BACKGROUND: Although the culture of urethral discharge using a cutton swab is regarded as one of the most sensitive and reliable diagnostic methods of gonorrhea, it may give pain or diagnostic methods of gonorrhea, it may give pain or discomfort to patients, and its detection rate may be influenced by the examiner's technical ability. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the positive culture rates between ure4thral discharge and urinary sediment for the diagnosing of Neisseria gonorrheae. METHODS: We compared this technique with the culture of urethral discharge using the specimens from 357 male patients with gonococcal infection at VD clinic of Jungku Pvblic Health center in Seoul from Jan 1991 to Jun 1993. RESULTS: The culture of urinary sediment was positive in 339 of 357(94.95), whereas the culture of urethral discharge was positive in 346 of 357(96.95). However, these data have no statistical significance(P<0.05). The obe observed sensitivity and specificity of culture of urinary sediment comjpared to culture of urethral discharge were 97.75 and 90.9%, respectively. The predictive value of positive and negative test compared to the culture of urethral discharge were 99.7% and 55.65, respectively. As our data showed low negative predictive value, a negative culture result of urinary sediment does not always imply a negative culture result of urethral discharge. CONCLUSION: Therefore, at present, the previous method of the culture of urethral discharge is more highly recommended and further studies for this diagnostic and/or new method of gonorrhea based on larger group of patients is encouraged.
Gonorrhea ; Humans ; Male ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae* ; Neisseria* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seoul

High-voltage electrical burns are associated with deep muscle injuries. A hidden, deep muscle injury has no specific clinical manifestations, and undetected muscle injury sometimes leads to septisemia or major amputations. From January to December 1996, 52 burned patients were admitted to the burn center. We evaluated their laboratory findings and the results of diagnostic tools. The items of study were urine, EKG, CK-MB, CPK, LDH, SGOT, SGPT, PYP scanning, Plethysmography, and arteriography. The presence of myoglobinuria and the increase in SGOT and SGPT two weeks after the injury were related to the extent of the burns. The PYP scanning was a very sensitive and useful tool for detecting hidden muscle injuries. The arteriographic findings were unsatisfactory for deciding the amputation level. The PCR findings converting to obstructive type were helpful in predicting possibile amputations.
Alanine Transaminase ; Amputation ; Angiography ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Burn Units ; Burns* ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Myoglobinuria ; Plethysmography* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Radionuclide Imaging*

No abstract available.
Stomach Neoplasms*

PURPOSE: Neuroendocrine (NE) cells of the prostate are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). By a comparative analysis of NE cell density in BPH tissue of men who were either exposed to or not exposed to 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, we investigated the relationship between NE cells and BPH, and the effect of androgen deprivation on NE cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prostate tissue specimens, obtained from 30 men by transurethral resection of the prostate or radical cystoprostatectomy, were used. Of the 30 patients, 10 had a prostate smaller than 25 ml (normal control), the other 20 had a prostate larger than 40ml, 10 of who had taken 5alpha-reductase inhibitor (finasteride) for 3 months before surgery (androgen blockade group), and 10 who had not (BPH group). The distribution of NE cells in the prostate was examined using the anti-chromogranin A (CgA) antibody, and the density of the CgA-positive cells was compared by an optical dissector method. Immunoblotting was performed using the neuron specific enolase (NSE) antibody. A Mann-Whitney U test was used in a statistical analysis. RESULTS: Most of the CgA-positive NE cells were localized between the acinar epithelial cells. The mean numbers of CgA-positive NE cells per acinus in the normal controls and the BPH groups were 1.67+/-0.78 and 4.45+/-2.54, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, the mean number of CgA-positive NE cells in the androgen blockade group, was 4.93+/-2.17, which was similar to the BPH group. In a NSE immunoblotting study, a distinct band was observed in the BPH and androgen blockade groups, but the density of the band was higher in the androgen blockade group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that NE cells may be involved in the hyperplastic process of BPH. Inhibition of dihydrotestosterone, caused by the oral administration of the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, failed to induce any significant change in the NE cells, probably due to the incomplete androgen blockade.
Administration, Oral ; Cell Count ; Dihydrotestosterone* ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunoblotting ; Male ; Neuroendocrine Cells* ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia*

No abstract available.

Calcaneus is more frequently fractured than any other tarsal bones. Because of complex contour of calcaneus, it is difficult to evaluate the type of fracture exactyly. Futhermore fractures involving subtalar joint give rise to chronic pain and functional incapacity. Many different methods have been tried for treatment, but there was no aggrement of its methods and results. From January 1981 to December 1986, calcaneal fractures of 62 cases in 52 patients were analyzed and the results obtained from this study were as follows :l. Of 52 patients, 41 patients were male and 11 female. 2. The cause of fractures was a falling down in 38 patients (76%), traffic accident in 8 patients (15%) and direct blow in 6 patients (12%) 3. According to Rowe;s classfication, Type I fracture was in 5 cases, Type II in 6 cases, Type lll in 5 cases, Type IV in 12 cases and Type V in 34 cases (55%). Of these Type V fracture, tongue type was in 21 cases and joint depression type in 13 cases. 4. The treatment was as follows : cast immobilization in 33 cases, closed reduction and pin fixation in 24 cases and open reduction in 5 cases. 5. The functional result was satisfactory in 44 cases (71%). The result was better in fractures not involving subtalar joint and among type V fractures, the result was better in fractures of tongue type treated with open reduction. 6. So, we recommended compressive bandage and early mobilization for fractures without displacement, axial fixation for tongue type fractures and open reduction for joint depression type fracture.
Accidental Falls ; Accidents, Traffic ; Bandages ; Calcaneus ; Chronic Pain ; Depression ; Early Ambulation ; Female ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Joints ; Male ; Subtalar Joint ; Tarsal Bones ; Tongue

