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Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is an uncommon soft tissue tumor mimicking malignancy, which can be found in any part of the body. However, IMT involving the prostate is extremely rare. Previous reports on prostatic IMTs mainly focused on the pathological and immunohistochemical findings of the tumor and they lacked radiological findings. This report presents a case of prostatic IMT in a 60-year-old man who presented with voiding difficulty and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. On magnetic resonance imaging, a hypointense mass was observed on T2-weighted images with broad and extensive extracapsular extension, showing diffusion restriction, early well enhancement and delayed mild washout, which could mimic prostate cancer. On needle biopsy of the prostate mass, cancer cells were not detected; and a benign tumor was suspected with a normalized PSA level. Finally, prostatectomy was performed to rule out prostate cancer; and prostatic IMT was confirmed on histopathologic examination.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D SWE) in the assessment of liver stiffness (LS) and dispersion slope (DS) to evaluate hepatic fibrosis and the treatment response in patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). @*Methods@#Patients diagnosed with AIH who underwent 2D SWE between June 2014 and June 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were classified into four groups according to the histologic stage of fibrosis (F1-F4). The baseline characteristics, laboratory test results, histologic results, and 2D SWE results were analyzed. The diagnostic performance of LS measurements in hepatic fibrosis staging was investigated, and variables were compared before and after steroid treatment for AIH. @*Results@#In total, 69 patients were analyzed. The LS values differed according to the stage of liver fibrosis (P<0.001). The area under the curve for LS was 0.903, 0.815, and 0.854 for ≥F2, ≥F3, and F4, respectively. The diagnostic performance of LS measurements was significantly greater than that of serum biomarkers, except for fibrosis index-4 for F4 (P<0.05). Significant differences were observed in follow-up examinations in both the LS value and DS in patients who received steroid therapy (P=0.012 and P=0.011, respectively). @*Conclusion@#In conclusion, 2D SWE is a useful method for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in patients with AIH. In follow-up examinations, LS and DS can be used as reliable parameters to evaluate the treatment response of AIH.
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Testicular lymphoma is an uncommon testicular tumor that usually presents as a painless mass. It usually shows hypervascularity on color Doppler ultrasound (US) and a mild enhancement on enhanced CT or MRI. We present an unusual case of a testicular lymphoma mimicking a missed testicular torsion in a 67-year-old male patient with right scrotal swelling and intermittent pain for 2 months. Color Doppler US demonstrated the absence of vascularity in the enlarged right testis, and the initial diagnosis was a missed testicular torsion. CT demonstrated a poorly enhancing mass rather than a missed testicular torsion with enhanced small nodular foci at the periphery. The final pathological diagnosis was testicular lymphoma.
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Testicular lymphoma is an uncommon testicular tumor that usually presents as a painless mass. It usually shows hypervascularity on color Doppler ultrasound (US) and a mild enhancement on enhanced CT or MRI. We present an unusual case of a testicular lymphoma mimicking a missed testicular torsion in a 67-year-old male patient with right scrotal swelling and intermittent pain for 2 months. Color Doppler US demonstrated the absence of vascularity in the enlarged right testis, and the initial diagnosis was a missed testicular torsion. CT demonstrated a poorly enhancing mass rather than a missed testicular torsion with enhanced small nodular foci at the periphery. The final pathological diagnosis was testicular lymphoma.
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Amyloidosis is an all-inclusive disease of deposition of amyloid proteins in the extracellular spaces, which in localized or systemic form cause tissue damage and dysfunction. Herein, we report a case of small bowel involvement of systemic amyloidosis presenting with multiple polypoid wall thickening mimicking small bowel polyposis syndrome in an age 75 male. Interestingly, polypoid wall thickening and amyloidoma showed hypointensity on T2-weighted images. To our knowledge, there has been no literature describing MRI findings of poylpoid wall thickening and amyloidoma. Although the underlying mechanisms are unclear and need validation, hypointensity on T2-weighted images could be valuable in diagnosing small bowel involvement of amyloidosis in patients presenting with poylpoid wall thickening and amyloidoma.
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In the 21st-century postmodernism era, which represents diversity and relativity, one of the most essential elements in the field of education is to strengthen individual human values. Accordingly, we must focus on developing capacity in order to adapt to change. It is clear that the medical field maximizes the need for new judgments to solve life-related problems constantly, and this problem-solving capacity is an essential skill for a physician. Problem-solving capacity can be achieved simultaneously with creativity to apply them in an appropriate manner based on standardized expertise and well-trained skills. Creativity is also a key element that medical education is currently pursuing. Many studies on creativity have resulted in confusion and misunderstandings on the concept of creativity due to similar terms and varied definitions, such as creation, innovation, etc. In this study, we attempt to identify the importance of creativity in medical education by comparing and organizing concepts related to creative capacity.
