• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.619-626
• /
• 2010

Background: The indications and the optimal time of surgery of infective endocarditis are controversial. We report the surgical results of our hospital during the last 10 years with literature review. Material and Method: Between January 2000 and December 2009, we enrolled 23 infective endocarditis patients who underwent surgery, and analyzed retrospectively. In the preoperative blood culture, 8 cases (34.8%) were positive. The average preoperative antibiotics treatment period was $20.78{\pm}16.00$ days. There were 12 (52.2%) urgent operations. The average follow up period was $49.26{\pm}33.21$ months. Result: 20 mechanical valve replacements were performed, 9 in aortic position, 8 in mitral position and 3 in the both positions. The other procedures were one mitral valvuloplasty, one infected myxoma extirpation, and one infected pacemaker lead removal with debridement. The average period of postoperative intravenous antibiotic treatment was $24.39{\pm}15.98$ days. There were 5 complications, including 2 cases of postoperative bleeding, one postcardiotomy syndrome, one cerebral ischemia, and a low cardiac output syndrome. There were statistically significant postoperative improvement in NYHA class, left ventricle end diastolic/end systolic volume, and left atrium size (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: We could obtain the satisfactory results without any moftalities by using sufficient preoperative antibiotics in hemodynamically stable patients, and by prompt surgery in unstable patients.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.350-359
• /
• 2005

Sagittal split ramus osteotomy(SSRO) has been commonly performed in the mandibular prognathism. The previous studies of the mandibular anatomy for SSRO have mostly been used in dry skull without consideration of age, sex or jaw relationship of patients. This study was performed to evaluate the location of mandibular canal and the anatomy of ramus, such as the location of mandibular lingula and the ramal bone marrow, which were associated with SSRO procedures, in the patients with mandibular prognathism and normal young adults by using computerized tomographs(CT) and 3D images. The young adults at their twenties, who were considered to complete their skeletal growth, and seen in the Department of Orthodontics and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Chonnam National University Hospital between March 2000 and May 2003, were selected. This study was performed in 30 patients (15men, 15women) who were diagnosed as skeletal class I normal relationship, and another 30 patients (15men, 15women) who were diagnosed as skeletal class III relationship upon clinical examination and lateral cephalometric radiographs. The patients were divided into 2 groups : Class I group, the patients who had skeletal class Ⅰ normal relationship(n=30, 15men, 15women), and Class III group, the patients who had skeletal class III relationship(n=30, 15men, 15women). Facial CT was taken in all patients, and pure 3D mandibular model was constructed by V-works version 4.0. The occlusal plane was designed by three points, such as the mesiobuccal cusp of both mandibular 1st molar and the incisal edge of the right mandibular central incisor, and used as a reference plane. Distances between the tip of mandibular lingula and the occlusal plane, the sigmoid notch, the anterior and the posterior borders of ramus were measured. The height of ramal bone marrow from the occlusal plane and the distance between mid-point of mandibular canal and the buccal or lingual cortex of the mandible in the 1st and 2nd molars were measured by V-works version 4.0. Distance(Li-OP) between the occlusal plane and the tip of mandibular lingula of Class III Group was longer than that of Class I Group in men(p<0.01), but there was no significant difference in women between both groups. Distance(Li-SN) between the sigmoid notch and the tip of mandibular ligula of Class III group was longer than that of Class I Group in men(p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in women between both groups. Distance(Li-RA) between the anterior border of ramus and the tip of mandibular lingula of Class III Group was shorter than that of Class I Group in men and women(p<0.01). Distance(Li-RP) between the posterior border of ramus and the tip of mandibular lingula of Class III Group was slightly shorter than that of Class I Group in men(p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in women between both groups. Distance(RA-RP) between the anterior and the posterior borders of ramus of Class III Group was shorter than that of Class I Group in men and women(p<0.01). Longer the distance(SN-AN) between the sigmoid notch and the antegonial notch was, longer the vertical ramal length above occlusal plane, higher the location of mandibular lingula, and shorter the antero-posterior ramal length were observed(p<0.01). Height of ramal bone marrow of Class III Group was higher than that of Class I Group in men and women(p<0.01). Distance between mandibular canal and buccal cortex of Class III Group in 1st and 2nd lower molars was shorter than that of Class I Group in men and women (p<0.05 in 1st lower molar in men, p<0.01 in others). These results indicate that there are some anatomical differences between the normal occlusal patients and the mandibular prognathic patients, such as the anterior-posterior length of ramus, the height of ramal bone marrow, and the location of mandibular canal.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.119-128
• /
• 2011

