Bleomycin, a tumoricidal antibiotic agent, may produce unusual cutaneous manifestations such as pigmentation scleroderma, and gangrene. We report a case of the development of linear streaky pigmentation and cutaneous scleroderma in a patient treated with bleomycin for choriocarcinoma of undescented testis. The patient was 45-year-old male presented with linear brown and slate gray streaking over the trunk and extremities after three cycles of chemotherapy(bleomycin, etoposide, cisplatine). After the fourth cycle of the same chemotherapy, 18 weeks after initiation of bleomycin, the development of cutaneous scleroderma-like conditions was observed involving the same sites. Histopathologic examination showed increased basal pigmentation and thick collagen bundles through the entire dermis, extending to the subcutis. Herein, we describe a case of streaky pigmentation and scleroderma in association with bleomycin anticancer chemotherapy simultaneously in a patient.
Bleomycin* ; Choriocarcinoma ; Collagen ; Dermis ; Drug Therapy ; Etoposide ; Extremities ; Female ; Gangrene ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pigmentation* ; Pregnancy ; Testis

By means of hospital-based data over 8 years we sought to evaluate the clinical indications and incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy by demographic characteristic and reproduction history. From the obstetric record of all deliveries at Chung Goo Hospital between Jan. 1, 1990, and Nov. 31, 1997, we identified all women undergoing emergency cesarean hysterectomy, calculated incidence rates, conducted statistical tests of linear trends and heterogenety, and observed the clinical indicatons preceding the onset of this procedure. There were 16731 deliveries during this period, Cesarean hysterectomy was performed in 24 of 5993 cesarean sections(0.40%) and in 10 of 10738 vaginal deleveries(0.09%), so more frequently after cesarean section than vaginal delivery. The age of patients varied from 22 to 40 years old. The higher the age and the parity of patients, the higher incidence of cesarean hysterectomy was noted. The most common indication of cesarean hysterectomy was uterine atony(52.94%) followed by placental disorders(41.18%), uterine myoma with pregnancy(2.9%) and uterine rupture (2.9%). All patients who had hysterectomy received transfusion from 1 pint to 57 pints. The postoperative complications were bladder injury, febrile morbidity, disseminated intravascular coaguolopathy and wound disruption. There were three maternal deaths, the cause was disseminated intravascular coaguolopathy and amniotic embolism. The data identifiy uterine atony as the primary cause for gravid hysterctomy. The data also illustrated how the incidence of emergency peripartum hysterectomy increases significantly with increasing parity, especially when influenced by a current placenta previa or a prior cesarean section. Maternal morbidity remained high.
Adult ; Cesarean Section ; Embolism ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy* ; Incidence ; Leiomyoma ; Maternal Death ; Parity ; Peripartum Period* ; Placenta Previa ; Postoperative Complications ; Pregnancy ; Reproduction ; Urinary Bladder ; Uterine Inertia ; Uterine Rupture ; Wounds and Injuries

Acoustic stimulation test(AST), is currently being used as an alternative tool of nonstress test (NST). However, there are no standard guideline for analysis of AST. Computerized numerical analysis of AST would be helpful for development of diagnostic criteria of AST. Fifty-one normal pre-term pregnancies entered to this study after conventional 20-minutes NST and 10-minutes AST. Acoustic stimulations were performed using Fetal Acoustic Stimulator (Model 146, Corometrics, US). We analyzed the FHR response after acoustic stimulation using our on-line computerized FHR analysis system, HYFM-I & II software. The changes of loss of signal, baseline FHR, variability, number of fetal movements, and number of FHR accelerations were analyzed numerically. The loss of signal was increased about 2 fold(122.61%). The baseline FHR was increased from 144.57bpm to 156.81bpm(8.5%) after acoustic stimulation. Number of fetal movements was increased about 2 fold(from 2.1 to 4.12/10 minutes). FHR variability was also increased from 17.81 bpm to 26.37 bpm. After AST, number of FHR accelaration was increased 55.47%(10sec 10bpm) and 68.42%(15sec 15bpm), respectively. In this study, we acrumulated elemental FHR data using computerized system after AST. These data would be helpful in the accurate analysis of AST and also enable us to develop the objective interpretation system for AST.
Acceleration ; Acoustic Stimulation* ; Acoustics* ; Female ; Fetal Heart* ; Fetal Movement ; Heart Rate, Fetal* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy*

