Colonic angiodysplasia is important because of the likelihood of lower gastrointestinal tract bleeding, either massively or chronically. A 66-year-old male patient visited our hospital because of hematochezia and lower abdominal discomfort. He underwent colonoscopy, which revealed 0.5 cm sized, cherry red colored, branching, ozzing vessel with fern-like margin on cecum. Although he received endoscopic injection therapy with hypertonic saline and oral estrogen-progesterone therapy, subsequent ileocecal resection was performed due to recurrent bleeding. Histology of the resected specimen showed irregularly dilated, distorted, thin-walled vessels in submucosa.
Aged ; Angiodysplasia* ; Cecum ; Colon* ; Colonoscopy ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hemorrhage* ; Humans ; Lower Gastrointestinal Tract ; Male ; Prunus

BACKGROUND: In an effort t enhance long term patency of coronary bypass grafts, utilization of arterial conduits have been on an icrease. With the same objective, we have been using the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) in coronary artery bypass procedures since 1998. The current paper has been undertaken with the aim of assessing the apropriateness, problems, and short term results of using the RGEA as an arterial graft conduit by studying the postoperative clinical results of 100 patients than received coronary artery bypass grafting (CARG) with this artery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between May of 1998 and May of 1999, an analysis of the mortality, postoperative myocardial infarction, and the need for IABP insertion as a result of low cardiac output were made between 100 consecutive patients undergoing CABG with the RGEA. There was one postoperative death due to cerebral infarction. Postoperative complications/morbidity comprised myocardial infarction in 2, cerebral infarct in 3, reoperation due to bleeding in 1, mediastinitis in 1, and low cardiac output syndrome necessitating IABP in 3 patients. Complicatons related to harvesting of the arterial grafts were not experienced in any of the patients. CONCLUSION: The results of the current data show that utilization of the RGEA in CABG is not associated with increased mortality/morbidity and demonstrates satisfactory short term results suggesting the usefulnessof this conduit as an arterial graft.
Arteries ; Cardiac Output, Low ; Cerebral Infarction ; Coronary Artery Bypass* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Gastroepiploic Artery* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mediastinitis ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Reoperation ; Transplants

Carcinoid is the most common tumor in the appendix and most often occurs in young patient. A case of mesoappendiceal invasion of carcinoid of appendix in presented and the literature review for indications for right hemicolectomy. A 38-year-old man was admitted to hospital after 3 day with right lower quadrant pain. The appendectomy was performed. At gross pathologic examination the appendix measured 7.5 cm in length and 1.6 cm in diameter. The serosal surface is congested and covered with yellow white fibrinoid material. The cut surface revealed a focal thickening of wall, measured 0.7 x 0.5 cm at 2 cm from tip of the appendix. Light microscopy revealed a typical carcinoid tumors infiltrating periappendiceal fat tissue. The patient was readmitted 4 weeks postoperatively for an elective right hemicolectomy. At exploratory laparotomy, there were no palpable lymph nodes. Exploration of the distal ileum, small bowel, and remaining abdomen did reveal any other carcinoid tumors.
Abdomen ; Adult ; Appendectomy ; Appendix ; Carcinoid Tumor* ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Ileum ; Laparotomy ; Lymph Nodes ; Microscopy

PURPOSE: Sulphomucin is secreted by immature foveolar cells of the stomach and is expressed in gastric adenocarcinomas. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is well known to be expressed in gastric adenocarci nomas and is correlated with the cellular differentiation of gastric adenocarcinomas. However, at the moment, there are no conclusions about the relationships between the expression of sulphomucin and pathological classifications. METHODS: This study was designed to determine the significance of expression of sulphomucin and CEA in advanced gastric adenocarcinomas. Also, these two factors were compared with established clinicopathological prognostic factors. Thirty-two paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of gastric adenocarcinomas were obtained from January 1993 to December 1995 and were selected for study. The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were studied by using the Spicer method and immunohistochemical staining with CEA 2-7 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were positive in 9 (28%) cases and 25 (78%) cases, respectively. There was a significant correlation between sulphomucin expression and histologic differentiation (p<0.05). However, the expression of CEA was correlated with neither clinopathological factors nor sulphomucin expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that expressions of sulphomucin are well correlated with cellular differentiations of advanced gastric adenocarcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Classification ; Noma ; Stomach

