Unusual, but important, peri- and extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis: a pictorial essay

Ultrasonography is a useful technique to detect soft tissue changes of rheumatoid arthritisnot only synovitis, but also tenosynovitis, bursitis, and enthesitis-even at a subclinical stage. However, radiologists tend to focus on synovitis in daily practice, and unusual peri- or extraarticular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis are difficult to detect at the initial presentation. This pictorial essay describes a broad spectrum of ultrasonographic findings in tendons, bursae, ligaments, subcutaneous tissues, bones, and nerves to assist in the accurate diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Incidence and Risk Factors for Ocular Hypertension in Traumatic Hyphema

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors for ocular hypertension (OHT) in traumatic hyphema within 7 days after trauma. METHODS: A retrospective case series study of 265 traumatic hyphema inpatients from 2010–2016. OHT was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) that exceeded 21 mmHg using two consecutive measurements by a Goldmann applanation tonometer within 7 days after trauma. The subjects were divided into two groups (OHT group and non-OHT group). Age, sex, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), IOP, hyphema grade, presence of systemic disease, and past history of glaucoma were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of the 265 patients, 95 (35.8%) developed OHT after traumatic hyphema. Of those 95 patients, 70 (73.7%) developed OHT within 1 day after trauma; 18 (18.9%) developed OHT 2–3 days after trauma; and 7 (7.4%) developed OHT 4–7 days after trauma. Compared to the non-OHT group, the OHT group had a lower visual acuity (p = 0.018) and higher IOP (p < 0.001). In addition. if the hyphema grade was higher the incidence of OHT was significantly higher (p = 0.017). Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, the BCVA (p = 0.045) and hyphema grade (p = 0.006) were associated with the incidence of OHT in traumatic hyphema within 7 days after trauma. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of OHT in traumatic hyphema within 7 days after trauma was 35.8%. The BCVA and hyphema grade were associated with the incidence of OHT within 7 days after trauma.

Comparison between Aflibercept, Ranibizumab Intravitreal Injection on Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration Patients

PURPOSE: To investigate the difference of optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings between the aflibercept treatment group and the ranibizumab treatment group. METHODS: This study includes patients diagnosed with treatment-naïve neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and they were treated with aflibercept (n = 23, 23 eyes) or ranibizumab (n = 26, 26 eyes) monthly for 3 months. In this study, the aflibercept treatment group patients were treated from March 2014 to April 2015, and the ranibizumab treatment group patients were treated from December 2008 to April 2015. After three initial injections, they were followed up monthly for an additional 3 months, and additional treatments were performed if necessary. We compared the changes of the two groups before the treatment and after 6 months of treatment, beginning with the OCT findings, such as serous pigment epithelium detachment, fibrovascular pigment epithelium detachment, subretinal fluid, intraretinal fluid, dense zone of outer retina, classic neovascularization, and hyper- reflective dots. We also compared the changes of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and inner segment/outer segment (IS/OS) length, external limiting membrane length, and central foveal thickness with optical OCT between the two groups. RESULTS: In the aflibercept group, 46% of serous epithelial detachments disappeared, while 33% disappeared in the ranibizumab group, and there was significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference in BCVA change or OCT findings between the two groups, but there was a significant difference in serous pigment epithelium detachment. CONCLUSIONS: For treatment of neovascular AMD patients, aflibercept might be more effective in serous pigment epithelium detachment than ranibizumab. Because there was no significant difference in visual acuity improvement in serous pigment detachment for both treatments, it might be necessary to further study the relationship between visual acuity and serous pigment detachment improvement.

An Analysis of Heath-Related Research and Development Registered at the National Technical Information Services / 보건행정학회지

With the growth of aging population in Korea, a better care of chronic and other degenerative illnesses is urgently needed. Evidences suggest that this can be achieved through incorporating a wide range of care options, expanding beyond medical interventions. The aim of this study is to analyze the distribution of publically funded research to understand if the Korean research and development funding system matches various approaches and purposes to successfully tackle the chronic care needs of an aging society. We complied the list of funded projects to be analyzed by searching the National Technical Information Service database with key words such as aging society/senescence, chronic diseases, disability, and health promotion. Most projects were based on the biomedical approach with the purpose of establishing the etiology and clinical (treatment) interventions. Health promotion projects showed a distinctive distribution with more percentage of projects based on psycho-behavioral approaches while research on chronic diseases predominantly biomedical. It would be necessary to diversify publically-funded research projects to develop effective and efficient care technologies for the future.

Age-Related Differences of Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography Data in Koreans

PURPOSE: We evaluated the thickness of RNFL and optic nerve head parameters with age in normal eyes using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT). METHODS: A total of 128 normal Korean volunteers in different age groups were recruited (age range, 20-70 years). RESULTS: A significant negative correlation in average RNFL thickness with increasing age was found. The inferior areas (130.31 +/- 3.33 micrometer) were significantly thicker than other areas (superior area 119.05 +/- 2.12 micrometer, nasal area 71.80 +/- 0.57 micrometer, temporal area 77.72 +/- 0.16 micrometer). The average C/D ratios (mean 0.38 +/- 0.14) and vertical C/D ratios (mean 0.35 +/- 0.11) both showed significant increases with age, and the vertical C/D ratio correlation coefficient was higher (average C/D ratio r = 0.249, vertical C/D ratio r = 0.537). However, rim area, disc area, and cup volume were not correlated with age. CONCLUSIONS: From these findings, we conclude that, in normal Koreans, the mean RNFL thickness decreases and the C/D ratio increases with age, with the increase in the vertical C/D ratio being greater.

Ptosis Repair Using Preserved Fascia Lata with the Modified Direct Tarsal Fixation Technique

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcome of frontalis sling operation using preserved fascia lata with modified direct tarsal fixation in congenital ptosis patients. METHODS: Forty-seven congenital ptosis patients (60 eyes) who underwent a frontalis sling operation using preserved fascia lata with modified direct tarsal fixation method between March 2001 and December 2008 with a mean follow-up time of 52 months (range, 26 to 122 months) were included in this study. The medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A retrospective chart review was conducted in patients who were diagnosed with congenital ptosis and underwent frontalis suspension surgery using preserved fascia lata with modified direct tarsal fixation from 2001 through 2008 at Dong-A University Hospital. The patients were 34 males and 14 females. The age of the patients ranged from 1 to 18 years with an average age of 4.51 years. At a mean follow-up of 60 months, good final results were achieved in 46 eyes (76.6%), fair in 8 eyes (13.3%), and poor in 6 eyes (10%). The poor results consisted of undercorrection of 1 eye and recurrence in 5 eyes. The accumulative survival rate was 87.2%, with all recurrences occurring within 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Frontalis sling operation by preserved fascia lata with modified direct tarsal fixation appears to be an effective treatment for severe congenital ptosis, showing good long term results.

Clinical Features and Treatment of Peripunctal Tumors

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features and treatment results in peripunctal tumors. METHODS: A retrospective medical record review was conducted on patients that were clinically diagnosed with peripunctal tumor from October 2005 to June 2011 in Dong-A University Hospital. RESULTS: Twenty nine peripunctal tumors were identified. Five cases (17.2%) were involving upper eyelid and 22 cases (75.9%) were involving lower eyelid. Two cases (6.9%) were involving both upper and lower eyelid, which one of them were involving the conjunctiva as well. One of the patients (3.5%), underwent simple observation without surgery. Simple surgical resection and biopsy were performed in 7 cases (24.1%), and additional silicone tube intubation or Minimonoka insertion were carried-out in 21 cases (72.4%). Histology revealed 15 cases (53.6%) of melanocytic nevus, 5 cases (17.9%) of basal cell carcinoma, 2 cases (7.1%) of seborrheic keratosis, and others including malignant melanoma, squamous papilloma, epidermal cyst, and et cetra. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, Peripunctal tumors are mostly found on the lower lids and, they are surgical resection and biopsy should be considered in all cases of peripunctal tumors since they have a potential for spreading to the lacrimal system. It is advised to perform a silicone tube intubation or minimonoka insertion along with the surgical excision to preserve the function of the punctum.

Lateral Tarsal Strip Procedure and Silicone Tube Intubation on the Functional Nasolacrimal Duct Obstruction

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of the lateral tarsal strip procedure alone and the lateral tarsal strip procedure combined with silicone tube intubation in the treatment of functional lacrimal duct obstruction. METHODS: The present study investigated 27 eyes of 20 patients underwent lateral tarsal strip procedure (LTS) alone and 29 eyes of 18 patients underwent combined lateral tarsal strip procedure and silicone tube intubation and who were diagnosed with functional lacrimal duct obstruction. The authors retrospectively reviewed patients' medical records for information including age, gender, history, follow-up period, tear meniscus height (TMH), and symptoms. RESULTS: The average age of the LTS alone group was 60.3 years, and that of the combined groups was 65.9 years. The TMHs in the LTS only and combined operation groups were 0.62 +/- 0.23 mm and 0.62 +/- 0.19 mm before the operation and 0.43 +/- 0.20 mm and 0.26 +/- 0.09 mm after the operation, respectively. The postoperative improvement in epiphora was 74.1% after the LTS alone and 86.2% after combined LTS with silicone tube intubation. The postoperative improvement in epiphora and the operative technique of the lateral tarsal strip-canthus sparing or cantholysis were not relevant. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral tarsal strip combined with silicone tube intubation appeared useful in the treatment of epiphora patients without anatomic lacrimal duct obstruction. Determining which operative technique of lateral tarsal strip procedure should be chosen is difficult, and the preoperative syringing and snap back test may be helpful.

