• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.489-497
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• 2002

Purpose : The objectives of this study were to investigate the causes of chronic cough and to establish the appropriate diagnostic approach to chronic cough in children. Methods : One hundred and thirty two cases of chronic cough were prospectively evaluated. They visitors to pediatric chronic cough clinics at Kang-nam saint Mary's Hospital of Catholic University from August 2000 to July 2001 for 12 months. Careful history taking by questionnaire, physical examination, radiologic studies of chest and sinus, hematologic and immunologic studies, allergic skin tests, and methacholine challenge tests were performed. Color doppler(CD) ultrasonography were performed and compared with simultaneous 24 Hr. esophageal pH monitoring to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD). Results : Age distributions were demonstrated that nine in infants, 82 in early childhood, 38 in late childhood, and three in adolescence. Common causes of chronic cough were bronchial asthma in 40 cases, chronic sinusitis in 22 cases, GERD in seven cases, bronchial asthma combined with sinusitis in 28 cases, bronchial asthma combined with GERD in 14 cases, psychogenic cough in two. cases, foreign body in one case, chronic bronchitis in one case, and bronchiolitis in one case. Comparing with 24 Hr. pH monitoring, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of CD ultrasonography were 88%, 69%, 85 %, and 73% respectively. Conclusion : The most common causes of chronic cough in children were bronchial asthma, sinusitis and GERD in order. We suggest that CD ultrasonography can be used as a good, convenient screening method for patients with suspected GERD in outpatient settings.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.232-239
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• 2002

Purpose : Renal cystic diseases comprise a mixed group of heritable, developmental and acquired disorders. Recently the use of imaging modalities such as ultrasonography and radionuclide scanning has increased the detection rate of renal cystic diseases. We studied to review the clinical features and treatment of renal cystic diseases in children. Methods : This study was performed in 95 children with renal cystic diseases in the Department of Pediatrics, Asan Medical Center from October 1989 to June 2001. Results : In 95 patients, there were 55 cases(58.0%) with multicystic dysplastic kidney(MCDK), 19 cases(20.0%) with simple renal cysts, 13 cases(13.7%) with hereditary polycystic kidney diseases( 7 with autosomal recessive type, 5 with autosomal dominant type, 1 with undetermined), 6 cases(6.3%) with renal cysts in tuberous sclerosis and 1 case(1.0%) with medullary cystic disease. All MCDK patients had no renal dysfunction and hypertension during the follow-up period. Three out of 13 with polycystic kidney diseases had progressed to end-stage renal disease during the follow-up period. One case with a simple cyst underwent laparoscopic malsupialization for decompression. Conclusion : Renal cystic diseases have diverse clinicopathologic features and variable prognosis. We emphasize that routine follow-up should be performed to prevent and to detect early treatable complication in renal cystic diseases. Therefore, their natural history and treatment need further investigation and long term follow-up is required.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.176-180
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• 2009

Purpose : The objective of this study was to establish the serum IGF-1 level in newborn infants, and investigate its association with growth and diseases. Methods : In a retrospective study, serum IGF-1 levels were measured for newborn infants admitted to NICU at Kyungpook University Hospital from March 2007 to July 2007. Birth data, disease history, and hospital course were obtained from medical records. Results : Of 52 blood samples obtained at birth, serum IGF-l levels in 30 preterm infants ($31.6{\pm}27.3$ ng/mL) were lower than in 22 full-term infants ($53.4{\pm}40.0$ ng/mL; P<0.05). In sick full-term infants, serum IGF-1 levels ($46.0{\pm}40.2$ ng/mL) were lower than in healthy full-term infants ($64.1{\pm}39.5$ ng/mL; P<0.05). In preterm infants, there were no differences in IGF-1 levels between healthy ($33.2{\pm}23.3$ ng/mL) and sick infants ($30.6{\pm}30.4$ ng/mL); however, IGF-1 levels in both sick and healthy preterm infants were lower than in healthy full-term infants. Among infants admitted after 8 days of life, serum IGF-1 levels were higher in infants who gained weight ($70.8{\pm}36.2$ ng/mL) than in infants who lost weight ($13.3{\pm}19.9$ ng/mL; P<0.01); however IGF-1 levels showed no difference between gender or method of delivery. Conclusion : The study showed lower IGF-l levels in preterm infants than in full-term infants. Additionally, the IGF-l level in infants with weight loss was lower than in infants with weight gain. These results indicate that serum IGF-1 is associated with gestational age and postnatal growth.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2005

Background : Chronic obstructive lung disease is characterized by smoke-related, gradually progressive, fixed airflow obstructions. However, some studies suggested that a reversible bronchial obstruction is common in chronic obstructive lung disease. Such reversibility persists despite the continued treatment with aerosolized bronchodilators and it appears to be related to the diminution in symptoms. The isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is defined as a remarkable increase in the FVC in response to the administration of a bronchodilator whereas the $FEV_1$ remains unchanged. This has been suggested in patients with severe emphysema. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the response to a bronchodilator and the severity of an airflow obstruction in COPD patients using the GOLD classification. Methods : This study examined 124 patients with an airway obstruction. The patients underwent spirometry, and the severity of the airflow obstruction was classified by GOLD. The response groups were categorized by an improvement in the FVC or $FEV_1$ > 12%, and each group was analyzed. Results : Most subjects were men with a mean age of $65.9{\pm}8.5$ years. The mean smoking history was $41.26{\pm}20.1$ pack years. The isolated volume response group had relatively low $FEV_1$ and FVC values compared with the other groups. (p<0.001) Conclusion : In this study, an isolated volume response to a bronchodilator is a characteristic of a severe airway obstruction, which is observed in patient with a relatively poorer baseline lung function.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2013

The persons in charge of management request diagnosis and prescription to tree hospitals in order to get consultation about the problems like blight that occur in landscape tree management. This study aims to analyze what the main problems and questions raised by landscape gardeners are and those concerned in landscape tree management. This is done by investigating landscape tree-related questions and answers uploaded on the online consultation boards of the plant diagnostic centers approved in Korea including the Seoul National University Plant Clinic, the Chungbuk National University Plant Hospital, and the Kangwon Diagnostic Center. As a result, those concerned in landscape occupied the most as 81.4% among the questioners. However, only 11.5% did explain the plant management history or surrounding environment, which is essential for landscape tree diagnosis when asking questions. This shows that those concerned in landscape lack basic knowledge or interest about plant diagnosis. Among 263 questions about landscape trees, questions about physiological damage included 94 cases that were the most taking up 35.8%. Moreover, the next were damage by insects and damage by disease in order. It is thought that due to the characteristics of physiological problems that occur by various sorts of stress and with no signs, they tend to request diagnosis or prescription the most. The most frequent reasons for physiological damage are water stress and temperature stress. About damage by disease, there exist many types of diseases, and there are many complex damages accompanied by physiological causes. About damage by insects, the most common include damage by moths. In consideration of this result, universities or technician training centers should provide education for landscape tree management so that landscape technicians and students can acquire essential knowledge and information about landscape tree management and increase their interest in it. In particular, it is necessary to provide profound learning opportunities for plant physiology, and the technicians should make efforts themselves. In addition, it is needed to build organizations to which they can ask technical questions about landscape planting and management in order to understand landscape industry in general and the actual status of landscape planting technique and the actual field. Moreover, to elevate systemicity and expertise in the area of landscape tree management not yet equipped with the foundation, it is needed to cultivate the technicians intensively and conduct research by those concerned both in academic and industrial circles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.283-294
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• 2003

