The authors report a rare case of right distal posterior inferior cerebellar artery(PICA) aneurysm arising from just distal to its vermian brance. A 36-year-old female patient presented with a sudden onset of headache, nausea, dizziness and ataxia without any other neurologic deficit. On brain computerized tomographic(CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), a well-defined round mass was detected just behind the fourth ventricle. On transfemoral vertebral angiogram(TFVAG), it was confirmed as a saccular aneurysm arising from the vermian brance of the right PICA. The aneurysm was initially directly clipped through bilateral suboccipital approach. Postoperative follow up angiogram after two weeks revealed a more enlarged aneurysm and an incompletely clipped neck. After making sufficient exposure of the aneurysm, the neck was reclipped and the sac removed. Postoperative results were uneventful.
Adult ; Aneurysm* ; Arteries* ; Ataxia ; Brain ; Dizziness ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fourth Ventricle ; Headache ; Humans ; Nausea ; Neck ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pica

The authors have experienced a case of histiocytosis-X. A 7-year-old male patient had three tender masses, one on the right parietal region, another on the left parietal region, the other on the left occipital region and revealed exophthalmus on his left side. Plain skull films showed multiple punched out skull defects and on lumbar spine films, collapse of body of second lumbar vertebra was detected. Among the masses, the largest right parietal one was excised totally. The final diagnosis revealed histiocytosis-X on pathologic basis and he was given subsequent chemotheraphy.
Child ; Diagnosis ; Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell* ; Humans ; Male ; Rabeprazole ; Skull ; Spine

OBJECTIVE: Routine maternal ultrasonography has revealed a very high incidence of fetal hydronephrosis. However, there is little data available, in Korea, on the natural progress of prenatal hydronephrosis. Therefore, to help in the management of patients, the antenatal course and neonatal follow-up data of isolated fetal hydronephrosis were analyzed. METHODS: Prenatal diagnosis, etiologies, clinical characteristics, and outcome were studied retrospectively in 77 cases of unilateral and bilateral prenatal hydronephrosis from January 2000 to March 2004. Cases were classified as mild (7 mm > or =, < or = 10 mm), moderate (10 mm >, < or = 15 mm), and, severe (15 mm >) prenatal hydronephrosis as depending on the renal pelvis anteroposterior diameter. Fisher's exact test and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The etiologies of prenatal hydronephrosis were ureteropelvic junction obstruction 45 (58.4%), vesicoureteral reflux 2 (2.6%), ureterocele 1 (1.3%), and urethra obstruction 1 (1.3%). At delivery, 18 cases were normal kidneys, and during the follow-up periods, 10 cases resolved spontaneously. Mild, moderate, and severe hydronephrosis were present in 30 (38.9%), 38 (49.4%), and 9 (11.7%) respectively. Operations were performed in 2/38 (5.3%) of moderate cases, and 7/9 (77.8%) of severe cases. CONCLUSION: Most of prenatal hydronephrosis diagnosed by ultrasonography disappeared postnatally and the needs for postnatal operations were rare. It is suggested that hydronephrosis in the fetus or neonate dose not necessarily imply the presence of an obstructive uropathy or a significant functional abnormality and the reassurance of parents and follow up evaluation of the neonate during perinatal period may be needed.
Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis* ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Kidney ; Kidney Pelvis ; Korea ; Parents ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; Ureterocele ; Urethra ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

Objective: We investigated the clinical and radiological outcomes of a cement augmented anterior reconstruction and decompression without pedicle screw fixation in patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture with myelopathy. Methods: There were 2 male and 6 female patients with thoracolumbar fracture and myelopathy included in the study. The mean follow-up period was more than 1 years.The anterolateral decompression and cement augmented anterior reconstruction with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was performed. Demographic data, clinical outcomes, perioperative parameters and radiologic parameter were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The symptoms due to myelopathy were improved in all patients. The preoperative median visual analog scale score for lower back and leg were 8.5 that improved 4.25 and 3 at last follow up. The preoperative function state showed a median Oswestry Disability Index score 61.5 that improved 33. After surgery, preoperative encroachment of the spinal canal (5.12 mm, 37%) was disappeared. The median height of fractured vertebral body significantly increased from 7.83 to 12.63 mm. At the last follow-up point, the median height was 9.91 mm. The median kyphotic deformity was improved from 22.12° to 14.31°. At the final followup, the improvement was preserved (median value: 15.03). The acute complication according to PMMA such as leakage and embolization was none, but adjacent compression fracture as late complication according to cement augmentation was. One patient developed surgical site infection. Conclusion On the basis of the preliminary results, we considered that anterolateral decompression and PMMA augmentation might be an optimal method for treating osteoporotic fracture with myelopathy in elderly patients or those with multiple medical comorbidities.

