Infectious complications such as wound infection and intra-abdominal abscess are rarely fatal, but perplexing to both patients and surgeons, and still remain asserious problem after appendectomy in about 5% of the patients. To be helpful to reduce post-appendectomy complications, authors retrospectively analyzed 229 cases of appendectomy performed during the period of one year, from January 1 through December 31, 1995, to find out contributing factors to the post-appendectomy infectious complications such as wound infection or intra-abdominal abscess. The results were as follows. 1) Infectious complications are more common in patients with four or more days of symptom. 2) Infectious complications are more common in patients with complicated appendicitis such as gangrenous or perforated appendicitis. 3) Preoperative antibiotics are helpful to prevent infectious complications in cases of complicated appendicitis. 4) There is no difference in the incidence of infectious complications between the immediate operations and overnight delayed operations in patients who were admitted in the late evening or at night. 5) There is no difference in the incidence of infectious complications between operators: staff surgeons who exclusively operated on patients with complicated appendicitis and residents(with or without supervision of staff surgeons) who mostly operated on patients with simple appendicitis. This means technical superiority has its role in preventing infectious complications. Early diagnosis and operation before the gangrenous change or perforation are warranted. Preoperative antibiotics are effective in cases of complicated appendicitis, but not in cases of simple appendicitis. But the lack of objective criteria to decide complicated appendicitis before the operation remains problem, and prospective study to solve this problem is needed. Technical perfectness is required to protect the wound and to remove the appendix without contamination. Preventive measures are also important to prevent the infectious complications in cases of inevitably contaminated wounds or inta-abdominal spaces.
Abdominal Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Organization and Administration ; Retrospective Studies ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

It is deirable to identify the tumoric factors anticipating the therapeutic failure in breast cancer patients received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. So, we studued the tumoric topoisomerase II alpha enzyme, c-erbB-2 oncoprotein, and Pgp expression in breast cancer tissues to identify the roles of these factors as the predictors of chemotherapeutic result. The results were as follows. 1) There wee no significant differences in the average value of topoisomerase II alpha enzyme, c-erb B-2 oncoportein overexpression, and Pgp expression according to stages. 2) CAF chemotherapy was suggested to be more effective than CMF chemotherapy in more advance stages. 3) There was a possible suggestion that the breast cancer with high topoisomerase II alpha enzyme activity might indicate the failure with CMF chemotherapy. 4) C-erbB-2 oncoportein overexperession suggested the possibility of therapeutic failure with CMF chemotherapy and the selection of CAF chemotherapy might improve the survival of advanced breast cancer patients with c-erbB-2 overexpression. In conclusion, it was suggested that c-erb-2 oncopotein overexpression and high topoisomerase II alpha activity might have a meaningful role in the selection of proper chemotherapeutic regimen in setting of adjuvant chemotherapy and predict the therapeutic failure of some chemotherapeutic agents for breast cancer. An expanded study for these factors is required to reveal the clinical significance in chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II* ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; P-Glycoprotein*

A case of vaginal and cervical adenocarcinoma, mostly of clear cell type, in young women have been associated with intrauterine exposure to diethystillbestrol(DES) or other nonsteroidal estrogenic substances and vaginal adenosis. We have encountered a case of clear-cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix uteri of 27years young house wife, in which there was a history of intrauterine exposure to DES. We presented a case with a brief review of related literature.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Spouses

