BACKGROUND: Neurofibroma, the hallmark of neurofibromatosis, is a cutaneous or subcutaneous lesion, with a variable clinical presentation. Histologically, neurofibroma consists of proliferation of nerve derived cellular elements, together with an abundant, collagenous extracellular matrix. Specifically, neurofibroma has been shown to contain 30-50% collagen in its matrix. Objective 5. METHODS: We examined the expression of extracellular matrix genes (collagen, fibronectin, laminin), TGF-b mRNA and Ha-ras oncogene mRNA by using Northern and slot-blot hybridization and immunoperoxidase stains. Result: In Northern blot analysis, Ha-ras and TGF-b genes revealed respectively, 8.8kb and 2. 5kb sized mRNA transcripts in neurofibroma. These parameters were normal in the control. The expression of these genes were 1.9, 2.0 fold increased in neurofibroma. In slot-blot analysis, expression of type I collagen showed fibronectin genes to be 2,401+210, 540+43, respectively, in neurofibroma. So there were 3.7 fold, 2.1 fold, differences respectively, compared to the normal control. However, there were no significant changes of type IV collagen and laminin Bl mRNA levels between neurofibroma and normal skin tissues. Irnmunoperoxidase staining by rnonoclonal anti type IV collagen antibody in neurofibroma showed type IV collagen to be diffusely and weakly stained in tissue. On staining by monoclonal anti-laminin antibody, laminin was stained in a matrix and around vessels. CONCLUSION: The increased expression of extracellular matrix genes may suggest that there is a subpopulation of fibroic cells in neurofibroma which are stimulated by TGF-b. Ha-ras genes which might have accumulated with the differentiation of neural tissue may be related to the pathogenesis of neurofibroma tissue formation. Further studies are needed to determine whether the other factors are related to the pathogenesis of neurofibroma.
Blotting, Northern ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type IV ; Coloring Agents ; Extracellular Matrix* ; Fibronectins ; Genes, ras* ; Laminin ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; RNA, Messenger ; Skin

An 41-year-old woman with chronic active hepatitis developed multible asymptomatic erythematous papules, plaques and purpuras on the both lower leg, feet, forearms and hands. Some lesions progressed to ulcers with central black colored necrotic eschars. Biopsies and cultures demorrstrated a fungus, aspergillus fumigatus a the etilogic agent. No evicience of involvement of other organs by aspergillus fumigatus was found. Intravenous amphotericin B therapy was discontinued because of he immediate adverse effects. The patient received treatment with oral itaconazole(200mg/day) and intravenous fluconazole(400mg/day), but skin lesions have been recurring repeatedly.
Adult ; Amphotericin B ; Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Biopsy ; Female ; Fluconazole ; Foot ; Forearm ; Fungi ; Hand ; Hepatitis* ; Hepatitis, Chronic ; Humans ; Leg ; Purpura ; Skin ; Ulcer

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes of central corneal thickness and axial length after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery for myopia. 101 eyes of 53 patients who underwent laser in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) were included in this study.Routine examinations were done in all cases. Central corneal thickness, axial length, keratometry, and refractive error were measured preoperatively and on the 6 month post-operatively. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -5.52 D (SD, 1.98 D).Preoperative and postoperative mean central corneal thickness was 530.64 micrometer (SD, 27.62 micrometer)and 468.84 micrometer (SD, 33.32 micrometer).Preoperative and postoperative keratometry was 43.69 D (SD, 1.90 D)and 39.12 D (SD, 1.98 D).Preoperative and postoperative average axial length was 25.56 mm (SD, 1.05 mm)and 25.51 mm (SD, 1.08 mm).When postoperative measurements were compared with preoperative measurements, there was a significant decrease in central corneal thickness (t=25.68, p=0.000)and keratometry (t=23.61, p=0.000), but there was no significant difference in axial length (t=1.82, p=0.072). Refractive changes related to axial length measurements changes on the 6 month after LASIK are not important compared with the total refractive corrections of LASIK.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ* ; Myopia* ; Refractive Errors

