Increased arterial pulsatility and progression of single subcortical infarction.

Objective: We investigated the association of clinical, laboratory, sonographic and imaging parameters, in the progression of single subcortical infarctions.

Methods: Consecutive 169 patients with lacunar (n = 89) and striatocapsular infarctions (n = 80) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory with nonstenotic MCAs were recruited and examined for stroke progression. The pulsatility index (PI) was measured by transcranial Doppler from ipsilateral M1.

Clinical characteristics and factors predicting respiratory failure in adenovirus pneumonia.

Background And Objective: Limited data exist regarding factors predicting respiratory failure (RF) in non-immunocompromised patients with adenovirus (AdV) pneumonia.

Methods: We described characteristics of AdV pneumonia (n = 91) versus non-AdV pneumonia (n = 55) and compared clinico-laboratory and radiological characteristics in patient groups categorized by RF.

Results: All 91 AdV pneumonia patients presented with acute respiratory symptoms and radiological infiltrations and had significantly lower levels of white blood cell counts and platelet counts compared with non-AdV pneumonia.

The Clinical Significance of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae on the Surgical Outcomes of Lumbar Discectomy: A Retrospective Cohort Study of Young Adults.

Objective: To evaluate whether the presence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) affects the clinical outcomes of microdiscectomy (MD) in young adults with lumbar disc herniation.

Methods: We retrospectively included 398 patients who were followed-up for at least 2 years after MD for lumbar disc herniation at L4/5 (disc above the LSTV). The patients were divided into 2 groups.

Inhibition of miR-203 Reduces Spontaneous Recurrent Seizures in Mice.

Inhibitory synaptic receptors are dysfunctional in epileptic brains, and agents that selectively target these receptors may be effective for the treatment of epilepsy. MicroRNAs interfere with the translation of target genes, including various synaptic proteins. Here, we show that miR-203 regulates glycine receptor-β (Glrb) in epilepsy models.

Association of pain intensity, pain-related disability, and depression with hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis function in female patients with chronic temporomandibular disorders.

Patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) commonly experience myofascial and joint pain, pain-related disability, and other pain conditions including depression. The present study was carried out to explore the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in relation to variables of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis II and comorbid depression in female patients with TMD. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were determined in saliva samples that had been collected at various periods after waking (0, 30, and 60min) and at nighttime (2100-2200h) from 52 female patients with chronic TMD pain and age- and gender-matched controls (n=54, 20-40 years old).

Clinical significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor in young male asthma patients.

Background/aims: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important mediator of angiogenesis. However, little is known about the potential use of serum levels of VEGF as a biomarker for asthma. We investigated the differences in VEGF levels among normal controls, stable asthma patients, and those with exacerbation of acute asthma.

Radiologic Findings and Risk Factors of Adjacent Segment Degeneration after Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion : A Retrospective Matched Cohort Study with 3-Year Follow-Up Using MRI.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to figure out the radiologic findings and risk factors related to adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) using 3-year follow-up radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance image (MRI).

Methods: A retrospective matched comparative study was performed for 64 patients who underwent single-level ACDF with a cage and plate. Radiologic parameters, including upper segment range of motion (USROM), lower segment range of motion (LSROM), upper segment disc height (UDH), and lower segment disc height (LDH), clinical outcomes assessed with neck and arm visual analogue scale (VAS), and risk factors were analyzed.

Acute Symptomatic Basilar Artery Stenosis: MR Imaging Predictors of Early Neurologic Deterioration and Long-term Outcomes.

Purpose To determine clinical, laboratory, and radiologic factors associated with early neurologic deterioration (END) and long-term outcomes in patients with medically treated symptomatic basilar artery stenosis (BAS). Materials and Methods The study design was approved by the institutional review board. From a database of all consecutive patients with cerebrovascular ischemia, the authors retrospectively included 292 patients with medically treated symptomatic BAS with at least 70% stenosis of the basilar artery.

Intracranial plaque enhancement from high resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging predicts stroke recurrence.

Background: Intracranial atherosclerosis is associated with frequent stroke recurrence. High resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging (HRMRI) can provide atheroma information related to its vulnerability.

Aims: We performed HRMRI in stroke patients with intracranial atherosclerosis to determine whether plaque characteristics from vessel wall imaging can predict future stroke recurrence.

Sonographic findings associated with stenosis progression and vascular complications in moyamoya disease.

OBJECT The progression of arterial stenosis in patients with moyamoya disease (MMD) has variable courses and an unclear mechanism. The authors hypothesized that elevated wall shear stress (WSS) at the terminal internal carotid artery (ICA) and proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) may facilitate MMD progression. They indirectly evaluated the relative magnitude of WSS (WSS value [WSSV]) with MR angiography (MRA) and transcranial Doppler to determine its predictive value for stenosis progression (SP) and the development of vascular complications.

Various factors contribute to graft extrusion in lateral meniscus allograft transplantation.

Purpose: Lateral meniscus allograft transplantation (LMAT) is a feasible surgical option for young meniscus-deficient patients. Although several studies have explored the factors that contribute to graft extrusion, they have not been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to determine the various factors that contribute to graft extrusion.

Long-term recurrence rates after the removal of spinal meningiomas in relation to Simpson grades.

