The clinical triad of relapsing iritis, ulcers of the mouth and genitalia was first described in 1939 by Hulusi Behcet. This entity, originally confined to the above triad of symptoms appears to be systemic disease manifested by skin lesion, thrombophlebitis, neurologic, cardiovascular or visceral symptoms. The vascular involvement in Behcet's syndrome has been reported since Mischima first described a case in 1961, four types of vascular lesion are freuqnetly observed most commonly on the inferior or superior vena cava. Treatments consist of anticoagulation and administering oral steroids. We report a case of SVC obstruction in 36 years old female patient with Behcet's syndrome.
Adult ; Behcet Syndrome* ; Female ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Iritis ; Mouth ; Skin ; Steroids ; Thrombophlebitis ; Ulcer ; Vena Cava, Superior

No abstract available.
Estrogens* ; Progesterone* ; Receptors, Progesterone*

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the incidence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella has been steadily increased, and the newer species K. planticola and K terrigena, formerly regarded as nonpathogen, have been reported with astonishing frequency from human infectious processes by some investigators. The aim of this study is to elucidate the isolation rate and antimicrobial susceptibility of recent clinical Klebsiella isolates. METHOD: For the clinical Klebsiella isolates during the period of June 1999 to May 2000, isolation frequency of Klebsiella species by specimen, departments, age, and sex were analyzed. And antimicrobial susceptibilities were also analyzed. RESULT: Isolation rate of Klebsiella in order of decreasing frequency were K. pneumoniae (74:7%), K. oxytoca (12.1%), K. ozaenae(1.7%), K. planticola(1.0%), K. terngena(0.9%), and K, ornithinolytica (0.7%), respectively. K. rhinoscleromatis was not isolated. Compared with outpatients, increase of resistance rates of inpatients's Klebsiella isolates were 10% in ciprofloxacin, 15% in cefoperazone/sulbactam, and the others were ranged from 24% to 31%. Isolation rate of ESBL producing K. pneumoniae by double disk (DD) synergy test was 41%, and detection rates by antimicrobial agents were as follows: cefotaxime (95%), aztreonam (58%), and ceftriaxone (37%). Antimicrobial susceptibility rate with the exception of ampicillin and imipenem decreased from the range of 81%-96% on admission day to 29-62% after one week on admission. CONCLUSION: The isolation rates of K. planticola and K. terrigena were less than 1%. The proportion of ESBL producing K. pneumoniae was 41 %. And the vast majority of multidrug resistant Klebsiella including ESBL producing strains are acquired by hospitalization.
Ampicillin ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Aztreonam ; beta-Lactamases ; Cefotaxime ; Ceftriaxone ; Ciprofloxacin ; Epidemiology* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Incidence ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Klebsiella* ; Outpatients ; Pneumonia ; Research Personnel

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the incidence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Klebsiella has been steadily increased, and the newer species K. planticola and K terrigena, formerly regarded as nonpathogen, have been reported with astonishing frequency from human infectious processes by some investigators. The aim of this study is to elucidate the isolation rate and antimicrobial susceptibility of recent clinical Klebsiella isolates. METHOD: For the clinical Klebsiella isolates during the period of June 1999 to May 2000, isolation frequency of Klebsiella species by specimen, departments, age, and sex were analyzed. And antimicrobial susceptibilities were also analyzed. RESULT: Isolation rate of Klebsiella in order of decreasing frequency were K. pneumoniae (74:7%), K. oxytoca (12.1%), K. ozaenae(1.7%), K. planticola(1.0%), K. terngena(0.9%), and K, ornithinolytica (0.7%), respectively. K. rhinoscleromatis was not isolated. Compared with outpatients, increase of resistance rates of inpatients's Klebsiella isolates were 10% in ciprofloxacin, 15% in cefoperazone/sulbactam, and the others were ranged from 24% to 31%. Isolation rate of ESBL producing K. pneumoniae by double disk (DD) synergy test was 41%, and detection rates by antimicrobial agents were as follows: cefotaxime (95%), aztreonam (58%), and ceftriaxone (37%). Antimicrobial susceptibility rate with the exception of ampicillin and imipenem decreased from the range of 81%-96% on admission day to 29-62% after one week on admission. CONCLUSION: The isolation rates of K. planticola and K. terrigena were less than 1%. The proportion of ESBL producing K. pneumoniae was 41 %. And the vast majority of multidrug resistant Klebsiella including ESBL producing strains are acquired by hospitalization.
Ampicillin ; Anti-Infective Agents ; Aztreonam ; beta-Lactamases ; Cefotaxime ; Ceftriaxone ; Ciprofloxacin ; Epidemiology* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Imipenem ; Incidence ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Klebsiella* ; Outpatients ; Pneumonia ; Research Personnel

Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold. (B. kazinoki) has long been used in the manufacture of paper in Asian countries. Although B. kazinoki leaves (BK) have been employed in dermatological therapy, use of BK has not been tested in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Using Nc/Nga mice, which are genetically predisposed to develop AD-like skin lesions, we confirmed the efficacy of BK in AD treatment. BK extract was applied topically to Dermatophagoides farinae-induced AD-like lesions in Nc/Nga mice, and the effects were assessed both clinically and by measuring skin thickness on the back and ears. We measured the effects of BK extract on plasma levels of IgE and IL-4. We also measured the ability of BK extract to inhibit the secretion of hTARC in HaCaT cells after stimulation by TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. We found that BK extract significantly reduced ear and dorsal skin thickness and the clinical signs of AD, as well as significantly down-regulating the plasma levels of IgE and IL-4 (p<0.01 for each comparison). Moreover, 500 mug/mL of BK extract inhibited hTARC secretion in HaCaT cells by activated TNF-alpha/IFN-gamma by about 87%. These findings suggest that topical application of BK extract has excellent potential in the treatment of AD.
Animals ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Broussonetia* ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Ear ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Interleukin-4 ; Mice* ; Mites* ; Plasma ; Pyroglyphidae ; Skin ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Perforation of the hypopharynx, which can occur after anterior cervical approach, is a very rare type of complication. If diagnosed late, it can lead to very fatal course, such as mediastinitis and hematosepsis. Therefore, a precise and prompt diagnosis is crucial. When conservative treatment alone is not expected to heal the perforated site or is likely to lead to serious complications, surgical treatment becomes necessary. This report demonstrates that surgical intervention performed immediately after an early diagnosis can lead to the successful treatment of a large perforation in the hypopharynx on a 58-year-old male patient.
Early Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hypopharynx ; Male ; Mediastinitis

OBJECTIVE: To establish a supraorbital nerve sensory conduction recording method and assess its usefulness. METHODS: Thirty-one healthy subjects without a history of trauma or neurological disease were recruited. For the orthodromic procedure, the recording electrode was attached immediately superior to the supraorbital notch. The stimulation electrode was placed on points along the hairline which evoked the largest sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs). The antidromic sensory response was recorded after switching the recording and stimulating electrodes. The measured parameters were onset latency, peak latency, and baseline to peak amplitude of the SNAPs. The electrophysiological parameters of the bilateral supraorbital nerves were compared. We also recruited two patients who had sensory deficits on one side of their foreheads because of laceration injuries. RESULTS: The parameters of orthodromically recorded SNAPs were as follows: onset latency 1.21±0.22 ms (range, 0.9-1.6 ms), peak latency 1.54±0.23 ms (range, 1.2-2.2 ms), and baseline to peak amplitude 4.16±1.92 µV (range, 1.4-10 µV). Those of antidromically recorded SNAPs were onset latency 1.31±0.27 ms (range, 0.8-1.7 ms), peak latency 1.62±0.29 ms (range, 1.3-2.2 ms), and baseline to peak amplitude 4.00±1.89 µV (range, 1.5-9.0 µV). There was no statistical difference in onset latency, peak latency, or baseline to peak amplitude between the responses obtained using the orthodromic and antidromic methods, and the parameters also revealed no statistical difference between the supraorbital nerves on both sides. CONCLUSION: We have successfully recorded supraorbital SNAPs. This conduction technique could be quite useful in evaluating patients with supraorbital nerve lesions.
Action Potentials ; Electrodes ; Electromyography ; Forehead ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Neural Conduction*

