• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.454-461
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• 1988

Myasthenia gravis is a functional neuromuscular disorder with characteristic voluntary muscle weakness. The role of thymus in pathogenesis of this disorder has become apparent that thymectomy in treatment has gained acceptance. Between January 1976 and June 1987, twenty patients underwent thymectomy for myasthenia gravis at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, College of Medicine, Korea University. A clinical study that is focused on the factors affecting the operative results was analyzed and the following results were obtained. Among the 20 patients, male to female ratio was 8:12 and the age of onset was ranged from 3 years to 67 years. The chief complaints in order of frequency were as follows; ocular symptoms such as ptosis and diplopia[7 cases], general weakness[4 cases], swallowing difficulty[3 cases], dyspnea[3 cases], dysphasia[1 case], headache[1 case] and dizziness[1 case]. The severity of disease was classified by modified Osserman`s method that Group IIa was 8 cases, Group IIb; 7 cases, Group IIc; 3 cases and Group I; 2 cases. In histopathology of thymus, the most frequent finding was hyperplasia[11 cases] followed by thymoma[4 cases], normal tissue[3 cases] and malignant` thymoma[2 cases]. There were two cases of postoperative complications; one case was wound infection and the other was mediastinitis. One case of malignant thymoma died due to respiratory failure with pulmonary metastasis. There was 16 cases[80%] of improvement after thymectomy as follows; complete remission was 4 cases[20%], marked improvement was 9 cases[45%] and subjective improvement only was 3 cases[15%]. The effect of severity and duration of disease on operative result has statistically significant. The effect of thymus histopathology on operative result was not statistically significant. But there were comparable results between thymoma cases and non-thymoma cases.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2005

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) is a recently described aggressive B-cell neoplasm, which usually manifests as a localized disease of the oral mucosa in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Recently we encountered a case of plasmablastic lymphoma manifesting in the left maxillary sinus and cervical lymph node of a previously healthy HIV-negative man, 48 years of age. we conducted a fine-needle aspiration smear of the cervical lymph node, and this was found to be highly cellular with numerous large cells exhibiting eccentrically positioned nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and moderate quantities of basophilic cytoplasm. A biopsy of the mass in the maxillary sinus evidenced diffuse growth of similar plasmablastic cells. These tumor cells were negative for the leukocyte common antigens, CD20, CD3, CD30, and EMA. However, the cells tested positive for CD79a and CD138/syndecan-1. The tumor cells also exhibited L-light-chain restriction. The Ki-67 proliferation index was measured at almost 100%. The patient was diagnosed with plasmablastic lymphoma. After three cycles of combination chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the patient went into complete remission, and currently remains in this state.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.68-74
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• 2008

Medical verification of cancer diagnosis in insurance claims is a very important procedure in insurance administrations. Claims staffs are in need of medical experts' opinions about claim administration. This procedure is called medical claim review (MCR) and is composed of verification and advice. MCR verification evaluates the insured’s physical condition by medical records and compares it with product coverage. It is divided into assessment of living assurance benefit, verification of cancer, and assessment of the cause of death. Actually cancer verification of MCR is applicable to coding because the risk ratio in product development is usually coded data. There are some confusing neoplastic diseases in assessing the verification of cancer. This article reviews gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue tumors (MALToma) of the stomach. The second most common group of stromal or mesenchymal neoplasms affecting the gastrointestinal tract is GIST. Nowadays there are many articles about the pathophysiology of GIST. However there are few confirmative theories except molecular cell biology of KIT mutation and some tyrosine kinase. Therefore, coding the GIST, which has previously been classified as an intermediate risk group according to NIH2001 criteria, for cancer verification of MCR is suitable for D37.1; neoplasm of uncertain or unknown behavior of digestive organs and the stomach. The gastrointestinal tract is the predominant site of extranodal non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. B-cell lymphomas of the MALT type, now called extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of MALT type in the REAL/WHO classification, are the most common primary gastric lymphomas worldwide. Its characteristics are as follows. First, it is different from traditional stomach cancers such as gastric adenocarcinoma. Second, the primary therapy of MALToma is the eradication of H. pylori by antibiotics and the remission rate is over 80%. Third, it has a different clinical course compared to traditional malignant lymphoma. Someone insisted that cancer verification is not possible for the above reasons. However, there have been findings on pathologic mechanism, and according to WHO classification, MALToma is classified into malignant B-cell lymphoma and it must be verified as malignancy in MCR.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2007

Drug eruption is a cutaneous reaction caused by various drugs. It is a very common drug induced adverse reaction. Contrast media induced drug eruption is rare. But approximately 10% of people injected with contrast media experience adverse reaction, and drug eruption accounts for more than 40% of all adverse reactions. We report a case of mild drug eruption and its treatment process based on korean traditional medicine. The patient is a 50 years old female diagnosed with functional dyspepsia. The patient had gastric discomfort and alternation between diarrhea and constipation. All symptoms showed nearly complete remission with continued korean traditional medical treatment. The patient had been injected with contrast media for Computed tomography(CT) evaluation of her breast cancer history. Rashes appeared on back and abdomen, and urticaria and pruritus appeared on the patient's finger 1 day after injection. We prescribed Goreisan(TSUMURA CO &, TJ-17) and acupuncture on Quchi(LI11), Zusanli(ST36), Yangxi(LI5), Yanggu(SI5). Consequently, the drug eruption showed remarkable improvement. So the author reports korean traditional medicine is effective complementary treatment for drug eruption.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.40-43
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• 1990

Herpes zoster is a common, usually self-limited disease distinguished by pain and a characteristic vesicular rash. The clinical onset of herpes zoster is heralded by pain in the area of the affected segment. So herpetic neuralgia is a major complaint from patients visiting the pain clinic. There are several methods for the treatment of herpetic neuralgia, but there is no method that results in complete remission. In 1988, King introduced the chloroform-aspirin topical application method. This method is known to be a very simple and effective treatment of acute herpetic neuralgia and postherpetic neuralgia. We used diethyl ether instead of chloroform as the solvent and treated 12 patients; 7 patients with herpetic neuralgia and 5 patients with postherpetic neuralgia. The results were follows, 1) The treatment has proved to be highly effective in relieving pain in acute herpetic neuralgia. 2) The application was very simple and safe to use and treatment tolerance has been excellent. 3) There were no effective results in postherpetic neuralgia. 4) The topical treatment seemed to promote the healing of the herpetic skin lesion.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.18
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• pp.8321-8325
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• 2016

Background: The incidence of hydatidiform mole (HM) differs among regions but has declined significantly over time. In Thailand, the initiation of universal health coverage in 2002 has resulted in a change of medical services countrywide. However, impacts of these policies on gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) cases in Thailand have not been reported. This study aimed to find the incidence of hydatidiform mole (HM) in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) from 1994-2013, comparing before and after the implementation of the universal coverage health policy. Materials and Methods: All cases of GTD in KCMH from 1994-2013 were reviewed from medical records. The incidence of HM, patient characteristics, treatment and remission rates were compared over two study decades between 1994-2003 and 2004-2013. Results: Hydatidiform mole cases decreased from 204 cases in the first decade to 111 cases in the seond decade. Overall incidence of HM was 1.70 per 1,000 deliveries. The incidence of HM in the first and second decades were 1.70 and 1.71 per 1,000 deliveries, respectively (p=0.65, 95%CI 1.54-1.88). Referred cases of nonmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) increased from 12 (4.4%) to 23 (14.4%, p<0.01). Vaginal bleeding was the most common presenting symptom which decreased from 89.4% to 79.6% (p=0.02). Asymptomatic HM patients increased from 4.8% to 10.2% (p=0.07). Rate of postmolar GTN was 26%. Conclusions: The number of HM cases in this study decreased over 2 decades but incidence was unchanged. Referral rates of malignant cases were more common after universal health coverage policy initiation. Classic clinical presentation was decreased significantly in the last decade.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.531-540
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• 2017

Objectives: This study discusses the effects of constitution therapy on adolescent ulcerative colitis. Methods: A 12-year-old male patient was treated with western medication for six months and herbal medicine for one year and six years; however, his abdominal pain, mucousy stool, bloody stool, and diarrhea persisted. He was diagnosed as having Taeumin according to Sasang constitution classification and treated with Sasang constitutional medicine (i.e., Yeuldahanso-tang and food restrictions based on constitutional medicine theory). Before the first treatment, his Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI) score was 35, but this score decreased to 15 within six months and was maintained at 10 by 18 months of treatment. He took the herbal medication for 38 months, and his PUCAI score was 0 at the end of treatment. His liver functioned normally despite long-term drug use, and a follow-up colonoscopy showed no ulcerative colitis except melanosis, which was presumed to be caused by the herbal medicine. Ulcerative colitis in pediatric adolescents requires treatment with pharmacotherapy and dietary control based on constitutional medicine to maintain disease remission. Conclusions: Constitutional therapy is effective for treating adolescent ulcerative colitis. More clinical data are needed for patients with ulcerative colitis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3941-3944
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• 2015