Purpose: Simpson grade II removal (coagulation of the dural attachment after gross total removal) of spinal meningioma is considered an acceptable alternative, but increased recurrence after more than 10 years has been reported. More attention must be paid to the long-term surgical outcomes after Simpson grade II removal.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed for 20 patients (M:F = 5:15; age, 59 ± 9 years) with Simpson grade II removal (mean follow-up period, 12.

Frequency and pattern of noninfectious adverse transfusion reactions at a tertiary care hospital in Korea.

Background: Although transfusion is a paramount life-saving therapy, there are multiple potential significant risks. Therefore, all adverse transfusion reaction (ATR) episodes require close monitoring. Using the computerized reporting system, we assessed the frequency and pattern of non-infectious ATRs.

Synchronous mucosal Schwann-cell hamartomas in a young adult suggestive of mucosal Schwann-cell harmatomatosis: a case report.

Background: Mucosal Schwann-cell hamartoma is a rare mesenchymal polyp that presents in the intestine. Despite lacking ganglion cells, it resembles a gastrointestinal ganglioneuroma.

Case Presentation: We report a case of synchronous mucosal Schwann-cell hamartomas in a young male patient, who presented with a single discrete polyp in the mid-rectum and multiple polypoid mucosal lesions in the distal rectum.

Comparison of Outcomes of Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy and Open Lumbar Microdiscectomy for Young Adults: A Retrospective Matched Cohort Study.

Objective: There have been only a few studies on surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in young adults. In addition, previous studies do not provide detailed information on the surgical outcomes for young adults with LDH. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of transforaminal percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) and open lumbar microdiscectomy for active, young adults (age 20-25 years).

Acute appendicitis caused by foreign body ingestion.

Foreign bodies usually do not cause complications and pass through the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously. Usually endoscopic intervention is recommended within 24 hours. Cases of acute appendicitis caused by foreign bodies are very rare.

Outcomes of rapid corticosteroid tapering in acute eosinophilic pneumonia patients with initial eosinophilia.

Background And Objective: Studies have shown that patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP) and with initial eosinophilia have a milder disease than those with an initial normal peripheral eosinophil count (PEC). We investigated the effect of a rapid corticosteroid tapering strategy in AEP patients with initial eosinophilia.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study in patients with AEP with initial eosinophilia (n = 14) who stopped corticosteroid treatment after achieving clinical stabilization compared with AEP patients with an initial normal PEC (n = 45) who received 2-week treatment with corticosteroid.

Prognosis of spontaneous cervical artery dissection and transcranial Doppler findings associated with clinical outcomes.

Objectives: We categorised spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCAD) by radiological features and investigated factors associated with favourable outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed 128 patients with sCAD with a median follow-up duration of 25 months. Twenty-nine constituted the aneurysm group, 52 the stenotic group, and 47 the occlusive group.

Incidence of narcolepsy before and after MF59-adjuvanted influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination in South Korean soldiers.

Background: Previous reports mostly from Europe suggested an association between an occurrence of narcolepsy and an influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccine adjuvanted with AS03 (Pandemrix(®)). During the 2009 H1N1 pandemic vaccination campaign, the Korean military performed a vaccination campaign with one type of influenza vaccine containing MF59-adjuvants. This study was conducted to investigate the background incidence rate of narcolepsy in South Korean soldiers and the association of the MF59-adjuvanted vaccine with the occurrence of narcolepsy in a young adult group.

Comparison of clinical and radiological manifestations and surgical outcomes of pediatric Chiari I malformations in different age groups.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the differences in clinical and radiological manifestations and treatment outcomes of pediatric Chiari I malformation patients according to age.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the patients who received surgery in our institution for symptomatic Chiari I malformations between January 1991 and December 2012. Fifty-four patients were identified, and their medical records were reviewed for clinical presentation, radiological findings, surgical treatment, and outcomes including complications.

Vitamin D Status in South Korean Military Personnel with Acute Eosinophilic Pneumonia: A Pilot Study.

Background: A relationship between low vitamin D levels and the development or outcomes of respiratory diseases has been identified. However, there is no data on the vitamin D status in patients with acute eosinophilic pneumonia (AEP). We evaluated the vitamin D status in patients with AEP among South Korean military personnel.

Central nervous system complications after liver transplantation.

We investigated the diversity of central nervous system complications after liver transplantation in terms of clinical manifestations and temporal course. Liver transplantation is a lifesaving option for end stage liver disease patients but post-transplantation neurologic complications can hamper recovery. Between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2010, patients who had undergone liver transplantation at a single tertiary university hospital were included.

The Clinical Courses of Patients with Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation Complicated by Pneumonia.

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical characteristics and courses of patients with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) complicated by pneumonia.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 19 adult patients with surgically confirmed CCAM between March 2005 and July 2013.

Results: Eighteen of nineteen patients presented with acute pneumonia symptoms and signs, and inflammatory markers were elevated.

A Pilot Study Evaluating Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology of Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Comparison of Ancillary Immunocytochemistry and Cytomorphological Characteristics of SurePath™ Liquid-Based Preparations with Conventional Smears.

Objective: Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) based on a liquid-based preparation is a safe and valuable diagnostic tool. However, due to unfamiliarity with this method and the considerably altered morphology that is associated with it, diagnosing renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from this type of preparation remains a challenge for cytopathologists. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytomorphological characteristics of SurePath™ (SP)-based preparations compared with conventional smear (CS), and also the role of SP-based FNAC in the diagnosis of clear-cell RCC (CRCC), the most common primary renal malignancy.