Purpose: To report a case of primary conjunctival and tarsal amyloidosis with blepharoptosis.Case summary: A 73-year-old woman presented with left blepharoptosis and foreign body sensation that worsened over a1-year period prior. She presented with severe blepharoptosis on the left upper lid, with slightly reduced levator function. Duringthe operation, a fragile yellowish-pink mass-lesion was observed, widely involving palpebral conjunctiva and the space betweenthe levator aponeurosis and tarsal plate. While levator resection was withheld, the mass was excised as much as possible andblepharoplasty was performed. After surgery, the blepharoptosis improved slightly, and histopathologic examination revealedamyloid deposits. Because there were no abnormal findings in systemic examinations including blood tests, chest X-rays, andabdominal ultrasonography, the patient was diagnosed as primary conjunctival and tarsal amyloidosis. Conclusions Although local amyloidosis of the conjunctiva and tarsal plate is rare, it should be considered in differential diagnosisof patients with involutional blepharoptosis.

PURPOSE: In the correction of cleft lip, there have been various methods to minimize recurrence of the nasal deformity after primary nasal surgery. After cheiloplasty and primary nasal surgery, we tried to elongate the columella of the cleft side, to stretch the vestibular lining of cleft side, and to elevate the alar cartilage of the cleft side with a molding prong. METHODS: We had fifteen cleft lip patients; 12 unilateral cases(6.3-8.2 months), and 3 bilateral cases(3 -7.5 months). Immediately after primary repair of the cleft lip, the toboggan shaped molding prong was located to deep inside of vestibular web of the cleft side. It was persistently suspended by a silicone tube which was connected to the prong and the frontal scalp. The results were analyzed with Photoshop(R) photogrammetrically for 6-48 months with on average of 20.6 months. We measured the proportion index of columellar length-interalar distance for three times(preoperation, immediate postoperation, and postoperation) on the nasal base views. RESULTS: In unilateral, the index had a significant increase statistically between preoperation(10.73) and immediate postoperation(23.96). It is supposed that columellar length was reconstructed to 105.80% of normal side. But, it was decreased to maintain 87.7% of normal side in postoperation(20.54). The results were similar in bilateral. The linear scars by suture penetrating nose skin were not discernable. CONCLUSION: In summary, placement of the molding prong could elongate the reconstructed columella with some relapse postoperatively.
Cartilage ; Cicatrix ; Cleft Lip* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Fungi* ; Humans ; Nasal Surgical Procedures ; Nose ; Recurrence ; Scalp ; Silicones ; Skin ; Sutures

PURPOSE: As the traditional treatment of the Wassel's type I or II of bifid thumb, Bilhaut-Cloquet, has always been the standard method despite several disadvantages such as tearing of the finger nail, injuries of the growth plate, joint instability, and long visible scarring. To overcome these drawbacks, we applied a modified Bilhaut-Cloquet Method. METHODS: The subjects used for the this study were 10 of 20 patients evaluated. The patients underwent modified methods under every type of Wassel's classification. We designed a central wedge Zig-Zag incision and removed the nail and bony tissues in the remaining digit, but not soft tissue if possible, and transferred the ligaments, tendons, and soft tissue to the remaining thumb from the extra digit. We evaluated the patients' lack of extension, the total ROM of the MP and IP joints, the ROM of IP joints, and the lateral deviations of the reconstructed thumb. RESULTS: The results were encouraging, with all patients showing a good functional and aesthetic outcome. CONCLUSION: The modified method proved a very effective procedure in the treatment of bifid thumb in all types, especially types I or II.
Cicatrix ; Classification ; Fingers ; Growth Plate ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; Joints ; Ligaments ; Polydactyly ; Tendons ; Thumb*

