No abstract available.
Drug Therapy* ; Lung*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the early clinical results of lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor (METRx-MD system, Medtronic Sofamor Danek, Memphis, TN), and to validate the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April, 2003 to April 2004 we retrospectively studied a consecutive series of 45 patients who underwent lumbar microdiscectomy using minimally invasive tubular retractor. In all cases, minimally invasive approach using the tubular retractor were performed with a 2 cm sized paramedian incision. The following data were collected: clinical outcomes, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, need for blood replacement, time needed before ambulation, length of hospital stay, and complications. The clinical outcomes were assessed by the modified MacNab criteria. RESULTS: Minimally invasive tubular microdiscectomy was performed in 45 patients over a 12-month period with an average follow-up of approximately 8 months. The clinical outcomes assessed by MacNab criteria were excellent in 33 patients (73%), good in 10 patients (22%). The average operative time was 63 minutes (range, 35 to 95 minutes). The average blood loss was 62 mL (range, 50 to 110 mL). None of the patients needed blood replacement. With the exception of 2 patients, all patients could walk at the day of surgery. The average hospital stay was 2.3 days. None of the patients had dural tear, wound problem, or other complications. CONCLUSION: Lumbar microdiscectomy using tubular retractor can offer a useful modality for the treatment of lumbar herniated disc with the merits of minimally invasive spinal surgery. Further long-term, randomized, prospective investigations are needed to fully evaluate the impact of this technique.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Wounds and Injuries

We report a case of Mondor's disease, or superficial thrombophlebitis of the chest wall, which occured in a 35-year-old female after a mild blunt trauma of the right chest wall. She had 0.3 × 25 cm, firm, tender, bifurcated cord-like lesions on the right chest and upper abdomen for two weeks. The histopathologic findings corresponded to the “thrombus organization” stage of Mondor's disease, characterized by numerous small areas of recanalization with marked surrounding fibrosis. The patient was treated with non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs and warm compresses. Within 7 weeks, the cord-like lesions virtually disappeared.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Thoracic Wall ; Thorax ; Thrombophlebitis

Latex allergy is a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis. It produces mild symptoms, including skin rash and itching, which usually subside in a few days. However, latex allergy can also induce anaphylaxis, a severe type I hypersensitivity reaction that can cause urticaria, angioedema, hypotension, tachycardia, and bronchospasm. We report a case of anaphylactic shock during gastric cancer surgery in a patient with no previous allergic history. Surgery was suspended when hypotension, tachycardia, and wheezing developed. A thorough workup revealed that the patient had a latex allergy. The patient subsequently underwent curative gastrectomy performed with latex-free procedures.
Anaphylaxis ; Angioedema ; Bronchial Spasm ; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact ; Exanthema ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity, Immediate ; Hypotension ; Latex ; Latex Hypersensitivity ; Pruritus ; Respiratory Sounds ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Tachycardia ; Urticaria

No abstract available.
Carcinoma* ; Nevus*

We report a case of eosinophilic pustular folliculitis in a 18-year-old woman who had numerous mild pruritic erythematous plaques with follicular papules and pustules covering almost her whole body. Histopathologically intrafollicular, perifollicular and perivascular eosinophilic infiltrates were present with mild spongiosis. The blocd eosinophil count was 9%. The patient responded well to systemic administration of corticosteroid and dapsoni.
Adolescent ; Eosinophils* ; Female ; Folliculitis* ; Humans

The success of Moore and Thompson endoprosthesis in arthroplasty of the hip during the past three decades has prompted their continued use with but few alterations. Recently, to reduce the intolerance of acetabular cartilage and bone to frictional shear forces, the conventional endoprosthesis was modified, so many types of bipolar arthroplasty were introduced and implanted. But, the movements of the two components and acetabular erosion are rather controversial still. Among the 51 cases of bipolar endoprosthesis those have been operated at department of orthopaedic surgery, National Medical Center from 1981 to 1986, we analysed 40 cases for acetabular erosion and 22 cases for motion study of two components under the fluoroscopy. Following results were obtained, 1. Among 40 cases, there was no true protrusio acetabuli and increased CE angle in 12 cases(30%), which were limited to cartilage. 2. Under the fluoroscopic study, we found motion at inner and outer bearing joint in 14 cases, inner bearing joint only in 6 cases and outer bearing only in 2 cases. 3. The CE angle was increased more in younger age group than older group. 4. According to indication of bipolar arthroplasty, CE angle was increased more in disease group than trauma group. 5. The CE angle was increased more in leg length discrepancy and head piece size discrepancy group than the other group. 6. The CE angle can be substituted for joint space measurement. 7. The CE angle was increased more in low Harris hip rating score group. 8. Harris hip rating score had no correlation to motion of two components.
Acetabulum ; Arthroplasty ; Cartilage ; Clinical Study ; Fluoroscopy ; Friction ; Head ; Hip ; Humans ; Joints ; Leg

A survey of intestinal parasites was performed in South Vietnam. Samples were collected from 717 Vietnameses, 1,933 U.S. Forces, 433 stool specimens of Korean Troops in South Vietnam. And 114 of Korean Army patients in home land were also examined as a control. Findings were discussed with others and summarized as follows: A parasitic rate, incidence in general, was 44.8 %. Koreans in South Vietnam showed 82.4 % of infection rate, Vietnamese 64.6% and U.S. Forces 26.1 %. Korean home patients revealed 93.9 %. Following 10 species of helminths ova and 5 kinds of protozoa were found: Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm, Trichocephalus trichiurus, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichostrongylus orientalis, Enterobius vermicularis, Metagonimus yokogawai, Clonorchis sinensis, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia sp., Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli, Endolimax nana, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas hominis. The incidence of Ascaris lumbricoides among Koreans in South Vietnam was 15.9 %, much less than Korean home patients. The infection rate of A. lumbricoides in Saigon residents was 47.2% but in Chulai 36.8% and in Quinhon 35.8 %. Trichocephalus trichiurus was most frequently found in Koreans. Quinhon residents showed 78.7 % positive in hookworn infection and Chulai 24.7 %. In Saigon, on the contrary, infection rate was only 3.1 %. No Strongyloides stercoralis, but two cases of Trichomonas hominis were found among Koreans in South Vietnam. U.S. Forces showed higher incidences than Koreans and Vietnameses in the incidences of Entamoeba histolytica and Endolimax nana. Most of the U.S. Forces revealed single infection. Korean home patients showed the highest per centage of polyparasitism. Non-autochthonous infections in Korea could not be found among Koreans in this survey.
parasitology-epidemiology ; stool examination ; Vietnam ; U.S. Forces ; Ascaris lumbriocides ; Hookworm ; Trichocephalus ; trichiurus ; Strongyloides stercoralis ; Trichostrongylus orientalis ; Enterobius vermicularis ; Metagnimus yokogawai ; Clonorchis sinensis ; Hymenolepis nana ; Taenia sp. ; Entamoeba histolytica ; Entamoeba coli ; Endolimax nana ; Giardia lamblia ; Trichomonas hominis

Angioid streaks are easily recognized although relatively rare. They are typically described as irregularly radiating lines extending from the peripapillary area peripherally. They are usually bilateral, and are characteristically found in the posterior pole. Angioid streaks may occur alone or in association with various systemic diseases. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum is a relatively uncommon disorder of elastic tissue involving dermal, ocular, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular tissues. We examined a case of angioid streaks associated with pseudoxanthoma elasticum found in a 31 year-old female and presented a brief review of the relating literatures.
Adult ; Angioid Streaks* ; Elastic Tissue ; Female ; Humans ; Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of combined transvaginal ultrasound and beta-hCG discriminatory zone for diagnosing intrauterine pregnancy, abortion, and ectopic pregnancy in early abnormal pregnancy. METHODS: Initial ultrasound findings and beta-hCG level were compared with final pregnancy outcome in 164 early pregnant women who visit our hospital with vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value by the combination of two diagnostic tools were calculated. Statistic analysis of collected data used x2 of SPSS(9.0). RESULTS: Of 90 women with normal outcome, 64(71.1%) had a gestational sac 5mm, and in 47 cases, the hCG level was above 1,800 mIU/ml. Transvaginal ultrasound was non-diagnostic in 47(28.6%) of 164 women, and especially, 43(53.1%) of 81 cases with beta-hCG levels below 1,800 mIU/ml. The portion of accurate ultrasound diagnosis was significantly higher in women above 1,800 mIU/ml (85.5%, 71 of 83 cases) compard with levels below 1,800 mIU/ml (37.0%, 30 of 81 cases) : P < 0.001; Relative Risk(RR) 2.31; CI 95%. Sensitivity of transvaginal ultrasound diagnosis of intrauterine pregnancy, abortion, and ectopic pregnancy was 90.2%, 79.3%, and 66.7% in women who presented with beta-hCG levels above 1,800 mIU/ml, and 41.0%, 23.5%, and 75% below 1,800 mIU/ml, respectively. And, negative predictive value was 83.9%, 89.7%, and 98.8% in each of intrauterine pregnancy, abortion, and ectopic pregnancy above 1,800 mIU/ml, and 64.6%, 60%, and 97.3% below 1,800 mIU/ml, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of transvaginal ultrasound for diagnosing abnormal early pregnancy were poor except cases of ectopic pregnancy when beta-hCG levels were low than discriminatory zone. Ultrasound impressions were well related with beta-hCG levels.
Abdominal Pain ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gestational Sac ; Humans ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnant Women ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography* ; Uterine Hemorrhage