PURPOSE: This study aims to access the usefulness of indirect computed tomographic venography (CTV) after performing computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to detect deep venous thrombosis. METHODS: Eighty six patients who were diagnosed with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were retrospectively enrolled in this study. All the patients had CTPA & CTV performed within 24 hours after Doppler ultrasound (US). The CTV was compared with Doppler US for their ability to diagnose DVT. Pulmonary embolism (PE) and other findings that were detected by CTPA & CTV were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 86 patients, 83 had thrombi detected by Doppler US. CTV did not detect DVT in 11 of the 83 patients. Among the 11 patients, 8 had below the knee thrombosis, which was not in the scan area of CTV. In 2 patients, their Doppler US results could not be guaranteed. One case was a false positive result on Doppler US. The results for determining the thrombi level between Doppler US and CTV were roughly concordant. In addition to DVT or PE, 32 new lesions in 27 patients were incidentally detected by CTPA & CTV. CONCLUSION: Compared with Doppler US, CTPA & CTV are not inferior to detect DVT of the lower extremities and these modalities can also provide information about incidental disease, as well as pulmonary embolism.
Angiography ; Benzoates ; Heterocyclic Compounds ; Humans ; Knee ; Lower Extremity ; Phlebography ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Thrombosis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonics ; Venous Thrombosis

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques allow the enumeration of chromosome abnormalities and from a great potential for many clinical applications. In order to produce quantitative and reproducible results, expensive tools such as a cooled CCD camera and a computer software are required. We have developed a Chromosome Image Processing System (Chips) using FISH that allows the detection and mapping of the genetic aberrations. The aim of our study, therefore, is to evaluate the capabilities of our original system using a black-and-white video camera. As a model system, three repetitive DNA probes (D18Zl, DXZI, and DYZ3) were hybridized to variety different clinical samples such as human metaphase spreads and interphase nuclei obtained from uncultured peripheral blood lymphocytes, uncultured amniocytes, and germ cells. The visualization of the FISH signals was performed using our system for image acquisition and pseudocoloring. FISH images were obtained by combining images from each of probes and DAPI counterstain captured separately. Using our original system, the aberrations of single or multiple chromosomes in a single hybridization experiment using chromosomes and interphase nuclei from a variety of cell types, including lymphocytes, amniocytes, sperm, and biopsied blastomeres, were enabled to evaluate. There were no differences in the image quality in accordance with FISH method, fluorochrome types, or different clinical samples. Always bright signals were detected using our system. Our system also yielded constant results. Our Chips would permit a level of performance of FISH analysis on metaphase chromosomes and interphase nuclei with unparalleled capabilities. Thus, it would be useful for clinical purposes.
Blastomeres ; Chromosome Aberrations ; DNA Probes ; Fluorescence* ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization* ; Interphase ; Lymphocytes ; Metaphase ; Spermatozoa

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-tumoral effect of recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV) (Thymidine kinase (-)/GM-CSF (+)) that was administered as a US guided intratumoral injection in a rabbit model of hepatic VX2 carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: VX2 carcinoma was implanted in the livers of 12 rabbits. US was performed at every week interval to detect hepatic mass after the implantation of VX2 carcinoma. The accurate tumor size and volume was evaluated with CT when the tumor was detected on US. US guided injection of rVV (109 pfu/ml) was preformed in three rabbits, intravenous injection of the same dose of rVV was done in two rabbits and another seven rabbits that were without any treatment were selected as a control group. We evaluated the change of the hepatic tumor size and extrahepatic metastasis on serial CT. Tumor specimens were harvested from rabbits that were killed at 8 weeks after VX2 implantation. These tissues were histoimmuopathologically compared to each other (the virus injection group and the control group). The differences between these groups were statistically assessed with student t-tests. RESULTS: Tumor growth was significantly suppressed in the US guided injection group compared with the intravenous injection group or the control group (p< 0.01). The intravenous injection group showed statistically significant tumor suppression compared to the control group (p< 0.01) until 2 weeks after virus injection. Quantification of the pulmonary metastatic nodules was performed in view of both the number and volume. The average number or volume of the pulmonary metastatic nodules in the US injection group was much smaller than these in the control group. Histopathologically, the tumors of the US guided injection group showed less extensive necrosis than those of the control group. Immunohistochemically, the tumor of the US guided injection group showed more prominent infiltration of CD4 (+) and CD8 (+) lymphocytes than did the tumors of the other group. CONCLUSION: rVV was markedly effective in suppressing hepatic tumor growth and extrahepatic metastasis in a rabbit model of hepatic VX2 carcinoma. US guided intra-tumoral injection was more effective than systemic intravenous injection.
Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Liver ; Lymphocytes ; Necrosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Phosphotransferases ; Rabbits ; Vaccinia virus* ; Vaccinia*

Photodynamic therapy is a promising modality for the palliation of advanced upper gastrointestinal cancer and for the eradication of early neoplastic and pre-neoplastic lesions. It is based on the combination of a photosensitizer that is selectively localized in the target tissue and illumination of the lesion with visible light, resulting in photodamage and subsequent cell death. For early esophageal cancer, esophagectomy has been a standard modality of curative intent. However, accumulated data supports the possibility of PDT replacing surgery as a curative modality. We experienced a case of early esophageal cancer that recurred after esophagectomy. The patient was successfully treated with photodynamic therapy using porfimer sodium as a photosensitizer.
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophageal Neoplasms/*drug therapy/pathology/surgery ; *Esophagectomy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Photochemotherapy ; Photosensitizing Agents/administration & dosage/*therapeutic use

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is mostly diagnosed at an advanced stage, with local and/or distal metastasis. Thus, locoregional and/or local control of the primary tumor is crucial for a better prognosis in patients with OSCC. Platelets have long been considered major players in cancer metastasis. Traditional antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin, are thought to be potential chemotherapeutics, but they need to be used with caution because of the increased bleeding risk. Podoplanin (PDPN)-expressing cancer cells can activate platelets and promote OSCC metastasis. However, the reciprocal effect of platelets on PDPN expression in OSCC has not been investigated. In this study, we found that direct contact with platelets upregulated PDPN and integrin β1 at the protein level and promoted invasiveness of human OSCC Ca9.22 cells that express low levels of PDPN. In another human OSCC HSC3 cell line that express PDPN at an abundant level, silencing of the PDPN gene reduced cell invasiveness. Analysis of the public database further supported the co-expression of PDPN and integrin β1 and their increased expression in metastatic tissues compared to normal and tumor tissues of the oral cavity. Taken together, these data suggest that PDPN is a potential target to regulate platelet-tumor interaction and metastasis for OSCC treatment, which can overcome the limitations of traditional antiplatelet drugs.

Dogs serve human society in various ways by working at tasks that are based on their superior olfactory sensitivity. However, it has been reported that only about half of all trained dogs may qualify as working dogs through conventional breeding management because proper temperament and health are needed in addition to their innate scent detection ability. To overcome this low efficiency of breeding qualified working dogs, and to reduce the enormous costs of maintaining unqualified dogs, somatic cell nuclear transfer has been applied in the propagation of working dogs. Herein, we review the history of cloning working dogs and evaluate the health development, temperaments, and behavioral similarities among the cloned dogs. We also discuss concerns about dog cloning including those related to birth defects, lifespan, and cloning efficiency.
Animals ; Breeding ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Dogs ; Humans ; Temperament