We report a case of solitary congenital calcified nodule of the ear in a 1-year-old female. The lesion was a 2 X 2mm-sized, elevated, slightly erythematous and whitish-centered nodule located since birth on the superior helical rim of her left ear. Histopathological findings fram the totally excised lesion showed calcium deposits as amorphous, basophilic masses in the upper dermis and focal discharge of calcium by means of transepidermal elimination. Surrounding the calcium deposits, lymphohistiocytic infiltrations were present.
Basophils ; Calcium ; Dermis ; Ear* ; Female ; Humans ; Parturition

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with coronary artery diseases (CAD) in women patients with chest pain. METHOD: BMI, WC, and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) were measured for 162 women patients with chest pain whose mean age was 54.9+/-9.2 years. CAD was diagnosed by coronary angiography. RESULTS: In comparing BMI and WC, WC was found to be more strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factors. For example, correlations with the high density lipoprotein cholesterol were r=-.266, p=.001 (WC) vs. r=-.131, p=.104 (BMI), and for homocystein, r=.378, p<.001 (WC) vs. r=.150, p=.068 (BMI). Obstructive CAD develops more frequently in women patients with abdominal obesity than in patients without abdominal obesity. CONCLUSION: The results of the study indicate that WC is a better index of adiposity than BMI.
Adiposity ; Body Mass Index ; Chest Pain ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Female ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Risk Factors ; Thorax ; Vasodilation ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of self-efficacy, grit (consistency of interest-CI, perseverance of effort-PE), symptom clusters and self-care agency in brain neoplasm patients and to identify factors influencing their self-care agency. METHODS: A descriptive correlational design was used, and the participants were a convenience sample of 152 brain neoplasm patients from C national university hospital in Hwasun. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from October 1, 2017 to February 15, 2018. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, factor analysis, Pearson correlations and multiple regression analysis with the SPSS 22 program. RESULTS: The most frequently reported symptoms included sadness (57.9%), numbness (50.7%), lack of energy (49.3%), nervousness (45.4%), worry (40.8%). There were significant positive correlations between self-care agency and self-efficacy (r=.54, p < .001), CI (r=.58, p < .001), and PE (r=.50, p < .001). There were significant negative correlations between self-care agency and cluster I (r=−.56, p < .001), cluster II (r=−.31, p < .001), cluster III (r=−.49, p < .001) cluster IV (r=−.30, p < .001). The significant factors influencing self-care agency were self-efficacy, grit, cluster I and cluster IV. These variables explained 55.4% of the variance in self-care agency. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that intervention programs to increase the level of self-efficacy and grit, to reduce the level of symptoms among patients would improve the self-care agency of brain neoplasms patients.
Anxiety ; Brain Neoplasms* ; Brain* ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Self Care* ; Self Efficacy

A series of 84 cases operated upon for herniated intervertebral disc of lumbar region was studied with respect to the diagnostic value of myelographic examination. Various clinical signs including level of tenderness, sensory impairment, motor weakness, door-bell sign and Lasegue test, were reviewed. The clinical diagnosis derived from these signs was correct in 54.8%. The plain X-ray film showed narrowing of disc space in 44 cases. As to the myelographic findings, mode and level of indentation, positive and negative findings were analyzed and comparisons were made with operative findings. Among 84 cases, 47 cases showed lateral indentation, 32 cases central and 5 cases complete block. As to the level, L4~5 disc space was dominant. As a whole, the myelographic findings accurately corresponded with the operative findings in 77.4%, 65 cases. However, diagnostic accuracy was varied according to level, i.e., in case of L4~5 disc herniation, 45 cases among 53 cases showed correct myelographic diagnosis, while only 10 cases among 17 cases showed correct myelographic diagnosis in L5~S1 disc herniation. In addition, if electomyography and discography are added as diagnostic aid, the preoperative diagnostic accuracy will be higher but those are not available in our circumstance.
Diagnosis ; Intervertebral Disc ; Lumbosacral Region ; Myelography ; X-Ray Film

Among 157 cases operated upon, under the diagnosis of herniated intervertebral disc, we experienced 34 cases of discrepancies between myelographic and operative findings. We analysed these cases in the respect of patterns, causes and clinical significance of these discrepancies and the results were as follow; 1. Thirty four cases (21.7%) among 157 cases operated upon showed discrepancies between myelographic and operative findings. 2. These 34 cases consisted of 17 cases of level discrepancies, 9 cases of false positive and 8 cases of false negative. 3. The main cases of level discrepancies was indentation due to bony spur with/without adhesion. 4. The main cause of false positive was degenerative changes of the spine. In the detection of this false positive, plain X-ray of lumbosacral spine give important clue. In false positive, explorative paitial laminectomy and removal of bony spur or adhesiolysis was indicated because the effect of the spur or adhesion was same as that of herniated disc. 5. The causes of false negative were giant canal, congenitally narrow cul de sac, high cul de sac and far laterally seated disc herniation. In false negative, plain X-ray of lumbosacral spine afforded little diagnostic aid. In case of being compatible to disc herniation at a certain level through clinical signs, normal myelographic finding has less meanings and exploration is to be performed according to the clinical signs.
Diagnosis ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Laminectomy ; Spine

We performed radionuclide ventriculography before and within 1 week after percutaneous mirtal valvuloplasty(PMV) to evaluate left ventricular(LV) function in 20 patients(3 males and 17 females, mean age of 38±10 years) who were pure mitral stenosis before PMV and less than grade 1 mitral regurgitation developed after PMV. 9 out of 20 patients had atrial fibrillation and 3 patients developed a small left-to-right shunt(Qp/Qs<1.5)after PMV using double-balloon technique resulted in a increase in mitral valve area(0.9±0.3 to 2.1±0.8mm
Atrial Fibrillation ; Cardiac Output ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Radionuclide Ventriculography ; Stroke Volume

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been found to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of essential hypertension. Fosinopril is the first angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor from a new class of agents containing phosphorus. This drug is known to be metabolized to almost and equal extent by the hepatic and renal pathways. METHODS: This study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral fosinopril, a new class of phosporus-containing angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, on essential hypertension. A single daily dose of 10mg to 20mg fosinopril was administered in 21 hypertensive patients with diastolic blood pressure in the range of 95mmHg-115mmHg while off all other anti-hypertensive agents for 10 weeks. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured every 4 weeks. The complete blood count, blood chemistry by SMA-12, serum electrolytes and urinalysis were performed at 12th week of therapy. RESULTS: 1) Baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressures after 2 weeks of placebo at sitting position were 158.8+/-15.7 and 99.4+/-6.3mmHg respectively. There was a statistcally significant reduction of blood pressure after 4 week treatment of fosinopril which was maintained up to 12 weeks of follow-up(158.8+/-15.7-99.4+/-6.3mmHg vs 139.3+/-18.2/86.6+/-10.3mmHg, p<0.05). 2) The proportion of responders defined by diastolic blood pressures less than 90mmHg or decline more than 10mmHg at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after treatment with fosinopril were 90.5, 95.2, and 95.2% respectively. 3) THere were no significant changes in blood chemistry, serum electrolytes, hematologic findings and heart rate over the treatment period. 4) Three patients experienced severe non-productive cough that required to discontinue the medication. CONCLUSION: In patients with mild to moderate hypertension, once-daily fosinopril(10mg and 20mg) provided significant anti-hypertensive effects without serious side effects. The 10mg dose was effective in majority of patients and may be considered as a starting dose.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Cell Count ; Blood Pressure ; Chemistry ; Cough ; Electrolytes ; Fosinopril* ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; Phosphorus ; Urinalysis

No abstract available.
Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Mitral Valve*

No abstract available.
Pituitary Neoplasms*