In the process of assessing the children with anterior crossbite in early mixed dentition, it has frequently been detected that the stronger the skeletal pattern of the malocclusion is, the more markedly delayed the development and eruption of maxillary teeth are. If the anteroposterior characteristics of craniofacial skeleton has any relationship with dental maturation, the evaluation of dental development and eruption was thought to be able to contribute to early diagnosis of crossbite in children. This study was performed for the purpose of elucidating the relationship between dental maturation of maxillary teeth and some cephalometric values in children with anterior crossbite of maxillary undergrowth type in early mixed dentition. Among the children in Hellman dental age IIA and IIC who attended the Pediatric Dental Clinic of Pusan National University Hospital with orthodontic problems, cases with Class III malocclusion were classified and 50 cases of maxillary undergrowth type and type with normal maxilla respectively were randomly selected and studied as subjects. From their lateral cephalographs and panoramic radiographs, their anteroposterior skeletal features, the dental maturity and eruption rate were obtained of each group and data were analyzed to yield the results as follows: 1. Comparing the maturity of maxillary teeth of both groups, only the first molars of maxillary undergrowth group showed significantly slower development and eruption (p<0.05). 2. There was high correlation between maturation of maxillary 1st molar and chronological age(p<0.05). 3. Among the parameters of anteroposterior relationship of skeletal pattern in maxilla and mandible. Wits was revealed as a useful index to predict both the calcification and eruption rate of the 1st molars whereas SNA was to eruption rate(p<0.05).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.243-247
• /
• 2006

$\underline{Purpose}$: To evaluate the treatment results and prognostic factors of palliative radiation therapy in the patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer. $\underline{Materials\;&\;Methods$: Thirty-seven evaluable patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer who were treated by palliative radiation therapy for pain relief at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Kangnam St. Mary's hospital, the Catholic University of Korea between March 1984 and February 2005 were analysed retrospectively. There were 22 men and 15 women. Age at diagnosis ranged from 30 to 80 (median 57) years. Twelve patients (32.4%) had liver metastases and 22 patients (59.5%) had lymph node metastases. Radiation therapy was delivered to primary tumor and regional lymph nodes with $1{\sim}2\;cm$ margin, and total dose was $3,240{\sim}5,580\;cGy$ (median 5,040 cGy). Chemotherapy with radiotherapy was delivered in 30 patients (81%) with 5-FU alone (21 patients) or gemcitabine (9 patients). The follow-up period ranged from 1 to 44 months. Survival and prognostic factors were analysed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test respectively. $\underline{Results}$: Overall mean and median survival were 11 and 8 months and 1-year survival rate was 20%. Among 33 patients who were amenable for response evaluation, 7 patients had good response and 22 patients had fair response with overall response rate of 87.9%. Mild to moderate toxicity were observed in 14 patients with nausea, vomiting, and indigestion, but severe toxicity requiring interruption of treatment were not observed. Chemotherapy didn't influence the survival and symptomatic palliation, but the group containing gemcitabine showed a tendency of longer survival (median 12 months) than 5-FU alone group (median 5.5 months) without statistical significance (p>0.05). The significant prognostic factors were Karnofsky performance status and liver metastasis (p<0.05). Age, sex, tumor location, lymph node metastasis, and CA 19-9 level did not show any prognostic significance (p>0.05). $\underline{Conclusion}$: Radiation therapy was effective for symptomatic palliation in the patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer and would play an important part in the survival benefit with gemcitabine or other targeted agents.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.7
• /
• pp.818-823
• /
• 2009

