1.Full-Term Baby with Cerebellar Hemorrhage Referred for Severe Jaundice Occurring within the First 3 Days of Life
In Wook LEE ; Jae Kyoon HWANG ; Ja-Hye AHN ; Hyun Ju LEE ; Chang-Ryul KIM
Neonatal Medicine 2024;31(1):9-15
Cerebellar hemorrhage in full-term infants is a rare condition recently recognized in high-risk newborns requiring intensive care with the availability of advanced neuroimaging techniques. Several aspects such as the incidence, pathophysiology, clinical features, and prognosis of cerebellar hemorrhage in full-term infants remain unknown. We present a case of cerebellar hemorrhage with subdural hemorrhage in a patient hospitalized for jaundice after birth without a history of traumatic delivery, such as breech presentation, prolonged labor or forceps delivery. A full-term female infant weighing 3,100 g at birth, with no complications during delivery, developed jaundice within 48 hours of birth and was admitted for intensive phototherapy in the first 3 days of life with a transcutaneous total bilirubin level of 18.1 mg/dL. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed cerebellar brain lesions with a subdural hemorrhage. At the age of 3 months, the infant exhibited leg rigidity and was referred for rehabilitation. The patient showed signs of improvement during treatment and was generally catching up well with her peers at the age of 9 months. Long-term follow-ups are required to evaluate the consequences on cognitive development, behavior, and motor performance subsequently in life.
2.Nationwide Long-Term Growth and Developmental Outcomes of Infants for Congenital Anomalies in the Digestive System and Abdominal Wall Defects With Surgery in Korea
Soon Min LEE ; Jin A LEE ; Sung-Hoon CHUNG ; Jang Hoon LEE ; Jae Won SHIM ; Jae Woo LIM ; Chang-Ryul KIM ; Yun Sil CHANG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2023;38(49):e372-
Background:
Infants with congenital anomalies of the digestive system and abdominal wall defects requiring surgery are at risk of growth and developmental delays. The aim of this study was to analyze long-term growth and developmental outcomes for infants with congenital anomalies of the digestive system and abdominal wall defects who underwent surgery in Korea.
Methods:
We extracted data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database for the years 2013–2019. Major congenital anomalies were defined according to the International Classification of Diseases-10 and surgery insurance claim codes. The χ 2 test and the CochranArmitage trend test were performed for data analysis.
Results:
A total of 4,574 infants with major congenital anomalies in the digestive system and abodminal wall defects, who had undergone surgey, were reviewed. Anorectal obstruction/ stenosis was the most prevalent anomaly (4.9 per 10,000 live births). The prevalence of congenital anomalies of the digestive system was 15.5 per 10,000 live births, and that of abdominal wall defects was 1.5 per 10,000 live births. Seven percent of infants with congenital anomalies in the digestive system died, of which those with diaphragmatic hernia had the highest mortality rate (18.8%). Among 12,336 examinations at 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 months of age, 16.7% showed a weight below the 10th percentile, 15.8% had a height below the 10th percentile, and 13.2% had a head circumference below the 10th percentile.Abnormal developmental screening results were observed in 23.0% of infants. Infants with esophageal atresia with/without tracheoesophageal fistula most often had poor growth and development. Delayed development and cerebral palsy were observed in 490 (10.7%) and 130 (2.8%) infants respectively. Comparing the results of infants born in 2013 between their 24- and 72-month health examinations, the proportions of infants with poor height and head circumference growth increased by 6.5% and 5.3%, respectively, whereas those with poor weight growth and abnormal developmental results did not markedly change between the two examinations.
Conclusion
Infants with congenital anomalies of the digestive system and abdominal wall defects exhibit poor growth and developmental outcomes until 72 months of age. Close monitoring and careful consideration of their growth and development after discharge are required.
3.The Effect of Testosterone Replacement on Sexual Function in the Elderly: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hee Jo YANG ; Ki Hong KIM ; Doo Sang KIM ; Chang Ho LEE ; Youn Soo JEON ; Sung Ryul SHIM ; Jae Heon KIM
The World Journal of Men's Health 2023;41(4):861-873
Purpose:
Healthy aging is an important concern in an aging society. Although the causal relationship between hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction in elderly men remains unclear, many physicians have achieved positive results after implementing exogenous testosterone supplementation therapy in patients with normal or slightly low blood testosterone. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on whether testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) could improve sexual function in the elderly, as reported recently.
Materials and Methods:
As a comprehensive literature search was performed to find articles published in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases by January 2022. The search used keywords of ‘aged’, ‘male’, ‘sexual behavior’, and ‘testosterone’. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were finally selected. As the main effect variable, results of a questionnaire on sexual function were analyzed and the effects of TRT were compared to those of placebo control.
Results:
Five RCT studies were included in this meta-analysis. The overall improvement by mean difference of sexual function for testosterone supplementation was 0.082 (95% CI: -0.049 to 0.213). In subgroup analysis, only intramuscular injection of 1,000 mg testosterone significantly improved sexual function of the elderly (0.229, 95% CI: 0.112 to 0.347). There was no significant difference in sexual function according to testosterone dose in meta-ANOVA (p=0.957). The difference was not statistically significant either in the meta-regression test (p=0.310). Egger’s regression coefficient test did not indicate a publication bias (p=0.132).
Conclusions
Although our overall effect size (that is, sexual function effect of TRT) did not show a significant improvement, the direction of improvement in erection and motivation was clearly shown. The injection formulation resulted in a significant sexual function improvement. Since only a few RCTs were included in the analysis, more well-designed prospective studies are needed to have a definite conclusion.
4.The Role of Adjuvant Therapy Following Surgical Resection of Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Multi-Center Study
Seong Yong PARK ; Samina PARK ; Geun Dong LEE ; Hong Kwan KIM ; Sehoon CHOI ; Hyeong Ryul KIM ; Yong-Hee KIM ; Dong Kwan KIM ; Seung-Il PARK ; Tae Hee HONG ; Yong Soo CHOI ; Jhingook KIM ; Jong Ho CHO ; Young Mog SHIM ; Jae Ill ZO ; Kwon Joong NA ; In Kyu PARK ; Chang Hyun KANG ; Young-Tae KIM ; Byung Jo PARK ; Chang Young LEE ; Jin Gu LEE ; Dae Joon KIM ; Hyo Chae PAIK
Cancer Research and Treatment 2023;55(1):94-102
Purpose:
This multi-center, retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the long-term survival in patients who underwent surgical resection for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and to identify the benefit of adjuvant therapy following surgery.
Materials and Methods:
The data of 213 patients who underwent surgical resection for SCLC at four institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who received neoadjuvant therapy or an incomplete resection were excluded.
Results:
The mean patient age was 65.29±8.93 years, and 184 patients (86.4%) were male. Lobectomies and pneumonectomies were performed in 173 patients (81.2%), and 198 (93%) underwent systematic mediastinal lymph node dissections. Overall, 170 patients (79.8%) underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, 42 (19.7%) underwent radiotherapy to the mediastinum, and 23 (10.8%) underwent prophylactic cranial irradiation. The median follow-up period was 31.08 months (interquartile range, 13.79 to 64.52 months). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were 53.4% and 46.9%, respectively. The 5-year OS significantly improved after adjuvant chemotherapy in all patients (57.4% vs. 40.3%, p=0.007), and the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy was significant in patients with negative node pathology (70.8% vs. 39.7%, p=0.004). Adjuvant radiotherapy did not affect the 5-year OS (54.6% vs. 48.5%, p=0.458). Age (hazard ratio [HR], 1.032; p=0.017), node metastasis (HR, 2.190; p < 0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy (HR, 0.558; p=0.019) were associated with OS.
Conclusion
Adjuvant chemotherapy after surgical resection in patients with SCLC improved the OS, though adjuvant radiotherapy to the mediastinum did not improve the survival or decrease the locoregional recurrence rate.
