PURPOSE: This treatment planning study was undertaken to evaluate the impact of beam angle configuration of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on the dose of the normal liver in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The computed tomography datasets of 25 patients treated with IMRT for HCC were selected. Two IMRT plans using five beams were made in each patient; beams with equidistance of 72degrees (Plan I), and beams with a 30degrees angle of separation entering the body near the tumor (Plan II). Both plans were generated using the same constraints in each patient. Conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), gamma index, mean dose of the normal liver (Dmean_NL), Dmean_NL difference between the two plans, and percentage normal liver volumes receiving at least 10, 20, and 30 Gy (V10, V20, and V30) were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Dmean_NL, V10, and V20 were significantly better for Plan II. The Dmean_NL was significantly lower for peripheral (p = 0.001) and central tumors (p = 0.034). Dmean_NL differences between the two plans increased in proportion to gross tumor volume to normal liver volume ratios (p = 0.002). CI, HI, and gamma indices were not significantly different for the two plans. CONCLUSION: The IMRT plan based on beams with narrow separations reduced the irradiated dose of the normal liver, which would allow radiation dose escalation for HCC.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Humans ; Liver ; Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated ; Tumor Burden

PURPOSE: In order to analyze the clinical efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation, this study reviewed the literature on the treatments of pterygium with antimetabolites, radiation and conjunctival autograft. In addition, the outcome of simple excision with preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation in the treatment of a primary and recurrent pterygium were assessed. METHODS: A total of 28 eyes with pterygium (primary 11 eyes, recurrent 17 eyes) were treated with a simple excision and a preserved human amniotic membrane transplantation. A recurrence was defined as a regrowth of fibrovascular tissue invading the cornea. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 86 days, 2 (7%) recurrences were observed. One out of 11 eyes had a recurrence of the primary pterygium (9%), 1 out of 17 eyes had a recurrence of the recurrent pterygium (6%). No side effects or complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The simple excision of pterygium with amniotic membrane transplantation had a low recurrence rate and no side effects. The amniotic membrane transplantation is an effective method for treating pterygium.
Amnion* ; Antimetabolites ; Autografts ; Cornea ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Pterygium* ; Recurrence

No abstract available.
Hedgehogs ; Tinea ; Trichophyton

No abstract available.
Diagnosis*

We report a case of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis on the left knee of a 67 year-old woman. She had a large ulcerated and indurated plaque with yellowish purulent exudates on her left knee. A histopathological examination from the lesion showed numerous encapsulated, round spores. Cultures from the lesion showed the presence of Cryptococcus neoforrnans. This may have resulted from an immunosuppressive state due to long-term use of oral corticosteroids.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Cryptococcosis* ; Cryptococcus ; Exudates and Transudates ; Female ; Humans ; Knee ; Spores ; Ulcer

No abstract available.
Graves Disease* ; Insulin*

The adrenal gland plays a pivotal role in an organism’s health span by controlling the endocrine system. Decades of research on the adrenal gland have provided multiscale insights into the development and maintenance of this essential organ. A particularly interesting finding is that founder stem/progenitor cells participate in adrenocortical development and enable the adult adrenal cortex to regenerate itself in response to hormonal stress and injury. Since major advances have been made in understanding the dynamics of the developmental process and the remarkable regenerative capacity of the adrenal gland, understanding the mechanisms underlying adrenal development, maintenance, and regeneration will be of interest to basic and clinical researchers. Here, we introduce the developmental processes of the adrenal gland and discuss current knowledge regarding stem/progenitor cells that regulate adrenal cortex remodeling and regeneration. This review will provide insights into the fascinating ongoing research on the development and regeneration of the adrenal cortex.

Stomach carcinoma is more common disease in korea than western contries. The reported ultrasonographicfindings of gastric carcinoma were thickening of gastric wall and “pseudokidney” sign. The auther analizedultrasonographic findings of 101 cases with gastric carcinoma who were performed ultrasonography and gastroscopyat Kyung Hee Universtiy Hospital from Oct. 1982 to Oct. 1985. The results were as followings; 1. Types of gastriccarcinoma were consisted with infiltrative type 68 cases, infiltrative type with ulceration 16 cases, polypoidtype with ulceration 1 cases, infiltrative and polypoid type 4 cases, linities plastica type 3 cases, lcerativetype 1 case and polypoid type 1 case. 2. Extent of the lesions were in body and antrum 45 cases, entire stomach 18cases, antrum 18 cases, body 12 cases, body and fundus 6 cases. 3. Ultrasonography was useful in demonstrating theextent of the tumor and the presence of materials elsewhere in abdoment.
Korea ; Stomach ; Ulcer ; Ultrasonography

Authors analyzed CT findings of 8 patients with tuberculous lymphadenitis and one case of tuberculous abscessdiagnosed surgically or clinically. The results were as follows; 1. Soft tissue density masses were noted in 8patients in paraaortic, mesenteric, peripancreatic, celiac, porta hepatis, and esophagogastric junction areas inorder of frequency, and these correspond to lylmph node groups of the same name. On contrast enhanced CT, rimenhancement with multilocular low dinsties indicating caseous necrosis were noted in 3 patients, ill defined lowdensities were seen in 3 patients, and no definite changes were noted in 2 patients. 2. Two or more lymph nodegroups were involved in 6 patients, and one lymph node group was involved in two patients. 3. A huge cystic masswith relatively irregular rim enhancement and small anount of solid component occupied nearly entire upper abdomenin 1 patient and this was confiremd as tuberculous abscess in peritoneum. 4. In 2 cases, bowel wall thickening wassuggested in cecum, ascending colon, and terminal ileum.
Abdominal Cavity ; Abscess ; Cecum ; Colon, Ascending ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Humans ; Ileum ; Lymph Nodes ; Necrosis ; Peritoneum ; Tuberculosis, Lymph Node

The authors analyse the ultrasonographic findings of 10 cases of appendiceal mucocele retrospectively. In atotal of 10 cases, 6 cases showed only cystic masses with posterior reinforcement. The remaining 4 cases showedinternal echoes in the cystic masses. Differential diagnosis of mucocele from periappendiceal abscess is notpossible in ultrasound. The possibility of mucocele shold be considered if cystic mass in right lower quadrantabdomen is observed in ultrasound.
Abscess ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Mucocele ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography