ABSTRACT
Background@#Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adults is problematic due to its heterogeneous pathogenesis and diverse clinical symptoms. Although various diagnostic tools for AD have been proposed, most focused on pediatric AD. @*Objective@#This study aimed to determine whether the Reliable Estimation of Atopic Dermatitis in Childhood (REACH), a previously reported questionnaire-based diagnostic tool for pediatric AD, may be applicable to adult patients with AD, and to propose a new diagnostic tool for adult AD based on the REACH methodology. @*Methods@#We administered the REACH questionnaire to adult patients with clinically confirmed AD and a control group consisting of patients with other systemic skin diseases that required clinical differentiation from AD. Based on the results of the REACH survey, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV, respectively) of the REACH criteria as compared with clinically confirmed AD were analyzed. @*Results@#A total of 141 adult patients participated in the survey: 91 patients with AD and 50 controls. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of REACH were 92.3%, 46.0%, 78.5%, and 79.4%, respectively. Also, unlike children, adult patients with AD showed a high rate of localized eczema. @*Conclusion@#The accuracy statistics of the REACH methodology for diagnosing adult AD showed significant agreement with clinical diagnosis. We propose the more inclusive Reliable Estimation of Atopic Dermatitis (READ) as a diagnostic tool for detecting AD in both children and adults. Adult AD can present with atypical clinical features, and READ has the potential to assist in diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of death and disability in children. Understanding the epidemiologic characteristics of TBI in children is the first step for developing preventative strategies, optimizing care systems, and rehabilitating the injury. @*Methods@#This is a cross-sessional study based on the Emergency Department-based Injury In-depth Surveillance (EDIIS) in Korea. We identified children (aged 0 to 18 years) who presented with TBI in emergency departments between January 2011 and December 2018. Subjects were classified into four groups according to age and development: infant and toddler group (0-2 years), pre-school group (3-5 years), school-aged group (6-11 years), and adolescent group (12-18 years). Epidemiologic characteristics and outcomes were compared according to age groups, and temporal variability in incidence was evaluated. @*Results@#During the 8-year study period, 45,734 children with TBI were included in the analysis. A higher incidence of TBI was observed in males, road accidents, and school/educational facilities as compared to the lesser-aged group (all P<0.01). Motor vehicle collisions were more common in the older group, but falls were more common in the younger group. Compared to the infant/toddler group, the adolescent group had higher intracranial injuries (8.1% vs. 16.8%; adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-2.0) and mortality rate (0.2% vs. 1.3%; AOR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3.0). @*Conclusion@#The epidemiological characteristics of TBI in children are different for each group. It is necessary to develop differentiated preventative strategies and treatment systems based on the age groups of children.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Pigmented contact dermatitis (PCD) is a non-eczematous contact dermatitis characterized by hyperpigmentation with few or no signs of dermatitis. The pathomechanism of PCD is still unknown; there are few case reports of PCD caused by hair dye, henna, and cosmetics. @*Objective@#This study aimed to analyze the clinical features and the significance of risk factors in adult Korean patients with PCD. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed 75 patients with PCD. Clinical features including age, sex, duration, location, and risk factors were obtained from electronic medical records. To determine the significance of the risk factors of PCD, we compared these patients with 155 patients diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) without hyperpigmentation. @*Results@#The mean age of onset of PCD in patients was 55.5 years, and the male:female ratio was 1:14. The mean duration of PCD was 16.3 months. The number of patients with PCD who had histories of hair dye use (n=67, 89.3%) and health supplement consumption (n=18, 24.0%) was significantly higher than that of patients with ACD. There were no significant differences in medication, cosmetic changes, stress history, results of patch test, patch testing with the patient’s own products, immunoglobulin E (kU/L), and eosinophils (cells/μL). @*Conclusion@#This study analyzed the clinical features and risk factors of PCD and ACD in adult Korean patients, and it suggests that PCD may be caused by irritation induced by variable factors and not allergic reactions.
