PURPOSE: The prognosis of non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) in elderly patients seems to be poorer than that in patients aged less than 60 years. This may be due to the lower tolerance for combination chemotherapy in the elderly. Aggressive combination chemo-therapy, which is the treatment of choice in intermediate and high grade NHL of adulthood, may be associated with unpredictab1y severe and lethal toxicity and worsened quality of life in the elderly. We investigated the treatment responses, toxicities and prognostic factors of NHL in elderly patients treated with combination chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We treated 116 elderly (>60 yrs) patients with NHL between January 1986 and June 1996 with adriamycin-containing regimens, such as CHOP (cyclo- phosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisolone), BACOP (bleomycin, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone), and mBACOP (methotrexate, bleomycin, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisolone). Patients in this study ranged from 60 to 81 (median 67) years of age. Fifty-five percent of patients were in stage I or II and the rest (45%) were in stage III or IV. The histologic grade was predominantly (91%) of intermediate and high grade type. RESULTS: The treatment responses were complete (CR) in 55% and partial (PR) in 25%. The median durstion of CR was 32 (3-132) months. The CR rate was significantly higher in patients treated with RDI (relative dose intensity) > 75% than that in the patients treated with RDI < 75% (p 0.003), but there was no significant difference in CR rate between treatment regimens (p-0.38). At a median follow up of 48-months (range, 12 to 132 months), the estimated 5-year ovetall survival was 46%. Ann Arbor Stage (I, II vs III, IV), ECOG performance (0-1 vs 2-3), RDI (>75% vs <75%) and the treatment response were important prognostic factors in the univariate analysis, and the treament response (CR vs non-CR) was the only independent prognostic parameter in the multivariate analysis. The most frequent and severe toxicity associated with chemotherapy was infection with or without neutropenia. The rate of severe infection was significantly decreased in the patients supported with G/GM-CSF but not in the dose-reduction group (RDI<75% vs >75%). CONCLUSION: Our data suggests that achievement of the CR after combination chemotherpy is the most important prognostic factor in the elderly patients with NHL. Suboptimal chemotherapy (RDI<75%) reduced the complete remission rate without reducing the likelihood of developing severe toxicities. Optimal chemotherapy with supportive cares involving the use of hematopoietic growth factors may be needed to improve the treatment response and the survival in the elderly patients with aggressive NHL.
Aged ; Bleomycin ; Cyclophosphamide ; Dimethoate ; Doxorubicin ; Drug Therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hodgkin Disease* ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neutropenia ; Prognosis* ; Quality of Life ; Vincristine

Dermoid cysts are rare congenital tumors that occur primarily at the midline at a characteristic intradural location. However, dermoid cysts located at extradural and lateral regions have been rarely reported until now. In the present study, the authors demonstrate the unusual instance of an intracranial extradural dermoid cyst at the lateral sphenoid ridge. A 53-year-old woman admitted because of progressive headache and dizziness. The patient had no neurologic deficits, and magnetic resonance imaging with no contrast enhancement revealed a mass at the right sphenoid ridge. The mass was accompanied with sphenoid bone erosion visible on computed tomography. The patient underwent right pterional craniotomy, and the tumor including the capsule was totally resected. Presence of a dermoid cyst was confirmed with histopathological examination. The patient had no complications during the postoperative period. This study suggests that dermoid cyst should be considered for differential diagnosis of extradural and lateral intracranial masses.
Craniotomy ; Dermoid Cyst* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dizziness ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Postoperative Period ; Sphenoid Bone

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Arteries* ; Humans

Angiofibromas originate predominantly from the posterolateral wall of the nasopharynx and are typically seen in adolescent males, but they may also exist outside of the nasopharynx. Nine patients with extranasopharyngeal angiofibromas have been reported in Korea. The inferior turbinate was the most commonly affected site, and patients reported experiencing various nasal symptoms, such as epistaxis and nasal obstruction. Extranasopharyngeal angiofibroma arising from the superior turbinate is extremely rare and has not been reported to date. Recently we experienced a case of angiofibroma of the left superior turbinate in a 68-year-old male that was successfully treated with endoscopic surgery.
Adolescent ; Aged ; Angiofibroma* ; Epistaxis ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nasopharynx ; Turbinates*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of and patient's satisfaction with treatment of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation with a Nd:YAG laser and a high speed rotary instrument. METHODS: Three patients with melanin hyperpigmentation in the anterior parts of the gingiva were chosen for this case study. Clinical photographs were taken at the preoperative state and three patients were treated under local anesthesia. In the maxilla, the gingival deepithelization was conducted with a high speed diamond bur, whereas, in the mandible with a Nd:YAG laser. Clinical photographs were taken immediately after the procedures and at the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week to evaluate clinical color changes. A week after the procedure, the patients filled out a questionnaire about any pain or discomfort. At the 4th week after the procedure, the patients filled out questionnaires about esthetic aspects of the results of treatment. RESULTS: In all cases, both anterior gingival areas were depigmented with satisfaction and the patients did not complain of severe pain or discomfort. At the 1st week of healing, the gingiva showed moderate to fast epithelization. Two weeks after the procedure, clinically, the gingiva showed almost complete healing. Four weeks after the procedure, there was significant improvement in gingival melanin hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSIONS: The Nd:YAG laser and the high speed rotary instruments seem to be effective for the esthetic treatment of gingival melanin hyperpigmentation.
Anesthesia, Local ; Diamond ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Melanins ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Revascularization is a useful method for treating Kienbock's disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of the second dorsal metacarpal vascular pedicle to treat Kienbock's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 9 patients who had undergone vascular pedicle graft for Kienbock's disease between 1999 and 2003. The mean follow up period was 35 months. At the time of surgery, 2 patients were graded as stage II, 6 as IIIa and 1 as IIIb. The ulnar variance was neutral in all cases. A vascular pedicle graft using second dorsal metacarpal vessel were performed and temporary scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) fixation were applied for 6 months. RESULTS: Wrist motion except for the radial deviation and grip strength had improved significantly. The patients returned to work after an average of 22 weeks. Resorption of the sclerosis was observed in 7 cases, but lunate collapse was observed in the simple radiograph in 6 cases. According to Lichtman's criteria, 7 cases were satisfactory but 2 cases with a relative old age were unsatisfactory. According to Nakamura's classification, 5 cases were good, 3 cases were fair and 1 case was poor. CONCLUSION: In Kienbock's disease with neutral ulnar variance, a revascularization procedure of vascular pedicle graft with temporary STT fixation is a good treatment method but the patient's age should be considered when determining the revascularization procedure. A prospective study will be needed to determine the optimal duration of temporary STT fixation.
Classification ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Osteonecrosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sclerosis ; Transplants* ; Wrist

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clinical condition that shares many common characteristics with diabetes. However, unlike diabetes, the usefulness of MS as a prognostic entity in peripheral arterial disease is uncertain. This study evaluated the prognostic usefulness of MS in critical lower limb ischemia (CLI) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the 2-year clinical outcomes in 101 consecutive CLI patients (66+/-14 years; 78% men) with 118 affected limbs treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) according to the presence of MS and diabetes. RESULTS: The number of MS patients was 53 (52%), of which 45 (85%) had diabetes. During a 2-year follow-up, the incidence of clinical outcomes, including reintervention, major amputation, minor amputation, and survival, was not significantly different between MS and non-MS patients; however, the incidence of minor amputation was significantly higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients (42% vs. 17%; p=0.011). Cox regression analysis for the 2-year primary patency demonstrated no association between MS and 2-year primary patency [hazard ratio (HR), 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-2.30; p=0.961], whereas there was a significant association between diabetes and 2-year primary patency (HR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.02-7.72; p=0.046). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant difference in the 2-year primary patency between MS and non-MS patients; however, the 2-year primary patency was lower in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: As a prognostic concept, MS might conceal the adverse impact of diabetes on the prognosis of CLI patients treated with PTA.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty/*methods ; Diabetes Mellitus/*therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia/*therapy ; Lower Extremity/*blood supply ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*therapy ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies

After the introduction of antibiotics, empyema is a rare complication of retropharyngeal abscess caused by acute epiglottitis. But once it occurs, it may be a fatal outcome. Retropharyngeal abscess may spread to mediastinum and pleural cavity along the deep cervical fascia, then it can induce pneumonia, mediastinitis, empyema, and sepsis. Because of its fatal complication, early diagnosis and intensive surgical treatment, such as incision and drainage, is necessary. Now we have a experience of empyema caused by retropharyngeal abscess in a 56-year old diabetic patient with nephropathy. He was admitted to our hospital because of hoarseness and sore throat due to acute epiglottitis. Several days after his admission, he complained of swelling of neck, which was diagnosed as retropharyngeal abscess by the computerized tomography. Retropharyngeal abscess was managed with antibiotics, incision and drainage and culture revealed Peptostreptococcus prevotii. Subsequently empyema developed in his right chest, which was managed with closed thoracotomy, though, he expired due to progression of sepsis.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Drainage ; Early Diagnosis ; Empyema* ; Epiglottitis* ; Fascia ; Fatal Outcome ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Mediastinitis ; Mediastinum ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Peptostreptococcus ; Pharyngitis ; Pleural Cavity ; Pneumonia ; Retropharyngeal Abscess* ; Sepsis ; Thoracotomy ; Thorax

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many physicians agree that colonoscopy is the best modality for either the diagnostic evaluation or use in therapy for colorectal disease. Although the incidence of perforations that occur after colonoscopy is low, the increasing number of performed colonoscopies may pose a relevant health problem with including the often lethal consequences. This study aimed to determine the frequency of perforation and the management of colonoscopic perforation. Modern Korean society has adopted westernized dietary habits, and this has led to an increased incidence of colorectal disease such as colorectal cancer, polyps and diverticulosis. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of all the patients who underwent colonoscopy complicated by colon perforation between January 2004 and December 2007. The patients' demographics, the purpose of colonoscopy, the location of the perforation, the management and the outcome were compared. RESULTS: A total of 5254 patients underwent either a diagnostic or therapeutic colonoscopy procedure during four consecutive years at a single institution. Iatrogenic colonoscopic perforations (0.2%) were diagnosed in 11 patients (seven males and four females). Perforations occurred in six patients during a diagnostic colonoscopy and these occurred in five patients during a therapeutic colonoscopy. Free air in the peritoneum or retroperitoneum was seen in all the patients, as depicted on plain X-rays. Seven patients were treated with surgical intervention and four patients were treated with conservative management. One of the 11 patients with a perforation expired on postoperative day 47 due to infective endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of iatrogenic colonoscopic perforation is still very low. Although perforation is a very serious complication and it can be a lethal malady, early recognition and treatment are very critical factors to optimize the patient outcome. Although a gold standard therapeutic modality has not been established, the patients who present with the signs and symptoms of generalized peritonitis are recommended to undergo early surgical intervention.
Colon ; Colonoscopy ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Demography ; Endocarditis ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Medical Records ; Peritoneum ; Peritonitis ; Polyps ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is the least invasive surgical option for patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). However, the indications and long term outcomes of GKRS are still controversial. Additionally, a series with uniform long-term follow-up data for all patients has been lacking. In the present study, the authors analyzed long-term outcomes in a series of patients with TN who underwent a single GKRS treatment followed by a minimum follow-up of 60 months. METHODS: From 1994 to 2009, 40 consecutive patients with typical, intractable TN received GKRS. Among these, 22 patients were followed for >60 months. The mean maximum radiation dose was 77.1 Gy (65.2-83.6 Gy), and the 4 mm collimator was used to target the radiation to the root entry zone. RESULTS: The mean age was 61.5 years (25-84 years). The mean follow-up period was 92.2 months (60-144 months). According to the pain intensity scale in the last follow-up, 6 cases were grades I-II (pain-free with or without medication; 27.3%) and 7 cases were grade IV-V (<50% pain relief with medication or no pain relief; 31.8%). There was 1 case (facial dysesthesia) with post-operative complications (4.54%). CONCLUSION: The long-term results of GKRS for TN are not as satisfactory as those of microvascular decompression and other conventional modalities, but GKRS is a safe, effective and minimally invasive technique which might be considered a first-line therapy for a limited group of patients for whom a more invasive kind of treatment is unsuitable.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery ; Radiosurgery ; Trigeminal Neuralgia