Juvenile retinoschisis is a vitreoretinal dystrophy with X-linked recessive mode of transmission that shows microcystic degeneration of the macula associated with splitting of the sensory retina, predominantly within the nerve fiber layer. We experienced X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, in four borthers within a family in which were the onset of visual disturbance between second decades and third decades, and all showed maculopathy, RPE atrophy, vitreous veils extended to vitreous, partial optic atrophy, specific electroretinographic findings.
Atrophy ; Humans ; Nerve Fibers ; Optic Atrophy ; Retina ; Retinoschisis* ; Siblings*

PURPOSE: Recently the percutaneous aspiration with sclerotherapy of the simple renal cyst are being widely used because of the high success rate and the low morbidity. However, studies concerning the long term result of this technique have been rarely reported. Thus, we performed this study to evaluate the long term results of this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the long term result of the treatment in 20 cases of simple renal cysts from July 1993 to July 1998. The symptoms associated with simple renal cysts were: none(55%), pain(35%) and palpable mass(10%). The simple renal cysts were treated with percutaneous aspiration and injection of 99% ethanol in 15 cases or percutaneous aspiration and injection of 10% tetracycline solution in 5 cases. All were followed by ultrasound from 18 to 58 months(mean 32.7 months). RESULTS: Complete collapse, partial collapse and recurrence of the renal cysts were 5/15(33.3%), 7/15(46.6%), 3/15(20%) in 99% ethanol group and 3/5(60%), 1/5(20%), 1/5(20%) in 10% tetracycline solution group, respectively. Overall efficacies were 80% in both groups. Furthermore, all recurrences occurred within the first year of follow up period in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, percutaneous aspiration with sclerotherapy using 99% ethanol or 10% tetracycline solution seem to be an effective way to prevent re-accumulation of cystic fluid. It also proved to have a positive long term result concerning the relapse of the simple renal cyst.
Ethanol ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Recurrence ; Sclerotherapy* ; Tetracycline ; Ultrasonography

A 63-year-old woman was referred to a breast surgeon with a breast mass discovered incidentally during follow-up study after colon cancer surgery. Invasive adenocarcinoma was revealed on core needle biopsy. Wide excision of the breast including the tumor was performed. On standard histological examination the tumor showed features of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. The immunohistochemistry study revealed positive results for cytokeratin (CK)20 and CDX2, but negative for CK7. These are typical characteristics for colon cancer. Considering her history of subtotal colectomy for sigmoid colon cancer, it is presumable that the mass in the breast was of colonic origin, and it was an extremely rare case of metastasis to the breast from primary colorectal neoplasm. Although the instance is rare, clinicians should keep the possibility of breast metastasis from colorectal cancer in mind for early and correct diagnosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle ; Breast ; Colectomy ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Sigmoid Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Gastric Stump*

The Specialty Certification Examination is an important part of the assessment of medical education. However, the step 2 skill examinations of 26 medical specialties in Korea are insufficient with respect to achieving the objective of practical examinations that evaluate clinical skill and competence. Among the current step 2 skill examination methods, picture testing using slides or reading of pathology slides/radiologic images is more suitable for testing cognition and knowledge than for testing performance. The oral examination has low reliability because of its relatively short testing period and absence of scoring criteria. In addition, the Specialty Certification Examination is a high-stakes test and the performance during the training course is not reflected in the skill examination. We have reviewed the various skill examinations including clinical practice examinations, objective structured clinical examinations of the United States and Canada, and work-based assessments of the United Kingdom. Based on the review, we suggest some plans for improving the Korean Specialty Certification Examination.
Canada ; Certification* ; Clinical Competence ; Cognition ; Diagnosis, Oral ; Education, Medical ; Great Britain ; Korea ; Mental Competency ; Pathology ; United States

No abstract available.
Polymerase Chain Reaction*

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the characteristics of propofol abuse based on the results of a survey analysis of abusers among non-healthcare professionals in Korea. METHODS: Thirty-eight propofol abusers were questioned between October and December 2010, and were enrolled and voluntarily participated in a structured survey consisting of an interview and completing a previously prepared questionnaire. The questionnaire was divided into three distinct parts: part 1 dealt with the history of propofol abuse; part 2 highlighted the problems caused by propofol abuse; and part 3 enquired regarding demographics of abusers. RESULTS: Thirty-one (81.6%) of the 38 interviewees abused propofol for more than one year. During the last 12 months, 34 (89.0%) received propofol at two or three times a week. The minimum and maximum amounts of propofol (median, range) administered each time were 500 (100, 1000) and 2000 (500, 4000) mg, respectively. Stress relief and the maintenance of a sense of well-being were quoted the most important reasons for the first-time administration of propofol and its subsequent abuse, respectively. The majority of abusers (36.0, 97.3%) reported a sense of pleasure or euphoria at the time of their propofol injection. Withdrawal symptoms occurred in five abusers (13.2%). Thirteen (36.1%) reported disruptions in their work life. None of the respondents had previously admitted to and or reported abuse of any other controlled substances. CONCLUSIONS: These results provided reference data for the regulation of propofol in Korea as a controlled substance and may also be of interest to international agencies in other countries.
Controlled Substances ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Demography ; Euphoria ; International Agencies ; Korea* ; Pleasure ; Propofol* ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome

No abstract available.
Lithotripsy* ; Shock* ; Ureter*

PURPOSE: Recently Tc99m MIBI (methoxyisobutylisonitrile) has been described as an alternative to thallium for localizing parathyroid lesions. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a Tc99m MIBI scan with a Tl201/Tc99m subtraction scan for localizing parathyroid lesions in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: Among 31 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism operated on at the Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital from January 1997 to June 2001, a Tl201/Tc99m subtraction scan was performed on 16 patients and a Tc99m MIBI scan on 22 patients. Seven patients underwent both. RESULTS: The pathology was a single adenoma in 28 patients, a hyperplasia in 1 patient and a carcinoma in 2 patients. Hypercalcemia was controlled postoperatively in all cases. The sensitivities of the Tl201/Tc99m subtraction scan and Tc99m MIBI scan were 53.3% and 86.4%, respectively. The positive predictive values were 100% of the two study groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the better accuracy, superior image quality and lower cost of Tc99m MIBI scan will make it the new radiopharmaceutical parathyroid scan of choice. A unilateral approach can be used with a high degree of success, as in case of a preoperatively localized single parathyroid adenoma, which was confirmed when surgical exploration identified of a normal ipsilateral gland.
Adenoma ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; Hyperparathyroidism, Primary* ; Hyperplasia ; Parathyroid Neoplasms ; Pathology ; Seoul ; Thallium

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular*