No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Cicatrix* ; Keratosis, Actinic* ; Laser Therapy*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the measurement differences of simple radiographs according to radiation projection angle using a phantom and to propose methods for objective analysis of simple radiographs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We took simple radiographs with different projection angles using a C-arm image intensifier and measured five parameters of the foot on the simple radiographic images. Five parameters include lateral tibiocalcaneal angle, lateral talocalcaneal angle, naviculocuboid overlap, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, and lateral calcaneo-first metatarsal angle. Intraobserver and interobserver reliability were verified, and then intraclass correlations of parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Radiographic parameters of the foot showed high intraobserver and interobserver reliability. Lateral tibiocalcaneal angle has a strong negative linear relationship with rotation and a moderate negative linear relationship with tilt. Lateral talocalcaneal angle has a moderate positive linear relationship with rotation and a strong positive linear relationship with tilt. Naviculocuboid overlap has a strong positive linear relationship with rotation and a moderate positive linear relationship with tilt. Lateral talo-first metatarsal angle does not have a linear relationship with rotation and a moderate negative linear relationship with tilt. Lateral calcaneo-first metatarsal angle has a moderate positive linear relationship with rotation and tilt. CONCLUSION: More precise evaluation of the foot with a simple radiograph can be performed by understanding the changes of radiographic parameters according to radiation projection angle.
Foot* ; Metatarsal Bones ; Phantoms, Imaging ; Radiography

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease, also known as pseudogout, is a disease that causes inflammatory arthropathy in peripheral joints, however, symptomatic involvement of the intervertebral disc is uncommon. Herein, we describe a 59-yr-old patient who presented with cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging of the patient showed an epidural mass-like lesion at the disc space of L4-L5, which was compressing the thecal sac. Biopsy of the intervertebral disc and epidural mass-like lesion was determined to be CPPD deposits. We reviewed previously reported cases of pseudogout involving the lumbar intervertebral disc and discuss the pathogenesis and treatment of the disease.
Calcium Pyrophosphate/metabolism ; Chondrocalcinosis/etiology ; Diskectomy ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc/pathology/surgery ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyradiculopathy/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The oropharyngeal teratoma is a relatively uncommon tumors which can present as airway obstruction in neonates. We experienced a case of oropharyngeal teratoma which was attached to soft palate and combined with cleft palate and caused respiratory distress necessitated orotracheal intubation. We report the one case of oropharyngeal teratoma treated with endoscopic excision with a brief literatures.
Airway Obstruction ; Cleft Palate* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Intubation ; Palate, Soft ; Teratoma*

Neutrophilic myositis is a very rare disease histologically characterized by neutrophil infiltration of muscle tissues. We report a case of a 47-year-old man who presented with acute onset of severe swelling and pain on his left shoulder with high fever. He was initially suspected of having cellulitis, but intravenous antibiotics did not improve his symptoms. Similar swelling and pain then developed on both calves. Investigations with magnetic resonance imaging of the lower legs and muscle biopsy led to a diagnosis of neutrophilic myositis. High dose glucocorticoid dramatically improved his symptoms within days. Clinicians need to be aware of this rare disease as a cause of acute febrile myositis mimicking infection.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Cellulitis ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Leg ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Myositis* ; Neutrophil Infiltration ; Neutrophils* ; Rare Diseases ; Shoulder ; Sweet Syndrome

PURPOSE: The increased expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 has been implicated in the development and progression of human cancer. This study investigated the COX-2 expression in colorectal cancer, and its relationships with tumor angiogenesis and the clinicopathological factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of the COX-2 protein and microvessel density were evaluated, using immunohistochemical methods, in 21 normal colonic mucosa and 190 human colorectal carcinomas. Correlations between COX-2 expression and microvessel density, as well as various clinicopathological factors, were studied in colorectal carcinomas. RESULTS: The COX-2 protein expression in epithelial cells was increased in 169 of the 190 adenocarcinoma cases (88.9%), but in only 1 of the 21 (4.8%) normal mucosa cases. The COX-2 expression was significantly increased in the differentiated compared with the undifferentiated colorectal carcinomas (p<0.05), and significantly correlated with the depth of invasion and microvessel density (p<0.05). Rectal cancers had more COX-2 positive cases than the colon cancers (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the tumor size and the presence of lymphatic or vascular invasion. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in colorectal carcinomas seems to play a role in the invasion and angiogenesis of the tumors, so may be a useful marker of the prognosis. The prominent expression was also demonstrated in differentiated colorectal cancers.
Adenocarcinoma ; Colon ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Neoplasms* ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Microvessels* ; Mucous Membrane ; Prognosis ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Rectal Neoplasms

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the second-look arthroscopic findings of synovialization and the clinical results after the arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with the fresh-frozen tibialis tendon allograft. Fifty-seven patients could be examined with the second-look arthroscopy after the ACL reconstruction with tibialis tendon allograft. The average duration from reconstruction to second-look arthroscopy was 18.4 months (range, 4-48 months). The patients were classified, according to the extent of synovialization, into 3 groups; 37 cases (64.9%) in group A (good), 15 cases (26.3%) in group B (partial), and 5 cases (8.8%) in group C (poor). The clinical results were compared in each group. The 2000 International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee score was 80 or more in 31 cases (83.8%) in group A, 9 (60%) in group B, and 1 (20%) in group C respectively. All thirty seven cases (100%) in group A had negative or 1+firm end-point Lachman test and negative pivot shift test, however, only 2 cases (40%) in group C. KT-1000 arthrometer measurement was less than 5 mm in 37 (100%) in group A, 14 (93.3%) in group B, and 2 (40%) in group C. According to the 2000 IKDC knee examination form, 37 (100%) in group A, 14 (93.3%) in group B, and 2 (40%) in group C respectively were normal or nearly normal. The synovialization of the graft had positive correlation with the clinical results after the ACL reconstruction with fresh-frozen allograft.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Arthroscopy ; Humans ; Knee ; Tendons ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Transplants

PURPOSE: This study aims at to make intermediate-term evaluations of a curriculum by investigating its development, operation and outcomes 2 years after its revision. METHODS: A survey using 5-point-Lickert scale questionnaires was given to the group of directors who developed the curriculum, instructors who only used it in their classes, and a student group from the first and second grades. Focus group interviews were performed in the professor groups. RESULTS: Curricular reform was evaluated as being systematic, democratic, and positive in general. Both groups answered questions positively about the relevance of the integrated curriculum and introduction of clinical medicine (ICM), graded as 3.4 (professor) and 3.5 (student). As for problem-based learning (PBL) and the patient-doctor-society (PDS), the professor group responded more positively than students. The 'web-based learning center' was recognized positively by many more students (4.01) than professors (2.75). With regard to the education outcome, professors gave 3.3 points and students 3.5 to an item that asked 'whether students attained the learning goal or not?' Professors, through interviews, showed their satisfaction with the attempt to reform the curriculum, but they pointed out that long-term evaluations should be performed. CONCLUSION: The interim evaluation of the revised curriculum, from its planning to its effects, affirmed by several suggestions to be successful in the long run through 1) enhancement of systematic participation and communication, 2) further integration, 3) steady evaluation, 4) greater effort on professional development, and 5) active interaction between professors and students.
Clinical Medicine ; Curriculum ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Learning ; Problem-Based Learning ; Schools, Medical ; Surveys and Questionnaires

A primary fibrosarcoma of the breast is a rare tumor. Here we report on a case of a primary fibrosarcoma of the breast that presented as a palpable left breast mass in a 47-year-old woman. The physical examination revealed a 3 cm sized, round mass in the left upper outer breast. The mammograms revealed a 3 cm sized, partially circumscribed and partially obscured, high density mass in the upper outer quadrant of the left breast. An ultrasonogram demonstrated a 3 cm sized, ovoid, circumscribed and hypoechoic mass with peripheral increased vascularity on Doppler imaging. Surgical excision was performed and the pathology revealed a low grade fibrosarcoma.
Breast ; Female ; Fibrosarcoma ; Humans ; Mammography ; Middle Aged ; Physical Examination

PURPOSE: It has been suggested that prostaglandins (PGs) play an important role in ischemia-reperfusion (IR) organ injury. However, the significance of PGs is not well documented for a testicular IR injury. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential role of PGs in rat testicular ischemia and IR injury MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 7 groups, each containing 7 rats. The right spermatic cord was clamped with vascular clamps for 30 minute (group B, C), 90 minute (D, E) and 240 minute (F, G). Groups B, D, and F were ischemia groups and the group C, E, and G were reperfusion groups. Reperfusion was carried out after ischemia lasting 30, 90 and 240 min. The levels of thromboxane B2 (TxB2), 6-keto-PGF1alpha and prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) were measured using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: The levels of TxB2 were significantly elevated in groups D, E, F, and G than in the controls (p<0.05, each group). The TxB2 levels in the ischemia group F were significantly decreased compared to that of group D (p<0.05). The histological features shown in groups D, and F were typical ischemic changes, but atypical in groups B, and C. The most severe damage was noted in group G. These features were well matched with the changes of TxB2 in testicular ischemia and IR injury. The levels of 6-keto-PGF1alpha were significantly elevated in all the ischemia and IR groups compared to that of the controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that TxB2 might have an active role in testicular IR injury, although PGE2 and 6-keto-PGF1alpha seemed not to have an active role.
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Dinoprostone ; Eicosanoids* ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Male ; Prostaglandins ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion ; Reperfusion Injury* ; Spermatic Cord ; Thromboxane B2