Aspergillosis refers to an infection with any species from the genus Aspergillus. Pleural aspergillosis is an uncommon disease with less than 30 cases having been reported in the literature since 1958. The etiologic factors for this aspergillosis are preexisting pulmonary tuberculosis, bronchopleural fistula, pleural drainage, and a lung resection. Surgical removal of the aspergillus-infected pleura is the main treatment for managing this disease. We have experienced two cases of pleural aspergillosis as a complication of a preexisting chronic empyema. The chest radiographs showed a pyopneumothorax with cavitation and the chest computed tomographic scans revealed a loculated pyopneumothorax with cavity formation suggesting a bronchopleural fistula. A grossly purulent fluid was extracted by thoracentesis, and Aspergillus fumigatus was grown from a fungus culture of the fluid. A decortication, wedge resection with a pleurectomy and a pleuropneumonectomy were performed. The postoperative course was satisfactory and the patients have been in good condition up to now. Pleural aspergillosis is a very rare and potentially life-threatening disease. However, good result without significant complication were obtained by treatment with systemic antifungal agents and surgical removal.
Antifungal Agents ; Aspergillosis* ; Aspergillus ; Aspergillus fumigatus ; Drainage ; Empyema ; Fistula ; Fungi ; Humans ; Lung ; Pleura ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Thorax ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary

BACKGROUND: Angiogenesis is an essential component of tumor growth and metastasis, and the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important angiogenic factors. Several solid tumors produce substantial amounts of VEGF, which stimulates proliferation and the migration of ednothelial cells, therby inducing neovasculization by a paracrine mechanism. To evaluate the prognostic roles of angiogenesis and VEGF expression in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, the relationship between VEGF expression in tumor tissues, the clinicopathologic features and the overall survival rate were analysed. METHODS: Sixty-nine resected primary non-small cell lung cancer specimens were evaluated. The pareffinembedded tumor tissues were stained by anti-VEGF polyclonal antibodies using an immunohistochemical method to assess VEGF expression. RESULTS: In Forty-one patients (59%), the VEGF antigen was expressed weakly in their tumor tissue, whereas in twenty-eight patients (41%) the VEGF antigen was expressed strongly. The median survival time of the weak VEGF expression group was 24 months, and that of the strong VEGF expression group was 19 months. The three year-survival rates were 35%, 33%, respectively. The survival difference between both groups was not statistically significnat. CONCLUSION: Although results were not statistically significant, the strong expression group tended to poorer prognosis than weak expression group.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Antibodies ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung* ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

The most common complication of total ankle arthroplasty is skin problem including delayed wound healing, skin necrosis, and superficial wound infection. In the present study, we aimed to reduce the wound complications associated with total ankle arthroplasty using a curvilinear incision. We examined 5 patients with ankle osteoarthritis who underwent total ankle arthroplasty using a curvilinear incision from September 2012 to January 2013. Wound dehiscence was noted in 1 case, which was treated with a re-repair procedure at 13 days after the initial surgery. The use of a curvilinear incision in total ankle arthroplasty may reduce the associated wound complications.
Ankle* ; Arthroplasty* ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Osteoarthritis ; Skin ; Wound Healing ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

No abstract available.
Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine* ; Spinal Cord Diseases*

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to evaluate the effect of epidural anesthesia on labor course. METHODS: Between January 1998 and December 1998, we evaluated pregnant women at term with singleton fetus in vertex presentation and with spontaneous onset of labor at our hospital. Comparison of 120 women (100 cases of primiparous women, 20 cases of multiparous women) who received epidural anesthesia in labor with 120 women (100 cases of primiparous women, 20 cases of multiparous women) who did not receive epidural anesthesia was performed. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were obtained from hospital delivery records and neonatal records. Statistical analysis were performed by Student's t-test and Chi square test. RESULTS: The results of this study were as followings; 1. There was no significant difference in mean age, body weight, height, and gestational age between epidural anesthesia group and control group (P>0.05). 2. The frequency of oxytocin augmentation was significantly greater in the primiparous epidural anesthetic group than in primiparous control group (p<0.05). 3. The effect of epidural anesthesia on the first stage of labor revealed no significant difference in both group. 4. Prolongation of second stage of labor was noticed in nullipara of epidural anesthesia group compared to control group (p<0.05). 5. The incidence of instrumental delivery was significantly increased in the primiparous epidural group than in the primiparous control group(p<0.05). 6. The meconium-stained amnionic fluid, Apgar score and birth weight were similar in both groups. 7. The maternal blood loss was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Epidural anesthesia, significantly prolongs second stage of labor in induced patients. While instrumental delivery was more prevalent in these parturients, C-section rate and intra-partum complications were not increased in these patients.
Amnion ; Anesthesia, Epidural* ; Apgar Score ; Birth Weight ; Body Weight ; Female ; Fetus ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Incidence ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnant Women

