Angiogenesis is an essential requirement for development, progression, and metastasis of malignant tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the important angiogenic factors. Recently the role of angiogenesis has been known in premalignant lesions. This study was performed to determine whether the angiogenesis and VEGF expression were increased in association with histological grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and to see the relationship between the angiogenesis and VEGF. Immunostainings for factor VIII and VEGF were performed on 52 cases of cervical neoplasia (12 cases of CIN I, 11 cases of CIN II, 15 cases of CIN III, 7 cases of microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma, and 7 cases of invasive carcinoma) and 5 cases of normal cervix. The results showed a significant increase of microvessel count from normal cervix through CIN grades to invasive squamous cell cacinoma. VEGF expression was increased in proportion to the CIN grades. There was no significant correlation between microvessel count and VEGF expression. In conclusion, the tumor angiogenesis is an early event in tumorigenesis of uterine cervix. In addition, no significant relationship between the microvessel count and VEGF expression in CIN suggests the possibility of other growth factors affecting mainly angiogenesis of premalignant lesion of uterine cervix.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia* ; Cervix Uteri ; Factor VIII ; Female ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

Kallmann syndrome is characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism resulting from insufficient release of GnRH and associated with anosmia or hyposmia. We experienced two cases of Kallmann syndrome with abnormal brain MRI findings(olfactory bulb aplasia) & secondary sexual dysfunction.
Brain ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Hypogonadism ; Kallmann Syndrome* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Olfaction Disorders

Kallmann syndrome is characterized by hypogonadotropic hypogonadism resulting from insufficient release of GnRH and associated with anosmia or hyposmia. We experienced two cases of Kallmann syndrome with abnormal brain MRI findings(olfactory bulb aplasia) & secondary sexual dysfunction.
Brain ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Hypogonadism ; Kallmann Syndrome* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Olfaction Disorders

We performed 70 proceudres of transarterial chemoembolization (TAE) through extrahepatic collateral vessels (n=27) or parasitic feeders (n=18) in 45 hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The collaterals developed after interruption of the hapatic artery due to repeated TAE(n=17), surgical ligation(n=7) and primary celiac occlusion (n=3). Radiologic findings suggesting the existence of parasitic or collateral supply for hepatocellular carcinoma were 1) a focal defect of Lipiodol retention on CT or plain film after TAE via the hepatic artery, 2) dilated and tortuous vessels around the mass on angiography, 3) persistent elevation of the level of serum alpha fetoprotein or continuous clinical symptoms in spite of sufficient devascularization of the tumor via the hepatic artery, and 4) radiological findings of direct invasion into adjacent organ. The sites of the catheter placement were the inferior phrenic artery (n=19), omental branches (n=16), periportal collaterals (n=6), pancreaticodenal arcade (n=3), gastroduodenal artery (n=3), internal mammary artery (n=2), intercostal artery (n=2), lateral thoracic artery (n=1), bronchial artery(n=1), and colic branches(n=1). Masses feeded by the inferior phrenic and chest wall collaterals were usually located at the dome area of the liver, and the omental and gastroduodenal collaterals developed in the masses located at the inferior tip of the liver. After TAE via collateral vessels, 37 patients underwent follow-up study. In 18 cases(48%), the tumor favorably responded to TAE. Specific complications of collateral TAE were epigastric soreness (n=10), severe shoulder pain (n=4), and embolization of the spinal artery during embolization through the intercostal artey (n=1). In conclusion, various extrahepatic collaterals are important alternative or additional routes for effective chemoembolization in patients with advanced hepatoma, and early recognition of the parasitic supply and the effort to perform TAE via collaterals is very important for effective management of the patients with the hepatoma.
alpha-Fetoproteins ; Angiography ; Arteries ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Catheters ; Colic ; Ethiodized Oil ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatic Artery ; Humans ; Liver ; Mammary Arteries ; Shoulder Pain ; Thoracic Arteries ; Thoracic Wall

Fournier's gangrene is an infective necrotizing fasciitis of the perineal, genital or perianal regions. Management of this disease has involved prompt surgical debridement with initiation of broad spectrum antibiotics and intensive supportive care. Multiple debridements orchiectomy, urinary deversion, and fecal diversion should be performed as clinically indicated. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and topical application of unprocessed honey may prove to be useful adjuncts as new therapies. After excision of all necrotic tissue, the tissue losses have been managed by primary repair. split-thickness skin grafts, rotational or free myocutaneous flaps and omental flaps. Skin graft did not take on bare testis lacking the tunica vaginalis, and gracilis myocutanous flap was too bulky to cover the scrotal area. The progress of necrosis ceased by using intravenous PGE1 injection in the aspect of characteristic obliterative endarteritis causing cutaneous and subcutaneous vascular thrombosis and necrosis of tissue in Fournier's gangrene. We have reconstructed large scrotal defects with bilateral superomedial thigh flap in three Fournier's gangrene patients after stopping tissue necrosis with PEG1 treatment and several surgical debridements of the wounds. The use of this flap ensures a virtually normal sensation, which is important for the erotic propensity of the scrotum. Easy flap design and dissection, as well as primary closure of the donor site, are another benefits of this method.
Alprostadil* ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Debridement ; Endarteritis ; Fasciitis, Necrotizing ; Fournier Gangrene* ; Honey ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Necrosis ; Orchiectomy ; Scrotum ; Sensation ; Skin ; Testis ; Thigh* ; Thrombosis ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

