Clinical Studies of Aseptic Meningitis in Pusan Area in 1996

PURPOSE: We report clinical features and viral studies on 153 children with aseptic meningitis in the Pusan area in 1996 and compare the results of this study with those of other reports in 1990 and 1993. METHODS: One hundred fifty-three children with aseptic meningitis who have been admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, St. Benedict Hospital between July and October 1996 were included. We described age and sex distribution, monthly distribution, clinical manifestations, laboratory data and complication. RESULTS: The male to female ratio was 2.32:1 and the most age was 4.21 years. It occurred mostly in July, August and October. It was later than the peak incidence between May and July in 1990 and 1993. The main symptoms were fever, headache and vomiting in this order. Rash was mostly maculopapular form and frequent in those younger than 4 years-old. No specific results were not found in peripheral blood and CSF studies. We failed to isolate the causative agent in the viral culture, but Echovirus 9 was suspected as a causative agent by its clinical features and other similar reports. The duration of clinical symptoms in the early diagnostic group was significantly shorter that in late diagnostic group. CONCLUSIONS: Aseptic meningitis was prevalent in children in the Pusan area, during the summer of 1996. It was frequent in male and the mean age was 4.21 years. It occurred mostly in July, August and October. Peak incidence was later than in 1990 and 1993. The main symptoms: fever, headache, vomiting and rash were observed frequently.

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome: clinical survey of 7 cases

There were 7 cases of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome who visited The National Medical Center during the period of last 5 years. They were studied clinically. The findings were as follows: 1. The cases including 3 males and 4 females, were from 17 to 46 years of age. 2. Headaches and visual disturbances were the main initial complaints. 3. Visual disturbances were complained bilaterally within 10 days after the onset at late. Most of the eyes showed poor visual prognosis. 4. Chronic course of uveitis resulted in posterior synechia, complicated cataract and keratic precipitates leading to severe destructions and alternations of the eyes. Ophthalmoscopical examinations, therefore were mostly unable. 5. Hearing disturbances were complained in 3 cases. All of them were of neurogenic type but less in seventy. 6. Vitiligo and poliosis were present in all cases within a year after the onset. The earliest manifestation occurred in 2 months after the onset. Although the back and buttock were the main location of vitiligo, localized white patches around the orbit involving lids were characteristic. Poliosis were present in eye lashes and even in axillary hair as well as in the scalp. 7. 4 cases were complaining alopecia in the scalp, followed soon by the regeneration of hair. 8. Laboratory examinations of blood and urine were normal. There were no hyperglycemia and pleocytosis of spine fluid. Neurological examination also showed no abnormal findings. 9. It was interesting to see a case of a typical manifestation consisting of severe prolonged headache. vitiligo and poliosis without any ocular complaints. 10. Treatment with corticosteroids improved the eye conditions very little in the present cases.

Ocular Symptoms of Intracranial Tumor: Clinical survey of 93 Korean cases

In a series of 93 cases of verified brain tumors visited to The National Medical Center from Nov. 1958 to March 1963 were studied clinically in regard to the ocular symptoms. The results of the study include following findings: 1. 81.3% of visual disturbances were present including 43 cases of monocular and binocular blindness. 2. Among 46 cases who were able to be examined, 78.7% showed abnormal visual fields. The most frequent type of field defect was homonymous hemianopsia, which showed high incidence in cerebral paragonimiasis. 3. The incidence of papilledema was 33.3%. They were mostly bilateral, and showed much higher incidence of 64.2% in infra tentorial tumors. 4. Optic atrophy was found in 36.5%. They were mostly of bilateral affection. There were no big difference between the incidence of primary optic atrophy and that of secondary. Primary atrophy were seen most frequently in cases of cerebral paragonimiasis as well as frontal and sellar region tumors. 5. The incidence of abnormal pupillary reflexes was 48.3%. Most of these cases are due te amaurotic mydriasis. Anisocoria occurred 17.2% of the series. 6. The incidence of nystagmus was 17.2% and was most frequently seen in cases of inf ra tententorial tumors. 7. 7.5% of abducens palsy were the most frequent occurence among extraocular muscle palsies. 8. It was specific that the affection of corneal sensibility was ipsilateral to the location of the tumors. The incidence of corneal affection was higher in cases of infratentorial tumors than that of supratentorial group. 9. Lagophthalmos occurred in 10.7% of the cases. All of them were due to facial palsy.