Background: Aberrant expression of HOX gene expression has been observed in cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the alteration of HOXA5 and HOXA9 expression and their clinical significance in acute meloid leukemia (AML). Materials and Methods: The expression of HOXA5 and HOXA9 genes of bone marrow samples from 75 newly diagnosed AML patients and 22 healthy controls for comparison were examined by Real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) assay. Statistical analysis was conducted to evaluate HOXA5 and HOXA9 expression as possible biomarkers for AML. Results: The results showed that the complete remission rate (52.6%) of the patients who highly expressed HOXA5 and HOXA9 was significantly lower than that (88.9%) in patients who lowly express the genes (P=0.015). Spearmann correlation coefficients indicated that the expression levels for HOXA5 and HOXA9 genes were highly interrelated (r=0.657, P<0.001). Meanwhile, we detected significant correlations between HOXA9 expression and age in this limited set of patients (P=0.009). Conclusions: The results suggest a prognostic impact of increased expression of HOXA5 and HOXA9 in AML patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6663-6668
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• 2015

Background: Treatment failure in leukemia is due to either pharmacokinetic resistance or cell resistance to drugs. Materials and Methods: Gene expression of multiple drug resistance protein (MDR-1), multidrug resistance-related protein (MRP) and low resistance protein (LRP) was assessed in 45 pediatric ALL cases and 7 healthy controls by real time PCR. The expression was scored as negative, weak, moderate and strong. Results: The male female ratio of cases was 2.75:1 and the mean age was 5.2 years. Some 26/45 (58%) were in standard risk, 17/45(38%) intermediate and 2/45 (4%) in high risk categorie, 42/45 (93%) being B-ALL and recurrent translocations being noted in 5/45 (11.0%). Rapid early response (RER) at day 14 was seen in 37/45 (82.3%) and slow early response (SER) in 8/45 (17.7%) cases. Positive expression of MDR-1, LRP and MRP was noted in 14/45 (31%), 15/45 (33%) and 27/45 (60%) cases and strong expression in 3/14 (21%), 11/27 (40.7%) and 8/15 (53.3%) cases respectively. Dual or more gene positivity was noted in 17/45 (38%) cases. 46.5 % (7/15) of LRP positive cases at day 14 were in RER as compared to 100% (30/30) of LRP negative cases (p<0.05). All 8 (100%) LRP positive cases in SER had strong LRP expression (p=<0.05). Moreover, only 53.3% of LRP positive cases were in haematological remission at day 30 as compared to 100% of LRP negative cases (p=<0.05). Conclusions: Our study indicated that increased LRP expression at diagnosis in pediatric ALL predicts poor response to early treatment and hence can be used as a prognostic marker. However, larger prospective studies with longer follow up are needed, to understand the clinical relevance of drug resistance proteins.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2010

Objectives This study is to examine case that has an significant result on treating Polyarticular Type Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis(JIA) the patient who did not response to DMARDs and NSAIDs with oriental medicine. JIA is the most common form of persistent arthritis in children before age 16. The symptoms of JIA is pain and edema of joints, fever, lethargy, reduced physical activity, and poor appetite. But the symptoms vary. Methods The patient felt pain and had limitation of mobility on his joints, but the DMARDs and NSAIDs were not effective. Therefore, he was treated with oriental medicine and withdrew from DMARDs and NSAIDs. The patient took DMARDs and NSAIDs from May 2007 to November 2008(He did not took DMARDs and NSAIDs from December 2007 to June 2008), and took oriental medicine from November 2008 until now. Results The patient's pain and limited mobility on his joints, edema, morning stiffness, fatigue was gone, and could maintain the condition. He doesn't have DMARDs or any other western medicine anymore. Conclusions This study shows that a Polyarticular Type Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis patient who had ineffective response to DMARDs and NSAIDs can reach to the clinical remission by oriental medicine treatment. His morning stiffness, fatigue, pain of joints, edema was gone and ESR was in normal range with Oriental medicine treatment.