• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.189-194
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• 2009

Objectives : Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is a rare cause of thoracic myelopathy. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the surgical outcome on the basis of preoperative clinical and radiological findings. Methods : Data obtained in 26 patients whot underwent posterior decompression for thoracic myelopathy, caused by thoracic OLF, were analyzed retrospectively. Patient age, duration of symptoms, OLF type, preoperative and postoperative neurological status using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scoring system, surgical outcome, and other factors were reviewed. We compared the various factors and postoperative prognosis. All patients had undergone decompressive laminectomy and excision of the OLF. Results : Using the JOA score, the functional improvement was excellent in 8 patients, good in 14, fair in 2, and unchanged in 2. A mean preoperative JOA score of 6.65 improved to 8.17 after an average of 27.3 months. According to our analysis, age, gender, duration of symptoms, the involved spinal level, coexisting spinal disorders, associated trauma, intramedullary signal change, and dural adhesions were not related to the surgical outcome. However, the preoperative JOA score and type of OLF were the most important predictors of the surgical outcome. Conclusion : Early diagnosis and sufficient surgical decompression could improve the functional prognosis for thoracic OLF. The postoperative results were found to be significantly associated with the preoperative severity of myelopathy and type of OLF.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.615-618
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• 2008

Purpose: Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare cutaneous ulcerative disease. First described in 1930, the condition is characterized by progressive ulceration with deeply undermined purple-red edge. The lower extremities are most commonly affected but other parts of the skin and mucous membranes may also be involved. Although medical treatments with topical wound therapy are commonly used, surgical intervention is still controversial. In this paper, we report an atypical case of pyoderma gangrenosum which was characterized by extensive soft tissue breakdown. Methods: A 27-year-old male patient was referred to our institution with a $7{\times}8cm$ sized deeply undermined ulceration with pus-like discharge and fever. Incision and drainage was performed at another clinic 3 days prior to admission to our institution. After a thorough physical examination and the MRI review, a diagnosis of necrotizing faciitis was made. Accordingly, fasciotomy and debridement was performed. However, the wound enlarged progressively and the patient remained highly febrile for 9 days after the treatment. Septic screening did not reveal any occult infection. After a secondary review of the case, the initial diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis was rejected and changed to pyoderma gangrenosum. With the use of dexamethasone intravenously, the wound improved dramatically and the fever was eliminated. Steroid mediation was tapered with duration of 1 month. The wound was stabilized and subsequently covered with split-thickness skin graft. Results: Split-thickness skin grafting with 1 : 1.5 mesh was successfully taken. Conclusion: Initial clinical features of pyoderma gangrenosum are very similar to that of necrotizing fasciitis. High fever and progressive ulceration with severe pain could invite earlier surgical approach. The advancing wound margins (the well defined violaceous, undermined border and necrotic ulcer base) and lack of isolation of pathogenic organism was used to make the correct diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum. We achieved a good result with proper medication and split-thickness skin graft.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.49-52
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• 2018

Purpose: Tularemia is an infection caused by Francisella tularensis. Its diagnosis and treatment may be difficult in many cases. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment modalities for pediatric tularemia patients who do not respond to medical treatment. Methods: A single-center, retrospective study was performed. A total of 19 children with oropharyngeal tularemia were included. Results: Before diagnosis, the duration of symptoms in patients was $32.15{\pm}17.8days$. The most common lymph node localization was the cervical chain. All patients received medical treatment (e.g., streptomycin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and doxycycline). Patients who had been given streptomycin, gentamicin, or doxycycline as initial therapy for 10-14 days showed no response to treatment, and recovery was only achieved after administration of oral ciprofloxacin. Response to treatment was delayed in 5 patients who had been given ciprofloxacin as initial therapy. Surgical incision and drainage were performed in 9 patients (47.5%) who were unresponsive to medical treatment and were experiencing abcess formation and suppuration. Five patients (26.3%) underwent total mass excision, and 2 patients (10.5%) underwent fine-needle aspiration to reach a conclusive differential diagnosis and inform treatment. Conclusion: The causes of treatment failure in tularemia include delay in effective treatment and the development of suppurating lymph nodes.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.79-84
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• 2007

Sphenoid sinus aspergillosis is notorious for its serious complications, such as permanent cranial nerve deficits and possible death. The most common associated symptoms are headache, followed by visual changes, and cranial nerve palsies. Because of an insidious onset, frequently resulting in missed and delayed diagnosis, sphenoid sinus aspergillosis is a potentially lethal medical condition. We report a case of visual loss secondary to isolated sphenoid sinus aspergillosis. A 69-year-old man presented to our hospital with the complaint of headache. The headache started one year previously and was described as severe dull pain localized bilaterally to the temporo-orbital region. The patient took daily NSAIDs for the pain. The neurological examination was normal. The MRI of the brain showed a left sphenoid sinusitis. A transnasal endoscopic superior meatal sphenoidotomy was performed. Aspergillosis was confirmed after a surgical biopsy was obtained. The patient was discharged from hospital without antifungal therapy. One month later, the patient complained of headache and loss of vision bilaterally. The orbital MRI showed a left cavernous sinus and bilateral optic nerve invasion. The loss of visions was permanent. In our case, the diagnosis was delayed; antifungal agents were not administered after surgery and the patient lost his vision as a result. Therefore, early diagnosis and proper treatment are important. Although the treatment of an invasive type of aspergillus has not been established, surgical removal of a nidus and aggressive antifungal therapy are recommended.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.383-387
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• 2007

Purpose: A necrotizing fasciitis is a rare, but insidiously advancing fatal soft tissue infection characterized by extensive fascial necrosis. Diagnosis & treatment of this disease are difficult. Necrotizing fasciitis tend to begin with constitutional symptoms of fever and chills. Quite a many lab studies and imaging studies such as standard radiography, computerized tomography can be used, but nothing can confine the extent of affected tissue. Aggressive surgical interventions are often required because of large skin and soft tissue deformity. However, many patients with necrotizing fasciitis are not healthy enough to overcome aggressive surgical intervention. Methods: Since 2000, we treated 10 patients with necrotizing fasciitis. In 4 patients, we used magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) as a tool for diagnosis as soon as necrotizing fascitiis was doubted. We treated patients with delayed coverage with Alloderm$^{(R)}$ & split thickness skin graft or delayed wound closure in as many cases as possible. Results: In 4 patients using preoperative MRI, diagnosis could be made in earlier stage of the disease compared to other patients. Our treatment modality was debridement and coverage with Alloderm$^{(R)}$ & split thickness skin graft. We could reconstruct deformities without significant limitation of movement in 7 cases. Conclusion: We diagnosed and treated 10 necrotizing fasciitis with MRI and Alloderm$^{(R)}$ graft, and results were good.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.534-547
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• 2006

상악 견치의 매복은 임상에서 종종 관찰되며 여러 임상적인 문제점을 유발한다. 상악 매복 견치의 유병율은 1-3%로 협측 매복은 주로 국소적인 원인에 의해 그리고 구개측 매복은 국소적인 원인이냐 유전적인 원인이냐에 대한 견해차를 보이고 있다. 견치가 매복된 경우 인접치의 치근을 흡수시키거나 낭종을 형성하는 등 여러 가지 문제점을 유발한다. 따라서 임상의들은 상악 견치의 매복의 가능성을 조기에 진단하고 일련의 맹출 과정을 감시함과 동시에 적절한 시기에 맹출 공간의 확보나 유견치의 발거 등 국소적인 맹출 방해 요인을 제거하여 매복을 예방하거나 차단해 주어야 한다. 혼합치열기 말기나 영구치열기 초에 견치의 매복이 확실해진 경우 외과적 노출과 교정력을 이용해 견인해 주는 후속적인 처치가 필요하다. 외과적 노출 술식은 후에 견치 주위의 치주조직의 건강에 중요한 영향을 미치는 인자이므로 부착치은의 상실을 최소로 하는 외과적 노출방법에 대한 인식이 매우 중요하다. 즉 외과적으로 판막을 형성하여 매복된 치아를 견인하고자 할 경우 견인 후 부착치은을 최대한 확보해 주는 방향으로 해 주어야 한다. 매복 견치가 치조골 중간이나 전정 깊은 곳에 매복되어 있는 경우 폐쇄 맹출법은 다른 방법에 비해 부착치은이나 골 지지도 면에서 더 우수하지만 부착물이 탈락된 경우 2차 수술의 필요하며 부적절한 견인시 치주적인 문제점이 유발될 수 있다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권4호
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• pp.420-422
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• 2012

