Parosteal lipoma is a rare and generally asymptomatic benign tumor of mature adipose tissue that is located in direct apposition to the external surface of the bone. These tumors are occasionally associated with reactive changes in the underlying bone. The reactive bone formation is generally restricted to the base of the tumor, that is, near the periosteum. We recently experienced a case of parosteal lipoma in the proximal femur, which displayed exuberant bone and cartilage formation, and this led us to a misdiagnosis of chondroblastic osteosarcoma on the initial biopsy. We report here on this case with a special emphasis on making the differential diagnosis from osteosarcoma.
Adipose Tissue ; Biopsy ; Cartilage ; Chondrocytes ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Femur* ; Lipoma* ; Osteogenesis ; Osteosarcoma ; Osteosarcoma, Juxtacortical ; Periosteum

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of vitreoretinal surgery using a 23-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) system for various vitreoretinal diseases. METHODS: A retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series was performed for 40 eyes of 40 patients. The patients underwent vitreoretinal procedures using the 23-gauge TSV system, including idiopathic epiretinal membrane (n=7), vitreous hemorrhage (n=11), diabetic macular edema (n=10), macular hole (n=5), vitreomacular traction syndrome (n=5), diabetic tractional retinal detachment (n=1), and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (n=1). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), and intra- and post-operative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Intraoperative suture placement was necessary in 3 eyes (7.5%). The median BCVA improved from 20/400 (LogMAR, 1.21+/-0.63) to 20/140 (LogMAR, 0.83+/-0.48) at 1 week (p=0.003), 20/100 (LogMAR, 0.85+/-0.65) at 1 month (p=0.002), 20/100 (LogMAR, 0.73+/-0.6) at 3 months (p=0.001). In 1 eye, IOP was 5 mmHg at 2 hours and 4 mmHg at 5 hours, but none of the eyes showed hypotony after 1 postoperative day. No serous postoperative complications were observed during a mean follow-up of 8.4+/-3.4 months (range 3-13 months) CONCLUSIONS: The 23-gauge TSV system shows promise as an effective and safe technique for a variety of vitreoretinal procedures. It appears to be a less traumatic, more convenient alternative to 20-gauge vitrectomy in some indications.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Intraocular Pressure ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Diseases/*surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; *Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy/*methods ; Vitreous Hemorrhage/*surgery

Pneumocystis carinii causes serious pulmonary infection in immunosuppressed patients. This study was undertaken to observe the cytoskeletal proteins of P. carinii by immuno-electron microscopy. P. carinii infection was experimentally induced by immunosuppression of Sprague-Dawley rats for seven weeks, and their lungs were used for the observations of this study. The gold particles localized actin, tropomyosin, and tubulin. The actin was irregularly scattered in the cytoplasm of the trophic forms but was much more concentrated in the inner space of the cell wall of the cystic forms called the inner electron-lucent layer. No significant amount of tropomyosin was observed in either trophic forms or cystic forms. The tubulin was distributed along the peripheral cytoplasm and filopodia of both the trophic and cystic forms rather than in the inner side of the cytoplasm. Particularly, in the cystic forms, the amount of tubulin was increased and located mainly in the inner electron-lucent layer of the cell wall where the actin was concentrated as well. The results of this study showed that the cell wall of P. carinii cystic forms is a structure whose inner side is rich in actin and tubulin. The location of the actin and tubulin in P. carinii suggests that the main role of these proteins is an involvement in the protection of cystic forms from the outside environment by maintaining rigidity of the cystic forms.
Actins/analysis ; Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/*analysis ; Fungal Proteins/*analysis ; Histocytochemistry ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Pneumocystis/*chemistry/cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Tropomyosin/analysis ; Tubulin/analysis

No abstract available.
Endometriosis* ; Exons* ; Female ; Humans ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome*

PURPOSE: We evaluated the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of subintimal stent placement for long segment occlusion of the iliac artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2003 to February 2007, subintimal stent placement for long segment occlusion of the iliac artery of 24 limbs in 22 patients was analyzed retrospectively. Endovascular access was performed via the ipsilateral femoral artery in 7 cases, via the contralateral femoral artery in 6 cases, via both femoral arteries in 10 cases and via the brachial artery in one case. The SAFARI (subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade-retrograde intervention) technique using a microcatheter was performed to recannalize iliac artery occlusion in three cases. Medical records were reviewed for the collection of follow-up data. The stent patency rate was analyzed by use of the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Subintimal stent placement was technically successful in 23 of 24 procedures (95.8%). The mean ankle-brachial index (ABI) increased from 0.26 to 0.82. The Fontaine classification was improved after stent placement in all patients. Major complications occurred in four procedures: three distal embolizations and one arterial rupture. All of the complications were successfully treated by endovascular intervention. The primary stent patency rates at 6-months, 1-, 2- and 3-years were 95%, 88%, 88% and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Subintimal stent placement is a safe and effective treatment for long segment occlusion of the iliac artery.
Ankle Brachial Index ; Arterial Occlusive Diseases ; Brachial Artery ; Extremities ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Iliac Aneurysm ; Iliac Artery ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Stents

PURPOSE: To determine which contrast media are both efficient and safe for the imaging of airways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated five contrast media (barium, gastrografin, iotrolan, ioxaglate, iopentol) in terms of image quality and their effects on the lungs of 25 white rabbits. For bronchography 0.5ml of contrast media was used. In each contrast group, HRCT scans were obtained immediately (n=5), 12 hours (n=4), 1 day (n=3), 2 days (n=2), and 1 week (n=1) after bronchography. Histopathologic specimens were obtained immediately, 12 hours, 1 day, 2 days, and 1 week later. Bronchograms were evaluated for image quality by three radiologists working independently, and were scored as 1(poor), 2(moderate), or 3(good) in terms of contrast quality and bronchial coating. HRCT was evaluated by two radiologists who reached a concensus; they determined the presence of contrast media, and then the pattern and extent of pulmonary opacity, and any related changes. Histopatholgic specimens were evaluated by two pathologists who sought consensus as to the extent of inflammation, pulmonary edema, and hemorrhage, and any changes in these aspects. RESULTS: Bronchography indicated that the sum of scores for contrast quality was 45 for barium, 33 for gastrografin, 28 for iotrolan, 30 for ioxaglate, and 28 for iopentol, while for each of these media, the sum of scores for bronchial coating was 39, 19, 25, 23, and 21, respectively. Barium showed the best image quality. In all rabbits, HRCT demonstrated the variable extent of groundglass attenuation and/or consolidation. Lesions were most extensive at 1-2 days and then regressed at 1 week; these HRCT findings correlated well with histologic findings. In histologic studies of all five contrast media groups, variable severe inflammatory reactions were observed, with or without necrosis, congestion, edema, and hemorrhage. It was noted that ioxaglate appeared to cause least tissue reaction. CONCLUSIONS: The imaging results of this experimental study indicate that for bronchography, barium is the best available contrast media, On the basis of the histologic and HRCT results, however, ioxaglate is the best.
Barium ; Bronchography* ; Consensus ; Contrast Media* ; Diatrizoate Meglumine ; Edema ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Hemorrhage ; Ioxaglic Acid ; Lung ; Necrosis ; Pneumonia ; Rabbits

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pediatric rhinosinusitis continues to be a challenging problem to otolaryngologists. This study aims to assess the clinical characteristics of chronic rhinosinusitis and the treatment outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in children. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Forty eight patients (13 women and 35 men with an age range of 7 to 17 years) were available for analysis by medical records and questionnaire. We classified the patients into three groups: 25 cases of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSNP), 11 cases of chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyposis (CRS), 12 cases of antrochoanal polyps (ACP). Objective outcome of ESS was evaluated through endoscopic examination and subjective outcome through questionnaire. Postoperative follow-up period ranged between 6 and 26 months. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were treated with ESS and nine with ESS with concomitant adenoidectomy. Thirty-nine patients (81.2%) showed good outcomes by endoscopic examination. Also, thirty-eight patients (79.2%) reported high satisfaction by questionnaire. There were no statistical differences in the results through endoscopy and subjective satisfaction through questionnaire among three groups. CRSNP and ACP groups tended to have higher recurrence rate than CRS group. CRSNP group showed higher CT Lund-Mackay scores than ACP group and CRS group. Synechia occurred in 4 (8.3%) of 48 patients. Ten patients (20.8%) required endoscopic polypectomy or revision surgery. CONCLUSION: While pediatric ESS is still in progress and its role continues to be defined, the results of current study suggest that pediatric ESS is a safe and efficacious therapy for management of chronic rhinosinusitis in children.
Adenoidectomy ; Child ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Polyps ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Recurrence ; Sinusitis ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: To report the optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings in a patient with unilateral macular coloboma. METHODS: A 12-year-old male was presented with macular coloboma in the left eye. The optical coherence tomography was performed with fluorescein angiography (FA). RESULTS: The OCT revealed the crater-like depression in the macula, demonstrating atrophic neurosensory retina, and an absence of retinal pigment epithelium and choroid in the lesion. FA showed hypofluorescence corresponding to the size of the lesion in both early and late frames without leakage of dye at any stage. CONCLUSIONS: The OCT can be beneficial to confirm the diagnosis of macular coloboma.
Child ; Coloboma/*diagnosis ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Humans ; Macula Lutea/*abnormalities ; Male ; *Tomography, Optical Coherence/standards

BACKGROUND: Viral antigens presented on the cell surface in association with MHC class I molecules are recognized by CD8+ T cells. MHC restricted peptides are important in eliciting cellular immune responses. As peptide antigens have a weak immunigenicity, pH-sensitive liposomes were used for peptide delivery to induce effective cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. In the previous study, as the HBx peptides could induce specific CTLs in vitro, we tested whether the HLA-A2/K(b) transgenic mice that were immunized by HBx-derived peptides could be protected from a viral challenge. METHODS: HBx-peptides encapsulated by pH-sensitive liposomes were prepared. A2K(b) transgenic mice were immunized i.m. on days one and seven with the indicated concentrations of liposome-encapsulated peptides. Three weeks later, mice were infected with 1X10(7) pfu/head of recombinant vaccinia virus (rVV)-HBx via i.p. administration. The ovaries were extracted from the mice, and the presence of rVV-HBx in the ovaries was analyzed using human TK- 143B cells. IFN-gamma secretion by these cells was directly assessed using a peptide-pulsed target cell stimulation assay with either peptide-pulsed antigen presenting cells (APCs), concanavalin A (2microg/ml), or a vehicle. To generate peptide-specific CTLs, splenocytes obtained from the immunized mice were stimulated with 20nicrog/ml of each peptide and restimulated with peptide-pulsed APC four times. The cytotoxic activity of the CTLs was assessed by standard (51)Cr-release assay and intracellular IFN-gamma assay. RESULTS: Immunization of these peptides as a mixture in pH-sensitive liposomes to transgenic mice induced a good protective effect from a viral challenge by inducing the peptide-specific CD8+ T cells. Mice immunized with 50microg /head were much better protected against viral challenge compared to those immunized with 5microg/head, whereas the mice immunized with empty liposomes were not protected at all. After in vitro CTL culture by peptide stimulation, however, specific cytotoxicity was much higher in the CTLs from mice immunized with 5microg/head than 50microg/head group. Increase of the number of cells that intracellular IFN-gamma secreting cell among CD8+ T cells showed similar result. CONCLUSION: Mice immunized with XEPs within pH-sensitive liposome were protected against viral challenge. The protective effect depended on the amount of antigen used during immunization. XEP-3-specific CTLs could be induced by peptide stimulation in vitro from splenocytes obtained from immunized mice. The cytotoxic effect of CTLs was measured by (51)Cr-release assay and the percentage of accumulated intracellular IFN-gamma secreting cells after in vitro restimulation was measured by flow cytometric analysis. The result of (51)Cr-release cytotoxicity test was well correlated with that of the flow cytometric analysis. Viral protection was effective in immunized group of 50microg/head, while in the in vitro restimulation, it showed more spectific response in 5microg/head group.
Animals ; Antigen-Presenting Cells ; Antigens, Viral ; Concanavalin A ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Immunity, Cellular ; Immunization ; Liposomes ; Lymphocytes ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic* ; Ovary ; Peptides* ; T-Lymphocytes* ; Vaccinia virus

Pigmented Bowen's disease is characterized by microscopically increased melanin pigment in the epidermis and/or papillary dermis in addition to the typical findings of Bowen's disease. This disorder is infrequently reported and represents less than 2% of cases of Bowen's disease. Pigmented Bowen's disease is often confused clinically with pigmented lesions, such as seborrheic keratosis, melanocytic nevus, pigmented basal cell cacinoma and superficial spreading melanoma. A 74-year-old man presented with a black hyperkeratotic nodule overlying a solitary dark brownish patch on the scalp, this was clinically diagnosed as seborrheic keratosis. Histopathologic examination revealed pigmented Bowen's disease. We, herein, report an unusual case of pigmented Bowen's disease, which is the first reported case to have occurred on the scalp and to clinically resemble seborrheic keratosis.
Aged ; Bowen's Disease* ; Dermis ; Epidermis ; Humans ; Keratosis, Seborrheic* ; Melanins ; Melanoma ; Nevus, Pigmented ; Scalp