BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested an association between chronic cough and gastroesophageal reflux. Our study aimed to assess the utility of a proton-pump inhibitor in unexplained chronic cough patients. METHODS: Patients with chronic cough of unknown etiology were evaluated using a chest x-ray, methacholine challenge test, and an empirical trial of postnasal drip therapy. After excluding other potential causes of the cough, forty patients were included in the study and treated for 8 weeks with a proton-pump inhibitor. RESULTS: Eleven and three patients in the first and second 4 weeks were lost to follow-up, leaving twenty-six patients finally included in the study. Of these patients, two were unimproved, eight partially responded to the proton-pump inhibitor and sixteen responded completely after the 8 week treatment. CONCLUSION: We suggest that empirical treatment with a proton pump inhibitor in all patients with persistent cough, which is not secondary to asthma or postnasal drip syndrome, represents a practical and simple approach to this ailment.
Asthma ; Cough* ; Gastroesophageal Reflux ; Humans ; Lost to Follow-Up ; Methacholine Chloride ; Proton Pumps ; Thorax

No abstract available.
Antibodies* ; Humans ; Leprosy*

Juvenile granulosa cell tumor is rare but one of the common congenital testicular neoplasms. Although histological features are typical of its ovarian counterpart, testicular juvenile granulosa cell tumor has a distinctly different clinical presentation. We report a case of juvenile granulosa cell tumor arising in the cryptochid testis of a 4-day-old newborn. A 6 5 5 cm sized multilocular cyst containing thick, mucinous fluid was found in the peritoneal cavity. The external surface of the cyst was smooth and the septae were relatively thin. The cyst consisted of numerous mucin-filled, cystic follicles lined by cells having vacuolated cytoplasm and round to oval dark nuclei without grooves. Cells resembling granulosa cells of an ovarian follicle were also observed in the intervening stroma forming irregular solid nests.
Cryptorchidism* ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Granulosa Cell Tumor* ; Granulosa Cells* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Mucins ; Ovarian Follicle ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testis

Therapeutic irradiation can induce angiosarcoma. Radiation-induced angiosarcoma constitutes 20% of all angiosarcomas. Although its common site of origin is the skin and subcutaneous tissue, it rarely arises in small or large bowels with a presentation as multifocal abdominal angiosarcomatosis. We report a case of intra-abdominal angiosarcomatosis involving the jejunum, ileum, transverse colon, mesentery and right ovary in a 63-year-old female. It developed 10 years after therapeutic irradiation for squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix. She developed panperitonitis due to intestinal perforation. She died from sepsis 3 days after segmental resection of the small bowel and right oophorectomy. We reviewed the previously reported cases and describe the clinicopathologic features of this tumor.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri ; Colon, Transverse ; Female ; Hemangiosarcoma ; Humans ; Ileum ; Intestinal Perforation ; Jejunum ; Mesentery ; Middle Aged ; Ovariectomy ; Ovary ; Sepsis ; Skin ; Subcutaneous Tissue

No abstract available.
Heart Valve Prosthesis* ; Heart Valves*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Plasma* ; Tranexamic Acid* ; Urticaria*

No abstract available.
Tetralogy of Fallot*

No abstract available.
Heart* ; Thoracic Surgery*

BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a slow-growing, locally invasive malignant epidermal skin tumor. Several studies of differences in age, site distribution and male to female ratio have been conducted among different histological subtypes of BCC. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the five major subtypes of BCC with regard to gender, age, and anatomical distribution. METHODS: We retrospectively included 246 cases of BCC diagnosed from January 2000 to March 2011. The diagnoses and classifications of histopathological subtypes (nodular, superficial, micronodular, infiltrative, or morphemic) of BCC were confirmed by three dermatologists. Gender, age at diagnosis, and location were recorded and analyzed by histopathological subtypes. RESULTS: We recorded 246 cases (M : F=11.08) with a mean age of 64.0 years. Of the BCCs, 61.0% were nodular, 15.4% were superficial, 11.4% were micronodular, 10.2% were infiltrative, and 2.0% were morpheic. The nodular subtype was diagnosed at a mean age of 64.9 years, whereas the superficial subtype was diagnosed at an earlier age (60.3 years) and more frequently occurred in women (M : F=1 : 1.5) than the nodular subtype. Compared with the nodular subtype (4%), the superficial subtype (26.3%) occurred more frequently in the trunk (p-value<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The results showed differences in anatomical distribution, gender, and mean age according to histological subtypes. Superficial BCC occurred more commonly on the trunk, more often in women, and was seen in younger patients than that of the nodular subtype.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Skin

BACKGROUND: Genital skin cancer is a potential side effect of phototherapy. Development of genital skin cancer lowers a patient's quality of life. However, there are no standards for genital protection during phototherapy. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to find adequate materials for genital protection. METHODS: Eight common materials for genital protection were placed over an ultraviolet (UV) meter that was irradiated with UVA and narrowband UVB phototherapy units. The percentage of blocked UV was measured. RESULTS: White and black cotton underwear, white and black polyester underwear, and surgical drapes did not allow the transmission of UVA and narrowband UVB light. But a surgical mask allowed about 15% transmission of UV light. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that white and black cotton underwear, white and black polyester underwear and surgical drapes provide sufficient UV protection.
Humans ; Light ; Masks ; Phototherapy ; Polyesters ; Quality of Life ; Skin Neoplasms ; Surgical Drapes ; Ultraviolet Rays