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 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

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

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: Cicletanine bydrochloride is a newly developed anti-hypertensive agent. The presence of a furopyridine group characterizes its uncommon chemical structure as an antihypertensive molecule. This clinical trial was performed to confirm the efficacy and safety of cicletanine for the treatment of hypertension as a monotherapy. METHODS: In order to investigate the efficacy and safety of oral cicletanine, a now class of antihypertensive durgs, the furopyridines, on essential hypertension, a single daily dose of 50mg to 100mg cicletanine was administered in 46 hypertensive patients with diastolic blood pressure in the range of 95mmHg-115mmHg. The patients were asked to cut off other anti hypertensive agents for 10 weeks prior to this clinical trial. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured every 4 weeks. The complete blood count, blood chemistry done by SMA-12, serum electrolytes and urinalysis were performed at the 12th week of therapy. RESULTS: 1) Baseline blood pressures after 2 weeks of placebo at sitting and standing positions were 158.7+/-16.1/102.9+/-6.2 and 148.7+/-14.5/102.7+/-6.7mmHg, respectively. The overall slope which represents the tendency of blood pressure decline over the treatment period with cicletanine for all the patients in each position are as follows ; -0.726(SE : 0.150) for sitting systolic blood pressure(BP), -0.390(SE : 0.080) for sitting diastolic BP, -0.214(SE : 0.183) for standing systolic BP and -0.341(SE : 0.139) for standing diastolic BP. 2) The slope of sitting systolic BP line in cicletanine 100mg treated group was significantly stiffer than that of cicletanine 50mg treated group(-0.445 vs -1.021, p=0.0336). 3) There were no significant interval changes in heart rate over the treatment period. 4) There were no significant interval changes in blood chemistry, electrolytes, hematologic findings and urinalysis over the treatment period. 5) Several side effects were observed in six patients(epigastric discomfort in 4, easy fatigue and insomnia in one patient, respectively). CONCLUSION: Treatment with cicletanine was well-tolerated and the incidence of side effects was relatively low. Because of its unique anti-hypertensive mechanism and moderated antihypertensive effects, cicletanine may be well suited in the treatment of hypertension combined with other classes of antihypertensive agents.
Antihypertensive Agents ; Blood Cell Count ; Blood Pressure ; Chemistry ; Electrolytes ; Fatigue ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; Urinalysis

BACKGROUND: Propafenone is a new class Ic antiarrhythmic compound.This study was performed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of propafenone by double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized cross-over comparison of propafenone and disopyramide in patients with stable ventricular ectopy. METHODS: All patients were included in the study if they had an average of at least 30 PVC/hr on a 24-hour Holter recordings. During the 1st 7 days, two placebo tablets(identical in apperance to the propafenone and the disopyramide tablets) were administrated in a double-blind manner(run-in period). Then 1st treatment period lasting 1 week with one verum and the other placebo, wish-out period of 3 day,2nd treatment period lasting 1 week with cross-over drugs were followed. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled. During the run-in period, VPCs were reduced to 18%, compared to the baseline data before the administration of placebo.During the treatment period,propafenone 600mg/day reduced VPCs by 43% and disopyramide 400mg/day reduced VPCs by -10% Propafenone was effective(80% or greater reduction of VPCs) in 7 of 20 patients. Disopyramide was not effective in all patients. Propafenone and disopyramide produced no significant change of paired VPCs and VT events. Propafenone had no effect on heart rate. It increased the PR interval(7.9%;p<0.01) and QRS interval(5.2%;p<0.01). The drug did not change QTc interval(-1.1%) significantly. There were no cardiovascular side effects. Propafenone produced nausea in one patient. Disopyramide produced dysuria in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Propafenone was more effective in controlling VPC than disopyramide, and there was no major limiting side effects.
Cross-Over Studies* ; Disopyramide* ; Dysuria ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Nausea ; Propafenone* ; Ventricular Premature Complexes*

To evaluate the antihypertensive effects of serotonin antagonist, ketanserin, a daily dosage of 10~40mg (18.9+/-6.8 mean+/-SE) was administered to 22 patients with essential hypertension and aged 55??1 years (64+/-7.7 mean+/-SE) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of ketanserin treatment mean blood pressure decreased from 177.9+/-11.9 to 15.7+/-15.3mmHg in systole and from 104.2+/-7.4 to 88.4+/-7.9mmHg in diastole (P<0.001). There was no significant change in heart rates with ketanserin treatment. The antihypertensive treatment with ketanserin was effective in 18 patients(81.8%) and ineffective in 4 patients (18.2%). Adverse reactions such as drowsiness (8.7%), edama (4.3%) and weakness (4.3%) were noted, but all were mild and transient. This results suggest that ketanserin is an effective and safe antihypersive agent in the treatment of essential hyperension.
Aging* ; Blood Pressure ; Diastole ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Ketanserin* ; Serotonin ; Sleep Stages ; Systole