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As lack of myocardial perfusion was demonstrated Microvascular function after reperfusion of infarct related artery (IRA) can be changed in convalescent stage for several possible mechanisms such as hyperemia and microvascular stunning. Therefore, myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) performed early stage after reperfusion of IRA may cause over or underestimation of the extent of myocardial necrosis. The aims of the study were to demonstrate the temporal changes of myocardial perfusion after revascularization of IRA and to explore the association of late changes of myocardial capillary flow with contractile recovery. METHODS: MCE was performed 5-7days after the attack of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 21 patients (M:F=17:4, age: 58+/-12yrs) who underwent successful reperfusion of IRA. MCE was graded by semiquantitative score (0: no opacification, 0.5: partial opacification, 1: homogenous opacification) by 16 segment model. Every patient underwent 1-2months follow up 2D echocardiography and MCE. Improvement of wall motion score more than 1 at follow up was considered to have contractile recovery. RESULTS: Thirty-one of 71 initially akinetic segments were scored as 1, 30 segments as 0.5 and 10 segments as 0 after attempted reperfusion. Twelve of 30 segments with score of 0.5 and 5 of 10 segments with score of 0 showed late improvement of MCE score to 1 and 0.5. Only 1 of 30 segments with score of 0.5 got worse to score of 0. Every segment with late improvement from 0.5 to 1 showed contractile recovery, whereas none of 5 segments with late improvement from 0 to 0.5 showed contractile recovery. There was no significant difference of predictive value between early and late MCE (p=ns). CONCLUSION: Temporal changes of myocardial perfusion from 1week to 2 months in AMI were mainly progressive improvement caused by recovery of microvascular function from stunning rather than progressive microvascular damage or reactive hyperemia. However, it may not significantly affect the validity of MCE in predicting contractile recovery.
Arteries ; Capillaries* ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Necrosis ; Perfusion ; Reperfusion*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: As lack of myocardial perfusion was demonstrated Microvascular function after reperfusion of infarct related artery (IRA) can be changed in convalescent stage for several possible mechanisms such as hyperemia and microvascular stunning. Therefore, myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) performed early stage after reperfusion of IRA may cause over or underestimation of the extent of myocardial necrosis. The aims of the study were to demonstrate the temporal changes of myocardial perfusion after revascularization of IRA and to explore the association of late changes of myocardial capillary flow with contractile recovery. METHODS: MCE was performed 5-7days after the attack of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in 21 patients (M:F=17:4, age: 58+/-12yrs) who underwent successful reperfusion of IRA. MCE was graded by semiquantitative score (0: no opacification, 0.5: partial opacification, 1: homogenous opacification) by 16 segment model. Every patient underwent 1-2months follow up 2D echocardiography and MCE. Improvement of wall motion score more than 1 at follow up was considered to have contractile recovery. RESULTS: Thirty-one of 71 initially akinetic segments were scored as 1, 30 segments as 0.5 and 10 segments as 0 after attempted reperfusion. Twelve of 30 segments with score of 0.5 and 5 of 10 segments with score of 0 showed late improvement of MCE score to 1 and 0.5. Only 1 of 30 segments with score of 0.5 got worse to score of 0. Every segment with late improvement from 0.5 to 1 showed contractile recovery, whereas none of 5 segments with late improvement from 0 to 0.5 showed contractile recovery. There was no significant difference of predictive value between early and late MCE (p=ns). CONCLUSION: Temporal changes of myocardial perfusion from 1week to 2 months in AMI were mainly progressive improvement caused by recovery of microvascular function from stunning rather than progressive microvascular damage or reactive hyperemia. However, it may not significantly affect the validity of MCE in predicting contractile recovery.
Arteries ; Capillaries* ; Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Necrosis ; Perfusion ; Reperfusion*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathological findings of Non-Q wave myocardial infarction(NQMI) on ECG did not always correspond to subendocardial infarction(SEMI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of ECG for SEMI by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in the patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was 84 patients who underwent MCE under the diagnosis of AMI. MCE was performed by intracoronary injection of sonicated Hexabrix into the infarct related artery and SEMI was diagnosed by inspecting endocardial defect with epicardial enhancement on MCE. RESULTS: (1) Among 19 NQMI cases, 7 cases showed SEMI with MCE score 0.5, 11 cases with score 1, and 1 case with score 0. Among 65 Q-wave MI(QMI) cases, only 5 cases showed SEMI. (2) 7 cases who had NQMI with SEMI showed LV wall motion recovery at follow-up echocardiography except 1 case. Whereas, of 5 QMI cases who had SEMI, only 1 case improve LV wall motion. CONCLUSION: NQMI on ECG does not always imply SEMI on MCE, but the absence of pathologic Q wave in the patients with SEMI is thought to be a predictive factor of the recovery of LV wall motion.
Arteries ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Electrocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Ioxaglic Acid

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The pathological findings of Non-Q wave myocardial infarction(NQMI) on ECG did not always correspond to subendocardial infarction(SEMI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic validity of ECG for SEMI by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in the patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population was 84 patients who underwent MCE under the diagnosis of AMI. MCE was performed by intracoronary injection of sonicated Hexabrix into the infarct related artery and SEMI was diagnosed by inspecting endocardial defect with epicardial enhancement on MCE. RESULTS: (1) Among 19 NQMI cases, 7 cases showed SEMI with MCE score 0.5, 11 cases with score 1, and 1 case with score 0. Among 65 Q-wave MI(QMI) cases, only 5 cases showed SEMI. (2) 7 cases who had NQMI with SEMI showed LV wall motion recovery at follow-up echocardiography except 1 case. Whereas, of 5 QMI cases who had SEMI, only 1 case improve LV wall motion. CONCLUSION: NQMI on ECG does not always imply SEMI on MCE, but the absence of pathologic Q wave in the patients with SEMI is thought to be a predictive factor of the recovery of LV wall motion.
Arteries ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Electrocardiography* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infarction* ; Ioxaglic Acid

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Dilated cardiomyopathy(DCMP) is a primary myocardial disease of unknown cause characterized by left ventricular or biventricular dilatation and impaired myocardial contractility. In 1973, Kreulen et al. classified DCMP into two groups-one with generalized hypokinesia and the other with regional asynergy in addition to generalized hypokinesia. Diminished coronary flow reserve has been reported in DCMP with generalized hypokinesia but its mechanism remains obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the degree of microvascular dysfunction and the difference of regional wall motion abnormality in DCMP with regional asynergy. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 11 patients (M:F=:5, mean age:60 15yrs) a diagnosis of DCMP with regional asynergy, normal sinus rhythm without left bundle branch block and normal coronary angiogram who underwent Doppler wire from September 1997 to December 1999. Left ventricle was divided into three territories according to the coronary arterial distribution by echocardiography(A: coronary artery territory showing regional asynergy, I: coronary artery territory showing intermediate wall motion, P: coronary artery territory showing relatively preserved wall motion). Coronary flow reserve(CFR) was measured at the mid portion of left anterior descending artery(LAD), left circumflex artery(LCX) and right coronary artery(RCA) with 0.014 inch Doppler guide wire before and during intracoronary injection of 12-18 of adenosine. Relative coronary flow reserve(rCFR) was obtained by the ratio of the CFR in coronary artery of the territory showing regional asynergy and relatively preserved wall motion to the CFR in coronary artery of the territory showing intermediate wall motion (CFRA/CFRI, CFRP/CFRI). RESULTS: Regional asynergy was observed in LAD territory in 4(36%) patients, LCX territory in 4(36%) patients, RCA territory in 3(28%) patients (p=s). The mean CFR was 2.5 0.6 in LAD, 2.4 0.5 in LCX, 2.4 0.6 in RCA(p=s). The mean CFR and rCFR in coronary arteries showing regional asynergy were significantly lower than those in coronary arteries showing relatively preserved wall motion(2.1 0.5 vs 2.7 0.6, p<0.05, 0.84 0.12 vs 1.11 0.11, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Degree of regional hypokinesia in DCMP with regional asynergy seems to be associated with that of microvascular dysfunction.
Adenosine ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Cardiomyopathies ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Coronary Vessels ; Deoxycytidine Monophosphate ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Hypokinesia*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the biomechanical results according to various anterior spinal fixation methodology in the treatment of thoracolumbar spine fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The comparative analysis of fixation method was evaluated by three dimensional finite element model using the 1 mm reconstruction image of CT. Authors evaluated the flexion, extension, lateral bending, torsional stresses with 12 fixation methods for the compression and burst fracture. RESULTS: In biomechanical analysis, stiffness of body-fixation device was more stable in two-rod system in compression fracture and was stable in one-rod, two-rod system in burst fracture, but two-rod system was showed over-increase of stiffness. CONCLUSION: Authors recommend the usage of two-rod system in anterior fixation only and anterior one-rod system in anterior-posterior fixation.
Fractures, Compression ; Methods ; Spine*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the utility of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) left ventricular (LV) global myocardial deformity parameters for assessing LV diastolic function by comparing invasive measures of LV performance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Echocardiography and LV pressure were assessed in 39 patients. Myocardial LV longitudinal, circumferential, and radial deformations, as well as area strain, were evaluated utilizing 2D and 3D speckle tracking software. The 2D early diastolic strain rate (2D-SRe) was measured from the 3 apical and 3 short axis views. The 3D diastolic index (3D-DI) was calculated by the % change of global strain during the first one-third of the diastolic period. LV end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and the rate of LV pressure change (dP/dt) were collected using a pressure-conducted catheter and tau was calculated. RESULTS: dP/dt(min) were related to early mitral annular velocity (e'), 2D-SRe(long), 2D-SRe(radial), as well as 3D-DI(long), and 3D-DI(as). Additionally, LVEDP was associated with the ratio of mitral early diastolic velocity (E) to 2D-SRe(long), 2D-SRe(circ), 2D-SRe(radial), 3D-DI(long), 3D-DI(circ), and 3D-DI(as). E/2D-SRe(long), E/2D-SRe(radial), E/3D-DI(long), and E/3D-DI(as) were comparable with E/e' in predicting patients with elevated LVEDP. Among those patients with E/e' of 8 to 15, E/3D-DI(long) provided incremental value in identifying those with LVEDP > or =15 mm Hg. CONCLUSION: 2D-SRe(long), 2D-SRe(radial), 3D-DI(long), and 3D-DI(as) were related to LV relaxation, and the ratios of E to those parameters were associated with LVEDP. In addition, among patients with indeterminate E/e', E/3D-DI(long) offered incremental value in predicting elevated LVEDP, suggesting it may provide supplementary information in the evaluation of LV diastolic function.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Blood Pressure ; Catheters ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Diastole ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Relaxation ; Sprains and Strains ; Track and Field ; Ventricular Pressure