PURPOSE: Dispatcher-assisted telephone instruction during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) improves the quality of CPR performed by laypersons. However, in Korea, CPR instruction guidelines for bystanders have not made. We therefore studied the effects of verbal instruction on the quality of chest compression. METHODS: Data from two randomized, double-blinded, controlled trials using identical methodology were combined to obtain 175 records for analysis. Subjects were randomized into either a "push as hard as you can and fast" (n=87) or "push down 5~6 cm, 100~120 rate/min" (n=88), verbal instructions in the 2011 Korea Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency Cardiovascular Care (ECC). Data were recorded via a Resusci(R) Anne SkillReporter(TM), Laerdal Medical mannequin. Primary outcome measures included chest compression depth and chest compression rate per minute. RESULTS: The average compression depth and speed of chest compressions did not significantly differ between the two verbal instructions. CONCLUSION: The verbal istructions provided by telephone based on the 2011 Korean Guidelines for CPR and ECC are not effective. The instructions for high quality CPR of layperson should therefore be studied.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Emergencies ; Heart Massage ; Korea ; Manikins ; Methods ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Telephone* ; Thorax ; Verbal Learning

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a gram-negative opportunistic intracellular pathogen that causes an acute and fatal septicemic melioidosis in humans. The organism is mainly found in Southeastern Asia and Northern Australia. Recently, we encountered a case of melioidosis in a Korean patient and performed the laboratory diagnosis of melioidosis. As a result, a gram negative bacterium was isolated from a melioidosis patient, and it was identified as B. pseudomallei on DNA sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA with 99.9% homology and biochemical examination of VITEK gram-negative identification card. Also, DNA from cultured bacteria was tested in multiplex PCR, a 245 bp fragment amplified from the metalloprotease gene and a fragment of variable size ranging from 400~700 bp resulting from amplification of the 10 bp repetitive element for B. pseudomallei were confirmed after electrophoresis. The bacterium was sensitive to ceftazidime, imipenem and meropenem but resistant to ticarcillin. So far, there are no domestic cases of melioidosis in Korea, however, due to the increase in international travelers, the incidence of melioidosis is likely to increase. We report a recent case of melioidosis in a Korean patient.
Asia, Southeastern ; Australia ; Bacteria ; Burkholderia pseudomallei ; Ceftazidime ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; DNA ; Electrophoresis ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Incidence ; Korea ; Melioidosis ; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Thienamycins ; Ticarcillin

Skeletal remains collected from the archaeological fields must be maintained carefully, for being used in scientific studies on the physical characteristics, health status, and pathological disease of the ancient or medieval human populations. Even if Joseon Dynasty Human Sample Collection might be a good example for such studies, few of bone collections predated the Joseon Age (e.g. Goryeo Dynasty) have been established until now, possibly owing to poor preservation condition of archaeological sites in Korea. In this study, we performed anthropological studies on a few cases of Goryeo skeletons, which have been rarely reported by anthropologists in Korea. Judging from the preservation status of bones found in various types of Goryeo graves (e.g. earthen- or stone-chambered tombs), many cases seem to be cremated in accordance with Buddhist funeral rites. Goryeo bone collections must be constructed with the bones identified in the earthen tombs, which were preserved much perfectly than those of any other types of Goryeo tombs.
Anthropology, Physical ; Archaeology ; Funeral Rites ; Humans ; Korea ; Skeleton

Low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma is a recently recognized, uncommon soft tissue neoplasm. It has a tendency to develop in deep soft tissue of young adults and a possibility of local recurrence or distant metastasis. Diagnostic criteria have not been well defined and this tumor has not been accepted as a distinct entity. Histologically, it is characterized by the presence of bland spindle cells with mainly whorled pattern of growth, set in alternating areas with a myxoid or fibrous stroma. Careful consideration of the morphological and immunohistochemical features of this tumor permit a positive diagnosis of low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma and allow its distinction from a number of other benign and malignant soft tissue neoplasms. We experienced a low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma in chest wall and report this case with a review of the literature.
Diagnosis ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma* ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; Thoracic Wall* ; Thorax* ; Young Adult

