• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.396-407
• /
• 1999

Although tinnitus is a common disease, it's reason, pathogenesis and treatment are not examined clearly. As tinnitus is a subjective complaint, it is not easy to evaluate objectively and to compare with another. In this study, we intend to estimate the effect of a variety of oriental medical treatments to tinnitus. We inquired about 30cases of tinnitus patients visited the Kwang-ju Oriental Medical Hospital of Wonkwang University from Apr. 1998 to Sep. 1998. We examined the 30cases in the view of sex, age, occupation, duration, etiologic factors, past history, associating symptoms, quality of tinnitus, and recovery rate after treatments. The results were as follows: 1. In distribution of sex, the ratio of male was $63.3\%$(19cases)and\;female\;was\;36.6\%$(11cases). 2. In distribution of age, the ratio of the 2th decade was $6.6\%(2cases),\;the\;3th\;decade\;was\;20.0\%(6cases),\;the\;4th\;decade\;was\;16.6\%(5cases),\;the\;5th\;decade\;was\;23.3\%(7cases),\;the\;6th\;decade\;was\;30.0\%\;(9cases),and\;the\;7th\;decade\;was\;3.3\%(1case)$. 3. In distribution of occupation, the ratio of employee was $23.3\%$(7cases), house-keeper was $63.3\%(11cases),\;farmer\;was\;16.6\%(5cases),\;teacher\;was\;13.3\%$ (4cases), and student, merchant, soldier was each $3.3\%$(1case). 4. In distribution of duration, the ratio of under 1month was $6.6\%$ (2cases), 1 month -6 months was $20.0\%$(6cases), 6 months- 12months was $30.0\%$(9cases), 12months-36months was $23.3\%$(7cases), and over 36months was $20.0\%$(6cases). 5. In etiologic factor of tinnitus, the ratio of unknown reason was $40.0\%$ (12cases), overwork was $16.6\%$(5cases), emotional stress was $10.0\%$(3cases), noise was $6.6\%$(2cases), cases of laying overwork upon stress was $13.3\%$(4cases), head trauma was $3.3\%$(1case), gun report was $3.3\%$ (1case), and after sickness was $6.6\%$(2cases). 6. 9 cases had experienced such a disease as meniere's disease, tympanitis, labyrinthitis, trauma of tympanum, hypertension, etc. 7. Commonly associated symptoms were dizziness, deafness, uneasiness, headache, ear fullness, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and forgetfulness. 8. Most frequent quality of tinnitus were buzzing, whistling, humming etc. 9. In $76.6\%$(23cases) of tinnitus patients, it was improved, but in $23.3%$(7cases) of them, not improved. Total recovery rate was $42.2\%$.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.53-58
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Skiing and snowboarding are becoming increasingly popular. Accordingly, the incidences of injuries among skiers and snowboarders are also increasing. The purpose of this study was to investigate the injury patterns of and the contributing factors to head injuries of skiers and snowboarders and to evaluate the differences in characteristics between skiing and snowboarding head injuries. Methods: One-hundred patients who visited the emergency department of Wonju Christian Hospital between January 2005 and March 2007 due to head injuries from skiing and snowboarding were enrolled. The mechanisms and the histories of the injuries were investigated by surveying the patients, and the degrees of head injuries were estimated by using brain CT and the Glasgow Coma Scale. The degrees and the characteristics of brain injuries were also analyzed and compared between skiers and snowboarders. Results: Out of 100 patients, 39 were injured by skiing, and 61 were injured by snowboarding. The mean age of the skiers was $26.7{\pm}10.0$, and that of the snowboarders was $26.7{\pm}6.2$. The percentage of male skiers was 43.6%, and that of snowboarders was 63.9%. The most frequent initial chief complaints of head-injured skiers and snowboarders were headache and mental change. The most common mechanism of injuries was a slip down. The mean Abbreviated Injury Scale Score (AIS score) of the skier group was $4.5{\pm}2.1$ and that of the snowboarder group was $5.9{\pm}5.0$ (p=0.222). The percentage of helmet users was 7.1% among skiers and 20.8% among snowboarders (p=0.346). Head injuries were composed of cerebral concussion (92.0%) and intracranial hemorrhage (8.0%). Intracranial hemorrhage was most frequently caused by falling down (62.5%). Conclusion: The most common type of head injury to skiers and snowboarders was cerebral concussion, and severe damage was usually caused by jumping and falling down. No differences in the characteristics of the head injuries existed between skiing and snowboarding injuries.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.299-307
• /
• 2001

