The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of anti-inflammatory agents on the blood-aqueous-berrier in experimentally induced uveitis. 10% solution of sodium fluorescein was injection intravenously in the ear vein of rabbits (0.25 ml/kg) and fluorescein curve was drawn after the method of Amsler and Huber. Experimental uveitis was induced by the injection of 0.2 ml of human serwn into the vitreous body. After uveitis had been induced. three kinds of anti-inflammatory agents-Prednisolone, Benzyron and Methotrexate-were Biven oralIy. In control animals in which no uveitis was induced, no changes in fluorescein curve were demonstrated before and after the administrations of drugs. In animals with uveitis, maked increases of the blood-aqueous barrier were noted. When Benoyron and Prednisolone were given to these animals, normaliration of the fluorescein curves were demonstrated. Methotrexate had no effects on the fluorescein curves in uveitis animals, showing no improvements in the permeability of uveal vessela. This ineffectiveness seemed to be due to the resistance of rabbits to methotrexate.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Blood-Aqueous Barrier ; Ear ; Fluorescein ; Humans ; Methotrexate ; Permeability ; Prednisolone ; Rabbits ; Uveitis* ; Veins ; Vitreous Body

No Abstract Available.
Case-Control Studies*

Although sacrococcygeal mass is rare and usually found in infants or children, adolescent or adult patients with protruding mass in sacrococcygeal region occasionally come to us simply for a cosmetic problem. In this situation, even though there is no definite neurological deficit, it should be evaluated whether or not the underlying bony pathology or dural defect exists. Few cases about the sacrococcygeal mass have been reported in adults. We reviewed our cases including preoperative evaluation methods and postoperative diagnosis. From March, 1993 to February, 1997, we experienced 6 adult patients with sacrococcygeal mass and no neurological abnormality. Preoperative evaluation were made by plain X-ray, myelogram, computed tomography(CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as needed. Postoperative diagnoses were 2 meningoceles, 2 lipomyelomeningoceles, 1 desmoid tumor, and 1 teratoma. From our experiences, CT or MRI is essential to evaluate the sacrococcygeal mass preoperatively. These methods can visualize the precise anatomic location and extent of the mass, its relation to the spinal cord, and associated bony abnormalities. MRI is superior to CT, especially in defining the nature of the mass and involvement of the spinal cord. Conclusively, even a simple mass in the sacrococcygeal region in adults needs MRI or CT evaluation, and MRI is the most valuable method of evaluating the mass preoperatively and provides important information to establish a treatment plan.
Adolescent ; Adult* ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Fibromatosis, Aggressive ; Humans ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningocele ; Pathology ; Sacrococcygeal Region* ; Spinal Cord ; Teratoma

To investigate the effects of prostaglandin E1(PGX1) in prevention of proliferative scar formation, we cultured fibroblasts of normal skin (NS), hypertrophic scar (HS) and keloid (KL) tissues obtained from patients. We have compared type I collagenase production of cultured fibroblasts from normal skin, hypertrophic scar, and keloid tissues under various concentrations of PGE1. Our results demonstrate that type I collagenase production was significantly increased after addition of PGE1 in HS and KL, but not NS. Type I collagenase production of HS and KL fibroblasts were increased similarly in 10M and 10M of PGE1 and maximally increased in the concentration of 10M. This promotive effects of PGE1 on the production of type I collagenase was larger in KL than in HS. These results also suggest that PGE1 may play the promotive effects on type I collagenase production in dose-dependent manner. PGE1 may have a role in the prevention of hypertrophic scar and keloid by enhancing the production of type I collagenase of HS and KL fibroblasts. The promotive effects of PGE1 on type I collagenase production was variable depending on its concentration, and its effects was maximum in certain optimal condition. The maximally effective concentration of PGE1 in the prevention of proliferative scar formation should be searched in further investigations for clinical use.
Alprostadil ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic* ; Collagenases* ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Keloid* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Skin

Proliferative scarring in the form of keloids and hypertrophic scars continues to be a clinical problem for some patients. The lack of an animal model for such scarring has been an obstacle to studying the biology and effective therapy of these entities. Consequently we created an accurate reproductive animal model to systematically study them. Human proliferative scars were explanted into flaps based on isolated vascular pedicles in congenitally rats. We compared the procollagen type III peptide levels of proliferative scar tissue before and after explanting. The procollagen type III peptide levels of explanted proliferative scar tissue remained increased as before explanting. Histological analysis of the explanted proliferative scar tissue revealed that all explants retained their original histotypic character even after 1 year. We could also retain the volume of implanted proliferative scar for 1 year and studied in vitro cellular proliferation. Fibroblast cultures from explanted scars demonstrated less aggressive growth characteristic than those from original surgical specimens. The advantages of this animal model are as follows: 1. The explants retain their histotypical character for a long period. 2. Placement of the explants outside the dorsum of a nude rat makes serial observation and measurement easier. 3. Agents under test can be injected into the explants through a catheter inserted into a single pedicle of island flap without the possibility of spreading systematically.
Animals* ; Biology ; Catheters ; Cell Proliferation ; Cicatrix* ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Collagen Type III ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Keloid ; Models, Animal* ; Rats ; Rats, Nude

PURPOSE: To investigte the extrusion rate of punctal plugs and to evaluate their long-term effectiveness related to punctal occlusion. METHODS: The subjects were 120 eyes of 60 patients with tear-deficient dry eye who underwent punctal occlusion using a silicone punctal plug from May 2003 to Jun 2004. They were followed up for 382.3+/-164.3 days. We studied the extrusion rate and the period of extrusion for each plug and examined the differences between the objective and subjective indicators of dry eye syndrome before and after plug insertion and between extruded and non-extruded punctal plugs. RESULTS: In this study, 25.8% of all plugs were extruded during the follow-up period. The majority of plugs (41.9%) were extruded within 100 days after plug insertion. As objective indicators, results of Schirmer test and BUT were significantly increased after plug insertion. As subjective indicators, the patients' clinical symptoms significantly improved. Patient use of artificial tear drops significantly decreased and was discontinued by 70.8% after plug insertion. There were however no significant differences between the extrusion group and the non-extrusion group in each case. CONCLUSIONS: Punctal plug occlusion therapy for tear-deficient dry eye is effective, but the extrusion rate is relatively high. Regardless of punctal plug extrusion, patients experienced a symptomatic improvement. Serious consideration of this fact may greatly aid in making therapeutic adaptations and maintaining a good relationship.
Dry Eye Syndromes* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Silicones ; Tears

PURPOSE: To report a primary surgical repair of a severe corneal laceration, a lens prolapse and a traumatic aniridia by blunt trauma in Terrien's marginal degeneration. METHODS: A 46-year-old female visited our hospital for corneal laceration due to a blunt trauma of the right eye. A primary corneal suture was done and 8 days later, amniotic membrane transplantation was performed. RESULTS: The perforated eyeball regained its integrity with a stabilized cornea. Also, the anterior chamber was reformed and visual acuity improved. CONCLUSIONS: In the first case of Terrien's marginal degeneration in the right eye, which had a 360-degree iridodialysis(aniridia) with aphakia due to blunt traumatic separation of the iris root from the ciliary body. We achived a good operative result with primary corneal suture and amniotic membrane transplantation.
Amnion ; Aniridia ; Anterior Chamber ; Aphakia ; Ciliary Body ; Cornea ; Female ; Humans ; Iris ; Lacerations ; Middle Aged ; Prolapse ; Rupture* ; Sutures ; Visual Acuity

Malignant nodular hidradenoma is a rare skin appendageal tumor, and its imaging findings have not been previously described. We experienced the case of a large malignant nodular hidradenoma of the left upper arm in a 71-year-old woman. MRI revealed a large, lobular, poorly circumscribed, soft tissue mass at the left upper arm, and the mass showed homogeneous enhancement. 18F-FDG PET/CT showed hypermetabolic activity in the left upper arm mass with a maximal standard uptake value of 19.
Acrospiroma* ; Aged ; Arm ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Skin

BACKGROUND: In a previous report, epinephrine was found to markedly improve the analgesic effect of a thoracic epidural infusion of bupivacaine and fentanyl. In this study we evaluated the effects of adding epinephrine to patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) based on a bupivacaine and fentanyl mixture after gynecological surgery. METHODS: Forty women undergoing lower abdominal gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia were randomized in a double-blind fashion to receive one of two regimens of; PCEA; 0.0625% bupivacaine with 2 microgram/ml fentanyl and 2 microgram/ml epinephrine for the Epinephrine group, or 0.0625% bupivacaine with 2 microgram/ml fentanyl for the No-epinephrine group after standardized combined epidural and general anesthesia. PCEA settings for the two groups were identical (4 ml/hr continuous background infusion, 2 ml bolus dose, 20 min lock-out period). Visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain at rest and on coughing, total volume infused, number of bolus infusions, and side effects such as nausea, vomiting, sedation, pruritus and motor block were recorded 2, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hr postoperatively. Data are means +/- SD. RESULTS: No differences in VAS scores at rest and on coughing were observed between the groups. Incidences of hypotension and other side effects did not differ between the groups. Total volume infused was lower in the epinephrine group than in the control group at 24 hr (111+/-21 ml vs. 134+/-27 ml, P < 0.05) and at 48 hr (119+/-46 ml vs. 233+/-26 ml, P < 0.05). Similarly, the number of bolus infusions was lower in the epinephrine group than in the control group at 24 hr (8+/-6 vs 13+/-6, P < 0.05) and at 48 hr (12+/-8 vs 20+/-13, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Epinephrine lowers the dose of bupivacaine and fentanyl needed for PCEA after lower abdominal surgery without reducing the occurrence of side effects.
Analgesia, Epidural ; Analgesia, Patient-Controlled* ; Anesthesia, General ; Bupivacaine* ; Cough ; Epinephrine* ; Female ; Fentanyl* ; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence ; Nausea ; Pruritus ; Vomiting

PURPOSE: evaluate the effectiveness of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in unstable fractures of the distal tibia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2001 to December 2003, 21 cases with unstable fractures of the distal tibia were treated with MIPO technique and followed for at least one year. Eighteen cases were extra-articular and three cases were intra-articular fractures. According to AO classification, six cases were 42-A, four 42-B, one 42-C, seven 43-A, and three 43-C. There was only one case of Gustilo-Anderson type II open fracture. We reviewed the results of fracture healing, axial and rotational deformity, ankle motion, and complications RESULTS: All fractures were healed in an average of 16.1 weeks (range, 11 to 24 weeks). There was only one case of 7-degree posterior angular deformity, but no cases of rotational malalignment. Recovery of ankle motion was satisfactory in all patients within 5-degree loss of motion. Subcutaneous abscess was developed in one case after fracture healing and cured by a drainage with implant removal. CONCLUSION: Although MIPO technique is technically more demanding than the traditional open technique, MIPO technique is an effective method for unstable fractures of the distal tibia because it minimizes incidence of soft-tissue compromise and infection and provides good fracture healing.
Abscess ; Ankle ; Classification ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Drainage ; Fracture Healing ; Fractures, Open ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Tibia*