No abstract available.
Breast* ; Osteosarcoma*

PURPOSE: Basiliximab has become widely used in clinical practice for initial immunosuppression in renal transplantation cases, to reduce the incidence of acute rejection without adverse events. Herein, we report the early outcomes of renal transplantation using basiliximab at a single center. METHODS: This retrospective study included 148 renal allograft recipients at a single center. All patients were followed for longer than 1 year after transplantation, and treated with a calcineurin inhibitor and steroids for maintenance immunosuppression. The use of basiliximab and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) was optional. We compared the incidence of episodes of acute graft rejection in kidney recipients who were treated with basiliximab as an initial immunosuppressive therapy with those who were treated without basiliximab. RESULTS: Basiliximab was used for initial immunosuppression in 58 patients. Patients maintained immunosuppression with triple (n=69) or double (n=79) regimens including a calcineurin inhibitor (cyclosporine A (n=111) or tacrolimus (n=37)) and methylprednisolone with or without MMF. Thirty-six (24.3%) patients had a rejection episode within 1 year after transplantation and twenty-six (17.6%) patients had an episode of infection. The patients who were treated with basiliximab had fewer rejection episodes (n=11, 18.9%) within the first year after transplantation than the patients who did not take basiliximab (n=25, 27.7%); this difference was not statistically significant. (P=0.245). However, basiliximab significantly affected the number of rejection episodes in the double regimen group (P=0.006), but not the number of rejections in the triple regimen group (P=0.432) and did not affect the number of infection episodes in both groups (P value of double, triple=0.291, 0.772) within one year after transplantation. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that basiliximab might be more useful for graft recipients who are treated with double immunosuppression with a calcineurin inhibitor and steroid than for the recipients with triple immunosuppression including MMF.
Allografts* ; Calcineurin ; Graft Rejection ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Incidence* ; Kidney ; Kidney Transplantation ; Methylprednisolone ; Retrospective Studies ; Steroids ; Tacrolimus ; Transplants

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the complication using carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) as an indicator for atherosclerosis and to verify the risk factors in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients compared with those of control group. METHODS: The study recruited 48 asymptomatic SLE and 32 healthy control group. These are examined by B-mode ultrasound (Acuson(TM) SequoiaC256 8 MHz linear transducer) to measure the CIMT at the far wall of the common carotid artery. A wide range of contribution factors to CIMT including age, body mass index, lipid profile, total cumulative steroid dose, SLEDAI, and proteinuria were considered. RESULTS: Although the results of CIMT in both groups were within normal limit (In healthy adult 0.25~1.5 mm, values > 1.0 mm often regarded as abnormal), the mean CIMT in patient group was 0.721+/-0.162 mm, which was thicker than that of control group with 0.5219+/-0.096 mm (p<0.001). In multiple regression analysis, only age showed significant contribution to CIMT (p<0.01). Disease duration, SLEDAI and serum lipids were of no statistical significance with CIMT. CONCLUSION: We were to elucidate the advance of atherosclerosis with measuring CIMT and assess factors associated with SLE. Even if the results of CIMT in both groups were within normal range, it is significant that the arterial thickening is more advanced in SLE than that of healthy control. Further studies based on CIMT are needed to screen and prevent cardiovascular complications from disease progression.
Adult ; Atherosclerosis ; Body Mass Index ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness* ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Proteinuria ; Reference Values ; Risk Factors* ; Ultrasonography

A testis tumor is comparatively rare and most of them are discovered as a palpable asymptomatic mass. We recently experienced two cases of incidental testicular tumor during scrotal exploration for trauma. Pathologic study revealed a mixed germ cell tumor and mature teratoma, so we report here on these two cases with a review of the related literatures.
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Teratoma ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis

A testis tumor is comparatively rare and most of them are discovered as a palpable asymptomatic mass. We recently experienced two cases of incidental testicular tumor during scrotal exploration for trauma. Pathologic study revealed a mixed germ cell tumor and mature teratoma, so we report here on these two cases with a review of the related literatures.
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Teratoma ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis

In accidental or suicidal methanol ingestion, bilateral necrosis of the putamen and hemispheric white matter lesions are the most common findings on CT and MRI. There are a few reports that have demonstrated abnormal CT findings in methanol intoxication, however, to our knowledge, contrast enhancement of these lesions have not been reported in Korea. We report the case of a 36-year-old male who had a brain MRI performed 3 weeks after accidental methanol intoxication. T2 weighted MRI showed bilateral symmetrical high signal lesions in the frontal lobe and basal ganglia with hemorrhaegic necrosis. A postcontrast MRI demonstrated multifocal enhancing lesions in both frontal lobes, right temporal lobe, both basal ganglias and both cerebellar hemispheres. We suggest that the characteristic brain MRI finding and careful history taking are helpful in diagnosis of methanol intoxication.
Adult ; Basal Ganglia ; Brain* ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Frontal Lobe ; Humans ; Korea ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Methanol* ; Necrosis ; Putamen ; Temporal Lobe

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic thalamotomy and pallidotomy for Parkinson's disease or essential tremor have been performed under local anesthesia. But some neurosurgeons have been reluctant to utilize this technique because of patient discomfort and neurological complications. So we used the propofol that provides excellent sedation and rapid and smooth recovery of mental abilities with minimal side effects. METHODS: After the patients were placed into the Leksell's stereotactic frame, anesthesia was induced by continuous infusion of propofol at the rate of 150 mcg/kg/min and then maintained at the rate of 50 mcg/kg/min. We investigated the hemodynamic changes, ABGA, total dose of propofol, time to loss of consciousness, recovery time from the end of infusion to eyes opening and side effects. RESULTS: The blood pressure decreased significantly at infusion start 15 min and 30 min (p<0.05) and heart rate decreased significantly at infusion start 30 min (p<0.05). The PaCO2 increased significantly at infusion start 15 min and 30 min (p<0.05). Total dose of propofol was 202.4+/-59.8 mg, time to loss of consciousness was 13.0+/-4.4 min, recovery time was 9.0+/-4.7 min and side effects were pain on infusion (2 cases) and postoperative nausea (1 case). CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic thalamotomy and pallidotomy for Parkinson's disease or essential tremor were performed by infusion of propofol with minimal side effects and no neurological complications.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Local ; Blood Pressure ; Essential Tremor ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Movement Disorders* ; Pallidotomy ; Parkinson Disease ; Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting ; Propofol* ; Unconsciousness

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of contrast-enhanced MR angiography for follow-up examinations after metallic stent placement and to examine the effects of change of imaging parameters used for contrast-enhanced MR angiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After four metallic stents (Passager, Ninitol, Wallstent, and Memotherm) were placed in an abdominal aorta shaped vascular phantom, efGRE (enhanced fast gradient recalled echo) 3-D MR angiography was performed, using a 1.5T unit. The four metallic stents were graded 1-3 according to the width and length of their high signal intensity. Variations in the degree of high signal intensity were evaluated according to imaging parameters. RESULTS: The width and length of high signal intensity with the Passager stent and Nitinol stent were greater than with the Wallstent and Memotherm. The larger the field of view, the smaller the matrix number, the larger the flip angle, the greater the width and length of high signal intensity in the metallic stent. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MR angiography may be a useful follow-up procedure after the placement of Passager and Ninitol metallic stents. The signal intensity of stent lumen varies according to imaging parameters, and the selection of optimal parameters is therefore important.
Angiography* ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Follow-Up Studies ; Stents*

Pyoderma gangrenosum is uncommon neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by richness of the mature neutrophilic polynuclear dermal infiltrate. Pyoderma gangrenosum is associated with variable diseases, most commonly inflammatory bowel disease, hematological diseases, malignancies, but it is reported rarely in rheumatoid arthritis. We report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum in rheumoid arthritis patient. A 50-year-old woman admitted to our hospital due to painful pretibial ulcerative skin lesions. She had been treated as rheumatoid arthritis for 8 years. At admission, body temperature was 36.5degrees C and other vital sign was unremarkable. Physical examination revealed right pretibial ulceration, multiple pustules on left pretibial area and both palms. Laboratory studies revealed WBC count 7,600/uL (neutrophils 60.3%, eosinophil 3.2%), hemoglobin 11.4 g/dL, platelet count 319,000/uL, ESR 65 mm/hour. Other lab findings were also unremarkable. Skin biopsy was done, which showed dense dermal infiltrate of neutrophils and wound culture were negative. By 8 weeks after systemic high dose corticosteroid (1 mg/kg/day), cyclosporine A (5 mg/kg/day), sulfasalazine 2 g therapy, symptoms and skin ulceration were being improved. Without skin relapse, she is followed up our hospital with low dose corticosteroid and sulfasalazine.
Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biopsy ; Body Temperature ; Cyclosporine ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Hematologic Diseases ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophils ; Physical Examination ; Platelet Count ; Pyoderma Gangrenosum* ; Pyoderma* ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Skin Ulcer ; Sulfasalazine ; Ulcer ; Vital Signs ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: The stability of periodontal condition and marginal bone level were important to achieve long-term success of dental implant treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate periodontal conditions and marginal bone loss around 67 GSII(OSSTEM, Seoul, Korea) dental implants with dual-microthread at the neck portion, 1 year after prosthetic loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven GS II dental implants in 27 patients(mean age; 47.4+/-4.0 years) who received implant treatments at Pusan National University Hospital, were included in this study. Thirteen US II(OSSTEM, Seoul, Korea) implants with smooth neck design were selected for the control group. Periodontal and radiographic evaluations were carried out at baseline, 6 months and 12 months after prosthetic loading. RESULTS: In the GS II group, plaque index(PI), gingival index(GI) and probing depth(PD) increased as time passed. In the US II group, GI and PD increased. Although marginal bone level was lower in the US II group in all evaluation periods, the changes between the periods were not statistically significant(p>00.05). In each period, periodontal parameters were not statistically significant between groups. CONCLUSION: One year after prosthetic loading, GS II and US II dental implants showed similar periodontal conditions and marginal bone response, and were within the criteria of success
Dental Implants ; Neck