Objective: Dysphagia is a common clinical condition characterized by difficulty in swallowing. It is sub-classified into oropharyngeal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the mouth and pharynx, and esophageal dysphagia, which refers to problems in the esophageal body and esophagogastric junction. Dysphagia can have a significant negative impact one’s physical health and quality of life as its severity increases. Therefore, proper assessment and management of dysphagia are critical for improving swallowing function and preventing complications. Thus a guideline was developed to provide evidence-based recommendations for assessment and management in patients with dysphagia. Methods: Nineteen key questions on dysphagia were developed. These questions dealt with various aspects of problems related to dysphagia, including assessment, management, and complications. A literature search for relevant articles was conducted using Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and one domestic database of KoreaMed, until April 2021. The level of evidence and recommendation grade were established according to the Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. Results: Early screening and assessment of videofluoroscopic swallowing were recommended for assessing the presence of dysphagia. Therapeutic methods, such as tongue and pharyngeal muscle strengthening exercises and neuromuscular electrical stimulation with swallowing therapy, were effective in improving swallowing function and quality of life in patients with dysphagia. Nutritional intervention and an oral care program were also recommended. Conclusion This guideline presents recommendations for the assessment and management of patients with oropharyngeal dysphagia, including rehabilitative strategies.

This study was conducted as a pilot project to evaluate the feasibility of building an integrate dementia platform converging preexisting dementia cohorts from several variable levels. The following four cohorts were used to develop this pilot platform: 1) Clinical Research Center for Dementia of South Korea (CREDOS), 2) Korean Brain Aging Study for Early Diagnosis and Prediction of Alzheimer’s disease (K-BASE), 3) Environmental Pollution-induced Neurological Effects (EPINEF) study, and 4) a prospective registry in Dementia Platform Korea project (DPKR). A total of 29916 patients were included in the platform with 348 integrated variables. Among participants, 13.9%, 31.5%, and 44.2% of patients had normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia, respectively. The mean age was 72.4 years. Females accounted for 65.7% of all patients. Those with college or higher education and those without problems in reading or writing accounted for 12.3% and 46.8%, respectively. Marital status, cohabitation, family history of Parkinson’s disease, smoking and drinking status, physical activity, sleep status, and nutrition status had rates of missing information of 50% or more. Although individual cohorts were of the same domain and of high quality, we found there were several barriers to integrating individual cohorts, including variability in study variables and measurements. Although many researchers are trying to combine pre-existing cohorts, the process of integrating past data has not been easy. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a protocol with considerations for data integration at the cohort establishment stage.

This study was conducted as a pilot project to evaluate the feasibility of building an integrate dementia platform converging preexisting dementia cohorts from several variable levels. The following four cohorts were used to develop this pilot platform: 1) Clinical Research Center for Dementia of South Korea (CREDOS), 2) Korean Brain Aging Study for Early Diagnosis and Prediction of Alzheimer’s disease (K-BASE), 3) Environmental Pollution-induced Neurological Effects (EPINEF) study, and 4) a prospective registry in Dementia Platform Korea project (DPKR). A total of 29916 patients were included in the platform with 348 integrated variables. Among participants, 13.9%, 31.5%, and 44.2% of patients had normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia, respectively. The mean age was 72.4 years. Females accounted for 65.7% of all patients. Those with college or higher education and those without problems in reading or writing accounted for 12.3% and 46.8%, respectively. Marital status, cohabitation, family history of Parkinson’s disease, smoking and drinking status, physical activity, sleep status, and nutrition status had rates of missing information of 50% or more. Although individual cohorts were of the same domain and of high quality, we found there were several barriers to integrating individual cohorts, including variability in study variables and measurements. Although many researchers are trying to combine pre-existing cohorts, the process of integrating past data has not been easy. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a protocol with considerations for data integration at the cohort establishment stage.

Objectives: The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published “A Guideline for Unknown Disease Outbreaks (UDO).” The aim of this report was to introduce tabletop exercises (TTX) to prepare for UDO in the future. Methods: The UDO Laboratory Analyses Task Force in Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in April 2018, assigned unknown diseases into 5 syndromes, designed an algorithm for diagnosis, and made a panel list for diagnosis by exclusion. Using the guidelines and laboratory analyses for UDO, TTX were introduced. Results: Since September 9th , 2018, the UDO Laboratory Analyses Task Force has been preparing TTX based on a scenario of an outbreak caused by a novel coronavirus. In December 2019, through TTX, individual missions, epidemiological investigations, sample treatments, diagnosis by exclusions, and next generation sequencing analysis were discussed, and a novel coronavirus was identified as the causal pathogen. Conclusion Guideline and laboratory analyses for UDO successfully applied in TTX. Conclusions drawn from TTX could be applied effectively in the analyses for the initial response to COVID-19, an ongoing epidemic of 2019 - 2020. Therefore, TTX should continuously be conducted for the response and preparation against UDO.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In Alzheimer's continuum (a comprehensive of preclinical Alzheimer's disease [AD], mild cognitive impairment [MCI] due to AD, and AD dementia), cognitive dysfunctions are often related to cortical atrophy in specific brain regions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between anatomical pattern of cortical atrophy and specific neuropsychological deficits. METHODS: A total of 249 participants with Alzheimer's continuum (125 AD dementia, 103 MCI due to AD, and 21 preclinical AD) who were confirmed to be positive for amyloid deposits were collected from the memory disorder clinic in the department of neurology at Samsung Medical Center in Korea between September 2013 and March 2018. To analyze neuropsychological test-specific neural correlates representing the relationship between cortical atrophy measured by cortical thickness and performance in specific neuropsychological tests, a linear regression analysis was performed. Two neural correlates acquired by 2 different standardized scores in neuropsychological tests were also compared. RESULTS: Cortical atrophy in several specific brain regions was associated with most neuropsychological deficits, including digit span backward, naming, drawing-copying, verbal and visual recall, semantic fluency, phonemic fluency, and response inhibition. There were a few differences between 2 neural correlates obtained by different z-scores. CONCLUSIONS: The poor performance of most neuropsychological tests is closely related to cortical thinning in specific brain areas in Alzheimer's continuum. Therefore, the brain atrophy pattern in patients with Alzheimer's continuum can be predict by an accurate analysis of neuropsychological tests in clinical practice.
Alzheimer Disease ; Atrophy ; Brain ; Cognition ; Dementia ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Memory Disorders ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Neuroanatomy ; Neurology ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Plaque, Amyloid ; Semantics

C-arm fluoroscopy is useful equipment in interventional pain management because it helps to guide correct needle targeting for the accurate injection and drug delivery. However, due to increased use of C-arm fluoroscopy in various pain procedures, the risk of radiation exposure is a significant concern for pain physicians. The harmful biological effects of ionizing radiation on the human body are well known. It is therefore necessary to strive to reduce radiation exposure. Lead aprons with thyroid shields are the most fundamental radiation protective devices for interventional procedures, and are very effective. However, the operator's radiation safety cannot be guaranteed because pain physicians seem to lack sufficient interest, knowledge, and awareness about radiation safety. Also, inappropriate care and use of radiation protective devices may result in a higher risk of radiation exposure. The purpose of this article was to review the literature on radiation safety with a focus on lead aprons and thyroid shields and present recommendations related to those devices during C-arm fluoroscopic-guided interventions by pain physicians.
Fluoroscopy ; Human Body ; Needles ; Pain Management ; Protective Devices ; Radiation Exposure ; Radiation Protection ; Radiation, Ionizing ; Thyroid Gland

BACKGROUND: A considerable amount of research has shown that knowledge and appropriate awareness are essential for encouraging positive behaviors and promoting health. In Korea, the roles that behavioral changes play in the prevention of cancer have been an important issue since the introduction of the 10 codes for cancer prevention in 2006. Thus, the present study investigated the associations of tobacco-related knowledge with awareness and attitudes towards positive smoking-cessation behaviors. METHODS: The present study analyzed data from the 2010 national questionnaire survey (n = 1,006). This study evaluated sociodemographic characteristics, smoking status, self-rated health status, health-related interests, and the accuracy of 12 tobacco-related statements to determine knowledge level and to investigate its impact on awareness and behaviors related to smoking. These parameters were examined and staged using the Precaution Adoption Process Model. RESULTS: A higher level of tobacco-related knowledge was significantly associated with a positive attitude towards smoking cessation (5–8 correct answers: odds ratio [OR], 2.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.57–4.08; ≥ 9 correct answers: OR, 3.90; 95% CI, 2.22–6.82; reference: ≤ 4 correct answers). Interestingly, among current smokers, only those who correctly responded to ≥ 9 of 12 tobacco-related statements were significantly associated with a positive attitude towards smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: This study found that having a higher level of tobacco-related knowledge had a significant impact on positive attitudes towards smoking cessation. This suggests that there is a need to disseminate appropriate knowledge to the general population to encourage positive attitudes and promote healthful behaviors in terms of smoking.
Korea ; Odds Ratio ; Smoke* ; Smoking Cessation ; Smoking*

The Angio-Seal is a widely used arterial closure device that helps achieve faster hemostasis and provide early ambulation to patients. However, it can cause various complications in clinical practice. We present the uncommon complication of popliteal artery occlusion following Angio-Seal deployment, and describe an effective interventional approach to its treatment. Because fluoroscopy-guided Fogarty embolectomy has the advantages of complete removal of the embolus without fragmentation, and clear visualization of the exact location of the embolus during the procedure, it is a suitable method for treating this complication.
Embolectomy/*instrumentation ; Embolism/radiography/*surgery ; Equipment Design ; Fluoroscopy/*methods ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Popliteal Artery ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted/*methods

Pancreatic pseudocysts occur following acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis or secondary to pancreatic trauma. Most pancreatic pseudocysts are located in or around the pancreas, but they can be found in all the potential spaces around viscera in and outside of the abdominal cavity. The complications of pancreatic pseudocyst are infection, rupture, obstruction, fistula, or hemorrhage. Hemorrhage is a rare but frequently fatal complication of pancreatic pseudocysts. We report a case of pancreatic pseudocyst presented as bleeding of duodenum, which was misidentified for duodenal submucosal tumor bleeding.
Abdominal Cavity ; Duodenum ; Fistula ; Hemorrhage ; Pancreas ; Pancreatic Pseudocyst ; Pancreatitis ; Pancreatitis, Chronic ; Rupture ; Viscera

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the operative feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy via bilateral axillo breast approach (BABA) compared to conventional thyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. METHODS: From July 2009 to November 2010, patients underwent BABA endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET group; n=41) or conventional open thyroidectomy (OT group; n=61) for PTC. Clinical and pathologic characteristics of patients, operation time, post-operative complications, cosmetic satisfaction and thyroglobulin (TG) level were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 40.05±9.58 years (range 25~61 years) and 46.21±13.68 years (range 19~79 years) for the ET and OT group, respectively. The operative extent in the ET group did not include advanced thyroid cancer or lateral neck dissection. The size of the tumor was 0.78±0.59 cm (range 0.1~3.00 cm) and 1.54±1.05 cm (range 0.3~6.00 cm) for the ET and OT group, respectively. Extrathyroidal extension and number of retrieved lymph nodes were significantly higher in the OT group. Postoperative radioactive iodine ablation was performed on 25 patients (72.43%) in the ET group and 48 patients (78.69%) in the OT group. There was no abnormal uptake on radioactive iodine scans in the iodine-treated patients and no significant differences in postoperative off-T4 TG levels between the two groups. There were no significant differences in operative time, amount of drainage, postoperative hospitalization period, hypocalcemia, and vocal cord palsy between the two groups. Cosmetic results of ET group were rated as excellent in a 3-month postoperative questionnaire by 25 (72.43%) of 35 patients. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic thyroidectomy via the bilateral axillo breast approach can be a feasible and effective option for PTC in selected cases.
Breast* ; Drainage ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia ; Iodine ; Lymph Nodes ; Neck Dissection ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms* ; Thyroidectomy* ; Vocal Cord Paralysis