• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.69 no.6
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• pp.465-468
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• 2010

Spontaneous pneumothorax (SPTx) associated with primary lung cancer is quite rare, but has been reported as the initial presentation or a complication of disease progression. Moreover, chemotherapy-related SPTx in primary lung cancer occurs at a very low frequency, accounting for less than 0.05% of all cases. Here, we report the first case of erlotinib-related SPTx in a patient with advanced lung adenocarcinoma in Korea. After 3 cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy as first-line therapy, erlotinib was administered as second-line treatment. Asymptomatic SPTx accompanied by a significant decrease in tumor size was observed in the left lung 7 weeks later. The patient received continuous administration of erlotinib, without additional treatment. This case showed that SPTx can occur in patients with primary lung cancer receiving erlotinib, and asymptomatic chemotherapy-related SPTx in primary lung cancer may not require therapeutic intervention.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2006

Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been proposed as a possible way to improve the control of refractory epilepsy. We report the effects following VNS treatment in patients with refractory epilepsy. Seventeen patients with a mean age of 12.8 years, ranging from 5 to 29 years, underwent the implantation of vagal nerve stimulation (Cyberonics, Houston, TX). We reviewed the clinical findings before and after VNS in seizure frequency, number of antiepileptic drugs (AED), and quality of life (QOL). All of the patients had intractable seizures, eleven of the patients had additional medical complications, three had hippocampus atrophy, one had encephalomalacia, five had encephalitis, one had pachygyria, and one had schizencephaly. Thirteen patients had symptomatic partial epilepsies, three patients had Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and one had cryptogenic partial epilepsy. The mean follow up duration was 35 months. The mean reduction of seizure frequency compared with baseline before VNS was 26.1% after 3 months (p<0.005), 41.9% after 6 months (p<0.001), 46.9% after 1 year (p<0.001), and 53% at the latest follow-up (p<0.001). Twelve patients showed an improvement of QOL such as mood, language, alertness, expression, and motor function. The most common side effects were transient hoarseness or voice change or cough, which was detected in six patients (35%) and wound infection in one patient (5%). This study has shown a good anti-seizure effect of VNS, decrease in seizure frequency and improvements in QOL. We concluded that VNS is a beneficial therapy in refractory epilepsy with a non-resectable epileptic focus. Further studies should be focused on the prediction of unresponsiveness and the adjustment of VNS parameters for maximum efficacy in patients with various medical histories.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3610-3617
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• 2012

This study was to evaluate the effects of an action observation to improve on gait in stroke patients. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups: experimental (n=10) and control (n=10). Both groups were trained for 60 minutes, 6 times a week during 6 weeks by neuro-development treatment. Experimental group practiced additional action observation for 3 session 10 minutes per week 6 weeks. Both groups were evaluated by gait velocity, affected step length, non affected step length, affected stride length, non affected stride length, double support time, cadence, and timed up and go to test. There were significantly increased by action observation in outcomes of the gait performance from the gait velocity, affected side step length, affected side stride length, cadence, timed up and go test. In conclusion, the action observation improves gait performance in stroke patients. The results suggest that action observation training is feasible and suitable for individuals with hemiparesis patients.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2016

Objective : Malignant gliomas with neuronal marker expression (MGwNM) are rare and poorly characterized. Increasingly diverse types of MGwNM have been described and these reported cases underscore the dilemmas in the classification and diagnosis of those tumors. The aim of this study is to provide additional insights into MGwNM and present the clinicopathological features of 18 patients. Methods : We reviewed the medical records of 18 patients diagnosed as MGwNM at our institute between January 2006 and December 2012. Macroscopic total resection was performed in 11 patients (61%). We evaluated the methylation status of $O^6$-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and expression of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH-1) in all cases, and deletions of 1p and 19q in available cases. Results : The estimated median overall survival was 21.2 months. The median progression-free survival was 6.3 months. Six patients (33%) had MGMT methylation but IDH1 mutation was found in only one patient (6%). Gene analysis for 1p19q performed in nine patients revealed no deletion in six, 19q deletion only in two, and 1p deletion only in one. The extent of resection was significantly correlated with progression free survival on both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis (p=0.002 and p=0.013, respectively). Conclusion : In this study, the overall survival of MGwNM was not superior to glioblastoma. The extent of resection has a significant prognostic impact on progression-free survival. Further studies of the prognostic factors related to chemo-radio therapy, similar to studies with glioblastoma, are mandatory to improve survival.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.257-263
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• 2017

Background Rituximab (RTX) can be used as a rescue therapy for steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome (SDNS). However, the efficacy and safety of long-term, repeated use of RTX are not established. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of long-term, repeated RTX treatment in children. Methods Eighteen consecutive child patients with SDNS who were treated with three or more cycles of RTX for one year or longer were recruited, and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Results The patients were followed for $4.7{\pm}1.9years$ and received $5.2{\pm}2.3cycles$ of RTX over $2.8{\pm}1.1years$. Approximately 70% of the additional RTX cycles were administered due to recovery of B-cells without relapse. The relapse rate decreased from $3.4{\pm}2.0per$ year initially to $0.4{\pm}0.8per$ year at the third year after RTX treatment. Approximately 10% of the RTX infusions were accompanied by mild infusion reactions. Eight patients showed sustained remission without any oral medication after the last cycle of RTX, while 10 patients had one or more episodes of relapse after the last cycle of RTX. The relapse rate in the latter group decreased from $2.8{\pm}1.5per$ year before RTX treatment to $1.3{\pm}0.8per$ year after cessation of RTX treatment. No significant differences in clinical parameters were found between the two groups. Conclusion This retrospective study showed that pre-emptive and long-term, repeated RTX treatment is relatively effective and safe in children with SDNS. However, well-designed prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.135-144
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 2 weeks of backward walking exercise (BWE) on cervical angle and gait parameters in college students with forward head posture. Methods : Fifteen subjects participated in the experiment. All the participants had a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 55 degrees or less. The purpose of the study was explained to all the subjects prior to participation, and volunteered to take part in the study. A camera capable of taking pictures of the lateral plane was installed at a distance of 1.5 meters from each subject. Images of forward head posture were obtained before and after performing the BWE, and the CVA and craniorotational angle (CRA) were compared pre- versus post exercise. Foot pressure and gait parameters (step length of left and right, stride length, stance of left and right, swing of left and right, step time of left and right, and stride time) were measured using a rehabilitation treadmill. The subjects performed the BWE for 2 weeks. The exercise program consisted of a 5-minute warm-up exercise, 20-minute main exercise, and 5-minute cool-down exercise. In the main exercise, the treadmill speed was set to 2.4 km/h in the first week and 3.4 km/h in the second week. A paired t test was used to compare the CVA and CRA and gait parameters before and after the exercise. Results : Comparison of the CVA and CRA before and after the BWE revealed a significant difference post exercise, with a marked improvement in forward head posture after the exercise (p<.05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, the BWE is considered to be an effective exercise for the forward head posture. Also, additional research is needed to shed light on the impact of the BWE on gait parameters.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.184-196
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• 2021

Objectives: This case report presents the effects of Korean medical treatment in a patient with chest pain after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: An 80-year-old woman was treated with Korean herbal medicine, acupuncture, and cupping therapy. Chest pain, sore tongue, and headache were assessed daily using a numeric rating scale (NRS). Results: After 15 days of treatment, chest pain disappeared, as reflected by an NRS change from 9 to 0, and headache was relieved (NRS decreased from 9 to 2). On the eighth day of treatment, the sore tongue was also relieved, as reflected by an NRS change from 9 to 0. Conclusion: These results show that chest pain after PCI can be relieved with Korean medical treatment, and it is expected that major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) may be prevented with Korean medical treatment. However, additional well-designed studies are required to confirm these findings.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2021

Objectives: This case report presents the effects of Korean medicine treatment in a patient with a new daily, persistent headache. Methods: A 58-year-old female patient with a new daily, persistent headache was treated with Yonggakgyodaeyeong-tang and Kyoungbang Chungsanggyuntong-tang granules, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, and chuna therapy for 68 days. Headache and neck disability were assessed using a numeric rating scale (NRS), the headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), and the neck disability index (NDI). Results: After 68 days of treatment, headache was relieved, as measured by an NRS decrease from 7 to 4. In addition, the HIT score decreased from 30 to 18, and the NDI score decreased from 42 to 20. Conclusion: These results show that a daily, persistent headache can be relieved with Korean medicine treatment. However, additional well-designed studies are required to confirm these findings.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.99-112
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze Korean qualitative research studies on cerebral palsy and provide a basis for future direction of research. Methods : Twenty-six articles were selected by searching 4 Korean databases (NDSL, DBpia, KISS, and RISS) and reviewing the list of additional references. All the articles were analyzed and assessed using the Consolidated criteria for Reporting Qualitative research (COREQ). Results : Seventeen qualitative studies and 9 mixed quantitative and qualitative studies were selected, and methodologies such as case study (42.3 %), constant comparative method (23.1 %) and phenomenology (23.1 %) were used. The studies investigated the effects of interventions (38.5 %), support programs (30.8 %), and life experiences (26.9 %). Among the participants, 50.0 % were persons with disabilities only, 19.2 % were parents only, and 30.8 % were combination of persons with disabilities, parents, teachers, and therapists. The number of participants in most studies was 2-9 (57.7 %). The COREQ evaluation of the selected articles revealed many shortcomings in the studies. Interview guidelines were used only in 26.9 % of the studies. In particular, many articles did not describe in detail the characteristics of researchers and the relationship between researchers and the participants. Conclusion : In future, various research methodologies and research checklists must be used to stimulate high-quality qualitative research with on cerebral palsy.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.376-382
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• 2018

We reviewed clinical studies investigating the pharmacological treatment of major depressive episodes (MDEs) with mixed features diagnosed according to the dimensional criteria (more than two or three [hypo]manic symptoms+principle depressive symptoms). We systematically reviewed published randomized controlled trials on the pharmacological treatment of MDEs with mixed features associated with mood disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases through December 2017 with the following key word combinations linked with the word OR: (a) mixed or mixed state, mixed features, DMX, mixed depression; (b) depressive, major depressive, MDE, MDD, bipolar, bipolar depression; and (c) antidepressant, antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, anticonvulsant, treatment, medication, algorithm, guideline, pharmacological. We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We found few randomized trials on pharmacological treatments for MDEs with mixed features. Of the 36 articles assessed for eligibility, 11 investigated MDEs with mixed features in mood disorders: six assessed the efficacy of antipsychotic drugs (lurasidone and ziprasidone) in the acute phase of MDD with mixed features, although four of these were post hoc analyses based on large randomized controlled trials. Four studies compared antipsychotic drugs (olanzapine, lurasidone, and ziprasidone) with placebo, and one study assessed the efficacy of combination therapy (olanzapine+fluoxetine) in the acute phase of BD with mixed features. Pharmacological treatments for MDEs with mixed features have focused on antipsychotics, although evidence of their efficacy is lacking. Additional well-designed clinical trials are needed.