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy is a marked increase in both the absolute number and rate in recent years. But dramatic decrease in death from ectopic pregnancies probably due to improved diagnosis and management. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of intramuscular Methotrexate(MTX) injection on the treatment of ectopic pregnancy. The method of the study was made by the retrospective clinical observations on the 32 cases of unruptured ectopic pregnancies in Chung Goo Sung Sim hospital, department of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The results were as follows: 1) The most frequent age group was 25-29 year group(37.5%). 2) Nullipara was 31.3% and the case who experienced artificial abortion was 75%. 3) A previous history of abdominal or pelvic surgery was in 40.6% and pelvic inflammatory in 6.3%. 4) The mean ectopic gestational week was 6.4 weeks, 5) On symptomatological analysis, lower abdominal pain was encounted 53.1%, vaginal spotting was 40.6%. 6) The resolution of patients was obtained in 29 cases(90.6%)of 32 unruptured tubal pregnancies with intramuscular methotrexate treatment. 7) The mean resolution duration was 23.8 days. 8) The side effects of methotrexate were observed in 10 cases(31.2%)of 32 unruptured tubal pregnancies, but the severity of symptoms was mild. Consequently, tveatment by intramuscular injection of MTX expects to be one of the therapies alternating to surgery. However success rate remained 90.6% with and toxicity rate 31.2% with MTX injection. Therefore patients selection criteria and MTX dosage adjustment are more stricdy required for rising success rate and avoidance of toxic complication.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Injections, Intramuscular ; Methotrexate* ; Metrorrhagia ; Obstetrics ; Patient Selection ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic* ; Pregnancy, Tubal ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUND: Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is known to increase blood flow to the innervations area of the stellate ganglion. Near infrared spectroscopy reflects an increased blood volume and allows continuous, non-invasive, and bedside monitoring of regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2). We investigated the influence of SGB on bilateral cerebral oxygenation using a near infrared spectroscopy. METHODS: SGB was performed on 30 patients with 1% lidocaine 10 ml using a paratracheal technique at the C6 level and confirmed by the presence of Horner's syndrome. The blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR) and rSO2 were measured before SGB and 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes after SGB. Tympanic temperature of each ear was measured prior to SGB and 20 minutes after SGB. RESULTS: The increments of the rSO2 on the block side from the baseline were statistically significant at 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes. The rSO2 on the non-block side compared with the baseline, however, decreased at 15 and 20 minutes. The difference between the block and the non-block sides was significant at 15 and 20 minutes. The BP at 10, 15 and 20 minutes was increased and the HR was increased at 10 and 15 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an increment of the rSO2 on the block side from the baseline; however, the rSO2 on the non-block side decreased.
Blood Pressure ; Blood Volume ; Ear ; Heart Rate ; Horner Syndrome ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Oxygen ; Spectrum Analysis ; Stellate Ganglion

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Humans ; Soil*

PURPOSE: Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) is considered an important prognostic factor in meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). The aim of this study was to determine the comorbid risk factors for PPHN in infants with MAS. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 60 infants diagnosed with MAS and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the Sanggye Paik Hospital from January 2007 to April 2013. There were 28 infants (47%) with PPHN and 32 infants (53%) without PPHN. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings within 24 hours after birth, and initial capillary blood gas analysis results were compared between infants with and without PPHN. RESULTS: Incidence of PPHN was associated with the severity of MAS (P<0.001). The PPHN group had a greater incidence of hypotension and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy within 24 hours of birth compared to the non-PPHN group. The PPHN group also had a lower initial pH. However, there was no significant difference for laboratory findings within 24 hours of birth and initial capillary blood gas analysis. In the multivariate analysis, hypotension within 24 hours of birth (P=0.046, odds ratio 11.494, 95% confidence interval 1.048-125.00) was found to be a significant comorbid factor for PPHN in infants with MAS. CONCLUSION: Infants with MAS who develop hypotension within 24 hours of birth should be closely monitored for development of PPHN.
Blood Gas Analysis ; Capillaries ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Hypotension ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Meconium Aspiration Syndrome* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Odds Ratio ; Parturition ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors*

BACKGROUND: Noninvasive measurements that relate to the extent and severity of coronary atherosclerosis have long been sought for clinical screening of patients with chest pain syndromes and for use in clinical trials. Intima-media thickeness (IMT) of the carotid artery has been suggested to be associated with coronary artery atherosclerosis. In this study, we tried to assess the relation of carotid artery atherosclerosis by B-mode ultrasonography with presence and severity of coronary artery disease. METHOD: We studied 57 patients (36 men, 21 women) with ischemic heart disease, mean age 65+/-8 yrs (48 to 83 yrs), who underwent both coronary angiography and carotid ultrasonography with 10 MHz transducer. The patients who had received revascularization procedure were excluded. We classified the patients into two groups, the control group without significant coronary stenosis (18 patients) and the coronary artery disease (CAD) group (39 patients) with significant luminal stenosis (> or =50%). The CAD group was divided into single vessel disease group (SVD, 19 patients) and multivessel disease group (MVD, 20 patients). IMT was measured in far wall of common carotid artery (CCA) at 10 mm proximal to carotid bulb and abnormal IMT was defined if the measurement was greater than mean IMT+2SD of control group. Serum total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), Lipoproteinp (a)(Lp(a)) were measured and history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were investigated. RESULTS: A significant difference in IMT of the CCA was found between control and CAD group (0.76+/-0.09 mm vs. 0.97+/-0.20 mm; p<0.0001). Also a significant difference in the number of atherosclerotic plaque was found between the two groups (control; 0.67+/-1.14 vs. CAD; 1.87+/-1.75; p<0.005). In the CAD group, both mean IMT and numbers of athero-sclerotic plaque tended to increase in MVD group compared with SVD group (1.03 mm vs. 0.91 mm; p=NS, 2.65 vs. 1.05; p<0.05). The sensitivity of IMT for prediction of significant CAD was 66.7%, the specificity 83.3%, the positive predictive value 89.7%, and the negative predictive value 53.6%. The sensitivity of plaque presence on the carotid artery for prediction of CAD was 71.8%, the specificity 61.3%, the positive predictive value 80.3% and the negative predictive value 50.5%. Among risk factor, diabetes mellitus and Lp (a) were correlated well with IMT of CCA, Hypertension was correlated with atherosclerotic plaque. History of smoking was correlated with coronary artery disease. CONCLUSION: Increases in IMT and plaque of the carotid artery, as measured noninvasively by ultrasonography, can be used as a predictor of significant coronary artery stenosis.
Atherosclerosis ; Carotid Arteries* ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Chest Pain ; Cholesterol ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Phenobarbital ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic* ; Risk Factors ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Transducers ; Triglycerides ; Ultrasonography

Geotrichum(G.) candidum is a common fungus that is rarely pathogenic for man, first described by Link in 1809, and according to Dodge this fungus is classified as a subspecies of Eremnascaeae imperfectae. This species is largely saprophytic and is usually found in soil, decaying matters, and milk product, although isolation from skin, sputum, and feces of man is not unusual. Geotrichosis, caused by G. candidum may occur as an infection of the lung simulating chronic pulmonary tuberculosis or disseminated infection. Very rarely, skin and mucous membrane infection has been documented. These infections usually affect immunocompromised hosts. Literature concerning skin or soft tissue infection with this fungus is limited, especially in immunocompetent persons there are only a few reports by this organism. In this paper we report a case of cutaneous geotrichosis involving skin in a healthy woman, in which case steroid and trauma was supposed to play some roles in the pathogenesis.
Feces ; Female ; Fungi ; Geotrichosis ; Geotrichum* ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Lung ; Milk ; Mucous Membrane ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Soil ; Sputum ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: Diverticulosis of the cecum and ascending colon is a rare disease in Western countries, it is more common in the Orient. Making the diagnosis preoperatively could be difficult, and the intraoperative assessment and decision of optimal treatments are difficult. METHODS: Therefore, we reviewed the patient's charts of diverticulosis of the cecum and ascending colon at our hospital from 1992 to 1997. RESULTS: During the past 5 years, a total of 53 cases of diverticulosis of the cecum and ascending colon had been treated at this hospital. Mean age was 41.8 years (range 20-70). The male to female ratio was 1.8 : 1. Frequent complaints were abdominal pain (46 cases, 86.8%), followed by diarrhea (5 cases, 9.3%), indigestion (4 cases, 7.5%), and bowel habits change (2 cases, 3.8%). Mean duration of illness was 3.5 days(range 24 hours~15 days). In non-surgical cases, diagnoses were established with barium enema, CT scan, or ultrasonography. The accuracy of these methods was 91%, 75%, and 25%. In surgical cases, the preoperative diagnoses were appendicitis(13 cases, 50.1%), diverticulitis (7 cases, 31.8%), and abscess (2 cases, 9.1%). Treatments of the cecum and ascending colon diverticulitis were conservative management (3 teases,58.5%) and surgical treatment (22 cases,41.5%). The operative procedures were right hemicolectomies (2 cases), ileocecal resections (2 cases), diverticulectomies (6 cases) and appendectomies only (11 cases). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that correct diagnosis of the diverticulitis of the cecum and ascending colon made before treatment is very important because correct assessment of diverticulitis intraoperatively is difacut. Liberal use of diagnostic modalities could facilitate to make correct diagnosis to set a proper plan for treatment.
Abdominal Pain ; Abscess ; Appendectomy ; Barium ; Cecum* ; Colon, Ascending* ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Diverticulitis ; Diverticulum* ; Dyspepsia ; Enema ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Rare Diseases ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography