No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Leukemia*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Drug Therapy ; Humans

Recently we performed a modified sternum-splitting approach in surgery for anterior space-taking lesion in the upper thoracic region. In contrast to the original trans-sternal approach introduced by Cauchoix, we cut only the manubrium and split it using vertebral spreader. After reaching the anterior surface of the cervico-Thoracic vertebrae, the central portion of the vertebral body was removed with air-drill under an operating microscope. The longitudinal bone defect of the vertebral bodies was filled with a bone graft obtained from the iliac bone. Removal of the space-taking lesions in the cervico-thoracic junction and upper thoracic region can be performed safely by utilizing the modified sternum-splitting approach. This approach can be applied also to endarterectomies at the origins of the vertebral arteries and the subclavian artery.
Endarterectomy ; Manubrium ; Microsurgery ; Spine ; Subclavian Artery ; Transplants ; Vertebral Artery

No abstract available.
Bone Marrow* ; Necrosis* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*

No abstract available.
Neuroblastoma* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma*

No abstract available.
Down Syndrome* ; Leukemia*

We analyzed the clinical and laboratory features of ten children with acute megakaryoblastic lukemia (M7)and compared the findings with those reported in the literature. The diagnosis was supprted by ultrastructural examination of platelet peroxidase or immunophenotyping for glycoprotein IIb/IIIa. Of the ten children, five were girls and five were boys. The median age at diagnosis was 13 months. Two patients had prominent myelofibrosis and one patient had Down syndrome. Nine patients were treatd with low-dose cytosine arabinoside (10mg/m2)administered intravenously, or subcutaneously, or intramuscularly, twice daily in 21 day courses. Seven patients achieved hematologic response and three patients are alive without evidence of disease. The 4 year event free survival rate was30.0%. It is our impression that the prevalence of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia has been under-estimated, and low-dose cytosine arabinoside treatment may be of value in its management. This approach may be particularily useful in hospitals with scarce well-equipped facilities, since this protocol does not induce profound marrow hypoplasia and intensive supportive measures are not required as they would be with the use of more aggressive drug combination.
Blood Platelets ; Bone Marrow ; Child* ; Cytarabine ; Diagnosis ; Disease-Free Survival ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Leukemia, Megakaryoblastic, Acute* ; Megakaryocyte Progenitor Cells ; Peroxidase ; Prevalence ; Primary Myelofibrosis

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibromatosis 1

No abstract available.

OBJECTIVEL: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion has been successfully performed for many years using a variety of techniques. Recently, the concept of internal fixation has been applied to the lower cervical lesions. The need for postoperative immobilization, usually required to stabilize the patient while the fusion mass heals, is decreased or negated by internal fixation. In order to determine the effects of plate stabilization on maintenance of interspace height during postoperative period, we assessed the potential differences between anterior interbody fusion without plate and fusion with plate in patients with lower cervical lesions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The authors analyzed the results of 76 patients with lower cervical lesions, who underwent anterior interbody fusion between May, 1991 and December, 1997. Of these, 36 underwent only anterior interbody bony fusion and 40 underwent bony fusion plus interbody fixation with plate system. RESULTS: In order to compare the difference of two groups, we investigated the pre- and postoperative interspace height, clinical outcomes, and radiographic fusion success rates. Anterior interbody fusion with plate was found to be superior to anterior interbody fusion without plate after anterior cervical decompression procedures with respect to maintenance of cervical interspace height(p<0.01), and radiographic and clinical fusion success rates. CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that the use of anterior plate fixation may provide added security to the nervous system before bony fusion occurs, may potentiate the maintenance of interspace height, may increase the probability of successful fusion, and may permit early ambulation.
Decompression ; Diskectomy ; Early Ambulation ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Nervous System ; Postoperative Period