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Neurothekeoma is a rare, benign, cutaneous tumor of unknown origin that can be classified into myxoid, cellular, and mixed types. The tumor presents as a solitary nodule mainly on the head, neck, and upper extremities of children and young adults with female preponderance. Histopathologically, epithelioid to spindled-shaped cells form lobules or micronodules and cytologic atypia are occasionally observed with variable fibrous and myxoid stroma.Neurothekeoma can mimic several benign and malignant tumors and recur if incompletely excised. Therefore, it is important to be aware of this tumor for accurate diagnosis. Herein, we report a case of nasal cellular neurothekeoma with a review of related literature.
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Background@#Many aspects are considered when selecting psoriasis treatments, such as psoriasis severity. In particular, patients’ subjective aspects, such as quality of life and treatment satisfaction, are important when planning treatment, and several studies on these aspects exist. However, studies on the direct thoughts of Korean patients with psoriasis, such as what patients value the most, are limited. @*Objective@#This study aimed to evaluate treatment satisfaction and perceptions regarding the importance or subjective achievement of goals in Korean patients with psoriasis treated with biologics or oral agents. @*Methods@#A total of 59 patients with psoriasis treated with biologics or oral agents for ＞16 weeks completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of four main parts: patient information, past history and treatment experience associated with psoriasis, treatment satisfaction, and subjective importance and degree of achievement of treatment goals in daily life. @*Results@#Treatment satisfaction in the biologics group was higher in terms of effectiveness, improvement in symptoms, speed of improvement, method of administration, frequency of administration, and comprehensive aspects than that in the oral agents group (p＜0.05). However, in both groups, the degree of improvement did not reach the patients’ subjective importance, and “concerned with other people’s eyes due to lesions in exposed area” had the biggest difference. @*Conclusion@#Although biologics had higher treatment satisfaction than oral agents, in some parts of daily life, the degree of improvement did not reach the patients’ subjective importance; therefore, some points still needs to be improved.
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Regdanvimab is the only monoclonal antibody available in Korea that targets severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical characteristics of 374 adults hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who were treated with regdanvimab from September through December 2021. In total, 322 (86.1%) patients exhibited risk factors for disease progression. Most patients (91.4%) improved without additional treatment. No patient died or was transferred to intensive care. This study shows that regdanvimab prevented disease progression in high-risk patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 infections during Delta variant predominance.
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As hospitals cater to elderly and vulnerable patients, a high mortality rate is expected if a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak occurs. Consequently, policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in hospital settings are essential. This study was conducted to investigate how effectively national and international guidelines provide recommendations for infection control issues in hospitals. After selecting important issues in infection control, we performed a systematic review and analysis of recommendations and guidelines for preventing COVID-19 transmission within medical institutions at national and international levels. We analyzed guidelines from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Recent guidelines do not provide specific solutions to infection control issues. Therefore, efforts need to be made to devise consistent advice and guidelines for COVID-19 control.
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Background and Objectives@#The purpose of this study is to investigate the replacement of external sound processors and to help understand the economic burden experienced from cochlear implant users.Subjects and Method Among the 500 cases of cochlear implant surgery from 1992 to 2019, 336 cases from 311 patients who had used a cochlear implant for more than 1 year were enrolled. The period of cochlear implant use, replacement of the sound processor, the number, method, and reason of replacements were examined. @*Results@#One hundred sixty cases (47.62%) replaced the sound processor at least once. There were a total of 213 replacements made in 160 cases. The most common reason for replacing the sound processors was because it could not be repaired (71 replacements, 33.33%), with their period of use being an average of 12 years. The most common replacement method of the sound processors was by purchasing with medical insurance benefits (100 replacements, 46.95%), with the usage period being an average of 11 years and 4 months. @*Conclusion@#Cochlear implant users replaced the sound processor for various reasons and the period of using one sound processor was relatively short. About half of all replacement cases were made by applying for medical insurance benefits. Others purchased directly through a sales company and paid a relatively high cost. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the medical insurance for external sound processor of cochlear implants to include exchange times considering the economic burden of cochlear implant users.
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The purpose of this study is to provide the general history of fostering dentists in Japan and introducing their new roles. This research was conducted based on the government policy report on dentists and the information published by each educational institution. Based on the collected data, the official websites were used to represent the latest statistics of the institutions. The number of dentists in Japan has increased. The government established the National Examination for Dentists to guarantee the quality of dentists. After the standards for developing questions for the national examination were established in 1985, the contents of the examination have been appropriately improved by revising the standards every four years. This improvement has required dental students to study a variety of subjects for six years at dental school. Since dentists in Japan are required to respond to various demands from the nation; the Model Core Curriculum for Dental Education was developed to teach medical ethics and abilities to ensure that dentists conduct themselves professionally. Recently, the roles of dentists have been changing in Japan.When providing dental services to older patients over the age of 65, dentists and other dental professions focus on maintaining oral functions, such as saliva secretion, bite force, tongue movement, and masticatory/swallowing functions. However, oral function-related services for children are different. In addition to providing essential dental services, dental practitioners also provide special treatment, such as oral muscle training, myofunctional therapy, health guidance, and space retainers to the child patients with developmental insufficiency in oral functions. Dentistry in Japan has undergone numerous changes over the years and has continued to offer high-quality dental health services. Thus, information gained from the Japanese experience may be helpful to dental professions in other developed countries for planning oral health measures.
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Given that the demand for dental care for elderly individuals is expected to increase according to demographic changes, long-term roadmaps for the current health insurance system should be actively planned. The study aimed to investigate the health insurance system in Korea, compared to that of Japan, and suggest directions for the work of dental hygienists to provide basic data on efficient improvements in the health insurance system. Based on the collected data, the website was used to collect additional related data from Korea and Japan. The most common cause of death in Korea was malignant neoplasms, and most patients were hospitalized for diseases and disorders of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. Dental care covered by Korean medical insurance for individuals aged 65 years or older was treatment oriented, such as dentures and implants, while in Japan, treatment-intensive items, such as visiting a dental hygienist for guidance and provision of home-care professional oral hygiene treatment, were covered. The percentages of remaining teeth in Korea and the percentage of remaining 20 teeth were 68.9% in those aged 65 to 74 years and 51.2% in those aged 75 to 84 years in Japan. A strategy for promoting oral health among elderly individuals should be established, and a multilateral intervention approach is required to prevent oral problems from leading to deterioration of whole-body health. The role of dental hygienists in providing comprehensive assessment to elderly individuals is important. In order to provide systemic oral care, it is necessary to introduce oral care systems according to the national policy.
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We performed a point seroprevalence survey of measles among healthcare workers (HCWs) at two Korean teaching hospitals in 2019. A total of 2,830 HCWs underwent an antibody test.The overall seropositivity of measles was 93.1%. The seroprevalence of measles was lowest in HCWs aged 20 - 24 years (81.2%), followed by those aged 25 - 29 years (90.1%). The rates of anti-measles IgG positivity were significantly different between the two hospitals (97.0% vs.89.4%, P <0.001). These results suggest that the seropositivity of measles in HCWs may differ depending on the hospital's vaccination policy.
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Background@#There is limited information describing the presenting characteristics and dynamic clinical changes in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection diagnosed in the early phase of illness. This study is a case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted to 11 hospitals in Korea. @*Methods@#Patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of respiratory specimens by active surveillance that were finally discharged between February 20 and April 30, 2020 were included. Patients were classified into mild and non-mild groups on initial admission according to oxygen demand and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and the mild group was followed up and subgrouped into non-aggravation and aggravation groups. @*Results@#A total of 161 patients with SARS-CoV2 infection were enrolled. Among the mild group of 136 patients, 11.7% of patients experienced clinical aggravation during hospitalization, but there was no initial clinical parameter on admission predicting their aggravation. Fever (odds ratio [OR], 4.56), thrombocytopenia (OR, 12.87), fever (OR, 27.22) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) > 300 U/L (OR, 18.35), and CRP > 1 mg/dL (OR, 11.31) significantly indicated aggravation in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 5-day periods, respectively.PCR positivity lasted for a median of 22 days and 32 days after the onset of illness in the nonaggravation and aggravation groups, respectively. @*Conclusion@#Old age was associated with early severe presentation. Clinical aggravation among asymptomatic or mild patients could not be predicted initially but was heralded by fever and several laboratory markers during the clinical course.
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The incidence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) has increased in Korea since a first report in 2013. We investigated whether SFTS existed before 2013 using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and stored blood samples from febrile patients with thrombocytopenia. Four cases of SFTS were identified, with the earliest occurring in 2008.
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Humans , Fever , Incidence , Korea , Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic , Phlebovirus , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Retrospective Studies , Reverse Transcription , ThrombocytopeniaABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical and ultrasonographic (US) findings in patients with scleredema adultorum of Buschke, who presented with sclerotic skin on their posterior neck. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After obtaining IRB approval, eight patients with scleredema adultorum of Buschke were enrolled. They underwent US examination of their posterior neck. The diagnoses were confirmed pathologically. The clinical history and US images were evaluated retrospectively. Dermal thickness was compared between the patient group and the age- and sex-matched control group. RESULTS: The patients included seven males and one female with a mean age of 51.5 years. All patients presented with thickening of the skin and/or a palpable mass on the posterior neck. Five (62.5%) of the eight patients showed erythematous discoloration. Six patients (75.0%) had a history of diabetes. The Hemoglobin A1c level was found to be increased in all patients. US images did not show any evidence of a soft tissue mass or infection. The mean dermal thickness in patients (7.01 ± 1.95 mm) was significantly greater than that in the control group (3.08 ± 0.87 mm) (p = 0.001). Multiple strong echogenic spots in the dermis were seen in all patients. Seven patients (87.5%) showed posterior shadowing in the lower dermis. CONCLUSION: When a patient with a history of diabetes presents with a palpable mass or erythematous discoloration of the posterior neck and US shows the following imaging features: 1) no evidence of a soft tissue mass or infection, 2) thickening of the dermis, 3) multiple strong echogenic spots and/or posterior shadowing in the dermis, scleredema adultorum of Buschke should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
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Female , Humans , Male , Dermis , Diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Ethics Committees, Research , Neck , Retrospective Studies , Scleredema Adultorum , Shadowing Technique, Histology , Skin , UltrasonographyABSTRACT
In accordance with the aged society, oral health care for the elderly is considered important to maintain general health. Although the role of dental hygienists is essential for proper health management of the oral cavity, research on the care system for the elderly people's oral health and on the role of dental hygienists in the field of elderly welfare is still insufficient. Hence, the aim of this study is to investigate the status of Korean elderly welfare system and dental hygienists by comparing them with those in Japan, a precedent of aged society. First, we compared and investigated the Japanese long-term insurance system, which provides an institutional basis for a long-term care system for the elderly in Korea. Second, the elderly welfare law and care system, focusing on oral care, were examined. Lastly, in elderly care, we analyzed the distinctions between Korea and Japan regarding dental hygienists' role and scope of work. Taken together, as a precedent of aged society, Japan has shown well-specialized and systematic welfare for the elderly compared with Korea. With the development of the welfare system for the elderly in Japan, the role and the workscope of dental hygienists have been expanded to improve quality of life of elderly people, as a key professional for elderly oral care. Therefore, we should perceive the need for improvement of long-term care insurance and the expansion of dental hygienists' work in Korea. In conclusion, these results could be used as basic data for improving the elderly welfare system and developing dental hygienists in Korea.
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Aged , Humans , Asian People , Dental Hygienists , Insurance , Insurance, Long-Term Care , Japan , Jurisprudence , Korea , Long-Term Care , Mouth , Oral Health , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV), a novel bunyavirus. As yet, there is no effective antiviral therapy for SFTS. Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent, which has been tried for treatment of SFTS. In this study, antiviral activity of ribavirin against SFTSV has been investigated. METHODS: Vero cell-grown SFTSV strain Gangwon/Korea/2012 was treated with ribavirin at various concentrations. Antiviral activity of ribavirin was evaluated by inhibition of the SFTSV cytopathic effect in Vero cells and quantification of viral RNA load in culture supernatant using one-step real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cytotoxicity of ribavirin was determined by a tetrazolium-based colorimetric method. RESULTS: Ribavirin reduced SFTSV titers in a dose-dependent manner, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration ranged from 3.69 to 8.72 μg/mL. Cytopathic effects were reduced as ribavirin concentration increased. No significant cytotoxicity was detected at ribavirin concentrations of ≤ 31.3 μg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: Ribavirin exhibited inhibitory activity against SFTSV replication in vitro, which suggests that ribavirin can be used as a potential antiviral agent for SFTS.
Subject(s)
Antiviral Agents , Bunyaviridae Infections , Communicable Diseases, Emerging , Fever , In Vitro Techniques , Methods , Orthobunyavirus , Phlebovirus , Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reverse Transcription , Ribavirin , RNA, Viral , Thrombocytopenia , Vero CellsABSTRACT
No abstract available.
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Humans , Histoplasmosis , Immunocompetence , Republic of KoreaABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate xenograft degradation velocity when treated with 4-hexylresorcinol (4HR). METHODS: The scapula of a cow was purchased from a local grocery, and discs (diameter 8 mm, thickness 1 mm) were prepared by trephine bur. Discs treated with 4HR were used as the experimental group. Untreated discs were used as the control. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), antibacterial test, endotoxin test, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed on the discs. In vivo degradation was evaluated by the rat calvarial defect model. RESULTS: The XRD and FT-IR results demonstrated successful incorporation of 4HR into the bovine bone. The experimental disc showed antibacterial properties. The endotoxin test yielded results below the level of endotoxin contamination. In the SEM exam, the surface of the experimental group showed needle-shaped crystal and spreading of RAW264.7 cells. In the animal experiments, the amount of residual graft was significantly smaller in the experimental group compared to the control group (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, 4HR was successfully incorporated into bovine bone, and 4HR-incorporated bovine bone had antibacterial properties. In vivo experiments demonstrated that 4HR-incorporated bovine bone showed more rapid degradation than untreated bovine bone.
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Animals , Rats , Animal Experimentation , Heterografts , Hexylresorcinol , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Scapula , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Transplants , X-Ray DiffractionABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare the treatment results of fracture fixations by using two minimal invasive techniques for patients with periprosthetic femoral fractures following total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 36 patients (5 males, 31 females) of periprosthetic femoral fractures whom were treated surgically between January 2005 and January 2011. Mean patient age was 68.9 years (range, 43 to 81 years) old and the follow-up period averaged 41 months (range, 18 to 72 months). Nineteen patients were treated with minimal invasive locking plate fixations (group I) and 17 patients with retrograde intramedullary nailing (group II). Clinical and radiological outcomes in each group were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: Successful bone unions occurred in all patients and the mean time to bone union was 3.7 months in group I and 4.2 months in group II. There were no statistical differences between the two groups according to mean operative time and mean intraoperative blood loss. There were also no statistical differences between two groups according to clinical outcomes but the valgus deformity was apparent in group II and radiological outcomes revealed significant differences between the two groups. CONCLUSION: For the treatment of periprosthetic femoral fractures after total knee arthroplasty, two minimal invasive techniques have shown good clinical results. However, the minimal invasive plate fixation showed better results in the radiological alignments.
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Humans , Male , Arthroplasty , Congenital Abnormalities , Femoral Fractures , Follow-Up Studies , Fracture Fixation , Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary , Knee , Operative Time , Periprosthetic FracturesABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the radiological and clinical results after treatment of intertrochanteric fractures of the femur by three devices including DLT, PFNA and Gamma 3 nail. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2007 to January 2012, we reviewed 131 patients who suffered intertrochanteric fractures(33 cases of DLT, 59 cases of PFNA, 39 cases of Gamma 3 nail). The following were measured for all three groups; The tip apex distance (TAD), neck shaft angle and lag screw position at the head of femur, as well as the amount of blood loss and transfusion, operation time, duration of hospitalization and postoperative ICU admission, complications were also assessed. RESULTS: In comparison of the radiological results, there were no statistical differences among the three groups in TAD, neck shaft angle and the lag screw position. There was no statistical difference in clinical results. In the last follow-up, there was one case of nonunion in the PFNA group. There also was, in the last follow up, a development of varus angulation & cut-out of lag screw that occurred in 2 cases (DLT), 4 cases (PFNA), 1 cases (Gamma 3). There was no statistical difference among the three groups in the sliding length of the lag screw. CONCLUSION: Any certain group was not better than the others with regard to the radiological and clinical results among DLT, PFNA and Gamma nail groups in treating intertrochanteric fracture. To achieve favorable results, precise reduction of fracture site and surgical techniques are important.
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Humans , Femur , Follow-Up Studies , Hip Fractures , HospitalizationABSTRACT
Metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma to the bones of the hands or feet are rare. They are usually a late manifestation of a disseminated tumor but may also be the primary manifestation of an occult cancer. Clinically, the metastasis may mimic benign tumors or non-neoplastic osteoarthritic conditions; thus, resulting in misdiagnosis and improper treatment. We report a case of acrometastasis to the right first metatarsal bone in a 70-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Diagnostic Errors , Foot , Hand , Hydrazines , Metatarsal Bones , Neoplasm MetastasisABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study examined therelationship between the clinical outcome and risk factors of intertrochanteric femoral fractures in patients over 65 years old. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to March 2012, three hundred and twenty one patients older than 65 years, who underwent surgeryfor intertrochanteric femoral fractures, were evaluated. The following parameters wereanalyzed: the patient risk factors, such as age, sex, smoking, drinking history, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease and delayed days to surgery; admission day of the week; anesthetic method; operation time by perioperative care related to clinical outcome including postoperative mortality; and complications. RESULTS: An analysis of the risk factors revealedfemale patients to have a 13% higher mortality (P=0.043). Aduration of surgerylonger than 3 hours was associated with a 29.1% and 20.8% higher mortality and complication rate, respectively (P<0.001, P=0.027). Asurgical delay of four days or more after admission wasassociated with a 20.1% and 18.8% higher mortality risk and complication rate, respectively (P<0.001, P<0.001). Smoking, drinking history, underlying disease, anesthetic method, and operation time had no significant effect on the outcome. CONCLUSION: In addition to recognizing the importance of patient-related risk factors, modifying the operative factors, such as reducing surgical delays and method of anesthesia, can reduce the mortality and postoperative complications of intertrochanteric femoral fractures.