Among the erythrocyte membrane defects, hereditary spherocytosis is the most common. The erythrocyte membrane defect results from a deficiency of spectrin, the most important structural protein in red cell. Hereditary spherocytosis often presents with hemolytic anemia, jaundice, moderate splenomegaly. Diagnosis is established by the presence of spherocytes in the peripheral blood, reticulocytosis, an increased osmotic fragility, and a negative Coombs test. In children, splenectomy is usually performed after age 6 years but can be done at a younger age if warranted by the severity of the anemia and the need for frequent transfusions. In the period December 1987 to Agust 1993, 9 patients with hereditrary spherocytosis underwent splenectomy and the following results were obtained. 1. Nine patients were comprised of five males and four females. 2. Five patients(55.6%) had been admitted to our hospital during age 6-10 years. 3. Four of the nine patients had autosomal dominant inheritance with variable expression. The other five patients had no known inheritance. 4. The diagnosis of the spherocytosis was based on the increased osmotic fragility and increased autohemolysis of the erythrocytes, as well as on the appearance of spherocytes in the peripheral blood smear. 5. In all cases splenectomy was performed. Two patients had concomitant gall stones and choledocholithiasis, respectively. One patient with concomitant gall stones underwent simultaneous cholecystectomy and splenectomy. The other patients associated with choledocholithiasis underwent splenectomy, cholecystectomy, choledocholithotomy, and T-tube drainage. 6. Complete hematologic recovery was obtained by the splenectomy in all cases. 7. Postoperative complication was not occurred.
Anemia ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Child ; Cholecystectomy ; Choledocholithiasis ; Coombs Test ; Diagnosis ; Drainage ; Erythrocyte Membrane ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Male ; Osmotic Fragility ; Postoperative Complications ; Reticulocytosis ; Spectrin ; Spherocytes ; Splenectomy* ; Splenomegaly ; Wills

No abstract available.
Hemangioma, Cavernous*

STUDY DESIGN: This is a retrospective study analyzing 73 patients treated by decompression, pedicular screw instrumentation and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) for lumbosacral spondylolithesis and symptomatic spinal stenosis. we used laminected laminar and spinous process instead of iliac bone. OBJECTIVES: This is to evaluate fusion rate and clinical results of PLIF with laminected laminar and spinous process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PLIF in 73 patients with lumbosacral disorders who carried out at Pohang St. Mary's Hospital from March 1994 to January 1996. Fusion rate was evaluated by simple X-ray and dynamic view. Clinical effect was evaluated by Kirkaldy-Willis criteria. RESULTS: The solid fusion was achieved at 67 cases(91.8%) and the average period of fusion was 6.4 months. Complications were 2 cases of superficial skin infection and 3 cases of root irritation. The functional results by Kirkaldy-Willis were as follows ; excellent 40 cases, good 23 cases, fair 9 cases and poor 1 case. CONCLUSIONS: This PLIF procedure combined with transpedicular instrumentation showed sufficient fusion rate and excellent clinical results and improvement in vertebral alignment.
Decompression ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Spinal Stenosis

This is the report of 98 cases in renal allograft, which were treated at Yeungnam University Hospital from January 1994 to July 1996 and compared the significance of changes of TNF alpha, IL-2R, IL-6 in blood and urine as an early diagnostic tool of acute rejection in renal allograft. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of plasma and urinary TNF alpha, IL-2R, IL-6 in patients with renal allografts. Renal allografts patients were divided into four groups (control, acute rejection, acute tubular necrosis, systemic infection) according to their postoperative diagnostic methods. Blood and urine samples in four groups were obtained: control group (2 days before transplantation, at the day of transplantation and every other day after transplantation), acute rejection group (everyday sampling from 2 days before therapy to the end of therapy), acute tubular necrosis and systemic infection group (everyday sampling from the day of diagnosis to the end of therapy). In acute rejection group, there were significant elevation of cytokines; plasma TNF alpha (68.4%, p<0.01), IL-2R (73.6%, p<0.01), and IL-6 (89.5%, p<0.01), urinary TNF-alpha (42.1%, p<0.01), IL-2R (89.5%, p<0.01) and IL-6 (94.7%, p<0.01). In systemic infection group, all cytokines except urinary TNF-alpha were significantly elevated. The results suggested that plasma and urinary TNF-alpha, IL-2R, and IL-6 may play a complementary early diagnostic tool of acute rejection in renal allograft patients although the differential diagnosis is difficult with systemic infection. Urinary TNF-alpha was not elevated in systemic infection group, so it may be used in differential diagnosis between acute rejection and systemic infection.
Allografts* ; Cytokines ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Interleukin-6* ; Necrosis ; Plasma* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

