Background: This prospective randomized controlled study aimed to determine the effects of abdominal massage on constipation management in elderly patients with hip fractures. Methods: From August 2017 to December 2018, patients aged above 65 years with hip fractures (n = 88) were randomly assigned to a massage group that received a bowel massage (n = 48) or a control group that did not receive a bowel massage (n = 40). Patients in the bowel massage group received a bowel massage from a trained caregiver after breakfast at approximately 9:00 AM for an hour. On admission, 5 days after surgery, and on the day of discharge, the patient’s normal and actual defecation pattern, stool consistency, and any problems with defecation were assessed through a structured interview. The questionnaire comprising the Bristol Stool Scale, patient assessment of constipation, time to defecation, medication for defecations, failure to defecate, cause of admission, admission period, and date of surgery were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed 5 days after surgery and on the day of discharge. Results: The mean age of the study cohort was 81.4 years (range, 65–99 years). The number of constipation remedies was significantly lower in the massage group than in the control group on postoperative day (POD) 5 and at discharge (9 vs. 15, p = 0.049 and 6 vs. 11, p = 0.039, respectively). The number of defecation failures was significantly lower in the massage group than in the control group (10 vs. 17, p = 0.028) on POD 5. However, the number of defecation failures at discharge was not significantly different between the two groups ( p = 0.131). The development of postoperative ileus ( p = 0.271) and length of hospital stay ( p = 0.576) were not different between the groups. Conclusions The number of constipation remedies was significantly lower in the massage group than in the control group on POD 5 and discharge, and the number of defecation failures was significantly lower in the massage group than in the control group on POD 5. Therefore, abdominal massage may be considered as an independent nursing initiative for constipation management.

Despite the accuracy of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), rapid antigen tests (RATs) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 are widely used as point-of-care tests. A total of 282 pairs of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Standard Q COVID-19 Ag tests were serially conducted for 68 patients every 3–4 days until their discharge. Through a field evaluation of RATs using direct nasopharyngeal swabs, the sensitivities were 84.6% and 87.3% for E and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genes, respectively, for specimens with cycle thresholds (Cts) < 25. The Ct values of E and RdRp genes for 95% detection rates by RATs were 16.9 and 18.1, respectively. The sensitivity of RAT was 48.4% after the onset of symptoms, which was not sufficient. RAT positivity gradually decreased with increased time after symptom onset and had continuously lower sensitivity than NAATs.

Background/Aims: The prevalence of simple renal cysts increases with age; however, they are occasionally found in adults aged < 40 years. This cross-sectional study evaluated the clinical significance of simple cysts in young adults, focusing on their associations with hematuria and albuminuria. Methods: Adults aged < 40 years who underwent comprehensive medical examination between January 2005 and December 2013 were included. Simple renal cysts were identified by ultrasonography. Results: Renal cysts were found in 276 of the 5,832 subjects (4.7%). Subjects with medullary sponge kidney (n = 1) or polycystic kidney disease (n = 5) were excluded. A single cyst and multiple cysts were found in 234 (4.0%) and 42 (0.7%) subjects, respectively. Age, high systolic blood pressure, and history of hypertension were independent risk factors for the presence of simple cysts. Simple cysts were not associated with an increased prevalence of hematuria. However, subjects with cysts showed a higher prevalence of albuminuria than those without (11.3% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the existence of simple renal cysts was associated with a 2.30-fold increased prevalence of albuminuria (95% confidence interval, 1.512 to 3.519; p < 0.001) independent of other risk factors. Conclusions In young adults, the presence of simple renal cysts was independently associated with an increased prevalence of albuminuria. The causal relationship needs to be elucidated in further studies.

Purpose: We assessed prenatal detection rates of congenital heart disease (CHD) and associations between maternal serum biomarkers and non-chromosomal CHD in singleton pregnancies. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a secondary analysis of data obtained during a multicenter prospective cohort study that investigated the cost-effectiveness of prenatal testing for fetal aneuploidy. We analyzed the prenatal detection rate and accuracy for CHD screening via ultrasound during the second trimester, as well as associations between serum biomarkers and CHDs, in singleton newborns without chromosomal abnormalities. Results: Among 6715 women, 142 (2.1%) newborns were born with CHDs, of which 67 (1.0%) newborns had major CHDs. The prenatal detection rate for all CHDs and major CHDs were 34.5% and 58.2%, respectively. After excluding isolated ventricular septal defects, the detection rate for critical CHDs was 85.9%. Women with low pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) (<0.4 multiples of the median, MOM) face increased risks of non-chromosomal CHDs [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.76; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.36–5.13] and major CHDs (aOR 7.30; 95% CI 3.18–15.59), compared to those without CHDs. A higher inhibin A level (≥2.5 MOM; aOR 4.84; 95% CI 1.42–12.46) was associated with non-chromosomal major CHDs. Conclusion Ultrasonography performed during the second trimester by obstetricians detected over 85% of critical CHDs. Low maternal serum PAPP-A or high inhibin-A was associated with non-chromosomal CHDs. These results may contribute to an improvement in prenatal diagnosis of CHDs.

Axillary ultrasonography (US) is the most commonly used imaging modality for nodal evaluation in patients with breast cancer. No Axillary Surgical Treatment in Clinically Lymph Node-Negative Patients after Ultrasonography (NAUTILUS) is a prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial investigating whether sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) can be safely omitted in patients with clinically and sonographically node-negative T1–2 breast cancer treated with breast-conserving therapy. In this trial, a standardized imaging protocol and criteria were established for the evaluation of axillary lymph nodes. Women lacking palpable lymph nodes underwent axillary US to dismiss suspicious nodal involvement.Patients with a round hypoechoic node with effaced hilum or indistinct margins were excluded. Patients with T1 tumors and a single node with a cortical thickness ≥ 3 mm underwent US-guided biopsy. Finally, patients with negative axillary US findings were included. The NAUTILUS axillary US nodal assessment criteria facilitate the proper selection of candidates who can omit SLNB.

The aging of the Korean population is expected to result in an increase in the prevalence of hip fractures. The aim of this review is to evaluate potential hip-fracture trends in Korea during the last few decades. Data from a hip fracture-related epidemiology study informed by: (1) a cohort study; (2) hospital-based cohort study; and (3) claims database, were reviewed and summarized. The incidence of hip fractures rose from 159.1/100,000 in 2008 to 181.5/100,000 in 2012, and the total number of hip fractures is estimated to increase by 1.4 times over the next 10 years (35,729 in 2016 to 51,259 in 2025). The use of intramedullary nails has greatly surpassed the use of plates for the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures. The 1-year cumulative mortality rates in patients aged ≥50 years after hip fractures based on National Health Insurance Service data were 17.2% (3,575/20,849) in 2008 and 16.0% (4,547/28,426) in 2012; the decrease was mainly observed among women. In addition, the mean 1-year mortality rates were 21% for men and 15% for women, indicating that mortality was 1.4 times higher in men than in women. The number of hip fractures is rapidly increasing, and the incidence of hip fractures demonstrated a slightly increasing trend until 2012. Trends in the use of varying surgical options for treatments for femoral neck and intertrochanteric fractures follow global trends. Although the high mortality rate after hip fractures in Korea remains concerning, a decrease in these rates over the study period was observed.

BACKGROUND: Treating patients with osteopetrosis is very challenging even in very skilled surgeons with many experiences. We present an account of 5 patients treated for hip fracture related problems occurring throughout their life due to this disease. Difficulties encountered during their treatment prompted us to present some general management principles. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2016, 5 patients with osteopetrosis (9 hips; 3 men, 2 women), who underwent operative or conservative treatment were retrospectively reviewed. We evaluated their clinical features and rate of union, malunion and post-operative infection. RESULTS: Four of 5 patients (80%) suffered bilateral fracture, and 8 of 9 fractures (89%) are transverse and occurred at subtrochanteric area resulted from minor trauma. Among 9 hips, surgery was performed in seven hips. Nonunion were found in 3 hips (33%), malunion in 1 hip (11%) and oteomyelitis was developed in 2 hips (22%) at a median of 8.1 years. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical features of hip fracture in osteopetrosis are very similar to atypical subtrochanteric femoral fractures. Patients should be informed of the possibilities of several anticipated complications including the risk of nonunion and infection after surgery.
Femoral Fractures ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Hip Fractures ; Hip ; Humans ; Male ; Osteopetrosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgeons

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as an alternative testing of invasive diagnostic testing in pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of pregnant women with abnormal ultrasound findings before 24 weeks of gestation between April 2016 and March 2017. Abnormal ultrasound findings included isolated increased nuchal translucency, structural anomalies, and soft markers. The NIPT or diagnostic test was conducted and NIPT detected trisomy 21 (T21), T18, T13 and sex chromosomal abnormalities. We analyzed the false positive and residual risks of NIPT based on the ultrasound findings. RESULTS: During the study period, 824 pregnant women had abnormal ultrasound findings. Among the study population, 139 patients (16.9%) underwent NIPT. When NIPT was solely performed in the patients with abnormal ultrasound findings, overall false positive risk was 2.2% and this study found residual risks of NIPT. However, the discordant results of NIPT differed according to the type of abnormal ultrasound findings. Discordant results were significant in the group with structural anomalies with 4.4% false positive rate. However, no discordant results were found in the group with single soft markers. CONCLUSION: This study found different efficacy of NIPT according to the ultrasound findings. The results emphasize the importance of individualized counseling for prenatal screening or diagnostic test based on the type of abnormal ultrasound.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Counseling ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Nuchal Translucency Measurement ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography*

A 74-year-old man who had been receiving warfarin for atrial fibrillation, underwent emergency thrombectomy. A central venous catheter (CVC) was inserted via the left subclavian vein, and heparin was administered to prevent preoperative and postoperative thrombotic events. After an uneventful thrombectomy, the patient was transferred to the intensive care unit (ICU). On the second postoperative day, the patient developed syncope and his blood pressure and oxygen saturation decreased. A computed tomography (CT) revealed a huge hematoma under the pectoralis major muscle. The patient was then treated with continuous renal replacement therapy and mechanical ventilation for multiorgan dysfunction syndrome, which developed due to hemorrhagic shock in the ICU. These findings suggest that when a CVC is inserted in patients requiring anticoagulant therapy, the possible risk of excessive bleeding must be carefully considered. Further, choosing a proper insertion site and performing an ultrasound-guided aspiration may be helpful in preventing these complications.
Aged ; Anticoagulants ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Blood Pressure ; Catheters* ; Central Venous Catheters ; Emergencies ; Hematoma* ; Hemorrhage ; Heparin ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Oxygen ; Renal Replacement Therapy ; Respiration, Artificial ; Shock, Hemorrhagic* ; Subclavian Vein ; Syncope ; Thrombectomy ; Warfarin

Usher syndrome type II (USH2) is the most common form of Usher syndrome, characterized by moderate to severe hearing impairment and progressive visual loss due to retinitis pigmentosa. It has been shown that mutations in the USH2A gene are responsible for USH2. The authors herein describe a 34-year-old Korean woman with the typical clinical manifestation of USH2; she had bilateral hearing disturbance and progressive visual deterioration, without vestibular dysfunction. Molecular genetic study of the USH2A gene revealed a novel frameshift mutation (c.2310delA; Glu771LysfsX17). She was heterozygous for this mutation, and no other mutation was found in USH2A, suggesting the possibility of an intronic or large genomic rearrangement mutation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a genetically confirmed case of USH2 in Korea. More investigations are needed to delineate genotype-phenotype correlations and ethnicity-specific genetic background of Usher syndrome.
Female ; Frameshift Mutation ; Genetic Association Studies ; Hearing ; Hearing Loss ; Humans ; Introns ; Korea ; Molecular Biology ; Retinitis Pigmentosa ; Usher Syndromes