Exposure with the tibial tubercle osteotomy was done for ten revisions and one primary total knee replacements out of 200 total knee arthroplasties performed from 1985 to 1996. The cases were analyzed with regard to complications and technical considerations. The preoperative diagnoses were infected total knee arthroplasty in seven, aseptic loosening in three and one ankylosed knee. Eixtensive exposure was achieved enough for debridement and reimplantation. The tubercle was fixed with two or three 3.5mm screws. The average duration of follow up was 30 months. Post operative knee flexion averaged 87 degrees. There were two complications, one avulsion of the fragment and one tibial fracture. The advantage of this procedure included wide exposure for difficult knee surgeries and more proximal fixation for improved flexion.
Arthroplasty* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Debridement ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Knee* ; Osteotomy* ; Replantation ; Tibial Fractures

PURPOSE: Myocardial infarction in children with total occlusion of a coronary artery after Kawasaki disease is rare due to multiple collateral vessels. We aimed to investigate the changes in coronary perfusion associated with coronary artery occlusion after Kawasaki disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven patients with coronary artery occlusion after Kawasaki disease were investigated. Serial coronary angiographies after total occlusion of a coronary artery were reviewed and the changes were described in all patients with additive information collected. RESULTS: The median age at the occlusion was 5.9 years old. The interval to occlusion was 6.2+/-6.9 years. Four left anterior descending coronary artery total occlusions and 10 right coronary artery total occlusions were detected. Immediate coronary artery bypass graft for left anterior descending coronary artery total occlusion made right coronary total occlusion occurred in all except one patient and the intervals thereof were 1 year, 1.8 years, and 4 years. Collaterals to the left coronary artery regressed after recanalization, while new collaterals to the right coronary artery developed. In three, collaterals to the right coronary artery decreased without recanalization without clinical signs. CONCLUSION: The right coronary artery should be followed up carefully because of possible occlusion of new onset or changes in collaterals.
Child ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Occlusion ; Coronary Vessels* ; Humans ; Methods ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Myocardial Infarction ; Perfusion* ; Transplants

STUDY DESIGN: This case report presents a 50-year-old patient with tabetic Charcoal spinal arthropathy combined with spinal stenosis, and its management. OBJECTIVES: To present the case report and follow-up results of Charcoal arthropathy with spinal stenosis of the lumbosacral spine, which was treated by circumferential fusion with instrumentation and decompressive laminectomy. LITERATURE REVIEW: Most reports of Charcot spine mention the etiology, clinical characteristics, pathology, and management of the condition. Surgical management of Chariot spines with spinal stenosis are rare. There is no report of the two-stage procedure of circumferential fusion and decom-pression for Charcot spine with spinal stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patient complained of back pain, radiating pain to both lower legs, and 100m neurologic claudication. Serologic testing was positive in VDRL and FTA-ABS tests. Surgical treat-nent consisted of anterior resection of the L5 body with an autogenous iliad bone graft. It was followed by a posterior wide laminectomy of L5 for spinal stenosis, and CD instrumentation with transpedicular screws was applied to L3-S1 with lateral bone graft. RESULTS: At 27 months follow-up, clinical symptoms of back pain and radiating pain were disappeared. The patient walked without claudication, and satisfied with her condition. Firm bony fusions from L3 to S1 were obtained. There was no evidence of further destruction or neural compromise in the 27 months following surgery. CONCLUSION: A case of Charcoal arthropathy of the lumbosacral spine with spinal stenosis of L3-5 and L5-S1 has been reported, and the pathology, clinical features, and management of this condition were discussed. Circumferential fusion for Charcot spine and wide decompressive laminectomy for spinal stenosis are advisable.
Back Pain ; Charcoal ; Fluorescent Treponemal Antibody-Absorption Test ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Leg ; Middle Aged ; Pathology ; Pathology, Clinical ; Serologic Tests ; Spinal Stenosis* ; Spine* ; Transplants

PURPOSE: To assess the location and associated findings of fractures of the posterior lumbar vertebral ring apophysis as seen on MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated MR findings in 77 patients (86 lesions) with lumbar apophyseal ring fractures. Their age ranged from ten to 67 (mean 33-1) years. To confirm the presence of verterbral ring fractures, CT was performed in 29 patients (31 lesions) within two weeks of MR imaging. Open laminectomy was performed in ten patients, percutaneous automated nucleotomy in three, and LASER operation in four. RESULTS: The most common location of fractures was the superior margin of L5 (36 lesions 41.9%), next was superior margin of S1 (21 lesions, 24.4%). On CT, a bony fragment was seen in 28 patients (30 lesions); the positive predictive value of MR was 99.7 %. Multiple lesions were seen in nine patients. Associated disc herniation and bulging were noted in 64 (74.4%) and 15 lesions (17.4%), respectively, and a high signal intensity rim aound the bony fragment on T1 weighted image was noted in 33 (38.4%). Other associated findings were spondylolysis in eight patients, retrolisthesis in five, and spondylolisthesis in three. Operative outcomes were variable. The results of open laminectomy were better than those of percutaneous automated laminectomy or LASER operation. CONCLUSION: In patients with lumbar apophyseal ring fractures, their exact location and associated findings could be evalvated by MRI, which was therefore useful in the planning of appropriate surgery.
Humans ; Laminectomy ; Lumbar Vertebrae* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spondylolisthesis ; Spondylolysis

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of Re-188 sulfur colloid for radiation synovectomy and therapy of intraperitoneal metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the labeling efficiency of Re-188 sulfur colloid on various conditions. The stability of Re-188 sulfur colloid was observed at room temperature for 24 h and in human serum and synovial fluid for 72 h. The particle size distribution of Re-188 sulfur colloid was rneasured by filtering with various pore size filters. Animal experiment was performed in mice and rabbits. RESULTS: The labeling efficiency of Re-188 sulfur colloid was 64,5+/-5.8% (n=5) at the conditions of sodium thiosulfate 40 mg, EDTA Na2.2H2O 0,8 mg, KReO4 0.8 mg at pH l. After purification, the radiochemical purity was higher than 99%. The stability of Re-188 sulfur colloid was high (>99%) at room temperature for 24 h and in human serum and synovial fluid for 72 h. The particle size distribution of Re-188 sulfur colloid was 0.3% (<1 micrometer), 11.2% (1~5 micrometer), 35.8% (5~10 micrometer) and 52.8% (>10 micrometer). In mice, 1 h postinjection of Re-188 sulfur colloid into tail vein, uptakes in lung, liver and muscle were 37.30+/-5.36, 32.33+/-5.79, 6.60+/-0.02% 1D/organ respectively. After I.p. injection in rnice, the uptakes of extraperitonial organs of Re-188 sulfur colloid at 1 and 24 h were 0.1+/-0.1, 0.4+/-0.1% ID/organ, and the excretions through urine and feces (~70 h) were low (2.68+/-0.80, 0.95+/-0.17%). When Re-188 sulfur colloid was injected to synovial space of rabbit, the uptake in other organs except knee was very low. CONCLUSION: Re-188 sulfur colloid showed high labeling efficiency, stability and potency for clinical use.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Colloids* ; Edetic Acid ; Feces ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Knee ; Liver ; Lung ; Mice ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Particle Size ; Rabbits ; Sodium ; Sulfur ; Synovial Fluid ; Veins

No abstract available.
Humans ; Perinatal Mortality ; Pregnancy, Twin*

Spindle cell lipoma, an entity first described in 1975, accounts for about 1.5% of adipocytic neoplasms and is outnumbered by conventional benign lipomas by approximately 60 to 1. We report an unusual pseudoangiomatous variant of spindle cell lipoma on the right thigh of a 78-year-old man. The lesion had the features of typical spindle cell lipoma which was composed of mature fat cells and uniform spindle cells in a mucoid matrix with collagen bundles. In addition, the lesion exhibited irregular, branching spaces with villiform connective tissue projections, giving a striking angiomatoid appearance. Immunohistochemically, the spindle cells were positive for CD34, and lining cells of pseudoangiomatous spaces were negative for CD31, factor VIII-Ag.
Adipocytes ; Aged ; Collagen ; Connective Tissue ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Strikes, Employee ; Thigh