No abstract available.
Humans

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of PTSD on memory funtion and hippocampal volume, and to identify major variables correlated to hippocampal volume and memory function. Thirty four Vietnam veterans were collected for this study, among whom eighteen were PTSD patients and sixteen were combat control subjects. The author used Impact of Event Scale(IES), Combat Exposure Scale(CES), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale(HDRS) and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI). Korea Memory Assessment Scale(K-MAS) was assessed for memory function. Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) was used to measure hippocampal volume. There were significant differences between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans in IES, HDRS and BDI. Significant difference was found in verbal memory and total memory of K-MAS between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans. There was significant difference in hippocampal volume between PTSD and Non-PTSD veterans. Short term memory, verbal memory and total memory were positively correlated to hippocampal volume. Hippocampal volume was negatively correlated to IES, HDRS, and BDI. These results suggest that PTSD severity be associated with hippocampal atrophy and memory dysfunction. Reduced or smaller hippocampal volume may be preexisting risk factor for stress exposure or the development of PTSD on combat exposure.
Atrophy ; Depression ; Hippocampus ; Humans ; Korea ; Memory* ; Risk Factors ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic* ; Veterans ; Vietnam

Recently, accumulation of knowledge on cerebrovascular microanatomy and its hemodynamics and advances in interventional equipments, especially microcatheters, could make superselective embolization as well as for an adjunctive preoperative procedures The authors performed superselective angiography and embolization with Tracker microcatheter in 25 procedures out of 15 patients with brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). Complete embolization was done in 7 prtients (46.7%), nearly complete embolization in 6 patients(40.4%), and partial embolization in 2 patients (13.3%). The overall curative success rate of embolization was 86.7%. Five patients showed no complication at all. Mild complications, however, were observed in 7 patients (46.8%). Severe complications such as AVM or Tracker rupture were observed in 3 patients (20%). In conclusion, superselective embolization is and effective method for the treatment of brain AVMs, and multiple session embolizations could reduce the complication rate and increase the success rate.
Angiography ; Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Brain* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Methods ; Preoperative Care ; Rupture

Granulosa cell tumors are uncommon neoplasm of ovary that are characterized by their long natural history and for their tendency to recur years after an aparrent clinical cure. Endometrial cancer occurs in association with these tumor in at least 5% of cases and 25%-50% are associated with endometrial hyperplasia. In this study, we present a case of granulosa cell tumor of right ovary with endometrial cancer after left oophrectomy.
Endometrial Hyperplasia ; Endometrial Neoplasms* ; Female ; Granulosa Cell Tumor* ; Granulosa Cells* ; Natural History ; Ovary*

No abstract available.
Herpesvirus 3, Human* ; Korea* ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length*

BACKGROUND: Because of the relatively similar size of organs to human and the physiological and structural similarities, the use of porcine as xenograft donors is progressing very actively. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of porcine ear cartilage and evaluated its suitability as graft material in reconstructive and cosmetic surgery. METHODS: The auricular cartilage was harvested from two pigs, and subjected to histological examination by immunohistochemical staining. To determine the collagen content, samples were treated with collagenase and weight changes were measured. After sterilization by irradiation, the samples were grafted into rats and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson Trichrome to observe inflammation and xenograft rejection. RESULTS: In IHC staining, extracellular matrices were mainly stained with type II collagen (20.69%), keratin sulfate (10.20%), chondroitin sulfate (2.62%), and hyaluronic acid (0.84%). After collagenase treatment, the weight decreased by 68.3%, indicating that about 70% of the porcine ear cartilage was composed of collagen. Upon xenograft of the sterilized cartilages in rats, inflammatory cells were observed for up to 2 months. However, they gradually decreased, and inflammation and reject-response were rarely observed at 5 months. CONCLUSION: The porcine ear cartilage was covered with perichondrium and cellular constituents were found to be composed of chondrocytes and chondroblasts. In addition, the extracellular matrices were mainly composed of collagen. Upon xenograft of irradiated cartilage into rats, there was no specific inflammatory reaction around the transplanted cartilage. These findings suggest that porcine ear cartilage could be a useful alternative implant material for human cosmetic surgery.
Animals ; Cartilage ; Chondrocytes ; Chondroitin Sulfates ; Collagen ; Collagen Type II ; Collagenases ; Ear Cartilage* ; Ear* ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Extracellular Matrix ; Hematoxylin ; Heterografts* ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Inflammation ; Rats ; Sterilization ; Surgery, Plastic ; Swine ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

