There is considerable experimental evidence to indicate that tumor growth is dependent on angiogenesis. However, we do not understand how the angiogenic activity is initiated by a given tumor. There is a clear distinction between a stage without neovascularization, which correlates with a paucity of metastases, and a stage in which increasing neovascularization correlates with a rising rate of metastasis. The authors therefore asked whether the extent of angiogenesis in human prostatic carcinoma is correlated with the tumor grades or some growth factors. To investigate how tumor angiogenesis correlates with tumor aggressiveness, the authors counted microvessels within the various grades of invasive prostatic carcinomas of 44 patients and the nodular hyperplasias of 10 patients. Highlighting of the vessels by immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII-related antigen and assessment of the tumor aggressiveness by the degree of expression of some growth factors(transforming growth factor-alpha, and beta, epidermal growth factor), tumor necrosis factor-alpha and tumor grading(Gleason's score) were done. As a result, both microvessel counts and the expression of growth factors and tumor necrosis factor correlated with tumor grades. In conclusion, the number of microvessels per 200 X fields in the areas of most intense neovascularization in a prostatic carcinoma may be a predictor of the patient's prognosis. Therefore, assessment of tumor angiogenesis may prove valuable in selecting patients with prostatic carcinoma, especially small needle biopsy, for aggressive therapy.
Humans ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

No abstract available.
Dislocations* ; Spine*

The pedicle instrumentation has become a popular way of spinal fixation. Placement of a screw through the pedicle into vertebral body appears to be a very successful way to accomplish spinal fixation. However, the configuration of the pedicle morphometry must be understood. The measurement includes pedicle width, angle of pedicle axis to the transverse plane, ideal screw length, ideal screw entry point and ideal angle. This study was accomplished using computerized axial tomogram(CT) of 704 vertebrae(T10-L5). The results were as follows. 1. Transverse pedicle diameter were narrowest at T10, widest at L5. 2. The pedicle axis is oriented anteromedially at all levels except T11 and T12, then increase from L1 to L5. 3. Screw lengths are fairly constant between all levels, thus the range of screw lengths need is limited. 4. The incidence of pedicle less than 6 mm in the transverse diameter is most common at T10 and followed by levels L1, T12 and L2. Preoperative determination of transpedicular screw diameter and length can be made, by direct measurement from the patient's CT scan.
Incidence ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

The authors report the clinical results of ten cases of complex supracondylar fractures treated by external fixation with a mean follow up of 21 months. Six cases were closed comminuted fracture, and four cases were open fractures. By AO classification six cases were type C2, two type C3, one type Al, and one type A3. Four cases had associated vascular injury. Reduction was performed by closed method in eight cases, and two cases were reduced through open wound. All cases healed at average of 142 days. Final healing of all cases occurred with an average range of motion of 3°-119° except one case which required reapplication due to infected nonunion with a gap. In nine cases of the ten functional results were rated as "good", and one case was "fair" by Iowa Knee Rating Scale. In conclusion, definitive external fixation can be a good alternative treatment modality despite previous recommendations to limit external fixation to temporary application in cases of limb salvage, such as severe comminution or pre-existing infection.
Classification ; External Fixators ; Femur ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Fractures, Open ; Iowa ; Knee ; Limb Salvage ; Methods ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Vascular System Injuries ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of the treatment of the percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation of bony mallet finger using an 18 gauge needle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2002 to September 2009, we performed closed reduction using an 18 gauge needle and percutaneous fixation with Kirschner wire for 15 cases of bony mallet finger and followed up at least 1 year. The fractures were classified by the Wehbe and Schneider's method. Indications of operative treatment were fractures involving more than 30% of articular surface, fracture fragments displaced more than 3 mm, or subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joint. The results were evaluated by the Crawford criteria. RESULTS: All the fractures united, with an average healing time of 5.3 weeks(4-6 weeks). According to Crawford criteria, 10 cases were excellent, 5 cases were fair at a mean follow-up of 13 months. There were no pin tract infections and migrations of the pin. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation of mallet finger using an 18 gauge needle is an easy technique which can achieve anatomical reduction and diminish operation-related complications.
Fingers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Joints ; Needles

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficiency of undercorrection and transpedicular screw fixation through a posterior approach in osteoporotic spine fractures with a thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: The surgical treatment of osteoporotic spine fractures with a thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity requires extensive surgical procedures to obtain complete restoration of the sagittal alignment, but it has a few technical limitations due to insufficient mechanical stability at the bone-screw interface. A special strategy is essential for transpedicular screw fixation for osteoporotic spine fractures with a thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 14 osteoporotic spine fracture cases, with a thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity, which had undergone undercorrection and transpedicular screw fixation through a posterior approach, between March 2000 and June 2003, with an average follow-up period of 15. 2 months. According to the Jikei grade of the osteoporosis, 9 and 5 cases were grades 2 and 3, respectively. As a radiographic assessment, we measured the kyphotic angles of the fused segments on the preoperative, postoperative and last follow up thoracolumbar lateral views on standing using Cobb's method, and also assessed the kyphotic angle correction (KAC). The clinical results were evaluated at the last follow-up. RESULTS: The kyphotic angles at the preoperative, postoperative and last follow-up were 33.5 degrees +/- 9.3, 22.4 degrees +/- 6.9 and 24.7 degrees +/- 6.8, respectively. We obtained a mean KAC gain of 11.1 degrees postoperatively (p<0.05), but a loss of 2.3 degrees at the last follow-up (p>0.05). The clinical results were analyzed as good, fair and poor in 8, 5 and 1 case, respectively. Fusions were achieved in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Undercorrection and transpedicular screw fixation for a thoracolumbar kyphotic deformity in osteoporotic spine fractures can be one of the alternatives to avoid fixation failure and an extensive surgical procedure.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Kyphosis ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine*

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the results of surgical treatment of Nirschl procedure for intractable lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the functional records of surgically treated 21 cases from the 196 cases of lateral epicondylitis, which had been followed up at least 12 months from March 2000 to May 2003. Surgery was generally considered to be indicated if six months of conservative treatments since the first diagnosis had led to no improvement of the symptoms. The patients were evaluated by assessing of Pain Analog Scales (PAS) score. The objective outcomes of all patient after surgery were investigated according to the criteria by Roles and Maudsley. RESULTS: The mean PAS score followed up for 12 months postoperatively, had indicated significant improvements (p<0.001): 0.31 points (range, 0-2) at rest, 1.22 points (range, 0-3) at daily activities, and 2.25 points (range, 0-5) at sports and occupational activities. According to the Roles and Maudsley scores, there were 12 excellent, 7 good, 2 fair from the total of 21 cases; therefore, 19 (90%) cases showed the satisfactory results. CONCLUSION: The surgical treatment using the Nirschl procedure for intractable lateral epicondylitis of the elbow is considered as one of recommendable methods for the cases of no response at the conservative treatment.
Diagnosis ; Elbow ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Sports ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed 200 cases of prenatal amniocentesis and compared them with other reported studies. Thus we propose the necessity of metanalysis for prenatal amniocentesis. METHOD: We analyzed 200 cases that have undergone amniocentesis at Masan Samsung hospital from January 1996 to December 1997. The results of our study was compared with other reported studies of amniocentesis by indication and maternal age. The proportion of age-class and indication are compared between previous study subjects and our 200 cases. RESULTS: Triple marker abnormality was the most common indication of amniocentesis(51%) and the most common age distribution was 25-29 years (43.5%). Chromosomal aberration was diagnosed in 20 cases (10%) of which the numerical aberration was 9 cases (4.5%) and the structural aberration was 11 cases (5.5%). 5 cases (2.5%) out of ll cases of the structural aberration were normal variant. There were 7 cases (trisomy 21) of autosomal aberration and 2 cases (Turner syndrome) of sex chromosome aberration. Arnong the structural aberration, there was only one reported case of 46, t(7:10) reciprocal translocation. There were no cases of fetal death except for a little self limited preterm labor. There were no neonatal complications. In the comparison of indication and maternal age with other studies, abnormal triple test was the most common indication of amniocentesis. The number of young pregnant women under 35 years old who underwent genetic amniocentesis was increased year by year. CONCLUSION: Triple maker screening test and genetic amniocentesis become popular method of antenatal diagnosis in Korea. Now, it is the proper time to establish standard indication of prenatal amniocentesis in this country by systemic and objective statistic examination. So we address the need for metanalysis in our country as comparing with other studies.
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Amniocentesis* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Fetal Death ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Maternal Age ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second* ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations

Primary malignant lymphoma of the appendix is an unconnnon neoplasm although the gastrointestinal tract is the most common extranodal site of malignant lymphoma. We report a case of primary malignant lymphoma of the appendix in a 54-year-old male, who presented with pain in the right lower abdomen. An appendectomy was performed. The appendix measured 9.5 cm in length and 5.5 cm in diameter. Cut sections showed a solitary circumferential mass in the appendiceal lumen. Light microscopic features were compatible with malignant lymphoma of diffuse large cell type(Working Formulation) and the immunophenotype was B cell type.

This study was performed to fine out the possible causes of primary infertility in female and to provide some diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. A total of 104 cases of endometrium in primary infertility was obtained from the pathology files of Chosun University Hospital and Kwang-ju Christian Hospital during the period of 5 years and 10 months from January, 1984 to October, 1989. The endometrial biopsies were taken on the first of menstruation and classified according to Noyes, Hertig and Rock's criteria. Histologic findings which were compatible with their normal menstrual cycle (premenstrual of late secretory phase and bleeding phase) were noted in 52 cases (50%). Abnormal 52 cases (50%) revealed deficient secretory phase in 36 case (34.6%), proliferative phase in 5 cases (4.8%), irregular proliferation and chronic nonspecific endometritis in 4 cases (3.8%), respectively, endometrial hyperplasia in 3 cases (2.9%), tuberculous endometritis in 2 cases (1.9%), and asynchronous cycle in 1 case (1%). Among the case of dissociated delay was 21 cases (20.2%) and coordinated delay was 15 cases (14.4%). Therefore, deficient secretory phase with dissociate delay was most common abnormal endometrial finding in cases of female primary infertility. The peak age distribution of the female primary infertility in this study revealed 73 cases (63.8%) in patients between the age of 25 and 29. This finding indicated that there was no significant relationship between the age distributions and the endometrial histopathologic findings.
Female ; Humans ; Biopsy