Recognition and attitudes of Korean physicians toward fecal microbiota transplantation: a survey study

Background/Aims@#Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) represents a treatment option for recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Recently, FMT has been investigated in various clinical settings other than CDI. This study examined Korean physicians’ recognition of FMT and their attitudes toward this procedure @*Methods@#An online questionnaire included questions on indications for FMT, the FMT process, physicians’ attitudes toward FMT for the treatment of CDI and non-CDI diseases, and possible concerns. @*Results@#Finally, 107 physicians responded to this survey: 66 (61.7%) had experience of performing FMT, and 86 (80.4%) replied that they were willing to perform FMT for CDI. Two-thirds of physicians (63.6%, n = 68) would perform FMT for recurrent CDI on patients who had at least three recurrences. The most common obstacle to performing FMT for the treatment of CDI was the lack of regulations or guidelines (55.1%, n = 59). Seventy-seven (72.0%) physicians would consider FMT for non- CDI diseases when conventional treatment had failed. The most common obstacle for FMT for the treatment of non-CDI diseases was low treatment efficacy (57.0%, n = 61). @*Conclusions@#Two-thirds of Korean physicians had experience of performing FMT, and many performed FMT for recurrent CDI. The results of this study will prove useful to researchers and practitioners in FMT in Korea.

Persistent ptosis following stellate ganglion block with local anesthetic : A case report

A 45-year-old woman underwent stellate ganglion block (SGB) for treatment of anosmia. She was treated with standardized SGB two to three times a week for two months. Although her anosmia improved slightly, she complained of discomfort and persistent ptosis in her left eye after the fourteenth block. After a five-month observation period, she was evaluated in the department of ophthalmology for persistent ptosis. A phenylephrine test suggested a neurogenic origin for the ptosis. Surgical repair was performed. Clinicians should be careful when performing SGB with local anesthetics to avoid microtrauma, ischemic injury, and neurotoxic injury of the sympathetic nerve fibers.

The Effect of Low Dose Aprotinin on Postreperfusion Fibrinolysis in Liver Transplantation / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The patients with end-staged liver failure are subjected to various and complex coagulopathies during liver transplantation. Particularly, fibrinolysis can occur preoperatively and is more prominent and aggravated right after reperfusion to the donated liver. It becomes the main cause of bleeding intraoperatively and postoperatively. We examined the effect of low dose aprotinin on the fibrinolysis and the transfusion amount of the packed red cell during operation. METHODS: We divided the patients into an experimental group, administrating aprotinin (n = 20) and a control group, administrating same volume of normal saline (n = 28). Heparinase-guided thromboelastograph (h-TEG) of preanhepatic 60 minutes was done as basic value. Then we administrated 1 million KIU aprotinin for 20 minutes and infused 0.25 million KIU /hr aprotinin for 3 hours of preanhepatic period in the experimental group. Just after the reperfusion to donated liver, another h-TEG of postanhepatic 10 minutes was done. We obtained CL 60 (clot lysis 60) and MA (maximum amplitude) among the TEG parameters and counted the total number of packed red cell transfused before and after the reperfusion period. RESULTS: The results showed that the experimental group had significantly higher value of CL 60 and MA in the h-TEG of postanhepatic 10 minutes and lower amount of packed red cell transfusion during the period after the reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of low dose aprotinin during preanhepatic period reduced the activation of fibrinolysis and the total packed red blood cell transfusion after the reperfusion in liver transplantation.

Survey and Validation of the Criteria for Behcet's Disease Recently Used in Korea: a Suggestion for Modification of the International Study Group Criteria

The criteria employed for Korean Behcet's disease (BD) from January 1990 to December 2000 have been investigated, and the diagnostic validity for those criteria was determined. For the generation of a modified set of preliminary criteria from the International Study Group (ISG) criteria, the diagnostic values for individual feature of BD were calculated. The criteria by the Behcet's Disease Research Committee of Japan appeared to be widely employed with the ISG criteria. However, because the ISG criteria revealed a relatively valid outcome in Korea, the application of this criteria will be needed for the universal unification until the criteria with better performance comes out. On the other hand, the modified set of preliminary criteria that consisted of the clinical items with better results seemed to improve some pitfalls of the ISG criteria. Although that criteria showed better performance than the preexisting criteria, it should be necessary to validate its effectiveness in other areas.

Paraduodenal Hernia

Paraduodenal hernia is a rare congenital anomaly caused by abnormal rotation of the midgut in embryonic stage, with part of the small intestine becoming trapped posterior to the mesocolon. Right and left paraduodenal hernias are distinct and separate entities, varying not only in anatomical structure but also in embryological origin. Paraduodenal hernia is a rare cause of acute intestinal obstruction. Careful clinical evaluation is needed for prompt surgical treatment. Because it is difficult to diagnose before exploration, and since paraduodenal hernia may cause potentially lethal complications such as obstruction, gangrene or bowel perforation, the possibility of internal hernia should be considered in any patient with acute intestinal obstruction who has no previous abdominal operation or external hernia. If paraduodenal hernia is suspected to be the cause of acute intestinal obstruction, the recommended tool for diagnosis is abdominal computed tomography. We experienced three cases of paraduodenal hernia, one case was right paraduodenal hernia while the others were left paraduodenal hernia.

A Case of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis in Association with Sjorgen's Syndrome Developing Features of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한류마티스학회지

Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC)is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by fibrous obliteration of intrahepatic bile ductules.Although the etiopathogenesis of PBC remains unclear,several studies suggest that a disordered immune response may be involved.This disease is commonly associated with various autoimmune diseases,such as Sjogren's syndrome,scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis,Hashimoto's thyroiditis,polymyositis,and pernicious anemia.More than 80%of cases with PBC are accompanied by at least one autoimmune disorder,and 40%by two or more. Sjogren's syndrome,defined by dry eyes and xerostomia,may be found in 69 to 81%of PBC patients. However, concurrent coexistence of PBC and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)has been rarely described in the literature.We report a 46-year-old female with PBC and Sjogren's syndrome who also satisfied a classification criteria of SLE.

Prenatal Cytogenetic Studies in 937 Cases of Midtrimester Amniocentesis / 대한주산의학회잡지

No abstract available.

A Case of Paget's Disease of the Vulva / 대한부인종양콜포스코피학회잡지

Extramammary Pagets disease(EMPD) of the vulva is an uncommon neoplasm which accounting for 2.5% of all vulvar malignancies and 0.02% of all female cancer. Several hundred cases have been reported worldwide since the first description by sir James Paget in 1874, It generally affects postrnenopausal age poup and presents high rate of recurrence but the precise incidence remines unclear, Although Paget's disease of the breast and the vulva are histologically similar, their histogenesis and biological behavior are considered to be significantly different and EMPD has gcnerally perceived rnore benign compared to that of the breast. Four histologic forms of vulvar EMPD have been recognized and treated vulvar EMPD in according to the 4 histologic classification. The high rate of recurtence disease remains a challenge for optimal management. Recently we experienced a case of Paget's disease of the vulva, diagnosed as an intraepithelial Pagets disease preoperatively and underwent radical vulvectomy and superiomedial thigh(SMT) flap, and present with a brief review of literature.

A Case of Autoimmune Hepatitis Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한류마티스학회지

Hepatic involvement of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been considered to occur rarely. Viral hepatitis or previous treatment with potentially hepatotoxic drugs has usually been implicated as the major causes of liver diseases in patients with SLE. After careful exclusion of these etiologies, the difference between the hepatic involvement of SLE and autoimmune hepatitis is not clear due to similarities in clinical and biochemical features. We describe a 37-year-old female with SLE who simultaneously satisfied the criteria of autoimmune hepatitis.

A Case of Autoimmune Hepatitis Associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 대한류마티스학회지

Hepatic involvement of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been considered to occur rarely. Viral hepatitis or previous treatment with potentially hepatotoxic drugs has usually been implicated as the major causes of liver diseases in patients with SLE. After careful exclusion of these etiologies, the difference between the hepatic involvement of SLE and autoimmune hepatitis is not clear due to similarities in clinical and biochemical features. We describe a 37-year-old female with SLE who simultaneously satisfied the criteria of autoimmune hepatitis.

A Prospective Endoscopic Blind Trial Comparing Precolonoscopy Bowel Cleansing Methods / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although some authors have suggested that sodium phosphate (NaP) is more effective than polyethylene glycol (PEG) in bowel cleansing, there has been no crossover study proving the superiority of NaP over PEG in bowel cleansing and patients' compliance. The aim of this study was to compare the two solutions for colonoscopy, PEG and NaP, through crossover design with regard to patients' compliance, cleansing ability and side effects. METHODS: Thirty patients underwent two separate colonoscopies for colonic polyp(s) with PEG and NaP, respectively. Before and after bowel preparation, blood pressure, body weight, and serum biochemical parameters were measured in all patients. In addition, a detailed questionnaire was used to assess side effects and the patients' preference. The presence of bubbles, types of residual stool, and overall quality of colon cleansing were assessed by one endoscopist blinded to the type of preparation used. In each colonoscopy, two biopsy specimens were taken at rectum. RESULTS: In the NaP group, but not in the PEG group, there were significant changes in several biochemical parameters including sodium ( +3.0 +/- 3.0 mEq/L), potassium ( -0.3 +/- 0.3mEq/L), calcium ( -0.5 +/- 0.5 mg/dL), phosphorus ( +3.9 +/- 2.2 mg/dL) and osmolarity ( +10.1 +/- 9.3 mOsm/kg) after bowel preparation. In addition, the degree of body weight change was greater with NaP ( -2.2 +/- 2.3 kg) than with PEG ( -1.2 +/- 2.0 kg) (p=0.06) and the formation of bubbles that disturb luminal observation was more frequently found in the NaP group (p<0.01). There was no difference, however, in the type of residual stool and the overall quality of bowel preparation between the two groups and no significant mucosal change was noted after bowel preparation in both groups. Moreover, PEG was found to be more difficult to take than NaP (p<0.05) and among the 30 patients, 26 (87%) preferred NaP, while only two favored PEG (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that NaP can replace PEG at least in patients with good general condition. Further studies to decrease the incidence of bubbles and to establish subgroups suitable for NaP are needed.

Two Cases of Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome results from compression of the third portion of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery or one of its branches where this vessel crosses over the duodenum as it descends from the aorta. Recently 2 cases of SMA syndrome were experienced. A 43-year-old female and a 41-year-old male were admitted due to complaints of frequent postprandial abdominal distension and vomiting for 4 months. An UGI series and abdominal CT scan revealed distension of stomach and duodenum with a cut-off in the duodenal third portion. Both patients underwent duodenojejunostomy with successful symptom relief.

A study of mycology and cultural method in onychomycosis / 대한피부과학회지

This mycological and cultural investigation was made in 86 cases of onychomycosis diagnosed on positive KOH wet mount at Chosun University Hospital from October, 1989 to February, 1990. The results were as follows : l. The ratio of male to female was 1.2:1. According to Zaiass classificat.ion, distal subungual onychomycosis (DSO) was the most predominant type(79 cases) and others, in decreasing frequency, were superficial white onychomycosis (SWO) (Fcases), total dyst,rophic onychomycosis (TDO) (1 cases, and proximal subungual onychomycosis (PSO) was not. found. 2. In DSO, isolat,ed fungi were T. mentagrophyte(31 cases), "i'. rubrum(23 c

A Case of Myxoid Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma / 대한피부과학회지

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in adult life and shows a mixed proliferation of both fibroblsstic & histiocytic cells. We report a case of myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma involving right lower leg in a 68-year-old male patient, who presented with a childs palm-sized nodular mass of 3 years duration. Histoapthologically, the tumor had varying proportion of myxoid cellular components. The myxoid areas showed spindle and pleomorphic cells arranged in a vague storiform pattern, abrupt transition between a solidly cellular area and a myxoid area, and lipoblast-like cells. The cellular areas showed spindle cells arranged in a storiform pattern characteritic of the typical pleomorphic malignant fibrous histiocytorna.

Two Cases of Dyschromatosis Symmetrica Hereditaria / 대한피부과학회지

We report two cases of dyschromatosis symmetrica hereditaria. One is a 12-year- old female and her family had five individuals with similar pigmentary disorder through three generation. The other is a 22-yesr-old female who had no family history of similar disease. Fontana-Masson stain revealed increased and decreased melanin granules in the basal cell layers in the pigmented and depigmented lesions respectively.