BACKGROUND: Polarization sensitive-optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) provides the unique advantage of being able to measure the optical characteristics of tissues by using polarized light. Although the well-organized fibers of healthy muscle can change the polarization states of passing light, damaged tissue has different behaviors. There are studies on optical imaging methods applied to the respiratory organs; however, they are restricted to structural imaging. In particular, the intercostal muscle situated under the pleura is very challenging to visualize due to the difficulty of access.METHOD: In this study, PS-OCT was used to identify subpleural cancer in male New Zealand white rabbits (3.2–3.4 kg) and to assess the phase retardation changes in normal and cancerous chest walls. VX2 cell suspension was injected between the intercostal muscle and parietal pleura and a tented area was observed by thoracic scope. A group of rabbits (n = 3) were sacrificed at day 7 after injection and another group (n = 3) at day 14. RESULTS: In the PS-OCT images, pleura thickness changes and muscle damage were criteria to understand the stages of the disease. The results of image and phase retardation analysis matched well with the pathologic examinations. CONCLUSION We were able to visualize and analyze subpleural cancer by PS-OCT, which provided structural and functional information. The measured phase retardation could help to identify the margin of the tumor. For further studies, various approaches into other diseases using polarization light are expected to have positive results.

BACKGROUND: Polarization sensitive-optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) provides the unique advantage of being able to measure the optical characteristics of tissues by using polarized light. Although the well-organized fibers of healthy muscle can change the polarization states of passing light, damaged tissue has different behaviors. There are studies on optical imaging methods applied to the respiratory organs; however, they are restricted to structural imaging. In particular, the intercostal muscle situated under the pleura is very challenging to visualize due to the difficulty of access.METHOD: In this study, PS-OCT was used to identify subpleural cancer in male New Zealand white rabbits (3.2–3.4 kg) and to assess the phase retardation changes in normal and cancerous chest walls. VX2 cell suspension was injected between the intercostal muscle and parietal pleura and a tented area was observed by thoracic scope. A group of rabbits (n = 3) were sacrificed at day 7 after injection and another group (n = 3) at day 14. RESULTS: In the PS-OCT images, pleura thickness changes and muscle damage were criteria to understand the stages of the disease. The results of image and phase retardation analysis matched well with the pathologic examinations. CONCLUSION We were able to visualize and analyze subpleural cancer by PS-OCT, which provided structural and functional information. The measured phase retardation could help to identify the margin of the tumor. For further studies, various approaches into other diseases using polarization light are expected to have positive results.

Hemangiomas are the most common benign tumors of the liver. They are generally asymptomatic, but giant hemangiomas can lead to abdominal discomfort, bleeding, or obstructive symptoms. Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is a rare but life-threatening complication of hemangioma, characterized by consumptive coagulopathy with large vascular tumors. More than 80% of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome cases occur within the first year of life. However, there are few reports of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome with giant hepatic hemangioma in adults and, as far as we know, no reports of Kasabach-Merritt syndrome with hepatic hemangioma treated with first line medical treatment only. The most important treatment for this syndrome is removal of the large vascular tumor. However, surgical treatment entails risk of bleeding, and the patient's condition can mitigate against surgery. We herein present a case of unresectable giant hepatic hemangioma with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. The patient was a 60-year-old woman who complained of hematochezia, ecchymosis, and abdominal distension. She refused all surgical management and was therefore treated with systemic glucocorticoids and beta-blockers. After two weeks of steroid therapy, she responded partially to the treatment. Her laboratory findings and hematochezia improved. She was discharged on hospital day 33 and observed without signs of bleeding for three months.
Abdomen/diagnostic imaging ; Ecchymosis/etiology ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/etiology ; Hemangioma/complications/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome/complications/*diagnosis/drug therapy ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone/therapeutic use ; Propranolol/therapeutic use ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic value of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on initial positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and investigate the clinical value of SUVmax for early detection of locoregional recurrent disease after postoperative radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 patients with locally advanced HNSCC received primary tumor excision and neck dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. The MTV and SUVmax were measured from primary sites and neck nodes. The prognostic value of MTV and SUVmax were assessed using initial staging PET/CT (study A). Follow-up PET/CT scan available after postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy were evaluated for the SUVmax value and correlated with locoregional recurrence (study B). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to define a threshold value of SUVmax with the highest accuracy for recurrent disease assessment. RESULTS: High MTV (>41 mL) is negative prognostic factor for disease free survival (p = 0.041). Postradiation SUVmax was significantly correlated with locoregional recurrence (hazard ratio, 1.812; 95% confidence interval, 1.361 to 2.413; p < 0.001). A cut-off value of 5.38 from follow-up PET/CT was identified as having maximal accuracy for detecting locoregional recurrence by ROC analysis. CONCLUSION: MTV at staging work-up was significantly associated with disease free survival. The SUVmax value from follow-up PET/CT showed high diagnostic accuracy for the detection of locoregional recurrence in postoperatively irradiated HNSCC.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Chemoradiotherapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Electrons ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Neck ; Neck Dissection ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Radiotherapy, Adjuvant ; Recurrence ; ROC Curve ; Tumor Burden

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Revaprazan (Revanex(R)) is a novel proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that has a somewhat different effect on proton pump compared with the other PPI's, also (called as 'acid pump antagonist'). We aimed to examine the false negative rate of 13C-urea breath test (UBT) in the patients with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) associated peptic ulcer disease who were treated with revaprazan and evaluate the anti-urease activity of revaprazan. METHODS: Total 55 patients were enrolled in this study. They received EGD examination between January 2009 and December 2009 and diagnosed histologically as H. pylori associated peptic ulcer disease. All patients took revaprazan only. Three patients were excluded because of underlying chronic disease and inappropriate breath sampling. The remaining 52 patients had UBT at 0, 2 and 4 weeks of revaprazan use. After 2 weeks of the cessation of revaprazan, they had the fourth UBT. RESULTS: At 2 and 4 weeks, the false negative rates of UBT were 5.8% and 23.1%, respectively (p=0.05). After 2 weeks of the cessation, the cases of the false negative result were five. Four out of five patients had prolonged negative results on two or three successive tests, and baseline 13C difference value did not predict the false negative results. CONCLUSIONS: False negative results of UBT were common and increased with prolonged use of acid pump antagonist. As PPI, it had also anti-urease activity and most patients (47/52, 90.4%) reverted to positive results by 2 weeks after the cessation of taking the medication.
*Breath Tests ; Carbon Isotopes ; False Negative Reactions ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/complications/*diagnosis ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peptic Ulcer/*drug therapy/microbiology ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/*therapeutic use ; Pyrimidinones/*therapeutic use ; Tetrahydroisoquinolines/*therapeutic use ; Urea/*diagnostic use

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of levofloxacin and rifaximin based quadruple regimen as first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection. A prospectively randomized, double-blinded, parallel group, comparative study was performed. Three hundred consecutive H. pylori positive patients were randomized to receive: omeprazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin (OAC); omeprazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin (OAL); and omeprazole, amoxicillin, levofloxacin, rifaximin (OAL-R). The eradication rates in the intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses were: OAC, 77.8% and 85.6%; OAL, 65.3% and 73.6%; and OAL-R, 74.5% and 80.2%. The eradication rate achieved with OAC was higher than with OAL on the ITT (P = 0.05) and PP analysis (P = 0.04). OAL-R regimen was not inferior to OAC. The frequency of moderate to severe adverse effects was significantly higher in OAC treatment group. Especially, diarrhea was most common complaint, and there was a significantly low rate of moderate to severe diarrhea with the rifaximin containing regimen. In conclusion, the levofloxacin and rifaximin based regimen comes up to the standard triple therapy, but has a limited efficacy in a Korean cohort. The rifaximin containing regimen has a very high safety profile for H. pylori eradication therapy.
Adult ; Aged ; Amoxicillin/administration & dosage ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/*administration & dosage ; Clarithromycin/administration & dosage ; Diarrhea/chemically induced ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections/complications/*drug therapy ; *Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ofloxacin/*administration & dosage ; Omeprazole/administration & dosage ; Peptic Ulcer/complications/*drug therapy ; Prospective Studies ; Rifamycins/*administration & dosage

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between pre-morbid personality and depression scales in patients with stroke. METHOD: The subjects of this study included 45 patients with stroke and their caregivers. We conducted an interview of patients with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and also evaluated general characteristic (age, sex, location of lesion, cause of stroke, duration of illness, educational background, history of medication for depression) and functional level. Caregivers were evaluated with Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD) for depressive mood, with NEO-PI (Neuroticism, Extraversion and Openness Personality Inventory) for pre-morbid personality. The results of each questionnaire were analyzed in order to investigate their correlation. The results were statistically analyzed with independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: The HRSD score of the caregivers had a significant correlation with the BDI score (p=0.001) of the patients. The BDI score correlated with Neuroticism (p=0.021) and the HRSD score also correlated with Neuroticism (p=0.015). There were no statistical correlation of depression with sex, age, case of stroke, location of lesion, duration of illness and functional level. CONCLUSION: Among pre-morbid personalities, neuroticism of NEO-PI is the only factor which is significantly correlated with depression scales in stroke patients. Evaluating pre-morbid personality can be helpful in predicting the depressive mood in stroke patients, so we may have early intervention for it.
Anxiety Disorders ; Caregivers ; Depression ; Early Intervention (Education) ; Extraversion (Psychology) ; Humans ; Stroke ; Weights and Measures

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic kidney disease is recognized as an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease. It is unknown whether renal function predicts clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke. The present study was aimed at examining the correlation between the degree of renal dysfunction and stroke outcome. METHODS: Our retrospective study included 282 consecutive patients hospitalized due to acute ischemic stroke. Renal function was assessed by the estimated Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), using two METHODS: Cockcroft-Gault equation and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. Each of the estimated GFRs were categorized into three groups (Group I: > or = 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, Group II: 45~59 mL/min/1.73 m2, Group III: 15~44 mL/min/1.73 m2). From collected patient databases, we compared mortality and rate of hospitalization to GFR at 1 month and 12 months follow up. RESULTS: Our study found that, based on the GFR, the 1 year mortality, using the Cockcroft-Gault equation, was 6.0% in group I, 20.3% in group II and 21.1% in group III and, using the MDRD equation, 9.1%, 12.5% and 37.5%, respectively. Patients with lower GFRs exhibited an increased odds ratio for 1 year mortality when estimated by the Cockcroft-Gault equation: 3.97 (1.7~9.2, 95% CI) in group II and 4.16 (1.2~14.5, 95% CI) in group III. Based on the MDRD equation, patients with lower GFRs also exhibited an increased odds ratio for 1-year mortality: 1.43 (0.5~4.4, 95% CI) in group II and 6.00 (1.3~26.8, 95% CI) in group III. The adjusted odds ratio for 1-year mortality also increased based on our analysis using either equation. CONCLUSIONS: Decline of GFR and severity of chronic kidney disease are associated with poor clinical outcomes of acute ischemic stroke.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Diet ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Odds Ratio ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke

PURPOSE: The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing. Accordingly, hospitalization and mortalities associated with CKD also have increased. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of CKD, and explore the causative risk factors. METHODS: One thousand one hundred and forty-seven patients who underwent the mass health screening test at Chonnam National University Hospital between July 2007 and December 2007 were studied. The prevalence of CKD and possible risk factors such as gender, previous history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, smoker status (current and ex-smoker), BMI, increased LDL cholesterol, triglyceride levels, HDL cholesterol level and anemia were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 631 male and 616 female subjects. Mean age was 48.6 years and mean glomerular filtration rate was 117.2+/-28.7 ml/min/1.73m2. The prevalence of CKD was 10.3%, and the prevalence of advanced CKD (CKD stage 3-5) was 0.5%. The prevalence of advanced CKD was higher in subjects with diabetes. The awareness of CKD was very low. Factors independently associated with CKD were sex favoring men (odd ratio [OR], 2.106; 95% CI, 1.436-3.090), smoker (OR, 0.575; 95% CI, 0.382-0.867), DM (OR, 2.395; 95% CI, 1.338-4.286), inadequate blood sugar (OR, 2.536; 95% CI, 1.267-5.077), HDL<40 mg/dL (OR, 0.418; 95% CI, 0.191-0.915) in a univariate analysis. With a multivariate analysis, female gender (OR, 2.123; 95% CI, 1.209-3.730) was the only independent risk factor for CKD. CONCLUSION: Since the CKD is a public health burden, closer attention is needed to prevent the CKD in the high-risk group.
Anemia ; Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kidney Diseases ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: A forceps-biopsy is performed to acquire tissue from patients with an endobronchial carcinoma using a flexible bronchoscope. Recently, a cryo-biopsy has also been used to acquire tissue samples. Cryo-biopsy is the diagnostic application of extreme cold for the local destruction of abnormal living tissue. This technique is safe, with no radiation danger, no risk of electrical accidents, and a little risk of bleeding. This study compared a forceps-biopsy with a cryo-biopsy using a flexible bronchoscope, and examined the chemosensitivity and level of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) in the specimens obtained from the cryo-biopsy. METHODS: We present a prospective study of 30 consecutive patients who underwent a forceps-biopsy between January 2007 and October 2007 with a mean age of 62.1 years and a male:female ratio of 5 : 1. A flexible bronchoscope was inserted to the area of the abnormal lesions, and a cryo-probe was then applied through the working channel of the flexible bronchoscope. A temperature of approximately -80 was delivered to the tumor site for 8 seconds. The cryo-biopsy was performed after destroying the tumor mass. RESULTS: The mean size of the tissue from the forceps-biopsy and cryo-biopsy were 2.0+/-1.2 mm and 6.0+/-3.0 mm. A chemosensitivity test was performed on 5 specimens obtained using cryo-biopsy and the level of VEGF was examined in 2 specimens obtained from a cryo-biopsy. There were no side effects in either group. CONCLUSION: Cryo-biopsy using a flexible bronchoscope is a safe and effective technique for acquiring tissue samples.
Bronchoscopes ; Bronchoscopy ; Extreme Cold ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Prospective Studies ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A