PURPOSE: To evaluate the difference in each procedure time and complication rates related to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD) via the right and the left hepatic lobe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed PTBD in 120 patients with biliary obstruction below both main hepatic ducts. Of the 120 catheters, 54 were introduced via a left lobe approach and 66 through the right lobe. All procedures were performed under fluoroscopic guidance by the same operator. For each patient, procedure time was recorded prospectively. PTBD related complications were classified as either early(up to 30 days after procedure) or late(after 30 days), and each complication graded as major, or minor according to its intensity. RESULTS: The difference in the mean procedure time(28.8min versus 36.2rain, left versus right approach group) and that in complication rates (37% versus 58%) were statistically significant(p<0.05). Concerning major complications(bile peritonitis, sepsis, massive hemobilia, liver abscess, pyothorax), the percentages related to left and right lobe approach were 1.8% and 10.6%, and concerning minor complications(catheter obstruction or dislodgement, transient hemobilia, persistent fever or pain), the percentages were 36%and 51%respectively. CONCLUSIONS: PTBD via the left lobe approach was superior with short procedure time and low complication rates than the right approach.
Catheters ; Fever ; Hemobilia ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Humans ; Liver Abscess ; Peritonitis ; Prospective Studies ; Sepsis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness, patency and safty of a self-expandable nitinol stent for palliative treatment of malignant stricture of gastroesophageal junction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An esophageal stent was inserted in five consecutive patients with malignant stricture of esophagogastric junction. Histologicaily, four cases were adenocarcinoma, and one was squamous cell carcinoma. The location and severity of stricture were evaluated with gastrografin just before stent insertion. In one patient with past subtotal gastrectomy, esophagography revealed fistulous tract at stricture site. RESULTS: No technical failure or procedural complications occurred, and improvement of dysphagia was noted in all patients soon after stent insertion. On follow up esophagograms performed 3 to 7 days after stent insertion, all stents were completely expanded and unchanged in positions. In one patient with fistulous connection at stricture site, esophagogram immediately after the procedure revealed complete occlusion of the fistula. Three patients died within 4, 7 and 8 consecutive months after stent insertion. Two patients are alive maintaining adequate body weight and passing most diet. CONCLUSIONS: Self-expandable nitinol stent with it's good longitudinal flexibility and efficient radial force was effective in the palliative treatment of dysphagia in patient with malignant stricture at esophagogastric junction.
Adenocarcinoma ; Body Weight ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Diatrizoate Meglumine ; Diet ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Fistula ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Palliative Care ; Pliability ; Stents*

SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Many authors haute described the association between lumbar disc degeneration and segmental instability but it has not been delineated in detail. OBJECTIVES: To compare the MRI assessment of disc degeneration with the conventional plain X-ray evaluation of the intervertebral disc, in order to study lumbar segmental instability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 75 patients with low back pain and/or sciatica, we analyzed disc space height, angular displacement, and horizontal displacement on plain radiographs of the lumbar spine. These parameters were compared with the grade of disc degeneration as evaluated by magnetic resonance Imaging. STUDY DESIGN: We analyzed the association between grade of disc degeneration as evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging assessment and segmental instability as evaluated by plain radiographs of the lumbar spine. RESULTS: Disc space height was decreased In proportion to the grade of disc degeneration. Angular displacement was increased according to the grade of disc degeneration, but significantly less with severe degeneration, accompanied by a tendency to stabilization of the motion segment. Horizontal displacement was not correlated with the grade of disc degeneration CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of lumbar segmental instability increased in proportion to the grade of disc degeneration but significantly decreased with severe disc degeneration.
Humans ; Incidence ; Intervertebral Disc ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration* ; Low Back Pain ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Sciatica ; Spine

No abstract available.
Angiocardiography* ; Contrast Media* ; Electrolytes* ; Osmolar Concentration* ; Plasma* ; Renin*

Ossifications of the ligamentum flavum(OLF) and the posterior longitudinal ligament(OPLL) are uncommon clinical entities as a cause of the progressive compression myelopathy or radiculopathy. Although there are considerable literatures concerning OPLL or OLF in cervical and thoracic spine, there are only a few references about OPLL or OLF in the lumbar spine. OLF and OPLL have been reported that they may lead to severe complication only with a minor trauma or even without trauma, such as paraplegia. The authors have experienced 2 cases of OLF accompanied by OPLL In the lumbar spine, who were treated with decompressive laminectomy and excision of ossified ligaments. For its rarity of OLF and OPLL in the lumbar region, we report here with review of literature.
Laminectomy ; Ligaments ; Ligamentum Flavum* ; Longitudinal Ligaments* ; Lumbosacral Region ; Paraplegia ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spine*

STUDY DESIGN: This retrograde study was designed to compare the clinical features and postoperative clinical results of diabetic and non-diabetic patients who had undergone decompression and postero-lateral fusion with instrumentation. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether diabetes affected the outcome of surgery and to identify the clinical features associated with a poor outcome. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Symptoms of peripheral angiopathy and neuropathy as long-term complications of diabetes closely mimic those of lumbar stenosis and there may be a risk of inappropriate surgical intervention in patients with both diabetes and spinal stenosis. In the presence of diabetes, a poor surgical outcome might be expected. But only a few literatures have been documented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 21 diabetic(mean age 58.2 years) and 21 non-diabetic patients(mean age 61.3 years) who had undergone decompression and postero-lateral fusion with instrumentation for lumbar spinal stenosis at a mean of 32 months after operation by reviewing the medical records such as clinical symptoms and results of objective examination(including electrophysiologic study). RESULTS: The preoperative symptoms were similar in the two groups except that abrupt onset of symptoms, the presence of night pain and the absence of any posture-related pain relief were recorded only by diabetic patients. The level of decompression, co-morbidity rate, and intra-operative blood loss were similar in two groups, too. Nerve-conduction velocity was lowered in 66.7% of the diabetic and in 25% of the non-diabetic patients. Polyneuropathy, which are highly suspicious of diabetic neuropathy was detected 46.7% in only diabetic group. The long-term result was excellent or good for thirteen(61.9%) of the twenty-one diabetic patients and for nineteen(90.5%) of the twenty-one non-diabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Thus diabetic patients who haute spinal stenosis cannot be expected to have same clinical outcome as non-diabetic patients, which is consistent with the general belief of impression. Therefore, the selection of patient according to clinical and electrophysiologic findings would be the most important factor in determining the rate of success of surgical treatment.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Decompression ; Diabetes Mellitus* ; Diabetic Neuropathies ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Peripheral Vascular Diseases ; Polyneuropathies ; Spinal Stenosis*

No abstract available.
Arteriovenous Malformations* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction* ; Urinary Bladder*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of bile duct obstuction in the development of atrophy of the liver, using ananimal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven rabbits were divided into two groups : group 1(n=5), in which therewas selective bile duct ligation, and group 2(n=2), which underwent a sham operation. Each group was evaluated using CT for changes in hepatic volume after selective bile duct ligation or a sham operation. In group I, the diameter of dilated bile duct was measured 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after bile duct ligation, while gross andhistologic change were evaluated in all cases. RESULTS: In group 1, bile duct dilatation was seen on CT two weeks after selective bile duct ligation, and did not change significantly during follow-up. In four of five cases, CT revealed no evidence of significant atrophy of the involved segment. Pathologic specimens, however, revealed dilatation of the bile duct, periductal fibrosis, infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells, and periportalfibrosis. One of five cases showed segmental liver atrophy after selective bile duct ligation. In addion to the above pathologic findings, there was obstruction of the portal vein by foreign body reaction. In group 2, no evidence of dilated bile duct or liver atrophy was revealed by CT or pathologic specimen after a sham operation. CONCLUSION: During long-term follow-up of 16 weeks, obstruction of the bile duct did not play a major role in the development of lobar atrophy in the rabbit.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Bile Ducts* ; Bile* ; Dilatation ; Fibrosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Ligation* ; Liver ; Portal Vein ; Rabbits

Partial hepatectomy (PH) endorses quiescent hepatocytes to reenter the cell cycle. The regenerating liver returns to its preresection weight after 7 days, following one or two cell division and maintains nearly its original volume after then. We focused on the inhibition of further hepatocyte proliferation, hypothesizing possible involvement of cell cycle upregulators and inhibitors. We studied protein levels in expression of cyclins, cyclin dependent kinases (CDKs) and CDK inhibitors (CKIs), and their in situ hepatic lobular distributions in partial hepatectomized rat liver. Cyclin E was expressed in the same levels in normal liver and after PH. Expression of cyclin A, not detected in normal liver, increased in following times after PH and reached a maximum at 7 day. CDK2 and 4 showed increased expression toward terminal period. Contradictory findings of cyclin A and these CDKs might play an important role in the inhibition of further cell division, although still unclear. Constitutively expressed CDK6 decreased after 1 day. p18 showed peak expression within 1 day, and p16, p21, p27 and p57 were stronger at terminal periods. During the expected period of their activity, intranuclear translocations were observed in cyclin E, p18 and p16. There was no evidence of regional distribution in hepatic lobular architecture, instead, diffuse in situ expression, corroborating synchronous event, was found.
Animal ; Cell Cycle/physiology* ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors ; Cyclins/metabolism* ; Cyclins/immunology ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatectomy ; Immunoblotting ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interphase/physiology ; Liver/metabolism* ; Liver Regeneration/physiology* ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; S Phase/physiology

OBJECTIVE: It is known that mouse embryos before implantation develop in a low oxygen environment of 3- 8% concentration and with antioxidant materials such as vitamins, antioxidant enzymes, ferrous binding proteins, and albumin in follicular and tubal fluids. However, the 20% oxygen culture condition with chemically defined media might be produce an abundance of ROS, and leads to developmental delay or developmental block in vitro. In this study, we attempt to elucidate the relationship between intracellular H2O2 production and embryo development in different oxygen culture conditions of mouse embryos. METHODS: Prenuclear embryos from C57BL/CBA Fl hybrid and ICR mouse were cultured in incubators which provided 5% carbon dioxide, 20% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide, 5% oxygen. Measurement of H2O2 level in a embryo was performed with DCHFDA(2, 7 -dichlorodihydroflourescein diacetate)and analyzed with Quanti-cell 700, and the number of blastomeres was counted with DAPI( 4, 6'-diamidino-2-phenylindole). RESULTS: Oxygen concentration of the culture medias was significantly higher in the 20% oxygen environment compared to that of 5% oxygen environment. Culture of mice embryos in high oxygen condition leads to high HO concentrations at 2 cell stage and developmental delay or ""2-cell block"" regardless of the strain. But in a 5% oxygen environment, which is similar to in-vivo conditions HO production was suppressed continuously through out culture and development of embryos was definitely improved. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there is a difference in the production of ROS or protective mechanism according to the mouse strains and stage of development, and it is thought that in-vitro culture in 5% oxygen environment provides stable in vivo equilibrium but in a 20% oxygen environment there is production of ROS which overcome the protective mechanism which leads to cellular damage and embryo developmental delay.
Animals ; Blastomeres ; Carbon Dioxide ; Carrier Proteins ; Culture Media ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Incubators ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Oxygen* ; Pregnancy ; Vitamins