• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.170-178
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• 2014

Purpose: Delirium is a common and serious neuropsychiatric complication among terminally ill cancer patients. We investigated risk factors related to the development of delirium among hospice care patients. Methods: Between May 2011 and September 2012, we included patients who were mentally alert and had no psychiatric disease or drug addiction at the hospice ward of two local hospitals. Among them, participants who had been diagnosed with delirium by two doctors according to the DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-4th edition) criteria were grouped as Delirium Group. We analyzed results of psychometric and other laboratory tests performed at the time of patient's admission - psychometric tests included cognitive function (mini-mental status examination, MMSE), depression (Beck Depression Inventory, BDI), anxiety, and insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index, ISI). Logistic regression analysis was used to compare delirium and the related factors. Cox's proportional hazard model was performed using significant factors of logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 96 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 41 (42.7%) developed delirium. According to the logistic regression analysis, primary cancer site, cognitive impairment (MMSE < 24), depression ($BDI{\geq}16$), and insomnia ($ISI{\geq}15$) were significant factors related to delirium. Among the four factors, depression (OR 5.130; 95% CI, 2.009~13.097) and cognitive impairment (OR 5.130; 95% CI, 2.009~13.097) were found significant using Cox's proportional hazard model. Conclusion: The development of delirium was significantly related to depression and cognitive impairment among patients receiving hospice care. It is necessary to carefully monitor depression and cognitive function in hospice care.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2001

Purpose : Lymphadenitis is the most common complication of BCG vaccination and has various clinical course and prognosis, but there are no accurate guidelines for management of BCG lymphadenitis. We performed this study to reveal the clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis and provide guidelines for its management. Methods : From January, 1997, to May, 2000, 73 patients in the 3~24 months were enrolled. We investigated retrospectively the size, site, and number of lymphadenitis, tuberculin skin test induration, used BCG strains, vaccination age, injection site, treatment and clinical course. The effects of various variables on clinical course were evaluated. Results : 1) There were no statistically significant difference between lymphadenitis size and tuberculin test induration diameter, spontaneous resolution rate, and suppuration rate. 2) Later vaccination(${\geq}1$ mo) and supraclavicular lymphadenitis increased suppuration rate. Using domestic BCG product increased surgical treatment rate. 3) According to treatment(observation vs antituberculous medication), medication did not affect the prevention of suppuration and ironically increased the rate of suppuration and surgical treatment. 4) Suppurative lymphadenitis required more surgical treatment than non-supurative one. Conclusions : Clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis is affected by vaccination age, used BCG strains, site of lymphadenitis, antituberculous medication and suppuration, but not affected by size and number of lymphadenitis. For management of BCG lymphadenitis, systemic antituberculous medicaion is not recommended and regular follow up with observation should be the mainstay. But for suppuration, active surgical en bloc resection should be the treatment of choice.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2005

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of herpes zoster in children and adolescents in Korea and to delineate the effects of varicella vaccine on the incidence of zoster and its complication. Methods : We evaluated the clinical records of 201 patients younger than 20 years admitted for herpes zoster at four hospitals located in Kyung-Gi provine during Jul. 1995 to Jun. 2005. Results : The admitted patients for herpes zoster have increased during the past 10 years. The effects of varicella vaccine on the incidence of herpes zoster remain inconclusive in this study. Only twelve percent of the study patients had underlying diseases. In 34(17%) of 201 patients, complications were confirmed during hospitalization. Of 34 patients, meningitis occurred most frequently. Irrespective of varicella vaccination, occurrence of complications was higher in patients who had experienced varicella previously(=overt varicella infection) than patients who had not(=subclinical varicella infection). In case of no previous varicella history, we found complications to be much lower in those who had received the varicella vaccine than those who had not. Conclusion : We cannot conclude whether the varicella vaccine has an effect on the increasing incidence of zoster. We can conclude that the subclinical varicella infection or vaccination for varicella might lead to a decreased incidence of zoster complications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2002

Purpose : This study was undertaken to analyze the efficacy and sphincter preservation rate of platinum based neoadjuvant chemotherapy Plus radiotherapy versus abdominoperineal resection and Postoperative radiotherapy for anal cancer. Materials and Methods : Data of forty-two patients with anal cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Among thirty-eight patients with epidermoid histology, four patients received radiotherapy, and nineteen patients received abdominoperineal resection and adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy $(APR+RT{\pm}CT)$, and fifteen patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CRT). The CRT regimen was composed of three cycles of 5-fluorouracil $(1,000\;mg/m^2\;bolus\;on\;D1\~5)$ and cisplatin $(60\;mg/m^2\;bolus\;on\;D1)$ followed by 50.4 Gy to the tumor bed and regional lymphatics over 5.5 weeks. Both inguinal lymphatics were treated with an identical dose schedule. Residual disease was treated with an additional three cycles of identical adjuvant chemotherapy. An identical dose schedule was used for post-operative radiotherapy. Median follow-up period was eighty-five months. Results : Overall five-year survival rates were $80.3\%$, 88.9 and $79.4\%$ for entire patients, $APR+RT{\pm}CT$ group, and the CRT group, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups (p=0.49). Anus preservation rate for the CRT group was $86.7\%$. Age (0=0.0164) and performance status (p=0.0007) were found to be significant prognostic factors by univariate analysis. Age (p=0.0426), performance status (p=0.0008), and inguinal lymph node metastasis (e=0.0093) were statistically significant prognostic factors by multivariate analysis. No case of RTOG grade 3 complication or higher was reported. Conclusion : This and other recent studies have shown that combined chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for anal cancer results in a high rate of anal sphincter preservation as well as local control and survival. Furthermore, neoadjuvant use of chemotherapy with a cisplatin based regimen rather than a concurrent regimen may lead to a decrease in complications.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2006

