Oculopharyngeal Palsy in Patients with Coexistence of Anti-GQ1b and GT1a Antibodies

The presence of antiganglioside antibodies is closely associated with the clinical characteristics of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), as evidenced by the presence of anti-GQ1b antibody in Miller-Fisher syndrome and anti-GT1a antibody in a pharyngeal-cervical-brachial variant of GBS. We report herein three patients harboring both anti-GT1a and anti-GQ1b antibodies who all exhibited oculopharyngeal palsy and additional features of ataxia, facial palsy, internal ophthalmoplegia, and visual disturbance. The findings of this study suggest that oculopharyngeal palsy is a common clinical manifestation determined by the coexistence of anti-GQ1b and GT1a antibodies.

A survey of body shape perception and weight control of adolescent girls in three areas of Korea / 소아과

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate body shape perception, weight control behaviors and eating habits of adolescent girls in urban, suburban and rural areas of Korea to obtain basis for establishing adequate weight control program for adolescent. METHODS: From May 2002 to November 2002, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted to examine body shape perception, weight control behaviors, eating habits and health status of 2,891 adolescent girls and 891 boys in Seoul, Ansan and Paju. RESULTS: The proportion of underweight adolescent girl was decreased in rural area than in urban area. 46.3% of girls considered themselves to be somehow or very obese. Notably 3.2% of underweight girls considered themselves obese. 57.9% were unsatisfied with their own body shape. The proportion of dissatisfaction increased with age and body mass index (BMI), but there were no differences among area. The experiences of weight control increased by age, BMI and dissatisfaction of own body shape. The eating attitudes test-26 (EAT-26) score of girls was significantly higher than that of boys. The girls with high risk of eating disorder were 10.9%. And risk factors of eating disorder were living in urban area, severe stress for weight control excessive expenditure for appearance and think themselves unhealthy. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study demonstrate that there were serious impairment of body shape perception of adolescent girls and unhealthy, inadequate weight control behaviors were widely done. Therefore adequate weight control program for adolescent girl should be established promptly.

A Comparative Study of the Subjective Symptoms of Bioabsorbable and Metallic Osteofixation System in Zygomatic Bone Fracture

The surgical treatment of craniofacial disorders, using metallic internal osteofixation system has inspired an evolution with advanced operative technique and fixation devices over past two decades. As any other surgical procedures, this procedure also associates problems such as infection, palpability, loosening, and restrict craniofacial skeleton growth, which lead to undue secondary operations for removal. These problems are improved by using bioabsorbable osteofixation system. We compared the patient's subjective symptoms using bioaborbable system versus metallic osteofixation system in zygomatic bone fracture. we should take the individual steps (postoperative 2 weeks, and 1 year) in treating fractured zygoma. From August, 2001 to August, 2003, we used bioabsorbable osteofixation system in 28 patients in zygomatic fracture (Biosorb(TM) FX(R)) and compared 23 patients who were treated with metallic osteofixation system. There was no significant difference in the both groups in subjective symptoms and postoperative result.

Risk Factors for the First-Year Relapse in Children with Nephrotic Syndrome

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate risk factors of the first year relapse in children with nephrotic syndrome(NS) without the need for biopsy. METHODS: We reviewed, retrospectively, 78 children diagnosed with steroid responsive nephrotic syndrome between July 1997 and June 2002. Median years to follow up were 4.4 years(range: 1-5 years). We divided the patients into two groups(group I: primary responders with no relapse or with only two relapses in the first year after initial response; group II: initial steroid responders with three or more relapses within the first year). We retrospectively reviewed and compared variables - sex, onset age, serum albumin, serum cholesterol, 24 hours urinary protein, creatinine clearance(Ccr), presence of hematuria and hypertension(HTN), and days from initial attack to remission. RESULTS: Of 78 patients(male: 61(78.2%), female: 17(21.8%), age range 1.1 years to 14 years, median 5.1+/-3.0 years), 47(60.3%) were in group I and 31(39.7%) were in group II. There were no statistically significant differences in sex, serum albumin, serum cholesterol, 24 hours urinary protein, Ccr, presence of hematuria or HTN. The median age of onset showed no statistical difference between the two groups. However, if the patients are dividing into two groups according to the age of onset of three-years, patients theree yrs old or less fit into group II, as opposed to patients older than three yrs in age(63.2% vs. 32.2%, P<0.05). The days from initial attack to remission was longer in group II(12.9+/-0.5 vs. 16.2+/-1.1, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: We may conclude that the age of onset of three yrs old or less, and the longer time remission to initial steroid therapy, are risk factors of the first year relapse.

Alport Syndrome Associated with Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis in Brothers

Alport syndrome is the most common type of hereditary nephritis, and acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis(APSGN) is a common disease in children. We experienced the clinical and pathologic findings of Alport syndrome and APSGN in brothers of one family. Both patients presented with heavy gross hematuria and proteinuria. ASO titer was elevated in both cases, and the C3 level was reduced in one of the cases. In renal pathology, both showed characteristics of Alport syndrome as well as the glomerular changes of APSGN with hump-like subepithelial deposits by electron microscopy. These clinical observation indicated that the patients had APSGN superimposed on Alport syndrome, and that the episode of APSGN might exacerbate the clinical course of Alport syndrome.