Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a mesenchymal tumor consisting of distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells, and is commonly detected in the uterus. The liver is an uncommon site for primary PEComa. In this study, we report a case of primary hepatic PEComa in a 36-year-old woman. Upon gross examination, the tumor was a well-defined, brownish solid mass, measuring 6.5x5.2x4.5 cm. Microscopically, the tumor consisted largely of epithelioid cells and some spindle cells with a clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm and a rich network of delicate capillaries in the stroma. With the exception of their relatively large size and microscopically sinusoidal infiltrative growth pattern, all other histopathologic features of the tumor were consistent with their being benign. The tumor cells were positive for human melanoma black-45 and smooth muscle actin, and negative for cytokeratin-cocktail and c-kit.
Actins ; Adult ; Capillaries ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Epithelioid Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; Melanoma ; Muscle, Smooth ; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms ; Uterus

Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a mesenchymal tumor consisting of distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells, and is commonly detected in the uterus. The liver is an uncommon site for primary PEComa. In this study, we report a case of primary hepatic PEComa in a 36-year-old woman. Upon gross examination, the tumor was a well-defined, brownish solid mass, measuring 6.5x5.2x4.5 cm. Microscopically, the tumor consisted largely of epithelioid cells and some spindle cells with a clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm and a rich network of delicate capillaries in the stroma. With the exception of their relatively large size and microscopically sinusoidal infiltrative growth pattern, all other histopathologic features of the tumor were consistent with their being benign. The tumor cells were positive for human melanoma black-45 and smooth muscle actin, and negative for cytokeratin-cocktail and c-kit.
Actins ; Adult ; Capillaries ; Cytoplasm ; Eosinophils ; Epithelioid Cells ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; Melanoma ; Muscle, Smooth ; Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Neoplasms ; Uterus

Benign idiopathic neonatal convulsion is a rare disorder which has no family history of convulsion and develops before and after the 5th day in a healthy full-term neonate. Its characteristics appear focal, or multifocal clonic seizures but rare tonic seizures lasting about several minutes. It reveals non-specific findings in neurologic examination, neuroimaging and EEG(electroencephalography) so that it should be differentiated from those diseases such as eletronic imbalance, inborn errors of metabolism, other neonatal epileptic syndromes. We report two healthy full-term female neonates presented with multifocal clonic seizures before and after the 5th day after birth. They had no family history of convulsion, fetal asphyxia, fetal and maternal problems and the neurologic examination and neuroimagings were normal. The convulsions were controlled by intravenous phenobarbital injection. They had no more convulsions ever since and showed normal development at the follow-up performed one year later. We experienced a rare disorder, benign neonatal convulsion in healthy full-term neonates. We hope this report will help its diagnosis and treatment and prevent unnecessary long- term anticonvulsant medication.
Asphyxia ; Epilepsy, Benign Neonatal ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Metabolism, Inborn Errors ; Neuroimaging ; Neurologic Examination ; Parturition ; Phenobarbital ; Seizures

Epithelioid smooth muscle tumor is relatively rare and potentially malignant, especially in retroperitoneum. Distinct criteria for malignancy still have not been clarified in this epithelioid variant arising in retroperitoneum. We report a deceptively benign-appearing epithelioid leiomyosarcoma in a 50-year-old female. She was admitted with abdominal discomfort and dysuria. Abdominal CT showed a well-demarcated, 10 10 cm sized, solid mass in retroperitoneum. Concomitant metastatic lesions were noted in right lung field. Surgical excision of retroperitoneal mass and right lung lobectomy were performed. The retroperitoneal mass showed yellowish-tan, well-delineated and lobulated appearance. Histologically, this tumor was composed of predominantly epithelioid, round to oval cells with distinct clear cytoplasm and slightly atypical nuclei. Mitosis was rare (0~1/50 HPF). Lung lesions were morphologically similar to that of retroperitoneum.
Cytoplasm ; Dysuria ; Female ; Humans ; Leiomyosarcoma* ; Lung ; Middle Aged ; Mitosis ; Smooth Muscle Tumor ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the expression of TSP-1 and -2 in eutopic endometrium of advanced endometriosis and control patients. METHODS: The 33 endometriosis patients and 32 controls were enrolled. Endometrial samples were obtained from 65 premenopausal women aged 29-44 years, undergoing laparoscopic surgery or hysterectomy for non-malignant lesions. Sufficient samples were collected from 33 patients with endometriosis stage III and IV and 32 controls without endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. The mRNA expression from eutopic endometrium for TSP-1 and -2 were analyzed by RT-QC PCR. RESULTS: The mRNAs of TSP-1 and -2 were expressed in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis and normal controls throughout the menstrual cycle. There were no significant differences in expression of TSP-1 and TSP-2 in eutopic endometrium between controls and endometriosis patients. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that TSP-1 and -2 had no crucial role compared to other molecules in the regulation of angiogenesis. These findings also suggest that dysregulation of other angiogenic regulators would be concerned in pathophysiologic role in endometriosis development.
Endometriosis* ; Endometrium ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Laparoscopy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; RNA, Messenger* ; Thrombospondin 1 ; Thrombospondins

