Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, is a global concern. This study aimed to examine the clinical characteristics, demographics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients in the emergency department (ED) and explore clinical predictors of in-hospital mortality. Methods: This single-center, retrospective, observational study used 1,003 adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who went to the ED and were admitted to the hospital between February 28 and September 30, 2020. Results: The median age of the included patients was 55 (37-68) years, and 533 were women (53.1%). Severe COVID-19 was noted in 173 patients (17.2%); seven patients (0.7%) received mechanical ventilation. The mortality rate was 2.1%. Multivariable Cox regression analysis found the risk factors associated with in-hospital death of patients (age >70 years [hazard ratio (HR), 27.411; P<0.001], albumin level <3.5 g/dL [HR, 12.273; P<0.001], CURB-65 [confusion, urea nitrogen, respiratory rate, blood pressure, 65 years of age and older] score ≥3 [HR, 10.137; P=0.002] and platelet count <100×109/L [HR, 3.281; P=0.024]) on admission. Conclusion Age>70 years, hypoalbuminemia, CURB-65≥3 and thrombocytopenia on admission were independent risk factors for mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Early detection of these predictors and application of CURB-65 score in the ED may provide guidance for appropriate risk stratification at triage and disposition of patients at increased risk of poor prognosis.

Purpose: Assessing the status of metastasis in sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) by pathologists is an essential task for the accurate staging of breast cancer. However, histopathological evaluation of sentinel lymph nodes by a pathologist is not easy and is a tedious and time-consuming task. The purpose of this study is to review a challenge competition (HeLP 2018) to develop automated solutions for the classification of metastases in hematoxylin and eosin–stained frozen tissue sections of SLNs in breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 297 digital slides were obtained from frozen SLN sections, which include post–neoadjuvant cases (n = 144, 48.5%) in Asan Medical Center, South Korea. The slides were divided into training, development, and validation sets. All of the imaging datasets have been manually segmented by expert pathologists. A total of 10 participants were allowed to use the Kakao challenge platform for six weeks with two P40 GPUs. The algorithms were assessed in terms of the AUC (area under receiver operating characteristic curve). Results: The top three teams showed 0.986, 0.985, and 0.945 AUCs for the development set and 0.805, 0.776, and 0.765 AUCs for the validation set. Micrometastatic tumors, neoadjuvant systemic therapy, invasive lobular carcinoma, and histologic grade 3 were associated with lower diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion In a challenge competition, accurate deep learning algorithms have been developed, which can be helpful in making frozen diagnosis of intraoperative sentinel lymph node biopsy. Whether this approach has clinical utility will require evaluation in a clinical setting

BACKGROUND: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common adverse event after general anesthesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 2% lidocaine jelly applied on the single-lumen endotracheal tube (ETT) and thermal softening of the ETT, and a combination of both interventions on the development of POST. METHODS: Patients (n = 144) undergoing general anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Control group (un-softened ETT lubricated with saline); Lidocaine group (un-softened ETT lubricated with 2% lidocaine jelly); Softened group (thermally softened ETT lubricated with saline); and Combined group (thermally softened ETT lubricated with 2% lidocaine jelly). Sore throat was evaluated at 0, 1, 6, 24, and 48 h after extubation. The occurrence of any postoperative complication was also assessed including hoarseness and coughing. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed in the severity of POST at all time points. However, the incidences of POST for overall (0–48 h) and the immediately following period (0 h) were significantly lower in the Combined group (52.9% and 47.1%) than in the Control group (79.4% and 76.5%), Lidocaine group (81.8% and 78.8%), and Softened group (82.9% and 74.3%). The overall incidence of hoarseness did not differ among the groups. No other postoperative complication was observed in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: No differences were observed in the severity of POST. However, 2% lidocaine jelly applied on thermally softened ETT reduced the overall incidence of POST. Therefore, this combined intervention could be considered as an alleviating strategy for POST.
Anesthesia, General ; Cough ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lidocaine ; Pharyngitis ; Postoperative Complications

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the uterine cervix is exceedingly uncommon. We herein report a rare case of cervical LELC. A 45-year-old woman was admitted to gynecology department with vaginal bleeding for one month. Liquid-based cytology revealed atypical endometrial cells, not otherwise specified on her cervix. On a hysteroscopy, an endocervical mass was identified and the pathologic result was consistent with poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography with 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose integrated with computed tomography revealed a 3.1-cm endocervical mass without distant metastasis or enlarged lymph nodes. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was IB1. A radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection were performed. The pathologic diagnosis was a poorly differentiated carcinoma, showing features of LELC. She has been followed for 8 months without adjuvant treatment since the surgery, during which time there has been no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gynecology ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Hysteroscopy ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Obstetrics ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Recurrence ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Uterine Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not the early use of steroid is useful for treating Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 85 patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia admitted to Gwangju Christian Hospital between September 2015 and April 2016. A total of 85 patients were enrolled. Of these, 33 were treated with steroids (methyl-prednisolone 1 mg/kg/day), while 52 were not; both were treated with macrolides. The overall duration of fever was compared between the 2 groups and findings on chest radiographs were evaluated for their deterioration. RESULTS: The duration of fever after admission (1.36±0.92 days vs. 2.17±1.30 days, P=0.003) and the overall duration of fever (4.42±2.13 days vs. 6.07±2.59 days, P=0.003) were significantly lower in the steroid group. The duration of fever before admission was not different between the steroid and macrolide groups (3.06±1.74 days vs. 3.90±2.21 days, P=0.068). On chest radiographs taken 3 days later, 1 of 33 patients in the steroid group and 5 of 50 patients in the macrolide group worsened, although there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups (P=0.395). There was no significant difference in the duration of hospitalization between the 2 groups (6.72±1.54 days vs. 6.92±1.87 days, P=0.618). CONCLUSION: Early administration of steroids on patients with M. pneumoniae pneumonia reduced the duration of fever, but there was no difference in duration of admission and x-ray deterioration.
Fever ; Gwangju ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Macrolides ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Steroids

We report a non-puerperal uterine inversion with nulliparous women caused by huge pedunculated submucosal fibroid. Massive bleeding from protruding mass through vagina brought the heart to stop in 42-year-old nulliparous woman. She became cardiopulmonary resuscitation survivor in emergency room and then underwent laparotomy which ended in successful myomectomy rather than hysterectomy considering her demand for future fertility. Meticulous and adequate fluid therapy and transfusion was also administered to recover from hypovolemic status. Pathologic report confirmed benign submucosal fibroid with degeneration, necrosis and abscess formation. Thus, clinician should be aware of uterine inversion when encountered with huge protruding vaginal mass and consider uterus-preserving management as surgical option when the future fertility is concerned.
Abscess ; Adult ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Female ; Fertility ; Fluid Therapy ; Heart ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypovolemia* ; Hysterectomy ; Laparotomy ; Leiomyoma ; Necrosis ; Shock* ; Survivors ; Uterine Inversion* ; Vagina

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate changes in the posterior cranial fossa in patients with symptomatic Chiari malformation type I (CMI) compared to a control group. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and radiological data from 12 symptomatic patients with CMI and 24 healthy control subjects. The structures of the brain and skull base were investigated using magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: The length of the clivus had significantly decreased in the CMI group than in the control group (p=0.000). The angle between the clivus and the McRae line (p<0.024), as the angle between the supraocciput and the McRae line (p<0.021), and the angle between the tentorium and a line connecting the internal occipital protuberance to the opisthion (p<0.009) were significantly larger in the CMI group than in the control group. The mean vertical length of the cerebellar hemisphere (p<0.003) and the mean length of the coronal and sagittal superoinferior aspects of the cerebellum (p<0.05) were longer in the CMI group than in the control group, while the mean length of the axial anteroposterior aspect of the cerebellum (p<0.001) was significantly shorter in the CMI group relative to control subjects. CONCLUSION: We elucidate the transformation of the posterior cranial fossa into the narrow funnel shape. The sufficient cephalocaudal extension of the craniectomy of the posterior cranial fossa has more decompression effect than other type extension of the craniectomy in CMI patients.
Arnold-Chiari Malformation ; Brain ; Cerebellum ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Cranial Fossa, Posterior* ; Decompression ; Decompressive Craniectomy ; Embryology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Skull Base