Far Eastern countries including Korea show the high prevalence of hepatitis B virus carriers, so that the incidence of liver cirrhosis is higher than in western countries. But pregnancies with liver cirrhosis are rarely encountered in clinical settings, since liver cirrhosis usually develops after childbearing ages and often causes the disturbance of estrogen metabolism, resulting in severe menstrual irregularity and infertility. Therefore, little is known about the interactions between liver cirrhosis and pregnancy. Liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension are not contraindications to pregnancy but necessitate intensive monitoring throughout pregnancy because the complications of liver cirrhosis, which pose additional risks during pregnancy, are numerous and unpredictable. We report 3 cases of pregnancies in patients with liver cirrhosis with brief review of the literature.
Estrogens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal ; Incidence ; Infertility ; Korea ; Liver Cirrhosis* ; Liver* ; Metabolism ; Pregnancy* ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface characteristics and response of osteoblast-like cell at SLA surface treated with NaOH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three kinds of specimens were fabricated for the experiment groups. Control group was a machined surface, SLA group was a conventionally SLA treated surface, and SLA/NaOH gorup was SLA surface treated with NaOH. To evaluate the surface characteristics, the surface elemental composition (XPS), surface roughness and surface contact angle were evaluated in each group. And the cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, cell proliferation and ATP activity of osteoblast-like cells (MG-63 cells) were compared in each group for evaluatation of the cell responses. Statistical comparisons between groups were carried out via one-way ANOVA using the SPSS software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, USA), and then performed multiple comparisons. The differences were considered statistically significant at P<.05. RESULTS: SLA surface treated with NaOH (SLA / NaOH group) was changed to hydrophilic surface. All groups did not show the cytotoxicity to the MG-63. In cell adhesion studies, SLA / NaOH group showed the higher degree of adhesion than anothers (P<.05), Up to 7 days of incubation, the proliferation was showed the increasing tendency in all groups but SLA / NaOH group showed the highest cell proliferation between the three groups (P<.05). At 7 days of incubation, there was no difference in ALP activities between the three groups, but at 14 days, SLA / NaOH group showed significant increase in ALP activities (P<.05). CONCLUSION: In this study, SLA surface treated with NaOH promoted cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation. It means that SLA/NaOH group is possible to promote osseointegration of implants.
Adenosine Triphosphate ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Proliferation ; Osseointegration

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety following percutaneous disc decompression, using navigable disc decompression device for cervical herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP). METHODS: Twenty subjects diagnosed with cervical HNP and refractory to conservative management were enrolled for the study. The herniated discs were decompressed under fluoroscopic guidance, using radiofrequency ablation device with navigable wand. The sagittal and axial plain magnetic resonance images of the clinically significant herniated disc, decided the space between the herniated base and outline as the target area for ablation. Clinical outcome was determined by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), and Bodily Pain scale of Short Form-36 (SF-36 BP), assessed after 48 weeks. After the procedure, we structurally matched the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and C-arm images through bony markers. The wand position was defined as being ‘correct’ if the tip was placed within the target area of both AP and lateral views; if not, the position was stated as ‘incorrect’. RESULTS: The average NRS fell from 7 to 1 at 48 weeks post procedure (p<0.05). In addition, statistically significant improvement was noted in the NDI and SF-36BP (p<0.05). The location of the wand tip resulted in 16 correct and 4 incorrect placements. Post-48 weeks, 3 of the incorrect tip cases and 1 correct tip case showed unsuccessful outcomes. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the promising results and safety of the procedure. Thus, focal plasma ablation of cervical HNP with navigable wand can be another effective treatment option.
Catheter Ablation ; Decompression* ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neck ; Neck Pain ; Plasma ; Treatment Outcome*