No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast*

Spontaneous herniation of the spinal cord is a rare disease entity in which spinal cord substance is herniated through a previously uninjured and/or untouched dura. It is a cause of myelopathy that is treatable but difficult to diagnose. We report the CT and MR findings of a case of spontaneous thoracic spinal cord herniation manifesting as ventrolateral protrusion of thoracic spinal cord through a dural defect.
Rare Diseases ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; Spinal Cord*

A ganglion cyst is a tumor-like lesion that contains mucous or myxoid material in the fibrous capsule. We report a case of ganglion cyst located in the lumbar anterior epidural space and causing lumbar radiculopathy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed the cyst as a cystic lesion with wall en-hancement. Myelography showed that it was not filled with contrast medium and not connected with the dura, nerve root, or facet joint.
Epidural Space* ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Myelography ; Radiculopathy ; Spinal Canal ; Zygapophyseal Joint

Transfer of large quantities of fetal blood across the placental barrier to the maternal circulation is a rare occurrence which results in severe anemia in the newborn infants. This phenomenon is believed to occur most often during labor and delivery and apparently, is more frequent when abnormal obstetric conditions are present. However, fetal erythrocytes have been identified in the naternal circulation throughout most of pregnancy indicating some degree of constant or intermittent transplacental transfusion. We experienced a case of stillbirth due to large amount of fetomaternal transfusion. Acid elutionl test of maternal blood was positive and direct and indirect Coombs test was negative. Ultrasonographic finding on abdomen and cranium to rule out the internal hemorrhage was normal. We report a case of stillbirth due to fetomaternal transfusion with a brief review of related literatures.
Abdomen ; Anemia ; Coombs Test ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Fetal Blood ; Fetomaternal Transfusion* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Skull ; Stillbirth*

PURPOSE: Asthma is prevalent in many countries. Few studies have investigated the association between asthma and concomitant diseases. We retrospectively analyzed the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey database, performed in 2008 using nationwide stratified random sampling to obtain a representative cohort of the Korean population. METHODS: We evaluated the association between both self-reported ever-asthmatics and wheezers and concomitant diseases such as arthritis, hypertension, gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, rhinitis, depression, stroke, and obesity in subjects aged > or =40 years. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify concomitant diseases independently associated with asthma, after adjustment for age, gender, income, cigarette smoking, and other chronic diseases. RESULTS: Of the total of 4,445 subjects, 2,596 (58.4%) were female and the mean age was 58.3 years. Of the 4,445 subjects, 195 (4.4%) had been diagnosed with asthma at some point, and 444 (10%) were wheezers. Multivariate analysis showed that arthritis (odds ratio [OR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-2.42), rhinitis (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.14-2.78), depression (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.05-2.07), and obesity (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.08-2.40) were significantly associated with self-reported ever-asthma, and arthritis (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.19-1.909), hypertension (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.07-1.67), GI ulcers (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.05-2.08), rhinitis (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.16-2.19), depression (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.51-2.48), and obesity (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.17-2.09) were significantly associated with wheezers. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that arthritis, rhinitis, depression, and obesity may be associated with both self-reported ever asthma and wheezers in the Korean population.
Aged ; Arthritis ; Asthma ; Cohort Studies ; Depression ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Dyslipidemias ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys ; Obesity ; Retrospective Studies ; Rhinitis ; Smoking ; Stroke ; Ulcer

