Merkel cell carcinoma is a relatively uncommon, cutaneous, neuroendocrine neoplasm that was first recognized by Toker in 1972. Occasionally it is found concurrent with squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma and in them cases, the coexistence of them is suggesive of presenting the effect of a common carcinogenic influence on two distinct precursor cells. Now the authors report a case of Merkel cell carcinoma associated with squamous cell carcinoma arising in the overlying epidermis, and a brief review of literatures is introduced. The patient was a 75-year-old female, who had noticed a reddish brown, ulcerated mass on the right buttock. It had progressively enlarged to become lemon-size during last 4 months. The right buttock mass excised measured 10x8x3 cm and was gray white, solid, with an ill-defined marigin. Histologically the tumor was located in the dermis and was lacking in connection with the epidermis in which invasive squamous cell carcinoma developed. The neoplastic cells were arranged in a diffuse, lymphoma-like pattern or trabecular arrangement and their cytologic details were reminiscent of small cell carcinoma of the lung, On electron microscopy the cells displayed many neurosecretory granules averaging about 100nm in diameter, intermediate filaments and desmosomes. Immunohistochemically a ball-like immunostaining for keratin, resembling an inclusion body, was seen, but other markers, including neuron-specific enolase, vimentin, S-100 protein and leukocyte common antigen, were unrewarded.
Female ; Humans

Metastases to the sinonasal tract are infrequent occurrences from primaries below the clavicles. The total number of reported cases to date is less than 100. There is, however, complete unanimity concerning the histologic type of metastatic neoplasm most often encountered. An interesting phenomenon, generally attributable only to breast and renal cell carcinoma, is the late recurrence of the malignant tumor, even 10 or more years after operation. A 61 year-old-male was admitted to ENT due to frequent epistaxis and right facial swelling. CT scan revealed a huge soft tissue density mass I right maxillary sinus with extension into nasopharynx and deviation of nasal septum. The histologic diagnosis was metastatic renal cell carcinoma. He had left nephrectomy because of renal cell carcinoma, 14 years ago. We report a case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma of maxillary sinus in view of rarity, and a brief review of the literature related to this type of tumor is presented.
Male ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare distinctive malignant neoplasm of soft tissue with frequent recurrences and late metastases. It typically affects young adult males, and epithelioid sarcoma arising in the first decade of life is very rare. Epithelioid sarcoma may be confused with a wide range of benign, especially granulomatous, diseases and other malignancies, but the differentiation can be made, in general, by the characteristic clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical features. We report herein a case of epithelioid sarcoma arising on the volar side of the right 5th finger in an 8-year-old boy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of epithelioid sarcoma in a Korean child.
Child* ; Fingers ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Sarcoma* ; Young Adult

To evaluate the effectiveness of computed tomography for the differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy, we reviewed CT scans of 26 patients with cervical lymphadenopathy retrospectively. These included 10 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis, 11 patients with metastasis and 5 patients with lymphoma, We evaluated the CT scans with a special attention to internal nodal density, feature of contrast enhancement and location of lymphadenopathy. Tuberculous lymphadenitis involved multiple nodes unilaterally and showed central low density with even or uneven rim enhancement, usually occurring in young patients (mean: 31.6 years). Two cases with tuberculous lymphadenitis showed calcifications within the lymph nodes. Lymphoma involved unilateral or bilateral nodes and appeared as conglomerated isodense mass with even rim enhancement. Metastasis involved multiple nodes unilaterally and showed focal, diffuse of mixed pattern of central low density with variable rim enhancement, usually occurring in old patients (mean: 59.4 years). Locations of most frequent lymph node involvements were internal jugular group (76%), spinal accessory group (54%) and retropharyngeal group(12%).
Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases* ; Lymphoma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical outcomes of computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy-guided selective nerve root block (SNRB) for severe arm pain caused by acute cervical disc herniation. METHODS: The authors analyzed the data obtained from 25 consecutive patients who underwent CT fluoroscopy-guided SNRB for severe arm pain, i.e., a visual analogue scale (VAS) score of 8 points or more, caused by acute soft cervical disc herniation. Patients with chronic arm pain, motor weakness, and/or hard disc herniation were excluded. RESULTS: The series comprised 19 men and 6 women whose mean age was 48.1 years (range 35-72 years). The mean symptom duration was 17.5 days (range 4-56 days) and the treated level was at C5-6 in 13 patients, C6-7 in 9, and both C5-6 and C6-7 in 3. Twenty-three patients underwent SNRB in 1 session and 2 underwent the procedure in 2 sessions. No complications related to the procedures occurred. At a mean follow-up duration of 11.5 months (range 6-22 months), the mean VAS score and NDI significantly improved from 9 and 58.2 to 3.4 and 28.1, respectively. Eighteen out of 25 patients (72%) showed successful clinical results. Seven patients (28%) did not improve after the procedure, and 5 of these 7 underwent subsequent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. CONCLUSION: CT fluoroscopy-guided SNRB may play a role as a primary conservative treatment for severe arm pain caused by acute cervical disc herniation.
Arm ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc ; Male ; Nerve Block

No abstract available.
Cerebral Infarction ; Embolism, Paradoxical ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial* ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Stroke*

A perilymphatic fistula (PLF) is an abnormal leakage of the perilymph from the inner ear into the middle ear. A PLF may be trauma-induced or may occur with unknown causes. PLF repair should be considered when patients present with sudden or progressive sensorineural hearing loss with positional nystagmus. Although the leakage of perilymph is not always found during the exploration surgery, both hearing loss and dizziness tend to improve immediately after PLF repair. However, about 24% of patients who underwent PLF repair reportedly have experienced recurrent vestibular symptoms, suggesting the possibility of PLF recurrence or other vertigo causes. In this PLF patient, dizziness completely subsided after the PLF repair. However, several months later, the disabling paroxysmal positional vertigo developed, which was diagnosed as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Reported herein, with a review of the relevant literature, is a case of paroxysmal positional vertigo several months after PLF repair, where successful vertigo subsidence was finally achieved.

Hyperreactio luteinalis(HL)referes to moderate to marked cystic bilateral enlargement of ovaries due to benign theca lutein cysts, usually related to hydatidiform mole or choriocarcinoma. After its first description by Berger in 1938, almost 53 cases of HL unassociated with trophoblastic disease have been reported in the literature. We encountered one such case in a 34 years old female which was incidentally diagnosed during cesarean section at term.
Adult ; Cesarean Section ; Choriocarcinoma ; Female ; Humans ; Hydatidiform Mole ; Lutein ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Trophoblasts

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Follicular Fluid* ; Humans* ; Spermatozoa* ; Spouses*

OBJECTIVE: We present an evaluation of the clinical outcome and an investigation of the optimal use of papaverine angioplasty for the treatment of symptomatic vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed 24 cases of symptomatic vasospasm treated by papaverine angioplasty from July 1994 to February 1998. Detailed clinical features and detailed techniques of papaverine angioplasty including sex, age, symptoms, time interval from symptom onset to angioplasty, papaverine dose, concentration and duration of infusion were investigated. RESULTS: After papaverine angioplasty, immediate angiographic vasodilatation was achieved in 23 cases (96%). Fifty eight percent showed clinical improvement within 24 hours but symptomatic vasospasm recurred in 21% of them. Retreatment with papaverine for the recurred cases showed a less response than the initial treatment. Statistical analyses showed that time interval from symptom onset to angioplasty was the factor related to the effects of papaverine angioplasty. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that optimal timing of papaverine angioplasty is very important for clinical improvement.
Angioplasty* ; Papaverine* ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies ; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ; Vasodilation ; Vasospasm, Intracranial*