Employment Status Change and New-Onset Depressive Symptoms in Permanent Waged Workers

Background@#This study aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in employment status and new-onset depressive symptoms through a one-year follow-up of permanent waged workers. @*Methods@#We analyzed the open-source data from the Korea Welfare Panel Study. Using the 2017 data, we selected 2,314 permanent waged workers aged 19 to 59 years without depressive symptoms as a base group. The final analysis targeted 2,073 workers who were followed up in 2018. In 2018, there were five categories of employment status for workers who were followed up: permanent, precarious, unemployed, self-employed, and economically inactive. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between employment status change and new-onset depressive symptoms. @*Results@#Adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis showed that among male workers, workers who went from permanent status to being unemployed (odds ratio: 4.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.19 to 17.06) and from permanent status to being precarious workers (odds ratio: 3.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.30 to 7.65) had significantly high levels of new-onset depressive symptoms compared with those who retained their permanent employment status. There were no significant increases in new-onset depressive symptoms of male workers who went from permanent status to being self-employed or economically inactive. On the other hand, no significant differences were found among female workers. @*Conclusion@#Our study suggests that the change of employment status to precarious workers or unemployment can cause new-onset depressive symptoms in male permanent waged workers.

Development of Korean Version Burnout Syndrome Scale (KBOSS) Using WHO’s Definition of Burnout Syndrome

Background@#Burnout syndrome (BOS) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. This study aims to create the Korean version burnout syndrome scale (KBOSS) that conforms to WHO’s definition of BOS and present the cut-off points for screening. @*Methods@#We developed the KBOSS based on WHO’s definition of BOS. An online survey was conducted through a specialized online research company. We recruited 444 workers for this research. The validity of the KBOSS was assessed using factor analysis and Pearson’s correlation. The KBOSS reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The cut-off points for each of the three dimensions were derived using the upper quartile score. @*Results@#The validity and reliability of the KBOSS were good. Regarding reliability, the scale’s overall Cronbach’s alpha was 0.813. Cronbach’s alpha of each three-dimension was as follows: exhaustion, 0.916; cynicism, 0.865; and professional inefficacy, 0.819. The cut-off points of BOS three dimensions are exhaustion ≧ 21; cynicism ≧ 18; and inefficacy ≧ 15. @*Conclusion@#The developed questionnaire (KBOSS) can be a useful tool for screening of BOS.

Employment Status Change and New-Onset Depressive Symptoms in Permanent Waged Workers

Background@#This study aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in employment status and new-onset depressive symptoms through a one-year follow-up of permanent waged workers. @*Methods@#We analyzed the open-source data from the Korea Welfare Panel Study. Using the 2017 data, we selected 2,314 permanent waged workers aged 19 to 59 years without depressive symptoms as a base group. The final analysis targeted 2,073 workers who were followed up in 2018. In 2018, there were five categories of employment status for workers who were followed up: permanent, precarious, unemployed, self-employed, and economically inactive. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between employment status change and new-onset depressive symptoms. @*Results@#Adjusted multiple logistic regression analysis showed that among male workers, workers who went from permanent status to being unemployed (odds ratio: 4.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.19 to 17.06) and from permanent status to being precarious workers (odds ratio: 3.15, 95% confidence interval: 1.30 to 7.65) had significantly high levels of new-onset depressive symptoms compared with those who retained their permanent employment status. There were no significant increases in new-onset depressive symptoms of male workers who went from permanent status to being self-employed or economically inactive. On the other hand, no significant differences were found among female workers. @*Conclusion@#Our study suggests that the change of employment status to precarious workers or unemployment can cause new-onset depressive symptoms in male permanent waged workers.

The relationship between precarious employment and subjective well-being in Korean wage workers through the Cantril ladder Scale

Background@#The global labor market is moving towards increasing job instability. Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between precarious employment and subjective well-being using quantitative scales. We evaluated the association between wage workers' employment status and their subjective well-being through the Cantril ladder scale using Korean Welfare Panel Survey data (KOWEPS). @*Methods@#This study used KOWEPS data. A total of 4,423 wage workers were divided into permanently employed workers, temporarily employed workers and daily employed workers.The relationship between precarious employment and subjective well-being was analyzed by multiple linear regression adjusted for potential confounding factors. @*Results@#The more unstable the employment status, the lower the subjective well-being, which can be expressed by the Cantril ladder scale. The mean score of both temporarily employed and daily employed workers were statistically significantly lower (B = −0.454, p < 0.001; B = −0.994, p < 0.001, respectively) than permanently employed workers. This appeared to be the same when occupational and sociodemographic factors were adjusted (B = −0.153, p = 0.002 for temporarily employed, B = −0.610, p < 0.001 for daily employed). @*Conclusions@#The more unstable the employment status, the lower the subjective well-being score according to the Cantril ladder scale.

Longitudinal associations between occupational stress and depressive symptoms

Background@#Most of the studies that have examined the association between the sub-factors of occupational stress and depressive symptoms have used cross-sectional data. However, our study has longitudinally measured the occupational stress and depressive symptoms of Korean workers of a semiconductor manufacturing company across six years to intending to investigate the associations between the sub-factors of occupational stress and depressive symptoms using longitudinal data. @*Methods@#Data collected from the workers of a semiconductor manufacturing company.Out of 1,013 recruited workers, 405 (40.0%) completed the survey questionnaires at 3 and 6-year follow-ups. Occupational stress was measured using a shorter version of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), whereas depressive symptoms were assessed using the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Symptoms Scale (CES-D). The data of male and female participants independently analyzed. Longitudinal associations were analyzed using panel data analysis with fixed effects. @*Results@#In panel data analysis with fixed effects, job insecurity (B = 0.048, p-value = 0.004) was associated with depressive symptoms among male workers. In female workers, inadequate social support (B = 0.080, p-value < 0.001), job insecurity (B = 0.039, p-value = 0.004), lack of reward (B = 0.059, p-value = 0.004) and discomfort in occupational climate (B = 0.074, p-value < 0.001) were associated with depressive symptoms among female workers. @*Conclusions@#Temporal changes in the sub-factors of occupational stress were associated with changes in depressive symptoms within the same period. There was a gender difference in occupational stress sub-factors related to depressive symptoms.

The relationship between precarious employment and subjective well-being in Korean wage workers through the Cantril ladder Scale

Background@#The global labor market is moving towards increasing job instability. Relatively few studies have examined the relationship between precarious employment and subjective well-being using quantitative scales. We evaluated the association between wage workers' employment status and their subjective well-being through the Cantril ladder scale using Korean Welfare Panel Survey data (KOWEPS). @*Methods@#This study used KOWEPS data. A total of 4,423 wage workers were divided into permanently employed workers, temporarily employed workers and daily employed workers.The relationship between precarious employment and subjective well-being was analyzed by multiple linear regression adjusted for potential confounding factors. @*Results@#The more unstable the employment status, the lower the subjective well-being, which can be expressed by the Cantril ladder scale. The mean score of both temporarily employed and daily employed workers were statistically significantly lower (B = −0.454, p < 0.001; B = −0.994, p < 0.001, respectively) than permanently employed workers. This appeared to be the same when occupational and sociodemographic factors were adjusted (B = −0.153, p = 0.002 for temporarily employed, B = −0.610, p < 0.001 for daily employed). @*Conclusions@#The more unstable the employment status, the lower the subjective well-being score according to the Cantril ladder scale.

Longitudinal associations between occupational stress and depressive symptoms

Background@#Most of the studies that have examined the association between the sub-factors of occupational stress and depressive symptoms have used cross-sectional data. However, our study has longitudinally measured the occupational stress and depressive symptoms of Korean workers of a semiconductor manufacturing company across six years to intending to investigate the associations between the sub-factors of occupational stress and depressive symptoms using longitudinal data. @*Methods@#Data collected from the workers of a semiconductor manufacturing company.Out of 1,013 recruited workers, 405 (40.0%) completed the survey questionnaires at 3 and 6-year follow-ups. Occupational stress was measured using a shorter version of the Korean Occupational Stress Scale (KOSS), whereas depressive symptoms were assessed using the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depressive Symptoms Scale (CES-D). The data of male and female participants independently analyzed. Longitudinal associations were analyzed using panel data analysis with fixed effects. @*Results@#In panel data analysis with fixed effects, job insecurity (B = 0.048, p-value = 0.004) was associated with depressive symptoms among male workers. In female workers, inadequate social support (B = 0.080, p-value < 0.001), job insecurity (B = 0.039, p-value = 0.004), lack of reward (B = 0.059, p-value = 0.004) and discomfort in occupational climate (B = 0.074, p-value < 0.001) were associated with depressive symptoms among female workers. @*Conclusions@#Temporal changes in the sub-factors of occupational stress were associated with changes in depressive symptoms within the same period. There was a gender difference in occupational stress sub-factors related to depressive symptoms.

Relationship between occupational sunlight exposure and the incidence of renal cancer

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for renal cancer include smoking, obesity, hypertension, and exposure to trichloroethylene. Recent studies have shown that low sunlight exposure increases the risk of developing a range of cancers, including renal cancer. Given that most of the daytime is spent at work, a lack of occupational sunlight exposure can be a risk factor for renal cancer. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between occupational sunlight exposure and the incidence of renal cancer. METHODS: This was a university hospital-based case-control study on renal cancer. Of the 706 newly diagnosed patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), 633 cases were selected; 73 who had no occupational history were excluded. In addition, 633 controls were selected from the general population after 1:1 matching with respect to sex, age (within 5 years), and residential area (constituency-level). Information on sunlight exposure by the occupational group was referred to data from France. To estimate the association between occupational sunlight exposure and the RCC risk, the odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Sunlight exposure was divided into quartiles and the risk of RCC was analyzed. The adjusted OR of RCC (OR: 0.664, 95% confidence interval: 0.449–0.983) was significantly lower for the Q4 group than Q1 group but the Q2 and Q3 groups did not show significant results. The risk of RCC tended to decrease with increasing exposure to sunlight (p for trend < 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Higher occupational sunlight exposure reduces the risk of RCC.

Sleep Assessment During Shift Work in Korean Firefighters: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study assessed the sleep quality using the ActiGraph and investigated the relationship between the parameters of sleep assessment and the type of shift work in Korean firefighters. METHODS: The participants were 359 firefighters: 65 day workers (control group) and 294 shift workers (shift work group: 77 firefighters with 3-day shift, 72 firefighters with 6-day shift, 65 firefighters with 9-day shift, and 80 firefighters with 21-day shift). Sleep assessments were performed using the ActiGraph (wGT3X-BT) for 24 hours during day shift (control and shift work group) and night shift and rest day (shift work group). The participants recorded bed time and sleep hours during the measurement period. RESULTS: Sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and percentage of wake after sleep onset during night work were lower in the shift work group than control group (p < 0.05). Sleep efficiency decreased in night shift and increased in rest day, whereas wake after sleep onset increased in night shift and decreased in rest day (p < 0.05). Among shift work groups, sleep efficiency of 6-day shift was higher in day shift, and sleep efficiency of 21-day shift was lower in night shift than other shift groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that the sleep quality in night shift of the shift work group was poorer than the control group. As to the type of shift work, sleep quality was good in 6-day shift and poor in 21-day shift. Thus, fast rotating shift such as 6-day shift may be recommended to improve the sleep quality of the firefighters.

The characteristics of asbestos-related disease claims made to the Korea Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service (KCOMWEL) from 2011 to 2015

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to enhance understanding of the epidemiologic characteristics of asbestos-related diseases, and to provide information that could inform policy-making aimed at prevention and compensation for occupational asbestos exposure, through analyzing asbestos-related occupational disease claims to Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service from 2011 to 2015. METHODS: We analyzed 113 workers who filed medical care claims or survivor benefits for asbestos exposure and occupational-related disease from 2011 to 2015. Among these claims, we selected approved workers’ compensation claims relating to malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer, and analyzed the general characteristics, exposure characteristics, pathological characteristics, and occupation and industry distribution. RESULTS: Malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer occurred predominantly in males at 89.7 and 94%, respectively. The mean age at the time of diagnosis for malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer was 59.5 and 59.7 years, respectively, while the latency period for malignant mesothelioma and lung cancer was 34.1 and 33.1 years, respectively. The companies involving exposed workers were most commonly situated within the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region. Histology results for lung cancer indicated adenocarcinoma as the most common form, accounting for approximately one half of all claims, followed by squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell lung cancer. The most common occupation type was construction in respect of malignant mesothelioma, and shipbuilding in respect of lung cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the long latency period of asbestos and that the peak period of asbestos use in Korea was throughout the mid-1990s, damage due to asbestos-related diseases is expected to show a continued long-term increase. Few studies providing an epidemiologic analysis of asbestos-related diseases are available; therefore, this study may provide baseline data to assist in predicting and preparing for future harm due to asbestos exposure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: DUIH 2018–02–004-001. Registered 28 Februrary 2018.

An overview of compensated work-related injuries among Korean firefighters from 2010 to 2015

BACKGROUND: Although one in two firefighters in South Korea have experienced work-related injuries, there are few studies which show the overview description on work-related injuries and its analysis regarding such causes. Therefore, we aimed to show the overview of compensated work-related injuries in order to serve fundamental data for establishing prevention policies on work-related injuries for Korean firefighters. METHODS: We requested the all claimed work-related injury data of Korean firefighters from 2010 to 2015 to the Korean National Fire Agency (NFA). The data from NFA including 2457 claimed cases was analyzed and we confirmed, 2154 approved work-related injuries for the kinds of job activities, cause of accident and type of injuries. Among 2154 approved cases, we analyzed more variables for the sex, age, and job duration of 1344 compensated cases through served text file on summary of accident. RESULTS: The Government Employees Pension Service (GEPS) recognized 2154 (87.7%) approved work-related injuries among 2457 claimed cases. The incidence of work-related injuries per 1000 firefighters was 9.8 persons. By region, the incidence of work-related injuries per 1000 firefighters ranged from a maximum of 14.5 to a minimum of 4.0. The most common job activity caused the accident was fire suppression (18.0%), followed by Emergency medical services (EMS) (17.5%) and training (10.7%). The most common cause of these accident was movement imbalance (30.3%), followed by falls (18.9%) and traffic accident (13.4%). In these work-related injuries, sprains and bruises were the most common type of injury (27.2%), and the most commonly injured body site was the upper and lower back (25.3%). Data from identified 1344 firefighters showed that 1264 (94.0%) were male and 80 (6.0%) were female. Age group was the highest in the 40s with 623 cases (46.4%), and job duration was the highest with 650 cases in 5–10 years (48.4%). CONCLUSION: In this study, we could obtain the preliminary data necessary to establish preventive measures, including the cause of accident and region with high accident rates. However, the number of applications for compensated injuries was very small compared to the frequency of injuries found in previous studies. The lack of appropriate treatment suggested that many firefighter injuries can become chronic. In this study, we suggest that it is necessary to introduce an injury monitoring system and improve the accessibility of compensated injuries. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CR318031. Registered 20 June 2018.

Comparison of facet joint degeneration in firefighters and hospital office workers

BACKGROUND: There are few published studies on the relationship between occupational lumbar load and facet joint degeneration (FJD). This cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the effect of physical lumbar load on FJD by comparing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of firefighters (FFs) and hospital office workers (HOWs). METHODS: We randomly sampled 341 male FFs and 80 male HOWs by age stratification. A questionnaire and clinical examination, including MRI of the lumbar spine (T12-S1), were conducted. FJD was diagnosed and graded by using the classification of Pathria et al., and reclassified into two groups as follows: no FJD (grade 0) and FJD (grades 1, 2, and 3). The prevalence of FJD was analyzed according to occupational group. RESULTS: The prevalence of FJD ranged from 31% (L1–L2) to 75% (L4–L5) in the FFs, and from 18% (L1–L2) to 69% (L4–L5) in the HOWs. After adjustment for age, body mass index, and frequency of physical exercise, the adjusted odds ratios (OR) for FJD in the FFs were significantly higher than those in the HOWs at all lumbar spinal levels, except for L3–L4 (L1–L2: OR, 2.644; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.317–5.310; L2–L3: OR, 2.285; 95% CI, 1.304–4.006; L4–L5: OR, 1.918; 95% CI, 1.037–3.544; L5–S1: OR, 1.811; 95% CI, 1.031–3.181). CONCLUSION: This study shows that FFs exhibit a greater likelihood of having FJD than HOWs after controlling for other risk factors of FJD. This suggests that the physical occupational demands of FFs affect their risk of developing FJD.

The Relationship of the LV Systolic Function, the LV Dimension and the LV Mass to QT Dispersion in Stable Angina Patients who are with or without Significant Coronary Stenosis / 대한흉부외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of the left ventricular (LV) systolic function, the LV dimension and the LV mass with the QT dispersion in patients with stable angina, and we also wanted to compare this relationship between patients with and without significant coronary stenosis on coronary angiography. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 174 patients complained of typical angina and they had no associated ST segment or cardiac enzyme abnormalities. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the results of coronary angiography: the patients with angiographic coronary stenosis > or =50% made up group I (n=101), and the patients with angiographic coronary stenosis <50% made up group II (n=73). An echocardiogram for assessing the LV ejection fraction (EF), the LV dimension and the LV mass and a 12-lead electrocardiogram for assessing the QT dispersion were performed before the coronary angiography. RESULT: The QT dispersion was significantly greater in group I than that in group II (39.8 ms vs. 33.3 ms; p<0.05). For all the patients, all the parameters of LV dimension and LV mass had statistically positive correlation to the QT dispersion, but the LV mass was the only independently significant parameter that was correlated with the increased QT dispersion (p<0.05). For group I, none of the echocardiographic parameters had significant correlation with the QT dispersion. However, the LV dimension and LV mass had significantly positive correlation with the QT dispersion, and the LV mass was also the only independently significant parameter that was correlated with increased QT dispersion in group II (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated a significantly positive correlation of the QT dispersion to the LV dimension and the LV mass in patients with stable angina. These findings are present only in patients without significant coronary stenosis.

Overexpression of alpha-protease Inhibitor and Galectin-1 in Radiation-induced Early Phase of Pulmonary Fibrosis / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIF) is a significant complication of radiotherapy for lung cancer. Despite the large number of studies, the molecular mechanisms of RIF are poorly understood. Therefore, the complex protein expression pattern in RIF was characterized by identifying the proteins with an altered expression level after thorax irradiation using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A mouse model of RIF was used to examine the alteration of the lung proteome because of availability of murine data related to human cases and the abundance of murine fibrotic lung samples. A mouse model of RIF was induced in radiosensitive C57BL/6 mice. Twenty-one weeks after 25 Gy irradiation, hematoxylin-eosin staining and hydroxyproline assay confirmed the early-phase pulmonary fibrosis. RESULTS: Lung samples from the irradiated and age-matched control mice were used to generate 16 high quality 2-DE gels containing approximately 1,000 spots. Of the 31 significantly up- or down-regulated protein spots, 17 were identified by MALDI-TOF/MS. CONCLUSIONS: Two important upregulated proteins were found, the alpha-protease inhibitor and galectin-1, which might be used as potential markers for the early phase of RIF.

A Case of Cerebral Infarction in Young Woman with Graves' Disease and Atrial Fibrillation / 대한내분비학회지

Thyrotoxicosis associated atrial fibrillation occurs in 9 to 22% of hyperthyroidism patients; its prevalence increases after the age 60 years. Atrial fibrillation is known to be major independent risk factor for a thromboembolic stroke. The characterization of patient subgroups with atrial fibrillation, with high or low rate risk factor of a stroke, would help clinicians decide the benefit or harm to patient of long term anticoagulation therapy. Thyrotoxicosis, old age, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, history of stroke and thromboembolism are all high risk factors for a stroke in atrial fibrillation patients. Thus, anticoagulation therapy is recommended for stroke prevention in those groups with atrial fibrillation and thyrotoxicosis. Herein is reported a case of acute cerebral infarction, with thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure, in a young woman

Huge Left Ventricular Aneurysm With Normal Coronary Artery

No abstract available.

