There are many kinds of treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) such as surgical resection, liver transplantation, chemotherapy, interventional therapy [TACE, ethanol embolization, Immuno -chemoembolization, I131 -lipiodol embolization], thermal therapy, cryotherapy, and radiation therapy. Generally spontaneous remission is not common in HCC, however underlying mechanism of spontaneous remission is uncertain. We report a case of complete remission after one time TACE in ruptured HCC with review of literature about the effect of TACE and spontaneous remission. We conclude that arterial embolization is an effective alternative to surgery for hepatic hemostasis in patients with spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Cryotherapy ; Drug Therapy ; Ethanol ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Remission, Spontaneous ; Rupture, Spontaneous

Isolated noncompaction of the left ventricular myocardium is a rare cardiac disorder due to an arrest in myocardial morphogenesis. It is characterized by prominent and excessive trabeculation in a ventricular wall segment, with deep intertrabecular spaces perfused from the ventricular cavity. Echocardiographic findings are important clues for the diagnosis. Clinical symptoms include signs of left ventricular systolic dysfunction even to the point of heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, and embolic events. We describe two cases of isolated noncompaction of the myocardium, with ventricular tachycardia in one, and chest pain due to microvascular dysfunction in the other.
Adult* ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Chest Pain ; Diagnosis ; Echocardiography ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Morphogenesis ; Myocardium* ; Tachycardia, Ventricular

BACKGROUND: This study examined the prevalence of the major risk factors of ischemic stroke in a Korean population. METHODS: Two investigators conducted an independent literature search of previously published reports on the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, atrial fibrillation, obesity, ischemic heart disease, and history of stroke in Koreans. A study was considered eligible for inclusion if it was a population-based cross-sectional survey published between January 1996 and June 2007. RESULTS: The inclusion criteria were satisfied by 14 publications on hypertension, 7 on diabetes, 4 on hypercholesterolemia, 3 on smoking, 3 on obesity, 2 on atrial fibrillation, 3 on ischemic heart disease, and 3 on stroke. The prevalence of risk factors varied between studies, but it increased with age in most studies. Applying the estimates to the projected population in 2030 revealed a large increase in the prevalence of risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the rapid increase in the elderly population, in which major risk factors for ischemic stroke are prevalent, there is an urgent need to develop strategies for preventing this condition among Koreans.
Aged ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Hypertension ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Research Personnel ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stroke

The fresh water snail, Hippeutis(Helicorbis) cantori, caught from the rice paddies in Namyangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do, was found to be a new second intermediate host of E. cinetorchis in Korea. The metacercariae were found from 89(76.7 %) out of 116 snails examined and the average metacercarial burden was 4.7 per infected snails. Some developmental characteristics of E. cinetorchis were observed after experimental infection of the metacercariae to rats and mice.
parasitology-helminth-termatoda ; Echinostoma cinetorchis ; Hippeutis cantori ; metacercaria ; epidemiology ; development

We experience a case of pseudopolycytemia in dilated cardiomyopathy in a 62 years old man with chronic alcoholism. The patient was successfully managed by stress reduction, stopping of smoking, abstaining from alcohol drinking, use of digoxin, small dose lasix, and phlebotomy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of pseudopolycytemia in dilated cardiomyopathy in Korea. We reported this case with a review of literatures.
Alcohol Drinking ; Alcoholism ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated* ; Digoxin ; Furosemide ; Humans ; Korea ; Phlebotomy ; Smoke ; Smoking

No abstract available.
Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms ; Lymphoma*

Hypereosinophilic syndrome is characterized by prolonged eosinophilia of blood and tissue without an identifiable underlying cause and multiorgan system dysfunction by eosinophil-related tissue damage to variable organs: liver, heart, lung, kidney, gastrointestinal tract, skin, nerve. Some case of hypereosinophilic syndrome with hepatic and gastrointestinal involvement have been reported, but not much. We are reporting a case of hypereosinophilic syndrome with hepatic and gastrointestinal involvement in 56-year-old man who presented general weakness and epigastric discomfort. In abdominal US, CT and MRI, intrahepatic multifocal ill-defined lesions were detected. The patient was treated with prednisolone for 16 weeks and recovered from eosinophilia and gastric involvement. A gastric biopsy was taken to confirm recovery. Also, the ill-defined lesions in US and CT disappeared after treatment.
Biopsy ; Eosinophilia ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypereosinophilic Syndrome* ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Prednisolone ; Skin

