BACKGROUND: Until now, the total correction of tetralogy of Fallot has remained controversial and the efficacy of balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valves in tetralogy of Fallot has not been confirmed. We tried balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valves in 9 patients with tetralogy of Fallot to evaluate its effect on oxygen saturation and pulmonary arterial growth. METHOD: In nine patients with tetralogy of Fallot was undergone balloon dilatation since 1992 until August in 1999. Before starting the procedure, we measured the diameters of the pulmonary annulus, both pulmonary arteries and descending aorta. Systemic oxygen saturation and shunt amount were also measured before and after the procedure and systemic oxygen saturation two months later. RESULTS: The mean value of the pulmonary annulus diameters was 5.36+/-1.12 mm and their z value was -4.0+/-1.4. The systemic oxygen saturation increased from a mean value of 64.0+/-19.6% to 82.4+/-8.4% right after the balloon dilatation and 82.0+/-7.9% two months later. McGoon ratio increased from a mean value of 1.66+/-0.33 before the procedure to 1.91+/-0.37 two months later. The mean value of shunt amount(Qp/Qs) was 0.52 before the procedure and 0.84 immediately after the procedure. Furthermore, there occurred no significant complication during and after the procedure. CONCLUSION: The balloon dilatation of the pulmonary valves in tetralogy of Fallot seems relatively safe and produces an immediate effect on cyanosis. And the procedure improves the growth of pulmonary arteries. However, further research and evaluation are needed.
Aorta, Thoracic ; Cyanosis ; Dilatation* ; Humans ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Valve* ; Tetralogy of Fallot

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility on recycling of IPS Empress ceramic for the wide use of esthetically pleased IPS-Empress ceramic in clinical prosthodontic treatment. The specimens were made of first, second, and third pressed IPS Empress ceramic and were immersed in 0.05% methylene blue solution for 24hours. The amount of color change before and after stainning was measured with colorimeter(Model Tc-6Fx, Denshoku Co., Tokyo, Japan). The change of E in first pressed ceramic was 18.33 and those in second and third pressed ceramics were 19.33 and 19.93 respectively. Although there was statistical difference among them, the differences were minute and acceptable. From the results of this study, the possibility of recycling of IPS Empress ceramic could be suggested.
Ceramics* ; Methylene Blue ; Prosthodontics ; Recycling

Fracture of the vertebral end plate in the lumbar spine has been reported as a rare lesion occurring in the adolescent period. It is characterized by variable degrees of sign and symtom related to the degree of block on myelogram and the level of end plate fracture. Trauma or strenuous sport activity seems to play an improtant role in the production of fracture of vertebral body in the adolescent period. We experienced three cases of fracture of lower lumbar vertebral end plate in teenaged patients, two males and one female. Two patients showed upper end plate fracture with severe neurologic deficit on the involved root level and a strong positive on straight leg raising test, and one patient showed lower end plate fracture with slight neurologic deficit. Two patients with upper end plate fracture were treated with partial laminectomy with removal of fracture fragment and one patient with lower end plate fracture was treated with bilateral laminectomy and posterolateral fusion. The method of treatment will depend upon the type of fracture and the degree of neurologic symptoms. We obtained satisfactory results with posterior decompressive laminectomy and removal of fracture fragment with or without fusion.
Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Leg ; Male ; Methods ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Spine ; Sports

The bond failure of resin teeth to denture base resin is one of the failure in prosthodontic treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of artificial resin teeth to the denture base resins. Specimens were made with heat curing acrylic resins (Vertex Rs, Lucitone 199) and artificial resin teeth (Tiger, Trubyte biotone, Endura, Orthosit, Trubyte bioform IPN) and the bond strength were measured with testing machine (Zwick, Germany) and the mode of bond failure were observed. The results were as follows; 1. The bond strength of Vertex Rs to artificial resin teeth was the highest in Trubyte biotone, and It was the lowest in Tiger and Trubyte bioform IPN 2. The bond strength of Lucitone 199 to artificial resin teeth were higher in Orthosit and Trubyte bioform IPN than in Tiger and Trubyte biotone. 3. The bond strength of Trubyte biotone to Vertex Rs was higher than to Lucitone 199 and that of the Trubyte bioform IPN to Lucitone 199 was higher than to Vertex Rs. 4. Nearly all bond failures of specimens occured cohesively within the resin teeth.
Acrylic Resins ; Denture Bases* ; Dentures* ; Hot Temperature ; Prosthodontics ; Tigers ; Tooth*

Since Pare's first report on Achilles tendon rupture in 1575, many authors have presented numerous operative and nonoperative methods for its treatment. Numerous controversies following its treatment have been concerned with the selection of its treatment method, which could minimizing the complications and enable early ambulation. We analysed 98 cases of Achilles tendon rupture in adults which were treated by direct repair, three-tissue bundle technique, or Plantaris/Peroneus augmentation repair for 3(1)/4 years from Oct. 1986 to Dec. 1989. We compared with types of cast after operation, periods for immobilization, and ankle motion of dorsiflexion at postoperative 6 weeks & long-term follow up. The results obtained from this study were as follows; l. After repair by three-tissue bundle technique, a short leg cast was applied, and then a weight bearing was started at postoperative 3 weeks. It can be demonstrated to shorten hospitalization and early ambulation when compared to other surgical techinques. 2. The patients who were repaired with the three-tissue bundle techinque averaged 12.5° dorsiflexion at the time of cast removal at postoperative 6 weeks, compared to 0°, 1° plantar flexion, and 4.4° plantar flexion with other techniques. The former group was significantly better than that of the latter group, and these differences were not present at long-term follow up. 3. On follow up period, discoverd complications were rerupture of Achilles tendon in 8 cases and mild wound infection in 3 cases, but the patients who were repaired by the three-tissne bundle technique showed no complications except mild wound infection in one case.
Achilles Tendon ; Adult ; Ankle ; Early Ambulation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Immobilization ; Leg ; Methods ; Rupture ; Weight-Bearing ; Wound Infection

