Background and Objectives: The outcome benefits of β-blockers in chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) have not been fully assessed. We evaluated the prognostic impact of β-blockers on patients with chronic CAD after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 3,075 patients with chronic CAD were included from the Grand DrugEluting Stent registry. We analyzed β-blocker prescriptions, including doses and types, in each patient at 3-month intervals from discharge. After propensity score matching, 1,170 pairs of patients (β-blockers vs. no β-blockers) were derived. Primary outcome was defined as a composite endpoint of all-cause death and myocardial infarction (MI). We further analyzed the outcome benefits of different doses (low-, medium-, and high-dose) and types (conventional or vasodilating) of β-blockers. Results: During a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 3.1 (3.0–3.1) years, 134 (5.7%) patients experienced primary outcome. Overall, β-blockers demonstrated no significant benefit in primary outcome (hazard ratio [HR], 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.63–1.24), all-cause death (HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.60–1.25), and MI (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.49–3.15). In subgroup analysis, β-blockers were associated with a lower risk of all-cause death in patients with previous MI and/ or revascularization (HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.14–0.99) (p for interaction=0.045). No significant associations were found for the clinical outcomes with different doses and types of β-blockers. Conclusions Overall, β-blocker therapy was not associated with better clinical outcomes in patients with chronic CAD undergoing PCI. Limited mortality benefit of β-blockers may exist for patients with previous MI and/or revascularization.

Parathyroid carcinoma accounts for about 0.5%-5% of all parathyroid neoplasms. Very rarely, but if the intrathyroidal parathyroid gland is present, the carcinoma can arise in that developmental anomaly. It is very difficult to distinguish a thyroid nodule from an intrathyroidal parathyroid neoplasm with preoperative radiologic and cytologic evaluations. A 59-year-old male was initially evaluated as presenting a follicular thyroid neoplasm accompanied by hyperparathyroidism. He received hemi-thyroidectomy with central neck dissection and subtotal parathyroidectomy. The final pathology evaluation revealed intrathyroidal parathyroid carcinoma and hyperplasia of contralateral parathyroid glands. We report this very rare and unique clinical situation with a literature review.

Herniation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) into the external auditory canal is rare as TMJ and external auditory canal are separated by an anterior bony wall of external auditory canal. The bony defect of the anterior external auditory canal can be caused by trauma, otologic procedure, neoplasm, inflammation and a rare congenital bony defect. Conservative treatment is available if the severity of the symptom is mild or asymptomatic. However, surgical procedure is considered if the patient experiences severe distress. There have been no reported cases of surgical-related complications and recurrence during postoperative follow-up period. Herein we report the very first case of foreign body prolapse involving herniation from TMJ extending into the external auditory canal.

The tracheostomy directs external air into the airway tract. This process causes mucosal dryness, irritation and inflammation in the tracheo-bronchial tree. In order to prevent such problems, several methods are applied; ointment application, humidification and careful suction etc. The heat-moisture exchanger (HME) is commercially sold device that assists heating and humidification of the inhaled air. The authors experienced successful treatment outcome of intractable tracheitis caused by repetitive and vigorous intra-tracheal suction by applying HME in a total laryngectomized patient. We report an interesting and didactic case with a brief literature review.

The tracheostomy directs external air into the airway tract. This process causes mucosal dryness, irritation and inflammation in the tracheo-bronchial tree. In order to prevent such problems, several methods are applied; ointment application, humidification and careful suction etc. The heat-moisture exchanger (HME) is commercially sold device that assists heating and humidification of the inhaled air. The authors experienced successful treatment outcome of intractable tracheitis caused by repetitive and vigorous intra-tracheal suction by applying HME in a total laryngectomized patient. We report an interesting and didactic case with a brief literature review.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and analgesic efficacy of polmacoxib 2 mg versus placebo in a superiority comparison or versus celecoxib 200 mg in a noninferiority comparison in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: This study was a 6-week, phase III, randomized, double-blind, and parallel-group trial followed by an 18-week, single arm, open-label extension. Of the 441 patients with knee or hip OA screened, 362 were randomized; 324 completed 6 weeks of treatment and 220 completed the extension. Patients were randomized to receive oral polmacoxib 2 mg (n = 146), celecoxib 200 mg (n = 145), or placebo (n = 71) once daily for 6 weeks. During the extension, all participants received open-label polmacoxib 2 mg. The primary endpoint was the change in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC)-pain subscale score from baseline to week 6. Secondary endpoints included WOMAC-OA Index, OA subscales (pain, stiffness, and physical function) and Physician's and Subject's Global Assessments at weeks 3 and 6. Other outcome measures included adverse events (AEs), laboratory tests, vital signs, electrocardiograms, and physical examinations. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the polmacoxib-placebo treatment difference was −2.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], −4.4 to −0.6; p = 0.011) and the polmacoxib-celecoxib treatment difference was 0.6 (CI, −0.9 to 2.2; p = 0.425). According to Physician's Global Assessments, more subjects were “much improved” at week 3 with polmacoxib than with celecoxib or placebo. Gastrointestinal and general disorder AEs occurred with a greater frequency with polmacoxib or celecoxib than with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Polmacoxib 2 mg was relatively well tolerated and demonstrated efficacy superior to placebo and noninferior to celecoxib after 6 weeks of treatment in patients with OA. The results obtained during the 18-week trial extension with polmacoxib 2 mg were consistent with those observed during the 6-week treatment period, indicating that polmacoxib can be considered safe for long-term use based on this relatively small scale of study in a Korean population. More importantly, the results of this study showed that polmacoxib has the potential to be used as a pain relief drug with reduced gastrointestinal side effects compared to traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for OA.
Arm ; Celecoxib* ; Electrocardiography ; Hip ; Humans ; Knee ; Ontario ; Osteoarthritis* ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Physical Examination ; Vital Signs

