• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.16-19
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• 2021

Cushing's disease (CD) is a rare illness characterized by chronic hypercortisolism secondary to the overproduction of adrenocorticotropic hormone by a pituitary adenoma, which is associated with a high risk of developing serious complications, such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and emotional disorders. Endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery is performed for the treatment of CD, and was initially preferred over other types of treatments. However, the recurrence after pituitary surgery for CD is a common problem after an initial successful surgery. In microadenomas, the remission rates were higher than those of macroadenoma. This patient had a giant tumor that was greater than 4 cm in length on sella magnetic resonance imaging, and panhypopituitarism was detected using a combined pituitary stimulation test. After transsphenoidal surgery, the patient required temporary hormone replacement for a short period of time. After 1 year, he showed a normal cortisol response on the overnight dexamethasone suppression test and low morning cortisol levels. Therefore, we indicated that the patient was cured of giant macroadenoma with panhypopituitarism before surgery, and thus, reported this case.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.278-289
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• 2023

Background: Linezolid has been widely used in the treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. However, there are limitations to use it such as long treatment, because of related side effects, even adequate treatment period has been needed for remission of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Method: The meta-analysis was performed based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria. To choose literatures, systematic literature reviews were conducted with databases of PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Results: Efficacy and safety of Linezolid were determined by 85% (95% CI=79~89%, p<0.05) in the sputum culture conversion and 55% (95% CI=45~64%, p<0.01) in side effects related to linezolid, respectively. In addition, I² was estimated by 72%. In the subgroup analysis, efficacy and safety by dose and region were analyzed. In the subgroup analysis, compared with the linezolid dose in groups greater than 600 mg/day and less than 600 mg/day, this study showed 85% (95% CI 79~90%, p>0.05) in 206 patients and 82% (95% CI 73~89%, p<0.05) in 297 patients, respectively. Also, in the subgroup analysis, adverse effects caused by linezolid occurred more than 50% of treated patients. Conclusion: Therapeutic efficacy of linezolid for MDR-TB patients was confirmed regardless of the initial dose of linezolid, especially for sputum culture conversion and it was recommended that the dose of linezolid has been more effective below 600 mg/day. However, it should be necessary to closely monitored for safety issues since serious side effects possibly occurred by administration of long period treatment.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.172-176
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• 2000

Objectives: To improve local control and reduce toxicity, 3-D conformal radiotherapy was used as a boost the primary tumor site following fractionated radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Eight patients with previously untreated nasopharyngeal carcinomas were treated with 3-D conformal radiotherapy following fractionated radiotherapy from September 1998 to April 2000. All patients had biopsy confirmation of disease before radiation therapy. Stages were II in 1, III in 5, and IV in 2. Two patients received cisplatin based chemotherapy in addition to radiation therapy; induction chemotherapy in 1, concurrent chemoradiation in 1. 3-D conformal radiotherapy delivered using 6MV Linac as a boost(range 25.2-28.8Gy, median 25.7Gy) following conventionally fractionated radiotherapy(range 50.4Gy). Average total dose ranged from 75.6-79.2Gy(median 76Gy). Follow-up time was 4-21 months(median 9.6 months). Results: Seven of 8 patients were evaluated radiologically within 3 months after completion of radiation therapy. All 7 patients were seen complete remission. One of 7 patients had distant metastasis after 5 months and local failure after 7 months. The tree interval of local recurrence was ranged from 4 - 21 months(median 10.2 months). One patient without radiological evaluation got complete remission clinically. Treatment related toxicity was grade 1-3 xerostomia, dysphagia, and mucositis. During 3-D conformal radiotherapy, there was no aggravation of any toxicity. Conclusion: Although the number of patients was small and follow-up period was short, 3-D conformal radiotherapy following conventional radiotherapy improved tumor control and dose escalation without increased toxicity. Survival and late toxicity should be evaluated through long term follow-up. In addition, it is necessary to confirm the benefits of 3-D conformal radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with randomized trial.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1316-1321
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• 2000