This is the report of 98 cases in renal allograft, which were treated at Yeungnam University Hospital from January 1994 to July 1996 and compared the significance of changes of TNF alpha, IL-2R, IL-6 in blood and urine as an early diagnostic tool of acute rejection in renal allograft. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of plasma and urinary TNF alpha, IL-2R, IL-6 in patients with renal allografts. Renal allografts patients were divided into four groups (control, acute rejection, acute tubular necrosis, systemic infection) according to their postoperative diagnostic methods. Blood and urine samples in four groups were obtained: control group (2 days before transplantation, at the day of transplantation and every other day after transplantation), acute rejection group (everyday sampling from 2 days before therapy to the end of therapy), acute tubular necrosis and systemic infection group (everyday sampling from the day of diagnosis to the end of therapy). In acute rejection group, there were significant elevation of cytokines; plasma TNF alpha (68.4%, p<0.01), IL-2R (73.6%, p<0.01), and IL-6 (89.5%, p<0.01), urinary TNF-alpha (42.1%, p<0.01), IL-2R (89.5%, p<0.01) and IL-6 (94.7%, p<0.01). In systemic infection group, all cytokines except urinary TNF-alpha were significantly elevated. The results suggested that plasma and urinary TNF-alpha, IL-2R, and IL-6 may play a complementary early diagnostic tool of acute rejection in renal allograft patients although the differential diagnosis is difficult with systemic infection. Urinary TNF-alpha was not elevated in systemic infection group, so it may be used in differential diagnosis between acute rejection and systemic infection.
Allografts* ; Cytokines ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Interleukin-6* ; Necrosis ; Plasma* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

PURPOSE: Potential benefits of eversion carotid endarterectomy (eCEA) compared with conventional carotid enderterectomy (cCEA) are more simple and faster reanastomosis with a low risk of restenosis. However, in Korea, eCEA is not popular having only one report of eCEA. This study aimed to investigate the results of eCEA. METHODS: From July 2008 to September 2010, authors performed 36 eCEAs for patients with carotid artery stenosis in our hospital. Patients' demographics and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Regarding early (<30 days) results including the frequency of postoperative stroke, myocardial infarction, cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome, bleeding, cranial nerve palsy, new brain lesions (NBLs) on diffuse-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) and mortality were examined. Mid-term results such as stroke, death and restenosis after over thirty days were also examined. RESULTS: Mean age was 66.6 years old and 88.9% of the patients were male. Twenty-four patients (66.7%) had a previous neurological event in the preceding 6 months. A carotid shunt was used in 3 cases (8.3%) and mean carotid clamping time was 25.4 minutes. One case (2.8%) of non-disabling ipsilateral stroke, 1 case (2.8%) of wound hematoma and 1 case (2.8%) of cranial nerve palsy developed after operation. DW-MRI was conducted in 27 patients (75.0%) and NBLs were detected in 4 patients (11.1%). One case (2.8%) of restenosis was discovered during the follow-up period (mean, 9.0 months), and there were no strokes or death. CONCLUSION: Early and mid-term postoperative stroke and complication rates of eCEA were acceptable in our series. However, to assess efficacy of eCEA, further large-volumed and long-term follow-up studies are needed.
Brain ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Stenosis ; Constriction ; Cranial Nerve Diseases ; Demography ; Endarterectomy ; Endarterectomy, Carotid ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke

Pylephlebitis is defined as an inflammation of the portal system, which is a rare but dreaded complication of intra-abdominal inflammatory processes. In the past it was observed as a sequela of neglected or complicated appendicitis. With earlier diagnosis, modern surgical technique and antibiotics, the incidence has declined even further. In addition, thrombosis in portal system (pylethrombosis) can complicate the pylephlebitis, followed by obstruction of the portal system, leading to portal hypertension in the late stage. Proper recognition of early thrombosis and an accompanying intra-abdominal inflammatory process should arouse the suspicion of septic thrombophlebitis and lead to the early institution of adequate therapy to prevent the almost universally fatal outcome. We report the case of woman who had pylephlebitis and presented with fever of unknown origin, probably associated with acute appendicitis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Appendicitis ; Diagnosis ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Fever of Unknown Origin* ; Fever* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Portal System ; Portal Vein* ; Thrombophlebitis* ; Thrombosis

