Factors Predicting the Effect of a Complex Decongestive Therapy in Patients with Mild Lymphedema Following Mastectomy for Early Stage Breast Cancer.

Complex decongestive therapy (CDT) is being used in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). The degree of initial edema and bioimpedance analysis (BIA) are known to be related with the therapeutic effect of CDT. D-dimer can indirectly reflect lymphangiogenesis because IL-6 regulates D-dimer and vascular endothelial growth factor, which is the most important lymphangiogenic factor.

Edema of the upper extremity on the unaffected side in unilateral breast cancer patients.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) occurs usually on the affected side, and its cause and pathophysiology are well known. However, the cause of edema of the upper extremity on the unaffected side is barely known. It is often considered to be chemotherapy-induced general edema, and clinical evaluation is rarely performed in these patients.

Uropathogenic distribution and antibiotic resistance patterns according to multidrug-resistant bacteria colonization status in patients with stroke.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are common in patients with stroke. The colonization of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDR) has recently become a global issue, and infection with MDR is associated with a poorer prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the uropathogenic distribution in stroke patients according to MDR colonization and investigate the infection risk and antibiotic resistance of each uropathogen to help determine initial antibiotic treatment.

Changes in bone mineral density and clinical parameters after stroke in elderly patients with osteopenia.

We aimed to determine the association between changes in bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine, bilateral femoral necks and clinical parameters in ambulatory older adult patients with stroke who were diagnosed with osteopenia. This retrospective study included ambulatory patients older than 65 years diagnosed with stroke between January 2019 and June 2021. Osteopenia was diagnosed within 1 month after stroke diagnosis.

Cerebral Air Embolism After Air-Powder Abrasive Dental Treatment: A Case Report.

Cerebral air embolism (CAE) occurs in various clinical situations such as surgery, angiography, and hemodialysis; most are iatrogenic. Here we report the case of a 57-year-old man who developed CAE immediately after air-powder abrasive treatment, which is commonly used in dentistry. The patient underwent air-powder abrasive treatment for peri-implantitis, and immediately after the treatment, cardiac arrest occurred and cardio- pulmonary resuscitation was performed.

The association between the serum vitamin D levels and the stroke lesion size, functional ability, and cognition in elderly Korean ischemic stroke patients.

The purpose of this study was to confirm the association between the serum vitamin D levels and ischemic stroke lesion size, functional ability, and cognitive function in elderly ischemic stroke patients. This study included Korean ischemic stroke patients aged 65 to 85 years. The size of the lesion was measured in brain images taken within 24 hours of hospitalization.

Lymphedema Index Ratio As Predictive Factor of Treatment in Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

This retrospective observational study aimed to evaluate the lymphedema index ratio to predict the effect of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and to establish a lymphedema index ratio cutoff value for the extent of CDT effect. All 108 enrolled patients with BCRL underwent volume measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis before and after CDT. The difference in percent excess volume (PEV) before and after CDT was defined as the therapeutic effect, and each patient was assigned to Groups A, B, or C based on therapeutic effects of 0%-5%, 5%-10%, and 10%-20%, respectively.

Predictors of prolonged vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization in acute stroke patients admitted to an intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study.

To investigate the factors affecting the duration of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) colonization in stroke patients.A total of 52 stroke patients with VRE colonization were enrolled. We divided the groups into several factors and confirmed whether each factor affected VRE colonization.

Clinical Factors Associated With Successful Gastrostomy Tube Weaning in Patients With Prolonged Dysphagia After Stroke.

Objective: To investigate the clinical factors associated with successful gastrostomy tube weaning in patients with prolonged dysphagia after stroke.

Methods: This study involved a retrospective medical chart review of patients diagnosed with prolonged dysphagia after stroke who underwent gastrostomy tube insertion between May 2013 and January 2020. Forty-seven patients were enrolled and consequently divided into gastrostomy tube sustaining and weaning groups.

Effects of Different Bandaging Methods for Treating Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Objective: To compare the treatment effects, satisfaction with the treatment, and performance improvement following bandage treatment using the spiral method and spica method for breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL).

Methods: A prospective study with 46 patients with BCRL was conducted. All patients were divided into either the spiral or spica group for non-elastic bandage therapy and received the same treatment for 2 weeks, apart from the group-specific bandaging method used.

Diagnostic Significance of Fibrin Degradation Products and D-Dimer in Patients With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema.

Objective: To find out whether levels of fibrin degradation products (FDP) and D-dimer are increased in breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) as in many vascular diseases. FDP and D-dimer have been used in blood tests to help differentiate deep vein thrombosis in the diagnosis of lymphedema. Levels of FDP and D-dimer are often elevated in patients with BCRL.

Clinical Importance of Peak Cough Flow in Dysphagia Evaluation of Patients Diagnosed With Ischemic Stroke.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between peak cough flow (PCF), pulmonary function tests (PFT), and severity of dysphagia in patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods: This study included patients diagnosed with ischemic stroke, who underwent videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), PCF and PFT from March 2016 to February 2017. The dysphagia severity was assessed using the videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS).

