Targetoid hemosideric hemangioma represents a distinctive, benign, vascular tumor. Histologically, it is a noncircumscribed vascular proliferation that may extend into the subcutaneous tissue. The superficial component is composed of ectactic dermal vascular lumina with intradermal papillary projections. The deeper component is composed of angular lumina dissecting collagen bundles. We present a case of targetoid hemosideric hemangioma which was presented as solitary nodule on left thigh.
Collagen ; Hemangioma* ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Thigh

PURPOSE: This questionnaire study was conducted to examine sexual problems and assess the effect of sexual rehabilitation education on the marital intimacy in patients with spinal cord injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 45 male patients with spinal cord injuries were evaluated for sexual problems using a questionnaire. The patients were divided into two groups: control group (n=16) and trial group (n=16). Sexual rehabilitation education for patients, using manual and video tapes, was provided. The effect of sexual rehabilitation education on marital intimacy was assessed in the two groups. Using Student's t-test (paired), Student's t-test the scores of marital intimacy measured before and after the sexual rehabilitation education were compared. RESULTS: After one year, 80% (36/45) of the subjects recovered normal sexual desire, and 51% (23/45) recovered normal erectile function, most of who had been proved to have sustained a spinal cord injury at the cervical or thoracic level. Normal erectile function was more frequently seen in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury than in those with complete spinal cord injury. 31% (14/45) were able to ejaculate and 29% (13/45) experienced orgasm. After sustaining a spinal cord injury, 87% (39/45) were aware of sexual rehabilitation education. However, only 13% (5/45) were informed by their healthcare professionals. After sexual rehabilitation education, a significant increase in marital intimacy was found in the trial compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our results indicate that sexual rehabilitation education is effective at increasing the marital intimacy of patients with a spinal cord injury. Moreover, these patients must receive relevant care and education from their healthcare professionals, which must also be in a persistent manner.
Delivery of Health Care ; Education* ; Humans ; Male* ; Orgasm ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rehabilitation* ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord*

Heterotopic pregnancy, simultaneous intrauterine and extrauterine pregnancy, is an extremely rare case. The incidence of heterotopic pregnancy was about 1 to 30,000 pregnancies, but it has increased after wider use of assisted reproductive technology. The rising incidence presents a serious problem as the diagnosis of this potentially fatal condition is often missed. Careful pelvic examination combined with serial beta-hCG determinations, and transvaginal sonography to evaluate the adnexal region are necessary prerequisites for early diagnosis. We report a case of heterotopic pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer(IVF-ET) with a brief review of literature.
Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Gynecological Examination ; Incidence ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Heterotopic* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted

PURPOSE: Barely sprout is a well-known oriental herbal medicine with a wide range of health benefits. Recent studies have provided scientific evidence of its therapeutic effects with expanded application. This study investigated anti-melanogenic effect of barley sprout water extract (BSE) in murine melanocyte B16F10. METHODS: Various concentrations (0, 50, 125, and 250 µg/mL) of BSE and arbutin (150 ppm) were applied to B16F10 stimulated with or without alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (100 nM) for 72 hours. The whitening potency of BSE was determined altered cellular melanin contents. Activity and expression of tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) were also assayed. RESULTS: Experimental results revealed that treatment with BSE reduced cellular melanin production by approximately 40% compared to the control. Molecular findings supported that suppressed activity and expression of tyrosinase and MITF proteins by BSE were associated with declined cellular melanogenesis. Furthermore, anti-melanogenic effect of BSE (250 µg/mL) was similar to that of arbutin, a commonly used whitening agent. Lastly, polyphenols including p-coumaric, ferulic, and vanillic acids were identified in BSE using HPLC analyses. They might be potential active ingredients showing such melanogenesis-reducing effect. CONCLUSION: BSE was evident to possess favorable anti-melanogenic potency in an in vitro model. As a natural food sourced material, BSE could be an effective depigmentation agent with potential application in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Arbutin ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Herbal Medicine ; Hordeum ; In Vitro Techniques ; Insurance Benefits ; Melanins ; Melanocytes ; Melanoma ; Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor ; Monophenol Monooxygenase ; Polyphenols ; Therapeutic Uses ; Vanillic Acid ; Water

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accuracy of three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound-assessed fetal thigh volumetry in predicting birth weight with that of other commonly used formulas composed of biparietal dimeter (BPD), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) by two-dimentional (2-D) ultrasonography. METHODS: From May 1999 to February 2000 we performed a prospective study of ultrasonography on 100 pregnant women. We assessed the thigh volume of 100 fetuses using 3-D ultrasonography. Meanwhile their BPD, AC, and FL were measured by 2-D ultrasonography. All infants were delivered within 48 hours after the ultrasound examinations. RESULTS: The thigh volume assessed by 3-D ultrasonography was highly correlated with birth weight (r=0.414, n=100, p<0.0001). The 3-D formula had small mean values of absolute mean error (gm) (64.26), absolute mean error (%) (10.20+/-0.80). As well, the 2-D formulas had similar mean values. However, no significant differences in predicting birth weight were found between 3-D formula and 2-D formulas. CONCLUSION: The 3-D ultrasound method assessed by thigh volume showed better accuracy in predicting birth weight than 2-D methed. Further studies may be needed to confirm our conclusions.
Birth Weight* ; Female ; Femur ; Fetus ; Humans ; Infant ; Parturition* ; Pregnant Women ; Prospective Studies ; Thigh* ; Ultrasonography*

PURPOSE:This study was performed to determine the clinical course of BCG lymphadenitis. METHODS:Between May 2005 and April 2009, the medical records of 33 patients with BCG lymphadenitis were retrospectively reviewed. If needed, needle aspiration was recommended without surgical resection or antituberculous medication. RESULTS:Of the 33 patients who were identified, 21 were males and 12 were females. Among the 33 patients, 32 were full-term babies. The mean age was 6 months (range, 2-35 months) and the most prevalent site of the lesion was the left axilla. BCG lymphadenitis was observed 1-34 months after BCG vaccination, mostly 1-6 months after vaccination. The size of the enlargement was generally 1-3 cm. The strains were identified as French (n=14), Danish (n=7), and Tokyo (n=12). BCG lymphadenitis regressed spontaneously in 19 patients. After 1-5 needle aspirations, 14 patients recovered completely. Complete regression of lymphadenitis was recorded over an average period of 4 months. CONCLUSION:Clinicians need to be aware of the clinical features of BCG lymphadenitis. For management of BCG lymphadenitis, regular follow-up with observation should be the mainstay. Needle aspiration is a safe and easy treatment for suppurative BCG lymphadenitis.
Aspirations (Psychology) ; Axilla ; BCG Vaccine ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymphadenitis ; Male ; Medical Records ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Needles ; Retrospective Studies ; Tokyo ; Vaccination

Nodular fasciitis is a benign proliferative spindle-cell lesion that presents as a rapidly growing mass with rich cellularity and mitotic activity, leading to its frequent misidentification of a sarcoma. Most cases of nodular fasciitis are diagnosed in adults aged 20-40 years and is rarely seen during the first 4-5 years of life. Because of its rapid growth and bony erosion, it often mimics malignancy. We report a case of an 18-month-old infant with a rapidly growing mass on the right nasolabial fold. Because of the anatomic location and CT findings, we first suspected nasolabial cyst. However, it proved to be an intramuscular type of nodular fasciitis, a very rare occurrence in infancy.
Adult ; Aged ; Fasciitis ; Humans ; Infant ; Nasolabial Fold ; Sarcoma

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) had gradually been declining all over the world, but in recent years, TB has been increasing due to the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). When immune-suppression status deteriorates further, extrapulmonary TB generally appears more often. Abdominal TB is one type of extra-pulmonary TB, which may involve the gastrointestinal tract, peritoneum, lymph nodes or solid viscera. We encountered a case who had initially been diagnosed as having abdominal TB, had progressed to acute respiratory distress syndrome and was eventually confirmed as having developed acquired immune deficiency syndrome. In cases of coinfection of TB and HIV, it is reported that immunological responses become poor and complications with higher morbidity frequently occur. Therefore, the Korean guidelines for TB should be revised to ensure whether HIV infection exists in TB patients.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome* ; Coinfection ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Peritoneum ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; Tuberculosis* ; Viscera

BACKGROUND: Human chorionic plate-derived mesenchymal stem cells (CP-MSCs) isolated from the placenta have been reported to demonstrate therapeutic effects in animal models of liver injury; however, the underlying epigenetic mechanism of this effect has not been elucidated. Thus, we investigated whether CP-MSCs influence epigenetic processes during regeneration of the injured liver. METHODS: CP-MSCs were engrafted into a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-injured rat model through direct transplantation into the liver (DTX), intrasplenic transplantation (STX), and intravenous transplantation via the tail vein (TTX). Non-transplanted (NTX) rats were maintained as sham controls. Liver tissues were analyzed after transplantation using immunohistochemistry, western blot analysis, and quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. Proliferation and human interleukin-6 (hIL-6) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed using CCl4-treated hepatic cells that were co-cultured with CP-MSCs. RESULTS: The Ki67 labeling index, cell cyclins, albumin, IL-6, and gp130 levels were elevated in the CP-MSC transplantation groups. The concentration of hIL-6 in supernatants and the proliferation of CCl4-treated rat hepatic cells were enhanced by co-culturing with CP-MSCs (p<0.05), while the methylation of IL-6/IL-6R and STAT3 by CP-MSC transplantation decreased. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that administration of CP-MSCs promotes IL-6/STAT3 signaling by decreasing the methylation of the IL-6/SATA3 promoters and thus inducing the proliferation of hepatic cells in a CCl4-injured liver rat model. These data advance our understanding of the therapeutic mechanisms in injured livers, and can facilitate the development of cell-based therapies using placenta-derived stem cells.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Chorion ; Cyclins ; DNA Methylation ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Epigenomics* ; Hepatocytes ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-6 ; Liver Regeneration ; Liver* ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Methylation ; Models, Animal* ; Placenta ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats ; Regeneration* ; Stem Cells* ; Veins

Although tonsillectomy is a common surgical procedure in the otolaryngological department, subcutaneous emphysema after tonsillectomy is a rare complication. While most of the cases are benign and self-limiting, severe sequelae, such as tracheal compression, pneumopericardium, are possible. We present two patients with cervical emphysema after tonsillectomy, and focus on explaining the possible pathologic mechanisms, diagnosis, appropriate management, and nature course of cervical emphysema after tonsillectomy.
Diagnosis ; Emphysema* ; Humans ; Mediastinal Emphysema ; Pneumopericardium ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Tonsillectomy*