BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We assessed plaque erosion of culprit lesions in patients with acute coronary syndrome in real world practice. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Culprit lesion plaque rupture or plaque erosion was diagnosed with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was used to determine arterial remodeling. Positive remodeling was defined as a remodeling index (lesion/reference EEM [external elastic membrane area) >1.05. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients who had plaque rupture showing fibrous-cap discontinuity and ruptured cavity were enrolled. 36 patients showed definite OCT-plaque erosion, while 7 patients had probable OCT-plaque erosion. Overall, 26% (11/43) of definite/probable plaque erosion had non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) while 35% (15/43) had ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Conversely, 14.5% (13/90) of plaque rupture had NSTEMI while 71% (64/90) had STEMI (p<0.0001). Among plaque erosion, white thrombus was seen in 55.8% (24/43) of patients and red thrombus in 27.9% (12/43) of patients. Compared to plaque erosion, plaque rupture more often showed positive remodeling (p=0.003) with a larger necrotic core area examined by virtual histology (VH)-IVUS, while negative remodeling was prominent in plaque erosion. Overall, 65% 28/43 of plaque erosions were located in the proximal 30 mm of a culprit vessel-similar to plaque ruptures (72%, 65/90, p=0.29). CONCLUSION: Although most of plaque erosions show nearly normal coronary angiogram, modest plaque burden with negative remodeling and an uncommon fibroatheroma might be the nature of plaque erosion. Multimodality intravascular imaging with OCT and VH-IVUS showed fundamentally different pathoanatomic substrates underlying plaque rupture and erosion.
Acute Coronary Syndrome* ; Humans ; Membranes ; Myocardial Infarction ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Rupture* ; Thrombosis ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; Ultrasonography

Background: The beneficial clinical effects of Korean hot spring spa therapy, as well as their underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. We performed a series of clinical and laboratory investigations for better understanding of the clinical effects as well as possible mechanisms of their beneficial effects. Methods: HaCaT cells were prepared and treated with TLR agonist in the presence or absence of HS water for quantification of IL-6, IL-8, GM-CSF, and TNF-α levels. The serum levels of IFN-ɤ, IL-4, IL-5, and IgE were measured. CD4+ naïve cells were allowed to polarize into Th1, Th2, Th17, and Treg cells, and CD4+ and CFSE+ cells were measured for the degree of proliferation. Total RNA from the lesional skin was transcribed into cDNA using a reverse transcription system, and RT-PCR was performed subsequently. Confocal microscopy and RT-PCR were utilized to evaluate the target skin localization of Th cell subsets and associated inflammatory cytokine milieu. Results: Treatment with agonists of TLR 1 through 6 induced attenuation of cytokine production in the exposure to HS water. HS water suppressed the proliferation of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells with anti-CD3 stimulation, while proliferation and differentiation to Treg cells were promoted under HS water treatment. On RT-PCR of the lesional skin, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) mRNA decreased dramatically after bathing with HS. IL-33 mRNA decreased markedly in HS water group as compared to control group. Foxp3 mRNA expression, same as in confocal microscopic finding, showed tendency to increase more in HS. Conclusions: HS water suppressed the proliferation of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells. In contrast, proliferation and differentiation to Treg cells were promoted under HS water treatment. These results indicate that HS water may affect the distribution of the helper T cells in the immune response, by suppressing the polarization of the Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells. Also, APC induced TNF-α and IL-6 levels were reduced in the presence of HS water. These results showed that TLR-triggered inflammatory responses in APCs might also be modulated under HS water treatment. Overall, our findings suggest that HS spa therapy could be an effective and safe modality for the management of adult AD.

BACKGROUND: Almost every study of rib fractures in the elderly show associated injuries resulting in admission to thoracic or cardiovascular surgery. In Korea, no studies have compared these elderly patients with younger patients. METHODS: This study is based on patients who were diagnosed as having rib fracture at the Emergency Department of the Seoul Medical Center from March 2013 to April 2011. The medical records and radiological examinations of 192 cases were reviewed. Two groups were created-older than 65 years and younger than 64 years. Comparisons were made between the two groups including place of injury, time of injury, associated injuries, and the final result in the Emergency Department. RESULTS: The final patient sample size was 192. The elderly group had 142 patients with the average age being 48.77+/-9.70 years and 75.4% males. The young group had 50 patients with the average age at 75.90+/-7.21 years and 25% males. The most common place of injury was road (p=0.007) in the young group and home (p=0.002) in the elderly group. The most common mechanisms of injury were slipping (47.4%), traffic accidents (18.2%), falling (14.1%), and assault (9.4%). Falling was more prevalent in the young group than in the elderly group (p=0.011). Rib fractures occurred at night (p<0.001), on Saturdays, on Sundays, and in the winter in the young group and in the morning(p=0.002), on Mondays, on Fridays, and in the winter in the elderly group. Associated injuries, in descending order, were chest, limb, head, and spine. CONCLUSION: This study found that several selected factors of an injury-place, mechanism, time, and associated injuries, differ by age.
Accidents, Traffic ; Aged ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Extremities ; Head ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Rib Fractures* ; Sample Size ; Seoul ; Spine ; Thorax

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of a newly developed explanation handout in the emergency department (ED) between patient and guardian. METHODS: From August 24, 2013 to September 24, 2013, interviews were conducted to patient accompanying guardian, discharged from Seoul Medical Center ED. Four groups were divided according to non-handout or handout in addition to patient or guardian. Each group consisted of 50 candidates and allocated according to a random table. The explanation handout could be easily applicable automatically through the Electronic Medical Record. It contains the results of laboratory tests along with cautions by diagnosis. After discharge explanation, a survey was conducted in each group using questionnaires for evaluation of the effect on medical service satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 97 candidates(49 patients, 48 guardians) in the non-handout group, and 99 candidates(50 patients, 49 guardians) in the handout group were enrolled. No statistical difference in epidemiology, except explanation time, was observed between the two groups. The handout group showed a higher score in all factors, however, explanation by physician (p<0.001), mean 3.61(+/-0.72) to 3.87(+/-0.73), understanding of medical status (p<0.001), mean 3.51(+/-0.75) to 4.11(+/-0.71), medical evaluation and treatment (p=0.001), mean 3.59(+/-0.72) to 3.92(+/-0.75), kindness of physician (p<0.001), mean 3.74(+/-0.81) to 4.09(+/-0.67), overall satisfaction (p<0.001), mean 3.60(+/-0.75) to 3.97(+/-0.75), willingness of revisit (p=0.023), mean 3.87(+/-0.73) to 4.09(+/-0.61), and willingness of recommendation (p<0.001), mean 3.66(+/-0.82) to 4.09(+/-0.66) showed statistically meaningful results. In a sub-analysis, statistically meaningful results were reanalyzed between patient and guardian. In the non-handout group, guardian showed higher scores in mean value in all factors, however, statistically meaningful results were observed for all factors, except understanding of medical status and medical evaluation and treatment. By application of the handout, 99 patients and 97 guardians showed higher scores in mean value in all factors. Patients showed statistically meaningful results in all factors but just in understanding of medical status in guardian. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that the explanation handout effectively increased medical service satisfaction. The effect of the explanation handout was more prominent in patients than guardians.
Diagnosis ; Electronic Health Records ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Patient Satisfaction ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of a newly developed explanation handout in the emergency department (ED) between patient and guardian. METHODS: From August 24, 2013 to September 24, 2013, interviews were conducted to patient accompanying guardian, discharged from Seoul Medical Center ED. Four groups were divided according to non-handout or handout in addition to patient or guardian. Each group consisted of 50 candidates and allocated according to a random table. The explanation handout could be easily applicable automatically through the Electronic Medical Record. It contains the results of laboratory tests along with cautions by diagnosis. After discharge explanation, a survey was conducted in each group using questionnaires for evaluation of the effect on medical service satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 97 candidates(49 patients, 48 guardians) in the non-handout group, and 99 candidates(50 patients, 49 guardians) in the handout group were enrolled. No statistical difference in epidemiology, except explanation time, was observed between the two groups. The handout group showed a higher score in all factors, however, explanation by physician (p<0.001), mean 3.61(+/-0.72) to 3.87(+/-0.73), understanding of medical status (p<0.001), mean 3.51(+/-0.75) to 4.11(+/-0.71), medical evaluation and treatment (p=0.001), mean 3.59(+/-0.72) to 3.92(+/-0.75), kindness of physician (p<0.001), mean 3.74(+/-0.81) to 4.09(+/-0.67), overall satisfaction (p<0.001), mean 3.60(+/-0.75) to 3.97(+/-0.75), willingness of revisit (p=0.023), mean 3.87(+/-0.73) to 4.09(+/-0.61), and willingness of recommendation (p<0.001), mean 3.66(+/-0.82) to 4.09(+/-0.66) showed statistically meaningful results. In a sub-analysis, statistically meaningful results were reanalyzed between patient and guardian. In the non-handout group, guardian showed higher scores in mean value in all factors, however, statistically meaningful results were observed for all factors, except understanding of medical status and medical evaluation and treatment. By application of the handout, 99 patients and 97 guardians showed higher scores in mean value in all factors. Patients showed statistically meaningful results in all factors but just in understanding of medical status in guardian. CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that the explanation handout effectively increased medical service satisfaction. The effect of the explanation handout was more prominent in patients than guardians.
Diagnosis ; Electronic Health Records ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medical Services ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Patient Satisfaction ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul

Treatments of choice for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections are the removal of the entire CIED system, control of infection, and new device implantation. Occasionally, a complete CIED removal can not be performed for several reasons, such as very old age, severe comobidity, limited life expectancy, or refusal by a patient. We encountered a male patient who developed traumatic CIED infection five years after cardioverter-defibrillator implantation. An intravenous electrode could not be removed by a simple transvenous extraction procedure, and he refused surgical removal of the remnant electrode. After control of local infection, the tips of the electrode were separated and buried between muscles, and the wound was closed with a local flap. CIED infection did not recur for 12 months even without relying on long-term antimicrobial treatment.
Defibrillators, Implantable ; Disulfiram ; Electrodes ; Electrodes, Implanted ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Humans ; Life Expectancy ; Male ; Muscles

Omental infarction occurring after open and laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy with partial omentectomy for gastric cancer was a very rare disease in the past, but its incidence has increased as more partial omentectomies are now being performed. But there are few case reports or radiologic studies on its increasing incidence. It is necessary to differentiate omental infarction from carcinomatosis peritonei, since both have similar imaging findings. In this report, we describe two cases of omental infarction; each occurred after open and laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy in early gastric cancer patients. Partial omentectomy was performed in both cases. Omental infarction following distal gastrectomy with partial omentectomy can be discriminated from carcinomatosis peritonei by comparing with different initial and follow up CT findings.
Aged ; Female ; Gastrectomy/*adverse effects ; Humans ; Infarction/*etiology/radiography ; Laparoscopy/*adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Omentum/*blood supply/radiography/surgery ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Primary gastric carcinoma is the most common cause of linitis plastica. Less frequently, metastatic gastric cancer from the breast, omental metastases and non-Hodgkin lymphoma involving the stomach have been reported to show similar radiographic findings as for linitis plastica. A metastatic gastric cancer from bladder cancer is extremely rare. We present an unusual case, the first to our knowledge, of gastric linitis plastica that resulted from a metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Linitis Plastica/radiography/*secondary ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Stomach Neoplasms/radiography/*secondary ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/*pathology

A 17-yr-old young woman was referred to our hospital with a 2-yr history of claudication of the lower extremities and severe arterial hypertension. Physical examination revealed significantly different blood pressures between both arms (160/92 and 180/95 mmHg) and legs (92/61 and 82/57 mmHg). The hematological and biochemical values were within their normal ranges, except for the increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (83 mm/hr) and C-reactive protein (6.19 mg/L). On 3- dimensional computed tomographic angiography, the ascending aorta, the aortic arch and its branches, and the thoracic and, descending aorta, but not the renal artery, were shown to be stenotic. The diagnosis of type IIb Takayasu's arteritis was made according to the new angiographic classification of Takayasu's arteritis, Takyasu conference 1994. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting was performed on the thoracic and abdominal aorta. After the interventional procedures, the upper extremity blood pressure improved from 162/101 mmHg to 132/85 mmHg, respectively. She has been free of claudication and there have been no cardiac events during 2-yr of clinical follow-up.
Adolescent ; Angiography ; *Angioplasty, Balloon ; Aorta, Abdominal/radiography ; *Aorta, Thoracic/radiography ; Carotid Arteries/ultrasonography ; Female ; Humans ; *Stents ; Takayasu Arteritis/radiography/*therapy/ultrasonography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Few reports exists citing a case of a retropharyngeal bronchogenic cysts. In this study, we report a bronchogenic cyst with a cystic appearance observed in the retropharyngeal space.
Bronchogenic Cyst ; Pharyngeal Diseases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed