Background: There is limited information describing the presenting characteristics and dynamic clinical changes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection diagnosed in the early phase of illness. This study is a case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to 11 hospitals in Korea. Methods: Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of respiratory specimens by active surveillance that were finally discharged between February 20 and April 30, 2020 were included. Patients were classified into mild and non-mild groups on initial admission according to oxygen demand and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and the mild group was followed up and subgrouped into non-aggravation and aggravation groups. Results: A total of 161 patients with SARS-CoV2 infection were enrolled. Among the mild group of 136 patients, 11.7% of patients experienced clinical aggravation during hospitalization, but there was no initial clinical parameter on admission predicting their aggravation. Fever (odds ratio [OR], 4.56), thrombocytopenia (OR, 12.87), fever (OR, 27.22) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) > 300 U/L (OR, 18.35), and CRP > 1 mg/dL (OR, 11.31) significantly indicated aggravation in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 5-day periods, respectively.PCR positivity lasted for a median of 22 days and 32 days after the onset of illness in the nonaggravation and aggravation groups, respectively. Conclusion Old age was associated with early severe presentation. Clinical aggravation among asymptomatic or mild patients could not be predicted initially but was heralded by fever and several laboratory markers during the clinical course.

PURPOSE: Dexrazoxane has been used as an effective cardioprotector against anthracycline cardiotoxicity. This study intended to analyze cardioprotective efficacy and secondary malignancy development, and elucidate risk factors for secondary malignancies in dexrazoxane-treated pediatric patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected from 15 hospitals in Korea. Patients who received any anthracyclines, and completed treatment without stem cell transplantation were included. For efficacy evaluation, the incidence of cardiac events and cardiac event-free survival rates were compared. Data about risk factors of secondary malignancies were collected. RESULTS: Data of total 1,453 cases were analyzed; dexrazoxane with every anthracyclines group (D group, 1,035 patients) and no dexrazoxane group (non-D group, 418 patients). Incidence of the reported cardiac events was not statistically different between two groups; however, the cardiac event-free survival rate of patients with more than 400 mg/m2 of anthracyclines was significantly higher in D group (91.2% vs. 80.1%, p=0.04). The 6-year cumulative incidence of secondary malignancy was not different between both groups after considering follow-up duration difference (non-D, 0.52%±0.37%; D, 0.60%±0.28%; p=0.55). The most influential risk factor for secondary malignancy was the duration of anthracycline administration according to multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Dexrazoxane had an efficacy in lowering cardiac event-free survival rates in patients with higher cumulative anthracyclines. As a result of multivariate analysis for assessing risk factors of secondary malignancy, the occurrence of secondary malignancy was not related to dexrazoxane administration.
Anthracyclines ; Cardiotoxicity ; Dexrazoxane ; Disease-Free Survival ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasms, Second Primary ; Risk Factors* ; Stem Cell Transplantation

An intra-articular osteoid osteoma is a very rare cause of elbow pain, and its diagnosis and treatment remain challenging. Delayed diagnosis may lead to arthritic change of the joint. In this study, the authors present the occurrence of intra-articular osteoid osteoma in the right elbow of a 15-year-old male patient who presented with prolonged pain and limited motion owing to delayed diagnosis. After confirming the nidus of osteoid osteoma from radiographic evaluation, the lesion was completely removed arthroscopically. The patient presented a complete relief of symptoms and full range of motion. This is the first domestic report of successful arthroscopic treatment of an intra-articular osteoid osteoma of the elbow.
Adolescent ; Arthroscopy ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Diagnosis ; Elbow ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Osteoma, Osteoid ; Range of Motion, Articular