Purpose: To determine treatment policy for early stage endometrial carcinoma, we analyzed the results of postoperative radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: From Oct. 1994 to Aug. 2002, 42 patients with FIGO stage I endometrial carcinoma received postoperative radiotherapy. All patients received curative surgery and pelvic lymph node dissection was done in 25 patients. Based on the FIGO staging system, 3 were at stage IA, 21 were at stage IB and 18 were at stage IC. Histologically, there were 14 grade 1, 16 grade 2, and 12 grade 3. Nineteen patients received intracavitary brachytherapy and 23 patients did whole pelvic radiotherapy. The median period of follow-up was 41 months (22 to 100 months). Results: Five-year overall survival, disease-free survival, local control, and regional control rates of all patients were 85.0%, 87.9%, 100%, and 97.5%, respectively. All failures were distant metastases in 5 patients and two patients had simultaneous regional recurrences. There was no intrapelvic failure in patients who received intracavitary radiotherapy. Grade 3 chronic complications were found in 1 patient (4.3%), who received whole pelvic radiotherapy. Conclusion: We achieved high rates of loco-regional control and survival by curative surgery and post-operative radiotherapy. However, we need to select the type of radiotherapy based on the risk factors for recurrence to reduce the treatment-related complication.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.455-459
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• 2012

Nine dogs presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Konkuk University and Woosung Animal Hospital with a history of pelvic limb lameness. On physical examination, 9 dogs all showed a consistent weight bearing lameness and mild muscle atrophy. There was cranial drawer sign with pain in 9 dogs. Mediolateral radiographic projection revealed cranial subluxation of the tibial tuberosity in a tibial compression view. The right and left stifle joints were affected in 7 dogs and 2 dogs respectively. TightRope cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) technique for treatment of CCL deficiency was performed. Polyester and nylon were used to stabilize the stifle in 3 dogs and 6 dogs respectively. Suture sizes were 0.8 mm (n = 2), 0.9 mm (n = 4), 1.1 mm (n = 2), and $1.1mm{\times}2$ strands (n = 1) in diameter. Mean (${\pm}SD$) surgical duration was $48.3{\pm}8.5$ minutes (range 35 to 60 minutes). Preoperative and postoperative mean (${\pm}SD$) cranial drawer signs were $8.6{\pm}1.6$ mm (rage 7 to 12 mm) and $1.2{\pm}1.0$ mm (rage 0 to 3 mm) respectively. Immediate postoperative radiographs of the affected limb revealed no evidence of cranial subluxation of the tibial tuberosity in a tibial compression view of 9 dogs. Normal limb function was regained in 8 dogs within 8 weeks postoperatively. A consistent weight bearing lameness resolved in all dogs after TightRope CCL technique, but reoccurred in one dog (case No. 6) 2 weeks after surgery. Cranial subluxation of the tibial tuberosity was identified in a tibial compression test. During the second surgery, breakage of surgical button was identified and a tibial wedge osteotomy was performed. Based on surgical time, complication, stifle stability, and functional recovery, the present study indicated that TightRope CCL technique is effective treatment for the dogs with CCL deficiency.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.85-89
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• 2014

Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) is a common and fatal complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats. Therefore in this study, we evaluated the hypercoagulability (using plasma concentration of D-dimer) in HCM cats with different stage of heart failure and left atrial enlargement and also investigated the any correlation with echocardiographic indices (including left free wall thickness at diastole, interventricular septal thickness at diastole, LA to Ao ratio, heart failure stage, existence of systolic anterior motion of mitral valve). The median plasma D-dimer concentration in this study population was $0.51{\pm}0.70$ (range 0 to 2.50) ug/mL in the control group, $1.47{\pm}1.29$ (range 0.3 to 5.79) ug/mL in the HCM group, $1.48{\pm}1.65$ (range 0.3 to 5.79) ug/mL in the ISACHC I group, $1.62{\pm}0.4$ (range 1.31 to 2.07) ug/mL in the ISACHC II group, $1.36{\pm}0.91$ (range 0.3 to 2.31) ug/mL in the ISACHC III group, $1.90{\pm}1.60$ (range 0.3 to 5.79) ug/mL in the cat with LA dilation, $1.72{\pm}0.72$ (range 0.6 to 2.31) ug/mL in cats with SEC-T, $1.19{\pm}0.70$ (range 0.3 to 2.31) ug/mL in the cats with SAM, and $1.63{\pm}0.80$ (range 0.6 to 2.31) ug/mL in the cats with ATE. Our study found the median and mean concentration of plasma D-dimer was higher in cat with HCM, ATE, SECT and SAM and clearly provides evidence of hypercoagulability in cats with HCM, although the severity was not correlated to the dilation of LA and the presence of heart failure. This is the first study evaluating the hypercoagulability in cats with HCM in Korea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.699-704
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• 2005

