Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Is Negatively Related with Nasal Polyp in Middle Aged and Elderly Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is known to induce chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Nasal polyp, which is frequently found in patients with CRS, seems to have close relationship with COPD, but little is known about its relationship with COPD. In this study, we investigated the relationship between COPD and nasal polyp in middle aged and elderly CRS patients. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We analyzed the clinical data of 174 patients (age of over 50 years) with CRS. Patients were divided as COPD [forced expiratory volume (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC)<70%, n=30] and non-COPD group (FEV1/FVC≥70%, n=144) according to the pulmonary function test results. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to describe the relationships between clinically relevant factors related to nasal polyp. RESULTS: On logistic regression analysis, no significant relationship was found between age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.058, 95% confidence interval for the difference (CI)=0.995-1.126, p=0.073], sex AOR: 0.897, 95% CI=0.366-2.415, p=0.897), smoking (AOR: 0.434, 95% CI=0.154-1.219, p=0.113) and obesity (underweight AOR: 3.833, 95% CI=0.781-18.808, p=0.098, overweight AOR: 5.169, 95% CI=0.996-26.814, p=0.051, obese AOR: 2.911, 95% CI=0.335-25.329, p=0.333) with polyp. However, there was a negative correlation between COPD history and nasal polyp with statistical significance (AOR: 0.288, 95% CI=0.102-0.809, p=0.018). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that patients with COPD are less likely to have nasal polyp than patients without COPD.

A Case of Massive Pulmonary Embolism in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus without Antiphospholipid Antibody

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at an increased risk of developing thromboses with antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). The presence of aPL is related to an increased risk of thrombotic events. However, thromboembolic events can occur in SLE patients without aPL, and pulmonary emboli are rarely reported manifestations of SLE without aPL. Here, we report on a case of massive pulmonary embolism in a 58-year-old woman with aPL-negative SLE. She presented with chest pain and dyspnea, and chest computed tomography (CT) and lung perfusion ventilation scans showed pulmonary thromboembolism. She was administered thrombolytic agents, heparin, and warfarin. Two months later, no remarkable residual thromboembolism was observed on chest CT.

A Study on Prognostic Factors of Primary and Revision Myringoplasty / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is no consensus on the prognostic factors regarding pos-toperative recurrence after myringoplasty. In this study, we investigated the preoperative clinical findings and postoperative results after primary myringoplasty and compared them with those of revision myringoplasty. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Computerized database of 861 clinical records of last 20 years were analyzed retrospectively for the subjects who underwent myringoplasty at the Department of Otolaryngology, University of Korea. All the surgeries were done under general or local anesthesia by senior surgeons. Primary and revision cases of myringoplasty or type 1 tympanoplasty followed up at least for longer than 3 months were only included in the study. Those other cases of tympanoplasty types, concomitant ossiculoplasty and/or mastoidectomy, or those with the presence of cholesteatoma and those that required repair during exploratory tympanotomy were excluded. RESULTS: 535 primary and 101 revision cases have met our inclusion criteria. Overall, in this study, the failure rates of primary and revision myringoplasty were 11.02% and 5.94%, respectively. Significantly different among the prognostic factors were such as sex, age, anesthesia, surgical approach, the presence of otorreha, size of eardrum perforation, external auditory canal narrowing, valsalva test, degree of pneumatization, graft materials, tympanoplasty type, previous mastoidectomy, the presence of bilateral otitis media influencing on myringoplasty revision, and the presence of otorrhea and sclerotic type of mastoid pneumatization. CONCLUSION: Among various prognostic factors of myringoplasty, poor prognostic factors were preoperative otorrhea and poor pneumatization.

Comparisons of Three Indicators for Frey's Syndrome: Subjective Symptoms, Minor's Starch Iodine Test, and Infrared Thermography

OBJECTIVES: To correlate Frey's syndrome with subjective symptoms, Minor's starch iodine test results, and infrared thermography measurements, and to discuss the utility of thermography as a quantitative diagnostic method. METHODS: This study included 59 patients who underwent unilateral parotidectomy. A subjective clinical questionnaire and an objective Minor's starch iodine test were performed to evaluate the incidence of Frey's syndrome. Infrared thermography was performed, and the subjects were divided into seven groups according to the temperature differences between operated and unoperated sites. The thermal differences were correlated with the results from Minor's starch iodine test and the subjective symptoms questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 59 patients, 20 patients (33.9%) reported subjective symptoms after eating; 30 patients (50.8%) tested positive for Minor's starch iodine test, 19 patients (63.3%) of which reported subjective symptoms. Of the 29 patients who were negative for the iodine test, 2 patients (6.9%) reported subjective symptoms. Thus, subjective symptoms were well correlated with Minor's starch iodine test (r=0.589, P<0.001). As the thermal differences with infrared thermography increased, the number of patients with subjective symptoms increased (chi2=22.5, P<0.001). Using infrared thermography, the mean temperature difference in the positive group for the iodine test was 0.82degrees C+/-0.26degrees C, and that in the negative group was 0.10degrees C+/-0.47degrees C. With increased thermal differences, more patients showed positivity in the iodine test (chi2=29.9, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Subjective symptoms, Minor's starch iodine test, and infrared thermography are well correlated with one another. Quantitative thermography provides clues for the wide variation in the incidence of Frey's syndrome, and could be a useful method for diagnosing and studying Frey's syndrome.

The Relationship between Left Ventricle Diastolic Dysfunction and Carotid Plaques in Elderly Patients with Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery have been considered a potential source of cerebrovas- cular events. Carotid plaques are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. We performed this study to evaluate the relationship between atherosclerotic carotid plaques and cardiac function measured by echocardiography in elderly patients with ischemic stroke. METHODS: A total of 415 patients aged >60 yrs with acute ischemic stroke were divided into two groups according to the presence(groups I, n=195, 140 males) or absence(group II, n=220, 112 males) of carotid plaques. We evaluated the asso ciation of the presence of plaques with age, sex, potential vascular risk factors, other carotid images, and cardiac function by echocardiography. RESULTS: Of the 415 patients, carotid plaques were found in 195 cases. Mean plaque size was 2.44+/-0.7mm on the right side and 2.32+/-0.75mm on the left. Plaques were located more frequently in the carotid bulb(68%) than in the common carotid artery(32%). 57% were calcified plaques and 72%, multiple plaques. Group I(with carotid plaques) had a significantly higher percentage of males(73.6%, p<0.001), hypertension(68.5%, p=0.043), diabetes(28.7%, p=0.029), and dyslipidemia(60.1%, p=0.008). In addition, group I had thicker carotid IMT than group II(Right: 0.86 vs. 0.70mm, p<0.001, Left: 0.90 vs. 0.73mm, p<0.001), lower common carotid artery end diastolic flow velocity(Right: 13.37 vs. 15.73m/s, p=0.002, Left: 14.46 vs.17.24m/s, p=0.004), and higher E/E'level(11.57 vs. 9.36, p=0.001). Old age, dyslipidemia, and diastolic dysfunction were independently associated with carotid plaques. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that old age, male gender, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia are more com- mon in patients with carotid plaques than in those without. Old age, male gender, dyslipidemia, and diastolic dysfunc- tion are independent risk factors of carotid plaques in elderly patients with ischemic stroke. We further concluded that though left ventricle systolic function is not associated with carotid plaques in elderly patients with ischemic stroke, left ventricle diastolic dysfunction is.

Clinical Usefulness of Percutaneous Choledochoscopy in Biliary Tract Diseases

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical significance of choledochoscopy in biliary tract diseases. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 291 patients who received choledochoscopy from October 1993 to December 1999. The indications of choledochoscopy were 259 cases of bile duct stones and 32 cases of benign and malignant biliary diseases: Klatskin tumor (n=10), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n=8), common bile duct cancer (n=6), hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct invasion (n=2), and benign biliary stricture (n=6). The purpose of the choledochoscopy was 1) removal of bile duct stones, 2) differentiation between benign and malignant biliary diseases and 3) preoperative assessment of the extent and resectability of bile duct carcinoma. RESULTS: The success rate of complete stone removal was 80.1%, and the rate of recurrent biliary stones after a mean follow-up period of 24 months was 13.1%. The most common cause of a failure to remove the stones was biliary stricture. Differentiating between benign and malignant lesions, and the preoperative assessment of the extent and resectability of a bile duct carcinoma were accomplished by choledochoscopic observation followed by biopsy. The sensitivity in the diagnosis of malignant biliary diseases was 87%. The morbidity and mortality rates of choledochoscopy were 3.4% and 0%, respectively. With the exception of bile peritonitis due to tract rupture, any complications, such as cholangitis, bleeding, and pain, were conservatively managed. CONCLUSION: Our experience shows that choledochoscopyhas an important role in the diagnosis and therapy for benign and malignant biliary diseases and can be applied if indicated.

A Clinical Report of 111 Internal Arteriovenous Fistulas in 111 Patient for 5 Years

PURPOSE: Hemodialysis remains the most important support for patients with end stage renal disease, and vascular access is an essential component for their life. Since 1966, internal arteriovenous fistula (AVF) has been used widely today. If vessels were not available for AVF, the alternative would be used such as prosthetic graft. But in 1997, the National Kidney Foundation-Dialysis Outcome and Quality Initiative (DOQI) recommended increased use of native arteriovenous fistula to improve overall patency and curtail angioaccess costs. This retrospective study is to review our experience and to evaluate the overall patency rate and the influencing factors on the patency of the AVF. METHOD: From March 1995 through October 2000, 111 fistulas were created of 111 patients in Eulji university hospital. Among them, 106 cases were able to follow up survey. The statistical analysis used by SPSS package. RESULT: The male versus female ratio was 1.22:1 and the age distribution was occurred on from 3rd decade to 9th decade. the common causes of renal failure was hypertension, glomerulonephritis and diabetes (62.1%). the autogenous graft fistulas were performed in 101 cases (wrist/antecubital fossa. 101/3), Goretex graft fistula were 7 cases. The early graft failures were 12 cases (11.4%) and the causes was thrombosis or stricture, and immaturation, psudoaneurysm, venous hypertension in order of frequency. At 12, 24, 36 months, the assisted patency rates of AVF were 80.4, 76.5, 71.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We could get higher patency rate of AVF due to liberal use of native veins and aggressive intervention of the failing AVF as recommendation of DOQI.