PURPOSE: All procedures for the removal of retained intrahepatic stones were performed on inpatient basis. We evaluated the advantage of the procedures performed on inpatient basis compared with outpatient basis in terms of the success rate, causes of failure and the complication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Percutaneous removal of retained intrahepatic stones was performed in 58 patients through a T-tube tract on inpatient basis from April 1990 to December 4992. Stones were exclusively intrahepatic in 28 patients, whereas 30 patients had combined stones in common bile duct. Preshaped catheters, baskets, and balloon catheters were used to remove the stones and dilate the strictures of the ducts. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and choledochoscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy were used to crush the impacted stones. RESULTS: The stones were completely removed in 34 (58.6%) of 58 patients and most of the stones were removed in 17 patients (29.3%). The overall success rate was 87.9%. The complications (cholangitis in 13% and pancreatitis in 0.8% per session) were found and successfully managed by appropriate care. CONCLUSION: Better success rate could be achieved by more aggressive appraoch on inpatient basis when compared with previous reports on outpatient basis. We suggest that the procedures should be performed on inpatient basis especially in a case with severe strictures or impacted stones.
Catheters ; Common Bile Duct ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Lithotripsy ; Outpatients ; Pancreatitis ; Shock

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study are to compare the hospital employees' and patients' recognition and attitudes toward the opening of the medical services market, to analyze the differences between hospital employees and patients on the factors in selecting a foreign hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study collected and analyzed data using systematic questionnaires that were self-administered by employees and outpatients to compare their recognition of the opening of the medical services market and the factors involved in selecting a foreign hospital. RESUTLS: Employees exhibited a higher level of recognition than the patients. Reasons for agreement were to ensure the right of selection for both the employees and patients. Reasons for disagreement, however, were split between the two groups: degraded public characteristics of medical services, for employees; and expensive medical fees, for patients. The most urgent task to prepare for the opening of the medical services market is the improvement of the diagnosis and treatment technologies for employees, and improvement of the services provided by hospital staff for patients. CONCLUSION: Korean hospitals shall need to improve their diagnosis and treatment technologies and provide medical services of high quality in order to compete with foreign hospitals.

Traditionally, Ketamine has been considered to be contraindicated in neurosurgical patients due to the risk of intracranial hypertension. The evidence for this contraindication originated from early case reports and case-control studies which were inadequately designed and controlled. However, several recent articles indicate that ketamine can be safely used in traumatic brain injured patients treated with mechanical ventilation and that there is no significant increase in the intracranial pressure (ICP). Ketamine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist. It is believed to provide neuroprotection through a reduction in the glutamate excitotoxicity. This evidence is based on in vitro and animal studies. However, studies about its neuroprotective effects in humans are scarce. Data to recommend ketamine as first-line anesthetics for neurosurgery are insufficient, but ketamine as an adjuvant anesthetic agent may have benefits for neurosurgical patients, such as traumatic head injured patients with unstable hemodynamics. Therefore, ketamine should not be considered as absolutely contraindicated for neurosurgical patients and adequately powered, high-quality randomized controlled studies are needed to provide clinical evidences.
Anesthesia* ; Anesthetics ; Animals ; Brain ; Brain Injuries ; Case-Control Studies ; Glutamic Acid ; Head ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Intracranial Hypertension ; Intracranial Pressure ; Ketamine* ; N-Methylaspartate ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Neurosurgery ; Respiration, Artificial

No abstract available.
Cesarean Section* ; Fascia* ; Female ; Pregnancy