• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.468-472
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• 2014

Diffuse refractory vascular spasms associated with coronary bypass artery grafting (CABG) are rare but devastating. A 42-year-old male patient with a past history of stent insertion was referred for the surgical treatment of a recurrent left main coronary artery disease. A hemodynamic derangement developed during graft harvesting, necessitating a hurried initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Although CABG was carried out as planned, the patient could not be weaned from the bypass. An emergency coronary angiography demonstrated a diffuse spasm of both native coronary arteries and grafts. CPB was switched to the femorofemoral extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO). Although he managed to recover from heart failure, his discharge was delayed due to the ischemic injury of the lower limb secondary to cannulation for ECMO. We reviewed the case and literature, placing emphasis on the predisposing factors and appropriate management.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.204-207
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• 2015

We are reporting an unusual case of dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF) of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) after tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer. A 30-year-old female arrived at the emergency room with a sudden headache and left sided weakness and sensory loss. In her past medical history, she was diagnosed with breast cancer 1 year prior, and subsequently underwent a breast conserving mastectomy with whole breast radiation and adjuvant chemotherapy with tamoxifen. At the time of admission, computed tomography showed a small acute intracerebral hemorrhage at the right parietal cortex, and magnetic resonance imaging showed that a dural AVF at the SSS with a prominent and tortuous venous enhancement along the centrum semiovale was present. Cerebral angiography showed that the dural AVF at the mid-portion of the SSS with meningeal arterial feeding vessels entering the wall of the SSS, then draining through the dilated cortical veins. Our patient had no signs of active malignancy or any abnormalities in her coagulation profile, so it can be concluded that the tamoxifen was the likely cause of the SSS thrombosis and dural AVF. The dural AVF was treated by an endovascular coil embolization for the arterialized segment of the SSS. The patient dramatically recovered favorably from left side motor and sensory deficit. The best clinical approach is to screen potential patients of tamoxifen hormonal therapy and educate them on the sign and symptoms of life threatening thromboembolic events while taking tamoxifen.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.289-297
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• 2008

Paroxysmal Kinesigenic Dyskinesia ( PKD ) is an unusual dyskinesia often precipitated by voluntary movements and characterized by brief episodes of choreic/ dystonic movements. Little is known of the pathophysiology of PKD, although secondary etiologies such as multiple sclerosis, ischemic stroke, birth injury , head trauma, drug abuse, etc. are known to induce the disease. We report a case of a male patient suffering from both legs dystonia for 10 years. He had a past history of drug abuse, and was diagnosed as PKD by a neurologist. We treated him with acupucture and herbal medicine and was able to observe the improvement in certain symtoms and general condition.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.71-74
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• 1993

A 43-year-old Korean woman with billary ascariasis accompanied by cholellthiasis is reported. Her chief complaints were abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. She had the past history of several attacks of abdominal pain in her childhood. ciliary stones were recovered from the left hepatic duct after cholecystectomy, which contained degenerated cuticle or body wall, and numerous eggs of Ascaris lumbriooides. It is strongly suggested that the ciliary stones were formed from the dead Ascmis worm(s). This is a rare case of biliary ascariasis during the recent 5 years in Korea.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2016

Hospice palliative care (HPC) in Korea has developed steadily since its introduction in 1965. Currently, HPC in Korea is targeted only towards terminal cancer patients and their families, and the national health insurance scheme covers only inpatient hospice care for said patients. In recent years, healthcare professionals and policy makers began to recognize the need for HPC services in diverse settings including outside hospital boundaries, and for all terminally-ill patients. A law on HPC passed in January 2016 allows terminally-ill patients to refuse life-sustaining treatments, and will likely facilitate further development of HPC services. It is critical for the government and all interested parties in the medical, academic and social sectors to collaborate to ensure its success once it takes effect in 2017. This article will briefly review the half-century history of HPC in Korea, and discuss how to prepare for and cope with death and, thereby, improve the quality of death.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.23-44
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• 2021

Objectives : The theory of Latent Qi Wenbing and its counter-arguments were examined in terms of each argument's theoretical background and logicality. Methods :Arguments for and against the theory of Latent Qi Wenbing in medical texts were examined closely. Results & Conclusions : Each doctor's theory on Latent Qi Wenbing was examined in the following four aspects. First, to what kind of pathogenic qi was the patient exposed during Winter? Second, how did the pathogenic qi affect the body in the time of exposure? Third, how did the latent qi change over the Spring and Summer within the body? Fourth, what kind of weather generates the disease during Spring and Summer? Each argument had different opinions on each aspect. The main argument made against the theory of Latent Qi Wenbing is that it is impossible for the pathogenic qi that initially damaged the body to stay latent until it generates disease after some time. The theory of Latent Qi Wenbing could be assumed to have been created based on situations in which such explanation was adept. Factors that contribute to this theory could be explained through the condition of the healthy qi, state of cultivation during the past season, and constitutional factors.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 2023

