PURPOSE: To investigate adhesion complex formation in cultivated human limbal epithelium after transplantation into the chemical burn model. METHODS: human limbal epithelial cells were cultured on amniotic membrane that had not undergone dispase treatment. Laminin V was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The adhesion complex was examined by electron microscopy. Cultured epithelium was transplanted into limbal deficient rabbits induced by chemical burn and mechanical limbal removal. The transplanted rabbits and the controls with mechanical wounding were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks. The adhesion complex was examined by electron microscopy. RESULTS: Linear staining was observed against laminin V at 4-week culture but matured adhesion complex was not found. Graft failure developed in 3 rabbits (25%) after transplantation. Morphologically identifiable hemidesmosomes appeared at 1 week and matured adhesion complex with continuous basement membrane was found at 3 weeks. The mean numbers of hemidesmosomes/2.25 micro meter were 2.3 +/- 0.9, 2.5 +/- 0.5, 5.2 +/- 1.0, and 4.0 +/- 0.9 at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, respectively. The adhesion assembly nearly recovered to the level of that in the human cornea (3.7 +/- 60.11) at 3 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Adhesion complex of cultivated limbal epithelium did not developed in vitro, but the assembly was almost completed at 3 weeks after transplantation in vivo.
Amnion* ; Basement Membrane ; Burns, Chemical* ; Cornea ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium* ; Hemidesmosomes ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laminin ; Microscopy, Electron ; Rabbits ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: To evaluate the difference of the central graft rejection after penetrating keratoplasty and limbal allograft transplantation from different donors vs from the same donor. MATERIAL and METHODS: Three patients diagnosed with chemical burn and one with Stevens-Johnson syndrome were included. Three patients underwent penetrating keratoplasty and limbal allograft transplantation from different donors and one underwent the same operation from the same donor. Mean follow-up was 13 months. Visual acuity, re-epithelization and endothelial rejection were examined. RESULTS: Re-epithelization occurred within 3 to 14 days (mean 8.7 days) in three eyes with chemical burn. Visual acuities ranged from light perception to 20/100. Endothelial rejection developed in the eye transplanted from the same donor. Re-epithelization failed in the eye with Stevens-Johnson syndrome even though limbal graft transplantation and cultivated limbal epithelium transplantation were performed repeatedly. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal endothelial rejection seemed to decrease after penetrating keratoplasty and limbal allograft transplantation from different donors.
Allografts ; Burns, Chemical ; Epithelium ; Follow-Up Studies ; Graft Rejection ; Humans ; Keratoplasty, Penetrating* ; Stevens-Johnson Syndrome ; Tissue Donors* ; Transplants* ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the usefulness of MDCT for localizing a bleeding site and for helping make a decision on further management for acute intestinal bleeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 17 consecutive patients who presented with acute intestinal bleeding and who also underwent MDCT before angiography or surgery. The sensitivity of MDCT for detecting acute intestinal bleeding was assessed and compared with that of conventional angiography. RESULTS: The sensitivity of MDCT for the detection of acute intestinal bleeding was 77% (13 of 17), whereas that of angiography was 46% (6 of 13). All the bleeding points that were subsequently detected on angiography were visualized on MDCT. In three cases, the bleeding focus was detected on MDCT and not on angiography. In four cases, both MDCT and angiogphy did not detect the bleeding focus; for one of these cases, CT during SMA angiography was performed and this detected the active bleeding site. CONCLUSION: In patients with acute intestinal bleeding, MDCT is a useful image modality to detect the bleeding site and to help decide on further management before performing angiography or surgery. When tumorous lesions are detected, invasive angiography can be omitted.
Angiography ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of Tecnis(R) toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for the correction of astigmatism and rotational stability during cataract surgery in patients with cataract and astigmatism. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 17 eyes of 14 patients with 1 to 4 diopters (D) of corneal astigmatism who underwent phacoemulsification and Tecnis(R) toric IOL implantation at Seoul National University Hospital from June 2013 to May 2014. Informed consent was obtained from all participants before the clinical trial. We evaluated the changes in visual acuity, refraction, astigmatism, IOL axis and higher order aberration for 3 months postoperatively. Power vector analysis was used to analyze astigmatism. RESULTS: The mean uncorrected visual acuity (log MAR) significantly improved from 0.58 +/- 0.34 to 0.26 +/- 0.43 at 3 months postoperatively. The mean refractive astigmatism was significantly decreased by 77.9% from a mean value of -2.67 +/- 0.89 D to -0.59 +/- 0.48 D at 3 months postoperatively. According to power vector analysis, M, B, J0, and J45 were significantly reduced after the surgery. The mean difference between achieved and intended IOL axis was 3.26 degrees clockwise at postoperative 3 months, which was statistically insignificant. Most of the rotational changes were observed within a month after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Phacoemulsification and Tecnis(R) toric IOL implantation in patients with cataracts and astigmatism showed efficacy for the correction of astigmatism and rotational stability.
Astigmatism* ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cataract* ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Lens Implantation, Intraocular* ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Phacoemulsification ; Prospective Studies ; Seoul ; Visual Acuity

A fibromatosis or desmoid tumor of the breast is an extremely rare benign tumor, which is often presented clinically and radiologically as a malignant tumor. Although benign, fibromatosis or desmoid tumors can grow aggressively in local infiltrating patterns. The recurrence is relatively common; hence a wide excision with a clear margin around the tumor is necessary. We report a case of a young female patient with a recurring fibromatosis of the breast after a local excision.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Female ; Fibroma ; Fibromatosis, Aggressive ; Humans ; Recurrence

Esophageal squamous cell papillomatosis is a rare disorder that is usually found incidentally on an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy examination or autopsy. A 70-year-old woman presented with a two-month history of dysphagia and abdominal discomfort. A chest CT scan showed diffuse marked thickening of the esophageal wall along the entire length and multiple small enhancing polypoid projections in the distal esophagus. Diffuse circumferential FDG uptake in the entire esophagus was seen on [18F] FDG PET/CT. Squamous papillomatosis was diagnosed by an endoscopic biopsy. We report a case of extensive esophageal papillomatosis with imaging features on CT and [18F] FDG PET/CT, with a review of the clinical literature.
Aged ; Autopsy ; Biopsy ; Deglutition Disorders ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Esophagus ; Female ; Fluorine Radioisotopes ; Humans ; Papilloma ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Anticoagulation with heparin has been the standard management therapy of deep vein thrombosis during pregnancy. Pregnancy is generally considered as a contraindication for thrombolysis. However, anticoagulation therapy alone does not protect the limbs from post-thrombotic syndrome and venous valve insufficiency. Catheter-directed thrombolysis, combined with angioplasty and stenting, can remove the thrombus and restore patency of the veins, resulting in prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome and valve insufficiency. We report successful catheter-directed thrombolysis and stenting in two early gestation patients with a deep vein thrombosis of the left lower extremity.
Angioplasty ; Catheters ; Extremities ; Female ; Heparin ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Stents ; Thrombosis ; Veins ; Venous Thrombosis ; Venous Valves

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of Comamonas acidovorans keratitis in immunocompromised cornea. METHODS: A complete review of the medical records of the two cases of Comamonas acidovorans keratitis. RESULTS: We found some similarities in clinical courses of two cases. Both of them showed development of keratitis during the management with corticosteroids, delayed onset, slow response to antibiotics, and relatively less affected corneal epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Comamonas acidovorans is known as a less virulent organism. However it can cause an indolent infection that responds slowly even to adequate antibiotics therapy in immunocompromised corneas.
Amikacin/therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Ceftazidime/therapeutic use ; Ciprofloxacin/therapeutic use ; Corneal Ulcer/diagnosis/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Delftia acidovorans/*isolation & purification ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Eye Infections, Bacterial/diagnosis/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/diagnosis/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Humans ; *Immunocompromised Host ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of Comamonas acidovorans keratitis in immunocompromised cornea. METHODS: A complete review of the medical records of the two cases of Comamonas acidovorans keratitis. RESULTS: We found some similarities in clinical courses of two cases. Both of them showed development of keratitis during the management with corticosteroids, delayed onset, slow response to antibiotics, and relatively less affected corneal epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Comamonas acidovorans is known as a less virulent organism. However it can cause an indolent infection that responds slowly even to adequate antibiotics therapy in immunocompromised corneas.
Amikacin/therapeutic use ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use ; Ceftazidime/therapeutic use ; Ciprofloxacin/therapeutic use ; Corneal Ulcer/diagnosis/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Delftia acidovorans/*isolation & purification ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Eye Infections, Bacterial/diagnosis/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/diagnosis/drug therapy/*microbiology ; Humans ; *Immunocompromised Host ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Middle Aged

The effect of Pheniramine(Avil), a histaminergic-1 receptor blocking agent presently employed in treating various allergic diseases on pressor actions of norepinephring(NE) and tyramine (TR) was studied in the rabbit. Pheniramine, when given into a femoral vein with a dose(3mg/kg) enough to block H1-receptor, potentiated markedly the pressor responses of NE and TR. The pressor action of NE augmented by pheniramine was not affected by additional adminstration of debrisoquin (Drenergic neuron blocker) or phenelzine(monoamine oxidase inhibitor) or desipramine(U1-uptake blocker), or while potentiated by additional treatment with chlorisondamine(ganglionic blocker)or reserpine(catecholamine depleter). The hypertensive response of NE to phenelzine or desipramine was reinforced significantly by addition of pheniramine, but the response of NE in rabbits treated with reserpine or chlorisondamine or debrisoquin was not influenced by pheniramine-addition. Elevation of blood pressure to TR potentiated by pheniramine was attenuated significantly by reserpine treatment with chlorisondamine made the significant augmentation of pressor action to TR after pheniramine. Tyramine-induced response of blood pressure after pheniramine, but the response of blood pressure to TR caused by phenelzine or desipramine was enhanced markedly by pheniramine-treatment. From the above experimental results, it is thought that the pressor effect of NE and TR potentiated by pheniramine is similar to that of debrisoquin, i.e. the sensitization of effector cell, and that central action of pheniramine can not ruled out.
Blood Pressure ; Chlorisondamine ; Debrisoquin ; Desipramine ; Femoral Vein ; Neurons ; Norepinephrine* ; Oxidoreductases ; Phenelzine ; Pheniramine ; Rabbits ; Reserpine ; Tyramine*