BACKGROUND: Myocardial revascularization in patients with renal insufficiency is challenging to the cardiac surgeon, irrespective of utilizing extracorporeal circulation. This study aimed to compare the number of bypass grafts and the mid-term results and to evaluate independent survival predictors in patients with renal insufficiency undergoing on-pump or off-pump myocardial revascularization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 103 patients with renal insufficiency, who had isolated myocardial revascularization between January 1999 and January 2009. The patients were divided into two groups, the on-pump group and the off-pump group. RESULTS: The off-pump group received a significantly greater number of distal arterial grafts than the on-pump group. However, the mean number of total grafts, the degree of complete revascularization, and survival rate of the patients were not significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed the independent predictors for reduced mid-term survival were the number of total grafts and postoperative periodic renal replacement therapy. Off-pump myocardial revascularization does not decrease the number of bypass grafts or influence on the mid-term results for patients with renal insufficiency, compared to on-pump myocardial revascularization. CONCLUSION: Myocardial revascularization with a large number of total grafts has a beneficial effect on survival in patients with renal insufficiency, irrespective of utilizing extracorporeal bypass.
Extracorporeal Circulation ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Myocardial Revascularization ; Postoperative Period ; Renal Insufficiency ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Transplants

PURPOSE: Recently, there have been several studies on the early results of hepatectomy for various intrahepatic lesions. We report the early experience of our hospital after total laparoscopic left hepatectomy in patients with intrahepatic stones in the left hemi-liver. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed with left intrahepatic stones and underwent hepatectomy between January 2007 and June 2009. The patients were grouped according to operative procedure into open hepatectomy, laparoscopy-assisted hepatectomy, and total laparoscopic hepatectomy. RESULTS: There were 31 patients who underwent Lt hemihepatectomy and Lt lateral sectionectomy during this period. Hepatectomy with open method, laparoscopy-assisted method, and total laparoscopy method were performed in 10, 14, and 7 cases. There were no significant differences between the three methods for operating time and postoperative complications. But the number of fasting times and hospital days was shorter with total laparoscopic hepatectomy than with others. CONCLUSION: Total laparoscopic liver resection is a safe and useful method for treating patients with intrahepatic stones and offers the advantage of quick patient recovery. Careful selection of appropriate patients and further development in the laparoscopic surgical technique resulting from accumulated experiences will help enable the laparoscopic hepatectomy to be performed more easily and safely in patients with intrahepatic stones.
Fasting ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Imidazoles ; Laparoscopy ; Liver ; Medical Records ; Nitro Compounds ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

BACKGROUND: Bone cancer pain has a disruptive effect on the cancer patient's quality of life. Although ginsenosides have been used as traditional medicine in Eastern Medicine, the effect on bone cancer pain has not been thoroughly studied. The aim of this study was to determine whether ginsenosides may alter the bone cancer pain at the spinal level. METHODS: NCTC 2472 tumor cells (2.5 x 10(5)) were injected into the femur of adult male C3H/HeJ mice to evoke bone tumor and bone cancer pain. To develop bone tumor, radiologic pictures were obtained. To assess pain, the withdrawal threshold was measured by applying a von Frey filament to the tumor cells inoculation site. The effect of intrathecal ginsenosides was investigated. Effect of ginsenosides (150, 500, 1,000 microgram) was examined at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 min after intrathecal delivery. RESULTS: The intrafemoral injection of NCTC 2472 tumor cells induced a radiological bone tumor. The withdrawal threshold with tumor development was significantly decreased compared to the sham animals. Intrathecal ginsenosides effectively increased the withdrawal threshold in the bone cancer site. CONCLUSIONS: NCTC 2472 tumor cells injection into the mice femur caused bone tumor and bone cancer pain. Intrathecal ginsenosides attenuated the bone cancer-related pain behavior. Therefore, spinal ginsenosides may be an alternative analgesic for treating bone cancer pain.
Adult ; Animals ; Bone Neoplasms ; Femur ; Ginsenosides ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Traditional ; Mice ; Quality of Life ; Salicylamides ; Spinal Cord