Objectives : The authors analyzed the surgical series of Cushing's disease to evaluate the proper treatment policy and to verify the possible prognostic factors. Material and Methods : Of 50 patients diagnosed as Cushing's disease and operated at Department of Neurosurgery of our institute between 1988 and 1999, 48 patients with available medical records were analyzed retrospectively. Mean follow-up period was 48 months(3 to 109 months). Preoperative diagnosis was made after evaluating the patients with multiple-stage endocrinological studies and 31 selective patients were evaluated with inferior petrosal sinus sampling(IPSS). Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) and/or high resolution computerized tomography(CT) was done in all patients. A total of 51 transsphenoidal adenomectomy(TSA) were performed including 3 revision for initial surgical failure cases. Remission was decided on the basis of both endocrinological criteria and clinical status. Radiation and/or ketoconazole therapy were applied to failed cases. For the verification of prognostic factors, the authors evaluated the statistical significance of multiple variables over remission rate by chi-square test. Result : Sensitivity of IPSS for central localization was 93.5% which was better than that of MRI(87.5%). But for lateralization, it was 72.4% for IPSS versus MRI 90.5%. Success rate of TSA was 82%(42/51) and recurrence rate was 9%(4/48). When including adjuvant treatments for surgically failed cases, overall success rate was 89.6% and all of 3 reoperated cases(TSA) due to recurrence were successful. Significant complication occurred in 7.8%(4/51) after TSA including hypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, and visual loss. Non-existence of tumor in MRI and prolonged symptom duration(>3 years) were significant prognostic factors. Conclusion : TSA can be considered as initial treatment for Cushing's disease. In surgically failed cases, multiple treatment modality may improve the overall outcome and repeated TSA for recurrent cases seem to provide similar success.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7569-7576
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this article is to present preliminary results of simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Fifty-eight patients who underwent simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for NPC in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University between September 2004 and December 2009 were eligible. Acute and late toxicities were scored weekly according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute and late radiation morbidity scoring schemes. An especial focus was on evidence of post-radiation brain injury. Also quality of life was analysed according to the EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) recommendations. Discrete variables were compared by ${\chi}^2$ test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rates and generate survival curves. Results: A total of 58 patients with a mean follow-up time of 36 months completed clinical trials.Fifty-seven patients (98.3) achieved complete remission in the primary sites and cervical lymph nodes, with only one patient (1.7%) showing partial remission.The most frequently observed acute toxicities during the concurrent chemoradiotherapy were mucositis and leucopenia. Four patients (6.9%) had RTOG grade 3 mucositis, whereas four patients (6.9%) had grade 3 leucopenia. No patient had grade 4 acute toxicity. Three (5.17%) of the patients exhibited injury to the brain on routine MRI examination, with a median observation of 32 months (range, 25-42months). All of them were RTOG grade 0. The 3-year overall, regional-free and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 85%, 94% and 91%, respectively. Conclusion: Simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy is feasible in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results showed excellent local control and overall survival, with no significant increase the incidence of radiation brain injury or the extent of damage. A larger population of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to evaluate ultimate tumor control and late toxicity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.86-93
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• 2017

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical spectrum of posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) after solid organ transplantation (SOT) in children. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 18 patients with PTLD who underwent liver (LT) or kidney transplantation (KT) between January 1995 and December 2014 in Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Results: Eighteen patients (3.9% of pediatric SOTs; LT:KT, 11:7; male to female, 9:9) were diagnosed as having PTLD over the last 2 decades (4.8% for LT and 2.9% for KT). PTLD usually presented with fever or gastrointestinal symptoms in a median period of 7 months after SOT. Eight cases had malignant lesions, and all the patients except one had evidence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) involvement, assessed by using in situ hybridization of tumor tissue or EBV viral load quantitation of blood. Remission was achieved in all patients with reduction of immunosuppression and/or rituximab therapy or chemotherapy, although 1 patient had allograft kidney loss and another died from complications of chemotherapy. The first case of PTLD was encountered after the introduction of tacrolimus for pediatric SOT in 2003. The recent increase in PTLD incidence in KT coincided with modification of clinical practice since 2012 to increase the tacrolimus trough level. Conclusion: While the outcome was favorable in that all patients achieved complete remission, some patients still had allograft loss or mortality. To prevent PTLD and improve its outcome, monitoring for EBV infection is essential, which would lead to appropriate modification of immunosuppression and enhanced surveillance for PTLD.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2003

Purpose : Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis(FSGS) is known to have a poor prognosis and a poor response to treatment. We performed a combination therapy of plasmapheresis, steroid pulse and immunoglobulin in 4 patients with relapsed steroid dependent(SD) or steroid resistant(SR) FSGS after steroid pulse therapy. Materials and Methods : 8 cycles of plasmapheresis were performed in 4 patients with biopsy proven FSGS who had relapsed after steroid pulse therapy from March 1988 to July 2002. Clinical findings and treatment courses were reviewed retrospectively. Results : Among the 4 patients, there were 3 males and 1 female. After 8 cycles of plasmapheresis, clinical remissions were obtained. Two of the four patients had two relapses and received 2 more cycles of plasmapheresis which resulted in remissions. One of these patients had two further relapses and was treated with oral steroid resulting in clinical remission. Three patients have maintained normal serum creatinine level and glomerular filtration rates during the follow-up period of 10 years, and the other 1 patient for 5 months. Conclusion : A combination therapy of plasmapheresis, steroid pulse and immunoglobulin led to a complete remission in patients with FSGS who were SD or SR and was effective in maintaining normal renal function.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• v.33 no.52
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• pp.346.1-346.11
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• 2018

