Background: Despite the critical importance of sleep medicine within neurology, notable gaps in education and clinical practice persist among neurologists. This study aims to explore the extent of involvement and the challenges faced by Korean neurologists in sleep medicine, focusing on awareness of polysomnography training program, the operation of sleep study facilities, and educational exposure. Methods: An online survey collected responses from 233 neurologists, focusing on their demographics, knowledge of and involvement in sleep medicine, operation of sleep study facilities, and participation in residency training. Results: The findings indicated that 84.9% of neurologists were aware of polysomnography training program, primarily through professional societies. Nonetheless, 15.1% reported unfamiliarity with these initiatives, with 72.7% of this subgroup expressing interest in sleep medicine yet lacking access to information. In terms of clinical practice, 74 neurologists operated sleep study facilities, with 63% intending to expand. Key operational challenges included staff management, maintaining patient volumes, and inadequate institutional support. Among respondents from teaching hospitals, only 36 out of 114 reported active resident involvement in sleep study interpretations, predominantly hindered by excessive workloads and insufficient staffing. Conclusions A significant number of neurologists have an interest in sleep medicine; however, substantial challenges impede effective education and clinical practice. These results underscore the need for improved educational resources and institutional support to enhance the growth and effectiveness of sleep medicine practices among neurologists.

Background: Despite the critical importance of sleep medicine within neurology, notable gaps in education and clinical practice persist among neurologists. This study aims to explore the extent of involvement and the challenges faced by Korean neurologists in sleep medicine, focusing on awareness of polysomnography training program, the operation of sleep study facilities, and educational exposure. Methods: An online survey collected responses from 233 neurologists, focusing on their demographics, knowledge of and involvement in sleep medicine, operation of sleep study facilities, and participation in residency training. Results: The findings indicated that 84.9% of neurologists were aware of polysomnography training program, primarily through professional societies. Nonetheless, 15.1% reported unfamiliarity with these initiatives, with 72.7% of this subgroup expressing interest in sleep medicine yet lacking access to information. In terms of clinical practice, 74 neurologists operated sleep study facilities, with 63% intending to expand. Key operational challenges included staff management, maintaining patient volumes, and inadequate institutional support. Among respondents from teaching hospitals, only 36 out of 114 reported active resident involvement in sleep study interpretations, predominantly hindered by excessive workloads and insufficient staffing. Conclusions A significant number of neurologists have an interest in sleep medicine; however, substantial challenges impede effective education and clinical practice. These results underscore the need for improved educational resources and institutional support to enhance the growth and effectiveness of sleep medicine practices among neurologists.

Background: Despite the critical importance of sleep medicine within neurology, notable gaps in education and clinical practice persist among neurologists. This study aims to explore the extent of involvement and the challenges faced by Korean neurologists in sleep medicine, focusing on awareness of polysomnography training program, the operation of sleep study facilities, and educational exposure. Methods: An online survey collected responses from 233 neurologists, focusing on their demographics, knowledge of and involvement in sleep medicine, operation of sleep study facilities, and participation in residency training. Results: The findings indicated that 84.9% of neurologists were aware of polysomnography training program, primarily through professional societies. Nonetheless, 15.1% reported unfamiliarity with these initiatives, with 72.7% of this subgroup expressing interest in sleep medicine yet lacking access to information. In terms of clinical practice, 74 neurologists operated sleep study facilities, with 63% intending to expand. Key operational challenges included staff management, maintaining patient volumes, and inadequate institutional support. Among respondents from teaching hospitals, only 36 out of 114 reported active resident involvement in sleep study interpretations, predominantly hindered by excessive workloads and insufficient staffing. Conclusions A significant number of neurologists have an interest in sleep medicine; however, substantial challenges impede effective education and clinical practice. These results underscore the need for improved educational resources and institutional support to enhance the growth and effectiveness of sleep medicine practices among neurologists.

Purpose: This study was performed to identify risk factors associated with post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH)-related hospitalization in pediatric patients visiting an emergency department (ED). Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent tonsillectomy at a single children’s hospital ED from January 2009 through December 2020. Data were collected on patient demographics, chief complaints, surgical methods, postoperative days, initial vital signs, and laboratory findings. The study population was divided into hospitalized and discharged groups. Results: Among a total of 2,716 patients reviewed, 67 met the inclusion criteria. The hospitalized group showed a lower median systolic blood pressure (108.0 [interquartile range, 82.0-134.0] vs. 118.5 [89.8-147.2] mmHg; P = 0.021) and a faster median respiratory rate (23.0 [18.0-28.0] vs. 20.0 [17.0-23.0] breaths/minute; P = 0.019), compared with the discharged group. Multivariable logistic regression identified systolic blood pressure under 100 mmHg (odds ratio, 5.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-37.60) and respiratory rate over 24 breaths/minute (7.31; 1.07-145.79) as the factors associated with PTH-related hospitalization. Conclusion When pediatric patients visit EDs for PTH, close monitoring or hospitalization may be needed in those with low systolic blood pressure or rapid respiratory rate.