Studies describing the effects on blood pressure control by hemodialysis(HD) or continuous amulatory peritoneal dialysis(CAPD) have yielded conflicting results with respect to 24 hour blood pressure control, diurnal variation and blood pressure loads. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of beginning with HD or CAPD on blood pressure control, diurnal variation and blood pressure loads using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring(ABPM). Twen-ty-seven end-stage renal disease(ESRD) patients(12 on HD and 15 on CAPD) were enrolled into the study. Patients with cardiovascular diseases, erythro-poietin therapy, or severe edema were excluded. ABPM were performed two times before and after the initiation of dialysis. Mean duration of interval between pre- and post-dialysis ABPM were 17+/-4 days on HD and 13+/-3 days on CAPD. Daytime and nighttime were defined as the time from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM and from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM of the next day. Systolic and diastolic loads were defined as the percentage of the incidence of systolic and diastolic blood pressure over l% and 90mmHg. Dipper meaning the presence of normal diurnal difference were defined as the differences of daytime- nighttime mean arterial pressure more than 5mmHg. In HD patients, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were significantly decreased after dialysis during 24 hour, day- time and nighttime. In CAPD patients, those were also significantly decreased after dialysis during 24 hour, daytime and nighttime(p<0.05). Diurnal differences were increased after CAPD(3.3+/-9.4 vs 5.4+/-6.8mmHg) but decreased after HD(4.3+/-6.2 vs 2.4+/-10.8mmHg) and the differences of diurnal difference between two groups were significantly different(+2.1+/-9.0 vs 1.9+/-8.4mmHg, p<0.05). Proportions of dipper among patients were increased from 16.7 to 66.7% in HD and from 33.3% to 60% in CAPD without statistical significance between two groups. Systolic and diastolic loads were significantly decreased after HD(from 75.0+/-38.0 to 37.5+/-43.8%, from 45.2+/-29.7 to 12.5+/-12.8%, respectively, p<0.05) and after CAPD(from 63.1+/-30,1 to 32.3+/-27.1%, from 43.4+/-36.2% to 12.2+/-16.9%, respectively, p<0.05). Systolic and diastolic loads of daytime and nighttime were significantly decreased after each dialysis modality except nighttime diastolic pressure load in HD. In conclusions, both HD and CAPD improve BP control in ESRD patients. CAPD has more benefit to control of diurnal variations in ESRD patients.
Arterial Pressure ; Blood Pressure* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Dialysis ; Edema ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Renal Dialysis*

Microscopic polyangiitis is a primary systemic vasculitis which involve small arterioles and capillaries. Clinical manifestations show generalized weakness, fever, myalgia, weight loss. oliguria, proteinuria, skin rash, neuromuscular symtoms, and pulmonary, gastrointestinal symtoms. Prednisolone and cyclophosphamide therapy is effectve, more than 80% of patients with microscopic polyangiitis survive for longer than 5years. However, about 50% of patients will have at least one relapse in the 4-5years after initial treatment. There is a very strong correlation between the presence of ANCA(especially p-type) and microscopic polyangiitis. We herein report a case of microscopic polyandiitis with the review of literature. A 65 years-old woman admitted to our hospital due to general weakness, fever, generalized edema, and dyspnea. Laboratory result showed high serum creatinine and CRP, moderate proteinuria, and microscopic hematuria. P-ANCA was 1:1280 positive in indirect immunofluorescence method, and kidney biopsy showed focal segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis, crescent formation, fibrin clots, PMN and lymphocytes infiltrations in small arterioles and capillries. Immunofluorescence study was negative. Her clinical feature, laboratory findings, and the kidney biopsy result were compatible with microscopic polyangiitis. The patient had been treated with prednisolone and cyclophosphamide. P-ANCA titration was decreased 1:320 at the 19th day of treatment and was negative about 2months later.
Aged ; Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic ; Arterioles ; Biopsy ; Capillaries ; Creatinine ; Cyclophosphamide ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Fibrin ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect ; Glomerulonephritis ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Kidney ; Lymphocytes ; Microscopic Polyangiitis* ; Myalgia ; Oliguria ; Prednisolone ; Proteinuria ; Recurrence ; Systemic Vasculitis ; Weight Loss

Sodium concentration in the hemodialysis solution has been increased to prevent intradialytic hypotension after highly effective and shortened time hemodialysis(HD) was introduced in the late 70's. Many authors have pointed out that the high concentration in the dialysate sodium HD may be one of causes of increasing difficulty in the management of hypertension in HD patients. Sodium profiling hemodialysis (SPHD) is a modified form of high sodium dialysate HD. Even though sodium concentration is decreased progressively to the conventional level during the HD session, the time-averaged sodium concentration is usually higher compared to that of conventional HD. To evaluate the effect of dialysate sodium concentration on interdialytic blood pressure(BP) control, we conducted a cross over study. Eleven patients showing more than four episodes of intradialytic hypertension per month were studied(5 male, 6 female; 52+-13 years). All subjects underwent 8-week conventional HD(CHD)(dialysate Na+ 138mEq/L X 4 hour) and 8-week step-down SPHD(Na+ 150mEq/L X 2 hours> OR =140 X 1> OR =138 X 1) on the order of random assignment. At the end of each peiords, interdialytic 24-hour BP were measured by 24-hour Ambulatory BP monitor(ABPM : 90207, Space Labs, USA). 1) Time-averaged sodium concentration in dialy sate were 138mEq/L during SPHD and 144.5mEq/L during CHD. Pre HD serum sodium were not significantly different between two periods but post HD serum sodium and intradialytic increase of serum sodium significantly higher during SPHD period 138.1+/-0.5 v 141.1+/-0.6mEq/L, 0.5+/-0.6 v 2.6+/-0.4mEq/L, p<0.05). Dry weight was determined before the start of study and not changed throughout the study periods. Interdialytic weight gain and the amount of ulfrafiltration required to maintain the determined dry weight were significantly higher during SPHD period compared to those during CHD period(2.5+/-0.5 v 3.6+/-0.6 kg, 2.6+/-0.8 v 3.6+/-0.8kg, p<0.01). 2) The frequency of interdialytic hypotension was significantly reduced during SPHD period(23.9 v 15 %, p<0.01). But the frequency of symptoms requiring intervetion such as ultrafiltration adjustment or saline infusion was not different between two periods. Thirst during interdialytic period was significantly frequent during SPHD(37.8 vs 30% 138.1+/-0.5 v 141.1+/-0.6mEq/L, 0.5+/-0.6 v 2.6+/-0.4mEq/L, p<0.05). 3) Day-time, night-time and 24 hour mean systolic BP measured by 24 hour ABPM were significantly higher during SPHD period(149.2+/-4.8, 144.3+/-3.6, 146.6+/-4.1mmHg) than during CHD period(140.1+/-4.8, 133.0+/-4.1, 136.4+/-4.6mmHg, p<0.01). Day-time, night-time and 24 hour mean diastolic BP were also significantly higher during SPHD period(82.6+/-1.5, 84.1+/-1.4, 86.1+/-1.4mmHg) than during CHD period (78.7+/-2.2, 79.6+/-2.3, 81.8+/-2.2mmHg, p<0.05). 4) Systolic load and diastolic load by the criteria of higher than 150/90mmHg throughout the day increased significantly from 21.1+/-7.0 and 18.2+/-6.3% during CHD period to 41.7+/-9.9 and 28.4+/-4.7% during SPHD period. Diurnal difference was not different between the two periods but a significant number of dippers(36.4%) converted to nondipper during SPHD period. Our results shows SPHD increases interdialytic BP and its load. It also adversely alter diurnal variation and dipping status. The additional sodium load and an consequent excessive interdialytic weight gain aassociates with SPHD might contribute to this findings.
Blood Pressure* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Hypotension ; Male ; Renal Dialysis* ; Sodium* ; Thirst ; Ultrafiltration ; Weight Gain

Medulloblastoma is one of the most undifferentiated primitive neuroectodermal tumors and represents about 30% of all posterior fossa tumors in children. Disseminated medulloblastoma, mainly involving cerebral surfaces, ventricles and the subarachnoid space can, in 50% of patients, be identified on intial imaging studies. One thirdof these lesions metastasize to an extracranial site, primarily to bone. Osseous metastases, which occur mainly after craniectomy are typically lytic, but osteoblastic lesions also may occur. We experienced the case of a 14year-old female patient with multiple bone metastases of medulloblastoma after craniectomy. Bone metastaticlesions were present in the right femur and thoracic spine and were osteoblastic or osteolytic
Child ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Infratentorial Neoplasms ; Medulloblastoma* ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive ; Osteoblasts ; Spine ; Subarachnoid Space

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the varus appearance and the axial alignment of the lower extremity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The axial alignments of the lower extremities of 46 normal male adults (volunteers) were measured from the radiographs and compared with the reports for Caucasians, and between the groups divided according to their subjective appearance. RESULTS: The femorotibial mechanical angle was 177.4+/-2.4degrees and the medial obliquity of the knee was 94.3+/-2.0degrees, which were the varus compared with the reported reference points. In the group containing those with the subjective varus appearance of the lower extremities, the femorotibial mechanical angle and the medial obliquity of the knee and ankle joint were the varus, and the metaphyseal-diaphyseal angle was greater than in the group containing those with the subjective straight appearance of the lower extremity (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The axial alignment of the lower extremities of young male adult Korean is the varus, and the subjective varus appearance of the lower extremity is related to the varus axial alignment.
Adult ; Ankle Joint ; Humans ; Knee ; Lower Extremity* ; Male