We experienced a case of primary hepatic actinomycosis which was initially diagnosed by means of fine needle aspiration. The patient was a 31-year-old emaciated man with a 2-month history of 10 kg weight loss, right upper quadrant pain and flank pain. The liver was palpable and tender on physical examination. Computerized tomography scan of the liver showed two ill-defined hypodense masses in gallbladder fossa and inferior pole of right lobe. Hepatocellular carcinoma was clinically suspected. A CT-guided fine needle aspiration was performed. Microscopically, smears showed numerous radiating clusters of filamentous bacteria with many neutrophils and monocytes in necrotic background. The symptoms were improved by incision and drainage and massive administration of penicillin.
Actinomycosis ; Adult ; Bacteria ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Breast ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Diverticulum* ; Drainage ; Fibroadenoma ; Flank Pain ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Infarction ; Liver ; Monocytes ; Neutrophils ; Penicillins ; Physical Examination ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux* ; Weight Loss

The hypotensive effect of tripamide(Normonal(R)) were evaluated in 31 cases of essential hypertension. Fifteen to thirty mg of tripamide per day were administered continuously for 8 weeks. The results were as follows; 1) The systolic blood pressure was significantly lowered from 175+/-15 mmHg(Mean+/-SD) before treatment to 144+/-17 mmHg after treatment(p<0.01), and the diastolic blood pressure was significantly lowered from 106+/-11 mmHg before treatment to 90+/-12 mmHg after treatment(p<0.01). 2) The systolic blood pressure was lowered 20 mmHg or more in 25 out of 31 cases(80.7%), and the diastolic blood pressure was decreased 10 mmHg or more in 25 out of 31 cases(80.7%) at the end of 8 weeks treatement. 3) There was no significantl differences in the level of SGOT, serum cholesterol, serum electrolytes(Na+, K+, Cl-), BUN, creatinine and urinc acid before and after treatment with tripamide. 4) In most cases the subjective symptoms disappeared or became easier after tripamide treatment. 5) Profound weakness was developed in 2 cases during tripamide administration.
Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blood Pressure ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Hypertension*

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study analyzing 73 patients treated by decompression, pedicular screw instrumentation and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for lumbosacral spondylolithesis and symptomatic spinal stenosis. we used laminected laminar and spinous process instead of iliac bone. OBJECTIVES: This is to evaluate fusion rate and clinical results of PLIF with laminected laminar and spinous process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PLIF in 73 patients with lumbosacral disorders who carried out at Pohang St. Mary's Hospital from March 1994 to January 1996. Fusion rate was evaluated by simple X-ray and dynamic view. Clinical effect was evaluated by Kirkaldy-Willis criteria. RESULTS: The solid fusion was achieved at 67 cases(91.8%) and the average period of fusion was 6.4 months. Complications were 2 cases of superficial skin infection and 3 cases of root irritation. The functional results by Kirkaldy-Willis were as follows ; excellent 40 cases, good 23 cases, fair 9 cases and poor 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: This PLIF procedure combined with transpedicular instrumentation showed sufficient fusion rate and excellent clinical results and improvement in vertebral alignment.
Decompression ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Spinal Stenosis

This study was made to evaluate the effect of oral atenolol, a cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocking agent without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, on left ventricular function in patient with essential hypertension. Atenolol, 100mg/day, was given to 11 hypertensive patients for 4 weeks, and its effects on arterial pressure, pulse rate, left ventricular dimensions and ejection phase indices of myocardial performance were examined by echocardiography. Echocardiographic studies were performed before treatment and after 4 weeks of atenolol therapy. Arterial pressure fell form 145/90 mmHg to 138/84mmHg after 4 weeks. Pulse rate fell significantly from 69/min to 58/min(p<0.05). Left ventricular end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions and mean rate of circumferential fiber shortening(mVcf) did not change significantly. Ejection fraction increased significantly from 0.66 to 0.72(p=0.01). This results indicate that atenolol in the resting state has no depressant effect on left ventricular function in patients with essential hypertension.
Arterial Pressure ; Atenolol* ; Echocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Ventricular Function, Left*

We report a 18 years old man of brainstem encephalitis with acute ataxia, areflexia and gaze evoked vertical and horizontal nystagmus which is mimicking Miller Fisher syndrome. He had evidences of both peripheral neuropathy in nerve conduction studies and a brainstem encephalitis in MR findings. The possible relationship of the Miller Fisher syndrome and brainstem encephalitis are discussed with brief review of literature.
Adolescent ; Ataxia ; Brain Stem* ; Encephalitis* ; Humans ; Miller Fisher Syndrome* ; Neural Conduction ; Nystagmus, Pathologic ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases

High dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy can improve the clinical course of several immune mediciated diseases. We evaluated clinical effects and side effects of IVIg in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). 19 Patients with GBS were studied prospectively in a placebo-controlled trial. 11 Patients were received high dose IVIg (400mg/kg for 5 days) and controls received only conservative treatment. The disability scores using modified Rankin scores before and after treatment of each group were compared. Four weaks later, mean Rankin Score of IVIg group was 2.5 + 0.7 and control group was 3.3+ 0.5which showed significant difference(p<0.05). There were no serious advers effer of promote early improvement with safety in acute phase of Guillan-Barre syndrome.
Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; Humans ; Immunization, Passive* ; Immunoglobulins* ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Prospective Studies

The wrist joint is often involved in the early stages of the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is regarded as a main target of the disease. Since the wrist plays a key role in the articulations of the upper extremities, appropriate treatment of this joint will preserve the patient's work ability and independence. When surgical intervention is considered, determining the disease extent is as important as the type of rheumatoid involvement. This can be achieved by performing an extensive clinical and functional assessment of the extremities. In addition, understanding radiological findings also helps to determine the type of rheumatoid destruction, and the subsequent treatment algorithms. Success of surgical management depends on a well-considered strategy in the timing of different procedures. Prophylactic surgery, such as a synovectomy of the joint or tendon could be performed in the early stages to prevent further destruction and deformation. As destruction at the radiocarpal level progresses in the later stages of the disease, reconstructive surgery such as partial joint fusion combined with ulnar head resection, total wrist fusion or wrist arthroplasty could be considered. In the event of severe destruction, definitive stabilization by total wrist fusion is indicated. A pain-free, stable wrist joint often outweighs immobility.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Arthrodesis ; Arthroplasty ; Extremities ; Head ; Joints ; Oxalates ; Synovitis ; Tendons ; Upper Extremity ; Wrist ; Wrist Joint

This is to report a case of immediate reconstruction after hemimandibulectomy by using of bicorticocancellous block bone harvested from the iliac crest in the case of an ameloblastomaon the mandible. Because the lesion involved condylar area, it was reconstructed with titanium artificial condyle attached to A/O metal plate. Three weeks after the operation, infection developed with suppuration and was well treated with adequate antibiotic therapy and drainage. The patient has been followed up over a four-year period and taken an orthopantomogram every three or six month for the examination of mandibular movement, the potentiality of recurrence and the remodeling of the grafted bone. At present, the patient is satisfied with her appearence and has a normal occlusion with proper masticatory function, and there is no sign of recurrence.
Ameloblastoma* ; Drainage ; Humans ; Mandible ; Mandibular Osteotomy ; Recurrence ; Suppuration ; Titanium ; Transplants*

Prostate cancer has long been considered a disease with a heterogeneous phenotype. The intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) may affect diverse phenotypes such as treatment response, drug resistance, and overall clinical outcomes. Despite technical advances over the past decade, we have an incomplete understanding of the extent and effects of ITH in prostate cancer progression. We present here a comprehensive review of the various studies dealing with ITH in prostate cancer. We discuss the advanced next-generation sequencing analyses including single cell sequencing and circulating cell-free DNA sequencing that have the impact of heterogeneity on clinical decision making.

Prostate cancer has long been considered a disease with a heterogeneous phenotype. The intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) may affect diverse phenotypes such as treatment response, drug resistance, and overall clinical outcomes. Despite technical advances over the past decade, we have an incomplete understanding of the extent and effects of ITH in prostate cancer progression. We present here a comprehensive review of the various studies dealing with ITH in prostate cancer. We discuss the advanced next-generation sequencing analyses including single cell sequencing and circulating cell-free DNA sequencing that have the impact of heterogeneity on clinical decision making.