Abdominal actinomycosis is very rare infectious disease and seldom reported as a cause of abdominal mass. This disease is diagnosed by pathologic findings and culture result but it is very difficult to differentiate with other granulomatous illammatory disease, diverticular disease, malignancy, etc. The radiologic findings were non-specific and CT scan revealed the inflammatory mass with multiple small abscesses and fibrous change. The treatment of choice for actinomycosis is medical treatment with penicillin but surgical intervention may be needed when complication such as obstruction, fistula formation, abscess formation develop. We report a patient with abdominal actinomycosis that presented with transverse colonic obstruction and severe abdominal wall inflammation. This patient had no past operative history but got intrauterine contraceptive devices during last 10 years. We treated this patient by surgical resection and antibiotic therapy.
Abdominal Wall ; Abscess ; Actinomycosis* ; Colon* ; Colon, Transverse ; Communicable Diseases ; Fistula ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intrauterine Devices ; Penicillins ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Oro-facial dyskinesia (OFD) is involuntary, abnormal, uncontrolled and stereotyped movements, consisting of forehead furrowing, eye opening and closing, smacking and pursing of the lips, lateral deviation and protrusion of the tongue, and occasionally lateral deviation and protrusion of the jaw.1 OFD is known to have various complications including speech difficulty, chewing and eating disorders, and social embarrassment; facial muscle stiffness, mucosal and gingival traumatic lesions. In addition, it may leads to cranio-mandibular joint (TMJ) complications in the presence of intense and prolonged abnormal movements, with pain and degeneration.1,2 There is no previous report of TMJ dislocation due to OFD. In this report, we describe a patient who developed bilateral anterior TMJ dislocation due to OFD which occurred following intra-cranial hemorrhage (ICH).
Movement Disorders ; Dyskinesias

The purpose of this study was to investigate the related factors to child overweight through investigation of children aged 6-12. Data on physical examinations, family history and dietary habits were obtained. Children were classified into normal(98 persons) and overweight(118 persons) group using the combination of height for age, weight for age and weight for height standard by the World Health Organization. Children's height, weight and BMI exhibited a significant difference between groups except children aged 8 for height. Unbalanced diet was a risk factors for overweight(Odd ratio : 1.765, 95% CI : 1.022~3.048). Number of brothers showed negative significance especially in two brothers compared to that of one(Odd ratio : 0.456, 95% CI : 0.209~0.995). But Birth weight, feeding practice, overeating, taking nutrition pills, sleeping time, mother's education level and employmental status didn't have any difference. We found out there were different risk factors between obese and overweight group. They should be divided into different groups in studying risk factors. And we should pay much attention to overweight children in order to prevent improving to obesity.
Birth Weight ; Case-Control Studies ; Child* ; Diet ; Education ; Employment ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Obesity ; Overweight* ; Pediatric Obesity ; Physical Examination ; Risk Factors ; Siblings ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND: One of the main disadvantages of caudal block is the long latent period before a satisfactory blockade is obtained. Many investigators have used various preparations of local anesthetic solutions to improve the speed of onset. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of prewarming of lidocaine HCl for caudal block. METHODS: Fifty healthy young patients (ASA I) were allocated into two groups, A and B. In group A, the local anesthetic solution were injected at room temperature (25 degrees C), while in group B, they were injected at 37oC. All the caudal block were performed using 2% lidocaine HCl 20 ml with fentanyl 100ug and epinephrine 1:200,000. The onset time was defined as the period from completion of injection until the patient first noticed loss of sensation to pin-prick on perianal region. Assessment of sensory loss was made at 15 seconds interval. We have compared the onset of sensory blockade between groups. The duration of analgesia and any significant side effects were also recorded. RESULTS: The onset of sensory blockade was significantly faster in group B (3.5 +/- 0.5 minutes) than group A (6.2 +/- 0.9 minutes). The duration of analgesia were not significantly changed between groups. Side effects of urinary retention, pruritus and nausea were noted between both groups but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: We have found that the onset time was 44% faster with warm lidocaine-fentanyl mixture (37 degrees C) than with the room temperature (25 degrees C). The improved clinical usefulness was achieved with no increase in side effects. The technique is a safe and effective method to reduce the latency of onset.
Analgesia ; Epinephrine ; Fentanyl ; Humans ; Lidocaine ; Nausea ; Pruritus ; Research Personnel ; Sensation ; Urinary Retention

No abstract available.
Masticatory Muscles* ; Spasm* ; Tetanus*

Trichoblastic fibroma is a benign trichogenic tumor that has both epithelial and mesenchymal components and exhibits partial follicular induction. We studied 4 cases of trichoblastic fibroma and reviewed their clinical and histologic features. Two tumors were present in the face. The remaining two were in the vulva and perianal area, respectively. The age of the patients ranged from 53 to 68 years, with an average age of 62. All were female. Histologically, the lesions showed a well circumscribed mass, located at dermo-subcutaneous junction in three patients and subcutaneous in one. They demonstrated mesenchymal induction evidenced by hair germ-like structure and perifollicular sheath. There was no connection between the tumor and epidermis. Differentiation toward hair structure led to the formation of the infundibulum through inner root sheath. Trichoblastic fibroma may be confused clinically and/or histologically with basal cell carcinoma. Identification of the mixed epithelial and mesenchymal components, and the absence of epidermal connection and cleft within the stroma are important in differentiating this benign neoplasm from basal cell carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Epidermis ; Female ; Fibroma* ; Hair ; Humans ; Vulva

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the skeletal and dentoalveolar changes after intrusion of maxillary posterior teeth using miniscrew implants during the treatment and posttreatment period. METHOD: The subjects consisted of 11 adults (1 male, 10 females) whose open bites were treated by posterior teeth intrusion with miniscrew. The lateral cephalometric x-rays of pre-treatment, post-treatment, and the retention period were evaluated. RESULTS: The average intrusion of maxillary posterior teeth at the end of the treatment period was 2.22 mm (p < 0.001) and the average extrusion of maxillary posterior teeth at the end of the 17.4 month retention period was 0.23 mm (p = 0.359). The relapse rate was calculated at 10.36%. A decrease in overbite after the 17.4 month retention period was 0.99 mm (p < 0.05). The relapse rate was calculated at 18.10%. The skeletal changes and vertical height change of maxillary posterior teeth during the retention period was statistically insignificant, but there was a significant decrease in overbite (mean 0.99 mm, p < 0.05). The amount of intrusion and the overbite improvement from treatment significantly correlates to the degree of relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that intrusion of the maxillary posterior teeth using miniscrews is an effective, non-surgical treatment modality which can reasonably be used to address adult open bite.
Adult ; Bites and Stings ; Humans ; Male ; Open Bite ; Overbite ; Recurrence ; Retention (Psychology) ; Tooth

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in advanced cirrhosis. Prerenal azotemia, hepatorenal syndrome, and acute tubular necrosis are the main causes of AKI in patients with cirrhosis. Evaluation of renal function and differentiation between functional and structural kidney injury are important issues in the management of cirrhosis. However, AKI in cirrhosis exists as a complex clinical spectrum rather than concrete clinical entity. Based on current evidence, changes in serum creatinine (Cr) levels remain the most appropriate standard for defining AKI in cirrhosis. However, serum Cr has a limited role in assessing renal function in this population. This review examines previous studies that investigated the ability of recent biomarkers for AKI in cirrhosis from the perspective of earlier and accurate diagnosis, classification of AKI phenotype, and prediction of clinical outcomes. Serum cystatin C and urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin have been extensively studied in cirrhosis, and have facilitated improved diagnosis and prognosis prediction in patients with AKI. In addition, urine N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, interleukin 18, and kidney injury molecule 1 are other promising biomarkers for advanced cirrhosis. However, the clinical significance of these markers remains unclear because there are no cut-off values defining the normal range and differentiating phenotypes of AKI. In addition, AKI has been defined in terms of serum Cr, and renal biopsy—the gold standard—has not been carried out in most studies. Further discovery of innovate biomarkers and incorporation of various markers could improve the diagnosis and prognosis prediction of AKI, and will translate into meaningful improvements in patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of piroxicam patch(Trast) in rheumatoid arthritis patients with knee joint pain and swelling and to determine the concentration of plasma and synovial fluid following patch application. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with rheumatoid arthritis participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The patients were instructed to apply piroxicam or placebo patch at one knee and re-apply it every other day for 2 weeks. They had washout period for 2 weeks and then applied the other patch for 2 weeks at the same joint. The patients recorded knee joint pain using visual analog scale. Knee joint swelling and tenderness were assessed before and after application of piroxicam and placebo patch. Complete blood count, AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, joint fluid analysis were also done. Piroxicam concentration in plasma and synovial fluid were measured by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) after 2 weeks of piroxicam patch application. RESULTS: Knee joint pain improved significantly after the application of piroxicam patch for 2 weeks(visual analog scale, 56. 2+5. 9m vs 48. 2+5. 7mm, p=0. 03 by Wilcoxon signed rank test). There was no significant change in white cell count of synovial fluid, peripheral blood cell count, chemistry, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. In terms of adverse effects, mild gastrointesti nal disturbance(8/21 cases, 38%) and local side effects such as pruritus and ery thema(3/21 cases, 14%) were developed, which were insignificant compared with control groups(30%, 15% respectively). Piroxicam concentrations in plasma and synovial fluid after the application of piroxicam patch were 0. 129+0. 04ug/ ml (mean+SE) and 0. 644+0. 202ug/ml respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Piroxicam patch is a safe and effective therapeutic modality for knee joint pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Mild adverse effects such as gastrointestinal disturbance and local side effects were noted. Piroxicam concentration was higher in synovial fluid than in plasma following the application of piroxicam patch.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Blood Cell Count ; Blood Sedimentation ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cell Count ; Chemistry ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Knee Joint ; Piroxicam ; Plasma ; Pruritus ; Synovial Fluid ; Visual Analog Scale