Isaacs' syndrome consists of spontaneously occurring muscle activity of peripheral nerve origins. This syndrome arises in association with/without polyneuropathy and rarely with malignancy. A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital due to generalized painful muscle stiffness. He complained of difficulty with standing and with finger exten-sion after grasping. Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs were noticed. Electrolytes, calcium, CK, and LDH were in the normal range. Small cell lung cancer was diagnosed by a needle biopsy. Electrophysiological testing revealed normal nerve conduction studies with the exception of a grossly abnormal EMG. Continuous neuromyotonic discharges with firing rates of 120-200 Hz were seen at rest. The amplitude of the response typically waned with 0.5-1.5 seconds of duration. The discharges persisted throughout sleep, after diazepam injection, and with brachial plexus blockage.Muscle stiffness improved with the administration of oral phenytoin. Under chemotherapy and radiotherapy, tumor remission was partially achieved and neurological symptoms markedly improved.
Biopsy, Needle ; Brachial Plexus ; Calcium ; Diazepam ; Drug Therapy ; Electrolytes ; Fingers ; Fires ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Isaacs Syndrome* ; Middle Aged ; Neural Conduction ; Peripheral Nerves ; Phenytoin ; Polyneuropathies ; Radiotherapy ; Reference Values ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma*

BACKGROUND: Bile acids were important for the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis. Thyroid hormone increased the expression of CYP7A1 (cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase), catalyzing the first step in the biosynthesis of bile acids. However, the effect of thyroid hormone on bile acid export has not been previously assessed. The principal objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of thyroid hormone on the bile salt export pump (BSEP). METHODS: Thyroid hormone, T3 (1 mg/g) was administered to male mice via intraperitoneal injection. After 6 hours and 5 days of T3 treatment, we measured serum total and LDL cholesterol and hepatobiliary bile acid concentrations. We assessed the changes associated with bile acid synthesis and transport. In order to evaluate the direct effect of thyroid hormone, we assessed the changes in the levels of BSEP protein after T3 administration in human hepatoma cells. RESULTS: Serum total and LDL cholesterol were reduced and hepatobiliary bile acid concentrations were increased following T3 treatment. Expressions of Cyp7a1 and BSEP mRNA were increased following T3 treatment. The levels of the BSEP protein in the mouse liver as well as in the human hepatoma cells were increased after T3 treatment. CONCLUSION: Thyroid hormone can regulate LDL cholesterol metabolism. It increases bile acid synthesis and the excretion of bile acids via increased BSEP expression.
Animals ; Bile ; Bile Acids and Salts ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Liver ; Male ; Mice ; Resin Cements ; RNA, Messenger ; Thyroid Gland ; Triiodothyronine

Writing Committee of Korean clinical practice guidelines for secondary prevention of stroke has reviewed recent randomized controlled trials of cilostazol published after the first edition of Korean clinical practice guidelines that considered evidences published before June 2007. Two clinical trials and 1 meta-analysis which compared cilostazol directly with aspirin in the prevention of stroke in patients with cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack (TIA) were identified and included for the current guideline update. Review of findings indicates that cilostazol as compared to aspirin achieved a greater reduction of stroke as well as composite vascular events of stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death. For safety, cilostazol was associated with fewer major bleeding events than aspirin. Accordingly, new recommendations for cilostazol are made for prevention of stroke in the setting of noncardioembolic stroke or TIA. Changes in the guidelines necessitated by new evidences will be continuously reflected in future guidelines.
Aspirin ; Cerebral Infarction ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; Myocardial Infarction ; Secondary Prevention ; Stroke ; Tetrazoles ; Writing