No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative identification of systemic and pulmonary venous return is essential for surgical design in situs ambiguus. This study was carried out to evaluate anatomy of systemic and pulmonary venous return and to assess clinical efficacy of magnetic resonance imagine(MR) by comparing with results of cardiac catheterization(Cath) and echocardiography(Echo). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR performed on 22 patients with cardiac situs ambiguus(right isomerism ; 13, left isomerism ; 9). MR findings were compared with the findings of Cath and Echo for the assessment of diagnostic accuracy of MR in 19 patients. RESULTS: 1) Interruptions of IVC with azygous continuation were found in all patients of left isomerism. But IVC was drained to right of left sided atria in right isomerism. 2) Brlateral SVC were found in 12 of 22 situs ambiguus(left isomersm ; 5, right isomerism ; 8). 3) Total anomalous pulmonary venous returns(TAPVR) were found in 7 of 12 right isomerism. Location of vertical veins were as follows ; prearterial(n=1), retroarterial-prebronchial(n=3), retrobronchial(n=3). In 5 patients of remained 6 right isomerism, pulmonary venous returns(PAPVR) in which right and left pulmonary veins entered to right and left atrium respectively, were found in 5 of 9 left isomerism. 4) Compared with Cath and Echo findings(n=19) in which MR, Cath and Echo were performed simultaneously, TAPVR were found in 6 cases on MR but 2 cases on Cath and Echo. The cases that were not detected by Cath showed severe decrement of pulmonary flow due to hypoplasia of pulmonary artery or obstruction of pulmonary vein. On MR, accurate anatomy of PAPVR were found only in 4 cases. CONCLUSIONS: MR can provide accurate and complete imaging of systemic and pulmonary venous return in sitrs ambiguus. Especially, MR is superior to Cath or Echo in depiction of TAPVR with severe decrement of pulmonary flow of obstruction of pulmonary vein, PAPVR and bilateral SVC.
Heart ; Heart Atria ; Heterotaxy Syndrome* ; Humans ; Isomerism ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Veins ; Scimitar Syndrome ; Veins

Sebaceous neoplasms are rare adnexal tumors that can present a challenge to clinicians. Only four cases of sebaceous carcinoma with sebaceoma have been reported in the literature. Herein, we describe the case of a sebaceous carcinoma originating from a sebaceoma in a solitary nodule of the posterior neck. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for epithelial membrane antigen and p53. It is possible that adnexal carcinomas may arise from malignant transformation of their benign counterparts as well as de novo. Malignant transformation was likely in this case because the lesion was composed of distinct benign and malignant components, and the benign component showed the typical histopathological features of sebaceoma. This case underscores the fact that partial and superficial biopsies sometimes may not provide the correct diagnosis. If a surgeon suspects malignancy based on a clinical examination, then it is mandatory to perform a deep biopsy.

Sebaceous neoplasms are rare adnexal tumors that can present a challenge to clinicians. Only four cases of sebaceous carcinoma with sebaceoma have been reported in the literature. Herein, we describe the case of a sebaceous carcinoma originating from a sebaceoma in a solitary nodule of the posterior neck. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were strongly positive for epithelial membrane antigen and p53. It is possible that adnexal carcinomas may arise from malignant transformation of their benign counterparts as well as de novo. Malignant transformation was likely in this case because the lesion was composed of distinct benign and malignant components, and the benign component showed the typical histopathological features of sebaceoma. This case underscores the fact that partial and superficial biopsies sometimes may not provide the correct diagnosis. If a surgeon suspects malignancy based on a clinical examination, then it is mandatory to perform a deep biopsy.

Azacitidine is recommended for patients with higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who are not eligible for intensive therapy or for patients with lower-risk MDS who have thrombocytopenia or neutropenia or have anemia that is unresponsive to other therapies. However, standard treatment with azacitidine has not been optimized and many issues about the use of azacitidine remain unresolved. The use of azacitidine is expanding rapidly, but limited comparative clinical trial data are available to (i) define the optimal use of azacitidine in patients with higher-risk MDS or around the time of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, (ii) identify those patients with lower-risk MDS who may benefit from treatment, and (iii) guide physicians on alternative therapies after treatment failure. Increasing evidence suggests that the clinical features, prognostic factors, and cytogenetic profiles of patients with MDS in Asia differ significantly from those of patients in Western countries, so the aim of this review is to summarize the evidence and provide practical recommendations on the use of azacitidine in patients with MDS in the Republic of Korea. Evidence considered in this review is based on published clinical data and on the clinical experience of an expert panel from the acute myeloid leukemia/MDS Working Party of the Korean Society of Hematology.
Anemia ; Asia ; Azacitidine ; Complementary Therapies ; Cytogenetics ; Hematology ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; Neutropenia ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Republic of Korea ; Thrombocytopenia ; Treatment Failure

OBJECTIVE: Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein(IAP), which inhibits apoptosis through a pathway distinct from the Bcl-2 family members. Overexpression of survivin and Bcl-2 have been commonly reported in human neoplasms. The authors investigate whether there is a synergistic effect on the anti-apoptosis rate of primary brain tumors "in situ" based on the co-expression of survivin and Bcl-2. METHODS: One hundred and two brain tumor patients who had been resected were included in this study. Survivin and Bcl-2 were detected by Western blotting analysis, while apoptosis was examined by DNA fragmentation analysis. An anti-apoptotic rate was assessed in these brain tumor samples based on the expression of survivin and Bcl-2 or co-expression of both. RESULTS: Survivin and Bcl-2 were expressed in 57(55.9%) and 53(52.0%) of 102 brain tumor samples studied respectively, and co-expressed in 31(30.4%). The percentage of astrocytic and meningeal tumors expressing survivin was significantly correlated with histological grades; however, Bcl-2 was not correlated (p=0.106). The anti-apoptotic rate in primary brain tumors with survivin, Bcl-2, and both was detected in 49(86.0%) of 57 samples, 42(79.9%) of 53 samples, and 27(87.1%) of 31 samples, respectively. Their difference in the frequency of anti-apoptosis was not significant. CONCLUSION: Survivin or Bcl-2 is involved in the anti-apoptosis. However, it suggests that co-expression of survivin and Bcl-2, together, have no synergistic effect on the anti-apoptotic properties of the primary brain tumors.
Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Brain Neoplasms* ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Meningeal Neoplasms

A 25-year-old Korean woman was referred for uncontrolled hypertension. Laboratory examination revealed increased plasma renin activity and microscopic hematuria. Computed tomography demonstrated compression of the left renal vein (LRV) between the aorta and superior mesenteric artery; however, both renal arteries were intact and there was no adrenal mass. Renal vein catheterization showed external compression with a pressure gradient of up to 8 mm Hg between the LRV and the inferior vena cava. Plasma renin activity in the LRV was almost five times higher than that in the right renal vein. In this patient, renin-dependent hypertension was caused by renal congestion due to LRV obstruction.
Adult ; Aorta ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; Plasma ; Renal Artery ; Renal Nutcracker Syndrome ; Renal Veins ; Renin ; Vena Cava, Inferior

BACKGROUND: Postpartum telogen effluvium refers to a phenomenon in which some hair in the growth phase progresses rapidly to the resting phase, which leads to excessive hair loss. This causes a high level of psychological stress. Therefore, an increasing number of women are seeking treatment for this condition. METHODS: The subjects of this study were postpartum women in the age range of 20 to 40 years who visited a university hospital between June 2015 and May 2016. Seven patients out of a total of 25 subjects were excluded, and their final follow-up visits were not performed because they found it difficult to return for the follow-up. After screening before delivery, the subjects were provided with hair care products. They visited the hospital 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after giving birth. During each visit, the hair density and thickness were measured by photographing with a camera and using Folliscope® (Aram Huvis Corporation, Seoul, Korea). RESULTS: The hair thickness at the V-point improved from 0.089 µm at the baseline to 0.094 µm after using the shampoo for 3 months (P=0.028), and the hair density at the P-point increased significantly, from 75.24/cm² at the baseline to 81.33/cm² after using the shampoo for 3 months (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a shampoo and a tonic in which the main material was horse placental growth factor combined with various materials, such as pumpkin extract, panthenol, and niacinamide, were clinically applied.
Alopecia ; Cucurbita ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; G0 Phase ; Hair* ; Horses ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Niacinamide ; Parturition ; Postpartum Period* ; Seoul ; Stress, Psychological

BACKGROUND: Postpartum telogen effluvium refers to a phenomenon in which some hair in the growth phase progresses rapidly to the resting phase, which leads to excessive hair loss. This causes a high level of psychological stress. Therefore, an increasing number of women are seeking treatment for this condition. METHODS: The subjects of this study were postpartum women in the age range of 20 to 40 years who visited a university hospital between June 2015 and May 2016. Seven patients out of a total of 25 subjects were excluded, and their final follow-up visits were not performed because they found it difficult to return for the follow-up. After screening before delivery, the subjects were provided with hair care products. They visited the hospital 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after giving birth. During each visit, the hair density and thickness were measured by photographing with a camera and using Folliscope® (Aram Huvis Corporation, Seoul, Korea). RESULTS: The hair thickness at the V-point improved from 0.089 µm at the baseline to 0.094 µm after using the shampoo for 3 months (P=0.028), and the hair density at the P-point increased significantly, from 75.24/cm² at the baseline to 81.33/cm² after using the shampoo for 3 months (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, a shampoo and a tonic in which the main material was horse placental growth factor combined with various materials, such as pumpkin extract, panthenol, and niacinamide, were clinically applied.
Alopecia ; Cucurbita ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; G0 Phase ; Hair* ; Horses ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Niacinamide ; Parturition ; Postpartum Period* ; Seoul ; Stress, Psychological

Purpose: To compare the results between plating and intramedullary nailing for ipsilateral fibular fractures in pilon fractures. Materials and Methods: Among 124 patients with pilon fractures from November 2008 to March 2019, 50 patients with a fibular fracture were studied retrospectively and divided into two groups:Group A using a plate and Group B using a Rush pin. The radiological tests confirmed the fracture pat-terns (Rüedi–Allgöwer classification, AO/OTA classification) and evaluated the degree of reduction of fibular and tibial fractures after surgery. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) was examined for a clinical evaluation, and the complications were checked. Results: The two groups showed similar distributions in gender, age, injury mechanism, diabetes, smoking, mean follow-up period, Rüedi–Allgöwer classification, AO/OTA classification, and open fracture.The fibular fractures were classified as simple, wedge, multiple, and segmental, showing significant differences between the two groups (p=0.03). There was no difference in the Talocrural angle, Shenton line, and Dime sign. In the reduction of pilon fractures, the appropriate reduction was obtained in 22 cases (88.0%) for both groups. The AOFAS averaged 83.24 in Group A and 80.44 points in Group B, showing no significant difference in complications (nonunion, malunion, infection, and arthritis). Conclusion Regardless of how the fibular fracture was fixed, the reduction of pilon fractures in bothgroups showed good results. Both intramedullary nail and plate fixation could be a suitable fixation method for ipsilateral fibular fractures with a low risk of shortening in pilon fractures.