5.Major Congenital Anomalies in Korean Livebirths in 2013–2014: Based on the National Health Insurance Database
Jin A LEE ; Soon Min LEE ; Sung-Hoon CHUNG ; Jang Hoon LEE ; Jae Won SHIM ; Jae Woo LIM ; Chang-Ryul KIM ; Yun Sil CHANG
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2023;38(39):e304-
Background:
In Korea, there have been no reports comparing the prevalence of major congenital anomalies with other countries and no reports on surgical treatment and longterm mortality. We investigated the prevalence of 67 major congenital anomalies in Korea and compared the prevalence with that of the European network of population-based registries for the epidemiological surveillance of congenital anomalies (EUROCAT). We also investigated the mortality and age at death, the proportion of preterm births, and the surgical rate for the 67 major congenital anomalies.
Methods:
Korean National Health Insurance claim data were obtained for neonates born in 2013–2014 and admitted within one-year-old. Sixty-seven major congenital anomalies were defined by medical diagnoses classified by International Classification of Diseases-10 codes according to the EUROCAT definition version 2014. Mortality and surgery were defined if any death or surgery claim code was confirmed until 2020. Poisson distribution was used to calculate the 95% confidence interval of the congenital anomaly prevalence.
Results:
The total prevalence of the 67 major anomalies was 433.5/10,000 livebirths. When compared with the prevalence of each major anomaly in EUROCAT, the prevalence of spina bifida, atrial septal defect (ASD), congenital megacolon, hip dislocation and/or dysplasia and skeletal dysplasia were more than five times higher in Korea. In contrast, the prevalence of aortic atresia/interrupted aortic arch and gastroschisis was less than one-fifth in Korea. The proportion of preterm births was 15.7%; however, more than 40% of infants with anencephaly, annular pancreas and gastroschisis were preterm infants. Additionally, 29.2% of the major anomalies were admitted to the neonatal intensive care units at birth, and 25.6% received surgical operation. The mortality rate was 1.7%, and 78.2% of the deaths occurred within the first year of life. However, in neonates with tricuspid valve atresia and stenosis, duodenal atresia or stenosis, and diaphragmatic hernia, more than half died within their first month of life. ASD and ventricular septal defect were the most common anomalies, and trisomy 18 and hypoplastic left heart syndrome were the most fatal anomalies. All infants with aortic atresia/interrupted aortic arch and conjoined twins received surgery.
Conclusion
The proportion of surgeries, preterm births and mortality was high in infants with major congenital anomalies. The establishment of a national registry of congenital anomalies and systematic support by national medical policies are needed for infants with major congenital anomalies in Korea.
6.A Case of AOA2 With Compound Heterozygous SETX Mutations
Hee Jin CHANG ; Ryul KIM ; Minchae KIM ; Jangsup MOON ; Man Jin KIM ; Han-Joon KIM
Journal of Movement Disorders 2022;15(2):178-180
7.Rapidly Progressive Pericardial Effusion and Cardiac Tamponade in a Term Infant with an Umbilical Venous Catheter: A Case Report
Min-Jung PARK ; Ja-Hye AHN ; Hyun Ju LEE ; Hyun-Kyung PARK ; Jae-Kyoon HWANG ; Chang-Ryul KIM ; Jae Yoon NA
Neonatal Medicine 2022;29(4):135-140
Pericardial effusion (PCE) in neonates has various clinical presentations depending on the amount and speed of fluid accumulation and can cause cardiac tamponade (CT). We report a case of rapidly accumulating PCE and near-fatal CT with an umbilical venous catheter successfully resolved by emergent echo-guided pericardiocentesis in a term infant who had been hospitalized with meconium aspiration syndrome and persistent pulmonary hypertension. This case report suggests that if a patient with an intracardiac umbilical catheter shows sudden cardiopulmonary instability, the possibility of PCE and CT should be considered. Furthermore, if necessary, emergency drainage of the PCE and removal of the umbilical catheter should be immediately performed.
8.Effects of Ponderal Index on Neonatal Mortality and Morbidities in Extremely Premature Infants
Jae Kyoon HWANG ; Ha-Na KANG ; Ja-Hye AHN ; Hyun Ju LEE ; Hyun-Kyung PARK ; Chang-Ryul KIM
Journal of Korean Medical Science 2022;37(24):e198-
Background:
To evaluate how intrauterine stress affects extremely premature infants in terms of intrauterine growth restriction. We hypothesized that extremely premature infants with mildly-low ponderal index (MPI) would have better neonatal outcomes.
