BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism may be involved in a significant portion of the causes of hypercholesterolemia in Korea. In this study, we determined the frequency of suspected hypothyroidism in hypercholesterolemic patients and compared the frequency of elevated thyrotropin levels among the groups with various total cholesterol levels. METHODS: The study subjects were healthy, asymptomatic people who visited Health Promotion Center of Seoul National University Hospital. We excluded subjects with history of hypertension, DM and hypothyroidism. The study subjects underwent physical examination and filled out a questionnaire on health risk factors. Also blood chemistry and thyroid function test were done. RESULTS: Among 6479 subjects, 194(2.99%) had elevated(>4.1 microIU/ml) thyrotropin levels. Among the hypercholesterolemic(> or=240mg/dl) patients(n=868), 40(4.60%) had elevated thyrotropin levels. And there was statistically significant difference between normal cholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic subjects(P<0.05). Among the patients with total cholesterol above 280mg/dl (n=180), 15(8.33%) had elevated thyrotropin levels. As amount of the total cholesterol increased, the frequency of elevated thyrotropin levels Increased(P=0.001). And this result was consistent following adjustment for age, sex, BMI, smoking and drinking status(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Practicing physicians should be aware of the possibility of secondary hypercholesterolemia due to hypothyroidism and keep in mind the importance of evaluating TSH level.
Chemistry ; Cholesterol* ; Drinking ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hypertension ; Hypothyroidism ; Korea ; Physical Examination ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thyroid Function Tests ; Thyrotropin* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We report a case of primary osteosarcoma of the breast which is rare and exhibits poor prognosis. A 52 years-old-woman was admitted with rapidly growing right mammary mass. A huge lobulated dense mass with speckled calcifications, suggesting malignancy, was observed on mammography. She underwent a radical mastectomy. Grossly, the mass measured 16 14 6 cm and showed grayish white hard lobulated tissue with focal hemorrhage and necrosis. Light microscopically, the tumor was confirmed as an osteosarcoma devoid of any epithelial components. In postoperative whole body bone scan, there was no evidence of the other malignancy. To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first report of primary osteosarcoma of the breast in Korea.
Breast* ; Hemorrhage ; Korea ; Mammography ; Mastectomy, Radical ; Necrosis ; Osteosarcoma* ; Prognosis

Primary malignant lymphoma of the appendix is an unconnnon neoplasm although the gastrointestinal tract is the most common extranodal site of malignant lymphoma. We report a case of primary malignant lymphoma of the appendix in a 54-year-old male, who presented with pain in the right lower abdomen. An appendectomy was performed. The appendix measured 9.5 cm in length and 5.5 cm in diameter. Cut sections showed a solitary circumferential mass in the appendiceal lumen. Light microscopic features were compatible with malignant lymphoma of diffuse large cell type(Working Formulation) and the immunophenotype was B cell type.

Background: Increasingly many patients have been diagnosed with stage I adenocarcinoma due to the use of low-dose chest computed tomography for lung cancer screening. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze tumor recurrence based on the predominant subtype in patients with stage I lung adenocarcinoma who underwent lobectomy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 114 patients who underwent lobectomy for pathologic stage I lung adenocarcinoma from June 2001 to July 2019. Results: In univariate analyses, significant factors were current smoking at the time of surgery (p=0.029), pathologic tumor size (p=0.006), central tumor location (p=0.003), maximum standardized uptake value on positron emission tomography-computed tomography (p=0.001), and the solid predominant subtype (p=0.012). In the multivariate analysis, only the solid predominant subtype (hazard ratio, 9.702; 95% confidence interval, 1.179–79.874; p=0.035) was an independent risk factor. Conclusions If the solid subtype is predominant in pathologic findings, adjuvant chemotherapy after standard surgical resection may be considered to help reduce the risk of tumor recurrence and increase survival.

