PURPOSE: Measurement of colon transit time is well-known physiologic study for patients with chronic constipation. But information we get from it is frequently inconsistent with patient's complaint. This study was designed to ascertain the actual significance of that measurement. METHODS: The subjects included two groups of patients with chronic constipation. One group consists of 32 patients(group A), The other group 36 patients(group B). Colon transit time study and defecographic examinations were done using previously described methods. But the former study was a little modified in group A, in which sodium phosphate enema was given at the previous day of oral intake of radio-opaque markers. Findings of colon transit time study and their relations to the defecographic results were compared with each other. RESULTS: As for the 5th day-findings of colon transit time, 6 cases(18.7%) were abnormal in group A and 3 cases(8.4%) in group B(statistically not different). As for the 3rd day-findings, 15 cases(46.9%) were abnormal in group A and 7 cases(19.5%) in group B( statistically different, p=0.0163). Defecographic findings showed 7 cases(21.9%) of outlet obstruction pattern in group A and 9 cases(25%) in group B. Correlations between these findings and those of colonic transit time studies were not proven statistically. CONCLUSION: Colon transit time study with single marker bolus and the 5th day photography technique was considered not to reflect the actual conditions of patients with chronic constipation. But sodium phophate enema, given to patients before starting the study, seemed to enhance the accuracy of study.
Colon* ; Constipation* ; Enema ; Humans ; Photography ; Sodium ; Time and Motion Studies*

No abstract available.
Giant Lymph Node Hyperplasia* ; Neck*

S100A6 (calcyclin) is a member of the S100 family and has been originally isolated from the cDNA library of Syrian baby hamster kidney cells. The S100A6 gene expression is reported to remain high throughout the cell cycle following induction by serum or growth factors, suggesting that the gene may be required for cell cycle progression. Nevertheless, the role that S100A6 may play in tumor progression remains unknown. In this study, we have explored the expression patterns of S100A6 gene in human thyroid tissues by northern blot analysis. Using the S100A6 monoclonal antibody, we carried out the immunohistochemical staining to determine the distribution/localization of S100A6 protein within tumor or non-tumorous cells of the thyroid. To modulate the regulation of endogenously expressed S100A6 protein in the intracellular level, overexpressed or anti-sense treated transfectant was constructed by using the eukaryotic expression vector. As a result, immunohistochemistry for S100A6 showed a strong positivity in the malignant tumors of thyroid and a high expression level of S100A6 protein affected cell proliferation in the overexpressed transfectant. These findings suggest that S100A6 may be involved in the tumor pathogenesis and provides another parameter for the differentiation of malignant and benign lesions. A well defined monoclonal antibody against S100A6 protein is now available for the immunohistochemical studies of the various thyroid tissues.
Animals ; Blotting, Northern ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Proliferation ; Cricetinae ; Gene Expression ; Gene Library ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Kidney ; Thyroid Diseases* ; Thyroid Gland*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatments and overall 5-year survival and to analyze the prognostic factors affecting the survival in patient with ovarian tumors. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the outcome of 116 patients with ovarian cancer and 64 patients with borderline malignant ovarian tumor, who had been treated at Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Anam Hospital from Jan. 1991 to Dec. 2001. Univariate and multivariate analysis for survival were conducted to test the prognostic significance of several clinicopathologic factors. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients with borderline malignant ovarian tumor was 39.9 years old, and nulliparity was most common (42.2%). Mucinous tumor was the most common histologic subtype (68.8%). The FIGO stage distribution of borderline malignancy were 89.1%, 1.6%, 9.3% for stage I, II, and III, respectively. The overall 5-year survival rate of patients with borderline malignancy was 98.4%. The mean age of the patients with ovarian cancer was 50.1 years old. The incidence of ovarian cancer according to histologic type were 74.1%, 12.9%, 11.2%, 0.9%, 0.9%, in epithelial ovarian cancer, Sex-cord stromal tumor, malignant germ cell tumor, metastatic carcinoma of the ovary, and small cell carcinoma, respectively. The FIGO stage distribution of ovarian cancer were 40.5%, 12.1%, 42.2%, 5.2% for stage I, II, III, and IV, respectively. The overall 5-year survival rate of patients with ovarian cancer was 60.9%. In multivariate analysis, FIGO stage was identified as a significant independent prognostic factor in this study. CONCLUSION: In this study, patients with borderline malignancy of the ovary have good prognosis and the overall 5-year survival rate was 98.4%. Otherwise, the overall survival rate of patients with ovarian cancer was 60.9% and the stage was most important prognostic factor.
Carcinoma, Small Cell ; Female ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Mucins ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; Obstetrics ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Ovary ; Parity ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Analysis* ; Survival Rate

No abstract available.
Empyema*

PURPOSE: In this retrospective study, we attempted to evaluate the treatment outcome and the prognostic factors of thymoma treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1979 and 1998, 55 patients with thymoma were treated at the Seoul National University Hospital. Of these, 11 patients underwent surgery only, 33 patients received postoperative radiotherapy and 11 patients received radiotherapy only. Twenty-three patients had gross total resection and 21 patients subtotal resection. For postoperative radiotherapy, the radiation dose consisted of 41.4-55.8 Gy. The average follow-up was 64 months, and ranged from 2 to 160 months. The sex ratio was 1:1 and the median age was 48 years (15-74 years). Overall survival and disease-free survival were determined via the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank was employed to evaluate for differences in prognostic factor. RESULTS: The five- and 10-year survival rates were 87% and 65% respectively, and the median survival was 103 months. By univariate analysis, only stage ( p=0.0017) turned out to be significant prognostic factors of overall survival. Also, stage ( p=0.0007) was significantly predictive for overall survival in mutivariated analysis. CONCLUSION: This study showed the stage was found to be important prognostic factors, which influenced survival. Especially, as incomplete resection is related with poor results, complete resection is important to cure the invasive thymoma.
Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Sex Ratio ; Survival Rate ; Thymoma* ; Treatment Outcome*

No abstract available.

Malignant gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare non-epithelial, mesenchymal neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract that metastasize or recur in 30% of patients who undergo surgical resection with curative intent. A 59-year-old man visited our hospital for an examination of a palpable mass in the left abdomen. Fourteen months prior to his visit, the patient underwent gastric wedge resection to remove a GIST of the gastric cardia. At the time of surgery, no evidence of metastatic disease was observed and the pathological interpretation was a high-risk GIST. A follow-up computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a partially necrotic solid mass (9.8 x 7.6 cm) and enhancing mass in the spleen (2.3 cm). On exploration, multiple masses were found in the liver, greater omentum, and mesentery. Here, we report a case of recurring GIST of the stomach that metastasized to the spleen. To the best of our knowledge, few reports of metastasis to the spleen exist.
Abdomen ; Cardia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Liver ; Mesentery ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Omentum ; Spleen ; Stomach

Objectives: Insomnia is a disorder that involves poor sleep quality at nighttime and various symptoms in the daytime. Although it is known to increase cardiovascular risk as well as psychiatric comorbidities such as depression and anxiety, less attention has been paid to daytime sleepiness in patients with insomnia. This study aimed to investigate clinical and polysomnographic characteristics and identify factors influencing excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with insomnia. Methods: Between 2014 and 2022, 1,241 patients with insomnia as the primary symptom who underwent polysomnography were included in the study. Patients with an Epworth sleepiness scale ≥10 were classified as having insomnia accompanied by daytime sleepiness, and sleep-related questionnaire responses and polysomnography findings were utilized for analysis. Results: A total of 327 patients (26.3%) had daytime sleepiness, and a higher prevalence was observed in younger and male individuals. Poor sleep quality, severe depression, and insomnia were identified through the questionnaire. Polysomnography showed longer total sleep times, a higher proportion of stage N3 sleep, and higher sleep efficiency. The variables related to the Epworth sleepiness scale identified in multiple regression analysis were age, the Korean Beck Depression Inventory-II, sleep latency, and the apnea-hypopnea index on polysomnography. Conclusions Insomnia with excessive daytime sleepiness was more affected by depression than indicated by polysomnography findings. The pathophysiology is presumed to be related to sleep misperception, and further studies are needed to elucidate the discrepancy between excessive daytime sleepiness and polysomnography findings.

The uterus with rudimentary horn occurs as a result of a lack of development during fetal life of the middle and lower parts of one of the Miillerian ducts, in which there is a failure of fusion of the two ducts, The incidence of this uterine anomaly is rare. Many cases of rudimentary uterine horn are not discovered since they do not become involved in a pregnancy, and thus remain symptomless and uncomplicated, and the diagnosis usually being made only with pregnancy with rupture. In this presentation, we describe a case of diagnosis and management of unruptured non-communicating rudimentary uterine horn pregnancy at the third trimester. The patient diagnosed by ultrasonography and MRI, was hospitalized for further evaluation and delivery under the impression of unruptured non-communicating rudimentary horn pregnancy. A living male infant weighing 1,930 gm was delivered by cesarean section at 33+l weeks due to impending preterm labor. Some articles concerned this subject were reviewed briefly to discuss relevant method of diagnosis, treatment, and clinical characteristics.
Animals ; Cesarean Section ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Horns* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Obstetric Labor, Premature ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third* ; Pregnancy* ; Rupture ; Ultrasonography ; Uterus