Methods:
We selected 2,721 subjects of 23 to 28 weeks of gestation between 2013 and 2015 from Korean Neonatal Network database. They were divided into 4 groups based on ponderal index (PI) percentile; PI ≤ 3rd as severely-low PI (SPI, n = 82), 3rd < PI ≤ 10th as MPI (n = 190), 10th < PI ≤ 90th as adequate PI (API, n = 2,179), and PI > 90th as high PI (HPI, n = 270).
Results:
The mortality in MPI and API groups was comparable (16.3% vs. 16.9%). It was significantly lower than that in the SPI and HPI groups (30.5% and 24.9%, respectively;P = 0.001). The MPI and API groups had better neonatal morbidities compared with the SPI and/or HPI groups, while the MPI group (8.2%) showed a lower incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) than the other groups (SPI, 21.3%; API, 15.0%; HPI, 19.7%, respectively; P = 0.004). The MPI group had a trend of a bottom in neonatal mortality and morbidities in extremely premature infants.
Conclusion
The MPI and API groups had lower mortality, massive pulmonary hemorrhage, severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death, pulmonary hypertension and neonatal seizure rates than the SPI and/or HPI groups, while the MPI group showed a lower incidence of severe IVH than the other groups. We speculate that the lower incidence of neonatal morbidities and mortality in the MPI group indicating mild intrauterine stress might accelerate fetal maturation resulting in better outcomes in extremely premature infants.
9.The relationship between lymphedema severity and awareness of lymphedema surgery
Hyun Seung LEE ; Yong Chan BAE ; Su Bong NAM ; Chang Ryul YI ; Jin A YOON ; Joo Hyoung KIM
Archives of Plastic Surgery 2021;48(5):534-542
Background:
During the early stages of lymphedema, active physiologic surgical treatment can be applied. However, lymphedema patients often have limited knowledge and misconceptions regarding lymphedema and surgical treatment. We analyzed the correlations between lymphedema severity and surgical technique according to patients’ awareness of surgical treatment for secondary upper extremity lymphedema (UEL).
Methods:
Patients with UEL diagnosed between December 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. At the time of their presentation to our hospital for the treatment of lymphedema, they were administered a questionnaire about lymphedema and lymphedema surgery. Based on the results, patients were classified as being aware or unaware of surgical treatment. Lymphedema severity was classified according to the arm dermal backflow (ADB) stage and the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) stage based on indocyanine green lymphography conducted at presentation. Surgical techniques were compared between the two groups.
Results:
Patients who were aware of surgical treatment had significantly lower initial ADB and MDACC stages (P<0.05) and more frequently underwent physiologic procedures than excisional procedures (P=0.003).
Conclusions
If patients are actively educated regarding surgical treatment of lymphedema, physiologic procedures may be performed during the early stages of UEL.
10.The relationship between lymphedema severity and awareness of lymphedema surgery
Hyun Seung LEE ; Yong Chan BAE ; Su Bong NAM ; Chang Ryul YI ; Jin A YOON ; Joo Hyoung KIM
Archives of Plastic Surgery 2021;48(5):534-542
Background:
During the early stages of lymphedema, active physiologic surgical treatment can be applied. However, lymphedema patients often have limited knowledge and misconceptions regarding lymphedema and surgical treatment. We analyzed the correlations between lymphedema severity and surgical technique according to patients’ awareness of surgical treatment for secondary upper extremity lymphedema (UEL).
Methods:
Patients with UEL diagnosed between December 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively evaluated. At the time of their presentation to our hospital for the treatment of lymphedema, they were administered a questionnaire about lymphedema and lymphedema surgery. Based on the results, patients were classified as being aware or unaware of surgical treatment. Lymphedema severity was classified according to the arm dermal backflow (ADB) stage and the MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) stage based on indocyanine green lymphography conducted at presentation. Surgical techniques were compared between the two groups.
Results:
Patients who were aware of surgical treatment had significantly lower initial ADB and MDACC stages (P<0.05) and more frequently underwent physiologic procedures than excisional procedures (P=0.003).
Conclusions
If patients are actively educated regarding surgical treatment of lymphedema, physiologic procedures may be performed during the early stages of UEL.

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