Objectives: Fatigue is a common symptom experienced by many people who visit Oriental medical clinics or hospital. However, there has been little study about the fatigue in the Oriental medical academic world. For this reason, we attempted to investigate the present status of fatigue of outpatients, and its relation with Health Practice Index(HPI). Methods: The subjects were 63 outpatients who visited the Tonification Clinic in Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center between January 1, 2001 and July 31, 2001. Their chief complaint was fatigue and they did not have any physical or mental problem. They were given a questionnaire which included questions reflecting general characteristics, fatigue degree and health habits. We measured degree of fatigue by Chalder scale et al. Health habits were investigated about 5 articles out of 'Breslow 7 Health habits'. Results: Among the subjects, 48 people(76.2%) were considered as 'fatigue patients' by the Chalder scale. Of this 48 fatigue patients, 27 people(56.3%) had manifested fatigue for more than 6 months. The average of scale II for all the patients was 14.05, which indicates moderate degree of fatigue. They complained fatigue, drowsiness and general weakness, dryness and discomfort of the eyes, headache, shoulder pain and neck stiffness, dizziness, heat in the upper part of the body, and poor concentration. There were no differences in degree of fatigue according to Health habits including exercise or not, smoking or not, the frequency of drinking, hours of sleeping, and body mass index. Conclusions: Many people complain fatigue symptom. Therefore doctors should have more interest in fatigue and care. This study can provide standards of prognosis of fatigue patients. Also prospective studies are needed to find relationship between health habits and fatigue degree.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.144-152
• /
• 2009

Background : Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) has been widely used to treat respiratory disease in traditional medicine of East Asia for over a hundred years. Despite safety concerns raised by some, the use of ephedra in traditional medicine is documented over more than 1,800 years. It is well established that ephedra is one of the central medicines in Korean 'Seseng constitution' medicine. In Sasang constitution medicine, all humans can be divided into one of four types: Soeumin, Soyangin, Taeumin or Taeyangin, and each constitution type has their own typical characteristics. Accordingly, it is hypothesized that the adverse effects of ephedra differ depending on the Sasang constitution classification. Objectives : The aim of this study was to determine adverse effects of ephedra which is classified as a Taeumin herb, and to observe whether the response differs or not. according to Sasang constitution classification. Methods : The study design was a double-blind randomized controlled trial. The subjects were healthy adults 20 - 50 years old who agreed to participate in this study. They were allocated through randomization to either ephedra group (N=55) or placebo group (N=24). where ephedra extract (6 g of dried ephedra) and placebo with similar opaque capsules were given twice for one day. To compare the adverse events of ephedra according to Sasang constitution classification, we analyzed blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), pulse rate, the morning questionnaire, and patient's global assessment scale score for well known adverse events: palpitation, headache, sweating, tiredness, dyspepsia, and dry mouth. Results : After ingestion of ephedra, the pulse rate had a significant increase in all constitution types. The changes of diastolic pressure in Soeumin and the changes of pulse rate in Soeumin, Soyangin and Taeumin had a significant increase in the ephedra over the control group. In the ephedra group, the palpitation and dyspepsia score of the patients' global assessment scale had a significant increase in Soeumin, with palpitation and sweating score increasing in Soyangin. Others observations were insignificant results. Conclusion : The results of this study may confirm that the physical responses or adverse effects of herbs differ for each type of Sasang constitution. Future studies using other herbs will be required to ascertain the herbal drug reaction of Sasang constitutions.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.54-60
• /
• 2009

Purpose : Yellow fever, a mosquito-borne viral hemorrhagic fever, is one of the most lethal diseases. Recently there have been an increasing number of Korean children who have travelled to yellow fever endemic zones and were administered yellow fever vaccine (YFV). Therefore, we carried out this study to provide child travelers with safety information of YFV. Methods : This study was conducted at the International Clinic of National Medical Center in Seoul between April 2007 and June 2008 for the evaluation of adverse events of YFV. One hundred twenty-five children received YFV (17-DD) and were prospectively monitored for adverse events through telephone interviews on day 3, 6, 9, 16, 23 and 30 after vaccination. Results : Adverse events were observed in 31 (24.8%) of 125 child travelers who received the YFV. The mean age was 12.5${\pm}$5.0 years. Sixty-six of the child travelers (52.8%) were males. The common adverse events were pain in 11 (8.8%), swelling in 8 (6.4%) and redness in 7 children (5.6%) at the injection site. The systemic adverse events included mild fever in 5 (4.0%), headache in 5 (4.0%), cough in 4 (3.2%), abdominal pain in 3 (2.4%), and vomiting in 2 children (1.6%). Most of the adverse events were detected within 7 days of administration and there were no differences in adverse events by gender or age. All travelers who had complained of symptoms improved spontaneously or following symptomatic treatment. Conclusion : This study showed that YFV is well-tolerated and there were no reports of severe adverse events. Studies are ongoing to clarify the cause and risk factors for rare adverse events.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.sup2
• /
• pp.309-315
• /
• 2001

The term slit ventricle syndrome(SVS) refers to an episodic occurrence of headache, vomiting, and possibly some degree of impaired consciousness in shunted hydrocephalic children in whom slit-like ventricles are seen on CT scan or MRI. Authors present 6 cases with SVS who were treated at our institute for last 10 years. From 1986 to 1996, 821 patients underwent shunt surgery for hydrocephalus. The etiology of hydrocephalus included brain tumor(140 patients), post-hemorrhagic(62 patients), idiopathic normotensive hydrocephalus(64 patients), post-meningitic( 58 patients), post-traumatic(54 patients), congenital(48 patients), neurocysticercosis(31 patients), and unknown etiology(364 patients). During the mean follow-up duration of 68 months, 232 shunt revisions were performed by a revision rate of 1.28 per patient. The incidence of SVS was 0.7%(6 patients). Most of them have been operated on in infancy. Time interval from the first operation to the development of slit-ventricle syndrome ranged from 4 to 8 years, the mean was 6 years. Shuntogram showed patent shunt in all patients. Two patients with less severe clinical symptoms improved with conservative treatment. These patients were not measured ICP because of good hospital course. One patient showed high ICP and needed only revision with same pressure valve as previous shunt. Low ICP was noted in 3 patients. Pressure augmentation using an anti-siphon device(ASD) or upgrading valve system were necessary in these patients. The authors stress that determining type of SVS is the first step in treatment planning and that the best treatment is a strategy aimed at resolving the specific type of SVS responsible for the symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.sup1
• /
• pp.30-36
• /
• 2001

Objective : To investigate the postoperative result and prognostic factors in cerebellopontine meningioma. Materials & Methods : During the years 1990 through 1999, a retrospective study of 17 cerebellopontine angle meningiomas was performed. The retromastoid approach was used in all cases : 14 tumors were excised totally and 3 tumors subtotally. Results : Fourteen patents were females with a median age of 58.7 years. The most common presenting complaints were 8th cranial nerve dysfunction and headache. Most of the tumors were large(>4cm) and extended into the tentorial regions. Histological examination revealed benign meningiomas in 16 patients and atypical in one patient. Tumors were located posterior to the internal auditory meatus in 11 cases and anterior in three cases with three cases of en-plaque type. Two of three patients whose tumors were subtotally excised received radiation therapy. Tumor has recurred in one patient. Postoperative result was good in 16 cases with one mortality case. Conclusion : This results suggest that site of 7th-8th cranial nerves complex, en-plaque type meningioma, and petroclival meningioma extended into the clivus were significant prognostic factors. Postoperative radiation therapy is recommended for cases of subtotal resection.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.45-54
• /
• 2010

Objective : This study aimed to investigate and compare the prevalence of depression and suicidality among the elderly in a rural city according to their residence type. Methods : Participants were 311 elderly people (109 male and 202 female) in Icheon City, whom trained researchers interviewed and examined Geriatric Depression Scale, Social Support Scale, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Activities of Daily Living, Quality of Life Scale, and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), module C. Using these data, we analyzed participants' risk factors associated with depression and suicidality. Results : The prevalence of depression was 28.0%. The prevalence in the elderly living alone and those admitted to residential facilities was significantly higher than that among the elderly living with family. Suicidality frequency was 19.6%. The suicidality frequency among the elderly living alone and those admitted to facilities was significantly higher than that among the elderly living with family. The risk factors for depression were age, admission to a facility, and low economic status. The suicidality risk factors were living alone, admission to a facility, poor social support, and a history of headache. Conclusion : These results showed the prevalence of depression and frequency of suicidality among the elderly in such a city was quite high. The results of this study remind psychiatrists of the importance of early detection and therapeutic intervention for the elderly with a high risk of depression and suicidality.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.151-163
• /
• 1990

Tsutsugamushi disease is an acute febrile disease caused by Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, and which has been reported with increasing frequency through the nation since 1986. We experienced 21 cases of Tsutsugamushi disease diagnosed with serologic test occuring in Taegu city and Kyungpook province during October-November, 1989. The results of survey are as follow. 1) Of 21 cases, 12(57%) were males and 9(43%) were females, and the peak incidence was the 4th decade. 2) The outbreak was in October to November and the peak incidence was in October. 3) The most frequent symptoms were fever and chill(100%), myalgia(95%), headache(90%). Eschar and rash were observed in 18 patients(86%) and the eschar was detected in all over the body, especially thorax(33%) and lower extremity(22%). 4) Laboratory features were SGOT elevation(83%), SGPT elevation(61%), LDH elevation(67%). leukocytosis (38%). 5) Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was done m 18 patients and the antibody titer was above 1 : 320 in all patients. 6) The chloramphenicol, tetracycline or doxycycline regimens were very effective and mean duration of defervescence from iniation of therapy was 1.3 days. 7) The complication such as meningitis or shock, was not seen.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.31-41
• /
• 1989

Since the first cases of tsutsugamushi disease reported in Korea in 1986. many cases has been reported and its occurrence has been increasing. Only 2 cases has been reported in Taegu city and Kyungpook area. We experienced an outbreak of 26 cases of tsutsugamushi disease in this area and their clinical manifestations are ; 1. The outbreak occurred in September to November in 1988 and its peak occurrence was in October. 2. Mean age was 52 years old (18 to 69 years old) and peak incidence was in the 6th decade. 3. Major symptoms and abnormal signs are fever/chills(88%), myalgia(65%), headache(54%), nausea and vomiting(31%), and abdominal pain(27%). The eschar was detected on lower part of body in most of cases. and more frequently in male(M : F 100 vs 58%). 4. Patients were treated with tetracyclines(TC) and/or chlorampenicol(CM) and mean duration of defervescence from initiation of antibiotic therapy was 2.1 days with TC and 2.5 days with CM. 5. Complications are 2 cases of meningitis and 1 cases of shock. and all cases were recovered without any sequlae. As above, tsutsugamushi disease occurs in Taegu city and Kyung Pook area as other part of Korea and clinical manifestations are similar to other reports.