PURPOSE: Epilepsy is generally defined as a chronic condition characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizure. It is still controversial whether the long-term antiepileptic drugs(AED) treatment will be necessary in children with first unprovoked seizure. Cognitive and behavioral side effects of AEDs are especially important in developing children. Therefore the rationale of AED treatment in the children with first unprovoked seizure depends upon the seizure recurrence rate and presence of risk factors related with seizure recurrence. We are going to evaluate the risk of seizure recurrence and risk factors after a first unprovoked seizure in children. METHODS: One hundred fifty eight patients presented with a first unprovoked seizure from July, 1994 to June, 1999 were prospectively followed by regular epilepsy clinic visit or telephone interview for a mean of 27 months. We analyzed overall recurrence risk and risk factors of seizure recurrence(EEG finding, etiology of seizure, seizure type, history of prior febrile convulsions, neurodevelopmental status prior to first seizure, presence of a Todd's paresis, family history of seizures, a seizure occuring while asleep, and duration of seizure) by Cox's proportional hazards model and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: In 158 patients with first unprovoked seizure, 61 (39%) patients experienced subsequent seizure. The cumulative risk of seizure recurrence was 28.5, 37.6, and 42.3% at 6, 12, and 18 months. The median time to recurrence was 3 months, with 72% of recurrence occurring within 6 months, 92% within 1 year, and 100% within 2 years. On univariate analysis, risk factors for seizure recurrence included an etiology of seizure and abnormal EEG. In idiopathic cases, the risk factor was an EEG abnormality. CONCLUSION: Many of the children with a first unprovoked seizure will not have recurrences. The recurrence risk of a first unprovoked seizure in children have statistically correlated with the etiology of seizure(cryptogenic and symptomatic) and abnormal EEG. Children with an idiopathic first seizure and a normal EEG have a particularly favorable prognosis.
Ambulatory Care ; Child ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Paresis ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prospective Studies* ; Recurrence* ; Risk Factors ; Seizures* ; Seizures, Febrile

No abstract available.
Aged* ; Humans ; Nursing Homes* ; Nursing*

Since the time of Jonathan Hutchinson (1858-63), it has been known that over 90% of cases of diffuse interstitial keratitis occur in syphilitic patients. The syphilitic patients was sharply decreased throughout the world after the introduction of penicillin for syphilis therapy, but recently the incidence of syphilis began to increase throughout the world. The authors experienced 3 cases of interstitial keratitis due to congenital syphilis. All the cases showed interstitial keratitis, positive serologic test for syphilis (VDRL) and Hutchinson's teeth. A brief review and relating literatures are presented.
Humans ; Incidence ; Keratitis* ; Penicillins ; Serologic Tests ; Syphilis ; Syphilis, Congenital

PURPOSE: The intermediate filament proteins, desmin and vimentin, are specific components of the cytoskeleton of striated muscle fibers and of mononuclear cells of mesenchymal origin including myoblasts, respectively. Desmin has also been found in presumptive myoblasts of mammals. The aim of this experiment was attempted to observe the phenotypic changes of intermediate filaments in skeletal muscle fibers during early stages of sciatic nerve crushing injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sciatic nerves of rats were surgically crushed by hemostat and serial cryosections of soleus and extensor digitorum longus(EDL) muscles were prepared at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 27 days after nerve injury. Serial cryosections were immunolabelled with desmin, vimentin and laminin and were histochemically reacted with NADH-TR. RESULTS: 1) Firstly, desmin positive fibers were appeared in fast-twitch type C fibers of both muscles at 6 days after nerve crushing, but were not reacted for vimentin. 2) Co-expressions of desmin and vimentin were firstly detected in fast-twitch type A fibers of EDL muscles at 8 days after nerve injury. In soleus muscles, co-expressions of desmin and vimentin were firstly seen in slow-twitch type B fibers at 10 days after nerve injury. Many atrophic fibers, that contained several central nuclei like myotubes and co-expressed desmin and vimentin, were appeared in EDL muscles at 10 days after nerve injury. Although whole regions of fibers were regenerated in EDL muscles, only peripheral regions of fibers were regenerated in soleus muscles at 15 days after nerve injury. Many atrophic fibers, co-expressed of desmin and vimentin, were appeared in EDL muscles at 20 days after nerve injury. These whole fibers represented various degrees of regenerating stages. Most of mature fibers containing several central nuclei, only expressed vimentin slightly, were seen in soleus muscles at 20 days after nerve injury. Most fibers of both muscles were matured at 27 days after nerve injury, but some fibers in EDL muscles were still in processing of degeneration and regeneration. No expressions of desmin and vimentin indicated that muscle fibers were almostly matured in soleus muscles at 27 days after nerve injury. 3) Targetoid or target fibers which informed reinnervation, were appeared firstly in soleus muscles at 20 days and were seen in both muscles at 27 days after nerve injury. All targetoid and target fibers were type B fibers. CONCLUSION: Desmin was revealed in processes of degeneration and regeneration and vimentin was appealed in regeneration process. At the same time, positive immunoreactivity of desmin and vimentin showed specific differences in degree of degeneration and regeneration according to different muscles and muscle fibers.
Animals ; Cytoskeleton ; Desmin ; Intermediate Filament Proteins* ; Intermediate Filaments* ; Laminin ; Leg* ; Mammals ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal ; Muscle, Striated ; Muscles* ; Myoblasts ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; Sciatic Nerve* ; Vimentin