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Objective@#: The method of approach during transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) has been the subject of repeated study. However, the ideal entry point during TELD has not been studied in detail. Therefore, this study investigated the ideal entry point for avoiding complications using computed tomography (CT) scans obtained from patients in the prone position. @*Methods@#: Using CT scans obtained from patients in the prone position, we checked for retroperitoneal or visceral violations and measured the angles of approach with five conventional approach lines drawn on axial CT scans at each disc space level (L2–3, L3–4, and L4–5). We also determined the ideal entry point distance and approach angles for avoiding retroperitoneal or visceral violations.Correlation analysis was performed to identify the patient characteristics related to the ideal entry point properties. @*Results@#: We found that the far lateral approach at the L2–3 level resulted in high rates of visceral violation. However, rates of visceral violation at the L3–4 and L4–5 levels were remarkably low or absent. The ideal angles of approach decreased moving caudally along the spine, and the ideal entry point distances increased moving caudally along the spine. Weight, body mass index (BMI), and the depth of the posterior vertebral line from the skin were positively associated with the distance of the ideal entry point from the midline. @*Conclusion@#: We reviewed the risk of the extreme lateral approach by analyzing rates of retroperitoneal and visceral violations during well-known methods of approach. We suggested an ideal entry point at each level of the lumbar spine and found a positive correlation between the distance of the entry point to the midline and patient characteristics such as BMI, weight, and the depth of the posterior vertebral line from the skin.
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Objective@#High-quality intensive care, including targeted temperature management (TTM) for patients with postcardiac arrest syndrome, is a key element for improving outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aimed to assess the status of postcardiac arrest syndrome care, including TTM and 6-month survival with neurologically favorable outcomes, after adult OHCA patients were treated with TTM, using data from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry. @*Methods@#We used the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry, a web-based multicenter registry that includes data from 22 participating hospitals throughout the Republic of Korea. Adult comatose OHCA survivors treated with TTM between October 2015 and December 2018 were included. The primary outcome was neurological outcome at 6 months. @*Results@#Of the 1,354 registered OHCA survivors treated with TTM, 550 (40.6%) survived 6 months, and 413 (30.5%) had good neurological outcomes. We identified 839 (62.0%) patients with preClinsumed cardiac etiology. A total of 937 (69.2%) collapses were witnessed, shockable rhythms were demonstrated in 482 (35.6%) patients, and 421 (31.1%) patients arrived at the emergency department with prehospital return of spontaneous circulation. The most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours. @*Conclusion@#The survival and good neurologic outcome rates of this prospective registry show great improvements compared with those of an earlier registry. While the optimal target temperature and duration are still unknown, the most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours.
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Objective@#High-quality intensive care, including targeted temperature management (TTM) for patients with postcardiac arrest syndrome, is a key element for improving outcomes after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We aimed to assess the status of postcardiac arrest syndrome care, including TTM and 6-month survival with neurologically favorable outcomes, after adult OHCA patients were treated with TTM, using data from the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry. @*Methods@#We used the Korean Hypothermia Network prospective registry, a web-based multicenter registry that includes data from 22 participating hospitals throughout the Republic of Korea. Adult comatose OHCA survivors treated with TTM between October 2015 and December 2018 were included. The primary outcome was neurological outcome at 6 months. @*Results@#Of the 1,354 registered OHCA survivors treated with TTM, 550 (40.6%) survived 6 months, and 413 (30.5%) had good neurological outcomes. We identified 839 (62.0%) patients with preClinsumed cardiac etiology. A total of 937 (69.2%) collapses were witnessed, shockable rhythms were demonstrated in 482 (35.6%) patients, and 421 (31.1%) patients arrived at the emergency department with prehospital return of spontaneous circulation. The most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours. @*Conclusion@#The survival and good neurologic outcome rates of this prospective registry show great improvements compared with those of an earlier registry. While the optimal target temperature and duration are still unknown, the most common target temperature was 33°C, and the most common target duration was 24 hours.
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Paraganglioma is a neuroendocrine tumor that grows in organs other than the adrenal gland and typically originates in the chromaffin cells, which are distributed along the regions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the nervous system in the entire body. Abdominal paraganglioma mainly arises in the retroperitoneum, which lines the sympathetic nerve branches; it rarely arises in other anatomical structures. In only a few cases reported in the literature, paraganglioma originated from the stomach. According to the current and previous case reports, gastric paraganglioma seems to be a hypervascular tumor growing around the stomach; it can be easily contrast-enhanced and may be accompanied by distant metastases.
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Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare and aggressive malignancy common in young male patient. Typical imaging features of DSRCT include multiple soft tissue masses in the peritoneal cavity, omentum, or mesentery without an organ of origin. This report presents a rare manifestation of DSRCT revealing a solitary large retroperitoneal mass with hepatic metastasis and malignant portal vein thrombosis in 70-year-old women together with the review of literature. The tumor showed a hemorrhagic and necrotic mass with peripheral portion of T2 hypo-intensity and delayed enhancement that indicated desmoplastic stroma with dense cellularity.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Mesentery , Neoplasm Metastasis , Omentum , Peritoneal Cavity , Portal Vein , Venous ThrombosisABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Patients suspected as having acute ischemic stroke usually undergo blood tests, including coagulation-related indexes, because thrombocytopenia and coagulopathy are contraindications for recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) administration. We aimed to identify blood test indexes associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous rtPA.METHODS: This retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke who were treated with intravenous rtPA at the emergency department of a tertiary hospital in Seoul between February 2008 and January 2018. Blood test indexes were compared between the sICH and non-sICH groups. Logistic regression and receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were performed.RESULTS: In this study, 375 patients were finally included. Of 375 patients, 42 (11.2%) showed new intracranial hemorrhage on follow-up brain computed tomography, of whom 14 (3.73%) had sICH. Platelet count, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly different between the sICH and non-sICH groups, and platelet count showed statistical significance in the regression analysis. Significantly lower platelet counts were observed in the sICH group than in the non-sICH group (174,500 vs. 228,000/mm³, P=0.020). The best cutoff platelet count was 195,000/mm³, and patients with platelet counts of < 195,000/mm³ had a 5.4- times higher risk of developing sICH than those with platelet counts of ≥195,000/mm³.CONCLUSION: Platelet count was the only independent parameter associated with sICH among the blood test indexes. Mild thrombocytopenia may increase the risk of sICH after intravenous administration of rtPA.
Subject(s)
Humans , Administration, Intravenous , Aspartate Aminotransferases , Brain , Cerebral Infarction , Emergency Service, Hospital , Follow-Up Studies , Hematologic Tests , Intracranial Hemorrhages , L-Lactate Dehydrogenase , Logistic Models , Observational Study , Platelet Count , Retrospective Studies , Seoul , Stroke , Tertiary Care Centers , Thrombocytopenia , Thrombolytic Therapy , Tissue Plasminogen ActivatorABSTRACT
Producing graduates with sufficient practical competency is the main mission of every educational institution. Following the accreditation of the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation, medical schools have been stepping up efforts to establish curriculum that reflects the practical value of medical education and the importance of adapting to the practice of graduates in order to increase the accountability of medical education in Korea each year. To this end, all medical schools have recently made efforts to develop diverse policies to strengthen the social accountability of medical education along with the transition to a competency-based curriculum. In line with this trend, the institutional accountability of medical education as well as the personal accountability of students, the main subjects of learning, should be highlighted, and educational activities to foster accountability need to be specified. Personal accountability in medical students involves recognizing their social accountability as future doctors and understanding and practicing student accountability. To achieve this, medical schools should provide programs that support and teach practical application of skills, and students need to define and attempt specific activities to strengthen their accountability.
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Intraneural hemangioma of the median nerve is extremely rare. Only a few cases have been reported in literature. The researchers present ultrasound (US) and MRI findings of a case of 38-year-old-man with intraneural capillary hemangioma of the median nerve. The patient had a small, palpable mass in the volar aspect of the wrist and symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. US showed an infiltrative intraneural mass, without significant blood flow despite a compression test. The researchers initially misdiagnosed this mass as an in-continuity neuroma. The mass showed heterogeneous, but predominantly high signal intensity on T2-weighted image, as well as heterogeneous enhancement. The MRI findings were helpful for correct diagnosis on the retrospective review.
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BACKGROUND@#Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a one of the most common cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality in neonates. This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for RDS in full-term neonates.@*METHODS@#We conducted this retrospective study using medical records. The study group included 80 full-term neonates diagnosed with RDS and hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit between January 2012 and December 2016, at Yeungnam University Hospital. We analyzed sex, gestational age, birth weight, delivery method, maternal age, number of pregnancy, history of abortion, and complication of pregnancy. The control group included 116 full-time neonates who were hospitalized with jaundice during the same period.@*RESULTS@#The incidence of full-term RDS was more common in males (odds ratio [OR], 3.288; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.446–7.479), cesarean section (OR, 15.03; 95% CI, 6.381–35.423), multiparity (OR, 4.216; 95% CI, 1.568–11.335). The other factors rendered no significant results.@*CONCLUSION@#The risk factors for RDS in full-tern neonates were identified as male sex, cesarean section, and multiparity. Further studies involving more institutions are needed to clarify the risk factors for RDS in fullterm infants.
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BACKGROUND: Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a one of the most common cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality in neonates. This study was conducted to investigate the risk factors for RDS in full-term neonates.METHODS: We conducted this retrospective study using medical records. The study group included 80 full-term neonates diagnosed with RDS and hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit between January 2012 and December 2016, at Yeungnam University Hospital. We analyzed sex, gestational age, birth weight, delivery method, maternal age, number of pregnancy, history of abortion, and complication of pregnancy. The control group included 116 full-time neonates who were hospitalized with jaundice during the same period.RESULTS: The incidence of full-term RDS was more common in males (odds ratio [OR], 3.288; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.446–7.479), cesarean section (OR, 15.03; 95% CI, 6.381–35.423), multiparity (OR, 4.216; 95% CI, 1.568–11.335). The other factors rendered no significant results.CONCLUSION: The risk factors for RDS in full-tern neonates were identified as male sex, cesarean section, and multiparity. Further studies involving more institutions are needed to clarify the risk factors for RDS in fullterm infants.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Pregnancy , Birth Weight , Cesarean Section , Gestational Age , Incidence , Intensive Care, Neonatal , Jaundice , Maternal Age , Medical Records , Methods , Mortality , Parity , Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn , Retrospective Studies , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study examined the association between smoking and delayed neuropsychological sequelae (DNS) in acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. METHODS: Patients admitted to the medical center emergency department from March 2016 to March 2017 because of CO poisoning were examined retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups: DNS and Non-DNS group. Multiple factors were analyzed to explain DNS, which was assessed by motor disturbances, cognitive impairment, dysphagia, Parkinson-like syndromes, epilepsy, and emotional lability in CO poisoning. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were included. The factors related to DNS were smoking (pack-years) (p=0.002) and initial carbon monoxide-hemoglobin level (p=0.015). On the other hand, after multivariate logistic regression analysis, smoking (Odds ratio 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13; p=0.004) was the only factor associated with DNS. CONCLUSION: Smoking is a very reliable factor for predicting the occurrence of DNS. A history of smoking in patients who suffer from CO intoxication is important. If a patient smokes, treatment should be started actively and as soon as possible.
Subject(s)
Humans , Carbon Monoxide Poisoning , Carbon Monoxide , Carbon , Cognition Disorders , Deglutition Disorders , Emergency Service, Hospital , Epilepsy , Hand , Logistic Models , Poisoning , Retrospective Studies , Smoke , SmokingABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Physical or mental imbalance caused by harmful stimuli can induce stress to maintain homeostasis. During chronic stress, the sympathetic nervous system is hyperactivated, causing physical, psychological, and behavioral abnormalities. At present, there is no accepted standard for stress evaluation. This review aimed to survey studies providing a rationale for selecting heart rate variability (HRV) as a psychological stress indicator. METHODS: Term searches in the Web of Science®, National Library of Medicine (PubMed), and Google Scholar databases yielded 37 publications meeting our criteria. The inclusion criteria were involvement of human participants, HRV as an objective psychological stress measure, and measured HRV reactivity. RESULTS: In most studies, HRV variables changed in response to stress induced by various methods. The most frequently reported factor associated with variation in HRV variables was low parasympathetic activity, which is characterized by a decrease in the high-frequency band and an increase in the low-frequency band. Neuroimaging studies suggested that HRV may be linked to cortical regions (e.g., the ventromedial prefrontal cortex) that are involved in stressful situation appraisal. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the current neurobiological evidence suggests that HRV is impacted by stress and supports its use for the objective assessment of psychological health and stress.