Purpose : We aimed to evaluate the frequency and characteristics of minor clinical manifestations of atopic dermatitis (AD) in Korean children to aid the diagnosis and treatment of AD. Methods : From April 2007 to December 2007, we enrolled 106 children (aged 1 month [infants] to 15 years) diagnosed with AD at the Pediatric Allergy Respiratory Center in Soonchunhyang University Hospital. Clinical manifestations were examined and laboratory findings (total and specific immunoglobulin E [IgE] levels and peripheral blood eosinophil count) were analyzed and compared. Results : Minor symptoms, in order of frequency, included xerosis (78.3%), aggravation due to environmental or emotional stress (43.4%), lichenification (35.8%), orbital darkening (34.0%), periauricular eczema (33.0%), and cutaneous infection (31.1%). Older children (${\geq}2$ years) showed more orbital darkening (P=0.01), horizontal crease (P=0.01), and lichenification (P=0.001) than infants. Patients with severe AD (scoring atopic dermatitis [SCORAD] score, ${\geq}40$) showed higher frequencies of xerosis (P= 0.04), cutaneous infection (P=0.03), ichthyosis (P=0.18), keratosis pilaris (P=0.02), pityriasis alba (P=0.07), recurrent conjunctivitis (P=0.02), orbital darkening (P=0.001), aggravation due to environmental or emotional stress (P=0.05), facial eczema (P=0.001), lichenification (P=0.001), and hand/foot eczema (P=0.04) than those with mild-to-moderate AD. Children with atopic eczema showed more facial eczema (P=0.01) and lichenification (P=0.04) than those with non-atopic eczema. Conclusion : The clinical manifestations of AD were similar to those established by Hanifin and Rajka. However, we need to develop our own diagnostic criteria for AD, because the frequencies shown by our subjects differed from those observed in other countries.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.50 no.12
• /
• pp.1247-1251
• /
• 2007

Purpose : Pathologically, Kawasaki disease (KD) is associated with widespread vascular endothelial damage in the acute phase. The vasculitis induced endothelial injury leads to coagulation abnormalities. Abnormalities of endothelial function, platelet activation, and fibrinolysis are present during acute phase and long after the onset of KD. The aim of study is to evaluate the change of hemostatic markers in the clinical stages of KD and to assess the hemostatic markers to be a useful indicator of the development of coronary artery lesion (CAL). Methods : Seventy four KD patients diagnosed in Chungnam National University Hospital from November 2004 to June 2007. Eleven febrile control and eleven healthy children were selected for healthy control. All blood samples were collected before and after Intravenous gammaglobulin (IVGG), $2^{nd}$ week, and $4^{th}-8^{th}$ week of illness of KD. Results : Initial D-dimer level of Kawasaki disease showed meaningful difference compared to control group (P<0.05). D-dimer and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) before IVGG increased compared with normal control group and decreased after IVGG administration. It is normalized until 2 weeks later, and continue to decreasing. D-dimer and FDP were significantly different according to the CAL before IVGG. Conclusion : The hemostatic markers may change to the clinical stage of KD, which may suggest the degree of endothelial injury. Increased some hemostatic markers may be the predictors for development of CAL.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.81-86
• /
• 2003

