A case of right simple unilateral renal ectopia with left malrotated kidney in 26 years old female is presented with a brief review of literature. Right ectopic kidney was located between 4th and 5th lumber vertebra Numerous aberrant vessels of ectopic kidney disclosed during nephroureterectomy.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; Spine

No abstract available.
DNA* ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin*

We report two cases of malignant schwannoma of skin in association with non-familial neurofibromatosis. Case 1, a 47 year old man, had a large subcutaneous tumor on the sacral area and case 2, a 62 year old woman, a painful, ulcerating tumor on the posterior aspect of the left arm. Both cases were histopathologically confirmed as malignant schwannomas and immunohistochemical studies showed 5-100 protein in the tumor cells. After surgical excision of the tumors, case 1 was lost to follow up, while case 2 remained without evidence of disease for more than one and half years.
Arm ; Female ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Neurilemmoma* ; Neurofibromatoses* ; Skin ; Ulcer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Percutaneuous transvenous mitral commissurotomy(PTMC) has been performed as an effective non-surgical treatment modality of rheumatic mitral stenosis. Mitral regurgitation(MR) as a complication of the procedure occur in 20-53% of the patients. The moderate to severe mitral reguargitation, created by the PTMC, sometimes leads to the requirement for mitral valve replacement, but most of the MR limits the optimal dilation of mitral commissure due to the worry about the progression of the MR. This study was designed to evaluate the occurrence of mitral regurgitation and predictive factors for the moderate to severe mitral regurgitation(grade> or =2) induced by PTMC. METHODS: This study enrolled 46 patients(female 42, mean age 45 years) who have performed PTMC in Yeungnam University Hospital from May 1996 to May 1999. We analyzed the occurrence rate of mitral regurgitation(MR) and predictive factors for MR grade> or =2 after procedure. RESULTS: MR was detected in 35% of the patients prior PTMC, and in 56% after the procedure(grade 1, 30%; grade 2, 15%; grade 3, 11%). 21 cases of the MR was commissure MR as a grade< or =2. MR grade 3, occured in 5 patients, was non-commissure MR caused by the unilateral rupture of the lateral commissure in 4 patients and tearing of the annulus in one patient. On the univariate analysis, patients with MR grade> or =2 showed more frequent atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation and fluoroscopic calcification, and had more severe symptoms than patients with MR grade<2 before the procedure. On the analysis of the calcification, there was no significant difference of the leaflet calcification score, but the commissure calcification score was significantly higher in MR> or =2 group than MR<2 group(1.5+/-0.54 vs 2.5+/-0.96, p=.02). On the multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent predictor of MR grade> or =2 was fluoroscopic mitral calcification(OR 6.38, p=.048). CONCLUSION: Mild to moderate commissure MR was observed in most of the patients after PTMC. Commissure calcification have more influence on the development of MR grade> or =2 than valvular calcification, and the fluoroscopic mitral calcification can predict the occurrence of MR grade> or =2 mitral regurgitation after PTMC.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency* ; Mitral Valve Stenosis ; Rupture

Embolization of the closure device is a rare but potentially fatal complication of percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. We report a case of 45-year-old woman who underwent ASD device closure with 32 mm Amplatzer device, which was embolized to the pulmonary artery without symptom one day after successful device implantation.
Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; Septal Occluder Device

Anaphylactic deaths are frequently observed at autopsies. Since death associated with medical practice has become social concern, the identification of anaphylactic shock is an important part of forensic medicine. However, autopsy findings of anaphylactic shock are usually non-specific; therefore, the diagnosis of anaphylactic shock must be inferred from collecting data on the past history of the deceased, circumstances of death, and negative autopsy findings. The analysis of serum mast cell tryptase level is a well-known, useful ancillary test for the diagnosis of anaphylactic shock, but is not widely used in daily practice in Korea. We recently encountered 2 autopsy cases of anaphylactic shock and confirmed that analysis of serum mast cell tryptase level was useful for the diagnosis of anaphylactic shock. In this report, we present these 2 autopsy cases of anaphylactic shock, with literature review of the usefulness and limitations of serum mast cell tryptase analysis.
Anaphylaxis ; Autopsy ; Forensic Medicine ; Korea ; Mast Cells ; Tryptases

The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphologic changes of the bile canaliculi and its associated structures of the liver induced by common bile duct ligation(CBDL) in the rat. The canalicular surface and lateral surface of the dry-fractured hepatocytes was studied with scanning electron microscopy at 1~6 weeks post ligation. The first week after CBDL, the bile canaliculi were dilated. The microvilli were increased in number and the lumens contained granular materials After 2 weeks or more, the bile canaliculi were dilated to a variable degree, and with irregularity, measuring from 1.5 to 5 micrometer in diameter, and in the advanced stage, the canaliculi showed blunting and the disappearance of microvilli. Some canaliculi had sprouting side branches. At 4~6 weeks post-ligation, the lateral surface of the hepatocytes also showed some irregularity and a tortuous appearance, and numerous small sized microvillous projections were formed. The tubular structures of the proliferated SER distributed adjacent to the lateral surface of the hepatocytes, and the direct connection of a tubular structure and the cytoplasmic membrane was observed. These results suggest that the deformity and loss of microvilli of bile canaliculi reflect the disturbance of bile secretion from the hepatocytes. And prolonged obstruction of bile flow may result in bile excretion via the lateral surface of hepatocytes.
Rats ; Animals