A case of transient neonatal diabetes mellitus combined with congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH) is described. A female infant was born by cesarean delivery due to fetal distress, she had sunken eyeball and anterior fontanelle, large protruded tongue and thin subcutaneous tissues. She had large clitoris and progressive pigmentation on whole body was observed since 10th day of birth. Hyperglycemia and glycosuria was noted at 3rd day of birth. Level of insulin and C-peptide was 3.0 mU/L and 0.35 ng/mL respectively. Serum ACTH was 870.4 pg/mL and 17-hydroxyprogesterone was increased to 20,000 ng/dL. Serum Na was 124 mEq/L, K 5.6 mEq/L. Abdominal MRI showed no abnormality. Chromosomal study showed 46,XX. Genetic analysis with polymorphic DNA markers for chromosome 6 showed paternal uniparental isodisomy at D6S276, D6S1704 and DNA analysis of CYP 21 gene showed mutation at P435S. She required insulin therapy for 8 months after birth. Hydrocortisone and florinef was needed for the control of CAH.
17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital* ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; C-Peptide ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 6 ; Clitoris ; Cranial Fontanelles ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; DNA ; Female ; Fetal Distress ; Genetic Markers ; Glycosuria ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hyperglycemia ; Infant ; Insulin ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Parturition ; Pigmentation ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Tongue ; Uniparental Disomy

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a normal inhabitant of skin, throat, mouth, vagina, and urethra. It is not usually pathogenic, particularly in immunocompetent hosts. This report describes a case of a pyogenic liver abscess caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis in a healthy 12-year-old boy. He was admitted to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital with intermittent fever for 6 days. Findings on abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a mass measuring 7.0x6.5 cm in the right hepatic lobe. Culture of the abscess resulted in growth of Staphylococcus epidermidis as a causative organism. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous administration of antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of the abscess.
Abscess ; Administration, Intravenous ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Child ; Drainage ; Fever ; Humans ; Liver Abscess ; Liver Abscess, Pyogenic ; Mouth ; Pharynx ; Skin ; Staphylococcus ; Staphylococcus epidermidis ; Urethra ; Vagina

We report an autopsy case of amniotic band syndrome exhibiting microcephaly, asymmetric encephalocele, microphthalmia, nasal deformity, cleft lip and palate accompanied by left maxillary and zygomatic bone deformities. The amniotic membrane of the placenta was also attached to the herniated brain. The twenty-year-old primigravid mother had no history of taking drug, irradiation, infection or trauma before or during pregnancy.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans

Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tubes. There have been numerous theories to explain the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy in fallopian tubes. The most commonly held view is that the passage of the fertilized ovum through the fallopian tube is delayed or hindered by chronic inflammation and its sequelae. We designed a study to evaluate the details of histopathologic changes and the location of implantation and how they relate to the clinical history. 182 fallopian tube specimens from patients who had undergone total or partial salpingectomy were examined. A high incidence of non-specific inflammation of plicae and wall of tube (31.9%) and salpingitis isthmica nodosa (12.6%) were observed. Other associated findings included acute salpingitis, complex plicae or complex hyperplasia of tubal epithelium, fibrous adhesion with ovary, endometriosis, and calcification. History of previous ectopic tubal pregnancy was found in 8 cases. The cases with serum beta-HCG value above 2,500 I.U./L (group I, n=97) were more frequently noted in those exhibiting myosalpingeal invasion of trophoblast (67 cases) than in those without invasion (30 cases). Of the 182 tubal pregnancies, 117 (64.3%) cases were found in the ampulla and 47 (25.8%) cases in isthmic location. In 117 ampullary pregnancies, the products of conception were found intraluminally in 71 cases (60.7%), and extraluminally in 34 (29.1%) cases, of which the products of conception were found entirely extraluminal. The products of conception, found both within and outside the tubal lumen, were found in 12 cases (10.2%). Of 47 tubes with isthmic pregnancies, 33 cases were intraluminal (70.2%), 12 cases were extraluminal (25.5%), and two cases were mixed (4.3%). In conclusion, significant histopathologic abnormalities accompany a majority of ectopic tubal pregnancy, and myosalpingeal invasion of trophoblast is correlated with high serum beta-HCG. Thus, it is necessary to confirm not only the ectopic placental tissue but also the accompanying details of the other histopathologic findings or the pathologic evaluation of ectopic tubal pregnancy.
Endometriosis ; Epithelium ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnancy, Tubal* ; Salpingectomy ; Salpingitis ; Trophoblasts ; Zygote

The author examined the number of AgNORs and PCNA labeling indices by histochemical and immunohistochemical studies in 20 cases of renal cell carcinoma, composed of 5 cases according to the nuclear grades. The results obtained are summarized as follows; 1) Mean number of AgNORs according to the nuclear grades of renal cell carcinoma were 1.38+/-0.40 (mean+/-standard deviation) for Grade I, 2.53+/-0.33 for Grade II, 5.43+/-0.66 for Grade III, and 7.88+/-0.72 for Grade IV. The mean numbers of AgNORs according to the nuclear grades were significantly increased(p=0.0005). 2) PCNA labeling indices (positive nuclear ratio) according to the nuclear grades of renal cell carcinoma were 5.90+/-2.36 for Grade I, 19.30+/-6.71 for Grade II, 45.73+/-8.62 for Grade III, and 61.83+/-6.34 for Grade IV. Also, the PCNA labeling indices according to the nuclear grades were significantly increased(p=0.0008). 3) The mean numbers of AgNORs directly correlated with the PCNA labeling indices (r=0.9861, p<0.001). On the basis of the above results, it was considered that the numbers of AgNORs and PCNA labeling indices as markers of proliferative activity of tumor cells correlate well with the nuclear grades of renal cell carcinoma.