ABSTRACT
Orbital emphysema with pneumocephalus is an unusual condition encountered in non-fracture craniofacial trauma. We report a case of orbital emphysema with disseminated pneumocephalus without any fracture, due to an orbital trauma caused by compressed air.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Pigmented contact dermatitis (PCD) is a non-eczematous contact dermatitis characterized by hyperpigmentation with few or no signs of dermatitis. The pathomechanism of PCD is still unknown; there are few case reports of PCD caused by hair dye, henna, and cosmetics. @*Objective@#This study aimed to analyze the clinical features and the significance of risk factors in adult Korean patients with PCD. @*Methods@#We retrospectively reviewed 75 patients with PCD. Clinical features including age, sex, duration, location, and risk factors were obtained from electronic medical records. To determine the significance of the risk factors of PCD, we compared these patients with 155 patients diagnosed with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) without hyperpigmentation. @*Results@#The mean age of onset of PCD in patients was 55.5 years, and the male:female ratio was 1:14. The mean duration of PCD was 16.3 months. The number of patients with PCD who had histories of hair dye use (n=67, 89.3%) and health supplement consumption (n=18, 24.0%) was significantly higher than that of patients with ACD. There were no significant differences in medication, cosmetic changes, stress history, results of patch test, patch testing with the patient’s own products, immunoglobulin E (kU/L), and eosinophils (cells/μL). @*Conclusion@#This study analyzed the clinical features and risk factors of PCD and ACD in adult Korean patients, and it suggests that PCD may be caused by irritation induced by variable factors and not allergic reactions.
ABSTRACT
Orbital emphysema with pneumocephalus is an unusual condition encountered in non-fracture craniofacial trauma. We report a case of orbital emphysema with disseminated pneumocephalus without any fracture, due to an orbital trauma caused by compressed air.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by chronic, relapsing skin inflammation (eczema) with itchy sensation. Keratinocytes, which are located at the outermost part of our body, are supposed to play important roles at the early phase of type 2 inflammation including AD pathogenesis. @*Objective@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether keratinocytes-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) could be produced by the allergens or non-allergens, and the keratinocytes-derived ROS could modulate a set of biomarkers for type 2 inflammation of the skin. @*Methods@#Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) were treated with an allergen of house dust mites (HDM) or a non-allergen of compound 48/80 (C48/80). Then, biomarkers for type 2 inflammation of the skin including those for neurogenic inflammation were checked by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and western immunoblot experiments. @*Results@#HDM or C48/80 was found to upregulate expression levels of our tested biomarkers, including type 2 T helper-driving pathway (KLK5, PAR2, and NF κ B), epithelial-cell-derived cytokines (thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin [IL]-25, IL-33), and neurogenic inflammation (NGF, CGRP). The HDMor C-48/80-induced expression levels of the biomarkers could be blocked by an antioxidant treatment with 5 mM N-acetyl-cysteine. In contrast, pro-oxidant treatment with 1 mM H2O2 could upregulate expression levels of the tested biomarkers in NHEKs. @*Conclusion@#Our results reveal that keratinocytes-derived ROS, irrespective to their origins from allergens or non-allergens, have a potential to induce type 2 inflammation of AD skin.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#This study was undertaken to establish a radiologic report monitoring system (RRMS) for missed and incidental findings (MIFs) in computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reports, to help determine the clinical significance of MIFs in the emergency department (ED). @*Methods@#Patients presenting to our ED in 2017 were subjected to RRMS. Preliminary reports and final reports were subsequently compared based on the clinical significance of the MIFs. If required, the patient was contacted and instructed to revisit the ED. @*Results@#Totally, 12,132 CT and MRI exams were performed during the study period, and 321 cases (2.6%) encompassed MIFs. We attempted to contact 228 cases (1.9%) who had clinically significant MIF findings; 9 patients were instructed to return to the ED, whereas 105 cases were instructed to report to the outpatient department. Hospitalization was required for 12 patients: 2 cases required surgical intervention, 2 cases had an additional procedure, and 8 cases required medical hospitalization. @*Conclusion@#This study applied RRMS for a timely assessment of MIFs, determine rearrangements required, and present an active response to the MIFs determined in the ED. To improve patient care and safety, we hereby propose monitoring MIFs using the RRMS or similar methods.
ABSTRACT
Thymoma-associated multiorgan autoimmunity (TAMA) is a rare paraneoplastic disease defined as thymomas with liver, intestine, or skin manifestations, resembling graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) histopathologically in the absence of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A 76-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with invasive thymoma presented for evaluation of erythematous scaly papules across the trunk and extremities. Histopathological findings revealed parakeratosis, many apoptotic cells in the epidermal layer, and perivascular and interface dermatitis with lymphocytic infiltration. These pathologic alterations were similar to those observed in GVHD. Interestingly, she had never undergone allogenic stem cell or solid-organ transplantation. Based on her medical history and the presence of GVHD-like skin symptoms, we suspected that the cutaneous lesions may have been related to aggravation of the thymoma. We report this rare and interesting case for educational purposes because such a case has never been reported in Korea before.
ABSTRACT
Neurofibromatosis type 2 is a rare autosomal dominant disease. Vestibular schwannoma, which causes hearing loss, tinnitus, and imbalance, is the hallmark of the disease and is often the first symptom of neurofibromatosis type 2. Interestingly, children with neurofibromatosis type 2 can present with skin and central nervous system tumors other than vestibular schwannoma. A 10-year-old boy visited our clinic with multiple skin tumors that had been present since he was 1-year-old. Initially, his features did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria of neurofibromatosis type 2, but brain tumors subsequently developed within 2 years. Here, we report a case of neurofibromatosis type 2, that initially presented with multiple cutaneous plexiform schwannomas.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Tinea capitis, a superficial dermatomycosis, is caused by a dermatophyte infection on the scalp and hair. Recently, the number of adult patients with tinea capitis have been increasing; therefore, the clinical and mycological features of tinea capitis may be different from those of previous reports. However, only a few studies on adult tinea capitis have been conducted in Korea. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical and mycological features of Korean adult patients with tinea capitis. @*Methods@#A retrospective review of 61 adult patients with tinea capitis was conducted. Clinical features including age, sex, clinical type, and treatment outcome were obtained from medical records and images. The mycological features, including the result of KOH smear and fungal culture, were also analyzed. @*Results@#The mean onset age was 61.3 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1:4.1. Two patients (3.3%) had a family history of developing the same symptoms, and 17 (27.9%) had a history of close contact with animals. The most predilection site was the vertex, followed by the frontal and parietal areas. Microsporum canis was cultured in 66.7% patients, and Trichophyton rubrum was cultured in 28.6% patients. The number of adult patients with tinea capitis has been increasing constantly. The proportion of patients infected by T. rubrum has been increasing since 2000. Of the 51 patients who received treatments, 42 showed improvements. No significant difference was observed between patients treated with terbinafine and itraconazole. @*Conclusion@#This is the large-scale study that analyzed the clinical and mycological features of Korean adult patients with tinea capitis.
ABSTRACT
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Osler–Weber–Rendu syndrome, is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder that results in vascular malformation in the skin, mucous membrane, and other internal organs, such as the gastrointestinal tract, lung, liver, and brain. A 49-year-old man presented with purpuric punctate, spider-like telangiectasia on the face, hands, and fingers. He had episodes of recurrent nasal bleeding. The family members of the patient had similar events of recurrent nasal bleeding and cutaneous telangiectasia. Abdominal computed tomography revealed multiple arteriovenous malformations and cysts in the liver. Gastroendoscopy and colonoscopy showed angiodysplasia of the fundus of the stomach and mucous membrane of the colon. Histopathologic examination revealed dilated vessels lined with flat endothelial cells in the dermis. We report herein the case of HTT because it is rare and significant for differential diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
Background@#Methotrexate (MTX) has been prescribed to suppress atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms and flares in moderate-to-severe cases. @*Objective@#The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of MTX as well as the suppressive activity of MTX to reduce flares in moderate-to-severe AD patients. @*Methods@#Patients with moderate-to-severe AD who were treated with MTX at the Chonnam National University Hospital were retrospectively studied. @*Results@#Total 102 patients (79 males, 23 females) with a median age of 22.0±10.3 years were studied. The median initial dose of MTX was 10.3±2.6 mg/week, and the MTX-weekly dose was increased by 2.5 to 5 mg at an interval of 2 to 4 weeks to a maximum dose of 17.5±2.7 mg/week. The median maintenance dose was 11.7±2.1 mg/week; the median duration of treatment with MTX was 34.0±38.8 weeks. The initial response was noted after 5.8±3.7 weeks.Of the 102 patients, 60.8% (62/102) showed successful treatment response and 39.2% (40/102) showed mild or no improvement. MTX therapy effectively suppressed the frequency of AD flares by more than 50% in 71.1% (32/45) of the patients who responded among the MTX responders group. The most common adverse events were transient liver abnormality (5.9%, 6/102) and gastrointestinal discomfort (3.9%, 4/102), but no serious adverse events occurred. @*Conclusion@#Our results reveal that MTX is a relatively safe drug to control moderate-to-severe AD with satisfactory therapeutic efficacy and inhibitory activity against AD flares.