PURPOSE: In this study, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutation and amplification, ALK protein expression, loss of the nuclear alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) protein, and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) protein expressionwere studied to investigate potential correlations between these molecular characteristics and clinical features or outcomes in neuroblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients were enrolled in this study. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing were used for mutation analysis. ALK and MYCN amplifications were detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Protein expressionwas evaluated by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. RESULTS: ALK mutation was found in only two patients (4.1%); ALK amplification was not detected. ALK positivity, loss of nuclear ATRX protein, TERT positivity by IHC were detected in 40 (55.6%), nine (13.0%), and 42 (59.2%) patients, respectively. The incidence of ALK expression increased in accordance with increasing tumor stage (p=0.001) and risk group (p < 0.001). The relapse rate was significantly higher in ALK+ patients compared to that of other patients (47.5% vs. 11.3%, p=0.007). However, there was no significant difference in relapse rate when the survival analysis was confined to the high-risk patients. CONCLUSION: Although ALK mutation was rare and no amplification was observed, ALK protein expression was found in a significant number of patients and was correlated with advanced stage and high-risk neuroblastoma. ALK protein expression could be considered as a marker related to the aggressive neuroblastoma, but it was not the independent prognostic factor for the outcome.
Fluorescence ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Hybridization ; Incidence ; Lymphoma ; Neuroblastoma* ; Phosphotransferases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Recurrence ; Telomerase ; Telomere

PURPOSE: There have been a few reports of bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) in Korea to date. The purpose of this study was to investigate the etiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of BPOP and to report the clinical outcomes from a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1999 and 2016, six patients who were diagnosed and treated operatively at Yeungnam University Medical Center were reviewed retrospectively. The analysis was performed using medical records, simple radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and pathology results, based on clinical and oncological results. All patients underwent surgical treatment for complete resection. We also analyzed one patient who was initially diagnosed with BPOP, showing different clinical features during the follow-up period. RESULTS: The age of patients ranged from 17 to 60 years. All patients did not show a history of trauma. All patients showed localized edema on the tumor lesion, and three patients also showed tenderness. The tumor lesions were distributed to the femur, tibia, and humerus. All patients underwent marginal resection or wide resection. The mean follow-up period was 50.3 months. There was a malignant change in one patient, but no recurrence or metastasis. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was no difference in the incidence of BPOP in accordance with sex. Moreover, there was no significant relationship between trauma and onset of BPOP. Unlike previous reports, no recurrence occurred after complete resection. If BPOP is diagnosed, it is necessary to consider the possibility of malignant change and distinguish it from other malignant tumors.
Academic Medical Centers ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Incidence ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibia

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In some cases, chronic diarrhea is unexplained, and small bowel disorders may be one of the causes. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic yield and clinical impact of video capsule endoscopy (VCE) in patients with chronic diarrhea. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed records from October 2002 to August 2013 in the VCE nationwide database registry (n=2,964). Ninety-one patients from 15 medical centers (60 males and 31 females; mean age, 47±19 years) were evaluated for VCE as a result of chronic diarrhea. RESULTS: The duration of chronic diarrhea was 8.3±14.7 months. The positive diagnostic yield of VCE was 42.9% (39/91). However, 15.4% (14/91) exhibited an inconsistent result, and 41.8% (38/91) were negative. Abnormal findings consistent with chronic diarrhea included erosions/aphthous ulcers (19.8%), ulcers (17.6%), mucosal erythema (3.3%), edema (1.1%), and luminal narrowing (1.1%). The most common diagnoses were functional diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome in 37 patients (40.7%) and Crohn’s disease in 18 patients (19.8%). After VCE examination, the diagnosis was changed in 34.1% of the patients (31/91). Hematochezia (odds ratio [OR], 8.802; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.126 to 36.441) and hypoalbuminemia (OR, 4.811; 95% CI, 1.241 to 18.655) are predictive factors of a positive diagnostic yield. CONCLUSIONS: VCE had a favorable diagnostic yield and clinical impact on the management of patients with chronic diarrhea.
Capsule Endoscopy* ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea* ; Edema ; Erythema ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Male ; Phenobarbital ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulcer

This multicenter, prospective trial was conducted to develop an effective and safe reinduction regimen for marrow-relapsed pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) by modifying the dose of idarubicin. Between 2006 and 2009, the trial accrued 44 patients, 1 to 21 years old with first marrow-relapsed ALL. The reinduction regimen comprised prednisolone, vincristine, L-asparaginase, and idarubicin (10 mg/m²/week). The idarubicin dose was adjusted according to the degree of myelosuppression. The second complete remission (CR2) rate was 72.7%, obtained by 54.2% of patients with early relapse < 24 months after initial diagnosis and 95.0% of those with late relapse (P = 0.002). Five patients entered remission with extended treatment, resulting in a final CR2 rate of 84.1%. The CR2 rate was not significantly different according to the idarubicin dose. The induction death rate was 2.3% (1/44). The 5-year event-free and overall survival rates were 22.2% ± 6.4% and 27.3% ± 6.7% for all patients, 4.2% ± 4.1% and 8.3% ± 5.6% for early relapsers, and 43.8% ± 11.4% and 50.0% ± 11.2% for late relapsers, respectively. Early relapse and slow response to reinduction chemotherapy were predictors of poor outcomes. In conclusion, a modified dose of idarubicin was effectively incorporated into the reinduction regimen for late marrow-relapsed ALL with a low toxic death rate. However, the CR2 rate for early relapsers was suboptimal, and the second remission was not durable in most patients.

The fabella has been considered to have a minor clinical significance. However, there have been a few reports describing the fabella as one of the causes of peroneal nerve palsy (PNP). This report describes a 66-year-old farmer who complained of acute neurologic symptoms involving the fabella. Surgical extirpation was performed and neurologic function was recovered dramatically. Recently, there have been no published reports on fabella syndrome with common PNP. Here, we report an unusual case of common PNP with the fabella as a cause.
Aged ; Farmers ; Humans ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Paralysis* ; Peroneal Nerve* ; Sesamoid Bones

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a primary immunodeficiency disease caused by impaired phagocytic function. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a definitive cure for CGD; however, the use of HSCT is limited because of associated problems, including transplantation-related mortality and engraftment failure. We report a case of a patient with CGD who underwent successful HSCT following a targeted busulfan and fludarabine reduced-toxicity myeloablative conditioning. Intravenous busulfan was administered once daily for 4 consecutive days (days –8 to –5), and the target area under the curve was 75,000 µg·hr/L. Fludarabine (40 mg/m2) was administered once daily for 6 consecutive days from days –8 to –3. Antithymocyte globulin (2.5 mg/kg/day) was administered from days –4 to –2. The patient underwent successful engraftment and did not have any severe toxicity related to the transplantation. Conditioning with a targeted busulfan and fludarabine regimen could provide a better outcome for HSCT in CGD, with close regulation of the busulfan dose.
Antilymphocyte Serum ; Bone Marrow Transplantation* ; Bone Marrow* ; Busulfan* ; Granulomatous Disease, Chronic* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Mortality ; Transplantation Conditioning

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and oncological outcomes between the primary and metastatic malignant tumor of humerus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2005 and May 2014, 42 cases of malignant tumor in humerus that were followed-up for at least 1 year were entered into the study and analyzed retrospectively. Cases were divided into two groups, the primary (group 1, 15 cases) and metastatic (group 2, 27 cases), according to the origin of the tumor. The clinical and oncological outcomes between the primary and metastatic malignant tumor of humerus were analyzed and compared. RESULTS: In the group 1, nine cases were osteosarcoma and six cases were chondrosarcoma. The tumor lesions were distributed in the proximal area of the humerus. In the group 2, 12 cases originated from lung cancer, six cases from liver cancer, and two cases from bladder cancer. The lesions were usually distributed in the midshaft area. The patients underwent various surgical treatments, including wide excision with tumor prosthesis, curettage with bone grafting, intramedullary nailing, open reduction, and internal fixation with plate. Kaplan-Meier 5-year survival estimates were 87.5% for group 1, and 1-year survival estimates were 70.1% and 2-year survival estimates were 40.1% for group 2. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score was high in both groups. However group 1 showed a higher score on the functional index compared to group 2. CONCLUSION: Primary malignant bone tumors of the humerus usually involve the proximal site and tumor prosthesis is the main treatment. The metastatic malignant bone tumor usually involves the midshaft area and intramedullary nailing and radiation therapy is the main therapy. Although treatment of the primary malignant tumor increases the survival rate, treatment of metastatic malignant tumor does not affect the survival rate, though it helps in relieving pain.
Bone Transplantation ; Chondrosarcoma ; Curettage ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Humans ; Humerus* ; Liver Neoplasms ; Lung Neoplasms ; Methods* ; Osteosarcoma ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Prostheses and Implants ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms