• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.393-399
• /
• 1994

Spinal cord compression, an oncologic emergency, is a rare complication of hematologic malignancy Our experience was obtained with a series 32 Patients following retrospective analysis for assessing the role of radiation therapy and identifying the prognostic factors affecting on treatment outcome. Diagnosis was usually made by means of radiologic study such as myelography or computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neurologic examination. Five cases were diagnosed by subjective symptom only with high index of suspicion. In 31 cases, the treatment consisted in radiation therapy alone and the remained one patient had laminectomy before radiation therapy because of diagnostic doubts. Total treatment doses ranged from 800 cGy to 4000 cGy with median of 2000 cGy. Initially large fraction size more than 250 cGy were used in 13 patients with rapidly progressed neurologic deficit. The clinical parameters considered in evaluating the response to treatment were backache, motor-sensory performance and sphincter function. Half of all patients showed good response. Partial response and no response were noted in $37.5\%$ and $12.5\%$, respectively. Our results showed higher response rate than those of other solid tumor series. The degree of neurologic deficit at that time of diagnosis was the most important predictor of treatment outcome. The elapsed time from development of symptoms to start of treatment was significantly affected on the outcome. But histology of primary tumor total dose and use of initial large fraction size were not significantly affect on the outcome. These results confirmed the value of early diagnosis and treatment especially in radiosensitive hematologic malignancy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.654-658
• /
• 2002

Purpose : Endocrine and immune systems are connected and interdependent. Adrenal glands play an important role in this network and control the balance between serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate(DHEAS) and cortisol. These steroids have an antagonistic effect on the T cell progression into Th1 and Th2 cells and on the induction of correlated interleukins. Therefore we evaluated the role of adrenal androgen and cortisol as immune modulators in Kawasaki disease( KD) with changes of T cell immunity. Methods : From April to August in 2001, we examined serum DHEAS and 24 hour urine free cortisol(F) before administration of immunoglobulin and steroids by radioimmunoassay in 14 KD patients. It's clinical severity was determined by Harada score and coronary lesion. Results : The age of the patient group ranged from 4 months to 4 years; its average age was 2.3 years. Three patients(21.4%) were below 1 year, 2(14.3%) between 1 and 2 years, 5(35.7%) between 2 and 3 years, 4(28.6%) between 3 and 4 years of age. Male to female ratio was 1:1.3. DHEAS was significantly decreased in patients($11.1{\pm}6.0{\mu}g/dL$) more than controls($81.6{\pm}13.3{\mu}g/dL$)(P<0.05). Twenty-four hour urine free cortisol was significantly increased in patients($36.9{\pm}21.9{\mu}g/dL$) more than controls($13.6{\pm}5.5{\mu}g/dL$)(P<0.05). Ratio of DHEAS/F was decreased remarkably in patients($0.33{\pm}0.20$) more than controls($6.65{\pm}2.56$)(P=0.016). There was no difference between ratio of DHEAS/F and Harada score, but its ratio was very low in patients with coronary aneurysm. Conclusion : These data demonstrate that there are changes of DHEAS and cortisol in acute stage of KD and the dis-equilibrium between two steroids may be relevant in the T cell immune response induction of Kawasaki disease. These changes support the use of DHEAS/F ratio as one of the predictive factors of coronary arteries complication.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.5
• /
• pp.609-614
• /
• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of our investigation was to explore the natural course, and the factors that influence the natural course, in ostium secundum atrial septal defect(ASD) diagnosed within the first 4 weeks of life. Methods : We studied patients with ASD diagnosed within the first 4 weeks of life during the period from September 1995 to September 1999 in our hospital. The diagnosis and measuring of the size of ASD was carried out by two-dimensional echocardiogram(2DE, Hewlett-Packard Sonos $2500^{(R)}$) from subcostal long and short axis views. Results : There were 61 patients - 29 males and 32 females. According to the size of their defects, we divided them into four groups; group A(less than 4 mm : 24 cases), group B(four mm-six mm : 27 cases), group C(six mm-eight mm : six cases), group D(more than eight mm : four cases). In groups A and B, 22 of 24 patients(91.7%) and 23 of 27 patients(85.2%) had each closed spontaneously. In group C, four of six patients had closed spontaneously. In group D, no patient had closed spontaneously and three of four patients had been closed surgically. There were significant differences in the rate of spontaneous closure between less than six mm group and more than six mm group in the size of the defect(P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the rate of spontaneous closure between ASD combined with simple cardiac defect and isolated secundum ASD. Conclusion : We conclude that defects smaller than six mm in diameter are very likely to close spontaneously.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2008

Background : It was not uncommon authors as psychiatrists faced women patients with somatoform disorders who expresses their symptoms has been started after the poor adherence to 'Doing the month' practices (DMP). DMP is known as a traditional ritual for Korean postpartum women. Aims : This study is an cultural approach to explore the practices of Korean women during the postpartum period are related with the formation of somatoform disorders. Methods : 41 multipara women with somatoform disorders diagnosed by DSM-IV criteria and 91 healthy normal control were enrolled. Subjects were given scales of SOM scale of SCL-90R, Somatic Symptom Scale-Korean version, Korean 'Doing the month' practices Scale(40 items), Postpartum Sick Scale(14 items), Beck Depression Scale and State Anxiety Scale. Results : 1) The period of DMP less than one week were prevalent in the patients group(43.9%) compared to the control group(7.9%, p<0.01). 2) The period of DMP after the abortions showed no difference between two groups. 3) Subjective rate for their poor DMP was significantly high in the patients group(73.2%) compared to the control group(33.0%), and the patients group showed high score in Postpartum Sick Scale as well(4.1, 1.6 respectively). 4) Poor DM was negatively correlated with SOM scale of SCL-90R(correlation coefficient r=-0.47, p<0.01). Conclusion : Poor DMP may make a crucial role for their heath condition after the deliveries and which would be one of the major factors of the somatoform disorders in Korean women. And postpartum physical symptoms after the poor DMP could be last long enough to be diagnosed as somatoform disorders. By understanding the cultural nature of the somatization phenomena the doctor-patient relationship could be enhanced.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.79-89
• /
• 2004

This study carried a comparative analysis of quality of living perceived by cancer and hospiece patients who received radiotheraphy, and influential factors in order to provide basic data for nursing goals and establishment of strategy. The subjects of the study were 50 cancer patients who were more than twenty years old and was receiving radiotheraphy in therapeutic radiology department of C university hospital, and fourteen hospiece patients who were in J hospital in Gwangju. They were conveniently sampled according to the selection standard, and researchers personally interviewed them using questionnaire and patient scripts to obtain necessary data. The results were presented as follows: 1. When cancer and hospiece patients were examined demographically, the number of 60 year-old patients were the most. The subjects whose marriage period was more than thirty-one years were the most. In medical expense, more than $70.0\%$ of the patients bore their expenses themselves. 2. When disease-related characteristics of the cancer and pospiece patients were exmained, more than $75\%$ of the patients had experience of being in hospital, and more than $60.0\%$ experienced operation. However, for prevalence period, $57.5\%$ of the cancer patients had less than six months, and $64.3\%$ of the hospiece patients had more than two years. 3. For physical symptoms of cancer patients, $77.5\%$ had fatigue, $60.0\%$ had loss of appetite, and $52.5\%$ had loss of weight while for the hospiece patients, $100\%$ had loss of weight, and $92.9\%$ had fatigue and loss of appetite. For the cancer patients, $0.0\%$ had swelling, and $7.5\%$ had bleeding, For the hospiece patients, $7.1\%$ had change in skin, and $14.3\%$ had diarrhea. 4. Mean score of the cancer subjects were as follows: family support, social support, emotional and spiritual support, physical symptoms, and periods were 3.87, 2.88, 3.10, 2.80, and 2.94 respectively. Those of the hospiece patients were 3.80, 1.96, 1.58, 2.64 and 3.24 respectively. 5. Mean score of family support of both patients were almost identical, but in character, a considerable difference was found: 3.10 and 1.58. In qualify of living, the mean score of hospiece patients was slightly lower.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.29-33
• /
• 2005

Purpose: To determine the prognostic values of the hematologic parameters checked preoperatively in gastric cancer patients, we evaluated and compared the relationship between hematologic parameters and clinicopathologic factors of gastric cancer patient. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 357 consecutive patients who had undergone surgery for gastric cancer at the Department of Surgery, Hanyang University Hospital, between Dec. 2,000 and Dec. 2003 were reviewed. To exclude any adverse effect of invasive procedures to hematologic parameters, the samples taken immediately at outpatient department was used. The normal range of serum albumin was defined above 3.5 g/dl, serum hemoglobin above 12 g/dl, and serum platelet count under $400\times10^{3}{\mu}l$. Patients were defined as group 1 when any of these parameters was abnormal, and defined as group 2 when all parameters were normal. The relationships between hematologic parameters and survival rate were investigated. Results: The mean values of platelet count increased, but level of serum albumin and serum hemoglobin decreased significantly according to the advancement of the disease stage (P=0.000). The differences of depth of tumor invasion and lymph node metastasis between the group 1 and the group2 was statistically significant (P=0.001). Three-year survival difference between group 1 and group 2 was significant (P=0.037). Conclusion: The hematologic parameters checked preoperatively in patients of gastric cancer are simple and cheap, meanwhile reflect the general condition of the patients. Any presence of anemia, hypoalbuminemia, or thrombocytosis can predict the progression of the disease and poor survival rates.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.317-326
• /
• 2013

This study was to compare the cumulative survival rate of implant-supported fixed prostheses and to analyze association between risk factors and cumulative survival rate of implant-supported fixed prostheses. In order to assess the clinical status of implant-supported fixed prostheses, individuals who treated in the Department of Prosthodontics, Pusan National University Dental Hospital, between 2000 to 2007 were examined. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Length of service of implant-supported fixed prostheses was $6.6{\pm}32.0$ years (mean), 11.7 years (median). 2. Age and sex of patient was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of implant-supported fixed prostheses (P>.05). 3. Reason of tooth extraction wax found to have statistically significant influence on implant-supported fixed prostheses (P<.05). The longevity of fixed prostheses was low in tooth extraction case due to periodontal disease (median:9.0 years). 4. Location of implant-supported fixed prostheses was found to have statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P<.05). The longevity of fixed prostheses was low in molar region (median:8.8 years). 5. Number of units in implant-supported fixed prostheses was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of fixed prostheses (P>.05). 6. Condition of opposing dentition was found to have no statistically significant influence on longevity of implant-supported fixed prostheses (P>.05). 7. Food impaction (40.5%), porcelain fracture (25.8%), screw loosening (23.6%) were frequent complications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.754-759
• /
• 1998

Background : Lung cancer is an important public health problem because of rapidly increasing malignancy in both sexes in relation with high smoking rate in Korea. Despite advances in therapeutic modalities and supportive cares, 5-year survival rate has improved only marginally during the past 2 decades. Therefore, the early detection of lung cancer is strongly needed for better prognosis and we conducted this study to review the clinical factors resulting in delayed diagnosis of lung cancer. Method: The clinical data such as presenting symptoms, duration for diagnosis, disease entities causing misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, were analyzed retrospectively in 154 patients with primary lung cancer diagnosed at Chungnam National university hospital from January to December in 1995. Results : 63 patients(40.9%) out of 154 patients were delayed diagnosed with the duration of 6.3 months compared with 3.6 months in patients diagnosed without delay. In delayed diagnosed group, Cough & sputum and dyspnea as presenting symptom were more critical than hemoptysis and chest pain, and doctor's delay was more critical than patient's delay. Tuberculosis(30/63) was most frequent disease entity causing delayed diagnosis, followed by pneumorua(9/63), COPD(6/63), heart diseases(5/63), etc.. Conclusion: It should be emphasized that any respiratory symptom be checked with chest X-ray to differentiate lung cancer and periodic check of chest X-ray be also needed for the longterm patients with any disease, especially with high risk group.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.1277-1283
• /
• 1998

Background : Surgical tracheostomy(ST) is usually performed by surgeons in operating room. For a patient with mechanical ventilation, however, transportation to operating room for ST could be dangerous for patients. In addition, ST is often delayed due to unavailability of operating room or surgeon. Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy(PDT), although novel in Korea, is gaining popularity as a bedside procedure in the hospitals of western countries. We evaluated the technical ease and safety of PDT in comparison with ST. Method : Thirty-eight patients in medical intensive care unit (ICU) who were either under mechanical ventilation for more than 7 days or required airway protection, were randomly assigned to ST(18 patients) or PDT(20 patients). Between two groups, there was no significant clinical difference except that female to male ratio was higher in the ST group. ST was performed by second year residents of the department of otolaryngology while PDT was performed by third grade medical resident and pulmonologist under bronchoscopic guide using Ciaglia Percutaneous Tracheostomy Set(Cook Critical Care, Bloomington, USA) in medical ICU. The following factors were compared between two groups : number of delayed cases after the decision for tracheostomy, procedural time, complications related to tracheostomy. Results : Delayed cases were 11 in ST group and 3 in PDT group (P<0.05). Procedural time was significantly shorter in PDT group ($15.6{\pm}7.1min$) than in ST group ($29.1{\pm}11.6min$, P<0.0001). Complications related to tracheostomy occurred in 5 cases in ST group : accidental decannulation (1), subcutaneous emphysema (2) and minor bleeding (2), and in 4 cases in PDT group : minor bleeding (2), subcutaneous emphysema (1) and premature extubation (1) (P>0.05). Conclusion : Since percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy was easy to practice and its complications were not different from surgical tracheostomy, PDT can be a useful bedside procedure for mechanically ventilated patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.329-337
• /
• 1997

Background : Since endotracheal tube is the most important factor involved in the imposed work of breathing during mechanical ventilation, extubation of endotracheal tube is supposed to reduce respiratory work of patient. However, some patients show labored breathing after extubation despite acceptable blood gases. We investigated the changes of work of breathing before and after extubation and the factors involved in the change of WOB after extubation. Methods : The subjects were 34 patients(M : F = 20 : 14, mean age = $61{\pm}17yre$) who recovered from respiratory failure after ventilatory support and were considered to be ready for extubation. The patients with clinical or radiologic evidences of upper airway obstruction before endotracheal intubation for mechanical ventilation were excluded. Vital sign, physical examination, chest X-ray, work of breathing and other respiratory mechanic indices were measured prior to, immediately, 6, 24 and 48 hours after extubation serially. Definition of weaning failure after extubation was resumption of ventilatory support or reintubation of endotracheal tube within 48 hour after extubation because of respiratory failure. The patients were classified into group 1(decreased work of breathing), group 2(unchanged work of breathing) and group 3(increased work of breathing) depending on the statistical difference in the change of work of breathing before and after extubation. Results : Work of breathing decreased in 33%(11/34, group 1), unchanged in 41%(14/34, group 2) and increased in 26%(9/34, group 3) of patients after extubation compared with before extubation. Weaning failure occurred 9%(1/11) of group, 1, 28.6%(4/14) of group 2 and 44%(4/9) of group 3 after extubation(p = 0.07). The change of work of breathing after extubation was positively correlated with change of mean airway resistance(mRaw). (r = 0.794, p > 0.01). In three cases of group 3 whose respiratory indices could be measured until 48 hr after extubation, the change in work of breathing paralleled with the sequential change of mRaw. The work of breathing was peaked at 6 hr after extubation, which showed a tendency to decrease thereafter. Conclusions : Reversible increase of work of breathing after extubation may occur in the patients who underwent extubation, and the increase in mRaw could be responsible for the increase in work of breathing. In addition, the risk of weaning failure after extubation may increase in the patients who have increased WOB immediately after extubation.