• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.114-118
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• 2015

Objective : Venous thromboembolism (VTE) after spinal surgery affects a patients' postoperative recovery and also carries a mortality risk. Some studies recommended chemical prophylaxis for high-risk patients and for those after complex spinal surgeries. However, chemoprophylaxis for VTE in spinal surgery is underemployed and there is no agreement on the use of VTE prophylaxis in spinal surgery. The aim of this study was to document the incidence of VTE after an elective instrumental spinal surgery, among those receiving preoperative chemoprophylaxis as compared with patients who did not receive it. Methods : This study was carried out on eighty-nine patients allocated randomly to receive either low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or no prophylaxis before elective instrumental spinal surgery. All patients received postoperative compression stockings. A compression Doppler ultrasonography was performed for all patients to detect postoperative deep vein thrombosis. In addition, further imaging studies were performed for patients suspected of VTE. Results : Three (3.3%) patients were diagnosed with VTE. One of them had received preoperative chemoprophylaxis. There were no significant difference in incidence of VTE between the two groups (p>0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.06-8.7). Laterality of gender and postsurgical recumbence duration were all independent predictors of VTE (p=0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion : The difference in the incidence of thromboembolic complications between the two groups was not significant. Moreover, we found that preoperative prophylactic LMWH injection has no major bleeding complications altering postoperative course; still, the issue concerning the initiation time of chemoprophylaxis in spinal surgery remains unclear.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.27-32
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• 2007

The status of Dirofilaria immitis infection was assessed in pet dogs of Busan, Korea, and chemoprophylactic effects of microfilaricidal medication were evaluated. A total of 294 pet dogs older than 6 mo were examined, 217 of which had been maintained indoors, and 77 had been kept outdoors. The $Snap^R$ kit and direct microscopic examinations of the peripheral blood were used. The mean overall parasite positive rates were 10.2% and 6.5%, respectively. Outdoor dogs evidenced adult worm infection rate of 31.2% and microfilaria infection rate of 18.2%. The indoor dogs, however, evidenced adult worm infection rate of 2.8% and microfilaria infection rate of 2.3%. The prevalence in males was more than 2 times that of females. The changing pattern of infection rates by age evidenced a gradual increase, from 2- to 6-year-old dogs, after which, a decrease in infection rates was noted. With regard to chemoprophylaxis, the infection rates of complete and incomplete chemoprophylaxis groups were found to be 2-3 times lower than that of the non-chemoprophylaxis group. The results of the present study indicate that the risk of exposure to D. immitis in pet dogs is quite high, particularly in male outdoor dogs, and chemoprophylactic measures were quite effective.

• Hip & pelvis
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.108-119
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• 2024

Purpose: The incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following total hip arthroplasty (THA) without chemoprophylaxis could be as high as 50% in Caucasians. However, according to several subsequent studies, the incidence of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in Asians was much lower. The routine use of chemoprophylaxis, which could potentially cause increased bleeding, infection, and wound complications, has been questioned in low-incidence populations. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of VTE after primary THA without chemoprophylaxis in an Asian population using a fast-track rehabilitation protocol and to verify the safety profile for use of 'mechanical prophylaxis alone' in patients with standard risk of VTE. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study of 542 Hong Kong Chinese patients who underwent primary THA without chemoprophylaxis. All patients received intermittent pneumatic compression and graduated compression stockings as mechanical prophylaxis. Multimodal pain management was applied in order to facilitate early mobilisation. Routine duplex ultrasonography was performed between the fourth and seventh postoperative day for detection of proximal DVT. Results: All patients were Chinese (mean age, 63.0±11.9 years). Six patients developed proximal DVT (incidence rate, 1.1%). None of the patients had symptomatic or fatal pulmonary embolism. Conclusion: The incidence of VTE after primary THA without chemical prophylaxis can be low in Asian populations when following a fast-track rehabilitation protocol. Mechanical prophylaxis alone can be regarded as a reasonably safe practice in terms of a balanced benefit-to-risk ratio for Asian patients with standard risk of VTE.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.160-167
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• 2017

목적: 무비증 환자에서 높은 사망률을 보이는 침습성 세균 감염의 위험성은 잘 알려져 있으며 예방적 항생제 처방 및 특히 피막세균에 대한 예방접종이 강조된다. 최근 피막세균에 대한 국내 백신 영역에서 많은 변화가 있었으나 국내 무비증 소아청소년 환자의 현황과 침습성 세균 감염, 예방적 항생제 처방 및 예방접종의 실태에 관한 보고는 찾기 어렵다. 방법: 1997년 1월부터 2016년 12월까지 20년간 단일 3차 병원의 18세 이하 소아청소년 무비증 환자를 대상으로 후향적 의무기록 분석 기술 연구를 시행하였다. 결과: 총 213명의 소아청소년 무비증 환자 중 선천성 무비증은 114명(53.5%), 기능성 무비증은 58명(27.2%)이었으며 나머지 41명(19.3%)은 후천성 무비증이었다. 비장절제술을 받은 중앙 연령은 12.2세(범위, 5.0-16.9세)였으며 수술의 가장 흔한 원인은 유전구형적혈구증(39.0%)이었다. 전체 무비증환자 중 16.4%만이 1년 이상 예방적 항생제를 유지하였고 항균제는 amoxicillin이 94.3%로 가장 흔하였으며 유지기간 중앙값은 41개월(범위, 12-161개월)이었다. 전체 무비증 환자 중 168명(78.9%)에서 예방접종력을 확인할 수 있었으며, 각 피막세균에 대한 예방접종률은 폐렴사슬알균이 44.1%, b형 인플루엔자균(Haemophilus influenzae type B)은 53.0%, 수막알균은 10.7%로 낮았고 3가지 백신을 모두 완료한 환자는 8.7%에 불과하였다. 연구 기간 동안 총 6명에서 6예(2.8%, 0.28/100인년)의 침습성 세균 감염증이 발생하였고 5예는 선천성 무비증, 1예는 기능성 무비증군에서 발생하였으며 발생 중앙 연령은 15개월(범위, 4-68개월)이었다. 6예 중 5예는 균혈증, 1예는 뇌수막염이었고, 가장 흔한 균은 폐렴사슬알균(n=3)이었으며 그 외 H. influenzae가 1예 있었다. 6예 중 3예(50.0%)가 사망하였고 모두 폐렴사슬알균 균혈증이었다. 6예 모두 예방적 항생제를 처방받지 않았고 예방접종력을 확인할 수 있었던 4예 중 1예만 Hib의 접종을 완료하였으나 나머지 모두는 피막세균 예방접종을 전혀 받지 않았다. 결론: 무비증 환자에서 높은 사망률을 보이는 침습성 세균 감염의 위험은 전통적으로 잘 알려져 있음에도 불구하고 적절한 예방적 항생제 처방 및 필수 예방접종률은 여전히 낮은 수준이다. 따라서 임상 의사는 무비증 환자의 정기적 추적 관찰뿐만 아니라 적절한 예방적 항생제 및 필수 예방접종에 대해 숙지할 필요가 있다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제83권2호
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• pp.132-140
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• 2020

In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) is a well-known opportunistic infection and its management has been established. However, PCP is an emerging threat to immunocompromised patients without HIV infection, such as those receiving novel immunosuppressive therapeutics for malignancy, organ transplantation, or connective tissue diseases. Clinical manifestations of PCP are quite different between patients with and without HIV infections. In patients without HIV infection, PCP rapidly progresses, is difficult to diagnose correctly, and causes severe respiratory failure with a poor prognosis. High-resolution computed tomography findings are different between PCP patients with HIV infection and those without. These differences in clinical and radiological features are due to severe or dysregulated inflammatory responses that are evoked by a relatively small number of Pneumocystis organisms in patients without HIV infection. In recent years, the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction and serum β-D-glucan assay for rapid and non-invasive diagnosis of PCP has been revealed. Although corticosteroid adjunctive to anti-Pneumocystis agents has been shown to be beneficial in some populations, the optimal dose and duration remain to be determined. Recent investigations revealed that Pneumocystis colonization is prevalent and that asymptomatic carriers are at risk for developing PCP and can serve as the reservoir for the spread of Pneumocystis by airborne transmission. These findings suggest the need for chemoprophylaxis in immunocompromised patients as well as infection control measures, although the indications remain controversial. Because a variety of novel immunosuppressive therapeutics have been emerging in medical practice, further innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of PCP are needed.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.360-364
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• 2016

Background Venous thromboembolism, a spectrum of diseases ranging from deep venous thrombosis to pulmonary embolism, is a major source of morbidity and mortality. The majority of cases described in plastic surgery involve abdominoplasty. Risk assessment and prophylaxis are paramount in such patients. General recommendations were recently developed, but the evidence in the literature was insufficient to prepare exhaustive guidelines regarding the medication, dosage, timing, or length of the prophylaxis. Methods A thromboprophylaxis protocol was developed for patients undergoing abdominoplasty. The protocol consisted of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative measures. Enoxaparin was administered as chemoprophylaxis in selected patients. The study involved 253 patients. The patients were analyzed for age, body mass index, enoxaparin dosage, risk factors, and complications. Results Deep venous thrombosis was documented in two cases (0.8%). No pulmonary embolism occurred. Three patients (1.2%) presented mild subcutaneous abdominal hematoma within the first postoperative week that spontaneously resorbed with neither aesthetic nor functional complications. Two patients (0.8%) presented severe hematoma requiring surgical re-intervention for drainage and hemostasis revision. Statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between enoxaparin dosage and hematoma (P=0.18) or deep venous thrombosis (P=0.61). Conclusions The described thromboprophylaxis protocol proved to be effective in the prevention of thrombotic events, with an acceptable risk of hemorrhagic complications. Furthermore, it provides new evidence regarding the currently debated variables of chemoprophylaxis, namely type, dosage, timing, and length.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제3권2호
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• pp.128-132
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• 1996

Tuberculosis in children is an important disease because of higher incidence and mortality, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the cause of antituberculosis medication in children and to find out the basic data for proper drug regimen. We reviewed the medical records of 198 patients who had been treated with antituberculosis drugs from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 1993 in Anam Hospital of Korea University Medical Center. The results are as following; 1) Of 198 patients, 69 cases(34.8%) had treated due to BCG complications. They were all medicated with INH. The durations of medication were 3 months in 46 patients(66.7%), 4~6 months in 17 patients(5.8%), 7~9 months in 4 patients(5.8%), 10-12 months in 2 patients(2.9%). 2) Of 198 patients, 68 cases(34.3%) had treated due to chemoprophylaxis, 59 patients (29.8% of all cases) had histories of house hold contact. Of 68 cases, 51 patients (86.4%) were medicated with INH only, 8 patients (13.6%) were medicated with INH and RFP. 3) Other causes of antituberculosis medication were tuberculous lymphadenitis(14.1%), pulmonary tuberculosis(10.6%), meningitis, miliary tuberculosis(2.0%), and pleurisy(2.0%). Most common causes of antituberculosis medications in children were complication of BCG vaccination and chemoprophylaxis after household contact. So early detection of adult tuberculosis and development of convenient diagnostic methods and safe vaccine for childhood tuberculosis is necessary.

• 한국입자에어로졸학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.81-90
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• 2010

Several studies have suggested the possibility of airborne transmission of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, pandemic influenza. because the number of patients increases explosively, if infectious disease had a high basic reproduction number, pharmaceutical interventions such as vaccination, chemoprophylaxis in the early stage of epidemic. Thus, non-pharmaceutical interventions such as mask-wearing, installing air cleaners, school closure are important to control and prevent the infectious diseases. However, the current technology on the mask, air cleaning, ventilation, and etc., seems to be not originated from the understanding of infection via airborne transmission. It is important to estimate the aerodynamic behavior of saliva droplets by coughing or speaking in order to understand the phenomena of airborne infection. In addition, the prediction of transmission of infectious diseases through the air is critical to prevent or minimize the damage of infection. In this review, we reviewed the recent studies on the airborne infection by focusing on the aerodynamic characteristics of saliva droplets and modeling of airborne transmission.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.261-264
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• 2016

As endemic malaria is not commonly seen in the United States, most of the cases diagnosed and reported are associated with travel to and from the endemic places of malaria. As the number of imported cases of malaria has been increasing since 1973, it is important to look into these cases to study the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease in the United States. In this study, we would like to share our experience in diagnosing and treating these patients at our institution. We did a retrospective chart review of 37 cases with a documented history of imported malaria from 1998 to 2012. Among them, 16 patients had complicated malaria during that study period, with a mean length of hospital stay of 3.5 days. Most common place of travel was Africa, and chemoprophylaxis was taken by only 11% of patients. Travel history plays a critical role in suspecting the diagnosis and in initiating prompt treatment.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.124-127
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• 2013

Among cause of carcinogenesis, heredity is believed to take about 10 percent in ovarian cancer. BRCA1 or BRCA2 account for largest portion of Hereditary Breast and Ovary Cancer (HBOC). Frequency of BRCA1/2 germ line mutations varies according to region and ethnicity from 1.1-39.7 percent. The identification of ovarian cancers with a BRCA mutation is will be more and important due to the possibility to offer a genetic counseling and also due to potential beneficial treatment effects with a poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitor in some individuals. We report the case of a 41 year old woman with a stage Ic mucinous ovarian adenocarcinoma and carrier daughter found on family genetic counseling. We indentified other family members with a history of breast cancer of 1st degree and pancreatic cancer of 2nd degree relative. After a screening with immunohistochemistry, the absence of nuclear expression for BRCA1 and BRCA2 was revealed. The gene sequencing confirmed heterozygous mutations of BRCA2 gene. The daughter of the case subject consented for a test. This test was shown the daughter is positive for BRCA2 mutation. Regular surveillance, chemoprophylaxis with oral contraceptive and prophylactic surgery after childbearing were offered to her.