Pneumoconiosis is fibrogenic disease, caused by inhalation of mineral dust. It is defined as the accumulation of dust in the lung and tissue reaction to its presence and the dust is considered to be an aerosal of solid and inanimate particles. It is among the most common and the most important occupational lung disease, especially in developing countries. It is required three prerequisites for making a clinical diagnosis of pneumoconiosis: 1) a full clinical and occupational history together with the result of physical examination; 2) previous X-ray for comparison; and 3) a clear understanding of the time scale involved in the progression of the diseases. Most pneumoconiosises are slow to evolve and changes in the appearances take many months -usually years- to occur. Pneumoconiosis is represented on a plain X-ray of the chest as multiple small round opacities, usually smaller than 1cm diameter. In 58 years old female patient, pneumoconiosis is manifested as 5 X 4 X 3cm sized solitary pulmonary nodule without any occupational history and past histoty of exposure of dust. so we treated this case with right upper lobectomy. Therefore we report this case with a brief review of literatures.
Developing Countries ; Diagnosis ; Dust ; Female ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination ; Pneumoconiosis* ; Solitary Pulmonary Nodule* ; Thorax

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MR findings of calvarial eosinophilic granuloma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the MR imaging studies of nine patients [M:F=3:6, aged 6 -35 (mean, 20.5) years] with pathologically proven eosinophilic granuloma in the calvaria. The findings were evaluated for involvement of the diploic space, changes in adjacent bone marrow, distinction of the transitional zone, pattern of bone destruction, signal intensity and contrast enhancement of the tumor, and contrast enhancement of the adjacent dura. RESULTS: All lesions involved the diploic space, showed no change in adjacent bone marrow, and had a distinct transitional zone. In most (8/9) cases there was asymmetric bony destruction. On T1-weighted images, signal intensities of the tumors varied, while on T2-weighted images, hyperintensity was observed in seven cases, isointensity in one, and hypointensity in one. After the administration of contrast material, enhancement was homogeneous in four cases and inhomogeneous in five. Enhancement of the adjacent dura was demonstrated in all nine cases. CONCLUSION: The characteristic MR findings of calvarial eosinophilic granuloma are variable signal intensity on T1WI, high signal intensity on T2WI, and marked contrast enhancement; in addition, there is a distinct transitional zone, asymmetrical bony destruction, and associated dural enhancement.
Bone Marrow ; Eosinophilic Granuloma* ; Eosinophils* ; Histiocytosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Skull

Genetic changes between codons 2209 and 2248 of NS5A of genotype 1b hepatitis C virus (HCV-1b) have been reported to be associated with the sensitivity to interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). The present study was performed to analyze such relationship in Korean patients with chronic hepatitis C and HCV-1b (n=19), including 12 chronic hepatitis C patients treated with IFN-alpha, 3 chronic hepatitis C patients without treatment as controls, and 4 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Two serum samples, before and after the treatment, were analyzed for the mutations by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, cloning and sequencing. The mutations were identified in 32% (6/19), including five intermediate type (1-3 mutations) and one mutant type (4 or more). In 12 patients treated with IFN-alpha, the number of amino acid substitutions in NS5A2209-2248 was not associated with outcome of the treatment.
Adult ; Aged ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; Base Sequence ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/virology* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/blood ; Codon ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/blood ; Hepatitis C-Like Viruses/isolation & purification ; Hepatitis C-Like Viruses/genetics* ; Hepatitis C-Like Viruses/classification ; Human ; Interferon-alpha/therapeutic use* ; Liver Neoplasms/virology* ; Liver Neoplasms/blood ; Male ; Middle Age ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Mutation* ; Prognosis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

The Duhamel procedure has been the authors' treatment of choice for children with Hirschsprung's disease over the last 15 years. Owing to advancements in instrumentation and technique, laparoscopic correction of some congenital anomalies, including congenital megacolon, have become possible. In March and May of 1997, laparoscopic Duhamel procedures were performed on a girl and boy aged 7 months and 2 years and 9 months, respectively. The primary diagnosis in both patients was Hirschsprung's disease, which was confirmed by barium-enema and mucosal suction biopsy. The boy did not need construction of a loop colostomy, while the girl had a colostomy made neonatally. Using 4 trocars, the sigmoid colon, proximal rectum, and posterior rectal wall were mobilized laparoscopically. Immdeiately after severing the proximal resection line, the proximal end was pulled down posterior to the dentate line for side-to-side anastomosis with GIA and Endo-GIA staplers perineally. The colonic remnant was then resected with staplers and harvested through the right lower quadrent port site. Operative time was 210 minutes for the boy and 200 minutes for the girl. No perioperative complications were noted, and conversion to laparotomy was never required. Regular diet was resumed 4 days (boy) and 2 days (girl) after the operations. Postoperative hospital stay was 7 days in the two cases. We successfully performed laparoscopic Duhamel procedures for the first time in Korea, and think it feasible, safe, andminimally invasive owing to size reduction of the incision and avoidence of intraperitoneal opening of the bowel.
Biopsy ; Child ; Colon ; Colon, Sigmoid ; Colostomy ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Female ; Hirschsprung Disease* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Operative Time ; Rectum ; Suction ; Surgical Instruments

BACKGROUND: Solid and papillary neoplasms of the pancreas are very rare tumors that occur predominantly in young women. Most of them are diagnosed because of their large sizes and because they are present with an asymptomatic abdominal mass. Most reports indicate that these large palpable, abdominal masses occur in females in their second and third decades of life. Only a few cases of solid and papillary epithelial neoplasms of the pancreas have been reported. METHOD: Here in, eight cases were reviewed which were treated at the Department of Surgery, Catholic University Medical College affiliated hospital from 1988 to 1996. RESULT: The diagnosis is often implied by radiologic examination with ultrasonography, UGI, ERCP, and computed tomography. Most cases showed well-encapsulated, round, or lobulated masses consisting of both cystic and solid areas. The hallmark histologic pattern of this tumor is a solid and papillary epithelial pattern in a pancreatic neoplasm. There is no specific marker for this neoplasm which could elucidate the obscure histogenetic origin and the phenotypic differentiation. Concluion: Therefore, surgical excision is the primary form of treatment and has favorable results.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial* ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND: Boerhaave's syndrome is a spontaneous rupture of the esophagus. The classic symptom triad, vomiting, chest pain, and subcutaneous emphysema, rarely develop together. It is diagnosed by using plain chest film, an esophagogram with a water soluble contrast media, and computerized tomography, but it is somewhat difficult to make an early diagnosis. It is generally treated with a surgical procedure, but the most frequent complication is suture line leakage, which leads to a pyothorax, pneumonia, mediastinitis, and eventually an irreversible septic condition. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 10 cases of patients with spontaneous esophageal rupture treated by various surgical methods during the recent 6 years at the Department of Surgery and Internal Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea. RESULTS: The results of the clinical reviews are as follows: There were 9 males and 1 female, and the mean age was 53 years old. The main symptom was chest pain (70%), and that developed after severe vomiting in 6 cases (60%). Abnormal findings were revealed on the chest PA films of 6 cases. Esophagogram were used in 8 cases, and a combined chest CT in 5 cases. Seven (70%) received an operation in less than 24 hours after the attack and 3 cases after 72 hours. The lower one-third of the esophagus was perforated in 9 cases (90%), and the left side of the esophagus was perforated in 8 cases (80%). The methods of operation were primary repair (6 cases), an esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy (3 cases), and a cardial ligation, proximal esophagostomy, gastrostomy, and feeding jejunostomy (1 case). Anastomosis leakage and empyema developed in each of 4 cases. The overall mortality rate was 20%; only two patients died due to a delayed hospital visit (surgery 72 hours after first attack of symptoms). CONCLUSIONS: We recommand that the most important factor affecting the prognosis for spontaneous rupture of the esophagus is early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention.
Chest Pain ; Contrast Media ; Early Diagnosis ; Empyema ; Empyema, Pleural ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagostomy ; Esophagus* ; Female ; Gastrostomy ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Jejunostomy ; Korea ; Ligation ; Male ; Mediastinitis ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Pneumonia ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Rupture, Spontaneous* ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Sutures ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vomiting