Human fascioliasis is a zoonosis caused by Fasciola hepatica, and this is a trematode that infests cattle and sheep. Humans are accidental hosts in the life cycle of this parasite. People are infected by ingestion of the water or the raw aquatic vegetables that are contaminated with the metacercaria. This fluke's worldwide distribution occurs in areas where sheep, cattle and goats are raised, and there is a life-cycle niche for this fluke in lymnaeid snails. However, it is a rare disease in Korea. We experienced four human fascioliasis which were difficult to differentiate from hepatic malignancy in three patients, and this was misdiagnosed as common hepatic duct tumor in one patient. The patients manifested only vague abdominal symptoms. Intrahepatic fascioliasis showed multiple ill-defined hypoattenuating lesions and filling defects of the lesion lumens on radiologic study. A striking eosinophilia from the patients' blood was identified and a positive finding of a serum enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for the Fasciola hepatica was also noted in three of four patients. The therapeutic trial with triclabendazole and praziquantel was not successful.
Adult ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; *Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Cholangiocarcinoma/*diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; English Abstract ; Fascioliasis/*diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Diseases, Parasitic/*diagnosis ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess the efficacy of routine ultrasonographic prediction of macrosomic fetal weight, to determine its influences on subsequent delivery type and to assess perinatal outcome by delivery type. METHODS: The hospital records of 177 patients delivered infants weighing > or =4000gm between January 1997 and December 1998 were reviewed. Statistical comparisons were made between patients in whom fetal macrosomia was predicted before delivery(n=71) and those in whom it was not(n=106) and between the perinatal outcomes for macrosomic fetuses delivered vaginally and by cesarean section. The statistical analysis was performed by student-t test, and Chi-square test and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The fetuses were consecutive singleton fetuses in vertex presentation delivered at a single institute. The sensitivity for identifying macrosomic fetus(birth weight >4000gm) with an estimated weight of > or =4000gm was 40%, Overall 60% of the infants had birth weights within 10% of the ultrasonographic estimates and 29% had birth weights within 5% of the ultrasonographic estimates. Cesarean sections were performed in 69% of the 'predicted' group and in 35% of the 'not predicted' group(69% vs 35%, p<0.0001, Fisher's exact test). Predicated group were more likely to be performed by elective cesarean section(48% vs 19%, p<0.0001, Fisher's exact test) and more like due to failed progress at<4cm cervical dilatation(27% vs 7%, p<0.05, Fisher's exact test). The proportion of patients delivered by cesarean section for failed progress at > or =4cm cervical dilatation was similar in the predicted and not predicted groups(19% vs 12%, NS). There was no significant difference in the incidences of the occurrence of birth trauma. CONCLUSION: There appears to be a limitation to obtain estimation of fetal weight by ultrasonography. The antenatal prediction of fetal macrosomia is associated with a marked increase in cesarean deliveries without a significant reduction in the incidence of fetal injury
Birth Weight ; Cesarean Section ; Female ; Fetal Macrosomia ; Fetal Weight* ; Fetus ; Hospital Records ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Labor Stage, First ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Ultrasonography*

In the anterior portion of the inferior turbinate, immune response originates actively from sustained allergenic stimulation. This response can lead to the development of a hyperplastic mass on the anterior portion of the inferior turbinate. The majority of such cases are benign chronic inflammatory lymphoid hyperplasia, but sometimes lymphoma occurs by malignant lymphocyte proliferation. The authors of this study evaluated seven patients who had a small mass on the inferior turbinate. As the result of excisional biopsy, MALT lymphoma was diagnosed in two patients and lymphoid hyperplasia in five. Immunohistochemistry is important for differential diagnosis. Complete excision was performed for initial diagnosis and treatment. Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma patients need to be evaluated for metastasis.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymphocytes ; Lymphoma ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Nasal Cavity ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Turbinates

BACKGROUND: Particulate matter may be toxic to human tissue. Ambient air particulate matter < or =10micrometer in aerodynamic size (PM10), which changes under different environmental conditions, is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic compounds. The Asian dust event caused by meteorological phenomena can also spread unique particulate matter in affected areas. We evaluated production of ROS, TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B by exposing normal epithelial cells to Asian dust particulate matter. METHODS: Bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to 0, 50, 100microgramg/ml of a suspension of PM10 for 24 h. ROS were detected by measurement of DCF release from DCF-DA by FACScan. TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B were detected by western blotting. RESULTS: PM10 exposure increased the expression of TGF-beta, fibronectin, and NF kappa B. ROS production and TGF-betalevels were significantly higher with 50 or 100microgram/ml PM10. Fibronectin and NF kappa B production were significantly higher after 100microgram/ml of PM10. CONCLUSION: PM10 from Asian dust particles might have fibrotic potential in bronchial epithelial cells via ROS induction after PM10 exposure.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blotting, Western ; Dust ; Epithelial Cells ; Fibronectins ; Humans ; NF-kappa B ; Particulate Matter ; Pulmonary Fibrosis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

Implant prostheses were classified into screw-retained prosthesis and cement-retained prosthesis by their method of retaining, and there is screw and cement retained implant prosthesis (SCRP) which has been made reflecting the strengths of these two. The advantages of the SCRP technique are easy retrievability and passive fit of implant prostheses. However, the occlusal screw holes of implant prostheses can be thought as a disadvantage with respect to esthetics and occlusion. Inappropriately positioned implants also limited the use of the SCRP technique. The present study is reporting about the case where nine implants (US II, OSSTEM, Seoul, Korea) were placed in maxilla and eight in mandible respectively in fully edentulous patients. Then, the cement-retained prosthesis was applied for the part in which the screw hole positioned improperly, and screw-retained prosthesis for properly positioned implants so that the combined screw-cement prosthesis has been produced where the satisfying result has shown in both function and esthetics. Three-year follow-up has been done for the patient.
Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Esthetics ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Prostheses and Implants