Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Rare endocrine diseases are complex conditions that require lifelong specialized care due to their chronic nature and associated long-term complications. In Korea, a lack of nationwide data on clinical practice and outcomes has limited progress in patient care. Therefore, the Multicenter Networks for Ideal Outcomes of Pediatric Rare Endocrine and Metabolic Disease (OUTSPREAD) study was initiated. This study involves 30 centers across Korea. The study aims to improve the long-term prognosis of Korean patients with rare endocrine diseases by collecting comprehensive clinical data, biospecimens, and patient-reported outcomes to identify complications and unmet needs in patient care. Patients with childhood-onset pituitary, adrenal, or gonadal disorders, such as craniopharyngioma, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Turner syndrome were prioritized. The planned enrollment is 1,300 patients during the first study phase (2022–2024). Clinical, biochemical, and imaging data from diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up during 1980–2023 were retrospectively reviewed. For patients who agreed to participate in the prospective cohort, clinical data and biospecimens will be prospectively collected to discover ideal biomarkers that predict the effectiveness of disease control measures and prognosis. Patient-reported outcomes, including quality of life and depression scales, will be evaluated to assess psychosocial outcomes. Additionally, a substudy on CAH patients will develop a steroid hormone profiling method using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry to improve diagnosis and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study will address unmet clinical needs by discovering ideal biomarkers, introducing evidence-based treatment guidelines, and ultimately improving long-term outcomes in the areas of rare endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Background: The Fleischner Society established consensus guidelines for imaging in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We investigated the prevalence of pneumonia and the adverse outcomes by dividing groups according to the symptoms and risk factors of patients and assessed the suitability of the Fleischner society imaging guidelines in evaluating chest radiographs of COVID-19 patients. Methods: From February 2020 to May 2020, 685 patients (204 males, mean 58 ± 17.9 years) who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and hospitalized were included. We divided patients into four groups according to the severity of symptoms and presence of risk factors (age > 65 years and presence of comorbidities). The patient groups were defined as follows: group 1 (asymptomatic patients), group 2 (patients with mild symptoms without risk factors), group 3 (patients with mild symptoms and risk factors), and group 4 (patients with moderate to severe symptoms). According to the Fleischner society, chest imaging is not indicated for groups 1–2 but is indicated for groups 3–4. We compared the prevalence and score of pneumonia on chest radiographs and compare the adverse outcomes (progress to severe pneumonia, intensive care unit admission, and death) between groups. Results: Among the 685 COVID-19 patients, 138 (20.1%), 396 (57.8%), 102 (14.9%), and 49 (7.1%) patients corresponded to groups 1 to 4, respectively. Patients in groups 3–4 were significantly older and showed significantly higher prevalence rates of pneumonia (group 1–4: 37.7%, 51.3%, 71.6%, and 98%, respectively, P < 0.001) than those in groups 1-2. Adverse outcomes were also higher in groups 3–4 than in groups 1–2 (group 1–4: 8.0%, 3.5%, 6.9%, and 51%, respectively, P < 0.001). Patients with adverse outcomes in group 1 were initially asymptomatic but symptoms developed during follow-up. They were older (mean age, 80 years) and most of them had comorbidities (81.8%). Consistently asymptomatic patients had no adverse events. Conclusion The prevalence of pneumonia and adverse outcomes were different according to the symptoms and risk factors in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, as the Fleischner Society recommended, evaluation and monitoring of COVID-19 pneumonia using chest radiographs is necessary for old symptomatic patients with comorbidities.

The nose is a complex three-dimensional structure and represents a major aesthetic focus of the face. As a gold standard for nasal soft tissue reconstruction, the ‘forehead flap’ provides reconstructive surgeons a robust pedicle and large amount of tissue to reconstruct almost any defect. However, during this process, some hair can be unintentionally introduced to the nose. Accordingly, laser hair removal is sometimes needed, but blood circulation and flap survival should be carefully monitored.Despite careful evaluation, a third-degree burn occurred in our patient that required eight weeks to heal. Here, we report on a burn resulting from epilation conducted 2 weeks after forehead flap for nasal reconstruction.

The nose is a complex three-dimensional structure and represents a major aesthetic focus of the face. As a gold standard for nasal soft tissue reconstruction, the ‘forehead flap’ provides reconstructive surgeons a robust pedicle and large amount of tissue to reconstruct almost any defect. However, during this process, some hair can be unintentionally introduced to the nose. Accordingly, laser hair removal is sometimes needed, but blood circulation and flap survival should be carefully monitored.Despite careful evaluation, a third-degree burn occurred in our patient that required eight weeks to heal. Here, we report on a burn resulting from epilation conducted 2 weeks after forehead flap for nasal reconstruction.

Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a rare malignant tumor, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1 to 2 per 1,000,000 per year. Approximately 75% of SCs are reported to occur in eyelids. Most of these tumors are diagnosed at age 40 or over and exhibit a wide variety of patterns in addition to the general appearance previously reported. SC is difficult to diagnose clinically, but can be diagnosed by accompanying biopsy. In cases of SC, additional examinations, such as endoscopy and computed tomography, may be necessary because of its association with Muir-Torre Syndrome. We present the case of a 22-year-old Asian man who complained of a rapidly growing chin tumor. The tumor was treated by surgical resection and adjuvant radiation therapy.

Sebaceous carcinoma (SC) is a rare malignant tumor, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1 to 2 per 1,000,000 per year. Approximately 75% of SCs are reported to occur in eyelids. Most of these tumors are diagnosed at age 40 or over and exhibit a wide variety of patterns in addition to the general appearance previously reported. SC is difficult to diagnose clinically, but can be diagnosed by accompanying biopsy. In cases of SC, additional examinations, such as endoscopy and computed tomography, may be necessary because of its association with Muir-Torre Syndrome. We present the case of a 22-year-old Asian man who complained of a rapidly growing chin tumor. The tumor was treated by surgical resection and adjuvant radiation therapy.

Background: This study aimed to explore the time interval distribution pattern between the Physicians Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form completion and death at a tertiary hospital in South Korea. It also examined the association between various independent parameters and POLST form completion timing. Methods: A total of 150 critically ill patients admitted to Korea University Guro Hospital between June 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018 who completed the POLST form were retrospectively analyzed and included in this study. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, and group comparisons were performed using the chi-square test for categorical variables. Fisher’s exact test was also used to compare cancer versus non-cancer groups. Results: More than half the decedents (54.7%) completed their POLST within 15 days of death and 73.4% within 30 days. The non-cancer group had the highest percentage of patients (77.8%) who died within 15 days of POLST form completion while the colorectal (39.1%) and other cancer (37.5%) groups had the lowest (P=0.336). Conclusion Our findings demonstrated a current need for more explicit guidance to assist physicians with initiating more timely, proactive end-of-life discussions.