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) is an important etiologic agent for chronic active gastritis and plays a role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer and stomach cancer and recently lymphomas occurring in mucosa associated lymphatic tissue. At present, H. pylori infection associated gastritis was estimated about 80% among the cause of chronic gastritis. In this study, we tested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay to detect H. pylori infection in gastric biopsy specimens. This results were compared with results obtained by other tests. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with dyspepsia were evaluated for H. pylori infection through the use of PCR, culture and serologic tests. The study population had an age of 12 to 80 years(median 46.4), there were 31 males and 39 females. We tested PCR using H. pylori detection kit(TM) (Bioneer, Korea) and anti-H. pylori anti-body EIA using GAP test IgG and IgM(TM)(BIO-RAD, USA). We used anaerobic jar without catalyst for the microaerophilic condition. RESULTS: The positive result by PCR assay for diagnosis of H. pylori infection in gastric specimens was 71.4% in total of 70 patients, which the gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer were 63.2%, 77.8% and 85.7%, respectively. Among 10 gastrectomy specimens of stomach cancers, the detection rate of H. pylori infection by culture was 50% and the PCR assay was 100%. The detection rate of If pylori IgG and IgM antibodies by commercially available GAP test IgG and IgM EIA were 64.3%, respectively, and IgG or IgM were 85.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The serologic study was sensitive but it was appeared that the high false positive (75%) and false negative (25%) rate and could not confirm current infection. The PCR assay was shown to be more sensitive, rapid and easy to treat specimen for the detection of H. pylori infection than conventional methods such as culture and serologic test in dyspeptic patients.
Antibodies ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Dyspepsia ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Peptic Ulcer ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Serologic Tests ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) is an important etiologic agent for chronic active gastritis and plays a role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer and stomach cancer and recently lymphomas occurring in mucosa associated lymphatic tissue. At present, H. pylori infection associated gastritis was estimated about 80% among the cause of chronic gastritis. In this study, we tested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay to detect H. pylori infection in gastric biopsy specimens. This results were compared with results obtained by other tests. METHODS: A total of 70 patients with dyspepsia were evaluated for H. pylori infection through the use of PCR, culture and serologic tests. The study population had an age of 12 to 80 years(median 46.4), there were 31 males and 39 females. We tested PCR using H. pylori detection kit(TM) (Bioneer, Korea) and anti-H. pylori anti-body EIA using GAP test IgG and IgM(TM)(BIO-RAD, USA). We used anaerobic jar without catalyst for the microaerophilic condition. RESULTS: The positive result by PCR assay for diagnosis of H. pylori infection in gastric specimens was 71.4% in total of 70 patients, which the gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer were 63.2%, 77.8% and 85.7%, respectively. Among 10 gastrectomy specimens of stomach cancers, the detection rate of H. pylori infection by culture was 50% and the PCR assay was 100%. The detection rate of If pylori IgG and IgM antibodies by commercially available GAP test IgG and IgM EIA were 64.3%, respectively, and IgG or IgM were 85.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The serologic study was sensitive but it was appeared that the high false positive (75%) and false negative (25%) rate and could not confirm current infection. The PCR assay was shown to be more sensitive, rapid and easy to treat specimen for the detection of H. pylori infection than conventional methods such as culture and serologic test in dyspeptic patients.
Antibodies ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Dyspepsia ; Female ; Gastrectomy ; Gastritis ; Helicobacter pylori* ; Helicobacter* ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Lymphoid Tissue ; Lymphoma ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; Peptic Ulcer ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Serologic Tests ; Stomach Neoplasms

Central serous retinopathy is a serous detachment of sensory retina in macular area resulting from retinal pigment epithelial defect. It usually affects adult between 25 and 50 years of age. Central serous retinopathy which occured in 50 years of age or older can be readily mistaken for senile macular degeneration with subretinal neovascularization, Two diseases must be differentiated because of different progress and treatment. Thirteen patients were 50 years of age or older among 172 patients with central serous retinopathy, There were 3 eyes with retinal pigment epithelial atrophy but there were no eyes with soft drusen, geographic atrophy and subretinal neovascular membrane. Subretinal neovascular membrane was not seen during follow up period also. Seven eyes received conservative treatment and 6 eyes received argon laser photocoagulation. Visual acuity of all patients improved to more than 20/50 after treatment and visual prognosis is not different with that of young adult.
Adult ; Argon ; Atrophy ; Central Serous Chorioretinopathy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Geographic Atrophy ; Humans ; Light Coagulation ; Macular Degeneration ; Membranes ; Prognosis ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde ; Visual Acuity ; Young Adult

The Acute Retinal Necrosis(ARN) is characterized by necrotizing retinitis, uveit is and retinal vasculitis occurring in otherwise healthy patients. The cause of this disorder is thought to be herpes group virus. The ARN typically presents with the incidious onset of diffuse uveitis, followed by acute retinal whitening, vasculitis, leading to severe destruction of the retinal architecture, frequent retinal detachment and consequent loss of visual function. We experienced 4 cases of ARN in otherwise healthy patients. We treated 4 cases of ARN with intravenous acyclovir(1500mg/M2/day) and oral prednisone. Among 4 cases, one case retained relatively good visual acuity(20/70), 3 cases remained light perception and 2 cases developed retinal detachment. No patient developed new retinal lesion in the fellow eye and there was no evident ocular or systemic side effect from this tyerapy. Intravenous acyclovir and oral prednisone for the treatment of early stage of ARN is not dramatic in effectiveness but seemed to be the treatment of choice at present time.
Acyclovir* ; Humans ; Prednisone ; Retinal Detachment ; Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute* ; Retinal Vasculitis ; Retinaldehyde ; Retinitis ; Uveitis ; Vasculitis