Rheumatic manifestations in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are common but actual arthritis as a presenting feature appears to be very rare. We experienced a case of NHL presenting as polyarthritis in a 24-year-old woman. Eight months ago she was admitted to the hospital due to polyarthritis and skin rash. She had pleural and pericardial effusion. Antinuclear antibody was positive and rheumatoid factor was negative. Joint X-ray showed periarticular osteopenia at both knees, wrists, hands and feet. Prednisolone, salsalate and anti-tuberculosis drugs were administered under the impression of either probable lupus or rheumatoid arthritis and pleural tuberculosis. After then pleuropericardial effusion and skin rash improved. But polyarthralgia persisted and she developed right cervical lymphadenopathy. On her second admission she was found to have a round mass in left lower lung field and multiple mediastinal lymph node enlargement. Cervical lymph node biopsy revealed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She received 8 cycles of systemic chemotherapy until 1996 July. NHL was remitted completely and polyarthralgia disappeared. We report a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as polyarthritis and literatures are reviewed.
Antibodies, Antinuclear ; Arthralgia ; Arthritis* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biopsy ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Drug Therapy ; Exanthema ; Female ; Foot ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Lung ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin* ; Pericardial Effusion ; Prednisolone ; Rheumatoid Factor ; Tuberculosis, Pleural ; Wrist ; Young Adult

Mycosis fungoides(MF) is representative of cutaneous lymphoma and over many years progresses to plaques and tumors steadily. The extent and type of skin lesions at initial diagnosis and the presence of extracutaneous involvement are predictive indicators of survival in MF patients. Patients with limited plaque lesions are the least likely to have extracutaneous involvement and thus have the longest survival similar to the control population. We report a case of 45-year-old woman, who developed multiple subcutaneous nodules in normally appearing skin during photochemotherapy (PUVA). She had been treated with PUVA for the limited pre-mycotic skin lesions (T1 stage), which themselves showed good response to the treatment. She experienced the insidious course of early stage, but thereafter rapidly progressed to the tumor stage unusually during treatment.
Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Middle Aged ; Mycosis Fungoides* ; Photochemotherapy ; Skin

The effects of chimeric monoclonal antibodies (cMAbs), prostaglandin E, (PGE,), and indomethacin (INDO) on antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) against human squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) cell line were examined. Using the PCI-50 SCCHN cell line as target and normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells as effector, ADCC was enhanced by the treatment of cMAbs (1.25 p,g/ml), but was inhibited by exogenous PGE (5 X 10' M). The effects of cMAb and PGE were dose-dependent. Maximal suppression of activity occured when PGE was present during the entire 4-hr 'Cr-release assay period, whereas pretreatment of effector cells with PGE had minimal inhibitory effect after washing. These results indicate that decreased ADCC seen with SCCHN targets treated with PGE is related to post-binding events, such as binding of effector and target cells. Pre-treatment of effector cells with INDO (1 ug/ml) resulted in restoration of NK activity which was inhibited by PGE. Our in vitro results suggest that INDO can increase tumor cell killing by the reversal of the suppression for many imrnune functions by PGE.
Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Line ; Head* ; Homicide ; Humans* ; Indomethacin ; Neck* ; Prostaglandins E

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of high-flexion total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using Vega Knee System (B. Braun, Aesculap) at a long-term follow-up and to analyze the implant survivorship. Methods: We enrolled 165 patients (232 knees) with a minimum 7-year follow-up after TKA (VEGA Knee System). For clinical assessment, range of motion (ROM), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were used. For radiologic assessment, hip-knee-ankle angle, component position, and the existence of radiolucent lines and loosening were used. Survival analysis was conducted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: The mean follow-up period was 9.8 years. The mean ROM increased from 124.4° to 131.4° at the final follow-up. The WOMAC score decreased from 38.5 to 17.4 at the final follow-up (p < 0.001). All 5 subscales of the KOOS improved at the final follow-up (all subscales, p < 0.001). Revision TKA was performed in 10 cases (4.3%), which included 9 cases of aseptic loosing and 1 case of periprostatic joint infection. Of the 9 aseptic loosening cases (3.9%), 8 cases (3.4%) were loosening of the femoral component and 1 case (0.4%) was loosening of the tibial component. When revision for any reason was considered an endpoint, the 10-year survivorship was 96.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.9%–98.5%). On the other hand, when revision for aseptic loosening was considered the endpoint, the 10-year survivorship was 96.6% (95% CI, 94.4%–98.8%). Conclusions The Vega Knee System provided good clinical results in the long-term follow-up period. Although the VEGA Knee System showed acceptable implant survivorship, loosening of the femoral component occurred in about 3.4% of the patients. For more accurate evaluation of the survivorship of high-flexion design TKA with a short posterior flange, it is necessary to conduct more long-term follow-up studies targeting diverse races, especially Asians who frequently perform high-flexion activities.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Histoacryl forms hard substances in an instance after a brief exposure to polar liquid, blood or body temperature. This often causes obstruction of injector and endoscopic channel. Furthermore, splashed Histoacryl during injection can lead to accidental loss of vision. We propose a new convenient method of Histoacryl-lipiodol sequential injection and report the results. METHODS: From May 2001 to August 2004, sequential injector method was performed in treating consecutive thirty gastric varices patients. Histoacryl (S.G. 1.0) 1 mL and lipiodol (S.G. 1.28) 1~1.5 mL are filled in 2.5 mL disposable syringe with 16 gauge needle, which are separated into two compartments by specific gravity difference. The injector attached side of charged syringe is gently placed upward and the piston is pushed after the lesion site puncture. Then, normal saline is promptly infused to wash out and the needle is withdrawn. RESULTS: There were 26 males and 4 females. 4 had active bleeding and 26 had the stigmata of bleeding. Varices types were Lg-c in 10, Lg-cf in 16 and Lg-f in 4 patients and the Child-Pugh classification were A in 17%, B in 53% and C in 30%. The average amount was 1.53 mL. Initial hemostasis rate was 97%, 3 of patients re-bled in 4 weeks and 2 patients later. One patient died after the procedure and a case of procedure related bacteremia has occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Histoacryl-lipiodol sequential injection by specific gravity difference is convenient and safe. Also, it carries less damage to the instruments.
Bacteremia ; Body Temperature ; Christianity ; Classification ; Enbucrilate ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Ethiodized Oil ; Female ; Hemorrhage* ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Male ; Needles ; Punctures ; Specific Gravity ; Syringes ; Varicose Veins

Allopurinol is widely used to reduce serum uric acid levels and, generally, has mild side effects. Rarely, allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome occurs and this consists of severe systemic skin lesions, fever, reduced kidney and liver function, and leukocytosis with eosinophilia. Extremely rarely, allopurinol-induced pure red cell aplasia is reported. We report a case of allopurinol hypersensitivity syndrome and pure red cell aplasia following allopurinol therapy for eight weeks and the disease response to steroid therapy in a patient with chronic renal insufficiency.
Allopurinol ; Eosinophilia ; Fever ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Kidney ; Leukocytosis ; Liver ; Red-Cell Aplasia, Pure ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Skin ; Uric Acid

PURPOSE: To evaluate the radiographic change of operation sites after orthognathic surgery using the digital image processing and fractal analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A series of panoramic radiographs of thirty-five randomly selected patients who had undergone mandibular orthognathic surgery (bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy) without clinical complication for osseous healing, were taken. The panoramic radiographs of each selected patient were taken at pre-operation (stage 0), 1 or 2 days after operation (stage 1), 1 month after operation (stage 2), 6 months after operation (stage 3), and 12 months after operation (stage 4). The radiographs were digitized at 600 dpi, 8 bit, and 256 gray levels. The region of interest, centered on the bony gap area of the operation site, was selected and the fractal dimension was calculated by using the tile-counting method. The mean values and standard deviations of fractal dimension for each stage were calculated and the differences among stage 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 were evaluated through repeated measures of the ANOVA and paired t-test. RESULTS: The mean values and standard deviations of the fractal dimensions obtained from stage 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 1.658 +/-0.048, 1.580 +/-0.050, 1.607 +/-0.046, 1.624 +/-0.049, and 1.641 +/-0.061, respectively. The fractal dimensions from stage 1 to stage 4 were shown to have a tendency to increase (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The tendency of the fractal dimesion to increase relative to healing time may be a useful means of evaluating post-operative bony healing of the osteotomy site.
Fractals* ; Humans ; Orthognathic Surgery* ; Osteotomy ; Wound Healing

The primary lymphoma of the liver is a rare disease. We report a case of primary hepatic T-cell lymphoma associated with crescentic glomerulonephritis. The case, a 53-year-old male was presented with a 2-year history of hepatic mass and a 1-month history of foamy urine, rapidly progressive azotemia, and oliguria. The kidney biopsy revealed diffuse crescentic glomerulonephritis. The result of immunohistochemical study of liver biopsy specimen was consistent with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in T-cell lineage. Because renal function was deteriorated rapidly and there were signs of volume overload, hemodialyses were performed. Although the patient received 2 cycles of combination chemotherapy with CHOP(cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone, and doxorubicin), he did not respond and died of sepsis.
Azotemia ; Biopsy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Lymphoma, T-Cell* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oliguria ; Prednisolone ; Rare Diseases ; Renal Dialysis ; Sepsis ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Vincristine

Gastric bezoar has been known to occur occasionally in the gastrointestinal tract, as a result of foreign material accumulating in the stomach. Most case have been managed by surgical methods. Currently, the endoscopic mathod is after used for the gastrointestinal disease, and therefore we treated two cases of huge bezoars using the endoscopic polypectomy snare and lithotriptor. Subsequently, we are reporting these cases and have incorporated relevant literature which was reviewed for our report for the subject case.
Bezoars* ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; SNARE Proteins* ; Stomach

Agenerally accepted consensus of end-of-life (EOL) care decision-making did not appear in Korean medical society until the year 2009. To enhance physician's ethical perception of EOL care, consensus guidelines to withdrawing life-sustaining therapies endorsed by Korean Medical Association, Korean Academy of Medical Science, and Korean Hospital Association, were published on October 13, 2009. In this article, the characteristics and issues with the guidelines are presented to improve understanding by physicians who interact with EOL patients. According to the guidelines, physicians should identify, document, respect, and act on hospitals inpatients' needs, priorities, and preferences for EOL care. The guidelines advocate that competent patients express their right of self-determination in EOL care decisions through advance directives. However, there are barriers to adopting advance directives as a legitimate tool of EOL decision-making in our current society. The guidelines stressed the importance of open communication between care-givers and patients or their surrogates. Through communication, physicians can create a plan regarding how to manage EOL until the patients' last day of life. Concerted actions among the general public, professionals, other stake-holders for EOL care, and governmental organizations to improve EOL care in our society are also stipulated. Physicians, who know the clinical meaning of the treatments available to EOL patients, should play a central role based on the consensus guidelines to help patients and their families make informed decisions about EOL care.
Advance Directives ; Consensus ; Humans ; Societies, Medical