Although anterior fusion has several advantages in the management of fracture-dislocations of cervical spine than posterior methods, it has not been used in common. Because, it does not give sufficient stability to prevent the dislodgment of the graft and angular deformity and it requires prolonged rigid external immobilization. In order to promote the stability and to reduce the external support, authors have fixed with plate and screws in anterior spine fusion for various type of fracture-dislocations of cervical spine, and report the results of 29 consecutive cases. Minimum follow-up period was 6 months (Av. 12mos.). Two level fixation after anterior decompression by corpectomy was done in 7 cases. Ambulation was started from the day after operation with aid of orthosis, regardless of the neurological status. Bone union was observed in all, but one expired case, within 2–3 months. There was no failure in fixation and no worsening in neurology. Improvement of neurological status were observed in 17 patient during and follow up periods of treatment, among 23 patient with neurological symptoms on arrival. The observed complications of hoarseness(2 csses), dysphagia(2 cases) and Horner's syndrome(1 case) were improved later, but the patient with pneumonia was expired one month after operation. It is concluded that the procedure is a safe and better alternative for the fracture-dislocations including flexion injury between C2-T1, because it provides good stability, rapid union, short external support and possibility of neural decomprssion.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Decompression ; Dislocations ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Neurology ; Orthotic Devices ; Pneumonia ; Spine ; Transplants ; Walking

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of Mcdonald's cerclage and postoperative care on perinatal outcome in patient with incompetent cervix and bulging fetal membranes. METHODS: In the descriptive study, the charts of 78 patients admitted from 1993 to 1997 with a diagnosis of incompetent cervix and cervical dilatation (3cm) were reviewed, Mcdonald's cerclage rate, predisposing factor, fetal salvage by time, factors of falled operation, delivery type were analyzed. RESULTS: The results of the study were as follows; The incidence of II OC was 0.4% of 18702 case, the mean age was 31.9 years old, the average number of gravida was 2.9, the fetal salvage rate was 83.3%, the predisposing factor was previous history of midtrimester termination(56.4%), dilation and curettage(19.2%), unknown(14.1%) etc, the fetal salvage by time was the highest success rate(88.9%) revealed with period from 14th to 16th weeks of gestation, the factors of falled operation were preterm labor(76.9%), PROM(15.4%), infection(7.7%), and delivery type was vaginal delivery in 36 case(55.4%), cesarean section in 29 case(44.6%). CONCLUSION: We concluded that fetal salvage rate was greatly increased when Mcdonald operation was done from 14th to 16th week of gestation if midtrimester abortion and dilatation and curettage were experienced, Even though we have not compared experimental group with control group, upper part of Mcdonald cerclage, no exposure of suture material, benzol conium dressing, bed rest were increased to fetal salvage rate.
Bandages ; Bed Rest ; Benzene ; Causality ; Cervix Uteri* ; Cesarean Section ; Conium ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation and Curettage ; Extraembryonic Membranes ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Labor Stage, First ; Postoperative Care ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Sutures ; Uterine Cervical Incompetence

This study was designed to evaluate the expression of growth factor in periodontal tissue during the experimental movement of rat incisors by LSAB(Labelled streptavidine Biotin) immunohistochemical staining for EGF(Epidermal growth factor). 23 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control group(3rats) and experimental groups(20rats), where a force(75g) from helical springs across the maxillary incisors was applied. Experimental groups were sacrificed at 12 hours, 1, 4, 7 and 14 days, after force application, respectively. And Tissue slides of control and experimental groups were studied immunohistochemically and histologically. The results were as follows: 1. In 14days after force application, periodontal fibers were strectched on the tension side, and compressed in pressure side of all experimental groups, and the arrangement of periodontal fibers was not recovered yet. 2. The degree of EGF expression in control group was strongly positive in the oral epithelium, predentin, capillaries in pulp and periodontal spaces. But osteoblasts and osteoclasts were stained mildly positive. 3. EGF expression was mild and diffuse in 12 hours, 1, 4 and 7 days of experimental groups and was not significantly different between the tension and pressure sides. 4. The degree of EGF expression in the 14-day experimental group was higher than any other group. And the tension side showed a more positive EGF expression than the pressure side. The apical area revealed a more positive EGF expression than the cervical area.
Animals ; Capillaries ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Epithelium ; Incisor* ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptavidin ; Tooth Movement

It has been known that the vestibular system is concerned with feelings of dizziness or vertigo. The vestibulo-thalamic pathway has also been described previously. However, there has been no confirmative report so far regarding the pathway through the internal capsule to the cortex. We have experienced 13 patients with symptoms of dizziness and/or vertigo whose lesions are located only around the internal capsule, mainly at the posterior limb and/or the genu. It is suggestive that fibers with dizziness may pass through a part of the internal capsule, probably through some part of the posterior limb and/or the genu.
Adult ; Aged ; Basal Ganglia/*physiopathology ; Dizziness/*physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neural Pathways/physiopathology

In esophageal perforation, fistulous tracts commonly occur between the esophagus and mediastinal or pleural spaces, but rarely between the esophagus and bronchi. The clinical manifestations and radiologic findings of esophageal perforation are nonspecific, and diagnosis is the often delayed; esophagography is the standard technique for evaluation of its location and degree. CT is useful in demonstrating the extraluminal manifestations of esophageal perforation and for follow-up after medical treatment, and may depict the various manifestations of perforation, according to the causes.
Bronchi ; Diagnosis ; Esophageal Perforation ; Esophagus ; Follow-Up Studies*

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between preoperative De Ritis ratio (aspartate transaminase [AST]/alanine transaminase [ALT]) and postoperative clinical outcome in patients with upper urinary tract carcinoma (UTUC) who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) and adjuvant chemotherapy (ACH). Materials and Methods: We respectively analyzed the clinical and pathological data of 102 patients who underwent RNU and ACH for UTUC. Patients were divided into 2 groups, according to the optimal value of AST/ALT ratio. The effect of the AST/ALT ratio was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression hazard models for patients’ cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Mean survival time was 50.5±41.2 months. Mean age was 61.4±9.7years. Forty-one of the patients (46.5%) were in the high AST/ALT group. According to receiver operating characteristic analysis, the optimal AST/ALT ratio was 1.2. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, the high AST/ALT group showed worse outcomes in OS (p=0.007) and CSS (p=0.011). Using Cox regression models of clinical and pathological parameters to predict OS, high AST/ALT ratio (hazard ratio [HR], 5.428; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 1.803–16.334; p=0.002), pathological T3 (pT3) or higher (HR, 1.464; 95% CI; 1.156-1.857; p=0.002), and to predict CSS, high AST/ALT ratio (HR, 4.417; 95% CI; 1.545–12.632; p=0.005), and pT3 or higher (HR, 1.475; 95% CI; 1.172–1.904; p=0.002) were determined as independent prognostic factors. Conclusions Pretreatment AST/ALT ratio is a significant independent predictor of CSS and OS in advanced UTUC patients receiving systemic ACH after RNU.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, the incidence of elderly primipara is increasing. Thus, impact of old age on pregnancy outcomes became important. Our purpose was to assess the effect of maternal age on pregnancy outcomes. METHODS: 73 cases of the elderly primipara over 35 years at the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Chon-ju presbyterian medical center, from Jan. 1, 1995 to Dec. 31, 1998, were compared with 73 cases randomly chosen young primiparas during same period. RESULTS: Elderly primipara had higher rate of infertility and spontaneous abortion history, antenatal complications, cesarean section, poorer neonatal outcome than young primipara. CONCLUSION: The pregnancy outcome of elderly primipara is considered to be less favorable than those of young primipara. Careful antenatal and intrapartal care should be performed for the elderly primipara. We think that many clinical study of congenital anomaly in elderly primipara will be necessary.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Aged* ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infertility ; Jeollabuk-do ; Maternal Age ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy* ; Protestantism ; Statistics as Topic*

Acupuncture is a popular technique used worldwide, particularly for clinical pain management. Diverse methods of acupuncture with several types of needle have recently been introduced; however, medical evidence of the treatment and safety of many of these techniques has not been established. In addition, severe, life-threatening acupuncture-related complications have been reported even though the treatment is considered to be safe. We report a case of a post-dural puncture headache that occurred following acupuncture for the treatment of lower back pain, with a literature review. Pain physicians should consider that acupuncture can cause far more serious side effects than those previously known.
Acupuncture ; Low Back Pain ; Needles ; Pain Management ; Post-Dural Puncture Headache* ; Postoperative Complications

BACKGROUND: The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling axis has emerged as a novel target for cancer therapy. Agents that inhibit this pathway are currently under development for lung cancer treatment. In the present study, we have tested whether dual inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling can lead to enahnced antitumor effects. We have also examined the role of autophagy during this process. METHODS: We analyzed the combination effect of the mTOR inhibitor, temsirolimus, and the Akt inhibitor, GSK690693, on the survival of NCI-H460 and A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells. Cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay and apoptosis induction was evaluated by flow cytometry and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Autophagy induction was also evaluated by acridine orange staining. Changes of apoptosis or autophagy-related proteins were evaluated by western blot analysis. RESULTS: Combination treatment with temsirolimus and GSK690693 caused synergistically increased cell death in NCI-H460 and A549 cells. This was attributable to increased induction of apoptosis. Caspase 3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage accompanied these findings. Autophagy also increased and inhibition of autophagy resulted in increased cell death, suggesting its cytoprotective role during this process. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results suggest that the combination of temsirolimus and GSK690693 could be a novel strategy for lung cancer therapy. Inhibition of autophagy could also be a promising method of enhancing the combination effect of these drugs.
Acridine Orange ; Apoptosis ; Autophagy ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; Caspase 3 ; Cell Death ; Cell Proliferation ; DNA Nucleotidylexotransferase ; Flow Cytometry ; Lung Neoplasms ; Oxadiazoles ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; Proteins ; Sirolimus ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

PURPOSE: To evaluate the significance of mammographic findings in patients with paget's disease of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and mammographic records of ten patients with surgically-proved paget disease of the breast were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Of these ten patients, the mammograms of two(20%) were normal, while those of six(60%) showed nipple or subareolar abnormalities, and those of six(60%) showed parenchymal abnormalities. Of six patients who had nipple change only, the mammograms of four showed nipple orsubareolar abnormalities and those of three showed parenchymal abnormalities. Of two patients who had nipple change and palpable mass, the mammograms of both showed nipple or subareolar and parenchymal abnormalities. Of two patients who had palpable mass only, the mammograms of both failed to show nipple or subareolar abnormalities and those of one showed parenchymal abnormalities. CONCLUSION: In Paget's disease of the breast, mammographic findings are nonspecific and are limited to an evaluation of the extension of the primary carcinoma. Therefore clinical findings should be correlated with mammographic findings.
Breast ; Humans ; Nipples ; Paget's Disease, Mammary* ; Retrospective Studies