Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the 18- year change in the relative value scale (RVS) in otolaryngology in relation to other surgical departments so as to help make future policy decisions.Subjects and Method Data on RVSs and addition rates, the deparments of main managed care, frequency of practice, and number of specialists were collected for all surgeries and procedures conducted in 2004, 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2022. Among these, an analysis was conducted for nine surgical departments. The number of surgeries and procedure items, the median value of the RVS, and the usage amount (i.e., RVS of all items multiplied by the frequency of surgeries and procedures) were calculated. Results: Over the past 18 years, the increase in the number of surgeries, procedure items and RVS in otolaryngology has grown smaller than that in other surgical departments, and the usage has decreased very sharply; in essence, the usage per specialist has actually decreased compared to 18 years ago. Conclusion Compared to other departments, RVS in otorhinolaryngology has shown very little change over the past period of 18 years. It is necessary to reasonably increase the currently undervalued RVS in otorhinolaryngology, particularly focusing on surgeries and procedures.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the 18- year change in the relative value scale (RVS) in otolaryngology in relation to other surgical departments so as to help make future policy decisions.Subjects and Method Data on RVSs and addition rates, the deparments of main managed care, frequency of practice, and number of specialists were collected for all surgeries and procedures conducted in 2004, 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2022. Among these, an analysis was conducted for nine surgical departments. The number of surgeries and procedure items, the median value of the RVS, and the usage amount (i.e., RVS of all items multiplied by the frequency of surgeries and procedures) were calculated. Results: Over the past 18 years, the increase in the number of surgeries, procedure items and RVS in otolaryngology has grown smaller than that in other surgical departments, and the usage has decreased very sharply; in essence, the usage per specialist has actually decreased compared to 18 years ago. Conclusion Compared to other departments, RVS in otorhinolaryngology has shown very little change over the past period of 18 years. It is necessary to reasonably increase the currently undervalued RVS in otorhinolaryngology, particularly focusing on surgeries and procedures.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the 18- year change in the relative value scale (RVS) in otolaryngology in relation to other surgical departments so as to help make future policy decisions.Subjects and Method Data on RVSs and addition rates, the deparments of main managed care, frequency of practice, and number of specialists were collected for all surgeries and procedures conducted in 2004, 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2022. Among these, an analysis was conducted for nine surgical departments. The number of surgeries and procedure items, the median value of the RVS, and the usage amount (i.e., RVS of all items multiplied by the frequency of surgeries and procedures) were calculated. Results: Over the past 18 years, the increase in the number of surgeries, procedure items and RVS in otolaryngology has grown smaller than that in other surgical departments, and the usage has decreased very sharply; in essence, the usage per specialist has actually decreased compared to 18 years ago. Conclusion Compared to other departments, RVS in otorhinolaryngology has shown very little change over the past period of 18 years. It is necessary to reasonably increase the currently undervalued RVS in otorhinolaryngology, particularly focusing on surgeries and procedures.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the 18- year change in the relative value scale (RVS) in otolaryngology in relation to other surgical departments so as to help make future policy decisions.Subjects and Method Data on RVSs and addition rates, the deparments of main managed care, frequency of practice, and number of specialists were collected for all surgeries and procedures conducted in 2004, 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2022. Among these, an analysis was conducted for nine surgical departments. The number of surgeries and procedure items, the median value of the RVS, and the usage amount (i.e., RVS of all items multiplied by the frequency of surgeries and procedures) were calculated. Results: Over the past 18 years, the increase in the number of surgeries, procedure items and RVS in otolaryngology has grown smaller than that in other surgical departments, and the usage has decreased very sharply; in essence, the usage per specialist has actually decreased compared to 18 years ago. Conclusion Compared to other departments, RVS in otorhinolaryngology has shown very little change over the past period of 18 years. It is necessary to reasonably increase the currently undervalued RVS in otorhinolaryngology, particularly focusing on surgeries and procedures.

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the 18- year change in the relative value scale (RVS) in otolaryngology in relation to other surgical departments so as to help make future policy decisions.Subjects and Method Data on RVSs and addition rates, the deparments of main managed care, frequency of practice, and number of specialists were collected for all surgeries and procedures conducted in 2004, 2008, 2013, 2018, and 2022. Among these, an analysis was conducted for nine surgical departments. The number of surgeries and procedure items, the median value of the RVS, and the usage amount (i.e., RVS of all items multiplied by the frequency of surgeries and procedures) were calculated. Results: Over the past 18 years, the increase in the number of surgeries, procedure items and RVS in otolaryngology has grown smaller than that in other surgical departments, and the usage has decreased very sharply; in essence, the usage per specialist has actually decreased compared to 18 years ago. Conclusion Compared to other departments, RVS in otorhinolaryngology has shown very little change over the past period of 18 years. It is necessary to reasonably increase the currently undervalued RVS in otorhinolaryngology, particularly focusing on surgeries and procedures.