BACKGROUND: It is well known that ischemic preconditioning protects the heart against infarction or arrhythmias from a subsequent ischemic injury. Recent laboratory data indicate that the adenosine during the ischemic period may trigger protection via A1 or A3 adenosine receptor and also protein kinase C(PKC) plays a central role. This study was designed to determine the role of adenosine receptor subtypes and PKC in the preconditioning protection. METHODS: All cat heart groups were subjected to 40min ischemia and 30min reperfusion. The preconditioning protocol consists of 4min ischemia and then 10min of reperfusion 4 times. The effects of ischemic preconditioning, nonselective adenosine receptor blocker(SPT), an A1 specific antagonist(DPCPX) and protein kinase C inhibitor(Polymyxin B), on ischemic preconditioning were determined by infarction size. There were 5 groups : (1) control group (Group 1, n=10)(2) Ischemic preconditioned group(Group 2, n=9)(3) DPCPX pretreatment group(Group 3, n=6)(4) SPT preteatment group(Group 3, n=6)(5) Polymyxin B pretreatment group(Group 5, n=6). SPT and DPCPX were given intravenously 5 min before ischemic preconditioning. Polymyxin B was administered to cats for 30min during ischemic preconditioning period. RESULTS: Ischemic preconditioning only or pretreatment with DPCPX prior to preconditioning demonstrated a significant reduction in infarct size(22.6+/-1.5, 25.4+/-0.9% infarction of the risk zone, respectively, p<0.05) with respect to control, SPT-pretreatment, and polymyxin B-pretreatment groups(44.0+/-1.7, 43.0+/-2.0 and 40.3+/-0.4% infarction of the risk zone, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic preconditioning protects heart from subsequent ischemia. Protection was blocked by SPT and protein kinase C inhibitor(polymyxin B), but not by A1 antagonist DPCPX. The cardioprotective effects by ischemic preconditioning in the in vivo cat heart appear to be dependent on A3 adenosine receptors and activation of protein kinase C.
Adenosine* ; Animals ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Cats* ; Heart* ; Infarction ; Ischemia ; Ischemic Preconditioning* ; Polymyxin B ; Polymyxins ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; Receptors, Purinergic P1* ; Reperfusion

PURPOSE: To classify the cavernous sinus lesions, to describe their radiological findings, and to assess the usefulness of MR compared to CT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fourty-five patients with lesions involving the cavernous sinus proved by histological and/or clinical and imaging methods were studied retrospectively and classified into neoplastic, vascular, and inflammatory lesions. CT and MR findings were compared in 21 patients evaluated by both modalities simultaneously according to these 4 categories. RESULTS: Pitiutary macroadenoma was the most common cavernous sinus lesion(42%). Diffuse convex bulging of the lateral wall of cavernous sinus was the most frequent radiological finding(84%), and the others were encasement of the cavernous carotid artery(49%), remodelling of the surrounding bones(44%), and complete obliteration of Meckel's cave(38%), in descending order of frequency. Bulging of the lateral wall of cavernous sinus was equally well demonstrated on both modalities, but encasement or displacement of the cavernous carotid artery and complete or partial obliteration of Meckel's cave were much better delineated on MR than on CT with the ratio of 3.8:1 and 4.6: 1, respectively. Only bone changes were much better demonstrated on CTthan on MR with the ratio of 3.8: 1. CONCLUSION: MR issuperior to CTin demonstrating thecavernouscarotid artery encasement and obliteration of Meckel's cave, but CT is much better than MR in demonstrating bone changes.
Arteries ; Carotid Arteries ; Cavernous Sinus* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies

Sulfuric acid can cause local or systemic effects after exposure by inhalation, ingestion, or topical application. Direct ingestion is the main exposure route for fatal sulfuric acid injury. Fatal accidents involving the inhalation of toxic sulfuric acid vapors are rare. Inhalation of sulfuric acid fumes causes severe irritation or corrosive damage to the upper respiratory tract. Consequently, severe congestion, edema, and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory passages hinder the entry of air into the lungs, possibly leading to fatalities in victims. A 35-year-old man died at his home after complaining of a severe sore throat. One day earlier, he had worked in a sulfuric acid tank in a copper-smelting plant while wearing an ordinary gas mask that offered no protection against sulfurous acid vapors. Upon autopsy, the larynx and epiglottis showed pronounced edema, congestion, and inflammation that histologically mimicked an acute bacterial suppurative inflammation, accompanied by severe pulmonary edema. A field analysis of the air inside the sulfuric acid tank revealed SO4(2-) positivity and a 40% sulfuric acid concentration.
Adult ; Autopsy ; Eating ; Edema ; Epiglottis ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Inhalation* ; Larynx ; Lung ; Mucous Membrane ; Pharyngitis ; Plants ; Pulmonary Edema ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; Respiratory System ; Sulfur* ; Sulfuric Acids