In this paper, authors discussed the classification of swelling (Chong), swelling-treatment methods (Chi-Chong) in Choson period, traditional notions about the natural history, treatment principles, popular healing methods of swelling, and depicted specially designed acupuncture instruments applied to it. Among the six professional guide books at that time, A Secret Recipe of Swelling Treatment (16th century) introduced the invasive surgical method into the narrow disease category i.e. carbuncle and furuncle, cellulitis, erysipelae, and gravitation abscess. The writer named these diseases as 'fire, stone, water, hemp, silk carbuncle', following each specific characteristics. Another surgical book, Orientation to Swelling Treatment (16th century) extended the surgical method to 'non-external' but 'looks-like swelling' diseases, such as pleurisy, tympanitis, testicular swelling, sequestrum of osteomyelitis. It is natural that some researchers doubted whether the book was used in real practice. However, the content of the book is too detailed to be regarded as an imaginary product. From these books and other materials, we found that the traditional notion of swelling was closely related with the notions of 'knotted' or 'pent in'. So 'pent-up rancor' or grudge was thought to aggravate any kind of swelling, and was tabooed or contraindicated in swelling treatment. 'Knotting in mind' was regarded as one of the principal etiologies of 'swelling and abscess formation in the body'. 'Fire in mind' was also regarded as one of the causes of phlegm aggregation resulting in swelling.
Abscess/*history ; Disease ; English Abstract ; History of Medicine, 16th Cent. ; History of Medicine, 17th Cent. ; History of Medicine, Early Modern ; Human ; Korea ; Surgery/*history

Pelvic actinomycosis is well-known to be associated with the longstanding use of intrauterine devices, sometimes related with a pregnancy history and an obstetric and/or gynecologic surgery. It can extend to the retroperitoneum and may also be associated with ureteral obstruction. In this case, pelvic actinomycosis in the form of bilateral tubo-ovarian abscess extending to the retroperitoneum resulting in bilateral hydronephrosis occurred in a nulligravida woman who had only few prior sexual intercourses. Apparently, pelvic actinomycosis can occur without any specific history. Moreover, such could possibly give rise to hydronephrosis by direct extension to the retroperitoneum.
Abscess ; Actinomycosis ; Female ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Intrauterine Devices ; Reproductive History ; Ureteral Obstruction

A 24-year-old man presented with mental change, fever, abdominal pain, tenderness and palpable mass on the lower abdomen. He was a non-Korean engineer and did not accompany a legal guardian, so medical history taking was difficult due to his mental status. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed multiple rim-enhanced lesions of the brain, and abdominal computed tomography showed huge paraspinal abscess. Chest X-ray and computed tomography showed poorly defined nodular opacities. We initially thought that this patient was infected with toxoplasmosis with typical cerebral image finding and immunoglobulin laboratory finding of cerebrospinal fluid and serum study. The abdominal abscess was confirmed as tuberculosis through the pathologic finding of caseous necrosis. We used anti-tuberculosis medication and anti-toxoplasmosis medication for almost 4 months, and then his clinical state and radiological findings were considerably improved.
Abdomen ; Abdominal Abscess ; Abdominal Pain ; Abscess ; Brain ; Fever ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Legal Guardians ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical History Taking ; Necrosis ; Thorax ; Toxoplasmosis ; Toxoplasmosis, Cerebral ; Tuberculosis ; Young Adult

A patient with primary adenocarcinoma of Bartholin's gland is reported and the literatures relevant to this disease reviewed. Not only this disease is very rare but also primary carcinomas of Bartholin's gland are misdiagnosed as cysts or abscesses in half of the cases, leading to considerable delay in diagnosis. And so, It was wasted long time before definitive therapy. However, because of a different clinical behavior, cancer of the Bartholin's gland should be distinguished from other vulvar carcinomas. Histologically, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma are the most common. Virtually all histologic types of Bartholin's gland carcinoma metastasize to lymph node, bone, lung and liver in distant sites. The authors data and a review of the literature support the concept that radical vulvectomy with or without bilateral inguina1-femoral lymphadenectomy is required. On the other hand, except primary radiation treatment for small or medium sized cancers, the results obtained by radiation therapy in carcinoma of the vulva including Bartholin's gland are generally discouraging. A role for postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy suggests because of high incidence of positive inguinal-femoral lymph nodes. In the near time, natural history and biological behavior of Bartholin's gland cancer must be disclosed in detail. And also optimal treatment modality and prognostic factors shall be determine.
Abscess ; Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diagnosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver ; Lung ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Natural History ; Vulva