PURPOSE: The intermediate filament proteins, desmin and vimentin, are specific components of the cytoskeleton of striated muscle fibers and of mononuclear cells of mesenchymal origin including myoblasts, respectively. Desmin has also been found in presumptive myoblasts of mammals. The aim of this experiment was attempted to observe the phenotypic changes of intermediate filaments in skeletal muscle fibers during early stages of sciatic nerve crushing injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sciatic nerves of rats were surgically crushed by hemostat and serial cryosections of soleus and extensor digitorum longus(EDL) muscles were prepared at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 27 days after nerve injury. Serial cryosections were immunolabelled with desmin, vimentin and laminin and were histochemically reacted with NADH-TR. RESULTS: 1) Firstly, desmin positive fibers were appeared in fast-twitch type C fibers of both muscles at 6 days after nerve crushing, but were not reacted for vimentin. 2) Co-expressions of desmin and vimentin were firstly detected in fast-twitch type A fibers of EDL muscles at 8 days after nerve injury. In soleus muscles, co-expressions of desmin and vimentin were firstly seen in slow-twitch type B fibers at 10 days after nerve injury. Many atrophic fibers, that contained several central nuclei like myotubes and co-expressed desmin and vimentin, were appeared in EDL muscles at 10 days after nerve injury. Although whole regions of fibers were regenerated in EDL muscles, only peripheral regions of fibers were regenerated in soleus muscles at 15 days after nerve injury. Many atrophic fibers, co-expressed of desmin and vimentin, were appeared in EDL muscles at 20 days after nerve injury. These whole fibers represented various degrees of regenerating stages. Most of mature fibers containing several central nuclei, only expressed vimentin slightly, were seen in soleus muscles at 20 days after nerve injury. Most fibers of both muscles were matured at 27 days after nerve injury, but some fibers in EDL muscles were still in processing of degeneration and regeneration. No expressions of desmin and vimentin indicated that muscle fibers were almostly matured in soleus muscles at 27 days after nerve injury. 3) Targetoid or target fibers which informed reinnervation, were appeared firstly in soleus muscles at 20 days and were seen in both muscles at 27 days after nerve injury. All targetoid and target fibers were type B fibers. CONCLUSION: Desmin was revealed in processes of degeneration and regeneration and vimentin was appealed in regeneration process. At the same time, positive immunoreactivity of desmin and vimentin showed specific differences in degree of degeneration and regeneration according to different muscles and muscle fibers.
Animals ; Cytoskeleton ; Desmin ; Intermediate Filament Proteins* ; Intermediate Filaments* ; Laminin ; Leg* ; Mammals ; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal ; Muscle, Striated ; Muscles* ; Myoblasts ; Nerve Crush ; Nerve Fibers, Myelinated ; Nerve Fibers, Unmyelinated ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; Sciatic Nerve* ; Vimentin

No abstract available.
Telephone*

Livedo vasculitis or vasculitis of atrophie blanche is a clinical entity which can be distinguished from cutaneous vasculitis by distinctive pathology and immunopathologic study. A 18-year-old female with erythematous, telangiectatic, purpuric or hyperpigmented patches, intermingled with white atrophic ivory patches on her legs of 3 years duration was seen in June 3, 1982. The histologic examination of an atrophic patch showed proliferation and occlusion of blood vessels in the upper dermis with patchy atrophy of the epidermis. The immunopatbologic features of an atrophic patch revealed deposits of IgM, Ca and fibrin as a definitive immunofluorescence vessel pattern. This suggests that the livedo va.sculitis or vasculitis of atrophie blanche may he considered one of the immune vasculitides. This patient had received aspirin and persantine for 4 months, and moderate therapeutic effects could be noticed.
Adolescent ; Aspirin ; Atrophy ; Blood Vessels ; Dermis ; Dipyridamole ; Epidermis ; Female ; Fibrin ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Leg ; Pathology ; Vasculitis*

The anterior cruciate ligament injury is one of the most common ligament injury of the knee joint, and anterior cruciate ligament is as important structure for stabilization as a primary restraint. Noyes reported that the diagnosis of a tek of the anterior cruciate ligament was made by the original treating physician in only 6.8%. And there are many controversies in its treatment. It is certain thatearly diagnosis and treatment are th most important clue. Authors studied 48 patients of isolated anterior cruciate ligament injury who were diagnosed by same physician from Jan. 1983 to Dec. 1985 after follow ups ranging from six mnths to 4 years, average beimng one year and two months. The results were as followings: 1. The most common cause was sports injury. 2. The most common sign and symptom were hemarthrosis in acute injury and giving way in chronic injury. 3. Anterior drawer test without anesthesia had 25% of diagnostic accuracy but pivot shift test under anesthesia 95.8%. 4. 31 cases in 48 cases (64.8) had associated meniscal injury. 5. In acute torn ACL, the primajy repair was preparable but conservative treatment with arthroscopic partial menisectomy was eful in chronic case.
Anesthesia ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Athletic Injuries ; Clinical Study ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemarthrosis ; Humans ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Ligaments

The intramedullary nailing is a good method of treatment in femur shaft fracture but it is not available in some fracture pattern or fracture level. And it is very difficult with conventional Kiintscher nailing to prevent torsional stress and fix rigidly in unstable fracture of the femur shaft. The unstable fracture by comminuted fracture or segmental fracture, nonunion and pathologic fracture needed the rigid fixation. Interlocking Kuntscher IM nailing can provide antitorsional stability, good axial alignment and prevent shortening of the fracture site, also allow early ambulation and joint exercise. We analysed 51 patients 52 cases of interlocking Kiintscher IM nailing from May 1981 to March 1988. The interlocking Kuntscher IM nailing prevents the rotational and axial roading. The interocking Kuntscher IM nailing has expanded its application in fracture pattern and fracture site. The interlocking IM nailing provides rigid fixation in severe comminuted fracture. segmental fracture, long spiral fracture, and other several unstable fractures and eliminates splinting or external supports, so it is possible doing early joint exercise. The interlocking Kuntscher IM nailing was also considered best internal fixation method in pathologic fracture or sever osteoporosis. The static interlocking for rigid fixation and the dynamic interlocking method for axial compression to fracture site during weight bearing can be adapted appropriately to fracture pattern. Radiation hazard during the interlocking nailing is not considerable.
Early Ambulation ; Femur ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Fractures, Spontaneous ; Humans ; Joints ; Methods ; Osteoporosis ; Splints ; Weight-Bearing

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological ACTH test provide information only about the ability of the adrenal gland to respond to unusual stimuli and may not reflect the daily cortisol secretion. There were some controversies in the diagnosis of mild adrenal insufficiency by using a pharmacological dose of ACTH. The purpose of the present study was to assess and compare the effect of low dose 1 pg ACTH and high dose 249 pg ACTH in the evaluation of adrenal function. The intravenous injection of a pharmacological dose(250 pg) of ACTH has been used as a standard test in the initial assessment of adrenal function. So we low dose ACTH to evaluate the adrenal function and compare the result of high dose ACTH. METHOD: Basal serum cortisol sampling was done at 2:00 p.m.. And after 1 pg ACTH iv bolus injection, cortisol sampling was done at 20, 30, 45 and 60 min respectively. On the next day same procedure was repeated at same time, but 249 mg ACTH was given instead of the low dose. Normal adrenal function was diagnosed with the criteria of stimulated serum cortisol concentration over 20 mg/dL. Total 65 patients took part in this study. Three hypopituitarism patients and one Addisons disease were included. Sixty-one patients had the history of glucocorticoid ingestion or had physical findings of cushingoid features with symptoms suggest the adrenal insufficiency. RESULTS: Sixteen patients showed normal response to both low dose and high dose ACTH. Thirty-six patients were not stimulated to both low dose and high dose ACTH. The remaining thirteen patients revealed normal response to high dose ACTH, but not to low dose ACTH. CONCLUSION: It appears that low dose ACTH stimulation test is more sensitive and specific than high dose ACTH and is capable of revealing mild adrenal insufficiency.
Addison Disease ; Adrenal Glands ; Adrenal Insufficiency ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone* ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypopituitarism ; Injections, Intravenous