Since the 3rd WIN meeting in 1982 more than 500 participants join the meeting in Val D'Isere every year [1]. One of our authors has attended the meeting more than 10 times. He experienced many physical illnesses while travelling from South Korea to Val D'Isere in France, which is located in the Alps mountain near the border between France and Italy. In order to get there, it is necessary to take airplane, train, and/or bus with a heavy suitcase. During the trip which usually takes more than 15 hours, he experienced headache, gastrointestinal trouble, sleep disturbance and other additional physical illnesses. Therefore, we reviewed the itinerary to Val D'Isere and presented physical illnesses which occurred during a long trip for an academic activity by specialized professionals such as university hospital professors. In addition, we discussed the mechanism of such illnesses and offered possible solutions including medical treatment.
Aircraft ; France ; Headache ; Italy ; Korea* ; Travel Medicine

BACKBROUND AND PURPOSE: The flow diverting effect of a low-wall coverage stent remains controversial. We evaluted patients who underwent stenting for small aneurysms with a low but potential risk of growth and reviewed related literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 9 small aneurysms among 19 unruptured intracranial aneurysms from eight patients who underwent stenting. The patients had unexplainable severe headache (n = 8), aneurysm originating from the anterior choroidal artery (n = 3), potential growth or rupture risks including hypertension (n = 5), and multiple aneurysms (n = 6). Stents with a relatively low-wall coverage ratio (8-10%) were used. Clinical and angiographic outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: One (n = 8) or two stents (n = 1) were used without any procedural difficulties or complications. Although no immediate changes of aneurysm morphology were observed, aneurysms decreased in size (n = 8) when examined by DSA (n = 8) or MRA (n = 1) during a median 28.9-month follow-up. There were no adverse events, including thromboembolism, aneurysm rupture, or stent movement during a median 31.9-month clinical follow-up (range: 17-69 months). CONCLUSION: Although a variable degree of aneurysm size decrease may not prevent further growth or rupture of small aneurysms, stenting with a low-wall coverage ratio may have some advantageous hemodynamic effect. Flow modification of stent architecture vs. aneurysm characteristics, including size and location, on long-term outcome, requires further clarification.
Aneurysm* ; Arteries ; Choroid ; Follow-Up Studies ; Headache ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Rupture ; Stents* ; Thromboembolism

Interventional neuroradiology (INR) has been a rapidly expanding and advancing clinical area during the past few decades. As the complexity and diversity of INR procedures increases, the demand for anesthesia also increases. Anesthesia for interventional neuroradiology is a challenge for the anesthesiologist due to the unfamiliar working environment which the anesthesiologist must consider, as well as the unique neuro-interventional components. This review provides an overview of the anesthetic options and specific consideration of the anesthesia requirements for each procedure. We also introduce the anesthetic management for interventional neuroradiology performed in our medical institution.
Anesthesia ; International Normalized Ratio

No abstract available.
Bone Density ; Humans ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Endoscopy ; Narrow Band Imaging

Since the introduction of endoscopic submucosal dissection method for the treatment of early gastric cancer, endoscopic treatment of early gastric cancer has increased exponentially. Accordingly, early diagnosis of cancerous or precancerous lesion has become one of the most important missions for endoscopists. The desire to improve diagnostic capability of white light endoscopy led to the development of new imaging techniques called "image enhanced endoscopy." The usefulness of these image enhanced endoscopy has not been proven yet, although there are several studies reporting diagnostic superiority of these new imaging methods over white light endoscopy. Among these new imaging modalities, narrow band image (NBI) with magnification endoscopy has been most widely used and studied. This manuscript will be focused on the NBI with magnification endoscopy.
Early Detection of Cancer ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Light ; Missions and Missionaries ; Stomach Neoplasms

Many new parasitic infections have emerged in Korea, with >35 new species appearing since the 1980s. Among them, Capillaria species are unique for contributing to morbidity in many countries as well as in Korea. Since the first reported case of a 41-year-old male patient diagnosed with intestinal capillariasis in 1991, a total of six cases have been reported thus far. In this case report, we present another imported case of intestinal capillariasis in Korea, in which a 42-year-old male patient presented with intractable diarrhea and weight loss. The diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy of the ileum. The pathognomonic radiographic presentation of a ribbon-like appearance in a small bowel series was crucial in raising an early suspicion of capillariasis and in deciding to perform diagnostic biopsy.
Adult ; Albendazole ; Biopsy* ; Capillaria ; Colonoscopy ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Ileum ; Intestine, Small ; Korea ; Male ; Weight Loss

An 80-year-old woman with hilar cholangiocarcinoma was hospitalized due to sudden-onset abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed hepatic necrosis accompanied with emphysematous change in the superior segment of the right liver (S7/S8), implying spontaneous rupture, based on the presence of perihepatic free air. Although urgent percutaneous drainage was performed, neither pus nor fluids were drained. These findings suggest emphysematous hepatitis with a hepatic mass. Despite the application of intensive care, the patient's condition deteriorated rapidly, and she died 3 days after admission to hospital. Liver gas has been reported in some clinical diseases (e.g., liver abscess) to be caused by gas-forming organisms; however, emphysematous hepatitis simulating emphysematous pyelonephritis is very rare. The case reported here was of fatal emphysematous hepatitis in a patient with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Aged, 80 and over ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/complications/diagnosis ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/pathology ; Cefotaxime/therapeutic use ; *Cholangiocarcinoma/complications/diagnosis ; Clostridium Infections/drug therapy/microbiology ; Clostridium perfringens/isolation & purification ; Emphysema/complications/*diagnosis ; Escherichia coli/isolation & purification ; Escherichia coli Infections/drug therapy/microbiology ; Female ; Hepatitis/complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Metronidazole/therapeutic use ; *Pneumoperitoneum/complications/diagnosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) is a key cytokine in the production of extracellular matrix. A genetic polymorphism at codon 10 of the TGF-beta1 gene is associated with liver fibrosis. We investigated the effect of genetic polymorphisms at codon 10 on the development of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). METHODS: In total, 119 controls and 182 patients with ALC, were enrolled in the study. Clinical and laboratory data including total lifetime alcohol intake were collected at enrollment. The genotype at codon 10 was determined for each patient by single-strand conformation polymorphism. RESULTS: There were three types of genetic polymorphism at codon 10: homozygous proline (P/P), heterozygous proline/leucine (P/L), and homozygous leucine (L/L). Among the controls, the proportions of P/P, P/L, and L/L were 26.1%, 44.5%, and 29.4%, respectively in the ALC group, these proportions were 23.1%, 43.4%, and 33.5%, respectively. The genotype distribution did not differ between the controls and the ALC group. In the ALC group, age, total lifetime alcohol intake, and distribution of Child-Pugh class did not differ with the genotype. Of the male patients with ALC (n=164), the proportions of P/P, P/L, and L/L were 20.1%, 44.5%, and 35.4%, respectively the genotype distribution did not differ between the male controls and the male ALC patients. CONCLUSIONS: The genotype at codon 10 in TGF-beta1 does not appear to influence the development of ALC. Further study is needed to investigate other genetic factors that influence the development of ALC in patients with chronic alcohol intake.
Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Codon ; Female ; Genotype ; Heterozygote ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic/*genetics/pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Polymorphism, Genetic ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/*genetics/metabolism

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Periampullary diverticulum (PAD) causes difficulty in the extraction of common bile duct (CBD) stones with conventional endoscopic therapy. Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of PAD on endoscopic large balloon dilation (EPLBD) with/without limited endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for CBD stone treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed cases of 141 patients treated CBD stones by EPLBD with/without limited EST at Gachon Gil Medical Center from September 2008 to February 2010. PAD were classified into three groups according to the location of the papilla and diverticulum. Clinical parameters, endoscopic parameters, and procedure outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: PAD were identified in 46.1% (65/141), with 23 male (35.4%) and 42 female (64.6%) and a mean age of 72.9+/-11.1 years. Mean diameter of the stones was 14.8+/-6.0 mm and mean diameter of CBD was 21.6+/-7.7 mm. PAD group was significantly older than control group (72.9 vs. 68.6, p=0.043) and the incidence of large stone (> or =15 mm) was higher in PAD group (60.0% vs. 42.1%, p=0.034). Success rate of complete removal of stones in the first session was 32/65 patients (49.2%) and overall successful complete stone removal rates was 63/65 (96.9%). There was no significant difference between the PAD and control groups in success rate. Major complications were similar between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: PAD is associated with an increased incidence of large bile duct stones and older age. PAD seems to not increase technical failure rate or complication risk on EPLBD with/without limited EST.
Age Factors ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; *Balloon Dilation ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Common Bile Duct/anatomy & histology ; Diverticulum/*diagnosis ; Duodenal Diseases/*diagnosis ; Female ; Gallstones/surgery/*therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome