PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term results of transscleral fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) for unstable posterior capsular supporting structure. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 67 patients (67 eyes) with unstable posterior capsular supporting structure who underwent transscleral fixation at Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from March 2005 to January 2013. Transscleral fixation without scleral flap was performed by a single surgeon. We analyzed the causes of transscleral fixation and compared postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spherical diopter. RESULTS: Among the 67 eyes of 67 patients, the causes of transscleral fixation included IOL subluxation (33 cases, 49.2%), IOL dislocation (11 cases, 16.4%), intraoperative posterior capsule rupture (8 cases, 11.9%), aphakia associated with previous intraocular surgery (7 cases, 10.4%), crystalline lens disorder with zonular dialysis (4 cases, 5.9%) and IOL opacity (4 cases, 5.9%). The mean BCVA before surgery was 1.26 +/- 0.94 (log MAR) and the visual acuity improved to 0.59 +/- 0.71, 0.60 +/- 0.69, 0.58 +/- 0.70, 0.55 +/- 0.70, 0.60 +/- 0.58 and 0.66 +/- 0.70 (1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, respectively, after the surgery; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior chamber IOL transscleral fixation in unstable posterior capsular supporting structure is effective for increasing visual acuity and spherical diopter. Specifically, the most improvement was observed at one month after surgery. Transscleral fixation is an adequate surgical procedure for fast improvement of visual acuity with long-term effects.
Aphakia ; Dialysis ; Dislocations ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Lens, Crystalline ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Retrospective Studies ; Rupture ; Visual Acuity

PURPOSE: To report clinical characteristics of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) in patients who previously underwent total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer or a benign mass of the thyroid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Of the patients who were diagnosed with TAO from March 2008 to March 2012, we performed a retrospective chart review on those who had undergone total thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer or a benign mass of the thyroid before the occurrence of ophthalmopathy. RESULTS: Of the 206 patients diagnosed with TAO, seven (3.4%) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age of the subjects was 47.4 years, and all were female. Six patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, and one was diagnosed with a benign mass. The duration between total thyroidectomy and onset of TAO ranged from 3-120 months (median 48 months). Ophthalmic manifestations varied among cases. Except for the patient who was diagnosed with a benign mass, all patients showed hyperthyroid status and were under Synthroid hormone treatment at the time of TAO development. Five of these six patients had positive levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor autoantibodies. CONCLUSION: TAO rarely develops after total thyroidectomy, and the mechanism of TAO occurrence is unclear. However, most patients showed abnormalities in thyroid function and TSH receptor autoantibodies.
Adult ; Aged ; Autoantibodies/blood ; Carcinoma ; Carcinoma, Papillary/immunology/surgery ; Female ; Graves Ophthalmopathy/*diagnosis/immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications/etiology/immunology/pathology ; Receptors, Thyrotropin ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms/complications/*surgery ; Thyroidectomy/adverse effects/*methods ; Thyrotropin/blood ; Treatment Outcome

PURPOSE: In the present study, a case of posterior surface opacification of a silicone intraocular lens (IOL) in a patient with asteroid hyalosis (AH) is reported. CASE SUMMARY: 76-year-old male was referred to our clinic with IOL opacification in his left eye. The patient had uneventful cataract surgery 7 years prior with the same silicone IOL implanted in both eyes. Three years after surgery, posterior capsular opacity was observed in his left eye and neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser capulotomy was performed. After posterior capsulotomy, opacification of the IOL's posterior surface was observed on slit lamp examination. IOL exchange was performed and the explanted IOL was analyzed using a light microscope and a scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy for elemental analysis of the deposits. The calcification was on the posterior surface of the IOL and composed mainly of calcium and phosphorus, the main components of AH. The right eye showed clear IOL with intact posterior lens capsule. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons performing cataract surgery should consider the possibility of surface calcification of silicone IOLs in eyes with AH before IOL selection for implantation.
Aged ; Calcium ; Cataract ; Humans ; Lenses, Intraocular* ; Male ; Phosphorus ; Posterior Capsulotomy ; Silicon* ; Silicones* ; Slit Lamp ; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission ; Surgeons

Intrabronchial nerilemmoma is very rare disease. Neurilemmoma has been thought to arise from schwann cell, has been reported to occur in almost any anatomic location. The incidence of primary neurogenic tumors of the lung has been estimated to be 0 to 2 percent of all lung tumors. These tumors are predominantly(75%) associated with neurofibromatosis of von Recklinghausen's disease. To our knowledge, no case of benign solitary endobronchial neurilemmoma has been reported in Korea. This paper presents a case of benign solitary endobronchial neurilemmoma with a brief review of the pertinent literature. A 19 year old female visited our medical hospital with the symptoms of chest discomfort and pain. Bronchoscopy and chest CT scan revealed a mass on the left upper 1obar bronchus. Left upper lobectomy was performed successfully and histological section revealed a neurilemmoma.
Bronchi ; Bronchoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Lung ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibromatoses ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; Rare Diseases ; Thorax ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: Excessive exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) or decreased antioxidants leads to damage of proteins, lipids, and DNA. Previous studies suggest that oxidative stress may be important in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether oxidative stress is increased in atopic dermatitis patients compared to a normal control group, we examined DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, ROS production and antioxidant expression. METHODS: Patients with atopic dermatitis (n=16; mean Scoring Atopic Dermatitis [SCORAD] index=53.06) were investigated compared to a normal control group (n=25). To examine DNA damage in the cellular level, we performed comet assays on lymphocytes and granulocytes taken from patients and control group. To measure lipid peroxidation products, urine and plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were analyzed. To examine intracellular redox in lymphocytes, ROS were measured using flow cytometry. Expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) 1, 2 antioxidants were analyzed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Atopic dermatitis patients showed severe DNA damage compared to the control group in both lymphocytes (1.89 and 1.51, respectively, p<0.05) and granulocytes (2.07 and 1.58, respectively, p<0.05). While urine MDA levels were not significantly different between groups (1.64 and 1.13 microM/g respectively, p>0.05), plasma MDA levels were significantly increased in atopic dermatitis patients compared to controls (1.45 and 0.80 microM/g respectively, p<0.005). ROS production by activated lymphocytes was increased in atopic dermatitis patients compared to controls. SOD 1, 2 were expressed in all atopic dermatitis patients without significant increase compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Increased DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and ROS production in lymphocytes as indices of oxidative stress were observed in moderate to severe atopic dermatitis patients compared to normal control. Although precise mechanism of oxidative stress on the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis is not defined yet, decreasing ROS exposure or augmenting antioxidant defenses may be alternative therapeutic approaches for atopic dermatitis.
Antioxidants ; Comet Assay ; Dermatitis, Atopic* ; DNA ; DNA Damage ; Flow Cytometry ; Granulocytes ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lymphocytes ; Malondialdehyde ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Reverse Transcription ; Superoxide Dismutase

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a relatively safe and effective procedure in the treatment of coronary artery disease, but complications related to dilating catheters and guide wires such as coronary artery dissection, spasm, rupture, and perforation can be. Pericardial tamponade is a rare complication of cardiac catheterization, and prompt diagnosis and proper management are important in lifesaving. We report 4 patients who developed pericardial tamponade following PTCA, presumably from coronary artery or right ventricular perforation. All 4 patients received heparin during PTCA and temporary pacemaker was placed in the right ventricle. Pericardial tamponade was recognized in the catheterization laboratory in 1 patient, within 3 hours after leaving the laboratory in 3 patients. Emergent pericardiocentesis was performed in all patients. Three patients recovered and one patient died.
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary* ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Cardiac Tamponade* ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis ; Heart Ventricles ; Heparin ; Humans ; Pericardiocentesis ; Rupture ; Spasm

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to determine the predictive factors for edge dissection (ED) and clinical significance of ED after coronary stenting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised 215 patients (243 lesions, mean age 59 years, 157 male) in whom coronary stents were implanted between June, 1994 and June, 1998. By angiography, EDs were categorized into minor (a very focal segment <5mm from the stent margin), major (>5mm with prominent adventitial staining and >50% of lumen compromize), and acute closure. RESULTS: 1.ED occurred in 30 (12.3%, minor 15, major 12) out of 243 lesions. Twelve of 30 EDs were located at the distal margin of the stent and occurred during high pressure. 2.Development of ED after stenting significantly correlated with severity of stenosis at the stent margin (> or =30%, 19/30 vs. 33/213, p=0.0001), degree of angulation (>45 0 , 16/30 vs. 48/213, p=0.0001), and calcification in the lesion (2/30 vs. 4/213, p=0.02). 3.There was no significant difference in clinical success rate between two groups (27/30 vs. 175/185, NS). 4.CRR in major and acute closure EDs (n=12) were significantly higher in patients treated with repeated angioplasty than in patients treated with additional stents (5/6 vs. 1/8, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: EDs after coronary stenting are relatively common and lesion's characteristics such as severity of stenosis (> or =30%) at the stent margin, angulation (>45 0 ), and calcification of the lesion are predictive factors for EDs. EDs are not associated with early adverse clinical events. However, CRR was significantly higher in patients treated by repeated angioplasty in major and acute closure EDs.
Angiography ; Angioplasty ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Stents*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of transvaginal ultrasound measurements of cervical length before and after elective prophylactic cervical cerclage in predicting preterm delivery before 32 weeks of gestation. METHODS: Women who underwent an elective cerclage operation at 14 to 19 weeks of gestation and who delivered between January 2004 and December 2009 were enrolled in this study (n=52). Ultrasonography was performed to measure cervical length before and after cerclage. The primary outcome was defined as preterm delivery before 32 weeks of gestation. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the most discriminating cut-off values of ultrasonographic cervical parameters predictive of preterm delivery before 32 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: Among the 52 patients studied, ten delivered before 32 weeks of gestation. Among the ultrasonographic cervical parameters compared, only the cervical length after cerclage was significantly different (shorter) in patients who delivered before 32 weeks of gestation (P=0.037) compared to that of those who delivered after 32 weeks of gestation in univariate and multivariate analyses (odds ratio, 0.402; 95% confidence interval, 0.174 to 0.925; P=0.021). The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that a cervical length of 25 mm or less after cerclage was predictive of preterm delivery before 32 weeks of gestation (area under curve, 0.71; 95% confidence interval, 0.56 to 0.87; P=0.029) with a sensitivity of 91.0% and a specificity of 30.0%. CONCLUSION: Patients with a cervical length less than 25 mm after elective cerclage may be at higher risk of preterm delivery before 32 weeks of gestation.
Cerclage, Cervical* ; Female ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; ROC Curve ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND/AIMS: As the population ages, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) is being used increasingly as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for elderly patients with pancreatobiliary disease. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes, safety and complications associated with ERCP performed in the elderly patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical record of 596 patients who were 50 years of age or older and underwent ERCP from January 2005 to September 2010. The patients were classified into two groups according to the age: non-elderly, 50-74 years old and elderly, > or =75 years old. Comparisons were made between two groups. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-six patients (132 elderly and 464 non-elderly patients) were enrolled. The success rate of ERCP was 89.4% in the elderly and 91.9% in the non-elderly. The major complications were occurred in 11 patients of the elderly and 16 of the non-elderly, and the complication rate was significantly higher in the elderly compared to the non-elderly (8.3% vs. 3.4%, p=0.011). Pancreatitis occurred in 2 elderly patients and 10 non-elderly patients (1.5% vs. 2.1%, p=1.0). There was a higher rate of bleeding in the elderly patients (4.5% vs. 1.3%, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is effective and safe even in elderly patients. Outcomes of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP in the elderly patients were similar to those in non-elderly patients. Elderly patients undergoing ERCP carried similar risk of pancreatitis but a higher risk of bleeding and perforation compared to non-elderly patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/*adverse effects ; Female ; Hemorrhage/etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis/etiology

Ticlopidine is an antiplatelet agent used as a drug to prevent the recurrence of cerebral infarction or ischemic heart disease. Close attention has recently been paid to the superiority of this drug to aspirin in the prevention of stroke. Its mechanism of action differs from aspirin, dipyridamole, and sulfinpyrazone. Inhibition of the adenosine diphosphate induced pathway of platelet aggregation, along with the activation of adenylate cyclase and suppression of platelet-activating factor and thromboxane A2, are the postulated mechanisms of action of ticlopidine. Because ticlopidine causes neutropenia and agranulocytosis in roughly 1% of treated patients, usually within the first 3 months of treatment, this drug has been reserved for patients intolerant to aspirin therapy. We reported two cases of ticlopidine-induced neutropenia and one patient hospitalized with severe neutropenia and pneumonia.
Adenosine Diphosphate ; Adenylyl Cyclases ; Agranulocytosis ; Aspirin ; Cardiovascular Diseases* ; Cerebral Infarction ; Dipyridamole ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Neutropenia* ; Platelet Aggregation ; Pneumonia ; Recurrence ; Stroke ; Sulfinpyrazone ; Thromboxane A2 ; Ticlopidine