The increase of the eosinophil leukocytes can be taken as a sign of an allergic reaction it might be a helpful means for obtaining information on the etiology of diseases, therefore, examinations for eosinophil leukocytes in Cantharidin blisters was undertaken in normals and with various skin disorders. 1. In 30 healthy suhjects, blister eontained 56.47+42.5/mm3 of eosinophil leucocytes, and 80% of them never exceeded 66/mm3 of eosinophil leucocytes. 2. The highest eosinophil leukocytes among the various dermatoses was seen contact dermatitis (93.07+40.3/mm3) and drug eruption (92.17+21.1/mm3), atopic dermatitis (75.37+41.0/mm3), and chronic urticaria (72.28+24.2/mm3) were followed in order. 3. The eosinophil leukocytes were slightly increased in psoriasis vulgaris (69.14+29.9/mm3) and herpes zoster (63.25+20.4/mm3). 4. The eosinophil leucocytes were markedly increased in the skin disorders of allergic nature and slightly in non-allergic skin disorders.
Blister* ; Cantharidin* ; Dermatitis, Atopic ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Drug Eruptions ; Eosinophils* ; Herpes Zoster ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Leukocytes ; Psoriasis ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Urticaria

Keratosis punctata of the palmar creases (KPPC) is rare skin condition characterized by punctiform hyperkeratotic pits confined to the palmar and digital creases. Although this condition has been regarded as a variant of classical punctate keratoses, there are some differences between classical punctate keratosis and KPPC. We herein report a case of KPPC in a 22-year-old man who had numerous, tiny, hyperkeratotic pits limited to the palmar creases of both hands with typical histologic findings.
Hand ; Humans ; Keratosis* ; Skin ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Retroperitoneal Fibrosis*

PURPOSE: Combined androgen blockade(CAB) is often used in the management of advanced adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Recent case reports indicated that hypogonadism from CAB therapy is associated with osteoporosis and related fracture. The effect of CAB on bone mineral density(BMD) has not been adequately studied in men with prostate cancer. In this study, the possibility, frequency and severity of osteoporosis following CAB in prostate cancer patient was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 19 men with advanced prostate cancer receiving CAB were evaluated for the presence of osteoporosis defined as bone mass 2.5 standard deviation below peak bone mass of young normal men(T-score). The BMB of the femoral neck and lumbar spine were measured. The BMD was then compared to the age-matched control value and reported as the Z-score. BMD measurements were compared to duration of CAB and Gleason score. RESULTS: Osteoporosis occurred in 10 of 15 patients in lumbar spine, and 4 of 18 patients in femoral neck. Osteoporosis was unrelated to the type of the CAB(orchiectomy, or LHRH-agonist). CAB caused a decrease in mean BMD of lumbar spine and femoral neck. There is a negative linear relation between mean BMD and duration of CAB(lumber spine; R2=0.059, Y=-2.368-0.016X, p>0.05, femoral neck; R2=0.089, Y=-1.923-0.020x, p>0.05). There is a statistically significant negative linear relationship between Gleason score and mean T-score of femoral neck(lumbar spine; R2=0.391, Y=-0.08-0.371X, p<0.05, femoral neck; R2=0.517, Y=0.855-0.450x, p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provide evidence for acceleration of osteoporosis among men whose prostate cancers were treated with CAB. This study indicates a need for bone mineral density determination at the onset of CAB and at periodic intervals there after to begin appropriate therapy, undefined at this point, for prevention of osteoporosis and its complications aggravated by this therapy.
Acceleration ; Adenocarcinoma ; Bone Density ; Femur Neck ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Male ; Neoplasm Grading ; Osteoporosis* ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Spine

This study aimed to investigate the frequent intraoperative and postoperative complications and visual outcome of phacoemulsification or extracapsular cataract extraction after vitrectomy. The authors reviewed the medical records of 30 paitients who had undergone pars palana vitrectomy and followed by cataract extraction from January, 1996 to January, 1998, and had been followed up for 3 months or longer. Associated retinal diseases included complication of diabetic retinopathy (11 cases,36.7%), vitreous hemorrhage from branch retinal vein occlusion (6 cases, 20.0%), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (4 cases,13.3%). Mean interval between two operations was 21.0 months. The most commom intraoperative complication was anterior chamber depth fluctuation (4 cases).In a few cases,we had radial tear (3 cases) in lens capsule or miosis (2 cases). The most common early postoperative complication was corneal edema and late complication was posterior capsular opacity.Postoperative visual acuity remained still or improved in 28 cases (93.37%) at postoperative 3 months. In conclusion cataract extraction after vitrectomy may be performed safely with few complications. Visual outcome was favarable but was mainly dependent on previous vitreoretinal patholgy.
Anterior Chamber ; Cataract Extraction ; Cataract* ; Corneal Edema ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; Intraoperative Complications ; Medical Records ; Miosis ; Phacoemulsification ; Postoperative Complications ; Retinal Diseases ; Retinal Vein Occlusion ; Visual Acuity ; Vitrectomy* ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative ; Vitreous Hemorrhage

PURPOSE: We have investigated the prognostic significance of the expression of basal markers for triple-negative (estrogen receptor-negative, progesterone receptor-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative) breast cancers (TNBCs). METHODS: An immunohistochemical study was performed on tissue microarrays constructed with 643 invasive breast carcinoma samples. We subclassified the TNBCs into basal phenotype (BP) and non-BP groups by the use of four different criteria according to the immunprofiles for cytokeratin5/6 (CK5/6), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vimentin, c-Kit, p63 and P-cadherin. The criteria consisted of criterion 1: CK5/6+ only, criterion 2: CK5/6+ and/or EGFR+, criterion 3: CK5/6+ and/or EGFR+ and/or vimentin+ and criterion 4: one or more marker(s) positive among the six basal markers. Each of these criteria, as well as the status of each individual marker, was evaluated to estimate prognosis for TNBC patients. RESULTS: Of the breast carcinomas, 165 cases (25.7%) were TNBCs. As compared with the non-TNBCs, TNBCs were associated with a larger tumor size (p=0.001), higher histological grade (p<0.001) and shorter overall survival (OS) (p=0.002) and disease-free survival (DFS) (p=0.05). Lymph node status, tumor size and expression of EGFR or c-Kit were independent prognostic factors for patients with TNBC. As compared with the non-BP, BP as defined by criterion 2 was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS and DFS among patients with a lymph node metastasis (p=0.044 and p=0.01) and among patients who received anthracycline-based adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.009 and p=0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION: Patients with TNBCs showed a poorer prognosis as compared to patients with non-TNBCs. Selected group of the basal-like breast cancers (BLBCs) defined by the immunohistochemical profiles of basal markers showed survival differences from non-BLBCs in subgroups of TNBCs with a homogeneous clinical finding.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cadherins ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Disease-Free Survival ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Phenotype ; Progesterone ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor ; Vimentin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The liver function tests (LFTs), such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT), have been widely used as screening tests but their low positive predictive value can cause many false positive results. To evaluate the clinical usefulness of these tests, we analyzed the serial LFT results for factory workers, and we compared the risk factors for the groups that were divided according to the serial LFT results. METHODS: From June 2001 to October 2001, 1223 consecutive healthy workers in a single factory were enrolled in our study; a questionnaire, LFT and liver ultrasonography were done for all the subjects. The previous LFT results were collected from the Annual health examination survey. According to the abnormalities on the serial LFT, the participants were classified into three groups (abnormal-in-both, alternating or, normal-in-both) and the risk factors were compared among these groups using multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of LFT abnormality on a single test was 16.8%, but on the serial LFT, only 5% of the study participants showed consistent abnormality. The risk factors for the abnormal-in-both group, compared with the alternating group, were liver ultrasonography abnormality such as a fatty liver (odds ratio, 2.2; P=0.026) and a heavy alcohol intake (more than 210 g/week) (odds ratio, 7.2; P=0.064). HBsAg was not a significant risk factor for any of the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: In factory workers having serial LFT abnormalities, alcoholic liver disease could be the principal cause of abnormal LFT. Even if the HBsAg were positive in patients with abnormal LFT, there is the possibility of another causes for LFT abnormalities such as alcoholic liver disease and non-alcoholic steatosis or steatohepatitis.
Adult ; English Abstract ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Liver/*enzymology ; Liver Diseases/*diagnosis ; *Liver Function Tests ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Health Services ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: To describe the two-phase spiral CT findings of acute cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: CTscans of nine patients with surgically-proven acute cholecystitis were retrospectively reviewed for wallthickening, enhancement pattern of the wall, attenuation of the liver adjacent to the gallbladder, gallstones,gallbladder distention, gas collection within the gallbladder, pericholecystic fluid and infiltration ofpericholecystic fat. RESULT: In all cases, wall thickening of the gallbladder was seen, though this was moredistinct on delayed images, Using high-low-high attenuation, one layer was seen in five cases, nd three layers infour. On arterial images, eight cases showed transient focal increased attenuation of the liver adjacent to thegall bladder;four of these showed curvilinear attenuation and four showed subsegmental attenuation. One caseshowed curvilinear decreased attenuation between increased attenuation of the liver and the gallbladder, andduring surgery, severe adhesion between the liver and gallbladder was confirmed. Additional CT findings wereinfiltration of pericholecystic fat (n=9), gallstones (n=7), gallbladder distension (n=6), pericholecystic fluid(n=3), and gas collection within the gallbladder (n=2). CONCLUSION: In patients with acute cholecystisis,two-phase spiral CT revealed wall thickening in one or three layers ; on delayed images this was more distint. Inmany cases, arterial images showed transient focal increased attenuation of the liver adjacent to the gallbladder.
Cholecystitis, Acute* ; Gallbladder ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Liver ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, Spiral Computed*

PURPOSE: Among numerous surgical techniques for varicocele correction, the retroperitoneal approach of Palomo had been modified from the ligation of internal spermatic vessels to the preservation of internal spermatic artery. We evaluate which is the preferable technique for varicocele correction between the internal spermatic artery-ligating and the artery-preserving operation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 1989 and March 1999, 79 men with varicocele underwent surgical correction by the retroperitoneal approach. Group 1 and 2 were consisted with 24 patients who underwent internal spermatic artery ligating procedure, and 55 patients who underwent internal spermatic artery preserving technique respectively. Mean ages of both groups were 25.5 years (12-43) and 22.9 years (11-52) respectively. Most of the varicoceles were left sided (93.7%) and grade II (59.0%). The postoperative follow-up varied from 3 to 60 months with an average of 23.2 months. RESULTS: There was no postoperative recurrence in group 1. In group 2, postoperative recurrence was seen in 9 patients (15.3%). The postoperative recurrence rate was significantly different in both groups (p=0.040). There was no postoperative testicular atrophy in both groups. Postoperative hydrocele was developed in 2 cases (8.3%) in the group 1, and 3 cases (5.1%) in the group 2. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the artery ligation procedure is a safe surgery technique, because postoperative testicular atrophy is not occurred by ligation of the internal spermatic artery. Palomo method is the preferable technique because the postoperative reccurence rate which is the most serious complication in varicocele correction is significantly lower than that in modified Palomo technique.
Arteries* ; Atrophy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Recurrence ; Varicocele*

PURPOSE: We evaluated the incidence of lumbosacral bony deformities including occult spina bifida in patients with noninflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) compared to that in control group, and the significance of plain radiography in assessment of CPPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1995 and May 1999, 71 men presented for pelviperineal pain and lower urinary tract symptoms eventually led to the diagnosis of noninflammatory CPPS. The mean duration of pain was 21.4 months. The control group consisted with 123 symptom free heathy adults. The plain radiography was performed in both groups, and bony deformities of lumbosacral area were evaluated by one urologist. RESULTS: The principal pain regions in patients were perineum (45.1%) and scrotum and/or testis (36.6%). The number of patients who complained of obstructive and irritative urinary symptoms were 37 (52.1%) and 29 (40.8%) cases respectively. The incidence of deformities of lumbosacral area in patients (21.1%) was significantly greater than that of control group (9.7%) (P=0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Higher incidence of lumbosacral bony deformities was found in patients with noninflammatory CPPS than in normal control group. It is suggested that neurophysiologic and radiologic studies will be needed to determine whether deformities of lumbosacral area account for chronic pelvic pain and voiding symptoms in noninflammatory CPPS.
Adult ; Congenital Abnormalities* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Male ; Pelvic Pain* ; Perineum ; Prostatitis ; Radiography ; Scrotum ; Spina Bifida Occulta ; Testis