PURPOSE: Sulphomucin is secreted by immature foveolar cells of the stomach and is expressed in gastric adenocarcinomas. Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is well known to be expressed in gastric adenocarci nomas and is correlated with the cellular differentiation of gastric adenocarcinomas. However, at the moment, there are no conclusions about the relationships between the expression of sulphomucin and pathological classifications. METHODS: This study was designed to determine the significance of expression of sulphomucin and CEA in advanced gastric adenocarcinomas. Also, these two factors were compared with established clinicopathological prognostic factors. Thirty-two paraffin-embedded surgical specimens of gastric adenocarcinomas were obtained from January 1993 to December 1995 and were selected for study. The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were studied by using the Spicer method and immunohistochemical staining with CEA 2-7 monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: The expressions of sulphomucin and CEA were positive in 9 (28%) cases and 25 (78%) cases, respectively. There was a significant correlation between sulphomucin expression and histologic differentiation (p<0.05). However, the expression of CEA was correlated with neither clinopathological factors nor sulphomucin expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that expressions of sulphomucin are well correlated with cellular differentiations of advanced gastric adenocarcinomas.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Carcinoembryonic Antigen ; Classification ; Noma ; Stomach

The first case of chyle ascites in childhood was reported by Morton in 1683. Its reported incidence varies between 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 in hospital admissions. The clinical picture is similar to that of acute diffuse peritonitis, and is most commonly mistaken as perforated appendicitis. Paracetesis, if performed, is the most useful diagnostic option. Treatment modalities fall into four areas-: Exploratory laparotomy with either direct ligation or drainage, A medium chain triglyceride diet, NPO and hyperalimentation or Venoperitoneal shunting. An 11-years old boy was admitted with RLQ pain. He had diffuse abdominal guarding. The initial diagnosis was perforated appendicitis, and appendectomy was performed. During the operation, the abdomen was found to contain 750cc of a thin, milky fluid. It was later diagnosed as chyle ascites. The small bowel mesentery and transverse colon were thickened and edematous, with a pale white subserosal exudate. The laboratory analysis of the ascites was as follows-: protein 4.6 g/dL, albumin 3.0 g/dL, triglyceride 700 mg/dL, cholesterol 113 mg/dL, glucose 209 mg/dL, LDH 848 U/L, and amylase 32 U/dL, with a pH of 9.0. An appendectomy was performed, and two drains placed in the pelvic cavity. In the postoperative-work-up from the abdominal CT scan, the results were normal. The patient-recovered and was discharged without complication 21 days postoperatively.
Abdomen ; Amylases ; Appendectomy ; Appendicitis* ; Ascites* ; Child ; Cholesterol ; Chyle* ; Colon, Transverse ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Drainage ; Exudates and Transudates ; Glucose ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Incidence ; Laparotomy ; Ligation ; Male ; Mesentery ; Peritonitis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Triglycerides

Purpose: To investigate whether postoperative filtering bleb size affects the surgical outcome after trabeculectomy. Methods: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 145 medically uncontrolled glaucoma patients with intraocular pressure (IOP) values >21 mmHg before surgery and data from ≥2 years of follow-up. Postoperative IOP, filtering bleb size including extent and height, and other clinical factors were measured after trabeculectomy. We divided bleb extent into quadrants and bleb height by 0.5 intervals of corneal thickness. The main outcome measure was surgical success. We confirmed complete success when the IOP was ≤21 mmHg and decreased by >20% from baseline without medication or additional procedures. Qualified success used the same criteria but allowed for medication or additional procedures. Cases with reoperation or two consecutive IOP measurements <6 mmHg were considered failures. Results: A total of 145 eyes of 145 patients was included. The average observation period was 30.8 ± 10.9 months. During multivariate Cox regression analysis, a larger extent of filtering bleb revealed significantly low hazard ratios in both complete and surgical success (0.509 and 0.494, respectively); however, there was no significant relationship between bleb height and surgical outcome. Conclusions The extent of the filtering bleb was associated with surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients.

PURPOSE: A traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (TDR) is a diagnostic challenge and the associated injuries determine the outcome in those diagnosed early. A TDR has long been considered to be a marker of the severity of injury with an average reported Injury Severity Score (ISS) between 31 and 50. This report reviewed the TDR cases in order to emphasize the method and timing of the diagnosis, associated injuries and the outcome. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on 30 patient treated for TDR between August 1998 and september 2002. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 33.4 years and the injury predomiantly affected males (male: female=2: 1). Blunt trauma by TA was the most common cause of the TDR (25 patients). The ruptured sites were on the left in 22 cases and on the right in 8 cases. The most common symptom was chest pain (23 cases) followed dyspnea (21 cases). Liver injuries and a pneumo-hemothorax were the most common associated injuries. The mean CRAMS scale was 6.47 and Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 18.93. Eighteen TDR cases were suspected based on the abnormal chest X-ray findings. Nineteen cases underwent surgery within 6 hours after the trauma (early diagnosis). Although many complications occurred in 11 cases, there were no lethal complications. The mean size of the diaphragmatic rupture was 9.77 cm and an intraabdominal organ herniation had not occurred in ruptures smaller than 6 cm. Surgical repair of the diaphragm was performed via a laparotomy in 20 cases and thoracotomy in 7 cases. A left side TDR was preferred to a laparotomy whereas a right sided TDR was preferred to a thoracotomy. Pulmonary complications (atelectasis, pneumonia, pleural effusion) occurred in 14 cases postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The patient's complaints and physical findings were not a reliable indicator of the diagnosis, but usually a manifestation of the associated injuries. A suspicion and routine chest X-ray was the most reliable diagnostic tool, even though the chest X-ray was normal in 12 cases. A high rate of early diagnosis can be achieved using an aggresive investigation protocol, suspicion and a combined radiologic evaluation in multiple trauma patients. Although pulmonary complications occurred in the early diagnosed cases, lethal complications and long term sequela were directly related to the time of diagnosis. The higher ISS had many complications (11 cases) but there were no lethal complications, long term sequela.
Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Diaphragm ; Dyspnea ; Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Laparotomy ; Liver ; Male ; Multiple Trauma ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Thoracotomy ; Thorax

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between morphometric analysis of bone microstructure from digital radiographic image and trabecular bone strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred eleven bone specimens with 5 mm thickness were obtained from the mandibles of 5 pigs. Digital images of specimens were taken using a direct digital intraoral radiographic system. After selection of ROI (100x100 pixel) within the trabecular bone, mean gray level and standard deviation were obtained. Fractal dimension and the variants of morphometric analysis (trabecular area, periphery, length of skeletonized trabeculae, number of terminal point, number of branch point) were obtained from ROI. Punch sheer strength analysis was performed using Instron (model 4465, Instron Corp., USA). The loading force (loading speed 1 mm/min) was applied to ROI of bone specimen by a 2 mm diameter punch. Stress-deformation curve was obtained from the punch sheer strength analysis and maximum stress, yield stress, Young's modulus were measured. RESULTS: Maximum stress had a negative linear correlation with mean gray level and fractal dimension significantly (p< 0.05). Yield stress had a negative linear correlation with mean gray level, periphery, fractal dimension and the length of skeletonized trabeculae significantly (p< 0.05). Young's modulus had a negative linear correlation with mean gray level and fractal dimension significantly (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The strength of cancellous bone exhibited a significantly linear relationship between mean gray level, fractal dimension and morphometric analysis. The methods described above can be easily used to evaluate bone quality clinically.
Elastic Modulus ; Fractals ; Mandible ; Radiography ; Skeleton ; Swine

Although obturator herniae are rare, they are associated with a high mortality, as diagnosis is often delayed and the condition tends to occur in the elderly. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of nonspecific symptoms and sign. They often produce a small bowel obstruction. The treatment is always surgical. Several repair techniques have been described: a sac ligation alone, a direct suture repair, and the use of autologous tissue or prosthetic repair. Recently, the placement of permanent mesh prostheses, in a clean contaminated operative field, has been performed due to the minimal wound-related morbidity and patient mortality. Thus, utilization of a permanent mesh in an obturator hernia is a new, simple and effective method for repair. Two cases of a strangulated obturator hernia were experienced in elderly women. The peritoneal cavity was not overly contaminated, with only necrotic foci on the herniated small bowel wall noted. A segmental resection of the small bowel was performed. Consequently, the hernia defect was closed with mesh- plug between the peritoneum and periosteum of the obturator foramen. Here, two cases of obturator herniae treated by use of a mesh-plug are reported, with a brief review of the literature.
Aged ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hernia ; Hernia, Obturator* ; Humans ; Ligation ; Mortality ; Periosteum ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Peritoneum ; Prostheses and Implants ; Sutures