Background: To evaluate the therapeutic benefits of the treat-to-target (T2T) strategy for Asian patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Korea. Methods: In a 1-year, multicenter, open-label strategy trial, 346 patients with early RA were recruited from 20 institutions across Korea and stratified into 2 groups, depending on whether they were recruited by rheumatologists who have adopted the T2T strategy (T2T group) or by rheumatologists who provided usual care (non-T2T group). Data regarding demographics, rheumatoid factor titer, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody titer, disease activity score of 28 joints (DAS28), and Korean Health Assessment Questionnaire (KHAQ) score were obtained at baseline and after 1 year of treatment. In the T2T group, the prescription for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs was tailored to the predefined treatment target in each patient, namely remission (DAS28 < 2.6) or low disease activity (LDA) ($2.6{\leq}DAS28$ < 3.2). Results: Data were available for 163 T2T patients and 162 non-T2T patients. At the end of the study period, clinical outcomes were better in the T2T group than in the non-T2T group (LDA or remission, 59.5% vs. 35.8%; P < 0.001; remission, 43.6% vs. 19.8%; P < 0.001). Compared with non-T2T, T2T was also associated with higher rate of good European League Against Rheumatism response (63.0% vs. 39.8%; P < 0.001), improved KHAQ scores (-0.38 vs. -0.13; P = 0.008), and higher frequency of follow-up visits (5.0 vs. 2.0 visits/year; P < 0.001). Conclusion: In Asian patients with early RA, T2T improves disease activity and physical function. Setting a pre-defined treatment target in terms of DAS28 is recommended.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.323-331
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• 2000

Purpose: Brain metastases are present in approximately 10-16% of small cell lung cancer patients at diagnosis. Brain metastasis is an important clinical problem associated with increasing the survival rate, with a cumulative incidence of up to 80% in patients surviving 2 years. Prophylactic cranial irradiation(PCI) reduces the incidence of brain matastasis and may prolong survival in patients with limited small-cell lung cancer who achieved complete remission. This study was performed to analyze the incidence of brain metastasis, survival and clinical aspects after PCI in patients with limited small-cell lung cancer who achieved complete remission. Methods : Between 1989 and 1999, forty-two patients with limited small-cell lung cancer who achived achieved complete remission after therapy were enrolled into this study retrospectively. All patients received etoposide and cisplatin(VPP) alternating with cytoxan, adriamycin, and vincristine(CAV) every 3 weeks for at least 6 cycles initially. All patients received thoracic radiotherapy: concurrent(38.1%) and sequential(61.9%). All patients received late PCI. Results : Most patients(88.1%) were men, and the median age was 58 years. The median follow-up duration was 18.1 months. During the follow-up period, 57.1% of the patients developed relapse. The most frequent site of relapse was chest(35.7%), followed by brain(14.3%), liver(11.9%), adrenal gland(44%), and bone(2.2%). With the Kaplan-Meier method, the average disease-free interval was 1,090 days(median 305 days). The average time to development of brain relapse after PCI and other sites relapse(except brain) were 2,548 days and 1,395 days(median 460 days), respectively. The average overall survival was 1,233 days(median 634 days, 21.1 months), and 2-year survival rates was 41.7%. The average overall survival in the relapse group was 642 days(median 489 days) and in the no relapse group was 2,622 days(p<0.001). The average overall survival in the brain relapse group was 928 days(median 822 days) and in the no brain relapse group was 1,308 days(median 634 days)(p=0.772). In most patients(85.7%), relapse(except brain) or systemic disease was the usual cause of death. Brain matastasis was the cause of death in 14.3% of the cases. Conclusions : We may conclude that PCI reduces and delays brain metastasis in patients with limited small cell lung cancer who achieved complete remission. We found decreased survival in relapse group but, no significant survival difference was noted according to brain matastasis. And relapse(except brain) or systemic disease was the usual cause of death. In order to increase survival, new treatment strategies for control methods for relapse and systemic disease are required.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4_2
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• pp.967-974
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• 2003

Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis(RAS) is inflammatory ulcerative condition of the oral mucosa. The lesions of RAS are self-limited and persist for 1 to 2 weeks, resolved with or without scarring and recurred after periods of remission. It is known that nicotine may protect oral mucosa from aphthous ulcers by keratinization of the oral mucosa. After quitting smoking, a stroke patient who suffered from RAS, used to relapse into RAS unless he didn't gargle with nicotine extract water. We diagnosed his case as heat in the stomach and treated with Chungwie-San(Qingwei-San). After medication with Chungwie-San, RAS was subsided and he stopped smoking during admission period.