Sweat gland carcinoma is the uncommon neoplasm, with few cases reported in the literatures. In a review of literatures, the most commonly used term is malignant nodular hidradenoma; however, similar cases also have been known as a malignant clear cell hidradenoma, malignant clear cell myoepithelioma, clear cell eccrine carcinoma and malignant clear cell acrospiroma. It is difficult to differentiate clinically between sweat gland carcinomas and other skin lesion, such as keloids, sebaceous cyst, dermatofibroma, lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, a preoperative diagnosis of sweat gland carcinoma is rarely made and histologic examination is the only means of diagnosis. Most sweat gland carcinomas are found on the scalp, face, upper extremities, and axilla. The lesions are typically small, very slow growing, painless nodules. However, it is aggressive, infiltrative, and has highly recurrent rate. Lymph node metastases are frequent and overall survival is poor. So, that must be treated with wide local excision of the lesion and primary regional node dissection is recommended.We have experienced of a case of malignant nodular hidradenoma in cheek area. It was widely excised by total parotidectomy and covered by scapula fasciocutaneous free flap. We report this case with the review of the literature.
Acrospiroma* ; Axilla ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheek ; Diagnosis ; Epidermal Cyst ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Keloid ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Myoepithelioma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Scalp ; Scapula ; Skin ; Sweat Glands ; Upper Extremity

Sweat gland carcinoma is the uncommon neoplasm, with few cases reported in the literatures. In a review of literatures, the most commonly used term is malignant nodular hidradenoma; however, similar cases also have been known as a malignant clear cell hidradenoma, malignant clear cell myoepithelioma, clear cell eccrine carcinoma and malignant clear cell acrospiroma. It is difficult to differentiate clinically between sweat gland carcinomas and other skin lesion, such as keloids, sebaceous cyst, dermatofibroma, lymphoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, a preoperative diagnosis of sweat gland carcinoma is rarely made and histologic examination is the only means of diagnosis. Most sweat gland carcinomas are found on the scalp, face, upper extremities, and axilla. The lesions are typically small, very slow growing, painless nodules. However, it is aggressive, infiltrative, and has highly recurrent rate. Lymph node metastases are frequent and overall survival is poor. So, that must be treated with wide local excision of the lesion and primary regional node dissection is recommended.We have experienced of a case of malignant nodular hidradenoma in cheek area. It was widely excised by total parotidectomy and covered by scapula fasciocutaneous free flap. We report this case with the review of the literature.
Acrospiroma* ; Axilla ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cheek ; Diagnosis ; Epidermal Cyst ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous ; Keloid ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphoma ; Myoepithelioma ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Scalp ; Scapula ; Skin ; Sweat Glands ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to measure the peri-implant bone length surrounding implants that penetrate the sinus membrane at the posterior maxilla and to evaluate the survival rate of these implants. METHODS: Treatment records and orthopantomographs of 39 patients were reviewed and analyzed. The patients had partial edentulism at the posterior maxilla and limited vertical bone height below the maxillary sinus. Implants were inserted into the posterior maxilla, penetrating the sinus membrane. Four months after implant insertion, provisional resin restorations were temporarily cemented to the abutments and used for one month. Then, a final impression was taken at the abutment level, and final cement-retained restorations were delivered with mutually protected occlusion. The complications from the implant surgery were examined, the number of failed implants was counted, and the survival rate was calculated. The peri-implant bone lengths were measured using radiographs. The changes in initial and final peri-implant bone lengths were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Nasal bleeding occurred after implant surgery in three patients. No other complications were found. There were no failures of the investigated implants, resulting in a survival rate of 100%. Significantly more bone gain around the implants (estimated difference=-0.6 mm, P=0.025) occurred when the initial residual bone height was less than 5 mm compared to the >5 mm groups. No significant change in peri-implant bone length was detected when the initial residual bone height was 5 mm or larger. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that implants penetrating the sinus membrane at the posterior maxilla in patients with limited vertical bone height may be safe and functional.
Biomechanics ; Biostatistics ; Epistaxis ; Humans ; Maxilla ; Maxillary Sinus ; Membranes ; Sinus Floor Augmentation ; Survival Rate