Journal of Korean medical science
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Apr 2008
Case ReportsMonoblock craniofacial internal distraction in a child with Pfeiffer syndrome: a case report.
A 7-yr-old boy visited our surgical center with Pfeiffer syndrome type 1, presenting with macrocrania, broad big toe and thumb, exophthalmos, tongue protrusion, malocclusion with midfacial retrusion, mild respiratory difficulty due to minor upper airway obstruction, and developmental delay. He also exhibited anthrophobia with a passive character. The patient was treated with internal monoblock distraction osteogenesis to increase the intracranial and intraorbital volumes, and the nasal and pharyngeal airway spaces using two modular mid-facial internal distractors. ⋯ The follow-up computed tomography 12 months after surgery showed expansion of the brain and proper ossification in the distracted area. The patient also showed aesthetically good cranial contours, improved tongue and eyeball protrusion, no respiratory difficulty, and improved learning. We suggest that the internal distraction may last longer than an external type, resulting in a better bone fusion rate and successful expansion of craniofacial bones.
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This study estimates the treated prevalence of schizophrenia and the annual costs associated with the illness in Korea in 2005, from a societal perspective. Annual direct healthcare costs associated with schizophrenia were estimated from National Health Insurance and Medical Aid records. Annual direct non-healthcare costs were estimated for incarceration, transport, community mental health centers, and institutions related to schizophrenia. ⋯ Total direct non-healthcare costs were estimated to be $ 121 million (123.9 billion Won), and total indirect costs were estimated at $ 2,635.1 million (2,698.3 billion Won). Unemployment was identified as the largest component of overall cost. These findings demonstrate that schizophrenia is not rare, and that represents a substantial economic burden.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2008
Case ReportsCigarette smoking-induced acute eosinophilic pneumonia: a case report including a provocation test.
The mechanism and cause of acute eosinophilic pneumonia are largely unknown. Many factors including the smoking of cigarettes have been suggested, but none have been proven to directly cause acute eosinophilic pneumonia. The authors report a case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia in a young Asian male who recently started smoking. ⋯ A provocation test was designed to establish a connection between cigarette smoking and the development of acute eosinophilic pneumonia. After the provocation test, the patient showed identical symptoms, increase in sputum eosinophils, and worsening of pulmonary function. The results of the provocation test suggest that smoking may directly cause acute eosinophilic pneumonia, and support previous reports of cigarette smoking-induced acute eosinophilic pneumonia.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2008
Prognostic determinants in patients with traumatic pancreatic injuries.
The aim of this study was to identify factors that predict morbidity and mortality in patients with traumatic pancreatic injuries. A retrospective review was performed on 75 consecutive patients with traumatic pancreatic injuries admitted to the Emergency Medical Center at Masan Samsung Hospital and subsequently underwent laparotomy during the period January 2000 to December 2005. Overall mortality and morbidity rates were 13.3% and 49.3%, respectively. ⋯ On the other hand, the most important predictors of morbidity were surgical complexity and an initial base deficit of less than -5.8 mM/L (p<0.01). These data suggests that early efforts to prevent shock and rapidly control of bleeding are most likely to improve the outcome in patients with traumatic pancreatic injuries. The severity of pancreatic injury per se influenced only morbidity.
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J. Korean Med. Sci. · Feb 2008
In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of Mycobacterium abscessus in Korea.
Mycobacterium abscessus is the second most common etiology of pulmonary disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria in Korea. Although antimicrobial susceptibility tests are important for appropriate patient management in M. abscessus lung disease, the tests have never been investigated in Korea. Seventy-four isolates of M. abscessus recovered from patient respiratory samples were tested against eight antimicrobial agents following the guidelines set forth by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards. ⋯ Moxifloxacin (73%, 54/74) and ciprofloxacin (57%, 42/74) had activity against a moderate number of isolates. Doxycycline was the least active, inhibiting only 7% (5/74) of isolates. In conclusion, the variations in susceptibility within M. abscessus isolates to currently available antimicrobials suggest that the antimicrobial susceptibilities of any clinically significant M. abscessus isolate be needed individually.