OBJECTIVE: To relieve stress and pain during labor is most important issue in obstetrical care. The purposes of this study were to verify the effects of aromatherapy on labor process, labor pain, labor stress response and neonatal status of primipara. METHODS: This study was a randomized, repeated measures over time, pretest-posttest design. The subjects were forty eight primipara with single gestation, full term, uncomplicated pregnancies. As the treatment, the experimental group took an aromatherapy massage with aromatherapy oil (1.5% dilution essential oil of clary sage, geranium, jasmine, and rose) on the back at every two hours. The control group took general obstetric care. Baseline data including general and obstetric characteristics, plasma beta-endorphin, serum cortisol were obtained at the onset of labor. As resulting variables, length of labor, use of oxytocin, labor pain, use of analgesics, plasma beta-endorphin, serum cortisol, pulse rate, blood pressure, umbilical cord arterial blood pH, Apgar score were measured. Collecting Data were analyzed by t-test, x2 test, repeated measures of ANOVA with SPSS program. RESULTS: As a results, the length of decerelation phase of the experimental group was significantly shorter than the control group. No significant group effects were found, but significant time effects were found for labor pain, plasma beta-endorphin, serum cortisol, pulse rate and blood pressure. There were no significant differences in other variables between two groups. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that aromatherapy during labor could be effective in decreasing labor length. But, any other effects of aromatherapy did not be verified.
Analgesics ; Apgar Score ; Aromatherapy* ; beta-Endorphin ; Blood Pressure ; Female ; Geranium ; Heart Rate ; Hydrocortisone ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Jasminum ; Labor Pain* ; Massage ; Oxytocin ; Plasma ; Pregnancy ; Umbilical Cord

Balloon cell malignant melanoma (BCMM) is a rare histologic variant of malignant melanoma, which is composed either predominantly or entirely of large clear or foamy cells. The incidence of balloon cell malignant melanoma is about 0.15% of all cutaneous malignant melanomas. Recently, we experienced a case of cutaneous balloon cell malignant melanoma in the right lower abdomen with right inguinal and both axillary lymph node metastasis in a 56-year-old man. The cutaneous lesion was 4.5 3.5 cm in size, a well-demarcated black nodular mass, involving abdominal skin and subcutaneous tissue. The tumor was histologically composed of two types of tumor cells: predominant clear cell and focal, pigmented spindle cell. The nodal lesion was composed entirely of clear cells. Both clear and spindle cells showed positive reaction for S-100 protein and HMB-45 on immunohistochemistry.
Abdomen ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Incidence ; Lymph Nodes ; Melanoma* ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; S100 Proteins ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue

Claude syndrome is a well known midbrain syndrome which is characterized by ipsilateral oculomotor nerve palsy and contralateral cerebellar ataxia by the lesion of the red nucleus. Although this syndrome was reported as early as in 1924 by Claude, only a few cases have been reported. Moreover, the midbrain infarction as a cause of Claude syndrome has quite rarely been described. Firstly, we report a 61-year-old patient with partial oculomotor nerve palsy and contralateral cerebellar ataxia who demonstrated an infarction just caudal to the red nucleus on MRI. Secondly, we also discuss the probable vertical fascicular arrangement of the oculomotor nerve in the midbrain.
Brain Stem Infarctions* ; Cerebellar Ataxia ; Humans ; Infarction ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mesencephalon* ; Middle Aged ; Oculomotor Nerve ; Oculomotor Nerve Diseases ; Red Nucleus

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the expression of uPA and uPAR in eutopic endometrium of advanced stage endometriosis and control patients. METHODS: The 33 endometriosis patients and 32 controls were enrolled. Endometrial samples were obtained from 65 premenopausal women aged 29~44 years, undergoing laparoscopic surgery or hysterectomy for non-malignant lesions. Sufficient samples were collected from 33 patients with endometriosis stage III and IV and 32 controls without endometriosis confirmed by laparoscopic surgery. The mRNA expression of uPA and uPAR from eutopic endometrium were analyzed by RT-QC PCR. RESULTS: The mRNAs of uPA and uPAR were expressed in eutopic endometrium from endometriosis and normal controls throughout the menstrual cycle. Uterine endometrium from women with endometriosis expresses significantly (p<0.05) higher levels of u-PA mRNA than endometrium from normal women without endometriosis in the proliferative phase. There were no significant differences in expression of uPAR in eutopic endometrium between controls and endometriosis patients. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that eutopic endometrium from endometriosis patients may be more invasive and prone to peritoneal implantation because of greater u-PA mRNA expression than endometrium from women without endometriosis. Thus, increased proteolytic activity may be one etiology for the invasive properties of the endometrium resulting in the development of endometriosis.
Endometriosis* ; Endometrium* ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Laparoscopy ; Menstrual Cycle ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proteolysis ; RNA, Messenger* ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of A-solution on halitosis and oral status in preoperative NPO patients. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group, non-synchronized pretest-posttest design was used in this study. The participants in this study were 66 patients who were admitted for gynecologic surgery. The experimental treatment was to give oral gargling with A-solution, blended essential oils and diluted with distilled water. To identify the experimental treatment effects, halitosis, salivary pH, and oral status were measured by a portable halitosis detector, visual analogue scale, Bromo Thymol Blue (BTB), Bromo Cresol Purple (BCP) test paper and oral assessment guide. Data were analyzed using chi2-test, t-test with PASW 18.0 version. RESULTS: Participants were homogeneous before experimental treatment. Objective halitosis in the experimental group, measured by a portable halitosis detector (t= -8.34, p<.001) was significantly lower than the control group. Subjective halitosis was significantly lower in the experimental group (t= -9.29, p<.001). Salivary pH was significantly different between two groups (t=8.81, p<.001). Oral status was significantly better in the experimental group (t= -13.31, p<.001). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that oral gargling using A-solution is effective in reducing patient halitosis, and improving oral status.
Adult ; Female ; Genital Diseases, Female/surgery ; Halitosis/*prevention & control ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Middle Aged ; Mouthwashes/*therapeutic use ; Preoperative Care ; Saliva/chemistry