Introduction : Rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria (RGM) can produce numerous types of manifestations including a pulmonary infection. Managing a pulmonary infection due to RGM is unusually difficult to treat because the organism is invariably resistant to traditional antituberculous drugs and has a varying susceptibility to other antibiotics. The experiences of treatments for a RGM pulmonary infection with various antibiotics are also limited. This study evaluated the clinical manifestations, treatment, and the therapeutic outcomes of a RGM pulmonary infection. Subjects and method : Fifty-four cases with RGM from respiratory specimens were identified between November of 1996 and September of 2002 in the Asan medical center. The medical records and radiographic findings in 20 patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) pulmonary disease by ATS guidelines. The clinical, laboratory, and radiological parameters between subgroups. Results : Of the 20 patients, 15 were female. The mean age was 57.7 yrs (${\pm}7.5$), and all of the patients had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Most (90%) had an underlying lung disease. The majority of the isolates (80%) were M. abscessus. Chest radiography showed bilateral involvement in 80% of the patients. Bronchiectasis and multiple nodules were the main findings. Cavitation was present in 35% of the patients. Even though 70 % of the patients received antituberculous drugs prior to the correct diagnosis, all of the patients eventually received antibiotics. A mean of 3.5 antibiotics were given for an average of 439 days(${\pm}168$). After completing treatment, nine patients showed improvement after a mean 591(${\pm}311$) days of treatment, whereas the antibiotic treatment was unsuccessful in 2 patients. Conclusion : Many patients with a RGM pulmonary infection show an atypical pattern of radiological findings (bronchiectasis and multiple centrilobular nodules). It is very important to differentiate between M. tuberculosis and NTM and to identify the causative organisms among the NTM because a misdiagnosis can lead to an inappropriate and prolonged treatment. Combined antibiotic treatment yielded promising results, and is recommended for treating patients with a RGM pulmonary infection.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2010

Purpose: To analyze clinical, radiological and pathological features as well as clinical outcome after surgical treatment of patients with secondary chondrosarcoma arising from osteochondroma(tosis). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical records, radiographs, pathologic slides of 14 patients. Nine patients were male and fi ve were female. The mean age was 34 years. The mean follow-up period was 54 months. Results: All patients had a history of previous mass since childhood or puberty. Preexisted osteochondroma was single in 3 patients and multiple in 10. Remaining 1 patient had multiple osteochondromatosis with enchondromatosis. MRI clearly provided thickness of cartilage cap, which was over 2 cm except in 2 cases. Chondrosarcoma was grade 1 in all except 1 case, which was grade 2. Wide excision was performed in 10 patients, marginal excision in 3 and amputation in 1. Twelve patients were doing very well without evidence of disease. Among 3 patients with marginal excision, 1 patient had local recurrence and 1 patient died of disease. Conclusion: Comprehensive understanding of clinical, radiological and pathological features of secondary chondro sarcoma is warranted for accurate diagnosis. The best result can be expected with early recognition of malignant change of osteohcondroma(tosis) and wide excision.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.287-291
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• 2006

Purpose : Aneurysms of sinus valsalva are rare anormalies thought to be primarily congenital in origin, progressing into death by acute heart failure in cases of rupture. Surgical correction is the only method of treatment. With these clinical implications, we reviewed the clinical characteristics and surgical results of patients with ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm. Methods : Between January 1991 and February 2004, 17 patients with ruptured sinus of valsalva aneurysm were retrospectively reviewed for their clinical symptoms, physical findings, past history, coexistent cardiac anormalies, surgical results, and mid-term prognosis. Results : The 17 patients included 13 men and four women, with a mean age of 30 years(10-59 years). Preoperatively accompanying cardiac anormalies were ventricular septal defect(VSD, eight cases of doubly committed juxta-arterial VSD) and aortic insufficiency(11 cases). During operations, patterns of fistulous tracts were found to be right colonary sinus-right ventricle in 13 patients, right coronary sinus-right atrium in one, noncoronary sinus - right ventricle in two, noncoronary sinus - right atrium in one, and VSD was noticed in 14 patients(all were doubly committed juxta-arterial in type). The defects were closed with a patch in 13 patients, without a patch in four, with concommitant aortic valve replacement in four and with aortic valvuloplasty in two. There were no mortalities during operations or the mid-term follow-up periods($40{\pm}49$ months). Conclusion : Because, at least in Orientals, VSD(especially doubly committed juxta-arterial) was accompanied in large numbers of patients with aneurysms of sinus valsalva, preoperative evaluations of this congenital heart disease should be made very careful. And we may need to revise the algorithm of treatment policy in small sized doubly committed juxta-arterial VSD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.961-966
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• 2002

