PURPOSE: We tried to find the patients characteristics of parasternal recunence, to classify the parasternal recunence according to the radiological and clinical features, and to evaluate the efficacy of local radiotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 1987 and April 1997, twenty one patients with parastemal recurrence of breast cancer after surgery with or without adjuvant chemotherapy were treated with radiotherapy. Age distribution at initial operation was ranged from 31 to 79 years(median 48 years). Sixteen(76.2%) cancers were in the right breast and five(23.8%) were in the left. The pathologic types were infiltrative ductal carcinoma in 18 patients and medullary carcinoma in 3 patients. Eight patients had stage I, three had stage IIa, six had stage IIb, one had stage IIIa diseases and we had no information about the initial stage of the other 3 patients. Parasternal recurrence were diagnosed by biopsy in 7 patients, and the other 14 recurrences were diagnosed by clinical and radiologic findings such as chest CT, whole body bone scan. All the patients were treated with radiation for the parasternal recurrent tumors. In addition, five patients also received chemotherapy(FAC or Taxol based protocol) and one patient also received partial resection before radiotherapy. Radiotherapy was delivered with Co-60 gamma-ray or 4~6 MV X-ray or electron beam to both supraclavicular lymph nodes and parasternal areas with total doses of 3000~6480 cGy(median 6100 cGy). RESULTS: The range of interval between curative resection and parasternal recurrence were 4~110 months(median 34 months). The main symptoms of the parasternal recurrence were a painless mass(n=10). The duration of symptom before diagnosis ranged from one to 36 months(median 7 months). Among 21, five patients(23.8%) presented distant metastses at the diagnosis of parasternal recurrences. The parasternal recurrences were classified into three groups according to radiologic and clinical findings; the recurrent tumors originated from sternum and invaded into adjacent tissues(Group 1, n=5), tumors originated from intemal mammary lymph nodes and invaded into sternum or parasternal tissues(Group 2, n=6), tumors originated from medial chest wall and invaded into sternum or parasternal tissues(Group 3, n=10). In nineteen patients(19/21; 90.5%) there was complete response of parasternal recurrence following radiotherapy. Although the follow up period was relatively short(3~78 montbs, median 14 months), there were no local recurrence in radiation field in 19 patients with complete response. Among the 16 patients without distant metastases at diagnosis of parasternal recurrence, nine patients were alive without any evidence of disease. CONCLUSION: Chest CT scan is necessary and effective in patients with parastemal discomfort, pain, swelling or palpable mass after mastectomy. And we found that radiotherapy was very effective for the local treatment of parasternal recunence in terms of symptom palliation and local control of tumor. Although we classified the parasternal recurrence into three groups, we could not reach any conclusive results because of short follow up duration and insufficient patients number.
Age Distribution ; Biopsy ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Ductal ; Carcinoma, Medullary ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mastectomy ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paclitaxel ; Radiotherapy ; Recurrence* ; Sternum ; Thoracic Wall ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Salmonella-triggered reactive arthritis appears one to three weeks after the onset of salmonella infection and presents with asymmetric, usually migratory, oligo- or polyarthritis. The course is usually self-limiting and symptoms last two to six months. We experienced a 10-year-old male patient who presented to a local pediatric center with long-lasting fever and right ankle joint pain. The pain migrated to the left ankle joint, both wrists, and both knees and he was diagnosed as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and was medicated with NSAIDs and corticosteroid. In the meantime, 20 days prior to the transfer to our hospital he was febrile with nausea and abdominal pain and the antibody titer of S. typhi O Ag by Widal test was 1 : 320, and an antibiotic therapy was followed. Soon after, the fever subsided but the migrating joint symptoms continued and he was transferred to our hospital. Widal tests were weekly checked and the antibody titers of S. typhi O Ag were 1 : 160, 1 : 320, 1 : 320, 1 : 160, 1 : 160, respectively. ESR was 55 mm/hr, CRP 9.18 mg/dl, HLA-B27 positive and his endoscopic findings of the colon showed mild lymphoid hyperplasia and mucosal nodularities in the cecum and ileocecal area. Stool cultures and duodenal juice culture for Salmonella and Shigella were all negative. He was treated with ibuprofen and bactrim and the joint symptoms were gradually mitigated. After discharge, he maintained mildly elevated CRP levels and antibody levels by Widal tests, but was free from symptoms except for several episodes of finger pains for 11 months.
Abdominal Pain ; Ankle Joint ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Arthritis ; Arthritis, Juvenile* ; Arthritis, Reactive* ; Cecum ; Child* ; Colon ; Fever ; Fingers ; HLA-B27 Antigen ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Ibuprofen ; Joints ; Knee ; Male ; Nausea ; Salmonella ; Salmonella Infections ; Shigella ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination ; Wrist

OBJECTIVE: The main concern during transfemoral carotid artery stenting (CAS) is preventing cerebral embolus dislodgement. We compared clinical outcomes and intraprocedural embolization rates of CAS using a distal filter protection device or proximal balloon occlusion device. METHODS: From January 2011 to March 2015, a series of 58 patients with symptomatic or asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis > or =70% were treated with CAS with embolic protection device in single center. All patients underwent post-CAS diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) to detect new ischemic lesions. We compared clinical outcomes and postprocedural embolization rates. RESULTS: CAS was performed in all 61 patients. Distal filter protection success rate was 96.6% (28/29), whose mean age was 70.9 years, and mean stenosis was 81%. Their preprocedural infarction rate was 39% (11/28). Subsequent DW-MRI revealed 96 new ischemic lesions in 71% (20/28) patients. In contrast, the proximal balloon occlusion device success rate was 93.8% (30/32), whose mean age was 68.8 years and mean stenosis was 86%. Preprocedure infarction rate was 47% (14/30). DW-MRI revealed 45 new ischemic lesions in 57% (17/30) patients. Compared with distal filter protection device, proximal balloon occlusion device resulted in fewer ischemic lesions per patient (p=0.028). In each group, type of stent during CAS had no significant effect on number of periprocedural embolisms. Only 2 neurologic events occurred in the successfully treated patients (one from each group). CONCLUSION: Transfemoral CAS with proximal balloon occlusion device achieves good results. Compared with distal filter protection, proximal balloon occlusion might be more effective in reducing cerebral embolism during CAS.
Balloon Occlusion* ; Carotid Arteries* ; Carotid Stenosis ; Cerebral Infarction ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Embolic Protection Devices ; Embolism ; Humans ; Infarction ; Intracranial Embolism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Stents*

PURPOSE: The best prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma can be achieved with surgical resection. However, the number of resected cases is limited due to the advanced lesion or associated liver disease. A trial of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) and local radiotherapy(RT) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) was prospectively conducted and its efficacy and toxicity were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 1994, 30 patients with unresectable HCC due either to advanced lesion or to associated cirrhosis were entered in the study.Exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Child's class C, tumors occupying more than two- thirds of the whole liver, and an ECOG scale of more than 3. Patient characteristics were:mean tumor size 8.95 +/- 3.4cm, serum AFP + in all patients, portal vein thrombosis in 11 patients, liver cirrhosis in 22 patients, and UICC stage III and IVA in 10 and 20 patients, respectively. TACE was performed with the mixture of Lipiodol(5ml) and Adriamycin(50mg) and Gelfoam embolization. RT(mean dose 44.0 +/-9.3Gy) was followed within 7- 10 days with conventional fractionation. RESULTS: An objective response was observed in 19 patients(63.3%). Survival rates at 1,2, and 3 years were 67%, 33.3% and 22.2%, respectively. Median survival was 17 months. There were 6 patients surviving more than 3 years. Distant metastasis occurred in 10 patients, with 8 in the lung only and 2in both lung and bone. Toxicity included transient elevation of liver function test in all patients, fever in 20,thrombocytopenia in 4, and nausea and vomiting in 1. There was no treatment-related death. CONCLUSION: Combined TACE and RT appear to produce a favorable response and survival results with minimal toxicity.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Fever ; Fibrosis ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Function Tests ; Lung ; Nausea ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy* ; Survival Rate ; Venous Thrombosis ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: The best prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma can be achieved with surgical resection. However, the number of resected cases is limited due to the advanced lesion or associated liver disease. A trial of combined transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) and local radiotherapy(RT) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) was prospectively conducted and its efficacy and toxicity were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1992 to 1994, 30 patients with unresectable HCC due either to advanced lesion or to associated cirrhosis were entered in the study.Exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Child's class C, tumors occupying more than two- thirds of the whole liver, and an ECOG scale of more than 3. Patient characteristics were:mean tumor size 8.95 +/- 3.4cm, serum AFP + in all patients, portal vein thrombosis in 11 patients, liver cirrhosis in 22 patients, and UICC stage III and IVA in 10 and 20 patients, respectively. TACE was performed with the mixture of Lipiodol(5ml) and Adriamycin(50mg) and Gelfoam embolization. RT(mean dose 44.0 +/-9.3Gy) was followed within 7- 10 days with conventional fractionation. RESULTS: An objective response was observed in 19 patients(63.3%). Survival rates at 1,2, and 3 years were 67%, 33.3% and 22.2%, respectively. Median survival was 17 months. There were 6 patients surviving more than 3 years. Distant metastasis occurred in 10 patients, with 8 in the lung only and 2in both lung and bone. Toxicity included transient elevation of liver function test in all patients, fever in 20,thrombocytopenia in 4, and nausea and vomiting in 1. There was no treatment-related death. CONCLUSION: Combined TACE and RT appear to produce a favorable response and survival results with minimal toxicity.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Fever ; Fibrosis ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Liver Function Tests ; Lung ; Nausea ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Radiotherapy* ; Survival Rate ; Venous Thrombosis ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been actively performed for the treatment of unresectable or inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma. However, for the patients with treatment failure after TACE, few options are available for salvage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of local radiotherapy as a salvage moda- lity for treatment failure after TACE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1993 to December 1997, 27 patients were included in this study. Exclusion criteria included the presence of extrahepatic metastasis, liver cirrhosis of Childs class C, tumors occupying more than two thirds of the entire liver, and performance status on the ECOG scale of more than 3. Mean tumor size was 7.2+/- 2.9 cm. Liver cirrhosis was associated in 10 patients. Portal vein thrombosis was presented in 5 patients. Serum alpha-fetoprotein was positive in 8 patients. According to VICC staging, the number of patients in III and IVA were 17 and 10, respectively. Treatment failure to TACE was evaluated by CT scan and angiography. Radiotherapy was given to the field including tumor with generous margin using 10-MV X-ray. Mean tumor dose was 51.8+-7.9 Gy in daily 1.8 Gy fractions. Tumor response was based on CT scans 4~6 weeks following completion of treatment. RESULTS: An objective response was observed in 16 of 24 patients who were possible to be evaluated, giving a response rate of 66.7%. Survival rates after salvage radiotherapy at 1, 2, 3 years were 55.9%, 35.7%, and 21.4%, respectively. The median survival was 14 months. Six patients among responders are surviving at present. Acute toxicity included G1 elevation of AST/ALT in 4 patients, G2 thrombocytopenia in 2, G2 hyperbilirubinemia in 5, and G2 hypoalbuminemia in 3. During follow-up, 4 patients developed ascites. At 6 months after treatment, gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcer were developed in 2 and 1 patient, respectively. CONCLUSION: Local radiotherapy for treatment failure after TACE in hepatocellular carci- noma appears to be a feasible and effective salvage modality. It gives a 66.7% response rate with a median survival of 14 months. Acute toxicity was self-limiting and manageable. Gastric and duodenal ulcer were significant toxicities after treatment. Further studies are required to find optimal methods of radiotherapy to minimize toxicity.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Angiography ; Ascites ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Child ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Hypoalbuminemia ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Noma ; Radiotherapy* ; Stomach Ulcer ; Survival Rate ; Thrombocytopenia ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Treatment Failure ; Venous Thrombosis

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is a benign proliferative histiocytic disorder of unknown etiology, which typically manifests as lymphadenopathy and systemic symptoms. Lymph node involvement is typical, but soft tissue RDD without nodal or systemic involvement is extremely rare. We report on a case of soft tissue RDD in a 16-year-old girl with a palpable mass on her buttock. It was firm, mobile, and discrete without tenderness. Excisional biopsy was performed, then RDD was confirmed histologically. RDD is a non-neoplastic disease that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of other soft tissue tumors. While the optimal treatment for extranodal RDD remains controversial, surgical excision is typically curative.
Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Buttocks ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Emperipolesis ; Female ; Histiocytosis, Sinus* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases

The aim of this study is to introduce the accuracy of Ir-192 source's apparent activity using the well-type chamber and the Farmer-type ionization chamber in the high dose rate brachytherapy. We measured the apparent activity of Ir-192 that each medical center in the country has and the apparent activity of calibration certificate provided by manufacturer is compared with that by our experimental measurement. The number of sources used for the activity comparison was 5. The accuracy of the measured activity was in the range of -2.8% to -1.0% and -2.1% to 0.2% for the Farmer-type chamber system (Jig) and for the well-type, respectively. The maximum difference was within 1.0% for comparison with two calibration's tool. Our results demonstrate that well-type chamber as wall as Farmer-type chamber is a appropriate system as the routine source calibration procedures in HDR brachytherapy. Whenever a new source is installed to use in clinics, by periods, a source calibration should be carried out.
Brachytherapy ; Calibration

BACKGROUND: Complications following lumbar transforaminal epidural injection are frequently related to inadvertent vascular injection of corticosteroids. Several methods have been proposed to reduce the risk of vascular injection. The generally accepted technique during epidural steroid injection is intermittent fluoroscopy. In fact, this technique may miss vascular uptake due to rapid washout. Because of the fleeting appearance of vascular contrast patterns, live fluoroscopy is recommended during contrast injection. However, when vascular contrast patterns are overlapped by expected epidural patterns, it is hard to distinguish them even on live fluoroscopy. METHODS: During 87 lumbar transforaminal epidural injections, dynamic contrast flows were observed under live fluoroscopy with using digital subtraction enhancement. Two dynamic fluoroscopy fluoroscopic images were saved from each injection. These injections were performed by five physicians with experience independently. Accuracy of live fluoroscopy was determined by comparing the interpretation of the digital subtraction fluoroscopic images. RESULTS: Using digital subtraction guidance with contrast confirmation, the twenty cases of intravascular injection were found (the rate of incidence was 23%). There was no significant difference in incidence of intravascular injections based either on gender or diagnosis. Only five cases of intravascular injections were predicted with either flash or aspiration of blood (sensitivity = 25%). Under live fluoroscopic guidance with contrast confirmation to predict intravascular injection, twelve cases were predicted (sensitivity = 60%). CONCLUSION: This finding demonstrate that digital subtraction fluoroscopic imaging is superior to blood aspiration or live fluoroscopy in detecting intravascular injections with lumbar transforaminal epidural injection.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Fluoroscopy ; Incidence ; Injections, Epidural

A 75-year-old man was referred to our hospital with intestinal obstruction caused by intussusception. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed seven polypoid masses in the small intestine, while chest CT revealed a mass in the right lower lobe. Preoperative laboratory tests showed white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil differential counts of 63,630/mm3 and 95%, respectively. The serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was 114 pg/mL, which was elevated (normal range, <18.1 pg/mL). After resection of the small bowel, the WBC count decreased to 20,510/mm3. The pathology showed a poorly differentiated carcinoma with sarcomatous components confirmed by positive immunostaining of cytokeratin (AE1/AE3) and vimentin in the small intestine. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry with specific monoclonal antibodies against G-CSF was positive. A lung biopsy revealed the same histological findings as the small intestine lesion. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed as having a G-CSF producing sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung with metastasis to the small intestine.
Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Biopsy ; Carcinosarcoma ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocytes ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intestinal Obstruction ; Intestine, Small ; Intussusception ; Keratins ; Leukocytes ; Lung ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neutrophils ; Thorax ; Vimentin