The Effect of Aminoguanidine and Insulin on the Development of Insulitis and the Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase in Multiple Low Dose Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Mice

In this study the effect of insulin and aminoguanidine on the expression of iNOS and the development of insulitis in the multiple low dose streptozotocin (SZ) induced diabetic (LDSD) mice was evaluated. Eighty mice (Charles-River CD-1 mice) were divided into four groups. Group I received SZ for five days. Group II received SZ for five days and was followed by insulin treatment. Group III received SZ for five days and was followed by aminoguanidine treatment. Group IV was normal control group. The blood glucose level and body weight were measured weekly. On the 35th day, pancreat ic sections were observed to evaluate the frequency and the severity of insulitis in addition to the immunohistochemical expression of iNOS in the pancreatic islets. Blood glucose levels of group IV were significantly lower than other experimental groups on the 21st, 28th, and 35th day. The difference in blood glucose levels was not statistically significant. Incidence of the insulitis was lower in group II than in groups I and III. The severity of insulitis correlated with the increase in blood glucose level only in group II. The expression of iNOS was more pronounced in group I than in groups II and III. Aminoguanidine did not inhibit development of the insulitis but decreased expression of iNOS in the pancreatic islets. Therefore it is speculated that iNOS production is one of the factors and other pathogenetic mechanisms might be involved in the development of insulitis.

A case of asbestosis / 대한산업의학회지

Asbestosis is the disease of pulmonary fibrosis caused by the inhaled asbestos fibers, and could be diagnosed clinically, in the case of exposure history to asbestos is proved, by clinical symptoms of dyspnea or dry cough, physical examination findings, and the radiographic features. But many other inorganic dusts would show similar findings in the chest radiogram and sometimes the exposure history is obscure, so for the exact diagnosis of asbestosis lung biopsy is needed. In Korea, there have been some reports of survey in the workplace where asbestos is handled or of asbestos related diseases. This is a case report of asbestosis with accompanying pleural plaques, who had the occupational exposure to asbestos for 30 years and the consistent clinical, radiographic and pathological findings in the lung tissue obtained by the videoscope assisted thoracoscopic biopsy(VATS).

Analysis of Contaminated Ground Water Inducing Methemoglobinemia and Epidemiologic Investigation of Contaminated Ground Water

PURPOSE: Drining of Nitrate-contaminated water has been the most common cause of acquired methemoglobinemia. We had cyanotic infant diagnosed as methemoglobinemia caused by feeding with powdered formula mixed with nitrate-contaminated ground water. METHODS: We had done epidemiologic investigation to identify the cause of an infant's methemoglobinemia. Analysis of ground water and blood test of involved family members and neighbors were performed RESULTS: Analysis of the 8 household ground water revealed high level of nitrate(29837 ppm), indicating contamination of water as the cause of methemoglobinemia. We had done blood tests to evaluate the methemoglobin level of 65 people in the neighborhood ; among them, there was no infant and we could not find another cyanotic case of methemoglobinemia. They had normal blood level of methemoglobinemic concentration. CONCLUSIONS: If ground water will be used for drinking water, especially for formula water, epidemiologic investigation and analysis of ground waters should be recommended.

The Growth Hormone-Binding Proteins in Human Serum: Partial Characterization and Regulation

We assessed about growth hormone binding proteins (GHBP) activity which was measured eluted biotin GH fraction with alkaline phosphatase-streptavidine in children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), short stature due to growth hormone deficiency (GHD), chronic renal failure, short stature due to nutritional deficiency. hypothyroidism and normal control groups using high pressure liquid chromatography protein pak 300 sw column. The following results are observed: 1) There were 3 types of growth hormone (GH) in serum: first GH binded with type I (minor) GHBP suggesting 200K dalton of molecular weight, second GH binded with type II (major) GHBP suggesting 60~70K dalton of molecular weight, and third GH were free form GH suggesting 20~25K dalton of molecular weight. 2) Type II (major) GHBP showed considerable individual variation in all ages. Neonates had the lowest levels of GHBP activity, but by the puberty the levels had increased & remained stable from adolescent to adult periods. 3) GHBP activity of children with IDDM at diagnosis was low value as compared to the same agenormal control group (p<0.05), and difference of GHBP activity among children with IDDM was related with height velocity (r=+0.92). Follow up GHBP activity during insulin therapy was reverse correlation with HbAlc. 4) GHBP activity of children with GHD at diagnosis was a slightly low compared to aged matched control and follow-up GHBP activity after 1 dose GH therapy showed increasing tendency (r=-0.68). 5) Otherwise, children with chronic renal failure, short stature due to nutritional deficiency, and hypothyroidism were assessed lower value than normal control group. Above results, GHBP activity had the lowest levels at neonatal period and then increasing tendency until puberty period and remained steady level until adult period. Regulation of GHBP may be closely related with metabolic control state by insulin, GH, nutritional status, and thyroid hormone..

Two cases of angioedema due to C1 inactivator deficiency / 소아알레르기및호흡기학회지

No abstract available.