Background: Neurology in Korea is a field of clinical practice and research that has been developing for over 30 years, but due to its relatively short history, public awareness is low compared to other clinical fields. The Korean Neurological Association conducted a survey to evaluate the Korean public’s awareness of neurology and the necessity of a name change. This study details the second survey conducted on the topic, with the first being conducted in 2013. The two surveys were compared to identify how the public’s awareness of neurology has improved since 2013 and determine how this can be improved. Methods: The survey was conducted by Gallup Korea, where 1,000 participants were randomly selected and interviewed through telephone surveys. Results: Of the 1,000 participants, 78.5% were familiar with Neurology, similar to the results of the 2013 survey. Meanwhile, when asked about neurological diseases, only 27.9% of the participants recognized neurological diseases correctly. The most accurately recognized symptoms related to Neurology were tremors (57.8%), strokes (55.5%), and dizziness (49.7%). In 2013, 61.7% of the participants thought a name change was necessary. In comparison, only 38.4% responded it needed to change in the recent survey. Conclusions The preference for Neurology’s current name in Korea has improved since 2013 despite no significant change in the public’s awareness of neurology. More active public relations activities are needed to improve awareness of neurology in the future.

Background: Neurology in Korea is a field of clinical practice and research that has been developing for over 30 years, but due to its relatively short history, public awareness is low compared to other clinical fields. The Korean Neurological Association conducted a survey to evaluate the Korean public’s awareness of neurology and the necessity of a name change. This study details the second survey conducted on the topic, with the first being conducted in 2013. The two surveys were compared to identify how the public’s awareness of neurology has improved since 2013 and determine how this can be improved. Methods: The survey was conducted by Gallup Korea, where 1,000 participants were randomly selected and interviewed through telephone surveys. Results: Of the 1,000 participants, 78.5% were familiar with Neurology, similar to the results of the 2013 survey. Meanwhile, when asked about neurological diseases, only 27.9% of the participants recognized neurological diseases correctly. The most accurately recognized symptoms related to Neurology were tremors (57.8%), strokes (55.5%), and dizziness (49.7%). In 2013, 61.7% of the participants thought a name change was necessary. In comparison, only 38.4% responded it needed to change in the recent survey. Conclusions The preference for Neurology’s current name in Korea has improved since 2013 despite no significant change in the public’s awareness of neurology. More active public relations activities are needed to improve awareness of neurology in the future.

Background/Aims: Although acute pulmonary embolism (PE) adversely impacts survival and should be treated regardless of cancer, the treatment rate of cancer-related PE is relatively low. We aimed to compare clinical characteristics and long term prognosis of PE in patients with or without cancer. Methods: From March 2010 to December 2013, patients with newly diagnosed PE were analyzed. Baseline demographics, comorbidities, cancer status and clinical manifestations of PE were recorded. We defined primary composite outcome as recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and death from PE. Results: Among a total of 976 patients with PE, the 703 (72.0%) had cancer-related PE. Cancer-related PE group was more frequently asymptomatic (54.5% vs. 13.2%, p < 0.001), less extensive (involvement of bilateral pulmonary arteries: 42.8% vs. 51.3%, p = 0.017; lung infarction: 5.3% vs. 10.3%, p = 0.005) and less likely to accompany right ventricular dysfunction (10.3% vs. 27.2%, p < 0.001) compared with the non-cancer PE group. Anticoagulation was less frequently underwent in patients with cancer-related PE than those without cancer (62.0% vs. 81.7%, p < 0.001). A composite of recurrent VTE and death from PE was significantly higher in the cancer-related PE group (14.4% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.001). Conclusions Although PE in cancer patients were seem to be less aggressive initially, compared to those without cancer, they had significantly poor prognosis. Given a high rate of recurrent VTE and relatively similar risk of anticoagulation associated bleeding events in cancer patients, more active treatment of PE is warranted in cancer patients.

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), an acetylated form of L-carnitine, is able to influence the activity of cholinergic neurons, cell membrane stabilization and enhancing mitochondrial function. A 52-year-old woman was referred to neurology clinic for memory impairment within 1 year. She was administered ALC as dose of 1,500 mg per day for improving memory decline. After 14 days from administrating ALC, she complained vivid dreams at every night. Vivid dream was disappeared after ceasing ALC. Another patient, a 72-year-old man, visited neurology clinic for cognitive decline for 2 years. After 20 days from administering ALC with dose of 1,500 mg per day, he also suffered from vivid dreams at every night. His previous stable sleep was also restored after ceasing ALC. ALC supplementation may present vivid dreams as a side effect. Possibility of vivid dream as a side effect should be considered during the management with oral ALC.
Acetylcarnitine* ; Aged ; Carnitine ; Cell Membrane ; Cholinergic Neurons ; Dreams* ; Female ; Humans ; Memory ; Middle Aged ; Neurology

Previous reports on the lesions causing stroke-related periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS) have involved subcortical structures such as the basal ganglia/corona radiata or pons. We report a case of an 81-year-old female patient who presented with bilateral, right-side-predominant PLMS that developed after a left cortical infarction. The right-side PLMS may be attributable to the loss of cortical inhibition following a pyramidal tract lesion, while the left-side PLMS may be caused by activation of the contralateral motor cortex due to dysfunction of interhemispheric inhibition.
Aged, 80 and over ; Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Cerebral Infarction ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Infarction ; Infarction, Anterior Cerebral Artery ; Motor Cortex ; Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome ; Pons ; Pyramidal Tracts