BACKGROUND:We performed this study to determine the influence of the administration of pneumoperitoneum on the blood flow of the thoracoabdominal aorta during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: Ten patients for LC were enrolled in this study. Anesthesia was performed with propofol, fentanyl and rocuronium. Pneumoperitoneum was made by CO2 gas intraperitoneal instillation at an intraperitoneal pressure of 10-12 mmHg. Peak velocity of blood flow in the systolic phase (PV), mean acceleration of blood flow from the start of systole (MA) and systolic flow time corrected for heart rate (FTc), measured by esophageal doppler monitoring (EDM), and heart rate (HR) and mean brachial BP (MBP) were measured 1, 5 and 10 min after the institution of pneumoperitoneum, (T1, T5 and T10) and compared with those before the institution of pnuemoperotoneum (T0). LC was started after recording all measurements and a position change to the reverse-Trendelenberg position. RESULTS: PV, MA, FTc and HR showed no significant change throughout this study, but MBP at T5 and T10 (110.1 +/- 18.5 mmHg and 107.8 +/- 10.4 mmHg) were significantly higher than at T0 (84.9 +/- 12.9 mmHg) (P = 0.002 and 0.005 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The administration of pneumoperitoneum neither changed nor interferenced with abdominal aortic blood flow.
Acceleration ; Anesthesia ; Aorta ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic* ; Fentanyl ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Pneumoperitoneum* ; Propofol ; Systole

We investigated HBV markers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of 50 subjects with neurologic disorders or other disorders, who visited Dept. of neurology, college of medicine, Yeungnam University, from April-1 to August-31 1994 and were performed cerebrospinal fluid analysis to investigate the detection rate of HBV markers in cerebrospinal fluid and the possibility of neurologic disorders associated with HBV infection. The results were as follows. The positivity of HBsAg and. HBV prevalence rate in serum were 6(12.04) and 37(74.0%). Thf, number of patient with HBsAg, only anti-HBV and no markers were 6(12.0%), 31(62.0%) and 13(26.0%), respectively. The positivity of HBsAg and HBV prevalence rate in cerebrospinal fluid were 3(6%) and 18(36.0%). The number of patient with HBsAg, only anti-HBV and no markers were 6(100.0%), 12(38.7%) and 0(0.0%) respectively. The number of patient with virus associated diseases(VAD) and non virus associated diseases(NVAD) were 26(52%) and 24(48%). The HBV prevalence rate in serum of VAD and NVAD groups were 88.5% and 58.3% (p<0.05). The HBV prevalence rate in CSF of VAD and NVAD groups were 53.8% and 16.7%(p<0.05). The HBV prevalence rate in serum and CSF of VAD and NVAD groups were 60.9% and 28.6%
Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine* ; Humans ; Nervous System Diseases ; Neurology ; Prevalence

OBJECTIVE: Spinal fusion operation is an effective treatment in the spinal pathology, but it could change the physiological distribution of load at the instrumented and adjacent segments. This retrospective study compared the radiological and clinical outcomes of patients undergoing lumbar fusion with semirigid rods versus rigid rods system. METHODS: Using transpedicular fixation and posterior lumbar interbody fusion at the level of L4/L5, 20 patients were treated with semirigid rods (WavefleX, SR group), and 20 patients with rigid rods (titanium, RR group). Clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated, including visual analog score for lower back pain and leg pain, Prolo functional and economic scores, statues of implanted instruments, fusion rate, and complications during 24-month follow-up. RESULTS: Clinical scores were significantly improved until postoperative 24-month follow-up as compared with preoperative scores in both groups (p<0.05), with similar levels of improvement observed at the same time points postoperatively between the 2 groups. Prolo economic scores were significantly improved in SR group compared to RR until 12 months, but this improvement became similar after 18 months. The overall fusion rate was 94.1% until the 24-month follow-up for both groups. No significant complication was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that semirigid rods system with posterior lumbar interbody fusion showed similar clinical and radiological result with rigid rods system until 2 years after instrumentation. The WavefleX rods system, as a semirigid rods with unique characteristics, may be an effective alternative treatment for patients in lumbar fusion.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leg ; Low Back Pain ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Spine*

The authors experienced 52 patients with myasthenia gravis who were diagnosed at the Department of Neurology, Yeungnam University Hospital from August 1985 to January 1996. The following results were obtained through diagnostic evaluation and treatment. 1. The ratio of male to female was 1:1.7 and the most prevalent age group was second decade. 2. The most common initial presentation symptom was ocular(71.2%) and the peak incidence group was stage I (69.3%) according to the modified Osserman's classification. 3. In 16 patients(30.8%), it took more than a year to diagnose due to symptoms which were relapsed and remitting. 4. Of 52 patients, 2 cases were associated with thyroid disease(3.8%) and 2 with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(3.8%). 5. All of those who received anticholinesterase and corticosteroid therapy were improved with the exception of 5 cases which were improved after thymectomy and/or plasmapheresis.
Classification ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Myasthenia Gravis* ; Neurology ; Plasmapheresis ; Thymectomy ; Thyroid Gland

PURPOSE: A retrospective review of medical records and imaging studies. To investigate characteristic clinical features and surgical outcomes of spinal cord tumors (SCTs) of the thoracolumbar junction (TLJ). The spinal cord transitions to the cauda equina in the TLJ. The TLJ contains the upper and lower motor neurons of the spinal cord and cauda equina. As a result, the clinical features of lesions in the TLJ vary, and these anatomical characteristics may affect surgical outcome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pathological diagnosis, clinical features, neurological signs, and surgical outcomes were investigated in 76 patients surgically treated at our institute for SCTs arising from T11 to L2. The patients were divided into epiconus (T11-12, n=18) and conus groups (L1-2, n=58). RESULTS: Patients in the epiconus group had hyperactive deep tendon reflexes (DTRs), while those in the conus group had hypoactive DTRs (p < 0.05). Nine patients were misdiagnosed with intervertebral disc diseases (IVDs) before correct diagnoses were made. It was impossible to definitively determine the exact cause of symptoms in four patients who had both SCTs and IVDs. CONCLUSION: Among SCTs of the TLJ, the epiconus group displayed upper motor neuron syndrome and the conus group displayed lower motor neuron syndrome. SCTs of the TLJ were frequently misdiagnosed as IVDs due to symptomatic similarities. SCTs of the TLJ should be included in differential diagnosis of back and leg pain, and it is highly recommended that routine lumbar magnetic resonance imaging include the TLJ.
Cauda Equina/pathology/radiography ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disk Displacement/pathology/radiography ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Cord Compression/pathology/radiography ; Spinal Cord Neoplasms/*surgery ; Thoracic Vertebrae/*pathology/radiography ; Treatment Outcome

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is firstly reported in China in 2011. Thereafter it is reported an infectious disease in Japan and Korea. It is caused by bunyavirus, called SFTS virus (SFTSV). The main vector of SFTS is Haemaphysalis longicornis tick. We investigated the distribution and detection of SFTSV in ticks collected from the environment using the dragging method and dry ice fogging method from May to November 2014 in Jeollanam-do, Korea. Sampling was taken from the province Suncheon, Gokseong, Boseong, Goheung where patients have occurred in 2013 and Gurye as control. Among the total 3,048 ticks collected, 3,030 ticks were H. longicornis (99.4%) and 18 were Amblyomma testudinarium. H. longicornis was collected 1,330 ticks in Gokseong, 1,188 ticks in Boseong, 240 ticks in Suncheon, 150 ticks in Goheung and 140 ticks in Gurye. Developmental stages by month of H. longicornis were revealed that nymph (92%) was collected from May to June, adult (30%) and nymph (70%) in July, and 93% of larvae from September to October. These results showed the different dominant stage of ticks according to seasons. However, no SFTSV-specific gene was detected in 3,030 ticks of H. longicornis.
Adult ; China ; Communicable Diseases ; Dry Ice ; Fever* ; Humans ; Japan ; Jeollanam-do* ; Korea* ; Larva ; Methods ; Nymph ; Orthobunyavirus ; Seasons ; Thrombocytopenia* ; Ticks* ; Weather

To examine the relationship between gastric ulcer and gastric cancer, we investigated petients with gastric ulcer diagnosed from 1986 to l993. We reviewed the endoscopic reports and films of patients with gastric ulcer retrospectively. We excluded the patients who was diagnosed as gastric cancer in two years follow-up. The results were as follaws; 1) During follow-up of the original cohort, there were 5 patients(0.5~%) in whom gastric cancer developed at the same site initially diagnosed as gastric ulcer. The gross type of the lesion was early gastric cancer in two and advanced gastric cancer in three patients 2) The time interval between the initial diagnosis of gastric ulcer and cancer development was from 31 months to 70 months (average 51 months). 3) At the initial examination of 5 gastric cancer patients, the diagnosis was active gastric ulcer in four, multiple gastric ulcer in one, and linear gastrie ulcer in one patient. Characteristic endoscopic findjngs were gastric ulcer with clubbing mucosal folds in three and gastric ulcer with bleeding in one patient. 4) During the follow-up period, endoscopicailly and histologically healing of gastric uleer was observed in one patient and histologic finding showed chronic superficial gastritits with intestinal metaplasia. These results suggest that gastric ulcers rarely progress to gastric cancer. However if the endoscopic findings are suspicious for malignancy, then follow-up endoscopy until complete healing should be done.
Cohort Studies ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Metaplasia ; Stomach Neoplasms* ; Stomach Ulcer* ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pterygium size on the change of corneal astigmatism and corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) after surgery. METHODS: Fifty eyes of 46 patients who underwent pterygium surgery were included in the present study and divided into 2 groups according to pterygium size (small group: size < or = 2.0 mm, large group: size > 2.0 mm). Corneal HOAs using wavefront aberrometer (KR-1W(R)) and corneal astigmatism using topography (Orbscan II(R)) were evaluated before surgery and their changes monitored after surgery at postoperative 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. RESULTS: The small group was comprised of 16 eyes and 34 eyes were included in the large group. In the small group, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BVCA), and spherical equivalent (SE) were not statistically significantly different after surgery at postoperative 3 months. In the large group, BVCA was not statistically significantly different, but UCVA increase and SE decrease were statistically significant after surgery at postoperative 3 months. Preoperative simulated keratometric (Sim K) astigmatism and corneal HOAs increase were statistically significant according to the pterygium size. Preoperative corneal HOAs of the large group were significantly higher than the small group except for spherical aberration in the central 4 mm optical zone (p = 0.501). In the small group, there was no statistically significant difference in corneal HOAs before and after surgery. In the large group, corneal total HOAs, trefoil and coma in the central 4 mm and 6 mm zone were statistically significantly decreased at postoperative 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The corneal HOAs and the corneal astigmatism were increased according to pterygium size. In cases with pterygium greater than 2.0 mm in size, the corneal HOAs and the corneal astigmatism were decreased after pterygium surgery which can improve visual acuity and quality. Therefore, the pterygium size can be a useful factor in deciding when to perform pterygium surgery.
Astigmatism ; Coma ; Humans ; Lotus ; Pterygium* ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the treatment efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and focal laser photocoagulation in chronic central serous chorio retinopathy (CSC). METHODS: A retrospective study in a clinical practice setting including 40 eyes of 40 patients with chronic CSC which were treated with PDT or focal laser photocoagulation were recruited in this study from March 2011 to December 2013. Mean change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), presence or absence of resolution of subretinal fluid (SRF) and pigment epithelial detachment (PED), recurrence rate, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: PDT was performed in 23 eyes of 23 patients and focal laser photocoagulation was performed in 17 eyes of 17 patients, and all patients were followed up for more than six months. Location of leakage point and appearance of leakage showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in BCVA at one month and six months after the treatment; however, there was no statistically significant difference in BCVA improvement between the two groups. In both groups, SRF and PED were partially or completely resolved. Resolution of SRF was better in the PDT group at one month after the treatment; however, no statistically significant difference in the resolution period was observed between the two groups. None of the patients experienced adverse events in the PDT group, but one patient developed choroidal neovascularization after treatment in the focal laser photocoagulation group. Two patients showed recurrence in the PDT group and needed retreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatments are beneficial in patients with chronic CSC. Focal laser photocoagulation can be a good treatment option in terms of cost-effectiveness and convenience.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy* ; Choroidal Neovascularization ; Humans ; Light Coagulation* ; Photochemotherapy* ; Recurrence ; Retreatment ; Retrospective Studies ; Subretinal Fluid ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity

Colonic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare and behave aggressively compared to GISTs in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, accurate diagnosis of GISTs and their distinction from other mesenchymal tumors is important for proper patient management and follow-up. Herein, we present an unusual case of a colonic GIST mimicking an inflammatory fibroid polyp with a novel 63 bp deletion mutation in exon 11 of the c-kit gene, which has not previously been reported. The tumor consisted of loosely arranged spindle cells and many inflammatory cells scattered throughout the tumor. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were focally and weakly positive for c-kit and diffusely positive for CD34, but were negative for PKC-theta, SMA, S-100 protein, ALK-1, and desmin. Our case re-emphasizes the broad morphologic spectrum of GISTs.
Colon ; Colonic Polyps ; Desmin ; Exons ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Leiomyoma ; Polyps ; S100 Proteins ; Sequence Deletion