We studied the incidence and results of treatment of secondary hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital. Nineteen hundred fifty patients with hypertension were included from march 1990 to march 1994. We analysed the prevalence of secondary hypertension and results of treatment. The incidence of secondary hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital was six percent. The most common underlying causes of secondary hypertension was renal parenchymal disease. Patients with three forms of potentially reversible secondary hypertension, namely, renovascular hypertension, endocrine disease, exogenous hormone, were assed to determine whether surgery or withdrawal of the exogenous hormane had led to an improvement in blood pressure control. The incidence of secondary hypertension in Yeungnam University Hospital was low(6%), but some of these are curable. Thus it is very inportant that evaluate the secondary hypertension.
Blood Pressure ; Endocrine System Diseases ; Equidae ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Incidence ; Prevalence

This study was performed to evaluate the dynamic fatigue characteristics of the dental ceramics for all-ceramic crown. A feldspathic porcelain of VMK68, glass ceramic of IPS-Empress, and glass infiltrated alumina ceramic of In-Ceram were used. Disc specimens were prepared to the final dimensions of 12 mm in diameter and 1 mm in thickness. The biaxial flexure test was conducted using a ball-on-three-ball method. 240 specimens were tested in 37degrees C water by testing 20 samples at each of four loading rates:0.05, 0.2, 1, and 5mm/min. 60 specimens were tested in a moisture-free environment by testing 20 samples at 5mm/min. The inert strength of VMK68 was 80.25MPa, and the fatigue parameters were n=29.1, sfo=52.90MPa. The inert strength of IPS-Empress was 104.76MPa, and the fatigue parameters were n=32.46, sfo=67.52MPa. The inert strength of In-Ceram was 429.33MPa, and the fatigue parameters were n=31.46, sfo=258.36MPa. 10-year failure stresses of VMK68, IPS-Empress, and In-Ceram were 20.3MPa, 24.8MPa, and 93.6MPa, respectively. failure strength and fatigue life showed the highest value in In-Ceram, and then, IPS-Empress and VMK68.
Aluminum Oxide ; Ceramics* ; Crowns* ; Dental Porcelain ; Fatigue* ; Glass ; Water

Electrocardiographic findings in 18 cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy(HOCM) were compared with those in 20 hypertensives with disproportinate septal hypertrophy(DSH) and in 20 normal controls. In conventional 12 leads electrocardiograms, abmormal Q waves were seen only in 6 cases of HOCM and none in the remadinder. The R waves were tallest in leads V4 in 6 cases(33%) of HOCM, 3(15%) hypertensives with DSH, and 4(20%) of the controls. The correlations of the QRS voltages with echocardiographically measured left ventricular dimension, interventricular septal thickness and left ventricular mass were significant in the hypertensives with DST and normal controls, but insignificant in patients with HOCM. We conclude that these electrocardiographic differences in patients with HOCM from the others would be caused by uneven distribution of hypertrophied muscle mass in the left ventricule and/or by the altered depolarization in hypertrophied cardiac muscles.
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic* ; Electrocardiography* ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Myocardium

BACKGROUND: Currently, combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSE) is frequently administered, especially in obstetrics and orthopedic surgery. The aim of this study is to determine the appropriate concentration of bupivacaine to use with epidural volume extension that is suitable for total knee replacement during CSE. METHODS: Eighty patients (ASA physical status I and II) scheduled for totalknee replacement were randomly allocated to four groups of 20 patients each: All patients intrathecally received 2 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine. After fixation of spinal anesthesia, the groups received the following treatments. Group S patients received a 10 ml administration of normal saline for 15 min followed by a continuous 10 ml/hr epidural infusion. Group B1 patients received a 10 ml administration of 0.125% bupivacaine for 15 min followed by a continuous 10 ml/hr epidural infusion. Group B2 patients received a 10 ml administration of 0.25% bupivacaine for 15 min followed by a continuous 10 ml/hr epidural infusion. Group B3 patients received a 10 ml administration of 0.5% bupivacaine for 15 min followed by a continuous 10 ml/hr epidural infusion. RESULTS: The incidence of intraoperative movement in group S and group B1 patients were significantly greater than the incidence for group B2 and B3 patients. The incidence of intraoperative pain in group S patients was significantly greater than for patients in any of the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that it is necessary to administer more than a 0.25% concentration of epidural bupivacaine load and provide continuous administration after a spinal block during total knee replacement.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* ; Bupivacaine* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Obstetrics ; Orthopedics

