We report a case of hemipelvectomy, which was successfully treated with custom-molded supportive seating and a cosmetic prosthesis. A 32-year-old woman with a history of right traumatic hemipelvectomy, 24 years ago, visited our outpatient clinic for proper prosthetic rehabilitation. After injury, she was not able to use functional prostheses because of persistent skin problems of the hemipelvectomy site. She was able to perform all activities of daily living independently, but had to rely on crutch walking and was not able to sit on an even surface for longer periods of time. With the molded supportive seating the patient was able to perform outdoor activities for up to 10 hours. This case shows an approach in amputee rehabilitation, in which the ultimate goal of prosthetic fitting is not independent walking, but the improvement of independence and hence the improvement of quality of life.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Amputees ; Cosmetics ; Female ; Fungi ; Hemipelvectomy ; Humans ; Prostheses and Implants ; Quality of Life ; Skin ; Walking

Laryngeal dysfunction, previously referred to as vocal cord dysfunction or paradoxical vocal cord movement, is characterized by inappropriate, transient, and reversible narrowing of the larynx in response to external triggers, without any structural or neurological defects. This condition can manifest in various clinical ways and can be mistaken for other respiratory diseases, such as asthma. It is crucial to accurately recognize and diagnose laryngeal dysfunction to ensure the provision of appropriate treatment. Laryngoscopy with provocation, which is a standard tool for the diagnosis of laryngeal dysfunction, has been designated as a new medical technology in Korea in July 2022. In this review, we discuss the concept, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of laryngeal dysfunction as well as introduce the diagnostic procedure using laryngoscopy with provocation.

Laryngeal dysfunction, previously referred to as vocal cord dysfunction or paradoxical vocal cord movement, is characterized by inappropriate, transient, and reversible narrowing of the larynx in response to external triggers, without any structural or neurological defects. This condition can manifest in various clinical ways and can be mistaken for other respiratory diseases, such as asthma. It is crucial to accurately recognize and diagnose laryngeal dysfunction to ensure the provision of appropriate treatment. Laryngoscopy with provocation, which is a standard tool for the diagnosis of laryngeal dysfunction, has been designated as a new medical technology in Korea in July 2022. In this review, we discuss the concept, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of laryngeal dysfunction as well as introduce the diagnostic procedure using laryngoscopy with provocation.

Laryngeal dysfunction, previously referred to as vocal cord dysfunction or paradoxical vocal cord movement, is characterized by inappropriate, transient, and reversible narrowing of the larynx in response to external triggers, without any structural or neurological defects. This condition can manifest in various clinical ways and can be mistaken for other respiratory diseases, such as asthma. It is crucial to accurately recognize and diagnose laryngeal dysfunction to ensure the provision of appropriate treatment. Laryngoscopy with provocation, which is a standard tool for the diagnosis of laryngeal dysfunction, has been designated as a new medical technology in Korea in July 2022. In this review, we discuss the concept, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of laryngeal dysfunction as well as introduce the diagnostic procedure using laryngoscopy with provocation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the drug compliance and factors that have an influence on drug compliance of spinal cord injured patients. METHOD: From January to June in 2009, spinal cord injured patients who visited our hospital for regular prescription were asked to fill out questionnaires about demographic data, comprehension and compliance of medication. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients completed questionnaires. Thirty-three were male and the rest were female. Twenty were tetraplegic and 26 paraplegic. Twenty-two were completely injured and 26 had incomplete injuries. The level of awareness of names, shapes and effects of medication were 70.8%, 87.5% and 77.1%, respectively. The compliant group that had more than 80% of drug compliance was 38 patients. The non-compliant group that had less than 80% compliance had 10 patients. In respect of compliance of medication, the patients tended to miss the time of administration more than the number of administration. Twenty patients didn't tell their doctors that they hadn't been taking their medication properly. There were no statistically significant differences between drug compliance and the following: patient's age, sex, spinal cord injury type, education level, time elapsed since the injury, number of medication per day, and comprehension of name, shapes and effects of medication. CONCLUSION: Drug compliance of spinal cord injured patients was high. Education on necessity, side effects and usage of medication may be needed to maintain high drug compliance. To investigate the drug compliance and factors that have an influence on drug compliance of spinal cord injured patients.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Compliance ; Comprehension ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Outpatients ; Prescriptions ; Questionnaires ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Injuries

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane protease serine subtype 2 (TMPRSS2) are key proteins mediating viral entry of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Although gene expressions of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 have been analyzed in various organs and diseases, their soluble forms have been less studied, particularly in asthma. Therefore, we aimed to measure circulating ACE2 and TMPRSS2 in the serum of asthmatics and examine their relationship with clinical characteristics. Methods: Clinical data and serum samples of 400 participants were obtained from an asthma cohort. The soluble ACE2 (sACE2) and soluble TMPRSS2 (sTMPRSS2) level was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the values underwent a natural log transformation. Associations between sACE2 and TMPRSS2 levels and various clinical variables were analyzed. Results: The patients younger than 70 years old, those with eosinophilic asthma (eosinophils ≥ 200 cells/µL), and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) non-users were associated with higher levels of sACE2. Blood eosinophils and fractionated exhaled nitric oxide levels were positively correlated with serum ACE2. In contrast, lower levels of sTMPRSS2 were noted in patients below 70 years and those with eosinophilic asthma, while no association was noted between ICS use and sTMPRSS2. The level of sTMPRSS2 also differed according to sex, smoking history, coexisting hypertension, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) ratio. The proportion of sputum neutrophils was positively correlated with sTMPRSS2, while the FEV1/FVC ratio reported a negative correlation with sTMPRSS2. Conclusion The levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 were differently expressed according to age, ICS use, and several inflammatory markers. These findings suggest variable susceptibility and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection among asthmatic patients.