It is rare to find spontaneous cervical bleedings for which a wide variety of etiologies have been reported. We experienced a case of spontaneous cervical bleeding that caused emergency operation. We present this case with a review of the literature. This case demonstrates a potentially lethal complication in patients with neurofibroma. Neurofibroma is an inherited disease, classified as 'classical (type I, von Recklinghausen, multiple or peripheral neurofibromatosis)', 'central (type II, bilateral acoustic neurofibromatosis)' and other types. The pathognomic features of classical neurofibromatosis are cafe-au-lait spots and neurofibromas. Other clinical features are variably expressed and occurnece of severe hemorrhage is an unusual complication. Conservative management do not stop the hemorrhage. Surgical exploration must be undertaken for cure.
Acoustics ; Cafe-au-Lait Spots ; Emergencies ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Neck* ; Neurofibroma ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Neurofibromatosis 1*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We aimed to analyze the morphologic features of the nose in the human embryo from 4th to 8th developmental weeks according to the Carnegie stage. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A total of 27 cases of embryos, ranging from Carnegie stage of 13 to 23, were analyzed. The external morphology was observed with a stereomicroscope, photographed and analyzed. The histologic features were observed with a light microscope in the horizontally-transected specimens stained with hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS: The nasal placode was observed at the stage 13, and it became flat or even concave at the stage 14. At the stage 15, the nasal pit was formed. At the stage 16, the nasal sac and nasal fin were observed. At the stage 17, the oronasal membrane was formed by thinning of the nasal fin. At the stage 18, the primitive choana was established by rupture of the oronasal membrane. At the stage 19, the lateral palatine process projected vertically below the level of the tongue. The cartilaginous nasal capsule was formed at the stage 20. At the stage 21, the olfactory area was localized to the upper portion of the lateral nasal wall and the nasal septum. At the stage 22, the lateral palatine process developed in a somewhat horizontal orientation. At the stage 23, the premaxilla and primitive choana were formed. CONCLUSION: The development of the nose is most active from the Carnegie stage of 13 to 19, which corresponds to the end of the 4th embryonic week to the end of the 7th week. Thus, this period is considered to be the most important period in human nasal embryonic development.
Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Humans* ; Membranes ; Nasal Septum ; Nose* ; Pregnancy ; Rupture ; Tongue

Hemangiopericytomas are very rare tumor in the paranasal sinuses. It is vascular tumor derived from Zimmerman's pericytes. Sinonasal hemangiopericytoma is generally benign with a low potential for local recurrence of metastasis via the blood stream and lymphatic system. They account for about 1% of all vascular tumors. About 5% of the cases occur in the nasal cavity and usually show well-differentiated tumors. The treatment of choice is surgical resection. We present a case of nasal hemangiopericytoma treated by endoscopic resection.
Hemangiopericytoma* ; Lymphatic System ; Nasal Cavity* ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Paranasal Sinuses ; Pericytes ; Recurrence ; Rivers

The prevalence of allergic rhinitis is nowadays increasing with industrial development. Patients with allergic rhinitis have symptoms such as nasal obstruction, watery rhinorrhea, sneezing and are frequently associated with sleep apnea, asthma and sinusitis. In patients with allergic rhinitis, conservative management including medical treatment, avoidance and immunotherapy are generally enough for controlling symptoms, but some patients refractory to conservative management need surgical management to improve nasal patency and decrease allergic response, which is inhibited by scarring of lamina propria after turbinate surgery. Surgical management include chemical cautery, laser cautery, cryotherapy, radiofrequency needle ablation, surgical resection of turbinate, vidian neurectomy and sinus surgery. Cautery of turbinate by laser and radiofrequency electrode is widely used because of its low morbidity and efficacy against vasomotor symptoms. Submucosal resection of turbinate and turbinopalsty improves nasal patency preserving mucociliary function. In addition, when it is combined with submucosal cautery, allergic response is inhibited more effectively. In conclusion, surgical management may be required for the treatment of allergic rhinitis which is refractory to conservative management or has anatomical abnormality.
Asthma ; Cautery ; Cicatrix ; Cryotherapy ; Electrodes ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Mucous Membrane ; Nasal Obstruction ; Needles ; Prevalence ; Rhinitis* ; Sinusitis ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; Sneezing ; Turbinates

No abstract available.
Herpes Zoster* ; Male ; Penis

PURPOSE: Lymph node metastasis is one of the most important prognostic factors for patients with papillary thyroid cancer. In this study we compared the diagnostic accuracy of neck CT with that of ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT for the preoperative evaluation of lymph node metastasis. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 56 patients who received surgery for papillary thyroid cancer at the Department of Surgery, Konkuk University Medical Center, from August, 2006 to January, 2009. All the patients were checked with neck CT and ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT preoperatively for evaluating their lymph node status. RESULTS: Neck CT showed a sensitivity of 40%, a specificity of 74.2%, a positive predictive value of 55.6%, a negative predictive value of 60.5% and an accuracy of 58.9%. ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT showed a sensitivity of 48%, a specificity of 80.6%, a positive predictive value of 66.7%, a negative predictive value of 65.8% and an accuracy of 66.1%. ¹⁸FFDG PET-CT had greater sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy than did neck CT (P=0.02) for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. CONCLUSION: ¹⁸F-FDG PET-CT can be more dependable than neck CT for preoperatively assessing lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer.
Academic Medical Centers ; Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Medical Records ; Neck* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Allergic rhinitis (AR) and rhinitis medicamentosa (RM) have different mucosal color and pathophysiology. To investigate whether the mucosal color and nasal blood flow are different between the diseases in spite of same symptoms, we designed this study. Materials and Methods: 20 patients with allergic rhinitis and 21 patients with rhinitis medicamentosa were compared with 20 normal volunteers using mucosal color grading and Laser Doppler flowmetry. The Laser Doppler flowmetry was performed with a Periflux 4001 (Perimed, Jrtlla, Sweden) and perfusion unit (PU), velocity unit (VU), and concentration Unit (CU) were measured. The Laser Doppler flowmetry data in AR and RM were compared with those of the normal subjects, and between AR and RM. RESULTS: The perfusion score of AR and RM were lower than the control (p<0.05) and it was statistically significant that the mucosal color of AR were pale and of RM were reddish, comparing to the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The nasal blood flow was decreased with AR and RM compared to control but the mucosal color of AR and RM were different because of the difference of pathophysiology of diseases. When diagnosing RM, observation of mucosal color and measurement of nasal blood flow will be helpful besides the history of long-term use of nasal decongestant.
Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Laser-Doppler Flowmetry* ; Perfusion ; Rhinitis*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The transmission routes of HCV infection were not determined in the half of the HCV infected patients. So intrafamilial personal contact, sexual contact, vertical transmission and some vectors are supposed as a route of HCV infection. We investigated the prevalence of anti-HCV positivity in healthy Korean children and compared with the data from the healthy adults whether the vertical transmission is feasible. METHODS: Serum samples from 2,080 children in 8 elementary schools were tested for serum aminotransferases, hepatitis B viral markers by radioimmu- noassay, and anti-HCV by the third generation EIA. Sera from anti-HCV positive children were tested for HCV-RNA by RT-PCR. Six months later, same tests were repeated. RESULTS: Anti-HCV was positive in 17 children among 2,080(0.82%). Among 17 anti-HCV positive children, HCV-RNA was detected only in one case and the HCV genotype was type II by Okamotos classification. Anti-HCV was tested again in 7 of 17 anti-HCV positive children after 6 months later and all of these children were anti-HCV positive and additional 3 of 19 family members were anti-HCV positive. But HCV-RAN was not detected in alL CONCLUSION: Anti-HCV positive rate in children was 0.81%.
Adult ; Biomarkers ; Child* ; Classification ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; Humans ; Prevalence* ; Transaminases

BACKGROUND: The major transmission route of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is transfusion of blood or blood products. But transfusion history is found only in half of HCV infected patients. In half of the patients the transmission routes of HCV were not determined. We estimate the prevalence of anti HCV in family members of the patients with HCV. METHODS: We tested anti-HCV by using the second generation enzyme immunoassay and measured HCV-RNA by PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Serum samples from 135 adults who are family members of patients with anti-HCV positive liver disease were tested for serum aminotrasferase activities, hepatitis B viral markers by radioimmunoassay, and anti-HCV by EIA. RESULTS: anti-HCV positive rate in family members of the patients with HCV was 1.48% (2/135). This positive rate was not different from the studies of anti-HCV in general population in Korea (1.44%). CONCLUSION: Interfamilial transmission of HCV may probably occur, but it is uncommon being compare with other diseases such as HBV or HIV.
Adult ; Biomarkers ; Hepacivirus ; Hepatitis B ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Korea ; Liver Diseases ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Radioimmunoassay

Schwannoma is a distinct subset of peripheral nerve sheath tumor distinguished by unique histologic and immunohistochemical features. Tracheal schwannomas are among the rarest of tracheal tumors. The surgical approach to such tumors has been debated. We report a case of a primary tracheal schwannoma causing airway obstruction in a 52-year-old woman. Computerized tomography demonstrated an intraluminal growing mass in the trachea. Tracheofissure was performed to remove the mass. Histologic analysis revealed a benign neurogenic tumor of Schwann cell. We plan to follow up and examine the patient very carefully for the possibility of recurrence.
Airway Obstruction ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemmoma* ; Peripheral Nerves ; Recurrence ; Trachea*