BACKGROUND: Hypertrophic scars and keloids have been regarded as representative of the proliferative change of the connective tissue of the dermis. Clinically, postburn and surgical scars show a smooth, shiny, erythematous appearance at an early stage. It is readily conceivable that, in such scars, changes may take place not only in the dermis but also in the epidermis and, possibly in the stratum corneum (SC). However, in contrast to the tremendous number of studies of scars on the dermis, those studies focusing on the epidermis and the SC have been scarce. OBJECTIVE: We have focused on the function of the SC covering the post-burn scar tissue and keloids. METHODS: Using noninvasive bioengineering measurements of functional properties of the SC, such as transepidermal water loss(TEWL), we evaluated the SC barrier function in various types of healing wounds, such as early erythematous lesion, hypertrophic scar, keloid, healed atrophic scar, scar occurring at the recipient site of the skin grafts and the adjacent normal appearing skin for control. RESULTS: 1. The TEWL values were 14.9+/-7.3 in early erythematous lesions, 13.2+/-7.5 in hypertrophic scars, 10.2+/-5.8 in keloids, 5.6+/-1.3 in healed atrophic scars, 6.9+/-4.3 in scars occurring at the recipient site of the skin grafts. Significantly increased TEWL values were found in all individual lesions(p>0.01) except for the scars occurring at the recipient site of the skin grafts(p<0.05) compared with the corresponding normal control skin. 2. When we randomly compared early erythematous lesions, hypertrophic scars, kelids, atrophic
Bioengineering ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic* ; Connective Tissue ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Keloid* ; Skin* ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Hepatitis E virus* ; Hepatitis E* ; Hepatitis* ; Korea*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:Traditionally, down beat nystagmus is regarded as a sign of central nervous system dysfunction. But, several years has passed since Herdman et al reported the down beat nystagmus developed during treatment maneuvers for posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo(BPPV). We undertook this study to evaluate the character and clinical analysis of the positional or positioning down beat nystagmus, to discuss the clinical significance of positional or positioning down beat nystagmus as a diagnostic criteria of superior semicircular canal BPPV, and to propose the new treatment method. MATERIALS AND METHOD:From November 1999 to March 2004, we sampled the 103 patients with positional or positioning down beat nystagmus. Of these patients, we selected 16 patients except for the patients with central nervous system dysfunction, nonspecific or artifact result, idiopathic origin. RESULTS:All of 16 patients had no sign and radiologic result of central nervous system disorder. 10 patients was reported or suspected the diagnosis of posterior semicircular canal BPPV. Fatigability was reported in 9 patients and reversibility was reported in 1 patient. Average latency was checked less than 2 seconds. CONCLUSION:Although the diagnostic criteria of superior semicircular canal BPPV that we reported was not controversial, we expect that this criteria is useful in diagnosis for patients with atypical positional or positioning down beat nystagmus. And the new treatment method that we reported will has the better results than previous method.
Artifacts ; Central Nervous System ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Semicircular Canals ; Vertigo*

No abstract available.
Esophageal Atresia*

Angiosarcoma is a rare malignant vascular tumor of endothelial cell origin. Most lesions of cutaneous angiosarcoma occur over the face and scalp. We experienced a case of angiosarcoma of the scalp in a 63-year-old man. Multiple pea-sized erythematous papules and nodules developed on the forehead 6 months ago. Thereafter, the lesions have extended to make violaceous, compressible and hemorrhagic plaques. On histologic examination, there were irregular, often anastomosing vascular channels lined by the atypical endothelial cells in the dermis.
Dermis ; Endothelial Cells ; Forehead ; Hemangiosarcoma* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Scalp*

We experienced a case of cutis laxa in a 17-year-old man. The skin showed diminished elasticity with loose folds, wrinkling, and sagging on the abdomen, lower back, and both inner thighs. There was no history of any inflammatory skit diseases prior to the appearance of the wrinkling. Family history revealed to be negative for the skin diseases showing wrinkling and laxity. The biopsy specimen from the skin of the abdomen showed shortened, fragmented elastic fibers in the dermis. The serum copper level was normal(92 ug/dl).
Abdomen ; Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Copper ; Cutis Laxa* ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Elasticity ; Humans ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Thigh

In children, the supracondylar fractures of the humerus are common in elbow region, and often associated with various complications and problems in treatment (ie,Volkmann's ischemic contracture, cubitus valgus or varus deformity, rotational deformity). The results of reduction can be measured by Baumann's angle, carrying angle, trochlea-capitellum angle, and displacement of distal radial styloid process on radiological study. So we have made experiments on the process which various three dimensional displacements reflected into two dimensional Baumann's angle and humerocapitellar angle. And we investigated the process of rotation, through various radiological studies by means of molded models of humerus. The results were as follows:l. In experiments, AP & lateral X-ray studies showed no change in rotation of proximal segment of fracture with fixed distal segment of fracture. 2. On the other hand, AP & lateral X-ray showed significant change, in rotation of proximal fracture segment with distal segment of fracture. 3. Supracondylar rotation angle(S.R.A.)depicted as the ratio of the length of proximal fracture width minus that of the distal fracture width in lateral view, to the length of distal fracture width in AP view minus that of the distal fracture width in lateral view. 4. According to the modified Mitchell result, S.R.A. to the result of treatment was average 7.6 degree in excellent group, 15.2 degree in good group and 29.3 degree in unsatisfactory group.
Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Elbow ; Fungi ; Hand ; Humans ; Humerus ; Ischemic Contracture

As the use computed tomographic (CT) scanning spread, the diagnosis of blowout fractures of the medial orbital wall increased. Now, the diagnosis of blowout fracture in the medial wall are not uncommon. Conventionally, the surgery of blowout fractures in medial orbital wall was performed by the various approach with external incision. The conventional method had seveal possible disadvantages, including an external scar, incomplete reduction, increased mobidity rate and general anesthesia. Recently, endoscopic reconstruction of the medial orbital wall has provided good functional and cosmetic results. We performed endoscopic transnasal reduction surgery without external incision in 12 cases of medial blowout fracture under local anesthesia. The fractured bony fragments were removed after the intranasal ethmoidectomy and the entrapped medial rectus was released. And then a sheet of silicone late or uncinate process were placed on the fracture site. For the maintain of the position of fractured wall, Merocel packing or urinary ballon catheter were used in orbital fracture site for 1-3 weeks. There were no specific complications related to this procedure. Result of the surgery in all cases were satisfactory. In this article, we discussed the surgical procedure, the benifit of the transnasal endoscopic approach, the indications for surgery, and possible comlications.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthesia, Local ; Catheters ; Cicatrix ; Diagnosis ; Orbit* ; Orbital Fractures ; Silicones

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol versus oral dinoprostone for labor induction at term. METHODS: One hundred of patients at term were randomized to receive either 50microgram of misoprostol vaginally every 4 hours or dinoprostone 0.5mg orally every 1 hour for the maximum of six doses. Intravenous infusion of oxytocin was administered under such circumferences as the patient did not go into active labor after maximum dose, SROM was developed without an adequate contraction pattern, or the patient had arrest of dilatation(no change in cervical dilatation for 2 hours). We compared the frequency of oxytocin augmentation, administration to delivery interval, vaginal delivery rate within 12 hours and 24 hours, intrapartum complications, induction failure, mode of delivery, neonatal outcomes, and maternal complications between two groups. RESULTS: The average interval from administration to delivery was shorter in the misoprostol group(739.4+/-372.4min vs 1087.7+/-765.1min, p<0.05), but the interval from administration to vaginal delivery of each group was similar(724.3+/-375.4min vs 800.3+/-697.0min). Regarding the frequency of vaginal delivery within 24 hours, however, misoprostol group was higher than dinoprostone group(88% vs 56%, p<0.001). And oxytocin augmentation of labor occurred less commonly in misoprostol group than in dinoprostone group(20% vs 76%, p<0.05). Any statistically significant difference in intrapartum complications, mode of delivery, and neonatal or maternal adverse outcome was not appeared between these two group. CONCLUSION: Vaginal misoprostol is as effective and safe as oral dinoprostone for cervical ripening and induction of labor at term. In addition, vaginal misoprostol contributes the curtailment of labor induction expenditure due to its moderate price; misoprostol costs 100 won per 50microgram.
Cervical Ripening ; Dinoprostone* ; Female ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Labor Stage, First ; Misoprostol* ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy

Purpose: Septoturbinoplasty is frequently performed to correct nasal obstruction; however, there is still a lack of research on changes in nasal and nose-related symptoms early after septoturbinoplasty. Therefore, we aimed to investigate changes in subjective outcomes within 6 months after septoturbinoplasty. Materials and Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent septoturbinoplasty at Gangnam Severance Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Symptom scores were evaluated using the Sino-nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) and obstruction scores.The SNOT-22 and obstruction scores were investigated before surgery and at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Results: We noted significant decreases in both SNOT-22 and obstruction scores at 1 month after surgery, compared to those before surgery (p<0.001). However, there were no significant changes at 3 and 6 months after surgery, compared to scores at 1 month after surgery. Using multivariate logistic regression analysis, a larger difference between SNOT-22 scores preoperatively and 1 month after surgery was significantly associated with a significant improvement in symptoms at 3 or 6 months after septoturbinoplasty (p=0.029). Conclusion These results imply that subjective outcomes and degree of improvement in the first month after septoturbinoplasty can be used as a predictor of the results thereof and for counseling patients about its progress.