• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.159-165
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• 2012

Purpose: For trauma patients, an early-transport and an organized process which are not delayed in hospital stage are necessary. Our hospital developed a procedure, the trauma Critical Pathway (CP), through which a traumatic patient has the priority over other patients, which makes the diagnostic and the therapeutic processes faster than they are for other patients. Methods: The records of patients to whom Trauma CP were applied from January 1, 2011 through April 15. 2012. were reviewed. We checked several time intervals from ER visiting to decision of admission-department, to performing first CT, to applying angio-embolization, to starting emergency operation and to discharging from ER. In addition, outcomes such as duration of ICU stay, hospital stay and mortality were checked and analyzed. Results: The trauma CP was applied to a total of 143 patients, of whom, 48 patients were excluded due to pre-hospital death, ER death, transferring to other hospital and not severe injury. Thus 95 patients (male 64, 67.3%) were enrolled in this study. Fifty-nine patients(62.1%) were injured by the traffic accident. The mortality rate was 10.5% and the mean Revised Trauma Score (RTS) of the patients was $6.4{\pm}2.0$. After visiting ER, decision making for admission was completed, on average, in 3 hours 10 seconds. The mean time intervals for the first CT, angio-embolization, surgery and discharge were 1 hour 20 minutes, 5 hours 16 minutes, 7 hours 26 minutes and 6 hours 13 minutes, respectively. Conclusion: The trauma CP did not show the improvement of time interval outcome, as well as mortality rate. However, this test did show that the trauma CP might be able to reduce delays in procedures for managing trauma patients at the university-based hospitals. To find out the benefit of CP protocol, a large scaled data is required.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1111-1118
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Chest pain is an essential symptom in the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). One-third of patients with ACS present atypically, which can influence their receiving timely lifesaving therapy. Methods: A total of 617 NSTEMI patients from the Korea Acute MI Registry (KAMIR) and the Korea Working Group on MI (KorMI) databases were analyzed. The study population was divided into two groups by symptoms at presentation (typical symptoms group, 128; atypical symptoms groups, 128). Results: In this study population, 23% of patients presented without chest pain. After propensity score matching, the contact-to-device time ($2,618{\pm}381minutes$ vs. $1,739{\pm}241minutes$, p = 0.050), the symptoms-to-balloon time ($3,426{\pm}389minutes$ vs. $2,366{\pm}255minutes$, p = 0.024), and the door-to-balloon time ($2,339{\pm}380minutes$ vs. $1,544{\pm}244minutes$, p = 0.002) were significantly higher in the patients with atypical symptoms than in those with typical symptoms, respectively. Atypical symptoms were an independent predictor for 1-year mortality (hazard ratio, 2.820; 95% confidence interval, 1.058 to 7.515; p = 0.038). The Kaplan-Meier estimates showed higher risk for 12-month mortality in patients with atypical symptoms (p = 0.048) and no significant difference for 12-month major adverse cardiac events (p = 0.487). Conclusions: Acute myocardial infarction patients with atypical symptoms were not rare in clinical practice and showed a high risk of delayed reperfusion therapy. After imbalance between the groups was minimized by use of propensity score matching, patients who presented atypically had a high mortality rate.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.22-30
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• 2015

Melanoma is originated from the melanocyte producing the melanin which determines the complexion, and it has the highest mortality among skin cancers. Acral lentiginous melanoma(ALM) arises from extremities such as hands, feet or fingernails. Since the appearance of ALM is different from melanoma on the body, conventional auto diagnosis systems for melanoma is inappropriate to detect ALM. Therefore, ALM is typically difficult to distinguish from general nevus, resulting in delayed diagnosis and bad prognosis. In this paper, we firstly introduce a determination method for ALM by dermatologists and propose a method to rotate dermoscopic images automatically as a pre-processing for facilitating the easy determination of ALM and to select the optimal value of the Gaussian differentiation filter parameter which is significant for precise pattern extraction using the scale space analysis. From experimental results, it is shown that there exists the consistency between empirical values of the Gaussian differential filter parameter and optimal values derived from the scale space analysis to distinguish nevus and ALM.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.179-186
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• 2012

Depression and executive dysfunction are common neuropsychiatric sequelae of stroke. Patients with stroke are more predisposed to depression and executive dysfunction compared to patients with similar degree of physical disability. Both depression and executive dysfunction are also associated with poor prognosis such as high mortality and delayed recovery after stroke. Complex neurobiological and anatomical mechanisms are associated with the development of depression and executive dysfunction after stroke. Activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines is thought to be associated with onset of depression, whereas injuries in frontal-subcortical circuit are thought to be a link between depression and executive dysfunction. Early detection of depressive symptoms and both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment would be helpful. In this review paper, the authors investigated 1) biological and neuroanatomical substrate for poststroke depression and executive dysfunction, 2) the relationship and common etiopathology for poststroke depression and executive dysfunction, and 3) pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment for poststroke depression. The contents of the paper are as follows : the prevalence, clinical manifestation, and biological etiology for poststroke depression, neuroanatomical abnormalities as a common etiological factor for depression and executive dysfunction, pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacological approach.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 1995

Pharyngocutaneous fistula(PCF) is one of the complications following total laryngectomy in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer. Fistula lead to delayed wound healing, more serious complications such as carotid blow-out, prolonged hospitalization, significant patient morbidity and occasional mortality. Identification of patients at high risk for fistula formation, appropriate preventive measures, and appropriate management are the head and neck surgeon's responsibility. So we analyzed the clinical data of pharyngocutaneous fistula which was developed after total laryngectomy. Following results were obtained: 1) Occurrence of PCF increases with salvage surgery compared to curative surgery. 2) Early detection and effective management of PCF are the key factors to decreasing the hospitalization period. 3) Constructing a pharyngostoma seems to be an ideal method of preventing dangerous complications and ultimately closing the fistula. 4) Simultaneous reconstruction is necessary in the high risk group.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.125-128
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• 2011

Purpose: Blunt small bowel injury (SBI) is frequently combined other organ injury. So, clinical outcome and characteristics of SBI are influenced by other combined injuries. Thus, we analyzed isolated SBI patients and studied clinical outcome and characteristics. Methods: Between 2005 and 2010, 36 consecutive patients undergoing laparotomy due to isolated SBI were identified in a retrospectively collected. Database. Clinical outcome and characteristics were analyzed. Results: Laparotomy was performed in 36 patients. Primary repair was performed 17 patients. Segmental resection of small bowel was performed 19 patients. Median time gap from trauma to operation was 9 hours. In 24 hours from trauma, operation was performed 31 patients. Post operative death was 5 patients. Mean hospital stay was 18 days and median hospital stay was 12 days. There were significant differences between operation type and minor complication and hospital stay. And there were significant differences between time gap in 24 hours and minor complication. But, there were no significant between time gap and mortality. Conclusion: Although this study had many limitations, some valuable information was produced. When operation above 24 hours was delayed in SBI, minor complications were significantly increased. Segmental resection of small bowel in SBI were significantly increased minor complications and hospital stay. So, preventive measures for surgical site infection was important to reduce wound complication and hospital stay. Further continuous study and multi-center study were should be performed to improve clinical outcome in SBI.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.125-130
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• 2008

Mesenteric torsion was diagnosed in a 2-year-old, spayed female Miniature Schnauzer. The patient was presented with acute depression, vomiting, lethargy and hematochezia. On physical examination, severe dehydration, tachycardia, tachypnea, weak femoral pulse, delayed capillary refill time and pale mucous membrane were found and the dog was in shock. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed intestines distended with gas, ascites and the "C" shaped distended intestine. Medical treatments including fluid therapy, analgesics, antibiotics and lidocaine for reducing reperfusion injury were applied. And then, the mesenteric torsion was definitively diagnosed through exploratory laparotomy and intestinal resection and anastomosis were performed. The dog made an uneventful recovery and was free of clinical sign one week after surgery. Mesenteric torsion is an unusual and life-threatening disease in dogs. It has usually been described in the middle and large breed dogs, especially German Shepherds. However, the mesenteric torsion should be included in the differential diagnostic lists for acute abdomen even in small breed dog. The mortality rate of mesenteric torsion can be reduced through prompt diagnosis, proper preventive therapy for shock and reperfusion injury and emergency surgery.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 1983

Clinical and epidemiologic data point to a causal interrelationship between nutritional deficiency and infectious illness. Both are major contributors to childhood morbidity and mortality, particulary in underprivileged population groups. Protein-calorie malnutrition depress a variety of immune funtions. Delayed hypersensitivity and number of T-lymphocytes are consistently reduced. The interrelationship between nutritional status and immune response was studied in 80 children aged under 6 years. According to the anthropometric assessment based on weight for height for age, 36 children were classified as normal, 22 as morderate malnutrition, and 22 as severe malnutrition. The following determinations were made : hemeglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin, immunoglobulin G, complement 3, and WBC levels. Results indicate that levels of Hb, Hct, serum albumin, and C3 concentration were decreased in moderate and severe malnutrition children. However, levels of IgG and WBC were not affected by the nutritional status. It is suggested that nutritional status has more profound effects on complement system than humoral immunity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.363-366
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• 2010

Vertebral artery (VA) injury is a rare and serious complication of cervical spine surgery; this is due to difficulty in controlling hemorrhage, which can result in severe hypotension and cardiac arrest, and uncertain neurologic consequences. The authors report an extremely rare case of a 56-year-old woman who underwent direct surgical repair by end-to-end anatomosis of an unanticipated VA injury during C2 pedicle screwing. Postoperatively, the patient showed no neurological deterioration and computed tomography angiography of the VA demonstrated normal blood flow. Although direct occlusion of an injured VA by surgical ligation or endovascular embolization has been used for management of an unanticipated VA injury during surgery, these methods may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, despite its technical demand, microvascular primary repair can restore normal blood flow and minimizes the risk of immediate or delayed ischemic complications. Here we report an iatrogenic VA injury during C2 pedicle screwing, which was successfully treated by end-to-end anastomosis.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.35-41
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• 2006

Traumatic pseudoaneurysm of the intracavernous internal carotid artery(ICA) is extremely rare, but it is life threatening condition because of massive recurrent epistaxis. Unfortunately, the prompt diagnosis and treatment of this disease are frequently delayed due to its rarity and variable latent period, so this disease is regarded as a challenge to clinicians. Optimal therapy for this diseases demands rapid suspicion for it and is essential in order to give the best functional outcome with minimizing its morbidity and mortality. The authors present a case of male patient with traumatic pseudoaneurysm of intracavernous ICA accompanying severe epistaxis. This patient was a 37-year-old male with unilateral blindness and recurrent massive epistaxis after suffering trauma to head. Computed tomography, MRI and carotid artery angiogram showed pseudoaneurysm of intracavernous ICA with sphenoid bone fracture. The patient was effectively managed with occlusion of the pseudoaneurysmal circulation by endovascular interventional embolization technique utilizing mechanically detachable tungsten coils.