• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1051-1062
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• 2019

Objectives: Chest pain presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges because of its various etiologies. Many patients have chest pain from unknown causes and persistent chest pain in spite of standard treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a Korean herbal medicine called Pyungjinsujeom-san (PSS) in relieving chest pain. Methods: We reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who visited the Korean Medical Clinic of Cardiology at Kyunghee University Hospital at Gangdong from January 2009 to July 2019, with the chief complaint of chest pain and who were treated with PSS. The mean severity of chest pain measured on the Numerical Rating Scale was compared before and after the administration of PSS. Results: The mean severity of chest pain of 20 patients decreased significantly from 6.80±1.61 to 1.35±0.9 after taking PSS (p<0.001). Most patients had symptoms of phlegm and food retention, including indigestion, postprandial fullness, and epigastric pain.Conclusions: These results suggest that PSS may be effective in relieving chest pain from various causes, particularly in patients with symptoms of phlegm and food retention.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.176-183
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• 2018

Purpose: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity and remains a major cause of hospitalization. Following the Syrian refugee crisis and insufficient clean water in the region, this study reviews the etiological and epidemiological data in Lebanon. Methods: We prospectively analyzed demographic, clinical and routine laboratory data of 198 children from the age of 1 month to 10 years old who were admitted with the diagnosis of AGE to a private tertiary care hospital located in the district of Nabatieh in south Lebanon. Results: Males had a higher incidence of AGE (57.1%). Pathogens were detected in 57.6% (n=114) of admitted patients, among them single pathogens were found in 51.0% (n=101) of cases that consisted of: Entamoeba histolytica 26.3% (n=52), rotavirus 18.7% (n=37), adenovirus 6.1% (n=12) and mixed co-pathogens found in 6.6% (n=13). Breast-fed children were significantly less prone to rotavirus (p=0.041). Moreover, children who had received the rotavirus vaccine were significantly less prone to rotavirus (p=0.032). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the high prevalence of E. histolytica infection as the major cause of pediatric gastroenteritis in hospitalized children, during the summer period likely reflecting the insanitary water supplies and lack of hygiene. Moreover the 42.4% of unidentified causative pathogens should prompt us to widen our diagnostic laboratory arsenal by adopting new diagnostic technologies.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.4
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• pp.319-323
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• 2009

The primary cause of hemoptysis is the bronchial artery. However, it should be noted that pulmonary artery and other vessels can cause hemoptysis. If the source of the bleeding is not determined after embolization, other evaluations are needed. Systemic-pulmonary anastomosis and pulmonary artery pseudo-aneurysm are rare vascular abnormalities with varying etiologies. An accurate and rapid diagnosis is needed in hemoptysis, since the cause may be life-threatening. We report a case of a 77-years-old man with persistent hemoptysis due to the right inferior phrenic artery - pulmonary artery anastomosis and pseudoaneurysm. After the embolization of the inferior phrenic artery, the hemoptysis was successfully treated.

• The Journal of Korea Assosiation for Disability and Oral Health
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.28-32
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• 2017

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a type of childhood epilepsy, and this syndrome can compromise dental treatment. LGS represents variable etiologies, multiple types of intractable seizures, and cognitive impairment in most patients. A 7-year-4-month old girl with LGS was referred to our hospital for dental treatment under general anesthesia. Clinically, the patient presented with multiple dental caries. The patient had been prescribed a ketogenic diet for the management of repetitive seizures. In addition, she experienced severe types of hypoxia during medical examination using chloral hydrate. Therefore, dental treatment was performed under general anesthesia. LGS patients have a high risk of seizure during dental treatment and can induce a lot of complications. Dental treatment under general anesthesia for LGS patients can be carried out careful preoperative evaluation and in cooperation with medical care.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3587-3592
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• 2014

Burden of cancer is progressively increasing in developing countries like India which has also led to a steep rise in toxicity due to anti-cancer therapy. A cross-sectional analysis was here conducted for patients with different malignancies (except leukaemia) who while undergoing radical anti-cancer therapy were admitted to our oncology ward from January-July 2013. In a total of 280 patients, the total number of toxicity events was 473. Nine patients expired over this time period. Among the events, grade 2 anaemia the most common (n=189) while the most common grades of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were grade 4 (n=114) and grade 2 (n=48), respectively. Among the tracable microbial etiologies, gram negative bacteria were the most commonly found pathogens. Treatment interruptions took place in 240 patients (median duration=8.8 days). Prolonged hospital admission, intensive care and artificial ventilation support was needed to be given in 48, 7 and 13 patients respectively. Advanced NSCLC, KPS <70, pancytopenia and artificial ventilation requirement were found to have a significant impact on death. Such studies show the prevailing practice from institutes of our country and may guide us formulating a guideline for managing such toxicities for this part of the world.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2000

Symphysis pubis Reparation is an uncommon but not rare complication of delivery. Characteristic symptoms of symphyseal separation include suprapubic pain and tenderness which radiale to the back or legs, difficult ambulation, and bladder dysfunction. Clinical history, presenting symptoms, and response to therapy are sufficient to make the diagnosis, although radiographic documentation of symphyseal separation by x-ray or ultrasound are frequently used to confirm the diagnosis. The underlying etiology of symptomatic symphyseal separation has not been fully elucidated. Associations with macrosomia, pathological joint loosening. and increased force placed on the pelvic ring have been suggested as possible etiologies. Conservative therapy, including bed rest, pelvic binders, ambulation devices, and mild analgesics usually result in complete recovery within 4-16 weeks. Our experience of three cases of peripartum symphysis pubis separation delivered from 1998 to 1999 were reviewed with related articles.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.242-246
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• 2017

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) due to an embolism is associated with high mortality rate and poor prognosis, and early diagnosis with prompt revascularization is required to reduce the risk of limb amputation or even death. The etiologies of ALI are diverse, and it includes an embolism from the heart and thrombotic occlusion of the atherosclerotic native vessels, stents, or grafts. An uncommon cause of ALI is acute arterial thromboembolism, and atrial fibrillation (AF) is the single most important risk factors for systemic thromboembolism. It is important to correctly identify the source of ALI for secondary prevention, as it depends on the underlying cause. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for focal atherosclerotic and thrombotic occlusive diseases of the aorta and its major extremity branches. Herein, we report on a 77-year-old female patient with acute upper limb ischemia, treated by PTA using a catheter-guided thrombectomy. He was newly diagnosed with paroxysmal AF (PAF) while evaluation the cause of his acute arterial thromboembolism. We recommend that cardiologists always consider PAF as a possible diagnosis even in patients without any history of AF under ALI because it is possible to develop thromboembolism in clinical practice.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.84-88
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• 2009

Purpose: Compression of the ulnar nerve in the ulnar tunnel is a relatively uncommon condition. Many authors have described several etiologies of ulnar nerve compression. We experienced two cases of ulnar nerve compression in the ulnar tunnel due to an anomalous pulsatile S - shaped ulnar artery. Methods: Case 1: A 51 - year - old man was referred with numbness and paroxysmal tingling sensation along the volar side of the ring and little fingers of his right hand for 6 months. When exploration, the ulnar artery was pulsatile S - shaped and was impinging on the ulnar nerve. To decompress the ulnar nerve, the tortuous ulnar artery was mobilized and translocated radially onto the adjacent fibrous tissue. Case 2: A 41 - year - old man was referred with tingling sensation on the 4 th, 5 th finger of the right hand for 4 months. Sensory nerve conduction velocities of the ulnar nerve was delayed. Preoperative 3D angio CT scan showed an anomalous S - shaped ulnar artery. Same operation was done. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful. After decompression, paroxysmal tingling sensation decreased to less than 1 minute per episode, occurring 1 - 2 times a day. After 4 months, they had no more episodes of numbness and tingling sensation. Examination demonstrated good sensation to pinprick and touch on the ulnar aspect of the hand. Conclusion: We report two cases of ulnar nerve compressive neuropathy that was caused by an anomalous pulsatile S - shaped ulnar artery in the ulnar tunnel. Although this is an unusual cause of ulnar nerve compression, the symptoms will not spontaneously resolve. The prompt relief of compressive neuropathic symptoms following the translocation of the impinging ulnar artery from the affected ulnar nerve onto adjacent tissue proved that the ulnar nerve compression is due to the anomalous vessel.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.539-547
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• 2020

Purpose: Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a serious condition; however, data on PALF in developing countries are sparse, particularly concerning molecular diagnosis and liver transplantation (LT). This study aimed to determine the causes, outcomes, and prognostic factors of PALF. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of children (age <15 years) with PALF diagnosed using the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases criteria at our center from 2011 to 2016. The collected data included laboratory results, complications, outcomes, and potential factors associated with death and LT. Results: We included a total of 27 patients, with a median age of 2 years (interquartile range, 3 months to 4 years). Viral infection was the most common etiology (n=8, 30%), predominantly dengue infection (n=4). A total of 16 patients (59%) died and 11 patients survived (3 patients with LT). The prognostic factors associated with death or LT requirement were grade IV hepatic encephalopathy (p<0.01), hypotension (p=0.02), gastrointestinal bleeding (p=0.03), increased intracranial pressure (p=0.04), and higher peak serum lactate level (p=0.01). Peak serum lactate ≥6 mmoL/L had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 88% for predicting mortality or the necessity of LT. Conclusion: Viral infection was the most common cause of PALF. The mortality rate remained high, and a considerable number of patients required LT. In addition to several clinical factors, peak serum lactate could be a potential marker for predicting poor outcomes in PALF.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1002-1007
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• 1994

The spontaneous pneumothorax occurs subsequent to a disruption in the continuity of the visceral pleura with escape of free air into the pleural space included primary & secondary pneumothorax that is unrelated to identifiable etiologies such as trauma. In. the 33 year period 1960 to 1993, the 230 cases of open thoracotomy were carried out for definitive treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax, at the Dept. of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. There were 193 men & 37 women. They ranged in age from 15 years old to 72 years old. The lesion site was on the right side in 117 and on the left in 97, the 16 cases were in bilateral lesions.Surgical indications included recurrence in 98 cases, persistent air leak in 68 cases, nonexpansion of the lung 37 cases, roentgenologically apparent bullae & blebs in 23 cases, bilateral lesions in 16 cases,combined hemothorax & prevent for recurrence in each 2 cases. The types of operation were bullectomy in 207 cases, wedge resection in 13 cases, decortication & B.P.F. closure in 6 cases,lobectomy in 2 cases, pneumonectomy, plication in each I case. The post operative complication developed in 18 cases[7.8 %], there was I case of death due to sepsis. We believed that open thoracotomy with resection or obliteration of blebs & pleurodes is provided the best protection against recurrence.