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#The Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) has been used to predict trauma patient mortality and to assess the quality of trauma care systems. The goal of this investigation was to develop a modified trauma-related injury severity score (termed the TRISS-D) for predicting disability in acute trauma patients. @*Methods@#We used data collected by emergency medical services and entered into the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention severe trauma database. The TRISS-D was based on age category (0–14, 15–54, ≥55 years), the Revised Trauma Score, and the Injury Severity Score. The outcome measures were severe disability and worsening disability. Worsening disability was defined as a lower Glasgow Outcome Scale score at hospital discharge than before the traumatic incident. Two types of cases were examined: those with penetrating or blunt injuries (group 1) and those with severe head injuries (group 2). We assessed the discriminatory power of the TRISS-D by calculating the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). @*Results@#The database comprised 14,791 patients; overall, 3,757 (25%) had severe disability and 6,018 (41%) had worsening disability. For severe disability, the AUROC (95% confidence interval) for the TRISS-D was 0.948 (0.944–0.952) in group 1 and 0.950 (0.946–0.954) in group 2. The corresponding values for worsening disability were 0.810 (0.803–0.817) and 0.816 (0.809–0.823), respectively. @*Conclusion@#The TRISS-D showed excellent discriminatory power for severe disability and very good discriminatory power for worsening disability.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#The Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) has been used to predict trauma patient mortality and to assess the quality of trauma care systems. The goal of this investigation was to develop a modified trauma-related injury severity score (termed the TRISS-D) for predicting disability in acute trauma patients. @*Methods@#We used data collected by emergency medical services and entered into the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention severe trauma database. The TRISS-D was based on age category (0–14, 15–54, ≥55 years), the Revised Trauma Score, and the Injury Severity Score. The outcome measures were severe disability and worsening disability. Worsening disability was defined as a lower Glasgow Outcome Scale score at hospital discharge than before the traumatic incident. Two types of cases were examined: those with penetrating or blunt injuries (group 1) and those with severe head injuries (group 2). We assessed the discriminatory power of the TRISS-D by calculating the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). @*Results@#The database comprised 14,791 patients; overall, 3,757 (25%) had severe disability and 6,018 (41%) had worsening disability. For severe disability, the AUROC (95% confidence interval) for the TRISS-D was 0.948 (0.944–0.952) in group 1 and 0.950 (0.946–0.954) in group 2. The corresponding values for worsening disability were 0.810 (0.803–0.817) and 0.816 (0.809–0.823), respectively. @*Conclusion@#The TRISS-D showed excellent discriminatory power for severe disability and very good discriminatory power for worsening disability.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to achieve expert consensus for the evaluation of Emergency medical system operation fund (EMSOF) support projects using the Delphi method in Korea. METHODS: The Delphi study was performed in June 2018. Experts who are members of the policy committee of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine (KSEM) participated in the study. Respondents were asked to express their level of agreement of appropriateness for the following 6 categories for 21 projects: project contents, amount of support, indicators, performance, overall evaluation, and need to maintain. With a possible score of 9 points, the project categories were classified into 3 groups, inappropriate, moderate and appropriate, based on the median score of the respondents' ratings in each question. RESULTS: Sixteen of the 18 policy committee members participated in the survey. Their average professional work years were 8.2 years. All 21 projects were evaluated as appropriate for content. Amount of support and indicators were evaluated as moderate. Only 5 out of the 21 projects were evaluated as having appropriate indicators. No projects were evaluated as ineffective. Comprehensive evaluation of the projects was evaluated as moderate, and no project was evaluated as inappropriate in fund support. CONCLUSION: Overall, the contents of the EMSOF assistance project were rated high; however, there was a disagreement on the amount of support and evaluation indicators for each project. The results of this study are expected to be used as basic data to improve the use of EMSOF.