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Background@#Early-onset dementia (EOD) is still insufficiently considered for healthcare policies. We investigated the effect of socio-environmental factors on the long-term survival of patients with EOD. @*Methods@#This retrospective cohort study utilized the Korean National Health Insurance Database from 2007 to 2018. We enrolled 3,825 patients aged 40 to 65 years old with all types of dementia newly diagnosed in 2009 as EOD cases. We defined socioeconomic status using the national health insurance premium (NHIP) levels. Residential areas were classified into capital, metropolitan, city, and county levels. All-cause mortality was the primary outcome. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were employed. Further, Cox-proportional hazards models were established. @*Results@#The mean survival of the fourth NHIP level group was 96.31 ± 1.20 months, whereas that of the medical-aid group was 85.53 ± 1.30 months (P < 0.001). The patients living in the capital had a mean survival of 95.73 ± 1.34 months, whereas those living in the county had 89.66 ± 1.75 months (P = 0.035). In the Cox-proportional hazards model, the medical-aid (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.67; P < 0.001), first NHIP level (aHR, 1.26; P = 0.012), and second NHIP level (aHR, 1.26; P = 0.008) groups were significantly associated with a higher long-term mortality risk. The capital residents exhibited a significantly lower long-term mortality risk than did the county residents (aHR, 0.82; P = 0.041). @*Conclusion@#Socioeconomic status and residential area are associated with long-term survival in patients with EOD. This study provides a rational basis for establishing a healthcare policy for patients with EOD.
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Background@#We aimed to examine the association between antihypertensive use and the incidence of hospitalized pneumonia in patients with a history of stroke. @*Methods@#In this case-crossover study, we obtained data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort database. We included the data of patients with history of stroke who were admitted with a disease code of pneumonia. We analyzed the patients’ exposure to antihypertensives in the 30 (single case period), 90–120, and 150–180 days (2 control periods) before the onset of pneumonia using conditional logistic regression analysis. Additionally, sensitivity analysis and subgroup analysis according to diabetes status, age, and documented disability were performed. @*Results@#Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) use was associated with a reduced risk of hospitalized pneumonia (adjusted odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval; 95% CI]: 0.718 [0.576–0.894]). However, the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and other antihypertensives were not associated with a change in hospitalized pneumonia incidence (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 0.902, [0.603–1.350] and 0.788 [0609–1.018], respectively). Subgroup analysis revealed that ARB use was associated with a reduced incidence of hospitalized pneumonia in patients with a history of stroke who were older than 65 years, but not in younger (≤ 65 years) group (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 0.687 [0.536–0.880]). @*Conclusion@#ARB use is associated with a reduced incidence of hospitalized pneumonia in patients with a history of stroke, especially in older adults.
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Survival from an attempted suicide by hanging is associated with various complications. However, the development of dysphagia after an attempt of suicidal hanging has not been widely reported in literature. Here, we report a case of a 17-year-old teenager who presented with dysphagia after an attempted suicide by hanging. Computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and endoscopic examination confirmed no evidence of central lesions or injury to the vocal cords or larynx. A motor nerve conduction study suggested bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries. In this case, vocal cord paralysis and dysphagia were attributable to the compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerves by a cord wrapped around the neck. We adopted dysphagia rehabilitation approaches such as the Shaker exercise and the Mendelsohn maneuver. Improvements were observed in a subsequent videofluoroscopic swallowing study, fiberscope finding, and motor nerve conduction study. These were consistent with clinical improvement. In conclusion, recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries can be caused by attempted hanging and hence evaluation for dysphagia is needed in survivors of hanging incidents.
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Background@#Previous studies have reported an association between pneumonia risk and the use of certain drugs. We investigated the relationship between antihypertensive drugs and pneumonia in the general population. @*Methods@#This case-crossover study utilized the nationwide data of South Korea. We included participants who were hospitalized for pneumonia. A single case period was defined as 30 days before pneumonia onset, and two control periods were established (90–120 and 150–180 days before pneumonia onset). Further, we performed sensitivity and subgroup analyses (according to the presence of diabetes, documented disability, and whether participants were aged ≥ 70 years). We used conditional logistic regression models adjusted for covariates, such as angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), other antihypertensives, statins, antipsychotics, benzodiazepine, and the number of outpatient visits. @*Results@#In total, 15,463 subjects were included in this study. ACE inhibitors (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.660; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.558–0.781), ARBs (aOR, 0.702; 95% CI, 0.640–0.770), and other antihypertensive drugs (aOR, 0.737; 95% CI, 0.665–0.816) were significantly associated with reduced pneumonia risk. Subgroup analyses according to the presence of diabetes mellitus, documented disability, and whether participants were aged ≥ 70 years consistently showed the association of antihypertensives with a reduced risk of hospitalization for pneumonia. @*Conclusion@#All antihypertensive drug types were related to a lower risk of hospitalization for pneumonia in the general population. Our results implied that frequent medical service usage and protective immunity were primarily related to a reduced risk of pneumonia in the general population of South Korea.
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Bilateral cerebral peduncular infarction (BCPI) is a very rare disorder among stroke patients.The main clinical manifestations in the previously reported BCPI case reports was associated with locked-in syndrome or persistent vegetative state. Here, we present a 51-year-old woman who had pseudobulbar palsy and quadriplegia. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an acute infarction in the middle areas of the cerebral peduncle with a unique “Mickey Mouse ears” sign. Diffusion tensor imaging and tractography showed relatively preserved corticospinal tracts, but the corticobulbar tracts were not detected. Magnetic resonance angiography showed posterior cerebral artery and vertebrobasilar artery occlusion. Cerebral perfusion insufficiency due to stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar artery and its branches may lead to BCPI. The prognosis and clinical manifestations of BCPI are related to the extent of the infarction in the involved cerebral peduncle and whether other territories are involved.Isolated BCPI may present a severe pseudobulbar palsy with relatively preserved limb function depending on the involvement pattern.
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Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) mostly presents with bleeding tendencies, and thrombotic events are very uncommon. Our case report presents a male patient with ITP refractory to standardized therapies who continuously showed thrombocytopenia and hematuria. With no evidence of autoimmune diseases or other secondary causes of ITP, he developed recurrent cerebral infarctions and deep venous thrombosis. Our report calls for attention to possible thrombotic events, as well as more common bleeding tendencies in patients with ITP and outlines rehabilitation treatment specially designed for ITP patients with rare thrombotic complications.
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Background@#and Purpose The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC-AHA) have released new guidelines and expanded indications for statin treatment. We aimed to reveal the clinical efficacy of each indication in the guidelines using a large-scale national cohort. @*Methods@#We used National Health Screening Cohort data to determine the proportions of participants for whom statin therapy would be recommended using the different guidelines.We assessed the cumulative incidence rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) using the Cox proportional-hazards model. @*Results@#Under the 2013 ACC-AHA guidelines, 111,600 participants were additionally eligible to receive statins, compared with 50,023 participants according to the Third Adult Treatment Panel (ATP-III). Most of the additional statin-eligible participants in the ACC-AHA guidelines were indicated by their 10-year cardiovascular disease risk. The increase in statineligible participants in the ACC-AHA guidelines mainly involved elderly patients aged 60–75 years. Among participants not requiring statin, participants who were eligible for a statin under the ACC-AHA guidelines had a significantly higher hazard ratio of MACE when compared with those eligible under the ATP-III guidelines. Among the not-recommended groups, patients with diabetes and low-density lipoprotein <70 mg/dL constituted the group with the highest risk of MACE. @*Conclusions@#The 2013 ACC-AHA guidelines increase the number of statin-eligible participants, especially among the elderly. These guidelines provide a stronger recommendation for statins to high-risk groups, but it remains necessary to consider the characteristics of the population in the risk equation. In addition, the aggressive use of statin in diabetes patients and further studies of older subjects are needed.
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Background@#and PurposePrevious studies have revealed various risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but few large-scale studies have been conducted. We used data from the 11-year, longitudinal, nationwide population-based National Health Insurance Service–National Health Screening cohort to identify the actual risk factors for CTS. @*Methods@#We collected patients with CTS newly diagnosed using electrodiagnostic studies while excluding radiculopathy, plexopathy, or polyneuropathy, which can be confused with CTS. The crude and standardized incidence rates of CTS were calculated. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses and the incidence of CTS were used to identify the risk factors for newly diagnosed CTS. @*Results@#The standardized incidence was 130.8/100,000 person-years based on the World Health Organization World Standard Population as a reference. Multivariate Cox analysis identified that the risk factors for CTS were being middle-aged, female, and obese, and having rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's syndrome, whereas gout and hypothyroidism were not risk factors. Diabetes and end-stage renal disease did not show a significant hazard ratio, although it is implicit that the durations of these diseases affect the development of CTS. @*Conclusions@#This study calculated the incidence of CTS and reappraised the associated risk factors found in previous studies. This information will be helpful for determining the pathophysiology of CTS, and hence aid the establishment of effective new public health policies.
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Background@#and PurposePrevious studies have revealed various risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but few large-scale studies have been conducted. We used data from the 11-year, longitudinal, nationwide population-based National Health Insurance Service–National Health Screening cohort to identify the actual risk factors for CTS. @*Methods@#We collected patients with CTS newly diagnosed using electrodiagnostic studies while excluding radiculopathy, plexopathy, or polyneuropathy, which can be confused with CTS. The crude and standardized incidence rates of CTS were calculated. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses and the incidence of CTS were used to identify the risk factors for newly diagnosed CTS. @*Results@#The standardized incidence was 130.8/100,000 person-years based on the World Health Organization World Standard Population as a reference. Multivariate Cox analysis identified that the risk factors for CTS were being middle-aged, female, and obese, and having rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud's syndrome, whereas gout and hypothyroidism were not risk factors. Diabetes and end-stage renal disease did not show a significant hazard ratio, although it is implicit that the durations of these diseases affect the development of CTS. @*Conclusions@#This study calculated the incidence of CTS and reappraised the associated risk factors found in previous studies. This information will be helpful for determining the pathophysiology of CTS, and hence aid the establishment of effective new public health policies.
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Good's syndrome is a rare disease characterized by thymoma associated with combined B- and T-cell immunodeficiency in adults. Due to the lack of early onset of symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose this disorder. A 44-year-old man diagnosed with thymic carcinoma was admitted to the hospital with quadriplegia for 6 months. Brain abscess and meningoencephalitis were identified in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.Antibiotics, steroid, and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment were provided for 3 months.Follow-up MRI showed progression to C7-level. The radiologic findings were consistent with tuberculosis infection and thus, the patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis medication.MRI of the brain and spine showed an improved state of meningoencephalomyelitis. In a laboratory study, there were decreased levels of peripheral B-cell and CD4 T-cell and decreased CD4:CD8 ratio; therefore, it confirmed that cellular immunity deteriorated. In addition to clinical findings, we were able to diagnose the patient with Good's syndrome.Good's syndrome is a highly suspicious disease in patients with thymoma who have recurrent unusual infections. Immunologic tests should be performed for diagnosis in which it can prevent delayed diagnosis and allow timely treatment.
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Chorea hyperglycemia basal ganglia (CHBG) syndrome is an uncommon manifestation of diabetes seen in patients with poor glycemic control. It is characterized by sudden onset of chorea with characteristic hyperintensities of the basal ganglia on brain magnetic resonance imaging. We report a case of a 31-year-old female patient with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and hypertension, who presented with acute symptoms of chorea involving both the upper and lower limbs with facial and cervical dystonia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral hyperintensities of the globus pallidus and putamen. Control of blood glucose levels led to resolution of the choreic movements. In addition, follow-up magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed improvement in the hyperintensities of the basal ganglia bilaterally.
ABSTRACT
Good's syndrome is a rare disease characterized by thymoma associated with combined B- and T-cell immunodeficiency in adults. Due to the lack of early onset of symptoms, it is difficult to diagnose this disorder. A 44-year-old man diagnosed with thymic carcinoma was admitted to the hospital with quadriplegia for 6 months. Brain abscess and meningoencephalitis were identified in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.Antibiotics, steroid, and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment were provided for 3 months.Follow-up MRI showed progression to C7-level. The radiologic findings were consistent with tuberculosis infection and thus, the patient was treated with anti-tuberculosis medication.MRI of the brain and spine showed an improved state of meningoencephalomyelitis. In a laboratory study, there were decreased levels of peripheral B-cell and CD4 T-cell and decreased CD4:CD8 ratio; therefore, it confirmed that cellular immunity deteriorated. In addition to clinical findings, we were able to diagnose the patient with Good's syndrome.Good's syndrome is a highly suspicious disease in patients with thymoma who have recurrent unusual infections. Immunologic tests should be performed for diagnosis in which it can prevent delayed diagnosis and allow timely treatment.
ABSTRACT
Chorea hyperglycemia basal ganglia (CHBG) syndrome is an uncommon manifestation of diabetes seen in patients with poor glycemic control. It is characterized by sudden onset of chorea with characteristic hyperintensities of the basal ganglia on brain magnetic resonance imaging. We report a case of a 31-year-old female patient with a history of type 1 diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and hypertension, who presented with acute symptoms of chorea involving both the upper and lower limbs with facial and cervical dystonia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral hyperintensities of the globus pallidus and putamen. Control of blood glucose levels led to resolution of the choreic movements. In addition, follow-up magnetic resonance imaging studies revealed improvement in the hyperintensities of the basal ganglia bilaterally.
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Lobar agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly that is characterized by the absence of the lobar pulmonary artery, pulmonary vein, bronchi, and parenchyma. We encountered a unique case of a young male patient with agenesis of the left upper lobe with tracheal trifurcation into three bronchi, all arising at the carinal level. Complex tracheobronchial anatomy was explicitly demonstrated by three-dimensional CT reconstruction and virtual bronchoscopy. Left upper lobar agenesis associated with tracheal trifurcation is an extremely rare anomaly that, to the best of our knowledge, has not been previously reported.
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Palpable lesions of the scalp and face are common in clinical practice. They are usually small and benign, and the lesions tend to be treated simply according to the clinical symptoms. However, radiologic evaluation is often performed to determine the exact type and location of a lesion to ensure appropriate management. Ultrasonography is useful as a primary and definitive modality for evaluating small superficial lesions. CT and MRI are better for characterizing soft tissue features and provide superior soft tissue resolution. This article discusses various lesions and their imaging findings of the scalp and face that may present as superficially palpable masses.
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Lingual dystonia is a rare type of dystonia, the main symptom of which varies from intermittent to sustained tongue fixation. Several studies have suggested that the cerebellum may be implicated in dystonia. There are several treatment options available for dystonia, including medication, botulinum toxin injection, and surgical intervention. We chose to inject botulinum toxin into the styloglossus muscle, and the symptoms of the lingual dystonia were improved. We report a case of lingual dystonia following a bilateral cerebellar stroke that responded to treatment with botulinum toxin.
Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins , Cerebellum , Dystonia , Infarction , Stroke , TongueABSTRACT
Bilateral thalamic gliomas (BTGs) are rare brain tumors. In general, the prognosis is poor because of the involvement of bilateral thalami and limitations of surgical excision. Consequently, patients with symptoms of personality changes and memory impairment must be differentiated from others. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is essential for the diagnosis of BTGs and reveals a hypo-intense lesion on T1-weighted images and a hyper-intense lesion on T2 images. We report a case of a 17-year-old female patient suffering from progressive cognitive dysfunction and personality changes and subsequent rehabilitation treatment. Brain MRI showed an enlarged bilateral thalamus, with hyperintensity on T2-weighted images and iso-intensity on T1-weighted images. A biopsy was performed, and the pathology revealed a high-grade glioma. The patient was referred for radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She also underwent rehabilitation treatment for 5 weeks and showed improvement in standing balance, endurance, and speech fluency. The patient's Modified Barthel Index scores also improved. Cancer rehabilitation is important in brain tumor patients because they have a higher incidence of neurological sequelae than others. Rehabilitation of patients with a malignant brain tumor is also important for improving health-related quality of life by maintaining the general condition and preventing complications during and after cancer treatment.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Female , Humans , Biopsy , Brain , Brain Neoplasms , Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Glioma , Incidence , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Memory , Memory Disorders , Neurobehavioral Manifestations , Pathology , Prognosis , Quality of Life , Radiotherapy , Rehabilitation , ThalamusABSTRACT
Crossed aphasia (CA) is defined as language impairment following right-hemispheric brain lesion in right-handed person. Exact mechanism responsible for CA is ambiguous, and recently several brain lesions have been proposed to be associated with aphasia using lesion mapping method. Corpus callosum has dual bloody supply which makes it less vulnerable to infarction. Speech difficulties such as stuttering after corpus callosum infarction have been reported in the past, but aphasia is rare, which makes CA more unique. We report an extraordinary case of CA after right corpus callosum infarction. A 74-year-old female patient with a previous history of right thalamus infarction with no neurologic sequela has developed language disturbance without apraxia 1 month ago and a diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed newly developed infarction at right corpus callosum. The aphasia quotient of the Korean version of the Western Aphasia Battery was 2.5, implying severe global aphasia. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography showed decreased metabolism in right corpus callosum and left frontal and temporal cortex, suggesting that interhemispheric diaschisis may be responsible for the CA. This is an extraordinary case report of an isolated manifestation of CA secondary to right corpus callosum infarction.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Aphasia , Apraxias , Brain , Brain Infarction , Corpus Callosum , Electrons , Infarction , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Metabolism , Methods , Stuttering , Temporal Lobe , ThalamusABSTRACT
Herpes zoster is characterized by vesicular eruption and rash of the skin in the affected dermatomes. Sensory symptoms such as pain and hypesthesia are often accompanied in patients with herpes zoster. While motor paralysis is uncommon, abdominal paralysis can result in rare complications such as abdominal wall pseudohernia. In the present report, we discuss the case of a 62 year-old man who presented with abdominal wall protrusion after herpes zoster infection involving the right T10-T12 dermatomes. Magnetic resonance imaging findings were not specifically correlated with abdominal wall protrusion. Needle electromyography revealed abnormal spontaneous activity in the right paraspinal muscles at the T10-T12 levels, rectus abdominis, and external oblique muscles. Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) exhibited prolonged latency in the right T10 and T12 dermatomes. These findings suggest that herpes zoster infection can affect both motor and sensory nerves.
Subject(s)
Humans , Abdominal Wall , Electromyography , Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory , Exanthema , Herpes Zoster , Hypesthesia , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Muscles , Needles , Paralysis , Paraspinal Muscles , Paresis , Rectus Abdominis , SkinABSTRACT
Orofacial dyskinesia is a condition caused by various diseases in which the tongue, lips, or jaws move involuntarily. Up to now, the exact mechanism for these degenerative changes in the brain remains unknown. Among various hypotheses, the most widely accepted hypothesis is that orofacial dyskinesia is caused by supersensitivity of the dopamine receptors. As a result, metoclopramide, a dopaminergic receptor blocking agent has been chosen as a treatment agent for our study. We used metoclopramide in seven stroke patients who displayed symptoms of orofacial dyskinesia following brain damage and observed an improvement in the symptoms from all patients. This case report represented new therapeutic methods and will aid in the treatment of orofacial dyskinesia.