The serum level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in 28 atopic patients and 41 healthy, normal, non-allergic subjects were measured by standard radial immunodiffusion method (RIDT). The correlation between IgE level and clinical manifestations are studied. The results are as follows. 1) IgE value was higher in atopic dermatitis than normal subjects. 2) IgE value in atopie dermatitis revealed no sigaificant difference between in male and in female. 3) IgE value was increased parallel with the severity of the disease. 4) IgE value was not correlated with the extent of disease. 5) IgE value was not correlated with the duration of disease. 6) IgE value was not correlated with the age of onset. 7) IgE value was not correlated with the eosinophil count of peripheral blood.
Age of Onset ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Humans ; Immunodiffusion ; Immunoglobulin E* ; Immunoglobulins ; Male

Chronic complication of diving and working in compressed air is dysbaric osteonecrosis. Dysbaric osteonecrosis could be diagnosed by simple bone x-ray, in the case of exposure history to dysbaric atmosphere. The case is 44 years old man who worked as a shell fish diver for 20 years. He was exposed dysbaric atmosphere during diving. He had bone necrosis in both femur head, both distal femur and proximal tibia. He had multiple attacks of decompression sickness. Other causes of bone necrosis are ruled out. We conclude that diver's bone necrosis is dysbaric osteonecrosis.
Adult ; Atmosphere ; Compressed Air ; Decompression Sickness ; Diving ; Femur ; Femur Head ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Osteonecrosis* ; Tibia

In orper to measure the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol in psoriasis, 60 psoriatic patients and 30 healthy subjects were included in this study. Lopez-Virells methos was applied for measuring the serum level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. The results were obtained as follows. The level of serurn HDL cholesterol was 58. 39+17. 40 mg/dl in psoratcs and 50.3+0.31 mg/dl in healthy subjects and 50. 43+ 10. 31 mg/dl in healthy subjects. No significant differences were noted between psoriatics & healthy subjects. 2. The level of serum HDL cholesterol was 56. 40+19. 10 mg/dl in male group of psoriatics and 60. 00+15.47 mg/dl in female group of psoriatics and 48.3+9. 50 mg/dl in healthy male group and 52.60 -10.59 mg/dl in healthy female group. No significant differences of serum HDL cholesteol levels were noted in both sexes.3. The mean value of serum HDL cholesterol by age groups of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 years old with psoriasis were 50. 70 mg/dl, 61. 97 mg/dl, 57. 44 mg/dl, 49. 11 mg/dl and 70. 36 mg/dl, respectively and those of healthy groups were 57. 25 mg/ dl, 45. 17 rng/dl, 50. 97 rng/dl, 48. 07 mg/dl and 46. 98 mg/dl, respectively.
Cholesterol, HDL* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Psoriasis*

No abstract available.

We observed a case of tuberculosis cutis orificialis, which occurred in 50 year-old man. He had been suffered from single markedly inflamed, erythematous painful ulcer, covered by dirty brown pseudomembranous material, around anus for 3 months. The laboratory findings (CBC, routine urinalysis, stool ova and parasite with occult blood) are within normal limits except elevated ESR (52mm/hr.). Staphyloeoccus aureus and proteus are observed on wound culture, and many AFB are seen on scrapings of wound but not on sputum for 3 times. Unfortunately culture was not done. Tuberculin skin test revealed strong reaction (36mm/hr.). Chest PA and small bowel series showed far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis and intestinal tuberculosis on ileocecal area. But the findings of upper gastro-intestinal series and barium enema are within normal limits. Histopathologic findings of skin lesion showed tuberculous and tuberculoid granuloma in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue. We observed a case of tuberculosis cutis orificialis, which occurred in 50 year-old man. He had been suffered from single markedly inflamed, erythematoas painful ulcer, covered by dirty brown pseudomembranous material, around anus for 3 months. The laboratory findings (CBC, routine urinalysis, stool ova and parasite with occult blood) are within normal limits except elevated ESR (52mm/hr.). Staphyloeoccus aureus and proteus are'observed on wound culture, and many AFB are seen on scrapings of wound but not on sputum for 3 times. Unfortunately culture was not done. Tuberculin skin test revealed strong reaction (36mm/hr.). Chest PA and small bowel series showed far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis and intestinal tuberculosis on ileocecal area. But the findings of upper gastro-intestinal series and barium enema are within normal limits. Histopathologic findings of skin lesion showed tuberculous and tuberculoid granuloma in the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Treatment with INH, myambutol and rifampin resulted in some improvment on the chest and considerable improvement on the skin and intestine within 6 months.
Anal Canal ; Barium ; Dermis ; Enema ; Ethambutol ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Intestines ; Middle Aged ; Ovum ; Parasites ; Proteus ; Rifampin ; Skin ; Skin Tests ; Sputum ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Thorax ; Tuberculin ; Tuberculosis* ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary ; Ulcer ; Urinalysis ; Wounds and Injuries