Background: Coronary artery fistula is rare congenital anomaly, which account for $0.27\~0.40\%$ of all congenital heart diseases. We report the clinical observations of 45 patients with coronary artery fistula. Material and Method: We reviewed all patients presented with or without symptoms of coronary artery fistula between 1987 and 2004. Age ranged from 1 to 83 years. Twenty-six patients were female. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presenting symptoms. Twelve patients were in group A (asymptomatic) and 33 patients in group B (symptomatic). The most common clinical presentation in group B was angina (18) followed by dyspnea (7), atypical chest pain (5), syncope (1), fatigue (1), and palpitation (1). Twenty-five patients were associated with other cardiac diseases, which were atrial septal defect (4), coronary artery occlusive disease (6), hypertension (12), and valvular heart disease (2). Result: Patients were followed-up for a mean period of $64.8\pm62.7$ months. There was no complication related to coronary artery fistula during the follow-up period in both group. There was no mortality related to coronary artery fistula. Conclusion: In symptomatic patients, early surgical treatment is recommended considering the low perioperative morbidity. In asymptomatic patients receiving medical treatment, close follow up may be necessary.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.823-830
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• 2001

Background: Paraplegia is a serious complication of thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic operations, which is related to ischemic injury of the spinal cord induced by low perfusion pressure during cross clamping of the aorta. Ischemic preconditioning of heart or brain with reversible sublethal ischemic injury induces resistance to subsequent lethal ischemia. The aim of this study is to investigate whether ischemic tolerance could be induced by the preconditioning of the spinal cord using swine model. Material and Method: The animals were randomly assigned to three groups: sham group(n=3), control group(n=6) and pre-conditioning group(n=8). In the sham group, we performed the left thoracotomy only without any ischemic injury. In the preconditioning group, the swine received reversible spinal cord ischemic injury by aortic clamping for 20 minutes, whereas control group had no previous aortic cross- clamping. Forty-eight hours later, the aorta was clamped for 30 minutes in both groups. Neurological examination was done 24 hours later, then the animals were euthanized for histopathology and malonedialdehyde(MDA) spectrophotometry assay of the spinal cord. Result: Statistically significant difference in neurological outcome was observed between the control and preconditioning groups at 24 hours after ischemic injury. The incidence of paraplegia and severe paresis was 100% in the control group, and 62.5% in the preconditing group(p=0.028). There was no statistically significant difference in histopathology and MDA assay of the ischemic spinal cord between these two groups with borderline statistical difference in MDA assay(p=0.0745). Conclusion: In the present swine study, ischemic preconditioning could induce tolerance against 30 minute ischemic insult of the spinal cord, although the animals did not completely recover(stand-up or walk). We expect that combining this preconditioning with other currently existing protection methods might lead to a synergistic effect, which warrants further investigation.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.741-747
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• 2003

Background: Coronary artery bypass graf t (CABG) has been settled as most safe surgery among the open heart surgeries. However, in patients with cardiogenic shock, the emergency CABG has higher mortality than elective CABG. We analyzed thirty four patients who underwent emergency CABG and report the middle and long-term results. Material and Method: From June 1994 to December 2001, 34 patients who underwent emergency CABG at Kang-dong Sacred Heart Hospital were include in this study. On the basis of hospital databases and Out Patient Department (OPD) follow up data, preoperative diagnosis, risk factor, coronary artery anatomy, operation technique, postoperative mortality, complication, recurrence of symptom, and mid and long term mortality were analyzed retrospectively. Result: Indications for emergency CABG were 29 cardiogenic shocks (85.3%), 4 intractable chest pains (11.8%), and 1 polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (2.9%). Preoperative angiographic diagnoses were triple vessel disease in 16 (47.1%) and left main disease in 8 (23.5%) patients. We used saphenous vein grafts in 81 and left internal thoracic artery grafts in 14 anastomosis. The mean number of grafts per patients was 2.8$\pm$0.8. The mean aortic cross clamp time was 91.9$\pm$34.6 minutes and the mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was 262.7$\pm$198.3 minutes. Early mortality was 50% and the most common cause of early mortality was low cardiac output in 7 (20.6%) patients. The mean follow-up period was 30.9$\pm$35.7 months. There were no recurrences of symptom and late mortality. Conclusion: In the case of emergency operation, aggressive and proper management with drugs and IABP should be done for preoperative hemodynamic stability and early surgical intervention is the most important factor for patient salvage.