Adrenal gland is a rare location for an oncocytic neoplasm. In English literature less than 10 cases of adrenocortical oncocytoma have been reported. We have experienced a case of adrenocortical oncocytoma in a 35-year-old man which was detected incidentally during the ultra-sonographic evaluation of the abdomen for a routine physical examination. This case did not demonstrate any clinical evidence of adrenocortical abnomalities, such as virilization or hypertension. Grossly, the tumor was light to dark tan on cut surface. Light-microscopic examination revealed tumor cells with abundant lipid- sparse eosinophilic cytoplasm and occasional pleomorphic nuclei. Mitotic figures were less than 5/50 HPFs. Tumor cells were positive for vimentin but negative for pancytokeratin, CAM 5.2, chromogranin and synaptophysin. Ultrastructural examination demonstrated abundant mitochondria containing occasional intramitochondrial dense bodies or inclusions.
Abdomen ; Adenoma, Oxyphilic* ; Adrenal Glands ; Adult ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Mitochondria ; Physical Examination ; Synaptophysin ; Triacetoneamine-N-Oxyl ; Vimentin ; Virilism

It is widely recognized that manipulation of body position takes advantage of the influences of gravity for improving oxygenation. The study aims to determine the effects of positioning(supine, prone, right lateral decubitus and left lateral decubitus positions) applied to the mechanically ventilatory acute respiratory failure patients on arterial oxygen partial pressure(PaO2), alveolar arterial oxygen tension difference(AaDO2), mean aterial pressure, peak inspiratory pressure and plateau pressure. Thirty two acute respiratory failure patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit at Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea from March 1997 to January 1998, were divided into three groups by radiographic evidence of unilateral or bilateral lung disease. In group 1 with dominant right lung disease were twelve subjects, group 2 with dominant left lung disease had eight subjects and group 3 had twelve subjects with bilateral lung disease. The variables were measured in 30 minutes after each position of supine, prone, good lung down lateral decubitus and sick lung down lateral decubitus position. The position order was done at random by Latin squre design. The results are as follows; 1) With group 1 patients, the PaO2 in the left lateral decubitus and prone position were 126.8+/-30.8 mmHg and 106.7+/-36.8 mmHg, respectively(p=0.0001). 2) With group 2 patients, the PaO2 in the prone and the right lateral decubitus position were 121.7+/-44.7 mmHg and 118.5+/-31.7 mmHg, respectively (p=0.0018). 3) With group 3 patients, the PaO2 was 143.6+/-36.6 mmHg in the prone position (p=0.0001). 4) With group 1 patients, the AaDO2 in the left lateral decubitus and the right lateral decubitus position were 178.1+/-29.7 mmHg and 233.1+/-24.4 mmHg, respectively(p=0.0001). 5) With group 2 patients, the AaDO2 in the prone and the left lateral decubitus postion were 184.0+/-39.5 mmHg and 231.0+/-23.9 mmHg, respectively(p=0.0019). 6) With group 3 patients, the AaDO2 in the prone and the supine postion were 377.1+/-35.6 mmHg and 435.7+/-13.1 mmHg, respectively (p=0.0001). 7) There were no differences among the mean arterial pressure, peak inspiratory pressure and plateau pressure for each of the supine, prone, left lateral decubitus and right lateral decubitus position. The results suggest that oxygenation may improve in mechanically ventilatory patients with unilateral lung disease when the position is good lung dependent and prone, and patients with bilateral lung disease when the position is prone without any effects on the mean arterial pressure and airway pressure. It is suggested that body positions improve ventilation/perfusion matching and oxygenation need to be specified in patient care plans.
Arterial Pressure ; Gravitation ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Korea ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Oxygen* ; Partial Pressure* ; Patient Care ; Prone Position ; Respiratory Insufficiency

TGF-p receptor mutation is now considered as one of the carcinogenic process of many tumors. To evaluate whether there is an abnormality in TGF-p type II receptor in osteosarcoma cell lines, we performed Northern analysis, cross-linking assay, luciferase activity and TGF-p growth inhibition assay in four osteosarcoma cell lines: G292, U202, HOS and SaOS. We also transfected the tumor cells with normal TGF-p type II receptor sequence to find if there is a possibility of gene therapy in osteosarcoma. In Northern analysis, Type II receptor expressions were decreased at SaOS, U202 and HOS cell lines. In cross-linking assay, all four cell lines didnt show type II receptor at their cell surface. The growth of these tumor cells were not suppressed by TGF-p. From these findings, we concluded that the normal production of TGF-p type II receptor was impaired in osteosarcoma. The transfection of these tumor cells with normal type II receptor sequence restored growth inhibition by TGF-p. This means even though TGF-p type II receptor is abnormal in osteosarcoma, we can restore its function by transfection of normal sequence. We think that the TGF-p type Il receptor gene therapy can be one of the treatment method for osteosarcoma in the future.
Cell Line* ; Genetic Therapy ; Luciferases ; Osteosarcoma* ; Transfection

PURPOSE: Early postoperative arrhythmias are a major cause of mortality and morbidity after open heart surgery in the pediatric population. We evaluated the incidence and risk factors of early postoperative arrhythmias after surgery of congenital heart disease. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2008, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the 561 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in Kyungpook National University Hospital. We analyzed patients' age and weight, occurrence and type of arrhythmia, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross clamp (ACC) time, and postoperative electrolyte levels. RESULTS: Arrhythmias occurred in 42 of 578 (7.3%) cases of the pediatric cardiac surgery. The most common types of arrhythmia were junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) and accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR), which occurred in 17 and 13 cases, respectively. The arterial switch operation (ASO) of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) had the highest incidence of arrhythmia (36.4%). Most cases of cardiac arrhythmia showed good response to management. Patients with early postoperative arrhythmias had significantly lower body weight, younger age, and prolonged CPB and ACC times (P<0.05) than patients without arrhythmia. Although the mean duration of ventilator care and intensive care unit stay were significantly longer (P<0.05), the mortality rate was not significantly different among the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative arrhythmias are a major complication after pediatric cardiac surgery; however, aggressive and immediate management can reduce mortality and morbidity.
Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arteries ; Body Weight ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Child ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tachycardia, Ectopic Junctional ; Thoracic Surgery ; Ventilators, Mechanical

Rectal syphilis, known as a great masquerader, can be difficult to diagnose because of its variable symptoms. Gastroenterologists should be aware of the possibility of rectal syphilis when confronted with anorectal ulcers, and should gather a detailed history about sexual preferences and practices, including homosexuality. We report a case of primary rectal syphilis mimicking rectal cancer on radiologic imaging. In this report, we described the clinical, endoscopic, and radiologic features of this rare case.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Diseases/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography ; Rectal Neoplasms/*pathology/radiography ; Syphilis/*diagnosis/pathology/radiography

Melanosis can affect various parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Melanosis of the colon is not uncommon, while melanosis of the ileum is extremely rare. We report a case of melanosis ilei associated with chronic ingestion of oral iron (256 mg of ferrous sulfate once or twice daily for approximately 5 years) in a 32-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease. The findings of a colonoscopy, which was performed as a part of her medical checkup, were normal up to the cecum; however, numerous brownish-black punctuate pigmentations of the ileal mucosa were observed. Microscopic examination revealed hemosiderosis in the lamina propria of the ileal mucosa, particularly at the tips of villi. The diagnosis of melanosis (hemosiderosis) ilei was made based on the endoscopic and histological findings.
Adult ; Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Eating ; Female ; Ferrous Compounds ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Hemosiderin ; Hemosiderosis ; Humans ; Ileum ; Iron ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Melanosis ; Mucous Membrane ; Pigmentation

PURPOSE: We evaluated the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of nosocomial and community-acquired pathogens in children of the medium-sized hospital. METHODS: The 357 bacterial strains isolated from Pediatric department of Dongsan Sacred Heart Hospital were examined the species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility test during the period of March to October 1996. RESULTS: Fifty three strains (15%) of 357 strains were nosocomial pathogens. A half of Enterococcus faecium is nosocomial pathogens. As a rule, Antimicrobial resistance of nosocomial pathogens were higher than those of community-acquired pathogens. Enterococcus sp. isolated from nosocomial infection were significantly less susceptible than those from community-acquired infection to imipemem (P<0.05). Escherichia coli isolated from nosocomial infection were significantly less susceptible than those from community-acquired infection to amoxicillin/clavulanate, cefuroxime, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, and aztreonam (P<0.05). Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from nosocomial infection were significantly less susceptible than those from community-acquired infection to cephalothin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, aztreonam, tobramycin, gentamicin, and co-trimoxazole (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In medium-sized hospital, the rate of antimicrobial resistance to nosocomial pathogens was higher than community-acquired pathogens. The regular reports of the susceptibility patterns of nosocomial and community-acquired pathogens would be useful to improve the effects of empirical antimicrobial therapy.
Aztreonam ; Cefotaxime ; Cefoxitin ; Ceftazidime ; Cefuroxime ; Cephalothin ; Child* ; Community-Acquired Infections ; Cross Infection ; Enterococcus ; Enterococcus faecium ; Escherichia coli ; Gentamicins ; Heart ; Humans ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Tobramycin ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination

Smooth muscle tumor of the uveal tract is rare, and mostly located in the ciliochoroidal area. We report a unique case of posterior choroidal leiomyoma in a 27-yr-old man. Ophthalmoscopic examination disclosed an 11 mm-sized mass on the fundus two-disc diameters apart from the optic disc. With a suspicion of amelanotic melanoma, the globe was enucleated. The mass occupied the whole thickness of choroidal stroma beneath the pigmented retinal epithelium and composed of spindle cells arranged in intersecting fascicles. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated immunoreactivities of the tumor cells for smooth muscle actin, desmin, and vimentin. Ultrastructurally, numerous intracytoplasmic filaments with fusiform focal densities, scattered segmental external laminae, subplasmalemmal densities, and pinocytic vesicles were noted. The leiomyoma in this case had several unusual features in that it was confined to the posterior choroid with no relation to the ciliary body, occupied the whole stroma of the choroid instead of suprauveal location, and occurred in a young male. It is important to include choroidal leiomyoma in the differential diagnosis of choroidal tumors.
Actins/analysis ; Adult ; Choroid Neoplasms/chemistry/*pathology ; Desmin/analysis ; Humans ; Leiomyoma/chemistry/*pathology ; Male ; Uveal Neoplasms/chemistry/*pathology ; Vimentin/analysis

The amniotic band syndrome is rare congenital deformity, presumably due to rupture of amniotic sac during the early pregnancy and appears to cause fetal injury through deformation, malformation, or disruption. This syndrome is given many names yet follows a clearly defined clinical pattern. The diagnosis was based on sonographic visualization of either amniotic bands or bands associated with fetal deformation or deformities in nonembryologic distribution. Recently, we experienced a case of amniotic band syndrome, in which partial absence of cranial bone, asymmetric facial dysmorphism and amputation of right lower leg were detected. At our best knowledge, this is one of few case describing prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of amniotic band syndrome in Korea. So, we present this case with a brief review of the literatures.
Amniotic Band Syndrome* ; Amputation* ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Diagnosis ; Infant, Newborn ; Korea ; Leg* ; Pregnancy ; Rupture ; Ultrasonography

Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Berberine ; Biological Products ; Child ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Mouth ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Staphylococcus