Thyroid tuberculosis with papillary thyroid carcinoma is very rare. The current study shows the case of a 67-year-old female who was admitted to Ansan Hospital of Korea University, with her thyroid nodules showing signs of malignancy under ultrasonography. A histopathological examination proved the coexistence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and thyroid tuberculosis (TB). A total thyroidectomy and excision of the enlarged left neck level II lymph node were performed. This report presents a rare case of coexistence of PTC and thyroid TB. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the possible role of PTC in thyroid mycobacterial infection.

Thyroid tuberculosis with papillary thyroid carcinoma is very rare. The current study shows the case of a 67-year-old female who was admitted to Ansan Hospital of Korea University, with her thyroid nodules showing signs of malignancy under ultrasonography. A histopathological examination proved the coexistence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and thyroid tuberculosis (TB). A total thyroidectomy and excision of the enlarged left neck level II lymph node were performed. This report presents a rare case of coexistence of PTC and thyroid TB. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the possible role of PTC in thyroid mycobacterial infection.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 fatty acids added to statin monotherapy in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes who have persistent hypertriglyceridemia despite statin therapy. METHODS: This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in 4 clinical sites between February 2009 and February 2011. The inclusion criteria were patients with type 2 diabetes who had received ≥6 weeks of statin therapy and had fasting triglyceride (TG) levels ≥1.7mmol/L and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels <2.6 mmol/L. The study regimen consisted of 16 weeks of randomized treatment with omega-3 fatty acids (4 g/day) plus a statin (n=26) or statin only (n=30). The primary endpoint was the change from baseline to final visit in mean TG level. RESULTS: A total of 56 participants were analyzed. At week 16, the change in the TG level in the combination therapy group differed significantly from the change in the statin monotherapy group (−34.8% vs. −15.2%, p=0.0176). Treatment with omega-3 fatty acids plus a statin was also associated with a significant decrease in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with baseline, but the difference was not significant compared with the statin monotherapy group (−8.0% vs. −2.5%, p=0.165). The changes in LDL cholesterol and HbA1c levels did not differ significantly between groups. The study medications were well tolerated, and adverse events were comparable between two groups. CONCLUSION: Adding omega-3 fatty acids to statin treatment reduced TG levels more effectively than statin monotherapy without undesirable effects in Korean type 2 diabetic patients who had hypertriglyceridemia despite well-controlled LDL cholesterol on stable statin therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02305355
Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fasting ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Lipoproteins ; Prescriptions ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether ultrasonographic examination compared to chest radiography (CXR) is effective for evaluating complications after central venous catheterization. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study. Immediately after central venous catheter insertion, we asked the radiologic department to perform a portable CXR scan. A junior and senior medical resident each performed ultrasonographic evaluation of the position of the catheter tip and complications such as pneumothorax and pleural effusion (hemothorax). We estimated the time required for ultrasound (US) and CXR. RESULTS: Compared to CXR, US could equivalently identify the catheter tip in the internal jugular or subclavian veins (P=1.000). Compared with CXR, US examinations conducted by junior residents could equivalently evaluate pneumothorax (P=1.000), while US examinations conducted by senior residents could also equivalently evaluate pneumothorax (P=0.557) and pleural effusion (P=0.337). The required time for US was shorter than that for CXR (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to CXR, US could equivalently and more quickly identify complications such as pneumothorax or pleural effusion.
Catheterization, Central Venous* ; Catheters* ; Central Venous Catheters* ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Observational Study ; Pleural Effusion ; Pneumothorax ; Prospective Studies ; Radiography ; Subclavian Vein ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adenotonsillectomy is a highly effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea symptoms in children. In this study, to investigate the effects of adenotonsillectomy on snoring in children, we analyzed and compared snoring sounds recorded using a smartphone before and after adenotonsillectomy. We also determined whether it is possible to use acoustic analysis to monitor snoring in children. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A total of 20 children diagnosed with snoring and had undergone adenotonsillectomy performed by the same surgeon were enrolled for the study. Snoring was recorded by patients' caregivers using smartphones before and after the surgery (mean of 8.5 days) and analyzed. Questionnaires were conducted by telephone survey at 3 months and 12 months after the surgery to determine snoring status. RESULTS: Snoring completely ceased in 25% of patients and decreased in the remaining 75% during the immediate follow-up period (mean of 8.5 days; from 58.07±9.35 dB to 42.59±7.89 dB, p<0.001), and disappeared in all of the patients by 3 months after adenotonsillectomy. Snoring recurred only in one patient after 1 year. A frequency analysis offered no evident statistically significant changes during the immediate follow-up period, indicating that although snoring volume had decreased, no anatomical change had developed in the patient. Spectrography was useful in investigating the snoring patterns before and after adenotonsillectomy. CONCLUSION: The results showed that acoustic analysis of snoring sounds obtained using a smartphone may be useful for monitoring snoring during follow-up after adenotonsillectomy in pediatric snoring patients.
Acoustics* ; Caregivers ; Child* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Methods ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Smartphone* ; Snoring* ; Telephone ; Tonsillectomy