PURPOSE: The effect of different peritoneal dialysis (PD) modalities on the decline in residual renal function (RRF) is unclear due to inconsistencies among studies. In particular, the effect of automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) modalities [continuous cyclic peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) and nightly intermittent peritoneal dialysis (NIPD)] on RRF has not been examined in a large cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a single-center retrospective study to investigate the association between PD modalities and decline in RRF in 142 incident PD patients [34 on CCPD, 36 on NIPD, and 72 on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)]. RRF was measured within 2 months from PD start and at 1 year after PD initiation. RESULTS: The RRF at 1 year after PD initiation was 1.98+/-2.20 mL/min/1.73 m2 in CCPD patients and 3.63+/-3.67 mL/min/1.73 m2 in NIPD patients, which were moderately lower than 4.23+/-3.51 mL/min/1.73 m2 in CAPD patients (p=0.064). Moreover, there was no significant difference in the 1-year rate of decline of RRF between CCPD and NIPD patients, although APD patients had a faster 1-year RRF decline rate than CAPD patients (CCPD and NIPD vs. CAPD: -45.68 and -36.69 vs. 1.17%/year, p=0.045). APD was associated with a more rapid decline in RRF in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing PD, although multivariate analysis attenuated the significance of this finding (beta=-31.50; 95% CI, -63.61 to 0.62; p=0.052). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CAPD might be more helpful than APD for preserving RRF during the first year of dialysis therapy, although there was no significant difference in the 1-year rate of decline of RRF between the two APD modalities.
Adult ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate/physiology ; Humans ; Kidney/pathology/physiopathology ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/*therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peritoneal Dialysis/*adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies

Cerebral developmental venous anomaly (DVA) is generally benign. However, we have experienced two cases of DVA causing symptoms. In the first case, the patient demonstrated DVA with venous infarction. DVA was visualized in the arterial phase using digital subtraction angiography (DSA), and was diagnosed as arterialized DVA. The second case presented as transient right homonymous hemianopia. DSA revealed venous congestion; the transient aggravation of venous congestion may have caused the symptom. DSA is useful for diagnosing the pathomechanism of symptomatic DVAs.
Angiography, Digital Subtraction* ; Hemianopsia ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Infarction

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can develop extra-articular manifestations, including growth retardation, osteopenia and chronic uveitis. However, pleuropulmonary involvement is rare. Approximately 40% of patients with JIA have abnormal pulmonary function tests without pulmonary symptoms, with the commonest abnormality in carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, but clinically evident pulmonary parenchymal disease in JIA is extremely uncommon. We describe a 15-year-old male with JIA who presented with dyspnea due to interstitial lung disease.
Adolescent ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Juvenile Rheumatoid* ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Carbon Monoxide ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Lung Diseases ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Lung* ; Male ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Uveitis

OBJECTIVE: Kawasaki disease is a systemic vascular disease which is caused by an immunologic response. The purpose of this study is to see how a high IgE level affects Kawasaki disease, in two groups of high IgE level and low IgE level. METHODS: A retrospective study was done from 2008 to 2010, among patients, who were admitted in Severance Children's Hospital for Kawasaki disease with IgE levels checked. Age groups with an IgE level above reference ranges and those with normal ranges were done. Also, clinical characteristics were analyzed. Statistical method was done by SPSS 18. RESULTS: A total of 198 Kawasaki patients were analyzed from 2008 to 2010. Among them 123 (62%) patients showed elevated IgE levels. Patients with high IgE had a significantly higher lymphadenopathy prevalence (p=0.006), however they had no connection with quantitative values. Patients with BCG site redness appeared to have lower IgE levels than patients without redness. Coronary complication had no relation with IgE levels. There was no correlation between laboratory results and IgE levels. CONCLUSION: 62% of Kawasaki disease patients show high IgE levels in our study. The symptoms of BCG site redness aged less than 1 year seemed to be related with IgE level. To understand the pathophysiology of Kawasaki disease, more studies should be performed on the role of IgE.
Aged ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Immunoglobulins ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Prevalence ; Reference Values ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular Diseases