Purpose : We compared the underlying or associated diseases according to the frequency of platelet transfusions in neonates with thrombocytopenia to know the factors predicting which patients will require multiple platelet transfusions. We also compared mortality. Methods : A retrospective study was performed in 72 neonates who received the platelet transfusions in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU) between August 1996 and July 2001. Group I received one platelet transfusion and group II received two or more. We compared the frequency of underlying or assodiated diseases such as sepsis/disseminated intravascular coagulopathy(DIC), respiratory distress syndrome(RDS), intraventricular hemorrhage(IVH), patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC), liver or renal disease, and mortality between two groups. Results : Of the 72 patients, 29(40.2%) received one and 43(59.7%) received two or more transfusions; 16(22.2%) received four or more. There were no statistically significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, sex, and maternal history between two groups. C-section rate was higher in group II(20.7% vs. 55.8%, P<0.05) and the incidence of PDA was higher in group I (55.2% vs. 30.2%, P<0.05). Otherwise, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of sepsis/DIC, RDS, IVH, RDS, CLD, NEC, liver or renal disease, pulmonary hemorrhage and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, and mortality between group I and group II. Conclusion : There was no significant difference in clinical morbidity and mortality according to the frequency of platelet transfusion in neonates with thrombocytopenia. Further study is needed to know the predicting factor for multiple platelet transfusions in neonates with thrombocytopenia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 1997

From March, 1992 to March, 1996, a total of 279 patients underwent coronary bypass surgery at the Sejong General Hospital, Puchon. We selected 22 patients with severe left ventricular(LV) dysfunction from them. The criteria were the presence of global or segmental abnormalities of left ventricular contraction and LV ejection fraction(EF) less than 35% based on biplane LV angiography by planimetry method. The mean age of 17 male and 5 female patients was 60$\pm$5.6years(range:47~73 years). All had the anginas, which were Canadian class II in 6, class 111 in 12 and class IV in 4. All patients except one had the history of previous myocardial infarction more than once. Seven of them had the symptoms and signs of congestive heart failure, such as dyspnea on excertion and increased pulmonary vascular markings. Their mean LVEF was 29.4$\pm$4 5%(range : 18~35%) and mean LV end-diastolic pressure was 18.7 $\pm$8. 2mmHg(range:10~42mmHg). 21 patients had 3 vessel-disease and 1 had 2 vessel-disease. Complete revascularization was tried with the use of 16 internal mammary arteries and 60 sapheuous veins and 3 radial arteries grafts. The mean number of distal anastomosis was 3.5$\pm$ 1.1. Concomitantly, one mitral valvuloplasty and annuloplasty was performed in the patient with moderate mitral regurtigation. The hospital mortality was 4.5%. During the follow-up, there were 3 late deaths. Of 18 survivors, 2 patients were lost in follow-up 24 and 27 month respectively after operation and the remaining 16 patients have bcen followed up with an average of 30.4 $\pm$ 13.4 months.15 patients had improvement with respect to angina but 8 patients still have the continuing or progressing heart failure. The 1-year, 2-year and 3-year actuarial survival rate was 85.2, 69.1, 46.1%, respectively. This study indicates that coronary artery bypass sur ery can be performed in the patients with severe LV dysfunction at acceptable risk but does not greatly contribute to the improvement of congestive heart failure.