PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for extremely large prostates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing HoLEP between July 2008 and December 2013 from the Seoul National University Hospital Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Database Registry were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups according to their total prostate volume (TPV): group A (TPV<100 mL), group B (100 mL< or =TPV<200 mL), and group C (TPV> or =200 mL); the clinical data of the three groups were compared. All patients were followed up 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 502 patients (group A, 426; group B, 70; group C, 6) with a mean age of 69.0 (standard deviation, +/-7.3) years were included in our analysis. The mean prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen level were 68.7+/-36.9 mL and 4.15+/-4.24 ng/mL, respectively. The enucleation and morcellation times were longer in group C (p<0.001), and the enucleation efficacy was higher in this group (p<0.001, R2=0.399). Moreover, the mean postoperative catheterization and hospitalization periods were significantly longer in group C (p=0.004 and p=0.011, respectively). However, there were no significant differences between the groups in any other postoperative events, including recatheterization, reoperation, urinary tract infection, clot retention, and bladder neck contracture (p range, 0.516-0.913). One patient in group C experienced recurrence of the urethral stricture. CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP in patients with an extremely large prostate can be performed efficiently and safely.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Holmium ; Humans ; Laser Therapy/*adverse effects ; Lasers, Solid-State/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organ Size ; *Postoperative Complications ; Prostate/pathology/*surgery ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/*surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate/*methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: It is known that pregnancy markedly influences the clinical course of autoimmune thyroid diseases. In the postpartum period, various kinds of autoimmune thyroid dysfunctions can be observed. Thyroid dysfunction is found in 5.5-7.1% of postpartum women in the general population. Among those who show thyroid dysfunction after delivery, some will develop Graves' disease and others will develop postpartum thyroiditis. It is also known that patients with Graves' disease may manifest thyrotoxicosis in the postpartum period because of postpartum thyroiditis or relapse of the Graves' disease itself. We evaluated the clinical features of postpartum thyrotoxicosis in Graves' disease patients to find diagnostic indices that could be used in differentiating between postpartum thyroiditis and relapse of Graves' disease. METHOD: We reviewed the cases with postpartum thyrotoxicosis in patients that had a history of Graves' disease between 1995 and 2000. The diagnosis of postpartum thyroiditis had been made by means of a 99mTc thyroid scan or by the observation of a typical triphasic thyroid function change, in cases where a 99mTc thyroid scan was not possible because of breast feeding. We measured the serum TSH, free T4, free T3, TSH binding inhibiting immunoglobulin (TBII), anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody, and anti- thyroglobulin (Tg) antibody serially from the time of the diagnosis of Graves' disease to the time of postpartum thyroid dysfunction. RESULTS: Eleven patients, 5 patients in the postpartum thyroiditis (PPT group) and 6 patients with relapse of the Graves' disease (GD group), were identified. The mean values of TBII of two groups at the time of diagnosis of Graves' disease were 40.9+/-4.8 IU/mL (PPT group), 58.9+/-23.5 IU/mL (GD group) respectively, which were insignificant. The mean values of TBII of the two groups at early pregnancy were 3.2+/-1.9 IU/mL (PPT group), 41.6+/-22.6 IU/mL (GD group) and this difference was statistically significant (p=0.009). The mean values of TBII of the two groups at the time of postpartum thyrotoxicosis were 1.9+/-1.6 IU/mL (PPT group), 51.5+/-23.2 IU/mL (GD group) which were also statistically significant (p=0.003). The mean values of anti-TPO antibody, anti-Tg antibody, disease duration, and treatment duration between the two groups were not significantly different. The onsets of thyroid dysfunction after delivery in the two groups were 2.6+/-2.0 (PPT group), 4.0+/-3.9 (GD group) months which were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the measurement of TBII at the time of the postpartum thyrotoxic period, could help to differentiate postpartum thyroiditis from a relapse of Graves' disease in those patients that have a history of Graves' disease especially when thyroid scan is not possible because of breast feeding.
Breast Feeding ; Diagnosis ; Graves Disease* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Peroxidase ; Postpartum Period* ; Postpartum Thyroiditis ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Thyrotropin* ; Recurrence ; Thyroglobulin ; Thyroid Diseases ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotoxicosis

Holoprosencephaly is a rare developmental defect due to incomplete cleavages of the prosencephalon during the third week of fetal development. It was associated with chromosomal anomalies, genetic syndrome, teratogen, or genetic disorder of non-syndromic HPE. Early antenatal detection of holoprosencephaly was done by high resolution ultrasonography. According to its severity and prognosis, it was capable of proper treatment of holoprosencephaly. We report one case of holoprosencephaly with a brief review of the literature
Fetal Development ; Holoprosencephaly* ; Prognosis ; Prosencephalon ; Ultrasonography

Althouth the connective-tissue membrane surrounding a subdural hematoma has been described as hyalinized, calcified partially or in patches, a totally organized, calcified or ossified chronic subdural hematoma in the elderly patient is extremely rate. We report an asymptomatic case of a huge calcified chronic subdural hematoma in a 67-year-old male patient who had no previous trauma history. Computerized tomographic(CT) scan showed an oval-shaped mass with totally calcified rim at the left frontotemporoparietal region. After en-block removal of the calcified mass, postoperative CT scan showed intracerebral hematoma at the deepest portion of the calcified mass that was partially adhesive to the pia mater. The patient suffered from a transient motor aphasia after the operation. Relevant literatures are briefly reviewed.
Adhesives ; Aged ; Aphasia, Broca ; Hematoma ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic* ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Male ; Membranes ; Pia Mater ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To determine which regimen for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is the most effective in achieving pregnancy after intrauterine insemination in the treatment of unexplained infertility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1996 to February 2000, a total of 67 cycles of intrauterine insemination after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were treated in 39 patients under 40 years old who diagnosed as unexplained infertility. Two methods of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were used. The one is clomiphene citrate/hMG and the other is hMG only. These were compared the pregnancy rate respectively. RESULTS: Mean age of study group was 32+/-2.7 years old (28-38 years old) and mean duration of infertility was 46+/-17.8 months (15-96 months). The overall clinical pregnancy rate was 17.9% (12/67 cycle) per cycle and 30.7% (12/39 patient) per patient. According to the methods of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, pregnancy rate was 16.7% (8/48 cycle) after clomiphene citrate/hMG used, 21.1% (4/19 cycle) after hMG only used. 4 cases of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome developed (clomiphene citrate/hMG 1 case, hMG only 3 cases) and all of them were self-regressed. CONCLUSION: Compared with using hMG only as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation before intrauterine insemination, using clomiphene citrate/hMG was more effective regimen and considered as the first choice in the treatment of unexplained infertility.
Adult ; Clomiphene ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility* ; Insemination* ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate

Primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (PPSPC) is very rare and not well identified. Because of developmental, biological and histologic similarity to papillary serous carcinoma of ovary its diagnosis and treatment, prognosis and post treatment follow up schedule is similar that of epithelial ovarian cancer. We have experienced two cases of primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma and report this with brief review of the concerned literatures.
Appointments and Schedules ; Carcinoma, Papillary* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary ; Prognosis

Primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma (PPSPC) is very rare and not well identified. Because of developmental, biological and histologic similarity to papillary serous carcinoma of ovary its diagnosis and treatment, prognosis and post treatment follow up schedule is similar that of epithelial ovarian cancer. We have experienced two cases of primary peritoneal serous papillary carcinoma and report this with brief review of the concerned literatures.
Appointments and Schedules ; Carcinoma, Papillary* ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary ; Prognosis

Peritonitis remains the leading cause of the patient dropout in CAPD in many developing countries. In Korea, 71% of CAPD patients dropout is caused by peritonitis. To elucidate an adequate guideline for treating peritonitis in our country, we analyzed clinical and bacteriologic profiles of peritonitis(1995. 1. 1- 1999. 12. 31). Two hundred and twenty eight episodes of peritonitis were developed in 127/247 patients. The incidence of peritonitis was 0.41/patient-year in general, which was decreased to 0.24/patient-year in 1999. The incidence of causative organisms were as follows; 82(36.0%) by Gram positive organisms, 38 (16.2%) by gram negative organisms, 16 cases(7.0%) by mixed organsisms, and 5 cases(2.2%) by fungus. During study period, the incidence of peritonitis by gram positive organsism was decreased while the incidence of peritonitis by gram negative organism was not changed. Recurrent infection/relapse was noted in 58 patients(45%). Peritonitis were eradicated only in 66% of the cases by initial antibiotics(cefazolin+aminoglycoside); and another 17% responded by second line antibiotics. Peritoneal catheters were removed in 38 episodes(16.7%). Patients with exit infection were more frequent in removal of catheter. Risk factor analysis was performed in 146 patients, who were newly started CAPD. There were 60 initial episodes of peritonitis(mean duration of follow up was 16.7 patient months). Sixty-five percent were free of peritonitis at the end of first year, 54% at the end of second year and 45% at the end of third year (Kaplan-Meier). Factors such as age, sex, underlying DM, were not risk factor for CAPD peritonitis. In conclusion, we observed that the incidence of peritonitis decreased every year. It was revealed however that only 66% of peritonitis can be successfully treated by first line antibiotics. Second line antibiotics such as ceftazidime may need to be introduced in early phase of CAPD peritonitis. Up to one third of patients had recurrent infection/relapse, which raised the incidence of peritonitis. Continuing education as well as better exit care is needed to improve technical survival of CAPD patients in Korea.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters ; Ceftazidime ; Developing Countries ; Education, Continuing ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fungi ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Patient Dropouts ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis* ; Risk Factors*