Objectives : This paper investigates the background, meaning and origin of the descriptions of the Heart such as 'seven orifices', 'sanmao', 'saw-toothed four layered lines' that are unique to the diagram in the Donguibogam. Methods : First the Heart diagram of the Donguibogam was compared with other Zhangfu diagrams of the past. Materials related to unique features in the descriptions of the Heart in the Donguibogam were collected, against which descriptive features were analyzed. Results : Of the many unique features, the descriptive basis of the 'seven orifices' could be found in the Qixingban[七星板] as a physical entity reflecting basic anatomical knowledge. The 'sanmao', which is compared to the Santaixing[三台星], could be understood as a non-physical entity whose descriptive basis could be found in the Xinxuetu of the Xinching. It could be assumed that the 'saw-toothed four layered lines' are likened to the multi-layered petals or calyx of a lotus flower bud to describe the Pericardium, or to the multiple walls of a mountain fortress surrounding a palace to describe the Danzhong, which is the chest cavity. These features could be understood as results of spiritualism influence. Conclusions : It could be concluded that Heo Jun, in his attempt to describe the Heart in more detail than previous diagrams of the Zangfu, referenced popular texts and images based on anatomical knowledge of previous texts, added varied descriptions resulting in a new diagram with a completely different origin.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.30-44
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the causes and the effects of korean medicine treatment on alopecia. Methods : 1050 patients with alopecia, who had visited oriental medical clinics from July 2011 to October 2012, were analyzed by self-assessments. And 153 patients of them were treated with korean medicine treatment for 3 months. Treatment results were evaluated by patients' self-assessments and global & enlarged photographic reviews. Results : 1. The gender ratio of male to female was 2:1 and most patients belonged to the 20~30 year old group. 2. Family history of baldness in alopecia patients was a total of 57.3%, paternal 44.4% and maternal 21.2%. 3. Subjective symptoms of fever in parietal region was a total of 97.4% in alopecia patients. 4. After 1 month treatment, the fever in the parietal region was decreased by 37.3% of patients. And their subjective hair loss was also significantly decreased. 5. After 3 months of treatment, the global photographic review was improved by 56.2% of the patients and the enlarged photographic review was significantly improved by 5.2% in patients' total hair count. Conclusions : A significant number of alopecia patients were young and less relative in genetic alopecia causes was less relevant than the past. Recent causes of alopecia were more concerned with the fever in parietal region. According to that reason, cooling effect korean medicine treatment was expected to be effective for febrile alopecia, and actually had significant effects on this study. For future studies, it's long term treatment and follow up studies are needed.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2000

Objectives : We investigated the characteristics of perceived stress response and relationship between some variables of gastrointestinal symptoms(esp., dyspepsia) and subscales of perceived stress response inventory(PSRI) in patients with upper gastointestinal disorder when they perceived stress. Methods : 84 patients with upper gastrointestinal disorder(gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer etc.) and 94 normal controls completed the PSRI developed by Korean psychiatrists. The patient group performed the questionnaire including some variables of gastrointestinal symptoms. Results : Internal consistency was statistically significant in all subscales of PSRI. The patient group was significantly higher at total score of PSRI, general somatic symptom subscale score, specific somatic symptom score than control group. As the result of stepwise regression analysis for relationship between some variables of gastrointestinal symptoms ans subscales of PSRI, specific somatic symptom subsclae closely related with illness duration, past illness history and severity of symptom, and the lowered cognitive function & general negative thinking subscale related with the existence of emotional distress. Conclusion : Patients with upper gastrointestinal disorder showed stronger perceived stress response than control group and they experiences somatic symptoms related to autonomic nervous system and/or gastrointestinal symtoms rather than emotional, cognitive, behavioral symtoms when they perceived stress. They also responded to stress as they expeirenced specific somatic symtom when they had long illness duration, past illness history, and high severity of symptom and the existence of emotional distress could develop lowered congnitive function and general negative thinking.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 2015

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of depression for patients with tuberculosis(TB). Methods : A total of 57 patients with TB were recruited. All participants completed the Becks Depression Inventory-II for evaluating depressive symptoms. The risk factor for depression was analyzed by binary logistic regression analysis. Nomogram was performed for probability of depression. Results : Low body mass index(BMI, OR 0.801, 95% CI 0.65, 0.98), interruption of treatment for TB(OR 5.908, 95% CI 1.19, 29.41), past history of depression(OR 24.653, 95% CI 1.99, 308.44) were associated with increased risk for depression. The calibration curve for predicting probability of survival showed a good agreement between the nomogram and actual observation(Original C-index=0.789, bias corrected C-index=0.754). Conclusions : The result of the present study indicate that low BMI, interruption of treatment for TB, and past history of depression were risk factors for depression in patients with TB. The psychiatric intervention may be needed to prevent depression if the patients with TB have risk factor during treatment for TB.