Cerebral aspergillosis is rare and usually misdiagnosed because its presentation is similar to that of a tumor. The correct diagnosis is usually made intra-operatively. Cerebral abscess with fungal infection is extremely rare and few cases have been reported, but it carries a poor prognosis. A 73 year-old man presented with decreased visual acuity and paresis of the right cranial nerve III. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a mass in the right cavernous sinus, extened to the anterior crainial fossa and the superior orbital fissure. During surgery, a well encapsulated pus pocket was found, and histopathological examination of the mass resulted in the diagnosis of aspergillosis. Despite appropriate anti-fungal treatment, the patient eventually died from fatal cerebral ischemic change and severe brain swelling. The correct diagnosis of cerebral aspergillosis can only be achieved by histopathological examination because clinical and radiological findings including MRI are not specific. Surgical intervention and antifungal therapy should be considered the optimal treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive antifungal treatment provide good results.

• 임상간호연구
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.141-151
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• 2008

Purpose: This study aimed at applying a standardized nursing process to adult surgery patients of post anesthetic care unit, and examining the validity of linkages in the measuring index of nursing outcome by which nursing outcome was applied. Method: The subjects were 184 surgery adult patients admitted at the post anesthetic care unit of Y university hospital. This study was used the measured tool developed by Choi et al.(2004) and by Lee (2004) who had already verified a validity based on Johnson and Bulechek's study(2001). Results: The nursing diagnosis of an acute pain, an urinary retention, a nausea, a decreased cardiac output, an ineffective airway clearance and an ineffective airway clearance were used in taking care for patients. The related factors according to the main nursing diagnosis were as the following: an injurious physical factor in an acute pain, reflex are inhibition in an urinary retention, post surgical anesthesia in a nausea, stroke volume change in a decreased cardiac output, secretory stasis in an ineffective airway clearance, pain in an ineffective breathing pattern. Conclusion: The study results could be facilitated in nursing process application for nurses at post anesthetic care unit. Also this study would provide basic data to develop a computerized program for the improvement of nursing process application.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.23-26
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• 2016

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) I is a rare, progressive and multisystemic disease with insidious initial signs and symptoms, and making an early diagnosis can be a challenge for the first-line general medical practitioner. We report a 6-month-old girl who was brought to our well baby clinic for regular immunization with the manifestations of lumbar gibbus, hirsutism, large Mongolian spots over back and buttock, and mild bilateral legs spasticity noticed by the general pediatrician, and then newly diagnosed with MPS I after referral to the geneticist in time. Her surgical history included inguinal hernia repair at 1 month old, $CO_2$ laser supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia and tracheostomy due to chronic respiratory failure with ventilator dependence at 2 months old. Understanding and identification of the early signs and symptoms of this disease have the potential to early diagnosis and timely appropriate treatment, which could contribute to a better clinical outcome.

• 대한기관식도과학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.14-18
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• 2011

The diagnosis and treatment of early gastrointestinal cancers is the gastroenterologists' mission because of national cancer screening program in South Korea. The detection of early cancers is emphasized, because these were previously treated with surgical treatment can be currently cured with endoscopic treatment. Gastroenterologists who achieved at least on some level can make an exact diagnosis regardless of what type of endoscopy, but generally, there are some required conditions for an optimal diagnosis. First, clinically important lesions have to be detected easily. Second, the border and morphology of lesions have to be characterized easily. Third, lesions have to be diagnosed exactly. Precancers and early cancers are often subtle and can pose a challenge to gastroenterologists to visualize using standard white light endoscopy. The use of dye solutions aids the diagnosis of early gastrointestinal cancers, however, it is a quite cumbersome to use dye solutions all the time and the solution often bothers the exact observation by pooling into the depression or ulceration of the lesion. To overcome this weakness, newer endoscopes are now developed so called "image enhanced endoscopy" using optical and/or electronic methods such as narrow band imaging (NBI), autofluorescence imaging (AFI), i-scan, flexible spectral imaging color enhancement (FICE) and confocal endomicroscopy (CLE).