A 25-year-old male presented with mitral insufficiency, perimembranous type of ventricular septal defect, pulmonary edema and renal insufficiency. The initial serum creatinine level was 16.2mg/dl. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus viridans and appropriate antibiotic therapy was initiated. Renal biopsy revealed diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis with crescents involving all of the glomeruli. Even after adequate duration of treatment with antibiotics, surgical therapy, and high dose steroid therapy, renal function did not recover and the patient ended up with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. We present a case of crescentic glomerulonephritis associated with bacterial endocarditis with a review of the literature.
Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Creatinine ; Endocarditis, Bacterial* ; Glomerulonephritis* ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Male ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory ; Pulmonary Edema ; Renal Insufficiency ; Viridans Streptococci

As a single CAPD center in Korea, we, at the department of internal medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, conducted a retrospective study in CAPD patients for the causes of death, patient survival rate, technique success rate, and risk factors. We enrolled in our study 167 patients who had began CAPD as an initial replacement therapy for end stage renal disease from March 1992 to July 1997 and survived for more than 2 months. As the prognostic factors of patient survival and technique success, we analyzed demographic features, clinical features including comorbid conditions at the beginning of CAPD, and laboratory findings at the beginning and 6 months after the start of CAPD. The mean age of patients was 49.8 12.5, and sex ratio was 1.4: 1(M: F). The mean follow-up period was 24.0 +/- 14.4 months. Cerebrovasular accident(CVA), the patient giving up on the treatment, cardiac dis- eases and peritonitis were the main causes of death in CAPD patients. Among the causes of death, although CVA and the patient giving up on the treatment were relatively important, the most im- portant causes of death were cardiovascular diseases. The 2 year survival rate and 4 year survival rate of CAPD patients were 89.4% and 55.579o respectively ; the 2 year technique success rate and 4 year technique success rate of CAPD were 87.37% and 63.18% respectively ; and the mean survival period and technique success period were 50.57 +/- 2.42 and 49.37 +/- 2.85 rnonths, respectively. We determined the independent prognostic factors for patient survival to be diabetes mellitus(p=0.0004, relative risk=5.9263) and liver cirrhosis(p=0.0032, RR=5.3211) using multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazard model. Although the results were statistically insignificant, the patients with cardiac diseases(p=0.0961, RR= 2.0116) and older patients who were over 60 years old(p=0.1312, RR=1.8431) had a poor prognosis. The probable prognostic factors for 2 year survival of patients, considered marker of risk factors for early death, were DM, liver cirrhosis, and cardiac diseases, though statistically insignificant, and they were similar to prognostic factors for the patient survival during the entire period. The independent prognostic factor of technique failure of CAPD was DM(p= 0.0150, RR=2.6762). The patient survival rate and technique success rate of CAPD patients were similar to the outcomes reported in other countries. However, the fact that liver cirrhosis was included as one of the independent prognostic factors seems to reflect a disease characteristic of Korean population in whom chronic liver diseases are prevalent. Due to ever increasing pro- portions of DM, cardiac diseases, and older patients in CAPD patients and the prevalence of liver cirrhosis in Korea, more intensive management is necessary for CAPD patients with these disorders/ conditions.
Adult* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cause of Death ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Internal Medicine ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Liver Diseases ; Multivariate Analysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis ; Prevalence ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Sex Ratio ; Survival Rate