Purpose : Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a leading cause of meningitis, sepsis, pneumonia, and otitis media in children worldwide. Emergence of drug-resistant organism has substantially complicated the therapy of these infections. This study was conducted to determine the clinical features and changing patterns of antibiotic-resistant rates of Streptococcus pneumoniae. Methods : We have retrospectively examined 306 cases of culture proven patients who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Severance hospital, from the year 1991 to year 2000. The type of culture specimen used, presence of penicillin resistance, characteristics according to various presenting diseases and their prevailing year were also examined. Results : The mean age of cases was 7.9 year and the ratio of male to female was 1.6 : 1. The main age group of pneumococcal infection was under 2 years(42%). Systemic infections associated with pneumococci were sepsis(19.3%) and meningitis(9.5%), while local infections presented as pneumonia(29.2%), otitis media(19.3%), exudative tonsillitis(13.3%), and sinusitis(9.2%) in the order of frequency. Seasonal variation was seen in the incidence of pneumococcal infection: high incidence of infection was seen in Spring(Mar.~Apr; 32%), while the incidence was low during summer(Aug.~Sep.; 6%). Penicillin-resistant rate of pneumococci was steadily on the increase since the year 1991(65%) to year 2000(84%). Conclusion : Antibiotic-resistant pneumococci increased during the past decade. For effective prevention of pneumococcal infections, national survey of pneumococcal infections and expanded use of pneumococcal vaccination would be needed.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.130-137
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Stem cell transplantation (SCT) has gained worldwide acceptance as a treatment for hematologic disorders. This study was performed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of the acute kidney injury after SCT in children. Methods : The records of 53 patients who were treated with SCT at the pediatric department of Yeungnam University Hospital between January, 1996 and April, 2009 were used as subjects. Their were divided into two groups ; 'Early renal insufficiency' (ERI, n=18) and 'Non-early renal insufficiency' (NERI, n=35). ERI had greater than 25% of drop in GFR after SCT. Results: Total 53 patients were analyzed. In cord blood SCT (n=11), ERI was 4 (36.4%) and NERI was 7 (63.6%). In bone marrow SCT (n=16), ERI was 8 (50.0%) and NERI was 8 (50.5%). In autologous peripheral blood SCT (n=26), ERI was 6 (23.1%) and NERI was 20 (76.9%). There is no difference in both groups according to kinds of SCT. GVHD was developed in 22 patients, and there is no difference in each group. Twenty two of 53 patients died. ERI was 12 (66.7%) and NERI was 10 (28.6%). Acute renal failure is most important cause of the deaths. Conclusion : Out of 53 pediatric patients who were treated with SCT, 18 patients had greater than 25% of drop in GFR. There is no difference in both groups according to kinds of SCT. GVHD was found in 22 patients and there is no relation between GVHD development and acute kideney injury.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.93-98
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Ghrelin stimulates the secretion of growth hormone and other pituitary hormones, and has orexigenic effects. It may have a physiologic role in fetal and neonatal growth. Leptin secreted by the adipocytes reflects fat mass in infants as well as adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of cord blood ghrelin and leptin levels to body weight(BW), body mass index(BMI), insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3) levels in appropriate for gestational age(AGA) newborns. Methods : Sixty healthy AGA newborns(31 males and 29 females, gestational age[GA] 34-42 weeks) were included in this study, whose BW and BMI were measured at delivery. Umbilical cord venous blood samples were withdrawn, and ghrelin and leptin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Cord blood IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were determined by immunoradiometric assay. Results : The mean levels of ghrelin were inversely correlated with BW(r=-0.29, P<0.05) and GA (r=-0.28, P<0.05), but were not affected by gender. The mean levels of leptin levels showed positive correlation with BW(r=0.44, P<0.01), GA(r=0.36, P<0.01), and BMI(r=0.28, P<0.05). The leptin levels of females were higher than those of males. There was no gender difference in leptin levels in neonates under GA 37 weeks. However, the leptin levels of females were higher than those of males (P<0.01) in newborns with GA 37 weeks or over. There was no correlation between ghrelin and leptin levels. Ghrelin and leptin levels showed no relations to cord blood IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels. Conclusion : These data suggest that cord blood ghrelin may have an inverse correlation with BW in AGA newborns, and leptin levels are positively correlated with BW and fat mass. Further study of ghrelin concentrations in cord blood is necessary to elucidate the physiological and pathological roles of ghrelin during the fetal and neonatal periods.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.566-571
• /
• 2003

Purpose : Leukoencephalopathy(LE) is one of the most serious complications in children with hematologic malignancies during the course of treatment. Early recognition is important to reduce the impact and sequelae from LE. We therefore investigated the clinical features of LE following central nervous system(CNS) prophylaxis in children with hematologic malignancies and evaluated the significance of regular check-ups of brain MRI. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed children with hematologic malignancies who had CNS prophylaxis including intrathecal(IT) methotrexate(MTX) and/or cranial irradiation at the Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital from Oct. 1995 to May 2002. Fifteen cases of acute leukemia and one case of lymphoma who experienced LE following CNS prophylaxis were included in the study. Clinical data were analyzed from the medical records and brain MRIs were reviewed by neuroradiologists. Results : The ages ranged from 1 to 13 years(median age=5.2 years), and the male to female ratio was 3 : 1. The time interval from the beginning of chemotherapy to the time of diagnosis of LE ranged from 2 to 17 months. They all had IT MTX two to 15 times and ten underwent cranial irradiation(1,800 rads). At the time of diagnosis, ten of them had neuropsychiatric symptoms including seizures, personality changes, headache, etc. After the change of treatment modality, four cases showed significant improvement on follow-up MRIs, six cases had no significant changes and two had worsening of LE. Four patients died of infection and bone marrow relapse. Conclusion : CNS prophylaxis with IT therapy and cranial irradiation may cause leukoencephalopathy during the course of treatment. As a result, regular brain MRI check-up is recommended for the early detection and reducing the incidence of LE, along with changes in the treatment modality.