The ultrasound is also helpful to make the diagnosis of a variety of soft tissue tumors bacause of its safety, low cost, non-invasiveness and usefulness. We analysed ultrasonographic findings of 43 cases of soft tissue tumors which were histopathologically confirmed by biopsy and obtained the following results. The ultrasonography could effectively image not only the presence, size and location of the lesion, but also the relationship between the lesion and the adjacent structures. And this method could easily identify the consistency of the lesion, solid or cystic nature, be used to guide the percutaneous biopsy and aspiration without exposure to radiation, and afford the differentiation of malignant lesion from benign one. It could also define the eritities of soft tissue tumors by the nature of internal echo, margin of the lesion, internal echo homogeniety, post-acoustic enhancement, and so on.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Methods ; Ultrasonography

We retrospectively evaluated datas on 61 cases of neonatal sepsis confirmed by clinical symptoms and blood cultures at the NICU of Gil general hospital From Mar. 1989, to Fed. 1992. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The mean gestational age was 32.7+/-2.6 Weeks in preterm infants, and 39+/-1.5 weels on term infants. The mean birth weight was 1,701.4+/-422.4 g in preterm infants, and 3,232+/-581.7 g in term infants. 2) There were 61 infants with neonatal sepsis identified among 13, 486 live births, resulting in an incidence of 0.45%. The sex ratio of male to female was 1.2:1. The incidencdence was higher in preterm infants (2.21%) than in term infants (0.27%). 3) The most commom presenting symptoms of neonatal sepsis were apnea and bradycardia (53.6%) in preterm infants, jaundice (33.3%) in term infants 4) The concurrent diseases in neonatal sepsis were urinary tract infection (UT)(25%), pneumonia (21%), hyaline membrane disease (21%) in the order of frequency. Hyaline membrane disease (33.3%) was the most frequently associated disease in preterm infants, UTI (41.4%) in term infants 5) Gram positive organisms were isolated in 33 casess (52%), gram negative organisms in 30 cases (48%). The most common ortanism isolated from blood cultures was CONS (28.6%). The more common organisms in preterm infants were CONS (26.7%), Enterococcus (23.3%) and Klebsiella (10%). CONS (30.3%), E. Coli (27.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (12%) were more frequent in term infants. 6) The significant diagnostic laboratory findings for neonatal sepsis were leukopenia ( < or =5000), I:T 0.16, thrombocytopenia ( <150,000/mm3), CRP> or =1+.2 or more of abnormal hematologic values were significantly more frequent in preterm infants (P< 0.05). 7) The risk factors associated with neonatal sepsis were endotracheal intubation (57%), birth ashyxia (Apgar score< or =6 at 5 min.)(39%) and umbilical catheterization (35.7%) in preterm infants, while endotrachial intubation (12.1%), birth ashyxia (12.1%) and premature rupture of membrane ( > or =24hrs)(9.0%) in term infants. 8) Early onset neonatal sepsis (72< or =hr of age) was found in 40 cases (65.6%). 9) The overall mortality rate of neonatal sepsis was 26.0%(39,3% in preterm infants, 15.2% in term infants). The mortality rate was significantly high in pseudomonas infection. 10) In low birth weight infants, the susceptibility to neonatal sepsis was greatest in the infants of lowest birth weight (1,00-1,500 gm) and the mortality rate was inversely proportional to birth weight. 11) Sensitivity to antibiotics in gram postitive organisms were chlorampjenicol (37%), Erythromycin (29%), ampicillin (26%) and cephalothin (26%). It clearly showed that newer antibiotics such as vancomycin is neccessary. In cases of gram negative organisms, sensitivity to antibiotics were amikacin (85%), gentamicin (65%), tobramycin (58%) and cephalothin (54%).
Amikacin ; Ampicillin ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Apnea ; Birth Weight ; Bradycardia ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Cephalothin ; Enterococcus ; Erythromycin ; Female ; Gentamicins ; Gestational Age ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Hyaline Membrane Disease ; Incidence ; Infant* ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Intubation ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Jaundice ; Klebsiella ; Leukopenia ; Live Birth ; Male ; Membranes ; Mortality ; Parturition ; Pneumonia ; Pseudomonas Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Rupture ; Sepsis* ; Sex Ratio ; Staphylococcus aureus ; Thrombocytopenia ; Tobramycin ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vancomycin

Newborn premature babies have lwo levels of transplacentally acquired maternal immunoglobulin which is mostly transferred after 32~34 weeks gestaton, therefore they may have IgG deficiencies that increase their susceptibility to bacterial infection. We performed this study to determine whether intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy improves mortality or infection occurrance rate. From 1 october 1991 to 31 July 1992, 73premature newborn infants with gestational age< or =34weeks were enrolled: the theatment group, consisting of 43infants who received prophylactic intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (500mg/kg/week) and the control group, consisting of 30infants who did not receive. prophylactic intravenous administration of immunoglobulin to preterm infants with a gestational ageage< or =34week, at a dose of 500mg/kg/week, results in maintenance of a satisfactory serum IgG level throughout the high-risk period for infection. But the incidence rates of proven or very probable sepsis, mortality for sepsis and total mortality in the infants receiving intravenous immunoglobulin were not significant differences when compared with those in the control infants. No adverse effects were noted after immunoglobulin transfusions in our subjects. In conclusion, our study does not show any decrease in bacterial infection rate or in mortality rate, and no study in the literature has shown absolute proof of the prophylactic efficacy of IVIG in premature newborns. Larger studies are necessary to confirm these observations and to determine more effective dosing schedules and the optimal levels of orhanism-spectific antibodies. And specific hyperimmnue of monoclonal antibody preparations may be required to provide reliable sources of effective prophylactic to premature neonate with high risk in bacterial sepsis.
Administration, Intravenous ; Antibodies ; Appointments and Schedules ; Bacterial Infections ; Humans ; IgG Deficiency ; Immunization, Passive ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulins* ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature* ; Mortality ; Sepsis*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical manifestations and 5-year natural course of recurrent bronchiolitis or reactive airways disease (RAD) in infants. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of infants with recurrent bronchiolitis from January 2007 to December 2007 at The Catholic University of Korea St. Mary's Hospital in Incheon, South Korea. Additionally, we telephoned their parents to confirm their present medical statuses. RESULTS: Sixty-three subjects with recurrent bronchiolitis were identified. The mean age at admission was 8.1 months and the number of males was 44 (69.8%). Of the 63 infants with recurrent bronchiolitis, inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and antibiotics were given to 62 (98.4%), 53 (84.1%), and 40 (63.5%), respectively. Among the total 63 subjects, we were able to contact the parents of 45 children by telephone. None of these children had been hospitalized during the previous one year period due to respiratory infections or for other medical reasons. Of the 45 subjects we were able to contact, 38 (84.4%) had not experienced any further respiratory difficulties at all. Five (11.1%) had been diagnosed with allergic rhinitis while two (4.4%) were being managed for asthma. CONCLUSION: Most children who presented with recurrent episodes of bronchiolitis in infancy did not show any further respiratory difficulties after five years of age.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Asthma ; Bronchiolitis* ; Bronchodilator Agents ; Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incheon ; Infant* ; Korea ; Male ; Medical Records ; Parents ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Rhinitis ; Telephone

A few cases of Lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy that developed after renal transplantation have been reported in western literature but there is no reported case in Korea. It may develop from one to nine days after surgery; the clinical course is favorable but the incidence is not low. According to the reported cases of western literature, the major causes of lateral femoral cutaneous neuropathy after renal transplantation included steal phenomenon, clamping the internal iliac artery during surgery, direct surgical damage to the vessels supplying the femoral nerve, and direct compression of the femoral nerve. We experienced one case of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve neuropathy after renal transplantation that developed at postoperative day (POD) 7. It was partially improved symptomatically after POD 60, so we reported this case with a brief review of literatures.
Constriction ; Femoral Nerve ; Iliac Artery ; Incidence ; Kidney Transplantation ; Korea

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed to see ultrastructural changes of pineal gland in rats exposed to microwaves. METHODS: We conducted an experiment by exposing rats at the electromagnetic wave frequency of 2.45GHz, using with an EMR(electromagnetic radiation) emitting apparatus to study the effect of electromagnetic wave on the pineal gland. Paying especial attention to measure damages to pineal gland cells in the brain, we set the levels of EMR according to the duration of electromagnetic wave exposure at 1.2 joules(20min exposure), 2.4 joules(40min exposure), 3.6 joules(60 min exposure), and 4.8 joules(80min exposure) per 1cm2. RESULTS: Compared with normal cells, main histologic changes were observed with an electron microscope included swelling of the pineal gland cells, a decrease in the electron density of interstitial tissue, an increase in the distances between pineal gland cells, an increase in number of lipid-droplets, and swelling of mitochondria. Especially in those pineal cells exposed to EMR for 80 min, severe swelling of mitochondria and a slight increase in lysosome were observed. CONCLUSION: The authors could identify the harmful effect of microwave by observing abnormal ultrastructural changes of pineal cell in rat according to the increasement of electromagnetic radiation.
Animals ; Brain ; Electromagnetic Radiation ; Lysosomes ; Microwaves* ; Mitochondria ; Pineal Gland* ; Rats*

PURPOSE: To report a case series of patients experiencing side effects of 0.25% alcaftadine eye drops and to analyze the possible reasons for the side effects. CASE SUMMARY: Medical records of 90 patients who had a history of alcaftadine eye drop use were retrospectively analyzed. Eight out of the 90 patients (8.9%) showed ocular side effects that required discontinuation of the alcaftadine eye drops. All eight cases of alcaftadine side effects showed palpebral and bulbar conjunctival injection, watery discharge, and lid swelling. During additional history collection, all patients with alcaftadine side effects confessed of overuse (more than twice/day) of the eye drops. Anticipation for fast symptom relief was the main reason for the alcaftadine overuse. In all side effect cases, patients were asked to stop alcaftadine eye drops and use preservative-free artificial tears and steroid eye drops. After discontinuation of 0.25% alcaftadine eye drops, regression of palpebral and bulbar conjunctival injection and lid swelling was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Overuse of 0.25% alcaftadine eye drops can induce ocular surface toxicity possibly due to toxicity of drug itself. The possible side effects of overuse of 0.25% alcaftadine eye drops should be fully explained to all patients before use.
Conjunctivitis ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Lubricant Eye Drops ; Medical Records ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; Retrospective Studies

In order to inquire the most-effective management of increased intracranial pressure(ICP), mannitol, steroid and hyperventilation were used in rabbits after ligation or non-ligation of the carotid artery. Mannitol was more effective than steroid and hyperventilation in the degree of the reduction of ICP. The intracranial pressure was decreased 43~45% for 25~30 minutes after injection of mannitol. Steroid was less effective than mannitol in the degree of the reduction of ICP. But the time of reduction of ICP was longer, that is, the degree of reduction was 24~60 minutes after injection of steroid. Hyperventilation is effective in the initial time only, for 10 minutes after hyperventilation. The degree of ICP reduction was 13.5~16.7 % for 10 minutes after hyperventilation. The combined group, that is three kinds of mangenent were used, is the most effective treatment to reduce ICP of ICP. The degree of the reduction of ICP was 42.1~49.3% for 20 minutes, 47.7~52.5% for 30minnutes. There was no significant difference between and non-ligation group.
Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery, Internal* ; Hyperventilation ; Intracranial Pressure* ; Ligation ; Mannitol ; Rabbits*

In acute pulmonary embolism (PE), circulatory failure and systemic hypotension are important clinically for predicting poor prognosis. While pulmonary artery (PA) clot loads can be an indicator of the severity of current episode of PE or treatment effectiveness, they may not be used directly as an indicator of right ventricular (RV) failure or patient death. In other words, pulmonary vascular resistance or patient prognosis may not be determined only with mechanical obstruction of PAs and their branches by intravascular clot loads on computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), but determined also with vasoactive amines, reflex PA vasoconstriction, and systemic arterial hypoxemia occurring during acute PE. Large RV diameter with RV/left ventricle (LV) ratio > 1.0 and/or the presence of occlusive clot and pulmonary infarction on initial CTPA, and clinically determined high baseline PA pressure and RV dysfunction are independent predictors of oncoming chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). In this pictorial review, authors aimed to demonstrate clinical and serial CTPA features in patients with acute massive and submassive PE and to disclose acute CTPA and clinical features that are related to the prediction of oncoming CTEPH.

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and serosal, synovial, or cutaneous inflammation, caused by a dysfunction of pyrin as a result of mutation within the MEFV gene. It occurs mainly among Mediterranean and Middle Eastern populations, including Jews, Arabs, and Turks. However, FMF cases have been reported outside the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries in recent years. Although FMF has been relatively rare in Korea until now, proper recognition of FMF might lead to more frequent diagnoses of FMF. We experienced an interesting case, a 31-year-old Korean man who presented with recurrent abdominal pain with fever and urticarial eruption for 10 years. DNA analysis showed complex mutations (p.Leu110Pro, p.Glu148Gln) in the MEFV gene. To date, three cases have been reported, and this case of FMF with skin conditions is the first case in Korea.
Abdominal Pain/*etiology ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics ; Familial Mediterranean Fever/complications/*diagnosis/genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Recurrence ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Urticaria/*diagnosis