Opacification of the cornea due to the deposition of lipids may be primary without evidence of previous corneal vascularization, or secondary to either preexisting corneal disease or systemic disturbances of lipid metabolism. If the deterioration of vision continues, penetrating keratoplasty may be needed. We evaluated a 19 year-old female patient referred to our department due to progressive corneal opacity in the left eye. She did not have significant past or family histories of corneal diseases. Ocular examinations revealed the whitish corneal deposits with deep stromal vascularization in her left eye. For confirmation of the diagnosis, lamellar keratectomy with amniotic membrane transplantation was performed and deep stromal vessels were photocoagulated using an argon laser. Histologic findings were compatible with lipid degeneration. The corneal opacities reduced markedly and did not show any evidence of recurrence during the follow up period of six months. Therefore, we report this case with the review of the literature.
Amnion* ; Argon ; Cornea ; Corneal Diseases ; Corneal Opacity ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating ; Light Coagulation* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Recurrence ; Young Adult

Isometric tension was recorded in uterine arterial ring preparation contracted by potassium (60 mM) and norepinephrine(1.8 X 10(-7) M). With pretreatment of various concentrations of nifedipine(2.9 x 10(-9) ~2.9 X10(-7) M) and verapamil(2.2 X 10(-7) -2.2 X 10(-5) M), the relaxation was dose-dependent and inhibitory effects of both agents were more marked on the potassium than norepinephrine-evoked contraction. After immersion of the arterial preparation in calcium-free solution, the potassium-evoked contraction was decreased to 21+/-4.1%(mean+/-SEM) of the response in normal Krebs solution and norepinephrine-evoked contraction to 26+/-3.8%. The responses to both agents were completely restored when the calcium concentration was increased to 4.0 mM. Pretreated nifedipine(2.9 x 10(-7) M) in calcium-free solution depressed the potassium-evoked contraction to 7.3+/-1.6% and norepinephrine-evoked contraction to 12+/-3.7%. In addition of calcium(0-4.0mM), the potassium-evoked contraction increased to 30+/-4.6% and that by norepinephrine to 45+/-5.4%. Pretreated verapamil(2.2 X 10(-5) M) in calcium-free solution depressed the potassium-evoked contraction to 14+/-3.6% and norepinephrine-evoked contraction to 18+/-3.3%. In addition of calcium(0-4.0mM), the potassium-evoked contraction increased to 41+/-4.2% and that by norepinephrine to 57+/-4.7%. It was concluded that nifedipine and verapamil relaxed KC1 contracted ring in the presence of external calcium and relaxed norepinephrine contracted ring in both the presence and absence of external calcium. These findings suggest that calcium antagonists interfere with the release of calcium from intracellular sites as well as with the slow inward current of calcium.
Calcium ; Humans* ; Immersion ; Nifedipine* ; Norepinephrine ; Potassium ; Relaxation ; Uterine Artery* ; Verapamil*

Most proximal humeral fractures respond satisfactorily to simple conservative treatment, but operative treatment is recommended in cases where poor results are anticipated by prolonged immobilization, or because of severe displacement and comminution. We used a minimal internal fixation and tension band technique in severely displaced and comminuted cases to achieve firm fixation and avoid subacromial impingement. Passive range of motion of the involved shoulder began within the first postoperative day and active range of motion exercise was encouraged as soon as possible within the first postoperative week. Between February 1996 and November 1997, we operated using this technique on 15 patients ranging in age from 16 to 71 years (average 52). Follow-up averaged 13 months. During the follow-up period, all patients except one patient, had a active full range of motion on the affected limb. According to the evaluation on the 10 patients who had follow- up periods over 12 months by Hawkins rating scale of shoulder function, 6 patients had achieved a good result and 4 patients had achieved a fair result at the last follow up. In conclusion, tension band technique with minimal internal fixation could afford sufficient fracture stability to allow early, aggressive rehabilitation. As a method of internal fixation on a proximal humerus fracture, this technique may have particular advantages in elderly osteoporotic patients.
Aged ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Immobilization ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rehabilitation ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures*

Calcific tendinitis of the longus colli is an inflammatory disease caused by calcium hydroxyapatite crystal deposition in the longus colli tendon of the prevertebral space. It is also known as retropharyngeal calcific tendinitis or prevertebral tendinitis. The typical imaging characteristics of this entity are calcifications on the superior insertion of the longus colli tendons at the C1-2 level and fluid collection in the retropharyngeal space. However, we introduce a case of acute longus colli tendinitis without definite calcification deposition on image findings.
Durapatite ; Tendinopathy* ; Tendons

Central diabetes insipidus caused by pineal gland neoplasm is rare. Here, we describe a case of central diabetes insipidus and pineal germinoma with seeding to pituitary stalk along CSF pathway. A 27 year-old male patient was admitted due to polyuria, polydipsia, headache, vomiting, diplopia, and decreased visual acuity for recent two months. Urine osmolality measured after water deprivation was below 100mOsm/kg. However, urine osmolality increasd above 300 mOsm/kg with pitressin administration. Brain MRI showed a 2cm sized mass with seeding into pituitary stalk along CSF in pineal region. Surgical biopsy revealed pineal germinoma. Two cycles of chemotherapy with etoposide and cis-platin were done followed by brain irradiation(2,500cGy). Follow up brain MRI after second chemotherapy showed complete remission. The patient had no neurologic and endocrinologic deficit after the treatment.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Brain ; Diabetes Insipidus* ; Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic ; Diplopia ; Drug Therapy ; Etoposide ; Follow-Up Studies ; Germinoma ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Osmolar Concentration ; Pineal Gland ; Pinealoma ; Pituitary Gland ; Polydipsia ; Polyuria ; Vasopressins ; Visual Acuity ; Vomiting ; Water Deprivation

No abstract available.
Hair* ; Hypopigmentation* ; Scalp* ; Ureter*

PURPOSE: Anthropometry can be divided into two methods, direct anthropometry and indirect anthropometry. The most ideal and accurate method is a direct anthropometry. However, it is difficult to measure in the case of children because of poor cooperation, and it lacks re-productivity. Cast model has advantages of three dimensional featuring, inexpensive and easy fabrication. This study is conducted to find out an accuracy of indirect anthropometry on cast model by comparing it with direct anthropometry. METHODS: Total 48 cleft lip nasal deformity patients (unilateral, 40; bilateral, 8) were included in this study. Cast models were made before surgery under general anesthesia with alginate impression material and model plaster. Eleven linear measurements among 7 landmarks were taken as direct anthropometry before surgery with Castroviejo spreading caliper. At the same time, indirect anthropometry on cast model was done at the same linear distances as well. RESULTS: Of the total 11 linear measurements, both ala lengths, both columella lengths, nose width, projective distance between facial insertion points of the ala, projective distance between the alar base points, right nostril floor width, and columella width were statistically correlated between indirect anthropometry on cast model and direct anthropometry. However, the nasal tip protrusion and the left nostril floor width were not statistically correlated. CONCLUSION: Accuracy of indirect anthropometry on cast model can be influenced by cast model fabrication techniques and correct identification of landmarks. Nasal tip protrusion could be reduced by compression of the nasal tip in the process of cast model fabrication and nostril floor width can be varied by muscle relaxation of anesthetics and incorrect identification of subalare in cleft lip nasal deformity. If sufficient care is taken to make cast model and to define landmarks exactly, indirect anthropometry on cast model can be a reliable method as direct anthropometry.
Anesthesia, General ; Anesthetics ; Anthropometry* ; Child ; Cleft Lip* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Humans ; Muscle Relaxation ; Nose*