The authors carried out various treatment modalities in 74 consecutive patients with hypertensive basal ganglionic-thalamic intracerebral hemorrhage and were admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery. Konkuk University Hospital, from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 1993. A variety of prognostic factors that influence mortality were observed. The locaton of hematoma was at the basal ganglia in 47 cases and at the thalamus in 27 cases. The prognosis gets poorer as the hematoma extended wider and deeper. The prognosis was unfavorable when the hematoma was over 30cc(P<0.001). The mortality rate was higher in cases with IVH than in cases without IVH(P<0.005). In cases with IVH, 19 cases(26%) showed dilated 4th ventricular hemorrage and higher mortality rate(P<0.001). Cases in which the GCS were less than 9 on admission showed higher mortality rate(P<0.0001). The mortality rate was also higher if the midline shift was more than 10mm on the initial brain CT scan(P<0.005). THe group where the unilateral or bilateral pupillary light reflex was unreactive(35cases) showed poorer prognosis than the group where the bilateral pupillary light reflex was reactive(P<0.0001). The ventriculocranial ratio(VCR), hydrocephalus, surrounding edema edema around the heamtoam, and treatment modality were not related to the prognosis. The significant prognostic factors in patients with hypertensive basal ganglionic-thalamic intracerebral hemorrhage were location and type of hematoma, whether or not the volume of hematoma is more than 30cc, IVH, dilated 4th ventricular hemorrhage, Graeb's score of more than 7, GCS of less than 9, midline shift of more than 10mm, and reactivity of pupillary light reflex.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Edema ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Mortality ; Neurosurgery ; Prognosis ; Reflex ; Thalamus

Superficial gastritis has been classified as a type of chronic gastritis, since a report of Schindler in GASTRLTIS, 1947. Howev~er, Benedict reported that superficial gastritis is only acute gastritis or shows normal mucosa histologically. The com mon endopical findings of chronic superficial gastritis were adherent mucus, edema, redness. The common redness which were encounterd are patchy redness and comb-like redness(Kammrotung). We studied the relationship between the redness of superficial gastritis and acute inflammatory changes histologically. Each case of superfieial gastritis was biopsied to redening and non-redening mucosa respectively. We collected 24 cases with 48 biopsy specimens. The results are as follows: Acute inflammatory changes were found only one case in redness and none in non-redness groups. There was no difference in acute inflammatory changes in two groups. The degree of mucosal atrophy were 62.5%, 66.7% in normal mucosa, 12.5%, 16.7~% in mild atrophy, 25%, 12.5% in moderate atrophy, 0%, 4.l% in severe atrophy with respect to redness and non-redness mucosa respectively. There was no difference in degree of mucosal atrophy in two groups. Mucosal atrophies were higher in older ages above 41 years old than below 40 and with increasing age, there was increasing tendency of mucosal atrophy. In conclusion, There was no relationships between mucosal redness and acute in flammatory changes histologically and also between mucosal redness and degree of atrophy.
Adult ; Atrophy ; Biopsy ; Edema ; Gastritis* ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Mucus

BACKGROUND: Anomalous origin of a coronary artery is rare, but it can lead to angina pectoris, acute myocardial infarction, or even sudden death in the absence of atherosclerosis. Even when an anomalous vessel is identified angiographically, it may be difficult to delineate its true course on the basis of angiography alone. We attempted to determine whether transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is of value in making the diagnosis and outlining the course of anomalous left circumflex (LCx) or right coronary arteries (RCA). METHOD: Eight adult patients with anomalous origin of LCx or RCA documented by selective coronary angiography were studied by transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and multiplane TEE. RESULTS: Anomalous coronary ostia were visualized in all eight patients by TEE, but in only one with anomalous RCA out of eight patients by TTE. The proximal segments of anomalous coronary vessels were delineated in all eight patients by TEE and in only three with anomalous LCx out of eight patients by TTE. CONCLUSION: TEE is a valuable adjunctive diagnostic tool for the identification of anomalous coronary origin and course and is superior to TTE in adult patients.
Adult ; Angina Pectoris ; Angiography ; Atherosclerosis ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Death, Sudden ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: Thrombus-containing lesions (TCL) are associated with lower initial success rates and higher restenosis rates after balloon dilation. Furthermore, it has been considered as an absolute contraindication of coronary stenting. With advances in antithrombotic regimens and implantation techniques, coronary stenting has been widened to lesions with adverse morphologic features or to patients with acute coronary syndrome. Here we report the early clinical and angiographic results of coronary stenting in TCL. METHODS: We studied 24 consecutive patients (58+/-8 years, 18 males) undergoing coronary stenting in TCL. Fifteen patients (63%) were treated for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 9 (37%) for unstable angina. Stenting was performed as the primary therapy in 23 patients (96%) and secondary after angioplasty failure in I patient (4%). RESULTS: 1) Twenty-five stents were deployed successfully in all 24 patients with TCL. Distal flow with TIMI grade 3 was obtained immediately in 21 patients (88%). Ventricular fibrillation occurred in 3 patients (13%) during the procedure-related death or emergency bypass surgery did not occur. Marked CK elevation (over 5000U/L) was observed in 5 patients (21%) with AMI who underwent primary stenting. Two of these 5 patients (8%) had distal flow with TIMI grade 2 consistent with distal embolization, and one (4%) had distal flow with TIMI grade 0, suggesting acute stent occlusion. All 24 patients (100%) were event-free and showed clinical improvement at the last follow-up visit (71+/-15 days). 2) Quantitative angiography demonstrated excellent angiographic results after stenting (minimal luminal diameter 0.3+/-0.3 vs. 3.4+/-0.3mm, diameter stenosis 90.1+/-10.7 vs. -13.3+/-8.1%, p<0.005 respectively). Acute gain was 3.1+/-0.3mm (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: With low incidents of complications, coronary stenting could be used successfully for select patients with TCL as a primary therapeutic option under aggressive antithrombotic therapy. Although early clinical results were excellent, the long-term benefits remain to be established.
Acute Coronary Syndrome ; Angina, Unstable ; Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Emergencies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Phenobarbital ; Stents* ; Ventricular Fibrillation

Anomalous origin of the left circumflex coronary artery(LCx) from the right sinus of Valsalva is the most common coronary anomaly and, generally, is considered to be benign. Nevertheless, myocardial infarction or sudden death in young patients with this coronary anomaly has infrequently been described. The LCx arises from the right sinus of Valsalva or proximal right coronary artery, courses posterior to the aorta to enter the left atrioventricular groove, and provide branches to the left lateral wall of heart. Transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography may provide a useful diagnostic clue although coronary angiography is the standard diagnostic method. We report 2 cases of anomalous origin of the LCx from right aortic sinus with typical echocardiographic images.
Aorta ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels* ; Death, Sudden ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction ; Sinus of Valsalva

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Eectrocardiogram (ECG) may provide valuable informations regarding the infarct-related artery (IRA), which may be of guidance in selecting the therapeutic modality. ST segment elevation in inferior leads usually indicates occlusion of right coronary artery, less often left circumflex coronary artery or rarely occlusion of left anterior descending coronary artery may be the cause. We are to determine whether the initial ECG can differentiate the right coronary artery (RCA) or left circumflex artery (LCx) occlusion in acute inferior myocardial infarction (IMI). MATERIALS AND METHOD: We compared retrospectively the ECG recorded within 12 hours from the onset of chest pain with coronary angiographic findings in 85 patients (34% of all 250 patients) having electrocardiographic criteria for IMI. RESULTS: 1) Angiographic characteristics. Of the 85 patients, IRA was RCA in 65 (76%) (38[58%] proximal, 27[42%] distal to first right ventricular branch), and LCx in 20 (24%) (nine[45%] proximal to first obtuse marginal branch or involving a high first marginal branch, eleven[55%] distal obstruction). RCA dominance was more common in RCA occlusion group (100% vs 80%, p=0.001), and LCx dominance in LCx occlusion group (15% vs 0%, p=0.001). No significant difference was noted between two groups regarding vessels diseased, involvement of left anterior descending coronary artery and contralateral artery (RCA or LCx), location of the lesion. 2) Electrocardio-graphic characteritics. Lateral limb leads (I, aVL) :ST segment depression (> or = 1 mm) was more common in RCA occlusion group (82% vs 45%, p=0.001). Isoelectric ST segment in I was more common in LCx occlusion group (100% vs 15%, p=0.001). Left precordial leads (V(5,6)) :ST segment elevation (> or = 1 mm) was more common in LCx occlusion group (60% vs 15%, p=0.001). Isoelectric ST segment was more common in RCA occlusion group (57% vs 20%, p=0.004). ST segment depression (> or = 1 mm) was not different between two groups. Right precordial leads (V(1-4)) :ST segment changes were not different between two groups. Lead I and left precordial leads (V(5,6)) :Isoelectric ST segment in lead I and ST segment elevation (> or = 1 mm) in V(5) or V(6) was more common in LCx occlusion group (60% vs 5%, p<0.05, sensitivity 60% specificity 95% positive/negative predictive value 80%/89%, test accuracy 87%). Amplitude of R wave in V(1) :Amplitude of R wave in V was greater in LCx occlusion group (3.60+/-1.42 mm vs 2.20+/-1.42 mm, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The initial electrocardiogram was useful in differentiating LCx occlusion from RCA occlusion in patients with IMI. Absence of ST segment depression in I and aVL, and ST segment elevation in V(5,6), isoelectric ST segment in I, tall R wave in V(1) were significantly more common in LCx occlusion.
Arteries* ; Chest Pain ; Coronary Vessels ; Depression ; Electrocardiography* ; Extremities ; Humans ; Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

The therapeutic strategy of the left main disease is quite different frorn usual coronary artery disease. Therefore, the diagnostic evaluation should be done carefully. Eventhough coronary angiography has been considered as a gold standard for the diagnosis of left main disease, its diagnosis is not possible in all cases. In questionable situation, direct visualization of the left main coronary artery and Doppler measurements of coronary blood flow by transesophageal echocardiography may give some diagnostic aids. We report a case of suspected isolated ostial left main stenosis, which was helped diagnotically by perfoming transesophageal Doppler echocardiography.
Constriction, Pathologic* ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography, Doppler* ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal

Annuloaortic ectasia, cystic medial degeneration of the afflicted aortic wall leading to progressive dilatation, is often accompanied by Marfan's syndrome. Some portions of intimal flap is commonly demonstrated along the aorta in the noninvasive diagnosis of aortic dissection. We report the first case of circumscribed aortic dissection developed in a 28 year old obese non-Marfanoid patient. He was transferred after thrombolytic therapy at a community hospital because of severe chest pain and ST segment elevation. Transthoracic echocardiography showed markedly dilated aortic root, moderate amount of pericardial effusion, mild aortic regurgitation in spite of normal regional wall motion of left ventricle. Intimal flap, characteristic of aortic dissection, was not seen with computed tomography. Intimal tear was demonstrated just above aortic valve only by transesophageal echocardiography. Two parallel intimal tear and small circumscribed dissection was demonstrated by autopsy.
Adult ; Aorta ; Aortic Valve ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Autopsy ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Dilatation, Pathologic* ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart Ventricles ; Hospitals, Community ; Humans ; Marfan Syndrome ; Pericardial Effusion ; Thrombolytic Therapy

BACKGROUND: Plaque rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque is an important pathophysiologic mechanism of acute coronary syndrorne(acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina). Plaque rupture and resulting thrombus formation could be identified by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), even though the sensitivity was variable in previous reports. We sought to know the morphologic characteristics, incidence of plaque rupture and thrombus formation by ultrasound in patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHOD: Between April and Septernber 1997, 23 admitted patients who was diagnosed as unstable angina or acute rnyocardial infarction was included. We performed coronary angiography with IVUS examination within 2 weeks. Atherosclerotic plaque was classified into soft, fibrous, calcific, and mixed plaque, and plaque rupture was defined as rupture of fibrous cap with discontinuity and / or backflow into plaque. Thrombus was defined as a scintillating, movable mass or layering materials that could be distinguished from underlying plaque. RESULTS: Most of the plaques were soft and mixed types(14 and 6, out of 23 cases). Plaque rupture could be identified only in small portion(6 cases, 26%) of the cases. Thrombus was noted in 12 cases(52%). 4 cases showed both plaque rupture and thrombus. CONCLUSION: Soft plaque is the most frequent plaque pye in acute coronary syndrome. IVUS is a useful tool to identify the morphologic features of the plaque such as rupture and thrombus formation.
Acute Coronary Syndrome* ; Angina, Unstable ; Coronary Angiography ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infarction ; Myocardial Infarction ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; Rupture ; Thrombosis ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Paracentesis is an acceptable therapeutic modality for the symptomatic relief of dyspnea or abdominal fullness due to tense ascites in patients with cirrhosis. Whereas studies about the effects of paracentesis focused on the changes about hemodynamics, electrolytes and renal function in great detail, the effects of paracentesis on the changes about respiratory system have undergone limited investigations which are defined large-volume paracentesis. METHODS: We performed pulmonary function tests with arterial blood gas analysis just before and 24 hr after paracentesis. The paracentesis of average 2,300ml was carried out in ten liver cirrhosis patients with tense ascites who were free from underlying cardiopulmonary impairment. RESULTS: 1. The results of pulmonary function test just before paracentesis were as followings; FVC( functional vital capacity), FEV1(forced expiratory volume in 1 sec), FEF25 75(forced expiratory effort 25% 75%) and TLC(total lung capacity) were decreased as 78%, 79%, 62.3% and 89% of normal control value respectively, whereas RV(residual volume) was not decreased. DLCO(lung diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide)was decreased as 61.6%. 2. The results of pulmona function test 24 hr after paracentesis were as followings,' The symptomatic relief of dyspnea was achieved in all participated ten patients. Among lung volume parameters, FVC and VC were increased significantly(p=0.003, p=0.004). Whereas TLC was increased without statistical significance(p=0.228), and RV and FRC(functional residual capacity) showed no change. FEV1 was increased significantly(p=0.039), but FEF25 75 and the ratio of FEF1/FVC showed no change. DLCO was not increased. PaOy(partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood) was impr'oved without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the patients of liver cirrhosis with ascites have restrictive ventilatory impairment with additional obstructive ventilatory impairment. After paracentesis, the restrictive ventilatop impairment is improved by the relief of diaphragmatic motion limitation caused by ascites. Also, paracentesis of(not large volume, like 5000ml, but) relatively small volume, of 2000 3000ml can achieve objective improvement of dyspnea due to tense ascites.
Ascites ; Blood Gas Analysis ; Carbon ; Diffusion ; Dyspnea ; Electrolytes ; Fibrosis* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Lung ; Oxygen ; Paracentesis* ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory System ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation