (S) or resistant (R), pigmented (P) or non-pigmented (N), and wrinkled (W) or tight (T). RESULTS: We surveyed 1,000 Korean males aged between 20 and 60 years who were divided equally by age and region. Of the total respondents, OSNW type accounted for the largest percentage and ORPW type the lowest. In terms of Baumann parameters, O type was 53.5%, S type was 56.1%, N type was 84.4% and W type was 57.5%. Several behavioral factors were found to have various relationships with the skin type. CONCLUSION: The predominant skin type in the Korean male respondents was OSNW type, and the distribution of skin types with regards to age and region was reported to be distinct. Therefore, skin care should be customized based on detailed skin types considering the various environmental factors.
Classification ; Drinking Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; Skin Care ; Skin ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Solar System ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There has been major progress in our understanding of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and novel treatment classes have emerged. The Rome IV guidelines were published in 2016 and together with the growing body of Asian data on IBS, we felt it is timely to update the Asian IBS Consensus. METHODS: Key opinion leaders from Asian countries were organized into 4 teams to review 4 themes: symptoms and epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and investigations, and lifestyle modifications and treatments. The consensus development process was carried out by using a modified Delphi method. RESULTS: Thirty-seven statements were developed. Asian data substantiate the current global viewpoint that IBS is a disorder of gut-brain interaction. Socio-cultural and environmental factors in Asia appear to influence the greater overlap between IBS and upper gastrointestinal symptoms. New classes of treatments comprising low fermentable oligo-, di-, monosacharides, and polyols diet, probiotics, non-absorbable antibiotics, and secretagogues have good evidence base for their efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Our consensus is that all patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders should be evaluated comprehensively with a view to holistic management. Physicians should be encouraged to take a positive attitude to the treatment outcomes for IBS patients.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Asia ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Consensus ; Constipation ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Diet ; Epidemiology ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Intestines ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Life Style ; Methods ; Probiotics

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In addition to the globally endorsed Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system, other algorithms or staging systems have been developed, including the Hong Kong Liver Cancer (HKLC) staging system. This study aimed to validate the HKLC staging system relative to the BCLC staging system for predicting survival for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients in Korea. METHODS: From 2004 to 2013, 2,571 patients newly diagnosed with HCC were consecutively enrolled at three Korea University medical centers. RESULTS: Both staging systems differentiated survival well (p < 0.001). However, 1-year and 3-year survival were predicted better using the HKLC system than the BCLC system (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve: 0.869 vs 0.856 for 1 year, p=0.002; 0.841 vs 0.827 for 3 years, p=0.010). In hypothetical survival curves, the HKLC system exhibited better median overall survival than the BCLC system (33.1 months vs 19.2 months). In evaluations of prognosis according to either BCLC or HKLC treatment guidelines, risk of death was reduced in the group following only HKLC guidelines compared with the group following only BCLC guidelines (hazard ratio, 0.601; 95% confidence interval, 0.443 to 0.816; p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although both staging systems predicted and discriminated HCC prognoses well, the HKLC system showed more encouraging survival benefits than the BCLC system.
Academic Medical Centers ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Hong Kong ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver Neoplasms ; Liver ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; ROC Curve

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several specific foods are known to precipitate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and GERD patients are usually advised to avoid such foods. However, foods consumed daily are quite variable according to regions, cultures, etc. This study was done to elucidate the food items which induce typical GERD symptoms in Korean patients. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-six Korean patients with weekly typical GERD symptoms were asked to mark all food items that induced typical GERD symptoms from a list containing 152 typical foods consumed daily in Korea. All patients underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy followed by 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring. The definition of “GERD” was if either of the 2 studies revealed evidence of GERD, and “possible GERD” if both studies were negative. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six cases (51 GERD and 75 possible GERD) were enrolled. In 19 (37.3%) of 51 GERD cases and in 17 (22.7%) of 75 possible GERD cases, foods inducing typical GERD symptoms were identified. In the GERD group (n = 19), frequent symptom-inducers were hot spicy stews, rice cakes, ramen noodles, fried foods, and topokki. In the possible GERD group (n = 17), frequent symptom-inducers were hot spicy stews, fried foods, doughnuts, breads, ramen noodles, coffee, pizza, topokki, rice cakes, champon noodles, and hotdogs. CONCLUSIONS: In one-third of GERD patients, foods inducing typical symptoms were identified. Hot spicy stews, rice cakes, ramen noodles, fried foods, and topokki were the foods frequently inducing typical symptoms in Korea. The list of foods frequently inducing typical GERD symptoms needs to be modified based on their own local experiences.
Bread ; Coffee ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophageal pH Monitoring ; Gastroesophageal Reflux* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Symptom Assessment

OBJECTIVES: Studies on Clostridium difficile are rare in Korea. We investigated the epidemiological characteristics of C. difficile isolates from patients with C. difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in Korea. METHODS: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the presence of tcdA and tcdB toxin genes. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was carried out by the disk-dilution method. C. difficile strains were subtyped by automated repetitive-element palindromic PCR (rep-PCR). RESULTS: Among patients with CDAD, 73 (25.8%), 32 (11.3%), 32 (11.3%), and 26 (9.2%) suffered from pneumonia, cancer or neoplasm, diabetes, and colitis, respectively. Of all stool samples, 43 samples (15.2%) were positive for C. difficile strains. We observed two expression patterns of toxin genes: tcdA+/tcdB+ (86% isolates) and tcdA−/tcdB+ (14% isolates), with all isolates expressing tcdB. Furthermore, some isolates were resistant to clindamycin (65%), ampicillin (56%), and cefazolin (40%), but all were susceptible to vancomycin and metronidazole. The tested samples were classified into diverse clusters using automated rep-PCR. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed the characteristics and antibiotic resistance of C. difficile isolates from patients in Korea. The epidemiological data may provide valuable insight into development of treatment strategies for C. difficile infections in Korea.
Ampicillin ; Cefazolin ; Clindamycin ; Clostridium difficile* ; Clostridium* ; Colitis ; Drug Resistance, Microbial ; Humans ; Korea* ; Methods ; Metronidazole ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Pneumonia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Vancomycin

Melanocytic nevus is the benign proliferation of melanocytes. The most common location of melanocytic nevus is the skin of the extremities; however, there are few case reports of melanocytic nevus at the rectal mucosa. No prior case of malignant melanoma from melanocytic nevus at the rectal mucosa has been reported; therefore, it is unclear whether resection should be performed or close observation is sufficient. However, the potential malignant transformation of melanocytic nevus should be considered, including melanocytic nevus on the rectum. Melanocytic nevus of the skin can be removed by surgical excision; however, due to rare incidence on the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, the optimal treatment for rectal melanocytic nevus remains controversial. Here, we report the first case of melanocytic nevus on the rectal mucosa that was removed by endoscopic submucosal dissection. This case report provides useful information about the optimal management of rectal melanocytic nevus.
Extremities ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Incidence ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Mucous Membrane* ; Nevus, Pigmented* ; Rectum ; Skin

PURPOSE: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is an adjunct therapy using negative pressure to remove fluid from open wounds through a sealed dressing and a specialized tubing that is connected to a collection container. NPWT is suitable for acute and chronic wound condition because it was designed to accelerate granulation formation on deep wound. Therefore, we performed this study to assess the effectiveness of NPWT for various wound condition in burn center. METHODS: We enrolled 17 patients who were treated with NPWT from January 2014 to April 2016. We analyzed the characteristics and outcomes of the patients through retrospectively. RESULTS: Among 17 patients, there were 13 patients for contact burn, 2 patients for electrical injury, 1 patient for diabetic foot ulcer and 1 patient for Flame burn. Most of the contact burn victims were injured by the exposure of relatively low temperature for a long time and some of them were injured under the condition of sensory deterioration including spinal cord injury, diabetes or sedatives. Wound coverage was accomplished by split thickness skin graft (STSG) in 12 patients. Local flap was done in 1 patient. STSG with local flap was done in 3 patients. And there were 1 patient who got a conservative management. The duration of NPWT application was from 8 days to 101 days (average 36.2 days). CONCLUSION: NPWT showed good clinical outcomes under various wound condition. Therefore, we think that it can be a new treatment paradigm for difficult wound management in burn center.
Bandages ; Burn Units* ; Burns* ; Diabetic Foot ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Transplants ; Ulcer ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

Advances in imaging modalities have provided useful information in diagnosing ampullary lesions such as adenoma and adenocarcinoma. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) have a role in the diagnosis of unexposed intra-ampullarylesion. We report an interesting case of adenocarinoma of the ampulla of Vater presenting as idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis. A 56 years old woman was referred due to idiopathic recurrent pancreatitis for 2 years. She presented abdominal pain and upper abdominal tenderness. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) revealed minimal bile and pancreatic ductal dilatation without obstruction. Subsequent ERCP revealed a small polypoid lesion which was exposed after endoscopic sphincterotomy. Endoscopic biopsy showed papillary adenoma with low grade dysplasia. Additional endoscopic papillectomy was performed. Endoscopic biopsy done 3 months later showed papillary adenoma with high grade dysplasia. Pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was done and final pathology was well differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient was recovered well but received adjuvant chemotherapy due to metastatic lymph nodes.
Abdominal Pain ; Adenocarcinoma* ; Adenoma ; Ampulla of Vater ; Bile ; Biopsy ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Pancreatic Ducts ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; Pancreatitis* ; Pathology ; Pylorus ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic