Neonatal Pneumothorax in Late Preterm and Full-Term Newborns with respiratory Distress: A Single-Center Experience

Purpose@#To evaluate the incidence rate, clinical characteristics, and perinatal outcomes of pneumothorax in late preterm and full-term newborns with respiratory distress and analyze the risk factors associated with pneumothorax. @*Methods@#Infants born at ≥34 weeks’ gestation with respiratory distress and pneumothorax admitted between February 2014 and December 2020 were enrolled in this study. The pneumothorax group (n=36) was matched to the control group (n=144) in a 1:4 ratio, based on gestational age and birth weight. Risk factors were identified using logistic regression analysis with backward stepwise selection. @*Results@#The incidence of pneumothorax during the study period was 1.36% (38/2,788). All patients were diagnosed with pneumothorax within 48 hours after birth, and increased oxygen demand was the most common symptom. The proportion of mortality and perinatal morbidity, such as intraventricular hemorrhage ≥grade 3, was significantly higher in the pneumothorax group than in the control group. The risk factors associated with pneumothorax were the need for positive pressure ventilation in the delivery room (odds ratio [OR], 3.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26 to 9.12; P=0.015) and a higher fraction of inspired oxygen to achieve an oxygen saturation of ≥90% on admission (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.09; P<0.001). @*Conclusion@#Pneumothorax should be suspected in late preterm and full-term newborns with respiratory distress within the first 3 days of life. Based on these risk factors, early diagnosis can reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity.

Korean Children and Adolescents with Crohn's Disease Are More Likely to Present with Perianal Fistulizing Disease at Diagnosis Compared to Their European Counterparts / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

Incidentally detected gallbladder agenesis in a child: the importance of identifying anatomic structure

The absence of a gallbladder is a very rare anomaly. While it is usually asymptomatic, it can cause biliary colic symptoms. For these reasons, gallbladder agenesis can be misdiagnosed as a hepatobiliary disease and is diagnosed correctly after surgery. This condition may also be detected through an autopsy for other causative diseases. Abdominal ultrasonography is used as a diagnostic method to detect gallbladder agenesis. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic cholangiopancreatography are also used to make a more accurate diagnosis. In the emergency room, however, gallbladder agenesis can still be misdiagnosed as acute or chronic cholecystitis, leading to the detection of gallbladder agenesis in the operating room. Although some cases of gallbladder agenesis detected in adults during surgery have been reported in Korea, there are no reports of gallbladder agenesis in pediatric patients to date. This paper reports a case of gallbladder agenesis in a symptomatic child that was detected incidentally by a radiographic examination.

A novel GLA mutation in a Korean boy with an early cardiac manifestation of Fabry disease

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of α-galactosidase A. Patients with classical FD present acroparesthesia, hypohidrosis, cornea verticillata, disseminated angiokeratoma, and microalbuminuria in childhood, and develop life-threatening renal, cardiac, and cerebrovascular complications typically after the fourth decade of life. To date, more than 700 mutations responsible for FD have been identified in the human GLA gene. Herein, we report a novel GLA mutation, c.1117_1141del25 (p.Gly373Profs*10), identified in an 11-year-old Korean boy with FD presenting early cardiac and neurologic manifestation and in other affected family members. The boy had acroparesthesia, hypohidrosis, cornea verticillata, and left ventricular hypertrophy. His mother and sister also had acroparesthesia. Two males on the mother's side had similar pain and died of unknown causes. The plasma α-galactosidase A activity (4.1 nmol/hr/mg protein) of the patient was markedly lower than the mean value of the controls. The plasma level of globotriaosylsphingosine was elevated in the patient and all the carriers. We concluded the novel GLA mutation c.1117_1141del25 is a pathogenic mutation for FD, probably related to the early cardiac manifestation of FD.

The Economic Burden of Breast Cancer in Korea from 2007-2010 / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: This study estimates the socioeconomic cost and burden for breast cancer patients in Korea between 2007 and 2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used a prevalence-based approach to estimate the cost of breast cancer. Breast cancer patients were defined as those who were hospitalized or have visited an outpatient clinic during the period from 2007 to 2010. The socioeconomic costs of breast cancer were subdivided into two costs: direct and indirect. RESULTS: From 2007 to 2010, the prevalence of treated breast cancer increased from 7.9% to 20.4%. The total socioeconomic costs incurred by breast cancer increased by approximately 40.7% from US $668.49 million in 2007 to US $940.75 million in 2010. The direct medical care costs for 2010 were 1.4 times greater (US $399.22 million) than for 2007 (US $278.71 million). The direct non-medical costs rose from US $50.69 million in 2007 to US $75.83 million in 2010, a 49.6% increase. Regarding the economic burden of breast cancer, the total indirect costs were US $339.09 million in 2007 and increased by 37.3% to US $465.70 million in 2010. In the sensitivity analysis, with the annual discount rate for each year ranging from 0%-5%, the costs increased 1.1-1.2 times. CONCLUSION: Due to the growing incidence of breast cancer, the annual prevalence and related costs are increasing. We must strive to reduce the socioeconomic burden of breast cancer through preventive measures and early screening.

Implementation and Results of a Survey on Safe Community Programs in Gangbuk-gu, Korea: Focusing on Participants at a Local Public Health Center / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of and problems with the Safe Community Programs in Gangbuk-gu, one of the 25 districts of the capital city of Korea. METHODS: The study subjects were 396 individuals who were involved in Safe Community Programs between 2009 and 2011. We examined the effectiveness and willingness of respondents to participate as a safety leader of the Safe Community Program with a questionnaire. We examined the injury death rates of Gangbuk-gu by using of the death certificate data of Korea's National Statistical Office. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests were used. RESULTS: The effectiveness of programs did not differ but active participation differed significantly among subjects (p<0.05). The injury death rate of Gangbuk-gu as a whole increased during the implementation period. However, senior safety, in particular, may be a helpful program for reducing injuries in Gangbuk-gu. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the lack of active participation may be a major problem of Safe Community Programs in Gangbuk-gu. Therefore, Safe Community Programs should be expanded to the entire district of Gangbuk-gu and more active participation programs should be developed.

An Atypical Mitral Valve Prolapse in a Patient With Behcet's Disease

We report the case of a 42-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital with progressive dyspnea. Cardiomegaly and diffuse pulmonary edema were visible on chest X-ray and multiple oral and genital ulcers on physical examination. On admission, echocardiography revealed mitral valve prolapse (MVP) predominantly involving a basal portion of the posterior leaflet, with severe mitral regurgitation. A successful mitral valve replacement with St. Jude #29 was performed, after pre-treatment with prednisolone for 2 weeks. Fifteen months following the operation, the patient expired from severe pulmonary edema and secondary pneumonia. This case demonstrates, for the first time in the literature, an unusual feature of mitral prolapse in the basal portion with severe mitral regurgitation in a patient with Behcet's disease. As suggested by this case, we should consider an atypical type of MVP as a possible inflammatory involvement of the heart in patients with Behcet's disease.

Spinal Cord Injury Markedly Altered Protein Expression Patterns in the Affected Rat Urinary Bladder during Healing Stages

The influence of spinal cord injury (SCI) on protein expression in the rat urinary bladder was assessed by proteomic analysis at different time intervals post-injury. After contusion SCI between T9 and T10, bladder tissues were processed by 2-DE and MALDI-TOF/MS at 6 hr to 28 days after SCI to identify proteins involved in the healing process of SCI-induced neurogenic bladder. Approximately 1,000 spots from the bladder of SCI and sham groups were visualized and identified. At one day after SCI, the expression levels of three protein were increased, and seven spots were down-regulated, including heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) and heat shock protein 20 (Hsp20). Fifteen spots such as S100-A11 were differentially expressed seven days post-injury, and seven proteins including transgelin had altered expression patterns 28 days after injury. Of the proteins with altered expression levels, transgelin, S100-A11, Hsp27 and Hsp20 were continuously and variably expressed throughout the entire post-SCI recovery of the bladder. The identified proteins at each time point belong to eight functional categories. The altered expression patterns identified by 2-DE of transgelin and S100-A11 were verified by Western blot. Transgelin and protein S100-A11 may be candidates for protein biomarkers in the bladder healing process after SCI.

Angiomyofibroblastoma-Like Tumor of the Scrotum

Various tumors can occur in the scrotum. Of them, angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumors are very rare mesenchymal tumors. Angiomyofibroblastoma-like tumors cannot be easily differentially diagnosed from other malignant tumors invading the male genital tract on the basis of clinical characteristics and imaging study. Therefore, surgical removal and a histopathologic diagnosis must also be performed.

Combination Treatment for Choroidal Neovascularization Associated With Large Retinal Pigment Epithelial Detachment

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the combination therapy of intravitreal bevacizumab injection and photodynamic therapy in neovascular age-related macular degeneration associated with large retinal pigment epithelial detachment. METHODS: A total of 13 eyes were reviewed, with 9 eyes diagnosed with definite choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and 4 eyes diagnosed with CNV or polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) becausethe exact type could not be determined. Photodynamic therapy was performed within 1 week after bevacizumab injection according to indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Additional bevacizumab injections were performed within a 4 to 6 week interval. Additional photodynamic therapy was performed within 4 months. RESULTS: The visual acuity on final examination had improved in 3 eyes (23.1%), was maintained in 7 eyes (53.8%), and decreased in 3 eyes (23.1%). The change of the PED before and after treatment showed regression in 5 eyes (38.5%), recurrence after regression in 2 eyes (15.4%), persistence in 4 eyes (30.8%), and retinal pigment epithelial tear in 2 eyes (15.4%). The maintained or improved visual acuity rate was 66.7% (6/9) and 100% (4/4) in the CNV and CNV or PCV group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The combination therapy in neovascular age-related macular degenerationassociated with large retinal pigment epithelial detachment is a viable alternative treatment in the stabilization and improvement of vision. However, further studies with long-term follow up and controlled studies with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody monotherapy are required.

Indirect Reduction of Posterior Column through Ilioinguinal Approach in Case of Both Column Fractures

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and results of indirect reduction of the posterior column through the ilioinguinal approach in cases of both column fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2000 and January 2008, 18 patients, who underwent indirect reduction of the posterior column through the ilioinguinal approach, were evaluated clinically and radiographically after a minimum follow-up of one year. The mean follow-up duration was 52.7 months. The reduction quality, clinical results, and radiographic results were analyzed according to the criteria reported by Matta. The complications were also recorded. RESULTS: There were 13 cases (72.2%) of an anatomical reduction, 2 cases (11.1%) of an imperfect reduction, and 3 cases (16.7%) of a poor reduction. Out of 13 anatomically reduced fractures, excellent results were graded in 12 cases clinically and 9 cases radiographically. Poor clinical and radiographic results were graded in 2 of the 3 poorly reduced fractures. Complications included 3 cases with transient lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury, which resolved during the follow-up period and 1 case with an injury to the superior gluteal artery. CONCLUSION: Indirect reduction of the posterior column through the ilioinguinal approach is effective for both column fractures. During surgery, care should be taken to reduce the risk of iatrogenic lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury.

Improvement of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Sexual Function after Treatment with Alpha-Blocker

PURPOSE: The association of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction has not been investigated comprehensively concerning which LUTS are associated with sexual function. Therefore, we investigated the association of each domain of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), nocturia, prostate volume, and uroflowmetry with each domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The correlation of sexual function and LUTS was investigated in 365 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. To measure the level of LUTS, the IPSS was calculated; uroflowmetry, residual urine measurement, and transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) were performed; and the level of erectile dysfunction was assessed by the IIEF-5. Three months after treatment with alpha-blocker (tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day), IPSS, uroflowmetry, residual urine, nocturia, and IIEF-5 were assessed again to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. RESULTS: Erectile function deteriorated more in individuals with severe LUTS (IPSS>20) than in those with mild LUTS (IPSS<8), and IPSS, age, and nocturia correlated significantly with all IIEF-5 domains. The maximal urine velocity and the average urine velocity on uroflowmetry correlated significantly with all IIEF domains. After the administration of alpha-blocker for 3 months, the changed rates of the IPSS-obst domain, average uroflow, and quality of life (QoL) correlated significantly with the improvement in the total IIEF-5. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the IPSS-obst domain, QoL, and average uroflow rate correlated significantly with changes in the total IIEF-5. Thus, it is expected that the improvement of obstructive symptoms could effectively improve erectile function.

Diagnosis of Prostatic Abscess and Utility of Transrectal Ultrasonography Guided Abscess Aspiration / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: Prostatic abscess is a very rare disease whose incidence has been reported to be approximately 0.2% in patients with urologic symptoms. Besides, it cannot be diagnosed by interview and physical examination, for which imaging studies must also be performed. In the current study, we examined the clinical usefulness of imaging studies in making a diagnosis of prostatic abscess and the effect of a fine needle aspiration based on trans-rectal ultrasonography on the treatment outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In ten patients who were diagnosed with prostatic abscess and then treated during a period ranging from January of 1995 to June of 2008 (mean age: 61.8 years, range: 40-89 years), a past history, clinical symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory findings, trans-rectal ultrasonography findings, computed tomography findings, treatment modalities and complications were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All patients complained fever and voiding dysfunction as chief complaint. On trans-rectal ultrasonography and computed tomography scans, all the ten patients had abnormal findings. In five patients, there were nonhomogenous hypo-echoic lesions on trans-rectal ultrasonography. All the patients had cystic abscess lesions detected on computed tomography scans. In four patients, in whom the diameter of lesions was greater than 1cm on computed tomography scans, a fine needle aspiration was performed on trans-rectal ultrasonography and antibiotic treatment was performed. In six patients, in whom the diameter of lesions was smaller than 1 cm on computed tomography scans, antibiotic treatment was performed. There were statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay and the size of prostate gland between the group where a fine needle aspiration was performed using trans-rectal ultrasonography and the group where antibiotic treatment was performed (p0.05). Length of antibiotic therapy was shorter in antibiotic therapy only group, but there was no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A computed tomography is a useful diagnostic modality for prostatic abscess. Besides, a fine needle aspiration based on trans-rectal ultrasonography is one of the minimally invasive treatment regimens for prostatic abscess, whose good treatment outcomes have been well documented. Furthermore, there were no severe complications in our series.

Effect of Cocoa Extract on Tension of the Corpus Cavernosal Tissue in Rat / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: Cocoa has antihypertensive activity, improves cerebral blood flow, and is an antioxidant. We evaluated the effect of cocoa extract on penile erection using the relaxation of the corpus cavernosal tissue in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used male 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 250-350 g divided into three groups: corpus cavernosal tissue with the endothelium (group 1), tissue without the endothelium (group 2), and endothelium pretreated with L-NAME (group 3). Changes in isometric tension were examined in an organ bath. Aortic tissues were divided into three groups and treated in similar experiments simultaneously. RESULTS: Cocoa extract dose-dependently relaxed corpus cavernosal tissue pre-contracted by phenylephrine (10-6). In group 1, cocoa extract (10-3g/ml) induced relaxation by 97+/-5% (mean+/-SD). The extract was still effective but less potent tissue without endothelium or pretreated with L-NAME (10-4M). Similar effects were seen in aortic rings. CONCLUSION: Cocoa extract relaxes corpus cavernosal tissue in a dose-dependent manner via NOS and the endothelium. Cocoa extract may therefore be effective for improving erectile function.

Effect of Cocoa Extract on Tension of the Corpus Cavernosal Tissue in Rat / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: Cocoa has antihypertensive activity, improves cerebral blood flow, and is an antioxidant. We evaluated the effect of cocoa extract on penile erection using the relaxation of the corpus cavernosal tissue in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used male 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 250-350 g divided into three groups: corpus cavernosal tissue with the endothelium (group 1), tissue without the endothelium (group 2), and endothelium pretreated with L-NAME (group 3). Changes in isometric tension were examined in an organ bath. Aortic tissues were divided into three groups and treated in similar experiments simultaneously. RESULTS: Cocoa extract dose-dependently relaxed corpus cavernosal tissue pre-contracted by phenylephrine (10-6). In group 1, cocoa extract (10-3g/ml) induced relaxation by 97+/-5% (mean+/-SD). The extract was still effective but less potent tissue without endothelium or pretreated with L-NAME (10-4M). Similar effects were seen in aortic rings. CONCLUSION: Cocoa extract relaxes corpus cavernosal tissue in a dose-dependent manner via NOS and the endothelium. Cocoa extract may therefore be effective for improving erectile function.

Clinical Course of Prenatally-detected Hydronephrosis: Focus on Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: The diagnosis and treatment of prenatally-diagnosed hydronephrosis remain controversial. We have conducted a retrospective study to examine the clinical characteristics and course of prenatally-diagnosed hydronephrosis, especially when in the presence of ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among all pediatric patients diagnosed with hydronephrosis by prenatal ultrasonography between September 2002 and June 2008, the study was performed on 103 patients(126 renal units), and the mean follow-up period was 19.2 months(range, 6-24 months). Ultrasonography was performed 2-3 days after birth, and after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months, and annually thereafter. Hydronephrosis was graded according to the Society for Fetal Urology(SFU) classification guidelines. RESULTS: On ultrasonography performed 2-3 days after birth hydronephrosis was graded as follows: grade 1, 45(35.7%); grade 2, 49(38.9%); grade 3, 23(18.3%); and grade 4, 9(7.1%) renal units. In cases with UPJO complete improvement of hydronephrosis was detected in 16 renal units(40%); the renal units and rate of complete improvement in grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 12(75%), 3(17.6%), 1(16.7%), and 0(0%), respectively. The anticipated times of complete improvement of hydronephrosis in UPJO grades 1, 2, and 3 were 22.0, 31.3, and 50.4 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In UPJO, the possibility of improvement of hydronephrosis lower than grade 2 was high, and thus follow-up for approximately 30 months may be needed. In patients with hydronephrosis >grade 3, the rate of improvement was low, thus compulsive follow-up is required.

Two patients with acute myocardial infarction presenting with simultaneous acute ischemic stroke / 대한내과학회지

Myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke often share the same risk factors and pathogenic mechanism. Sometimes they can occur in the same patient proximately, occurring days or weeks apart. However, the simultaneous occurrence of MI and stroke is rare and presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Specifically, an acute stroke can alter typical features of MI. Thus, recognition of the coexistence of these two events requires a high threshold of suspicion. The authors describe two patients who presented with simultaneous stroke and MI development. The two events developed on the same day in both patients. The second patient did not have chest pain, whereas chest symptoms could not be assessed in the first patient secondary to altered mental status. After the diagnoses were made using clinical and laboratory findings, urgent percutaneous coronary intervention was performed in both patients.

A Case of Pulmonary Thromboembolism in a Patient with Hyperhomocysteinemia / 결핵및호흡기질환

Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular diseases that are complicated by atherosclerosis and a thromboembolism. An increased level of plasma homocysteine develops from a genetic defect in the of enzyme for the homocysteine metabolism or a vitamin deficiency. Hyperhomocysteinemia has direct toxic effect on the vascular endothelium and causes damages to the antithrombotic action of vascular endothelial cells. Most cases of hyperhomocysteinemia are asymptomatic, but cardiopulmonary or cerebrovascular incidents developin rare cases. In the case of a thromboembolism with an unknown cause, hyperhomocysteinemia should be considered in a differential diagnosis. The authors report a case of pulmonary thromboembolism in a patient with hyperhomocysteinemia with a review of the relevant literature.

The Changes of Male Sexual Dysfunction after Stroke: Correlations of Brain Lesions and Sexual Function / 대한남성과학회지

PURPOSE: To identify the effects of the locations of brain lesion on sexual function in stroke patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey was conducted on 109 male stroke patients(mean age: 64.93+/-8.81 yr.) diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography at least 6 months before study(mean duration of disease: 24.4+/-16.7 mo.). A normal age-matched control group included 109 men(mean age: 64.7+/-8.9 yr.). Each subject completed the 5-item Version of the International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF-5) to measure the changes of sexual desire, ejaculation function, and sexual satisfaction. RESULTS: Statistically lower sexual function was found in the stroke patient group(IIEF-5; 5.9+/-7.0) compared with the normal control group(IIEF-5; 10.7+/-7.1)(p<0.01). In cases where brain lesions were seen in the right frontal lobe and the right pons after stroke, erectile function was significantly reduced. In cases of brain lesion in the right cerebellum, ejaculation disorder was frequently reported. In cases where the brain lesion was located in the right thalamus and the left basal ganglia, significantly lower sexual desire was found. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual function is significantly lower in stroke patients. Injury to the right frontal lobe and right pons is linked to reduce sexual function; lesions to the right cerebellum are associated with ejaculation disorder; and lesions located in the right thalamus and the left basal ganglia are significantly associated with reduced desire.

Risk Stratification of Patients with Minor Troponin-I Elevation Unassociated with Acute Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although cardiac troponin I is widely used as a marker for myocardial infarction (MI), minor elevations of cardiac troponin I are also observed in other clinical situations. The prognostic factors for patients with these clinical features are not well established. The aim of this study was to discover the predictors of mortality for the patients who had minor troponin elevations without acute MI. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We enrolled consecutive 154 patients from the emergency department or inpatient units who had a peak troponin I level greater than the lower limit of detectability (0.04 ng/mL), and the level was also less than the suggestive value of MI (0.6 ng/mL). They were with chest pain or nonspecific symptoms of circulatory abnormality, but they lacked the traditional features of acute MI. The endpoint was defined as death from all causes. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to test the relationship between the clinical and biochemical variables and the outcomes. RESULTS: During the follow-up period of 7.9+/-7.3 months, mortality occurred in 15 patients. Age, the creatine kinase myocardial isoform (CK-MB) level and the C-reactive protein (CRP) level as continuous variables had significant correlations with the occurrence of death. After adjusting for any possible confounders in the multivariate model, these variables remained as independent predictors of mortality: age (HR 1.07, CI 1.02-1.14, p=0.012), CK-MB level (HR 1.61, CI 1.16-2.24, p=0.005), and CRP level (HR 1.01, CI 1.00-1.01, p=0.025). CONCLUSION: Integration of the CK-MB and CRP levels, as well as age, can be used for risk-stratification in the patients showing minor troponin I elevation for reasons other than acute MI.