DNA flow cytometric analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue from 10 cases of squamous cell eareinoma (SCC) and 10 cases of basal cell carcinoma(BCC). These results were applicable to do a better prognosis in BCC than SCC. In 10 cases of SCC, the DNA index was 1.34 and aneuploidy was identified in 9. In 10 cases of BCC, the DNA index was 1.30 and aneuploidy was identified in 6.
Aneuploidy ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; DNA* ; Flow Cytometry* ; Prognosis ; Skin*

We report a case of generalized plane xanthoma which showed no-rmolipoproteinemia and was not associated with unerlying disorders or other type of xanthomas. A 48-year-old female has noticed well defined, slightly elevated, yellowish plaques which occurred on the periorbital areas, sides of the neck, scapular areas, anterior chest, buttocks and lower extremities for 3 years. Biopsy specimen taken from the neck showed perivascular accumulations of foam cells in the upper and mid dermis. Paper electrophoresis didn't, show elevation of any lipoprotein.
Biopsy ; Buttocks ; Dermis ; Electrophoresis, Paper ; Female ; Foam Cells ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Lower Extremity ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Thorax ; Xanthomatosis*

PURPOSE: The most common complication of Kawasaki disease(KD) is the development of coronary artery aneurysm. Other cardiac complication include myocarditis, pericarditis, mitral or aortic insufficiency, congestive failure, and arrhythmia. These non- coronary cardiac problems have important role on clinical course in acute phase of KD. Extensive researches have been performed about the pathogenesis, natural course and treatment of coronary artery lesion. But the studies about non-coronary cardiac complication have been limited, so we aimed to study the manifestation, incidence, and clinical predictor of carditis. METHODS: The retrospective studies was performed to the 48 KD patients diagnosed in Chungnam National University Hospital from May 1998 to September 2004. The patients were divided into two groups. Patients with carditis(11 patients) and without carditis(37 patients) before receiving the IVGG infusion were analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences in age and sex between two groups. Patients with long duration of fever and high Harada score had the significant increase in the incidence of carditis before the initial IVGG infusion. No significant differences were not shown between the two groups in terms of WBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, total protein, AST/ALT, LDH, CPK, troponin I, total cholesterol, and triglyceride before the initiL IVGG infusion. The incidence of carditis was high in patient with high CRP, low albumin, and high cholesterol and triglyceride. CONCLUSION: The possibility of significant carditis should be considered before the infusion of high dose IVIG, which may worse the caridac dysfunction. Some predictors of significant carditis such as long duration of fever, high Harada score, high levels of CRP, and low levels of albumin can be suggested.
Aneurysm ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Child* ; Cholesterol ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Coronary Vessels ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Fever ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins, Intravenous ; Incidence ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Myocarditis* ; Pericarditis ; Platelet Count ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors* ; Triglycerides ; Troponin I

We present a series of 10 Patients(Seven men and three women with an average age of 53 years) who underwent decompressive craniectomy for treatment to massive brain swelling following acute cerebral infarction. Clinical signs of cerebral herniation(anisocoria or fixed and dilated pupil, and/or hemiplegia with decerebrate righidity) were present in all patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed the mass effect by cerebral edema through midline shift. All patients were treated with an extensive craniectomy and duroplasty. Among them, one recovered without neurological deficit, three were moderately disabled but functionally dependent, three remained in a persistent vegetative state and three died within 9 days after surgery(good recovery=1, moderate disability=3, persistent vegetative state=3, death=3). The results suggest that decompressive craniectomy can be an useful lifesaving procedure for massive cerebral edema following widespread hemispheric infarction.
Brain Edema ; Cerebral Infarction* ; Decompressive Craniectomy* ; Female ; Hemiplegia ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Persistent Vegetative State ; Prognosis ; Pupil

Juxtaductal coarctation is usually distal to the origin of the left subclavian artery, occasionally the orifice of the subclavian artery is involved in the coarctation and partially obstructed. An anomalous origin of the right subclavian artery from the descending aorta below the coarcted segment is also occasionally encountered. Reversed vertebral artery flow to a subclavian artery arising at or below a coarctation may produce the subclavian steal syndrome. Rarely both subclavian arteries arise beyond the coarctation. These abnormal subclavian arteries are important in clinical diagnosis and treatment. We report a case of Turner syndrome with coarctation, which present as juxtaductal type and the left subclavian artery from the descending aorta below the coarcted segment with reversed vertebral artery flow to a subclavian artery producing the subclavian steal syndrome. Resecton of coarctation segment and end-to-end anastomosis was successfully performed after transfer of left subclavian artery to distal segment of descending aorta.
Aorta, Thoracic* ; Aortic Coarctation ; Diagnosis ; Subclavian Artery* ; Subclavian Steal Syndrome* ; Turner Syndrome* ; Vertebral Artery

Ketotifen, a benzocycloheptathiophene, has an orally effective antiallergic as well as antihistaminic properties. In pervious studies, Ketotifen has shown encouraging results on patient with allergic rhinitis, either perennial or seasonal. 39 patients with allergic rhinitis had been treated with Ketotifen 1 mg twice daily for 8 weeks. And we obtained following results. 1) The efficacy rate in sneezing attack was 73.5%, in nasal discharge 71%, in nasal obstruction 58%. 2) Some improvements in at least one of three-major symptoms were noted within 1 week in 30.7%, within 2 weeks in 55.8%, within 3 weeks in 66.7%, within 8 weeks in 87.2%. 3) Physical findings such as colour, swelling of turbinate, character of rhinorrhea were not improved significantly. 4) Side effect was observed only in one patient with abdominal pain and diarrhea, which was subsided after interruption of administration. These results suggested that Ketotifen was effective in treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Abdominal Pain ; Diarrhea ; Humans ; Ketotifen* ; Nasal Obstruction ; Rhinitis, Allergic* ; Seasons ; Sneezing ; Turbinates

No abstract available.
Facial Nerve* ; Paralysis*

This study was performed to investigate the effect of octreotide on the contractility of rat vas deferens. The -smooth muscle strips isolated from the prostatic portion were myographied in isolated organ bath. Electric -field stimulation (monophasic square wave, duration : 1. mSec, voltage : 50 V, frequency : 5 Hz or 30 Hz, train : 10 Sec) produced reproducible contraction. The contraction was composed of two component, first phasic component (FPC) and second tonicc component (STC).. These contractions were abolished by -tetrodotoxin (1 microM). Octreotide inhibited the field stimulation induced contractions both FPC and STC concentration- dependently. The FPC was decreased by a desentization of purinergic receptor by pretreatment of mATP, and the STC was decreased by pr,,creatment of reserpine (3 mg/kg, EP) 24 hours before experiments. Octreotide reduced the field stimulation induced contraction in the presence of mATP and of reserpinized muscle strips. The inhibitory effect of octreotide was more potent at 5 Hz than at 30 Hz. Octreotide did not affect basal ton and exogenous norepinephrine- or ATP-induced contraction. These results suggest that octreotide inhibit the contractility of the isolated rat vas deferens by inhibition of the release of neurotransmitters, both ATP and norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve terminal.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Animals ; Baths ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Norepinephrine ; Octreotide* ; Rats* ; Reserpine ; Vas Deferens*

Bacillus cereus meningitis can show unusual presentation and very rapid progression associated with high mortality and unusual MRI findings. We report a 77-year-old man with fever and altered mentality after epidural neuroplasty for chronic lumbar spinal pain. Symptoms rapidly progressed over the 12 hours following surgery. He was diagnosed with meningoencephalitis by Bacillus cereus confirmed by CSF culture and DNA sequencing. He improved with antibiotics slowly although his mental state did not completely revert to his prior level. This case demonstrates the rapid and fulminant clinical picture produced by Bacillus cereus associated with neuroplasty. It also shows peculiar frontal white matter changes with hydrocephalus on MRI

The basis of surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis lies in the restoration of stability to the unstable spine and the decompression of the entrapped nerve root. Knodt's distraction rod has been thought to be one of effective distraction instruments promoting fusion for lumbar spine surgery. From December 1981 to May 1987, we performed surgical treatment of spondylolisthesis with Knodt's distraction rod instrumentation in 15 patients (Group I ) and fusion in situ in 7 patients (Group II ). Clinical analysis and changes of radiographic measurements of above two methods were evaluated and obtained following results. l. In Group I, the percentage slip and slip angle decreased to 12.1 ±6.3% and 0.2 ±6.6°, postoperatively, from 20.9 ±8.4% and 7.5 ±5.6°, respectively. In Group II, changed from 13.4 ±9.4%, 7.8 ±6.1°to 11.4 ±9.6%, 11.0 ±5.2°, respectively. 2. In Group I, the average reduction rate was 42.1% postoperatively, but decreased to 20.5% at follow-up. 3. The percentage posterior disc height increased to 49.0 ±6.7% postoperatively, from 27.4 ±10.0% in Group I and decreased to 34.7 ±5.3% at follow-up. But, in Group II, no significant changes observed. 4. The lumbar lordosis in Group I and Group II, decreased to 26.0 ±8.3°and 29.8 ±13.8°, postoperatively, from 35.5 ±7.8°and 37.6 ±1.4°, respectively. 5. There was no significant difference in clinical results between two groups. 6. Postoperstive complications in Group I, were one case of rod breakage with pseudarthrosis, 3 cases of voiding difficulty and superficial wound infection, in Group II, were 2 cases of superficial wound infection and 3 cases of transient voiding diffeculty.
Animals ; Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lordosis ; Pseudarthrosis ; Spine ; Spondylolisthesis ; Wound Infection