Normal Value of Cognitive Evoked Potentials in Koreans

Cognitive evoked potential(CEP) is the result of endogenous brain response following cognitive stimulus. There are several kinds of waves, including N1, P2, P3 and slow, but only P3 has wide clinical application. In order to obtain normal data, we studied CEP in 174 normal Koreans using the odd-ball paradigm, and our results concerning the latencies and amplitudes of P3 waves, and their relation to age., were were as follows: 1) The average latency of P3 waves of Fz, Cz and Pz was 332.95, 333.34 and 333.66 msec, respectively, in those aged over 60, P3 latency was more delayed than in other age groups. 2) Among teenager, the average latency of P3 waves of Fz, Cz and Pz decreased by 8.35, 9.58 and 9.58msec/year, respectively, but among those aged over 20, increased by 0.87, 0.90 and 0.91msec/year, respectively. 3) The average amplitude of P3 waves of Fz, Cz and Pz was 14.41, 15.37 and 15.12uV, respectively, and in those aged over 60, P3 amplitude showed a greater decrease. 4) The average amplitude of P3 waves of Fz, Cz and Pz decreased by 0.31, 0.32 and 0.23 uV/year in those aged under 29, decreased by 0.65, 0.63 and 0.67uV/year in those over 50, but was stationary in those aged 30 to 49. 5) Due to wide variation and poor constancy, the amplitude of P3 waves does not appear to be especially useful for initial evaluation of cognitive function; it may, however, be useful for follow-up evaluation of a single subject. For each age group, relatively constant P3 latency data can be obtained, and for the evaluation of cognitive function, P3 waves could therefore be useful.

Acute Subdural Hematoma Developed During Anticoagulant or Thrombolytic Therapy in Patients with Cerebral Infarction

Patients with cardiogenic embolic stroke may experience an early, recurrent cerebral embolism. Fortunately, limited evidence suggests that anticoagulatory agents or thrombolytic agents may prevent recurrent cardiogenic emboli and halt progression of so-called "progressing stroke" However, because of the possibility of the intracerebral hemorrhage, use of such agents has generally been considered cautiously with timing, dosage and patient selection. Serious complications of anticoagulation for presumed embolic stroke are hemorrhage in the area of infarction. We experienced two patients with nonseptic cerebral embolism of cardiac origin. They were managed with anticoagulant or thrombolytic therapy, but resulted in clinical deterioration or death from spontaneous subdural hemorrhage. In each patient, an initial CT scan excluded the presence of hemorrhage but a second CT scan after clinical deterioration, documented subdural hemorrhage.

Natural History of Moyamoya Disease

Seventy-five patients with moyamoya disease were admitted at Kyung Hee University Hospital from 1978 to 1993. Of these, we followed up fourty-five cases who had been treated conservatively for the study of the natural history of moyamoya disease. Seven operated cases and six dead patients during admission were excluded in this study and sixteen cases were lost to follow-up. There were 16 males and 29 females. The hemorrhagic group was twenty-three cases and the non-hemorrhagic group was twenty-two cases. On angiographic findings, the typical type was twenty-eight cases and the atypical type was seventeen cases. Twenty-one cases(91%) of the hemorrhagic group were over twenty years old and sixteen cases(73%) of the non-hemorrhagic group were under twenty years old. The mean follow-up period was 66 months(range 6 months to 15 year 4 months). Nineteen cases had reattack, but most of them had good result except only two cases who died due to huge intracerebral hematoma. Of the sixteen cases, who were under twenty years old and manifested as transient ischemic attack, fifteen cases were improved only with conservative management. The good result of fourty-one cases out of fourty-five with conservative management. suggests that spontaneous collateral circulation had developed well to restore the function of ischemic brain in the natural course of moyamoya disease. Moyamoya disease seems to be not so worse in natural course than expected and further study about natural history will be necessary.

Clinical Analysis Following Microvascular Decompression and/or Partial Sensory Rhizotomy in 26 Cases of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve at it's zone of entry into the pons and/or selective partial sensory rhizotomy of the portio major were performed in 26 patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia. Recently, microvascular decompression, partial sensory rhizotomy and percutaneous radiofrequency technique are the most commonly used and effective methods of treatment of this troublesome disorder. Since May, 1986 to October, 1994, the authors performed 26 cases of neurovascular decompression and/or partial sensory rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia and 22 patients(85%) had relief from neuralgic pain, 2(8%) had mild pain recurrence, 1 had moderate relief of pain and 1 had no relief from neuralgic pain after 13 months of mean follow up period. The trigeminal nerves were compressed by blood vessels in 19 cases(73%) and by tumor in 3 cases(12%). There were no pathologic lesions compressing the trigeminal nerve at its root entry zone in 4 cases (25%). The offending vessels were the superior cerebellar artery in 12 cases(46%), and 7 cases(27%) were associated with the anterior inferior cerebellar artery. There were no significant persisting complications or death in those operative treatments in the above described series.