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PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of dynamic CT during the hepatic arterial phase with rapid IV injection ofcontrast material in distinguishing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICAC) asthe cause of biliary obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed two-phase dynamic incrementalCT or helical CT findings in 22 patients with intrahepatic duct obstruction secondary to pathologically provenHCCs (n=12) or ICACs (n=10). Two-phase CT scans were obtained 20-45 seconds (hepatic arterial phase) or 2 minutes(equilibrium phase) after the initiation of a bolus injection of contrast material (5 mL/sec, 150 mL). Theenhancement patterns of tumors, as seen on two-phase images, were classified as hypo-, iso-, or hyperattenuated,relative to surrounding liver parenchyma. Two-phase images were compared and correlated with pathologic findings. RESULTS: During the hepatic arterial phase, diffuse high-enhancement was seen in nine HCCs (75%) and partialenhancement in three (25%); five (50%) of the ten ICACs were hypodense and five (50%) were hypodense withperipheral enhancement. During the equilibrium phase, however, all HCCs were hypodense and capsular enhancementwas seen in four cases (33.3%). All ICACs were hypodense with mild peripheral or central heterogeneousenhancement. Contrast enhancement patterns of HCCs during the hepatic arterial phase were significantly different(P<.0001) from those of ICACs. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that dynamic CT during the hepatic arterial phase,with rapid IV injection of contrast material, is useful for the differentiation of HCC from ICAC as the cause ofbiliary obstruction.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Humans ; Liver ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Anterior exposure to the upper two thoracic vertebrae is technically difficult with transcervical approach. The authors used a transstermal biclavicular approach to the T1 metastatic adenocarcinome in a 47 year old patient. The advantages of this approach are that : 1) it levels the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscles intact and prevents the complication of respiratory problem, 2) it gives most wide surgical field among the other similar approaches, and 3) this procedure is not transpleural but transmediastinal approach.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Spine* ; Thoracic Vertebrae

PURPOSE: As growth hormone was reported to improve cavernosal nerve regeneration, we studied the action mechanism of growth hormone(GH) on the regeneration of nitric oxide synthase(NOS)-containing penile nerves after unilateral cavernous nerve neurotomy in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were divided into three groups: sham operation(n=10); unilateral neurotomy of a 5mm segment of the cavernous nerve(n=10) and unilateral neurotomy with GH injection(n=10). Electrostimulation of the intact cavernous nerve was performed at 1 and 3 months after operation. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH) diaphorase staining was used to identify nNOS in penile nerve fibers of the mid-shaft segment. The gene expression for nNOS, insulin like growth factor(IGF)-I and nerve growth factor(NGF) were investigated in corporal tissue by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) using specific oligonucleotide primers. RESULTS: Electrostimulation in the GH-treated group revealed a greater maximal intracavernosal pressure and a shorter latency period than in those given neurotomy alone at 3 months after operation. One month after unilateral neurotomy, both neurotomy alone and the GH-treated groups showed a significant decrease in NOS-containing nerve fibers in the dorsal and intracavernosal nerves on the side of neurotomy, however mRNA expression of nNOS and IGF-I showed a significant increase in GH-treated group. At 3 months, the number of NOS-containing nerve fibers in the neurotomy alone group did not increase while the GH-treated group showed a significant increase. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that GH significantly enhances the regeneration of NOS-containing fibers in the dorsal and intracavernosal nerves after unilateral cavernous nerve injury via IGF-I.
Animals ; DNA Primers ; Gene Expression ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Male ; NAD ; Nerve Fibers ; Nerve Regeneration ; Nitric Oxide ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; RNA, Messenger

Two Korean women (41 and 23-years of age) presented with painful breast enlargement and redness. The involved breast was confirmed as metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma. Although metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast shows similar clinical symptoms to inflammatory breast cancer, the difference between the two is that this malignancy showed no microcalcifications or mass on radiographic findings (mammograms and US). Therefore, after the confirmation of signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast has been made, metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma should be considered if there are no microcalcifications or masses evident on radiographic findings.
Adult ; Breast Neoplasms/secondary* ; Breast Neoplasms/radiography* ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell/secondary* ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell/radiography* ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell/radiography* ; Case Report ; Female ; Human ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

Genitourinary gangrene is an uncommon, potentially lethal disorder characterized by the abrupt onset of a rapidly progressive necrotizing soft tissue infection caused by the synergistic action of various organisms that spread along fascial planes, causing subfascial soft tissue necrosis and destruction. Many factors, debilitating condition such as carcinoma, diabetes and alcoholism, contribute to the development and perpetuate the course of Fournier's gangrene. In our two cases , predisposing causes were as follow ; chronic liver disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic alcoholism, perianal abscess. The patients were hemodynamically unstable and extensive necrosis was noted. After aggressive debridement of the wound and triple antibiotic therapy, general condition became improved and then we performed split thickness skin grafts and the results of reconstructive surgery were satisfactory.
Abscess ; Alcoholism ; Debridement ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fournier Gangrene* ; Gangrene ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Necrosis ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Infections ; Transplants ; Wounds and Injuries

Pulmonary tumor thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) is a rare, malignancy-related complication that causes marked pulmonary hypertension, right heart failure, and death. We report on a patient with locally advanced breast cancer whose course was complicated by fatal PTTM based on clinical and laboratory findings.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Thrombotic Microangiopathies

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical and imaging findings of signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the clinical, mammographic and ultrasonographic (US)findings of five patients aged 23 -49 (mean 37) years with signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast. Diagnosis involved US-guided core-needle biopsy. In all patients the stomach was evaluated endoscopically after confirmation of the breast lesion. Metastatic breast cancer was confirmed in four patients and primary breast cancer in one. RESULTS: Three of the four patients with metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma complained of breast pain and swelling or enlargement. Mammography indicated the presence showed of diffuse increased density and skin thickening, without calcifications, while US demonstrated diffuse marked skin thickening, lymphatic dilatation, and axillary lymph node enlargement. Neither modality revealed the presence of mass, however. In the remaining patient, an enlarged breast mass was observed; mammography showed no abnormality, but US revealed an illdefined hypoechoic mass. Mammographic and US findings in the patient with primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast indicated an ill-defined spiculated mass, resembling other breast carcinomas. CONCLUSION: Metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma of the breast showed clinical symptoms similar to these seen in inflammatory breast cancer, though the former condition occurred in younger women. Radiographs demonstrated diffuse increased density and skin thickening without associated microcalcifications or mass.
Biopsy ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell* ; Diagnosis ; Dilatation ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammatory Breast Neoplasms ; Lymph Nodes ; Mammography ; Mastodynia ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin ; Stomach

OBJECTIVE: Pattern with essential hypertension generally shows the same circadian pattern as the normothensive person with a night-time reduction or "DIP" in blood pressure in sleep. The definition of "Dipper" and "Non-dipper" are assigned according to arbitrary criteria e.g. a night time average blood pressure which is at least 10% less than the average daytime blood pressure. Prospective evidence that the absence of an overnight dip is a strong adverse prognostic indicator for target organ damage .Thus we investigate circardian rhythm of blood pressure, related target organ damage, its frequency & drug in hypertensive subjects. Method : 24hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, history taking, physical examination, fundoscopy, ECG, chest X ray, dipstick urinanlysis, serum creatinine level are performed in essential hypertensive subjects. Exclusion criteria are duration of hypertension over 5 years, DM, renovascular hypertension & heart failure. RESULTS: Total 42 patients performed study.17 subjects classify dipper group,25 subjects classify non-dipper group. Between dipper & non-dipper group shows no significantly difference at stroke history, C/T ratio over 0.5 in chest X-ray, left ventrcular hypertrophy in ECG,ST-T change in ECG, proteinuria & serum creatinine level. Non-dipper group shows significantly difference to dipper group in frequency of hypertensive retinopathy and number of combined drug used subjects. CONCLUSION: Number of hypertensive retinopathy is significantly frequency in non-dipper group. Hypertensive retinopathy is atherosclerotic complication, thus we predict other target organ damage, therefore non-dipper type circardian rhythm of blood pressure is adverse prognostic factor for target organ damage of hypertensive subjects.
Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory ; Blood Pressure* ; Creatinine ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypertension, Renovascular ; Hypertensive Retinopathy ; Hypertrophy ; Physical Examination ; Prospective Studies ; Proteinuria ; Stroke ; Thorax

Bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma is uncommon, representing 0.2% of all lung tumors. The disease usually presents with symptoms of airway obstruction and recurrent pneumonia. It is commonly classified into two grades in Korea, low and high. We report a case of a bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma in a 40-year-old woman who complained of symptoms of an upper respiratory infection. The histological grade after a bronchoscopic biopsy was intermediate. A left upper lobectomy was performed as treatment. The TNM stage of this case was IA (T1N0M0). In addition, 25 cases of bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma from 1984 in Korea are also reviewed from the viewpoint of the relationship between the histological grade, TNM stage and clinical course of the tumor.
Adult ; Airway Obstruction ; Biopsy ; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Pneumonia