Posttraumatic arthritis of the fifth carpometacarpal joint occurs as a sequelae of intraarticular comminuted fracture or missed and untreated fracture. If it is inappropriately managed, persistent pain and functional disability of the hand can occur. Arthrodesis, resection arthroplasty, or interposition arthroplasty has been reported as the treatment for the arthritis. However, outcome studies for operative treatment of the fifth carpometacarpal arthritis have been rarely reported. We report a case of the fifth carpometacarpal arthritis occurred after missed fracture, which was successfully treated with fourth, fifth metacarpal base arthrodesis.
Arthritis* ; Arthrodesis* ; Arthroplasty ; Carpometacarpal Joints* ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Hand ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care)

PURPOSE: Partial necrosis of skin flaps remains a substantial problem in reconstructive surgery. We investigated the potential use of an adenovirus vector encoding the VEGF, COMP-angiopoietin-1 gene in an attempt to promote the viability of the inferior epigastric artery flap in a rat model. METHODS: Three by six cm lower abdominal transverse skin flaps, supplied only by the left inferior epigastric artery, were designed. After skin flap elevation, the adenovirus VEGF and adenovirus COMP-angiopoietin-1 were injected into the distal portion of the flap, which has a high tendency of developing flap ischemia. Control animals were injected with the same volume of normal saline. On 3, 7 and 14 days after the flap elevation, the flap survival and vascularization were assessed using Visitrak digital(R), CD31 immunohistochemistry in addition to evaluating the general histological characteristics. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the mean percentage of flap viability by 89.8%, 91.1% and 94.8% in flaps transfected with adenovirus VEGF, COMP- angiopoietin-1, coadministraion of VEGF and COMP- angiopoietin-1 at seven days, and by 95.6%, 94.8% and 96.3% at 14 days. Histological assessment revealed that there were more blood vessels formed after adenovirus with VEGF, COMP-angiopoietin-1 or VEGF plus COMP- angiopoietin-1 than with adenovirus Lac Z. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that adenovirus-mediated VEGF, COMP-angiopoietin-1 gene therapy, promote therapeutic angiogenesis in patients that undergo reconstructive procedures. Key Words:
Adenoviridae ; Angiopoietin-1 ; Animals ; Blood Vessels ; Epigastric Arteries ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Ischemia ; Necrosis ; Rats ; Skin ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: Glomus tumors are neoplasms that are composed of modified smooth muscle cells of the glomus body and multiple glomus tumor comprises 10% of all glomus tumors. We report a case of disseminated multiple glomus tumors. METHODS: A 14-year-old boy presented with multiple subcutaneous purple nodules on the right cheek, back, right arm, right hand dorsum, right fourth finger, and left ankle. Nodules on the back and right fourth finger were completely excised under local anesthesia and histopathologic examination was followed. RESULTS: Histopathologic findings showed numerous dilated, cavernous-like, thin-walled vascular spaces surrounded by one or a few layers of glomus cells. On immunohistochemical examination, glomus cells stain for smooth muscle actin, and endothelial cells stain for CD31. Those revealed multiple glomangiomas. CONCLUSION: A review of Korean literature revealed only one reported case of disseminated multiple glomus tumors, so this is the second case to be reported in the Korean literature. In case of multiple soft tissue tumors, thorough physical examination and preoperative evaluation are needed.
Actins ; Adolescent ; Anesthesia, Local ; Animals ; Ankle ; Arm ; Cheek ; Endothelial Cells ; Fingers ; Glomus Tumor ; Hand ; Humans ; Muscle, Smooth ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Physical Examination

Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli is an inflammatory disease caused by calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposition in the longus colli tendon of the prevertebral space. It is also known as retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis or prevertebral tendinitis. The typical imaging characteristics of this entity are calcifications on the superior insertion of the longus colli tendons at the C1-2 level and fluid collection in the retropharyngeal space. However, we introduce a case of acute longus colli tendinitis without definite calcification deposition on image findings.
Durapatite ; Tendinopathy* ; Tendons

The challenge of accurately predicting eyelid height after blepharoptosis surgery is well-known problem even in complete hands. From May 1988 to December 2004, authors reviewed 182 cases(240 eyes) of blepharoptosis corrected by frontalis muscle transfer or levator resection and had experienced 10 cases(15 eyelids) of early reoperation around the first week. The period from initial operation to reoperation are between six to eight days and mean period is seven days. Initial operative procedures were frontalis muscle transfer in 3 cases(4 eyelids) and levator resection in 7 cases(11 eyelids). Follow up period ranged from 6 months to 16 years. Early adjusting surgery was performed in accordance with the preoperative and postoperative degree of ptosis of patient and by previous operative technique. The results are evaluated according to the criteria of an ideal correction by Souther and Jordan. Seven patients have good or satisfactory results(less than 1 mm asymmetry, good in 5 cases and satisfactory in 2 cases). Three patients(5 eyelids) recorded as poor results(more than 2 mm asymmetry). Even if early or late reoperation can be effective in correcting unsatisfactory results after correction of blepharoptosis, early reoperation may lead to better results than late reoperation because early reoperation can offer a reduction in time to final result, the ease with which it is performed and potential cost savings. The experience of surgeon is also important factor for the treat ment of recurred blepharoptosis.
Blepharoptosis ; Cost Savings ; Eyebrows ; Eyelids ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forehead* ; Hand ; Humans ; Jordan ; Reoperation ; Rhytidoplasty ; Surgical Procedures, Operative

The upper and lower lateral cartilages provide the key to the lower cartilaginous portion of the nose. Lifting the cartilages is essential procedure for correction of unilateral cleft lip nose deformity. After correction of cleft lip nose deformity, authors used acoustic rhinometry (AR) to compare the lower nasal cavity of cleft side with non-cleft side. AR is a well known new, non-invasive diagnostic technique in which nasal geometry is assessed by means of acoustic reflection. From June 1996 to January 2004, we performed acoustic rhinometric analysis after correction of unilateral cleft lip nose deformity. This study involved 40 children of age ranged from 3 months to 8 years. Subjects were divided into the group of incomplete unilateral cleft lip nose deformity(20 subjects), and the group of complete unilateral cleft lip nose deformity(20 subjects). Results show that lower nasal cavity volume between non-cleft side and cleft side has no difference, and better results were obtained when nasal molding prong was applied at cleft side nostril. The results between incomplete type and complete type have no significant difference. In conclusion, AR is an effective method to calibrate cross sectional area and nasal cavity volume of unilateral cleft lip nose deformity, and furthermore effective in comparing the volume of cleft side with non-cleft side after unilateral cleft lip nose deformity correction with lifting the lower lateral cartilages to the upper lateral cartilages.
Acoustics* ; Cartilage ; Child ; Cleft Lip* ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Fungi ; Humans ; Lifting ; Nasal Cavity ; Nose* ; Rhinometry, Acoustic

The silicone rubber implants are widely used in plastic surgery because of various advantages; however, calcification in surface of implant(as a chemical resistance) may transform or destroy the high molecular biomaterial when it stays too long within the human body. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between calcification and the histological disparities of the tissues surrounding the area adjoining the silicone nasal implant by examining the regional characteristics of calcium deposits in the silicone nasal implant via elemental analyses using EDX(energy-dispersive X-ray analysis) and ultrastructural analyses using SEM(scanning electron microscopy). The subjects of the study were 19 silicone nasal implants removed by revision rhinoplasty, all displaying calcification. According to the tissue characters, the implant surface was divided into 4 zones with the rhinion as the basis. For each zone, elemental and ultrastructural analyses were performed. Elemental analysis revealed that the calcium deposits consisted of Ca and P only. There were no statistically significant disparities among the ratios between Ca and P according to the zones. Ultrastructural analysis showed acellular mineral-like deposits coalesced to create amorphous deposits in all zones; however, in zones 1 and 3(more pressurized zones by periosteum or nasal bone), additional flaky cylinder-shaped calcium deposits were detected. Thus, it seems that the histological disparities in the surrounding tissues do not affect the components and their proportions in the calcification process. However, it can be inferred that the physical environment due to the histological disparities in the surrounding tissues affects the ultrastructures of calcium deposits.
Calcium ; Human Body ; Periosteum ; Rhinoplasty ; Silicone Elastomers ; Surgery, Plastic