The current capacity and quality of colonoscopy in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Little is known for the capacity and quality of colonoscopy, and adherence to colonoscopy surveillance guidelines in Korea. This study aimed to investigate the present and potential colonoscopic capacity, colonoscopic quality, and adherence to colonoscopy surveillance guidelines in Korea. METHODS: We surveyed representative endoscopists of 72 endoscopy units from June to August 2015, using a 36-item questionnaire regarding colonoscopic capacity, quality, and adherence to colonoscopy surveillance guidelines of each hospitals. RESULTS: Among the 62 respondents who answered the questionnaire, 51 respondents were analyzed after exclusion of 11 incomplete answers. Only 1 of 3 of endoscopy units can afford to perform additional colonoscopies in addition to current practice, and the potential maximum number of colonoscopies per week was only 42. The quality of colonoscopy was variable as reporting of quality indicators of colonoscopy were considerably variable (29.4%–94.1%) between endoscopy units. Furthermore, there are substantial gaps in the adherence to colonoscopy surveillance guidelines, as concordance rate for guideline recommendation was less than 50% in most scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: The potential capacity and quality of colonoscopy in Korea was suboptimal. Considering suboptimal reporting of colonoscopic quality indicators and low adherence rate for colonoscopy surveillance guidelines, quality improvement of colonoscopy should be underlined in Korea.

Comparison of Hyperopic Photorefractive Keratectomy and LASIK

PURPOSE: We compared the results of photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of hyperopia. METHODS: Patients who underwent PRK or LASIK, under +6.00 diopters (D) hyperopia and under −2.00 D astigmatism were included. In total, 21 patients (38 eyes) underwent PRK surgery and 25 patients (41 eyes) underwent LASIK surgery. We compared the visual acuity, refractive error, safety, and efficacy between the two groups. RESULTS: The manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE) of the PRK and LASIK groups at 1 and 3 months after surgery was significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). However, the MRSE was not significantly different at postoperative 6 and 12 months between the two groups. The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of the PRK and LASIK groups at 1 month after surgery was significantly different between the two groups (p < 0.05). However, the UCVA was not significantly different at postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months between the two groups. The best-corrected visual acuity was not significantly different at postoperative 1, 3, 6, and 12 months between the two groups. The safety index was not significantly different between the two groups at postoperative 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The efficacy index of the PRK group was lower than that of the LASIK group at 1 month after surgery. However, the efficacy index was not significantly different at postoperative 3, 6, and 12 months between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the predictability of the two groups at postoperative 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: After PRK treatment, temporary myopic deviation was observed after 1 month, but there was no significant difference between the two treatments after 3 months of follow-up. In the correction of hyperopia, there was no significant difference between PRK and LASIK in efficacy or safety.

Effect of 3% Diquafosol Tetrasodium on Tear Film Stability after Laser-assisted in situ Keratomileusis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of 3% diquafosol tetrasodium (DQ) after laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: This prospective randomized study included 150 eyes in 75 patients who were scheduled for LASIK. The patients in the 3% diquafosol tetrasodium (DQ) group (37 patients, 74 eyes) were instructed to apply one drop of DQ, six times daily post-op, while the patients in the 0.3% sodium hyaluronate (HA) group (38 patients, 76 eyes) were instructed to apply one drop of HA, six times daily post-op. A Schirmer test, tear film break-up time (BUT), corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining score (FLSS), and ocular surface disease index (OSDI) were evaluated pre-op and at 1, 4, and 12 weeks post-op while the tear osmolarity was evaluated pre-op and at 4 and 12 weeks post-op. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding Schirmer test results or tear osmolarity and conjunctival FLSS. The BUT was significantly higher in the DQ group at 1 week and 12 weeks post-op. The corneal FLSS was significantly lower in the DQ group at 1 week, 4 weeks and 12 weeks post-op. The OSDI was significantly lower in the DQ group at 1 week post-op. CONCLUSIONS: Use of 3% diquafosol tetrasodium after surgery improved ocular dryness and increased the tear film stability.

Are Small Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors Safe?

No abstract available.

Are Small Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors Safe?

No abstract available.

A Case of Linezolid-Associated Lactic Acidosis / 대한내과학회지

Linezolid has been used for treatment of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infection, nosocomial pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, and complicated and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. Lactic acidosis is an adverse effect associated with drugs, including metformin, the nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors and, rarely, linezolid. We report a case in which severe lactic acidosis developed as an adverse effect of linezolid in a 75-year-old woman who had been on linezolid for 30 days for treatment of a wound infection caused by methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Discontinuation of linezolid and hemodialysis improved her lactic acidosis.

Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma of the Rectum Cured by Radiotherapy

Primary rectal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a particularly rare disease, comprising <1% of gastrointestinal lymphomas. Although antibiotic therapy has been demonstrated effective for gastric MALT lymphoma, the optimal treatment for MALT lymphoma of the rectum is unknown. Radiotherapy or surgery is often used to treat limited stage MALT lymphoma of the rectum. Here, we describe a case of a 44-year-old-man, who was diagnosed with primary MALT lymphoma of the rectum through colonoscopy. Other staging evaluations, including upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, abdomino-pelvic CT, chest CT, 18F fludeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography, and a bone marrow examination showed no other abnormalities, except stage IA para-rectal lymphadenopathy. The patient received 2 months of radiotherapy without major toxicity. A follow-up abdomino-pelvic CT scan revealed marked improvement in the volume of rectal lymphoma and adjacent lymph nodes. Mucosal nodularity of the lower rectum had completely regressed at the follow-up endoscopy and complete remission was confirmed with a biopsy.

Effect of ketamine on intravenous patient-controlled analgesia using hydromorphone and ketorolac after the Nuss surgery in pediatric patients / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Nuss surgery is preferred in pectus excavatum repair because this procedure produces excellent cosmetic results and prevents postoperative distressed pulmonary function. However, the procedure causes severe pain due to thoracic expansion. This study was designed to investigate the analgesic effect of small doses of ketamine on an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) using hydromorphone and ketorolac for pain control after Nuss surgery. METHODS: Forty-four patients undergoing elective Nuss surgery were randomly assigned to receive hydromorphone 3 microg/kg/hr, ketorolac 0.05 mg/kg/hr and ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg/day (Group HO, n = 22) or hydromorphone 3 microg/kg/hr, ketorolac 0.05 mg/kg/hr, ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg/day and ketamine 0.15 mg/kg/hr (Group HK, n = 22) via an IV-PCA pump after surgery. A blind observer evaluated each patient using the Modified Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale (CHEOPS) for the assessment of pain control. The total administered PCA volume, side effects and parents satisfaction with pain control were assessed at postoperative 1, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in Modified CHEOPS between the groups during postoperative 48 hours. The total PCA volume in group HK was significantly lower than that in group HO (P < 0.05). The side effects in both groups did not significantly differ except for pruritus. The levels of satisfaction from the parents were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: A small dose of ketamine on IV-PCA reduced the total administered dose of IV-PCA with hydromorphone and ketorolac and reduced the incidence of pruritus after the Nuss procedure in pediatric patients.

A Case of Linezolid-Associated Lactic Acidosis / 대한내과학회지

Linezolid has been used for treatment of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infection, nosocomial pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae, and complicated and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections. Lactic acidosis is an adverse effect associated with drugs, including metformin, the nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitors and, rarely, linezolid. We report a case in which severe lactic acidosis developed as an adverse effect of linezolid in a 75-year-old woman who had been on linezolid for 30 days for treatment of a wound infection caused by methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Discontinuation of linezolid and hemodialysis improved her lactic acidosis.

Anesthetic experience using total intra-venous anesthesia for a patient with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

We present here the case of a 33-month-old male patient with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) and who underwent tympanoplasty and myringotomy. WHS is caused by a rare chromosomal abnormality, which is the deletion of the short arm of chromosome number 4. The typical craniofacial features of WHS patients such as micrognathia, microcephaly and the muscular weakness can make using neuromuscular blocking agents and performing intubation difficult. Moreover, there are a few previous case reports showing that malignant hyperthermia occurred during and after an operation in which the anesthesia was done with inhalation agents, so special anesthetic care is needed when operating on a WHS patient. By carefully intubating the patient and using total intravenous anesthesia, we performed successful anesthesia without any complications. We describe here the anesthetic management of a WHS patient and we review the relevant literature.

A Case of Adrenocortical Carcinoma Secreting Cortisol, Androgen and Aldosterone

Primary adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare tumor, and is characterized by a peri-tumor mass effect and hormone excess signs. Adrenocortical carcinoma most commonly secretes cortisol, but tumors that secrete other adrenal hormones (aldosterone, androgen) are rare. Herein, we report the case of a 70-year-old woman with cortisol, androgen, and aldosterone-secreting adrenal carcinoma. The patient complained of generalized weakness, moon face, and central obesity. On laboratory examination, hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis was detected. On the hormone test, cortisol, DHEA-S, and aldosterone were all increased. Abdominal CT showed a large right adrenal mass. She underwent right adrenalectomy and the histology revealed the presence of an adrenocortical carcinoma. After adrenalectomy, the patient was treated with hydrocortisone and mitotane.

A Case of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

The adrenal gland is the most commonly involved endocrine organ in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Adrenal function abnormality is more common in HIV patients than in the general population. It is important to recognize the condition of adrenal insufficiency, as this adrenal disorder may prove fatal if left untreated. Herein, we report a case of primary adrenal insufficiency in a 37-year-old male patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The patient complained of fever, general weakness, and fatigue. Impaired adrenal function was noted in the rapid ACTH stimulation test. After steroid supplementation, the patient's symptoms were improved. Therefore, HIV care physicians should ascertain adrenal dysfunction in HIV patients when they complain of fever and general weakness.

The effect of ketamine on the incidence of emergence agitation in children undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy under sevoflurane general anesthesia / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The rapid emergence and recovery from general anesthesia afforded by sevoflurane is associated with a high incidence of emergence agitation in children. Small doses of ketamine reduce the incidence of emergence agitation. This study compared the effects of ketamine 0.25 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg on emergence agitation and postoperative pain. METHODS: The effects of added intravenous ketamine were evaluated in 93 children, ASA I-II, 2-14 years old, undergoing an adenotonsillectomy. The patients were allocated randomly to one of three groups receiving saline (group C), ketamine 0.25 mg/kg (group K0.25) or ketamine 0.5 mg/kg (group K0.5). The children in each group were administered the study drugs 10 minutes before the end of surgery. The recovery characteristics, including the time to extubation, delivery time from the PACU, postoperative nausea and vomiting, agitation and pain were assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the extubation time, delivery time and postoperative nausea and vomiting between the three groups. There were significant differences in modified CHEOPS (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Pain Scale) between the three groups. The incidence of emergence agitation was low in the K0.25 and K0.5 groups compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference between the K0.25 and K0.5 groups. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the incidence of emergence agitation between K0.25 and K0.5 groups. However, K0.5 group showed a lower pain score than K0.25 group.

ABO Blood Group Incompatible Living Donor Kidney Transplantation without Splenectomy / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Serious organ shortage necessitates ABO incompatible (ABOi) kidney transplantation (KT). Recent reports utilizing rituximab instead of splenectomy and tacrolimus (FK)-based triple immunosuppressants showed excellent graft outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirteen cases of ABOi living donor KT have been performed since Feb. 2007 in our center. Donor and recipient blood group was B to O (n=5), A1 to O (2), AB to B (2), AB to A1 (1), A1 to B (2) and B to A1 (1). Rituximab was given at 4 weeks before transplantation. Plasmapheresis (PP) was initiated at 7~14 days before transplantation with concurrent immunosuppressants. The number of pretransplant PP was 5.7+/-1.4. Posttransplant PP was also performed in 6 patients with higher initial titer of ABO antibody (IgG > or =256; n=2), rapidly rising antibody titer during the critical period of 2 weeks posttransplantation (n=2), or increase in serum creatinine during the critical period while awaiting pathology report of graft biopsy (n=2). Mean number of posttransplant PP in these 6 patients was 2.2+/-1.3. Median IgG anti-ABO antibody titer before precondition, at transplantation, at 2 weeks and at 6 months was 64 (8~512), 2 (1~8), 2 (1~16) and 6 (1~16), respectively. IgM titer at corresponding time point was 16 (2~128). 1 (1~1), 1 (1~2) and 1.5 (1~4), respectively. Median follow up was 8 (5~27) months. No patient or graft was lost. No patient developed acute humoral rejection. Graft function remained stable with latest serum creatinine 1.2+/-0.3 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS: ABOi living donor KT without splenectomy can be safely performed with the use of current preconditioning and immunosuppressive regimen, and is therefore a valuable option for expanding donor pool and should be actively performed in Korea.

Prognostic factors of secondary cytoreductive surgery for patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the prognostic factors of secondary cytoreductive surgery on survival in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. METHODS: The medical records of all patients who underwent secondary cytoreductive surgery between May 2001 and October 2007 at the National Cancer Center, Korea were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were executed to evaluate the potential variables for overall survival. RESULTS: In total, 54 patients met the inclusion criteria. Optimal cytoreduction to or =12 months vs. 24 months for PFS or =12 months. Secondary cytoreductive surgery should be offered in selected patients and large prospective studies are needed to define the selection criteria for secondary cytoreductive surgery.

Multiple Renal Artery Anastomosis in Kidney Transplantation: Clinical Outcome / 대한이식학회지

PURPOSE: Kidney transplantation with multiple renal arteries has been associated with higher incidence of vascular and urologic complications. Multiple renal arteries occur unilaterally and bilaterally in 23% and 10% of the population, respectively, so it would be clearly in the best interests to the recipients whether to include these individuals as organ donor candidates. There is an increasing requirement to use such kidneys and it is not unusual trend any more. Some authors insist the vessel anastomosis time (2nd warm ischemia time) exceeding 35 minutes may attribute to the development of acute tubular necrosis (ATN). There are various methods in anastomosis of multiple renal arteries but vascular and urologic complications depend on the technical surgical skills or methods of the vascular anastomosis. METHODS: A retrospective study was assessed for 454 kidney transplantations performed in the department of surgery, Maryknoll Medical Center between August, 1990, and May 2007. Study groups are divided into four groups according to anastomosis METHODS: Group I, a single-artery anastomosis (n=387) and others, multiple-artery anastomosis (Group II~Group IV) includes extracorporeal (Group II), intracorporeal (Group III) artery anastomosis, and polar artery ligation (Group IV). RESULTS: Among those groups, there are no significant differences in 2nd warm ischemia time, serum creatinine level, recipient and graft survival rate, acute tubular necrosis, acute rejection rate, blood pressure change, and urologic and vascular complication. CONCLUSION: Kidney transplantation of multiple renal arteries is not a difficult challenge any more and it is now more important to find out the better way and better result.

A case of metastatic adenocarcinoma at uterine myoma from gastric cancer / 대한산부인과학회지

Metastasis to the uterus from extrapelvic malignancy is rare. We experienced a patient who underwent a total gastrectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy due to gastric cancer and subsequently suffered from recurrence at the site of the uterine myoma. This is the first known case report of metastatic adenocarcinoma at uterine myoma from gastric cancer in Korea. We report this case with a brief review of literature.

A Case of Anterior Fibrovascular Membrane After Intraocular Lens Implantation in Congenital Aniridia

PURPOSE: To report a case of an anterior fibrovascular membrane following cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation in a patient with congenital aniridia. CASE SUMMARY: A 13-year-old girl presented with congenital aniridia and cataracts in both eyes. She underwent cataract extraction by phacoemulcification with intraocular lens implantation. Six months after cataract surgery, a progressive anterior chamber fibrovascular membrane was noted in both intraocular lens and rudimentary iris. Surgical excision of the fibrovascular membrane was performed, but there was recurrence after five weeks in both eyes. Subsequent surgical intervention on both eyes involved intraocular lens explantation combined with membranectomy to prevent recurrence and phthisis. Surgical findings indicated that the fibrovascular membrane involved the retrolenticular space, and histopathological evidence indicated that the extensive fibrotic tissue originated from the root of the rudimentary iris. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with congenital aniridia should be monitored carefully for the development of intraocular fibrosis after intraocular lens implantation. If a fibrovascular membrane is noted, early surgical intervention is recommended, and the explantation of the intraocular lens should be considered during surgical intervention to prevent recurrence and complications.

Prognostication by Cluster Analysis of COX-2, MMP-9 and P53 Expression and?by Clinico-pathologic Correlation Analysis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer / 결핵및호흡기질환

BACKGROUND: In pathogenesis and prognosis of lung cancer, significance of enormous types of genetic expression were very compounding and undetermined. We performed this study to search association between clinical characteristics and expression of COX-2, MMP-9 and p53 in non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Ninety-one patients with adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled. We had searched clinical data retrospectively and performed immunohistochemical staining for COX-2, MMP-9 and p53. We had analyzed significance of these three genes in clinical features and prognosis for survival. RESULTS: 1) In squamous cell carcinoma, male was predominant and was significantly correlated with smoking. 2) Major prognostic determinants for overall survival were curative resection. 3) Expression of COX-2 was more frequent in adenocarcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma. 4) Negative staining of COX-2, MMP-9 and p53 was more frequent in squamous cell carcinoma than adenocarcinoma. 5) Survival duration was longer in the group with positive expression of p53 and negative for COX-2 and MMP-9 (median duration of survival = 165.6 weeks) than groups with the other expressional patterns. 6) Significant correlation was found between expression of MMP-9 and COX-2. In squamous cell carcinoma, expression of MMP-9, COX-2 and mutant p53 were mutually correlated. 7) COX-2 expression was significant prognostic factor for survival in resected cancer group. In unresected inoperable non-small cell lung cancer group, MMP-9 was statistically significant prognostic factor for overall survival. CONCLUSION: COX-2 and MMP-9 might have some roles for progression or prognosis in some selected patients with non-small cell lung cancer. COX-2 and MMP-9 may have some roles for disease progression or prognosis in selected patients with NSCLC.

The Correction of Mild Mandibular Prognathism Using Mandibular Anterior Segmental Osteotomy

PURPOSE: For a minor degree of mandibular prognathism, mandibular anterior segmental osteotomy (ASO), usually extracting the bilateral premolars, has been performed frequently to correct malocclusion of the anterior teeth. Preoperative planning using cephalometry and a dental model is very important for such a orthognathic surgery. Depending on the specific preoperative mock surgery with the dental model, ASO, with ipsilateral unitooth extraction, is defined to be feasible and performed for ten patients. The comparisons of its preoperative and postoperative analysis of clinical photographs, dental casts, and lateral cephalograms, for soft tissue profiles, skeletal and dental relationships are described in the following, and its clinical applications are noted. METHODS: From March 1, 2004, to March 31, 2006, We performed 10 mandibular ASO by extraction of ipsilateral unitooth to improve their lower facial profiles and the lip relationships. Patient age ranged from 19 to 33 years, with a mean age of 25.6 years. Two were males and eight were females. RESULTS: All patients were satisfied with aesthetic and occlusal changes postoperatively. Significant and persistent decrease in the SNB and interincisal angle were observed in the postoperative cephalometries. The soft tissue profiles also were improved and near Ricketts's esthetic line. Other combined procedures include nine genioplasties, two rhinoplasties, and one blepharoplasty. One patient complained of transient unilateral inferior mental nerve paresthesia. There were no other significant complications or relapses throughout the follow-up period(6-20 months). CONCLUSION: Mandibular ASO, extracting the ipsilateral unitooth, was performed for ten patients to correct mild mandibular prognathism. The amount of setback of the mandibular anterior portion was 2 to 3mm, and satisfactory results were obtained combined with genioplasties.