Association of Brain Lesions and Videofluoroscopic Dysphagia Scale Parameters on Patients With Acute Cerebral Infarctions.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics and risk factors of dysphagia using the videofluoroscopic dysphagia scale (VDS) with a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) in patients with acute cerebral infarctions.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the baseline VFSS in 275 stroke patients was analyzed. We divided patients into 8 groups according to lesion areas commonly observed on brain magnetic resonance imaging.

The Changes of CTX, DPD, Osteocalcin, and Bone Mineral Density During the Postmenopausal Period.

Objective: To investigate appropriate treatment time and useful bone turnover markers (BTMs) for monitoring bone turnover during the postmenopausal period, we analyzed changes of two bone resorption markers; serum carboxyterminal telopeptide of collagen I (s-CTX), urine deoxypyridinoline (u-DPD), one bone formation marker; serum osteocalcin (s-OC), and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean postmenopausal women.

Methods: Seventy-eight menopausal women were divided into three groups according to postmenopausal period: group I (0-5 years), group II (6-10 years), group III (≥10 years). All groups were subdivided into an osteoporosis group (T-score≤-2.

Changes in Hyolaryngeal Movement During Swallowing in the Lateral Decubitus Posture.

Objective: To investigate the differences in hyolaryngeal kinematics at rest and during swallowing in the upright sitting (UP) and the lateral decubitus (LD) postures in healthy adults, and delineating any potential advantages of swallowing while in the LD posture.

Methods: Swallowing was videofluoroscopically evaluated in 20 healthy volunteers in UP and LD postures, based on the movements of hyoid bone, vocal folds, and the bolus head. Parameters included the Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS), horizontal and vertical displacement, horizontal and vertical initial position, horizontal and vertical peak position, time to peak position of the hyoid bone and vocal folds, and pharyngeal transit time (PTT).

The Validity of the Bayley-III and DDST-II in Preterm Infants With Neurodevelopmental Impairment: A Pilot Study.

Objective: To identify the usefulness of both the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition (Bayley-III) and Denver Developmental Screening Test II (DDST-II) in preterm babies with neurodevelopmental impairment, considering the detection rate as regulation of criteria.

Methods: Retrospective medical chart reviews which included the Bayley-III and DDST-II, were conducted for 69 preterm babies. Detection rate of neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm babies were investigated by modulating scaled score of the Bayley-III.

Features of Golf-Related Shoulder Pain in Korean Amateur Golfers.

Objective: To investigate the causes and characteristics of golf-related shoulder injuries in Korean amateur golfers.

Methods: Golf-related surveys were administered to, and ultrasonography were conducted on, 77 Korean amateur golfers with golf-related shoulder pain. The correlation between the golf-related surveys and ultrasonographic findings were investigated.

Central Pontine Myelinolysis Induced by Alcohol Withdrawal: A Case Report.

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a demyelinating disorder characterized by the loss of myelin in the center of the basis pons, and is mainly caused by the rapid correction of hyponatremia. We report the case of a young woman who presented with gait disturbance and alcohol withdrawal, and who was eventually diagnosed with CPM. Generally, the cause and pathogenesis of CPM in chronic alcoholics remain unclear.

Change of Bone Mineral Density and Relationship to Clinical Parameters in Male Stroke Patients.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics that significantly contribute to a decreased bone mineral density (BMD), the BMD changes and clinical characteristics of men who experienced a stroke between the ages of 50 years and 65 years were studied between 3 months and 4 months after the stroke.

Methods: Subjects had a brain hemorrhage or a cerebral infarction. Only men aged 50 years to 65 years were included to eliminate postmenopausal osteoporosis and to eliminate the influence of senile osteoporosis.

Prevalence and Epidemiological Factors Involved in Cellulitis in Korean Patients With Lymphedema.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and associated factors involved in cellulitis with lymphangitis among a group of Korean patients who were being treated for lymphedema. We present our epidemiologic research and we also report a systematic review of these types of cases.

Methods: This was a retrospective medical record study among 1,246 patients diagnosed with lymphedema.

A Survey of the Status of Awareness of Lymphedema in Breast Cancer Patients in Busan-Gyeongnam, Korea.

Objective: To support the establishment of lymphedema education plans and the actual practice of education by investigating the current lymphedema awareness status of Korean breast cancer patients.

Methods: cross-sectional population survey was conducted in 116 breast cancer patients in the Busan-Gyeongnam area. The survey included questions regarding demographic characteristics, breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) risk factors, and characteristics and treatments of the disease.

Different Movement of Hyolaryngeal Structures by Various Application of Electrical Stimulation in Normal Individuals.

Objective: To identify the differences in the movement of the hyoid bone and the vocal cord with and without electrical stimulation in normal subjects.

Methods: Two-dimensional motion analysis using a videofluoroscopic swallowing study with and without electrical stimulation was performed. Surface electrical stimulation was applied during swallowing using electrodes placed at three different locations on each subject.

Effect of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on swallowing function in stroke patients.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in stroke patients, and to assess the difference in swallowing function between stroke patients with COPD (COPD group) and stroke patients without COPD (control group).

Methods: The subjects included 103 stroke patients. They underwent the pulmonary function test and were assigned to either the COPD group or the control group.