PURPOSE: We recently experienced 3 consecutive cases of bile peritonitis due to tract rupture following T-tube removal at about 6 weeks after choledocholithotomy with using a new tube (1.1% silica-filled rubber). These unexpected cases of bile peritonitis have raised questions related to the tube material factor for the rupture. The aim of this study was to compare three kinds of T-tubes [ (100% silicone (SIL), 1.1% silica-filled rubber (SFR), and 100% rubber (RUB) ] from the point of view of fistula maturation as is related to the physicochemical properties of the tube materials. METHODS: SIL, SFR and RUB tubes were implanted into the subcutaneous space in rats. Histologically, the degree of fistula maturation was estimated by an inflammation score, the thickness of inflammation and the fibrosis. The physical properties of the tube materials were estimated by their modulus and elasticity. RESULTS: SFR and RUB tube had no statistically significant difference for the thickness of the inflammation and fibrosis. Yet there were difference in their modulus and elasticity. The modulus, elasticity, thickness of the inflammation and the fibrosis were difference in the SIL versus SFR and the SIL versus RUB. CONCLUSION: There were no statistically significant differences in the degree of fistula maturation between the SFR and RUB tubes. The rubber tube tended to show a more severe inflammatory reaction and better maturation of the fistula. Moreover, the flexibleness of the RUB tube make easy to experience collapse of the tube. The degree of maturation mostly depends upon the chemical property of the tube materials. However, the tract rupture that happens is due to the physical properties rather than the chemical properties of the tube. We recommend RUB for the T-tube to prevent the tube related complication such as tract rupture.
Animals ; Bile ; Choledochostomy ; Elasticity ; Fibrosis ; Fistula* ; Inflammation ; Latex ; Peritonitis ; Rats ; Rubber ; Rupture ; Silicones

Azathioprine is a conventional immunosuppressant in renal transplantation but long-term administration may lead to hematologic complications. We here report a cauda equina syndrome caused by spontaneous epidural hematoma in a renal transplant recipient who had undergone long-term azathioprine treatment. A 34 year-old male was admitted to our hospital with complaints of numbness of the lower extremities and back pain. He had received renal transplantation 14 years ago and had been on sole therapy with azathioprine for 11 years. Three months before admission, the patient developed pancytopenia, and a subsequent bone marrow biopsy revealed hypocellularity. Azathioprine was replaced by tacrolimus and steroids thereafter. After a three months discontinuation of azathioprine, an epidural hematoma developed and resulted in cauda equina syndrome. Regular follow-up of complete blood count and change of immunosuppressants with less bone marrow toxicity should be considered in patients receiving azathioprine for long-term period.
Adult ; Azathioprine* ; Back Pain ; Biopsy ; Blood Cell Count ; Bone Marrow ; Cauda Equina* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; Kidney Transplantation ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Pancytopenia ; Polyradiculopathy* ; Steroids ; Tacrolimus ; Transplantation

STUDY DESIGN: A Retrospective study OBJECTIVES: To analyze the characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of postlaminectomy kyphosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Postlaminectomy kyphosis is uncommon and poorly understood, with controversy over the cause, risk factors, and treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 17 patients (8 male, 9 female) who had undergone multilevel laminectomy between 1982 to 2006. Their mean age at the time of laminectomy was 16.3 years. The locations of laminectomy were: 4 cervical/cervicothoracic, 10 thoracic/thoracolumbar, and 3 lumbar. Possible factors for developing kyphotic deformities, such as an age at the time of laminectomy, sex, location, laminectomy extent, and radiation therapy were analyzed with the deformity angle and the time interval from the operation to the occurrence of deformity. RESULTS: The mean time after surgery was 18.3 months, and the mean kyphotic angle was 58 degrees. Patients younger than 12 years or surgery involving more than 4 segments had a slightly shorter time interval, but not significantly. Location had no significant correlation with angle and time interval. Radiation therapy and sex were not significant factors. Most (15) patients received corrective surgery 49.9 months after laminectomy, which reduced deformities to an average of 34.5 degrees, whereas 2 patients had mild curvatures of 38 degrees (mean) One patient received a second operation due to pull-out of a rod, and one patient had a postoperative infection. CONCLUSION: Postlaminectomy kyphosis attends to occur earlier in younger patients and patients with a large number of laminas resected, so careful observation should be done for early detection and management.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Humans ; Kyphosis ; Laminectomy* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

The tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) commonly occurs in the lymphoproliferative disorder, either spontaneously or in response to therapy. TLS is uncommon in multiple myeloma. However, with the use of bortezomib in the treatment of multiple myeloma, cases of TLS have been reported. We report here threepatients who presented with TLS after the administration of bortezomib. Two of them presented mild symptoms and recovered with hydration only. However, death of the other patient was associated with TLS. We should monitor patients who had high tumor burden, especially in early phase of bortezomib therapy and appropriate prophylaxis for high risk patient is also needed.
Boronic Acids ; Humans ; Lymphoproliferative Disorders ; Multiple Myeloma ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Pyrazines ; Tumor Burden ; Tumor Lysis Syndrome ; Bortezomib

PURPOSE: In Korea, anal cancer is rare disease entity with specific clinical characteristics. Therefore, no survival analysis with a sufficient patient population has been performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of Korean anal cancer, focusing on the survival according to tumor histologies, sex, and a specific age group, using the nationwide cancer registry. METHODS: Using the Korea Central Cancer Registry, we analyzed a total of 2,552 cases from 1993 to 2010. We assessed the 5-year relative survival by using tumor histology. In addition, survival differences of Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) stage were analyzed for both sexes and for young-age cancer (younger than 40 years) and advanced-age cancer (older than 70 years). RESULTS: The 5-year relative survival among anal cancer patients increased from 38.9% for the period 1993-1995 to 65.6% for the period 2006-2010. The anal squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histology and showed better survival than other types of cancer. Females demonstrated better survival than males in all SEER stages. The 5-year survivals for patients in whom anal cancer developed before the age of 40 and at or after the age of 40 were 62.4% and 51.6%, respectively. The 5-year survival for patients in whom cancer developed at or after the age of 70 was much worse than that for patients in whom the cancer had developed prior to that age. CONCLUSION: Korean anal cancer has certain distinctive characteristics of survival according to tumor histology, sex, and age. Despite limitations on available data, this study used the nationwide database to provide important information on the survival of Korean patients with anal cancer.
Anus Neoplasms* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Rare Diseases

PURPOSE: In Korea, anal cancer is rare disease entity with specific clinical characteristics. Therefore, no survival analysis with a sufficient patient population has been performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of Korean anal cancer, focusing on the survival according to tumor histologies, sex, and a specific age group, using the nationwide cancer registry. METHODS: Using the Korea Central Cancer Registry, we analyzed a total of 2,552 cases from 1993 to 2010. We assessed the 5-year relative survival by using tumor histology. In addition, survival differences of Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) stage were analyzed for both sexes and for young-age cancer (younger than 40 years) and advanced-age cancer (older than 70 years). RESULTS: The 5-year relative survival among anal cancer patients increased from 38.9% for the period 1993-1995 to 65.6% for the period 2006-2010. The anal squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histology and showed better survival than other types of cancer. Females demonstrated better survival than males in all SEER stages. The 5-year survivals for patients in whom anal cancer developed before the age of 40 and at or after the age of 40 were 62.4% and 51.6%, respectively. The 5-year survival for patients in whom cancer developed at or after the age of 70 was much worse than that for patients in whom the cancer had developed prior to that age. CONCLUSION: Korean anal cancer has certain distinctive characteristics of survival according to tumor histology, sex, and age. Despite limitations on available data, this study used the nationwide database to provide important information on the survival of Korean patients with anal cancer.
Anus Neoplasms* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Rare Diseases