Postpubertal mumps may result in ochitis and permanent testicular atrophy may develop following infection. This present study was initiated to evaluate the preventive effect of interferon-alpha2B on infertilty after mumps orchitis. There were 21 patients with mumps orchitis between May 1990 and June 1997. Patients were randomly distributed into 2 groups: group 1 patients (n=13) maintained therapy with interferon-alpha2B (3x10(6) IU per day) and group 2 were managed by conservatively. All of the patients were evaluated with testis size measurement, mumps virus titer, hormone level, and if possible semen analysis. For group 1 patients symptoms disappeared within 2 to 3 days and the volume of testis returned to normal within 11 days and testis atrophy was not observed in all patients in follow up. But asthenospermia was continued in 4 patients (unilateral 2, bilateral 2). For group 2 patients symptoms disappeared within 5 to 6 days and the volume of testis returned to normal within 10 days and testis atrophy was observed in 3 patients (unilateral 2, bilateral 1) in floow up. Asthenospermia was continued in 4 patients (unilateral 2, bilateral 2). Sperm count and morphology were recovered all the recover in group 1, 4 patients had persistent reduced sperm count and morphology in group 2, respectively. These observations suggest that systemic interferon-alpha2B treatment is highly effective in preventing infertility as well as testicular atrophy after mumps orchitis.
Atrophy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infertility* ; Male ; Mumps virus ; Mumps* ; Orchitis* ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Testis

BACKGROUND: In order to improve the quality of life of dying patients so that they may die with dignity, they need to receive not only the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual care, but also systematic and continuous care. However, their is no adequate medical service at present. We studied terminal cancer patients'behavior patterns of health care utilization, the problems of caring for the patient, and medical services that bereaved families suggested for terminal cancer patients and their families. METHODS: From 271 patients'families who participated in our hospice program from March 1991 to February 1996, 108 bereaved families whom we able to had been contact were interviewed by three student nurses with a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: The terminal cancer patients received their medical care through admission to hospital(45.4%), outpatient clinic(22.2%), emergency room(16.7%), and oriental medicine(12.0%). But during their terminal phase of the illness, 32.4% of patients never received medical care including oriental medicine, and 28.7% received alternative medicine care such as intake of mushroom and elm tree. 26 bereaved families(24.1%) pointed out the indifference of the medical team as a problem receiving proper hospital care, and 22 bereaved families(20.4%) emphasized emotional strain of their helplessness with the patient's suffering as a problem of caring for the patient at home. Over 90% of bereaved families from their experience suggested needs of continuous care, hospice care, home care, and 24hr telephone service. CONCLUSIONS: There were inappropriate behavior patterns of health care utilization which resulted in large proportion of terminal cancer patients received alternative medicine never receiving proper medical care. Therefore, there is a need to develop the continuous and comprehensive care for terminal cancer patients and their family, such as hospice.)
Agaricales ; Complementary Therapies ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Emergencies ; Home Care Services ; Hospice Care ; Hospices ; Humans ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life ; Telephone ; Ulmus ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We describe herein an extremely rare case of a recurrent primary pulmonary malignant fibrous histiocytoma 3 months after operation that occurred in a 55-year-old man who was treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy successfully. Until now, 36 months later, the patient has shown no evidence of tumor recurrence. The clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features are reported here together with a brief review of the literature.
Histiocytoma ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; Middle Aged ; Recurrence

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the incidence, predictive factors, and impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). METHODS: A total of 53 patients who underwent 57 TEVAR operations between 2008 and 2015 were reviewed for the incidence of AKI as defined by the RIFLE (risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage kidney disease risk) consensus criteria. The estimated glomerular filtration rate was determined in the perioperative period. Comorbidities and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Underlying aortic pathologies included 21 degenerative aortic aneurysms, 20 blunt traumatic aortic injuries, six type B aortic dissections, five type B intramural hematomas, three endoleaks and two miscellaneous diseases. The mean age of the patients was 61.2+/-17.5 years (range, 15 to 85 years). AKI was identified in 13 (22.8%) of 57 patients. There was an association of preoperative stroke and postoperative paraparesis and paraplegia with AKI. The average intensive care unit (ICU) stay in patients with AKI was significantly longer than in patients without AKI (5.3 vs. 12.7 days, p=0.017). The 30-day mortality rate in patients with AKI was significantly higher than patients without AKI (23.1% vs. 4.5%, p=0.038); however, AKI did not impact long-term survival. CONCLUSION: Preoperative stroke and postoperative paraparesis and paraplegia were identified as predictors for AKI. Patients with AKI experienced longer average ICU stays and greater 30-day mortality than those without AKI. Perioperative identification of high-risk patients, as well as nephroprotective strategies to reduce the incidence of AKI, should be considered as important aspects of a successful TEVAR procedure.
Acute Kidney Injury* ; Aortic Aneurysm ; Comorbidity ; Consensus ; Endoleak ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Mortality ; Paraparesis ; Paraplegia ; Pathology ; Perioperative Period ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Stroke

BACKGROUND: The authors studied factors that affected operative mortality and clinical course by analysis of 98 patients who had underwent total correction of TOF at department of thoracic surgery, Pusan Paik hospital from Sept, 1985 to Aug, 1996 to predict the outcome of operation and improve the result of total correction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To analyse the factors that affect operative mortality, patients were divided into two groups, non-survivor (group I) and survivor (group II), compared body surface area (BSA), aortic clamping time (ACT), total bypass time (TBT), preoperative PRV/LV, postoperative PRV/LV, operation method between them. These same patients were also divided into two groups, group A (non-survivor or severe complication group) and B (survivor and only mild complication group), comparing the same items. RESULTS: There were statistical differences between group I and II about postoperative PRV/LV as 0.67+/-0.13, 0.46+/-0.15. There were statistical differences between group A and B about postoperative PRV/LV as 0.62+/-0.12, 0.44+/-0.15. Transventricular cases were predominant in group A, transatrial cases in group B (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We suggested that the operative results of TOF were better in cases of lower postoperative PRV/LV and transatrial approach.
Body Surface Area ; Busan ; Constriction ; Humans ; Mortality ; Survivors ; Tetralogy of Fallot* ; Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND: Previously, a large epidemiological study has found that an increase in the serum triglyceride level is an independent risk factor of coronary artery disease and by treating it, the mortality due to coronary artery disease could be decreased. Our study is designed to analyze the serum triglyceride level in healthy adultg and to study various factors influencing the serum triglyceride level. METHODS: Study involved all patients who visited Seoul National University Hospital Health Promotion Center from May 1995 to Feb 1997. After a complete history and a physical examination, each participant answered a questionnaire involving sociodemographics, tobacco, alcohol, exercise, menstrual cycle and daily dietary contents. A blood chemistry was also drawn after 12 hours of fasting. We used analysis of covariance and multiple regression analysis to correlate triglyceride level with forementioned variables. RESULTS: Healthy 3,332 men and 2,986 women were statistically analyzed. The average triglyceride levels were 110.7mg/dl(geometric mean). Men at ,50's had the highest level of triglyceride. As women aged, their triglyceride increased. The proportion of participants in their 40's in men and 70's and over in women with triglyceride >200mg/d1, a value of clinical importance, was 19.0% and 18.4% respectively. The triglyceride level changed significantly according to BMI, exercise, physical fitness, alcohol, tobacco, blood pressure, uric acid and glucose. However, no statistically significant difference was found among diet thyroid function, income and region. For men, a multiple regression analysis revealed that the factors influencing triglyceride level, in decreasing order, were BMI, uric acid, tobacco, diastolic blood pressure, ALT and maximal oxygen uptake. However, for women, a similar analysis showed that BMI, systolic blood pressure, exericise, tobacco and age played a significant role(p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum triglyceride level was associated with correctable behavioral factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol, exercise, and physical fitness. Among these factors obesity was the most related factor with triglyceride level.
Adult* ; Blood Pressure ; Chemistry ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Diet ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Exercise ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Menstrual Cycle ; Mortality ; Obesity ; Oxygen ; Physical Examination ; Physical Fitness ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thyroid Gland ; Tobacco ; Triglycerides* ; Uric Acid ; Surveys and Questionnaires