Thoracic disc herniation is an uncommon cause of thoracic cord compression. Herniation in this region is of particular importance because of the serious disorders of nervous function which result from anterior compresstion of the spinal cord. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment are imperative because of the progressive and serious neurological deficit which results from delay. Numerous problems remain as to the safest surgical approach to the prolapsed thoracic intervertebral disc. We treated a case of herniated intervertebral disc occuring at Tll–T12 using the anterior approach. The result was favourable.
Early Diagnosis ; Intervertebral Disc ; Spinal Cord

The aims of treatment of children with CDH untreated until walking age should be to reestablish the mechanics of the hip joint and avoid complications, especially avascular necosis, thus delaying the devlopment of osteoarthritis. In the child who is first seen between the ages of one and three years, considerable controversy still exists as to the merit of closed versus operative management. The average 29.3 months follow-up results in fifty congenitally dislocated hips in forty-five children with were between six and thirty-six months old when treatment was begun have been reviewed at the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, In Je University, College of Medicine, Paik Hospital from June, 1979 to Aug, 1989. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Factors affecting method of treatment were age, degree of dislocation and acetabular index; A. Age 1) The children below ages of 18 months were treatment by closed reduction. 2) The children below ages of 18 months were treatment by open reduction with concomittant procedures. B. Degree of dislocation: Open reduction was more frequently reguired in higher degree of dislocation. C. Acetabular index: It was little influenced on method of treatment. 2. The complications were persisten subuxation (3 cases), temporary irregular ossification (16 cases) and avascular necrosis (1 cases).
Acetabulum ; Child ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Mechanics ; Methods ; Necrosis ; Osteoarthritis ; Walking

Objective: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reduces functional activity and increases the rate of cardiovascular death in the elderly. Our study aimed to determine whether the presence of PAD in stroke patients affected the progression of disability or death one year after discharge. Methods: From April 2012 to March 2013, consecutive first stroke patients above 50 years of age without known PAD were enrolled. PAD was defined as a low ankle-brachial index (less than 0.9) measured by an automatic device. Clinical data associated with the stroke were collected from medical records. Disability in stroke patients was evaluated with the modified Rankin scale (mRS) on discharge day and one year after the index stroke. Progression of disability was defined as an increase in mRS more than one level at one year. Results: Among the 526 patients, 238 had ischemic strokes and underwent ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement. Of them, 192 patients were included. In univariate analysis, age, dyslipidemia, discharge mRS, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, D-dimer, homocysteine, internal carotid artery stenosis, posterior cerebral artery stenosis, and PAD were factors associated with worsening mRS. After adjustment for these factors in the logistic regression analysis, PAD was an independent factor associated with worsening mRS. In the analysis of one-year mortality, patients with PAD had a higher death rate, but PAD was not an independent factor after adjusting for other variables. Conclusions: The presence of PAD in stroke patients suggests a chance of disability progression, but may not be a predictor of death after one year.
Atherosclerosis ; Peripheral arterial disease ; Stroke

The methanol extract from the leaves of Petasites japonicus Maxim (PJ) was studied for its (anti-)mutagenic effect with the SOS chromotest and reverse mutation assay. The (anti-)carcinogenic effects were evaluated by the cytotoxicity on human cancer line cells and by the function and the expression of gap junctions in rat liver epithelial cell. PJ extracts significantly decreased spontaneous beta-galactosidase activity and beta-galactosidase activity induced by a mutagen, ICR, in Salmonella (S.) typhimurium TA 1535/pSK 1002. All doses of the extract (0.08-100 mg/plate) decreased the reversion frequency induced by benzo (alpha)pyrene (BaP) in S. typhimurium TA 98. It decreased not only the spontaneous reversion frequency but also that induced by BaP in S. typhimurium TA 100. PJ extract showed greater cytotoxic effects on human stomach, colon and uterus cancer cells than on other cancer cell types and normal rat liver epithelial cells. Dye transfers though gap junctions were significantly increased by PJ extracts at concentrations greater than 200 microg/mL and the inhibition of dye transfer by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorobol-13-acetate (TPA) was obstructed in all concentrations of PJ. PJ significantly increased the numbers of gap junction protein connexin 43, and increased the protein expression decreased by TPA in a dose-dependent manner. Based on these findings, PJ is suggested to contain antimutagenic and anticarcionogenic compounds.
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival/*drug effects ; Formazans/chemistry ; Gap Junctions/*metabolism ; Humans ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Petasites/*metabolism ; Plant Extracts/*pharmacology ; Plant Leaves/metabolism ; Rats ; Tetrazolium Salts/chemistry

In Korea, there are four types of snakes, Glyoidius brevicaudus, G. intermedius (formerly named, saxatilis), G. ussuriensis, Rhabdophis tigrinus. The case-fatality rate in snake bite envenomation is very low. Snake venom is a heterogeneous mixture of pharmacologically active enzymatic, non-enzymatic protein, peptide toxins, other organic and inorganic substances. The pathophysiology evokes a complex series of events that depend on the combined and synergistic action of toxic and non-toxic components. The manifestation includes local and systemic effects. Local tissue effects includes of tissue pain, redness, swelling, tenderness, bullae formation, and necrosis. The major systemic manifestations of snake bite include neurotoxicity, myotoxicity, cytotoxicity, hemolytic, procoagulant, hemorrhagic, and hypotensive effects and interfere in platelet function. General care includes parenteral analgesia, antivenom administration, and serial assessments of limb swelling and laboratory tests. Despite the presence of soft tissue inflammation, prophylactic antibiotics are rarely required, and most patients achieve good outcomes with supportive care and antivenom alone. In the case of mild poisoning do not need to be treated with antivenom. In moderate to severe envenomation, antivenom should be administered. When administered antivenom, adverse reactions are monitored closely and treated early with epinephrine and anti-histamine. In future, we should establish algorithm provides guidance about clinical and laboratory observations, indications for and dosing of antivenom, adjunctive therapies, post-stabilization care, and management of complications from envenomation and therapy.
Analgesia ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Blood Platelets ; Epinephrine ; Extremities ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea* ; Necrosis ; Nociceptive Pain ; Poisoning ; Snake Bites* ; Snake Venoms ; Snakes* ; Venoms

The incidence of traumatic rupture of the tracheobronchial tree has been increased considerably with advent of widespread mechanization and high speed era. Rupture of the bronchus is an unusual result of nonpenetrating trauma to chest. Early diagnosis and primary repair not only restore normal lung function but also avoid difficulties and complications associated with delayed diagnosis and repair. These complications are pneumonia, atelectasis and lung abscess secondary to the bronchial obtruction. We experienced a case of partial rupture on left main bronchus caused by nonpenetrating blunt chest trauma with rib fractures 1 year ago. He was suffered from progressively developing dyspnea on exercise and treated as bronchial asthma at other hospital. Bronchoscopic finding was the narrowed lumen of left main bronchus at 1cm from carina by web-like membrane. We confirmed by bronchogram and repaired by end to end anastomosis, which is rare delayed finding in bronchial rupture without pulmonary complications. We report a case of nonpenetrating traumatic bronchial rupture, manifested by bronchial web in bronchoscopy.
Asthma ; Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy* ; Delayed Diagnosis ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Incidence ; Lung ; Lung Abscess ; Membranes ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Rib Fractures ; Rupture* ; Thorax* ; Trees

A 54-year-old man with poliomyelitis had been using a conventional, passive knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) with a drop ring lock knee joint for about 40 years. A stance control KAFO (SCKAFO) with an electromagnetically controlled (E-MAG) knee joint system was prescribed. To correct his gait pattern, he also underwent rehabilitation therapy, which included muscle re-education, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, strengthening exercises for the lower extremities, and balance training twice a week for about 4 months. Both before and after rehabilitation, we conducted a gait analysis and assessed the physiological cost index in energy expended during walking in a locked-knee state and while he wore a SCKAFO with E-MAG. When compared with the pre-rehabilitation data, the velocity, step length, stride length, and knee kinematic data were improved after rehabilitation. Although the SCKAFO with E-MAG system facilitated the control of knee motion during ambulation, appropriate rehabilitative therapy was also needed to achieve a normal gait pattern.
Electric Stimulation ; Exercise ; Gait ; Humans ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Lower Extremity ; Magnets* ; Middle Aged ; Orthotic Devices* ; Poliomyelitis* ; Rehabilitation ; Walking

BACKGROUND: The objective responses of cisplatin and etoposide (PVP) combination chemotherapy as second-line therapy following CAV was high (40~50%) and, in several reports, PVP yields survival results that are at least as good as those obtained with cyclophosphamide or doxorubicin-based regimens and with less host-related toxicity in chemotherapy-naive patients. We conducted a phase II study to evaluate the effect of a combination of cisplatin and etoposide as a first-line therapy in patients with small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Sixty-one previously untreated small cell lung cancer patients with measurable lesion(s) received cisplatin(30 mg/m2 IV, day 1~3) and etoposide(100 mg/m2 IV, day 1~3). In patients with limited disease, after completion of 6 cycles of PVP chemotherapy, chest and prophylatic brain irradiation was performed in case of complete responder, chest irradiation only in partial responder. RESULTS: 1) Of 55 evaluable patients, 13(24%) had a complete response and 29(53%) had a partial response. 2) The median survival time was 55.8 weeks for all patients(N=55), 61.1 weeks for limited disease(N=31), 51.3 weeks for extensive disease(N=24). 3) The response duration was 29.1 weeks for responders(N=42). 4) There was no significant prognostic factors iufluencing response rates. 5) The toxicity was tolerable and there was no treatment-related deaths. CONCLUSION: The PVP combination chemotherapy as a first-line therapy was effective and well-tolerated in patients with small cell lung cancer.
Brain ; Cisplatin* ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination* ; Etoposide* ; Humans ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* ; Thorax

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of syncope is related to the severity of the underlying disease, including cerebral disease, rather than of the syncope itself. The aim of this study was to identify the clinical factors related to the cerebral comorbidity confirmed on brain imaging of syncope patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were diagnosed as syncope and underwent brain magnetic resonance [MR] imaging between January 2011 and December 2014. An abnormal MR lesion was defined as the presence of one or more of the following: (1) ischemic lesion, (2) major cerebral artery occlusion or stenosis over 50%, (3) cerebral aneurysm or vascular abnormalities, and (4) other traumatic or parenchymal lesion. The findings of electroencephalography and clinical factors that might be related to abnormal lesions in brain MR images were investigated. RESULTS: Of 347 (mean age 50.5 years, 48.1% females) patients, abnormal imaging findings were observed in 48 (13.8%). The clinical factors related to abnormal findings were age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease. Independent factors for an abnormal MR lesion were age (odds ratio=1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.08, p <0.001) and hypertension (odds ratio=2.73, 95% CI 1.34-5.60, p=0.006). Abnormal electroencephalography findings were noted in 52 (20.3%) of 256 investigated patients. Generalized or focal slowing was observed more frequently in elderly patients (p<0.001) and in the presence of abnormal brain MR lesions (p=0.013). CONCLUSIONS: In syncope patients with hypertension or who are elderly, a brain MR image may be helpful for detecting comorbid brain lesions.
Aged ; Brain ; Cerebral Arteries ; Comorbidity ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Electroencephalography ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Intracranial Aneurysm ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Neuroimaging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Syncope*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of intravitreous injection of Vancomycin and Amikacin in exogenous endophthalmitis (before culture results are obtained), and the relationship between such empirical therapy and results of culture, susceptibilities of cultured organism to antibiotics, and visual prognosis. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study of 23 patients (23 eyes) who had been treated for endophthalmitis between May 1996 and November 2000. RESULTS: The final vision was 0.15 and better in 18 eyes out of 23 eyes, and 5 eyes reported vision worse than 0.1. Endophthalmitis was associated with cataract surgery in 15 eyes, ocular traumja in 7 eyes, filtration surgery in 1 eye. Eyes with posttraumatic endophthalmitis had worse visual prognosis. When smear and culture was performed, 14 out of 23 eyes were tested positive, and all the obtained microorganisms showed sensitivity to vancomycin and amikacin. The results were similar between Gram positive and negative bacteria. When the onset of symptoms was within 1 week after intraocular operation, and when the patients with ocular trauma reported to the hospital within two days, the prognosis was relatively better. The use of intravitreous antibiotics alone yielded similar results compared to the use of combined systemic antibiotics. Two out of 5 eyes which underwent vitrectomy and 16 out of 18 eyes which did not undergo vitrectomy reported final vision of 0.15 or better. CONCLUSIONS: When endophthalmitis is suspected, one should immediately perform diagnostic workup and the patient is immediately given intravitreous injection of vancomycin and amikacin. When smear and culture results are obtained later on, one can modify and improve the treatment modalities in an attempt to improve visual prognosis.
Amikacin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Cataract ; Endophthalmitis* ; Filtering Surgery ; Humans ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Vancomycin ; Vitrectomy