No abstract available.

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of Transcatheter Arterial Embolization(TAE) according to anglographic findings in hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We retrospectively reviewed 50 cases who received TAE for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. We analyzed the anglographic findings which were correlated with the effect of TAE. The common anglographic findings of the hepatocellular carcinoma were tumor staining, neovascularity and enlargement of feeding artery. These anglographic findings were classified into grade 0, +1, +2. Effect of TAE were classified into five patterns;good response, partial response, minimal response, no response and more aggravation. RESULT:In grading of tumor staining, among 50 cases, the grade 0, +1, +2 were seen in 1 case(2%), 14 cases(28%), 35 cases(70%) each. In grading of enlargement of feeding artery, the grade 0, +1, +2 were seen in 7 cases(14%), 19 cases(38%), 24 cases(48%) each. In grading of neovascularity, the grade 0, +1, +2 were seen in 6 cases(12%), 15 cases(30%), 29 cases(58%) each. This study showed that the higher grade of anglographic finding, the better effect of TAE. A statistically significant differance was found (p<0.005). But the TAE was not effective in some cases (the maximum diameter of mass is over 10cm, portal vein thrombosis or ateriovenous shunt) in spite of high grade. CONCLUSION: We believe that these angiogr. aphic findings (tumor staining, enlargement of feeding artery, neovascularity) are one of important indices for anticipating the effect of TAE in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.
Arteries ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Venous Thrombosis

PURPOSE: Bronchial artery embolization has been effective in the treatment of massive hemoptysis. The purpose of this study was to report the effectiveness of bronchial artery embolization in patients with chronic recurrent hemoptysis intractable to medical treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 25 patients who were admitted for treatment of chronic recurrent hemoptysis with bronchial artery embolization. Chronic recurrent hemoptysis was defined as condition intractable to medical treatment persistently and occuring over two times per two months. The target vessels for embolization were selected in consideration of the results of aortography as well as the finding of chest radiography and bronchoscopy. After selective arteriography for embolization by using 5-French Simmons catheter, embolic agents(mainly polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) and additionally gelfoam and coils) were released through the catheter. The results of the embolization were assessed with the review of medical records. RESULT: The causes of the hemoptysis were pulmonary tuberculosis(n=12,48%), bronchiectasis(n=6,24%), aspergilloma(n=3,12%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(n=2,8%), chronic bronchitis(n=I,4%) and lung abscess(n=1,4%). Selective embolization was carried out in 49 sites(42 in bronchial artery and 7 in nonbronchial systemic collaterals). Early success rate within 2 months was 96%. After long-term follow up study (6-30 months, average 15 months), complete remission was 72%, partial remission 12% and recurrence 12% respectively. During and after embolization, major complications such as spinal cord injury or bronchial wall necrosis was not found. Minor complications were chest pain, shoulder pain and chilling sense, which were relieved spontaneously within a few days. CONCLUSION: High success rate and relatively low recurrence with no significant complication were achieved with bronchial artery embolization in the patients complaining of chronic recurrent hemoptysis.
Angiography ; Aortography ; Bronchial Arteries* ; Bronchoscopy ; Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Hemoptysis* ; Humans ; Lung ; Medical Records ; Necrosis ; Polyvinyls ; Radiography ; Recurrence ; Shoulder Pain ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Melanoma*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Both sexual and physical abuse history have been reported to be associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Western countries. The impact of abuse history in IBS patients in Asia remains unclear. We aim to determine the prevalence of abuse history, its associated psychological profiles, and sleep problems among IBS patients in Taiwan. METHODS: In total, 194 Rome III-defined IBS patients were invited to participate. Age- and sex-matched healthy carriers of chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C without chronic abdominal symptoms were identified as disease-controls. We administered a validated questionnaire to evaluate bowel symptoms, physical/sexual abuse history, anxiety/depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]), and sleep quality. RESULTS: IBS patients had a significantly higher prevalence of sexual abuse history than the disease-control group both before (16.5% vs 6.7%, P < 0.05) and after (16.0% vs 6.6%, P < 0.05) adolescence. These significant differences were mainly observed in women (13.4% vs 3.4%, P < 0.05). No difference was noted in history of physical abuse between the 2 groups. IBS patients with a history of sexual abuse had significantly higher HADS scores and higher frequencies of sleep difficulty than those without. CONCLUSIONS: In Taiwan, sexual abuse history was more prevalent in female IBS patients than controls. Sexual abuse history may contribute to higher anxiety/depression levels and sleep difficulties, which are commonly experienced in IBS patients. In Asia, abuse history should be obtained when approaching IBS patients to facilitate better management.
Adolescent ; Anxiety ; Asia ; Depression ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; Hepatitis C ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; Physical Abuse ; Prevalence ; Sex Offenses ; Taiwan

Suprasellar germinomas have been defined as a distinct group from the clinical as well as therapeutic points of view. Germinomas of such location constitute less than a third of the total intracranial tumors of similar nature. The tumor has a tendency of direct infiltrative growth and distant drop metastasis through the cerebrospinal fluid pathway. Occasionally it metastasizes outside central nervous system. We experienced a case of suprasellar germinoma with intrasellar extension and brain stem involvement in a 25 year old man, which could be diagnosed with CT scan before autopsy.
Adult ; Autopsy ; Brain Stem* ; Brain* ; Central Nervous System ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Germinoma* ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

No abstract available.
Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Mortality*

BACKGROUND: In recent years, a combination of two demographic phenomena, an increased number of older people in the population and an increase in the incidence of lung cancer with age, has made it mandatory to develop therapeutic modalities with less toxicity for the treatment of inoperable elderly patients with lung cancer. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between COX-2 expression and cytotoxicity of Nimesulide, a specific COX-2 inhibitor. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Immunohistochemical staining of COX-2 was performed. After exposure of Nimesulide, XTT analysis, FACS analysis and Hoechst staining were carried out. RESULT: COX-2 protein was expressed in non- treated A549 cells strongly, but not in H1299. Cytotoxicity of Nimesulide against A549 cell and H1299 cell were similar and IC50 of Nimesulide in both cell lines were 70.9 microM in A549 cell line and 56.5 microM in H1299 cell line respectively. FACS analysis showed G0/G1 arrest in both cell lines and the S phase cell fraction was decreased. Morphologic assessment of apoptosis by Hoechst 33258 staining, many apoptotic cells were detected in both cell lines. CONCLUSION: Selective COX-2 inhibitor, Nimesulide, can inhibit the proliferation of non-small cell lung cancer cell lines in vitro. Inhibitory effect of Nimesulide are induction of apoptosis and G0/G1 arrest. There is no correlation between COX-2 expression and cytotoxicity of Nimesulide, a specific COX-2 inhibitor. Therefore, highly selective COX-2 inhibitors such as Nimesulide can be expected to lead to even greater efficacy of their use as adjuncts to various anticancer angents and radiation therapy for the treatment of high-risk patients.
Aged ; Apoptosis ; Bisbenzimidazole ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Cell Line* ; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Lung Neoplasms ; S Phase

Optic sheath meningioma arises from the arachnoid "cap" cell of optic nerve sheath and comprises most of primary orbital meningioma. It usually brings early visual loss, papilledema, and proptosis. The authors expericenced a case of intraorbital optic sheath meningioma associated with a small skull hemangioma in the right parietal area, who presented only mild visual disturbance. The meningioma was removed transcranially without visual or cosmetic deformities except transient ptosis.
Arachnoid ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Exophthalmos ; Hemangioma* ; Meningioma* ; Optic Nerve ; Orbit ; Papilledema ; Rabeprazole ; Skull*