No abstract available.
Humans

PURPOSE: Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty(PTA) with a balloon catheter is a standard method of treatment for membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava(MOIVC). But, correct therapeutic approach has not been established for MOIVC patients whose lesion is associated with extensive thrombotic IVC occlusion. We tried to treat MOIVC associated with or without thrombus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 13 cases of MOIVC(associated with thrombus in 7 cases, no thrombus in 6 cases) with PTA, thrombolysis and self-expandable metallic stents. RESULTS: PTA was successful in 8 cases, but failed in 5 cases. The recurred cases were retreated with PTA, but follow up study revealed recoiling restenosis in 4 cases and intimal hyperplasia in 1 case at previous PTA site which could be overcome with a self-expandable metallic stent. The complication were occurred in 3 cases which were hemothorax, hemopericardium, and hemoperitoneum respectively. However, those were resolved by conservative treatment only. CONCLUSION: Recanalization and dilatation could be done in MOIVC patients with or without thrombosis for improvement of patient's symptom. Gianturco self-expandable metallic stent is sueful in treatment of recurred MOIVC after balloon dilatation and preventing reocclusion of the IVC after PTA.
Catheters ; Dilatation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoperitoneum ; Hemothorax ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Pericardial Effusion ; Stents* ; Thrombosis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of perineal descent (PD) in pelvic outlet obstruction patients diagnosed by using defecography. METHODS: One hundred thirty-six patients with pelvic outlet obstruction (POO; median age 49 years) had more than one biofeedback session after defecography. Demographic finding, clinical bowel symptoms and anorectal physiological studies were compared for PD at rest and PD with dynamic changes. RESULTS: Age (r = 0.33; P < 0.001), rectocele diameter (r = 0.31; P < 0.01), symptoms of incontinence (P < 0.05) and number of vaginal deliveries (r = 0.46; P < 0.001) were correlated with increased fixed PD. However, the female gender (P < 0.005), rectal intussusceptions (P < 0.05), negative non-relaxing puborectalis syndrome (P < 0.00005) and rectocele (P < 0.0005) were correlated with increased dynamic PD. Duration of symptoms, number of bowel movements, history of pelvic surgery and difficult defecation were not related with PD. There was no significant correlation between fixed and dynamic PD and success of biofeedback therapy. CONCLUSION: Age, vaginal delivery and diameter of the rectocele are associated with increased fixed PD. Female gender, rectal intussusceptions and a rectocele are correlated with increased dynamic PD. Biofeedback is an effective option for POO regardless of severity of PD.
Biofeedback, Psychology ; Defecation ; Defecography ; Female ; Humans ; Intussusception ; Rectocele

PURPOSE: To evaluate the pressure-lowering effects of selective trabeculoplasty versus these of Argon laser trabeculoplasty. METHODS: Fifteen eyes of 15 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension, all with IOPs over 30 mm Hg received SLT and 30 eyes of 30 patients with the same diagnosis were treated with ALT. Patients were evaluated after laser treatments at 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months using slit lamp examinations and Goldmann applanation tonometry. RESULTS: At 3 months postoperative, the SLT group had a mean IOP of 16.9+/-4.2 mmHg with a mean reduction of 31.2+/-20.1%, while the ALT group had a mean IOP of 17.9+/-5.4 mmHg with a mean reduction of 26.3+/-23.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Selective trabeculoplasty and Argon laser trabeculoplasty are equally effective statistically in lowering IOP over a 3-month period (p=0.47). SLT has been shown to be safe and effective in lowering IOP.
Argon* ; Diagnosis ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle* ; Humans ; Manometry ; Ocular Hypertension ; Trabeculectomy*

PURPOSE: The appendectomy is the most common emergent surgical procedure in elderly patients. The increasing number of elderly persons has been accompanied by an increase in the number of cases of acute appendicitis in the elderly. In order to understand the clinical significance of a laparoscopic appendectomy for elderly patients with appendicitis, we investigated the results of a laparoscopic appendectomy for treating patients over 60 years of age with appendicitis and compared them with the results for an open technique. METHODS: We studied retrospectively patients over 60 years of age who underwent an appendectomy with either a laparoscopic (LA) or open (OA) technique for appendicitis between July 2007 and December 2009. There were 30 patients in the LA group and 47 patients in the OA group. The demographic data, operative time, length of the hospital stay, bowel movement, pain control, cost, complications and pre-existing disease were assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the LA and the OA groups with respect to pre-existing diseases, gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and the number of cases of complicated appendicitis, operative time, length of hospital stay, and times of analgesics use. However, the proportion of early gas out (within POD #2) was significantly greater in the LA group (80% vs. 57%, P < 0.05), and postoperative complications were significantly lower in the LA group (7% vs. 32%, P < 0.01). The costs for the two groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective procedure in elderly patients and is not associated with any increase in morbidity. It can be recommended for routine use in treating elderly patients with appendicitis.
Aged ; Analgesics ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Cost Control ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Blast Crisis* ; Leukemia*

No abstract available.
Blast Crisis* ; Leukemia*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the specif!c radiologic findings of the dysgenesis of corpus callosum(CCD) on CT and/or MR images. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed retrospectively CT and/or MR images of 10 patients with CCD. After classifying CCD into partial and total type according to the degree of its development, we investigated structural abnormalities on CT and/or MR images resulting from or related to CCD and then associated anomaly. RESULTS: The most common findings of CCD on axial planes of CT and/or MR images were dilatation of posterior part of the lateral ventricles(8/10) and feature of the bodies of the both lateral ventricles(8/10) in parallel. Sagittal and coronal planes of MR demonstrated exact extent of dysgenesis of the corpus callosum(5/5) and radiating pattern of gyri in medial surface of cerebral hemisphere extending to the 3rd ventricle without interruption by cingulate sulcus(4/5). CONCLUSION:MR image of mid-sagittal plane appeared most useful in diagnosis of CCD because of its direct depiction of the whole length of corpus callosum. In most cases, however, CCD can be easily diagnosed with CT scan by characteristic findings of dilatation of the posterior part of lateral ventricles and paralleling of the lateral ventricles.
Cerebrum ; Corpus Callosum ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Humans ; Lateral Ventricles ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

To investigate the effect of trabeculectomy with the modification of scleral flap, modified trabeculectomy with partially excised scleral flap(PESF) was performed in one eye and trabeculectomy with non-excised scleral flap(NESF) in the contralateral eyes of five rabbits. Postoperative histologic examinations were done on these eyes at 2 weeks after surgery. And 10 PESF and 12 NESF trabeculectomies was performed in 22 glaucoma patients for the control of intraocular pressure(IOP). Results of histologic examination showed less subconjunctival inflammation and fibrosis in PESF group than NESF group. IOP was controlled successfully in PESF(80%) and NESF(75%) group. Mean IOP was 14.7 +/- 4.1 mmHg in PESF group and 16.4 +/- 2.5 mmHg in NESF group at the 2 month follow-up visit. Duration of anterior chamber reformation was 10.7 days in PESF group and 8.9 days in NESF group. And cases of removal of releasable suture were 5 eyes in NESF group but none in PESF grup. This PESF trabeculectomy seems to be a safe and effective procedure that produces diffuse, persistent blebs and good control of IOP.
Anterior Chamber ; Blister ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intraocular Pressure ; Rabbits ; Sutures ; Trabeculectomy*

A 44-year-old woman who comlpained of dizziness and generalized weakness was admitted. The hemoglobin was 6.6g/dL, hematocrit 25.5%, and serum ferritin 2.14 ng/mL Stool occult blood was positive and microcytic hypochromic anemia was found on periyheral blood smear. Gastroscopic examination showed about 2 x 1 cm sized hemispherical sebmucosal tumor on antrum. The patient underwent operatioh for confirmatory diagnosis and treatment. The final pathologic diagnosis of the resected lesion was hemangioma of stomach. Cavernous hemangioma of stomach is a rare disease.Mostly, it has a benign course clinically, but early diagnosis is important because massive hemorrhage and anemia by chronic blood loss can occur. We report a case of hemangioma of stomach with review of literature.
Adult ; Anemia ; Anemia, Hypochromic ; Diagnosis ; Dizziness ; Early Diagnosis ; Female ; Ferritins ; Hemangioma ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Hematocrit ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Occult Blood ; Stomach*