We used the fluorophotometry to investigate the corneal epithelial barrier function after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). Twenty-five eyes of 21 subjects (13 women, 8 men) underwent PRK to correct rnyopia. Corneal epithelial healing time was measured and corneal epithelial permeability to sodiurn fluorescein was evaluated by fluorophotoinetry at I, 2, and 3 weeks after surgery. The corneal epithelial permeability increased significantly 1 week after surgery and returned to preoperative level 2 weeks after surgery. The permeability differences according to epithelial healing days and corrected diopters were not statistically significant(p>0. 05). These results suggest that PRK delays complete reconstruction of corneal epithelial barrier function. The corneal epithelium regained its functional barrier 2 weeks after PRK in patients, so, at least, during the first 2 weeks, care should be taken to miniinize further epithelial trauma from topical inedication or surgical manipulation.
Epithelium, Corneal ; Female ; Fluorescein ; Fluorophotometry ; Humans ; Lasers, Excimer* ; Permeability ; Photorefractive Keratectomy*

PURPOSE: In the pathogenesis of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells do not undergo apoptosis after separation from the basement membrane. In order to investigate the mechanism by which RPE cells resist apoptosis in PVR, the expression of focal adhesion kinase after cryotherapy was studied. METHODS: After lensectomy and vitrectomy was performed on rabbit eyes, a retinal tear was created. Cryotherapy was applied to the tear site one week after the tear creation. Rabbits were sacrificed at 1, 4 and 7 days after the tear formation and 30 minutes, 1, 4, 7, 9, 21 days after cryotherapy. Eyes were stained with anti-focal adhesion kinase (FAK) antibody. RESULTS: Expression of FAK increased after the tear formation and remained increased until 21days after cryotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that creation of a retinal tear and cryotherapy increases FAK expression and may contribute to resistance to apoptosis.
Apoptosis ; Basement Membrane ; Cryotherapy* ; Epithelial Cells* ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases* ; Focal Adhesions* ; Phosphotransferases ; Rabbits ; Retinal Perforations ; Retinaldehyde* ; Vitrectomy ; Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the scapulothoracic mobilization on subject with lateral epicondylalgia. This was done through lateral slide scapular test, grip strength, visual analogue scale, glenohumeral joint external rotation range of motion. Methods: Before the experiment, Lateral slide scapular test, grip strength, visual analogue scale, glenohumeral joint external rotation range of motion were measured. Scapulothoracic joint mobilization was applied and then measurements were taken again to compared the changes. Results: After applying the scapulothoracic joint mobilization, lateral slide scapular test, grip strength, visual analogue scale, glenohumeral joint external rotation range of motion significantly improved. Conclusion This study found that the scapulothoracic mobilization was effective in improving functional aspects and pain on subject with lateral epicondylalgia. The results suggest that the scapulothoracic joint mobilization is a significant considered intervention method that could be used for subject with lateral epicondylalgia.

This study was performed to detect the oxidative stress in the cornea and lens in vivo by fluorophotometer after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK). Twenty New Zealand white rabbits(20 eyes)were divided into two groups, control group(10 eyes)and PRK group(10 eyes). Rabbits of PRK group underwent PRK(8 diopters)and 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)was applied on the central cornea 6 hours after PRK in both groups. Fluorophotometric readings of the cornea and lens were measured 15 minutes(F15)and 30 minutes(F30)after DCFH-DA application in both groups. The cornea and lens was observed with slit lamp biomicroscope for 8 weeks. F15 and F30 of the cornea in PRK group(3.83+/-1.22 ng/ml, 5.12+/-1.57 ng/ml)were significantly higher than those in control group(2.61+/-0.59 ng/ml Eq, 3.26+/-0.76 ng/ml Eq)(p=0.01, p=0.005). F15 and F30 of the lens in PRK group(409.7+/-157.2 ng/ml, 594.9+/-242.2 ng/ml Eq)were significantly higher than those in control group(74.1+/-48.3 ng/ml Eq, 310.1+/-249.8 ng/ml Eq)(p=0.0004, p=0.01). No lens opacity developed and F15 and F30 of the cornea did not correlate with corneal haze determined at postoperative 8 weeks. In this study, we demonstrated increased oxygen free radicals in the cornea and lens after PRK by fluorophotometer in vivo and this method can be used as a useful tool to investigate the possible damage induced by oxygen free radicals in the cornea and lens after excimer laser corneal ablation.
Cataract ; Control Groups ; Cornea* ; Free Radicals* ; Lasers, Excimer* ; New Zealand ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxygen* ; Rabbits ; Reading

Grisel’s syndrome is a non-traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation for which the underlying mechanism has not yet been identified. It is known to occur following upper respiratory infections, tonsillitis, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeries such as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The diagnosis of Grisel’s syndrome can be made by plain x-ray, CT scanning, and/or MRI scanning. The first choice of treatment is conservative therapy such as bed rest, muscle relaxation, analgesic therapy, antibiotics, and simple traction. While Grisel’s syndrome occurs rarely, delayed treatment may lead to neurological complications or requires surgical treatment. Early diagnosis and treatment are important in preventing fatal outcome. We report the case of a 9-year-old male who developed Grisel’s syndrome after tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether ultrasound detection of vault hematoma can be used as a predictor of post-operative morbidity following vaginal hysterectomy. METHODS: Prospective observational study of 418 consecutive cases of vaginal hysterectomy was performed between December 2000 and May 2001. The transvaginal sonographic examination of vaginal vault in the first postoperative week (3rd or 4th day) after vaginal hysterectomy was done. Routine observation and clinical assessments were made by established management protocol: febrile morbidity, hemoglobin drop, need for transfusion, length of stay in hospital. RESULTS: Of the 418 scaned patients, 103 (24.6%) had a vault hematoma. This group was compared with the 315 patients without hematoma. Significant increases in febrile morbidity (22.3% vs 7.6%), postoperative hemoglobin drop (2.39 g/dL vs 1.58 g/dL), need for blood transfusion (10.7% vs 1.3%) and length of hospital stay (8.6 days vs 6.2 days) were seen in the hematoma group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound detection of vault hematoma following vaginal hysterectomy is a common finding associated with increased febrile morbidity, hemoglobin drop, need for blood transfusion and longer hospital stay. Transvaginal sonography may facilitate the diagnosis of posthysterectomy vault hematoma, which are not readily detected by pelvic examination.
Blood Transfusion ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Gynecological Examination ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal* ; Length of Stay ; Observational Study ; Prospective Studies ; Ultrasonography*

A 75-year-old woman with hypertension presented with acute suppurative cholangitis. Chest radiography revealed severe kyphosis. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a large stone impacted in the common bile duct (CBD). The patient underwent emergent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and cholangiography revealed a large stone (7×3 cm) in the CBD that could not be captured using a large basket. We could not use the percutaneous approach for stone fragmentation by using a cholangioscope because of severe degenerative kyphosis. Finally, we performed holmium laser lithotripsy under peroral cholangioscopy by using an ultraslim endoscope, and the large stone in the CBD was successfully fragmented and removed without complications.
Aged ; Cholangiography ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis ; Common Bile Duct* ; Endoscopes ; Female ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Kyphosis* ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Lithotripsy ; Lithotripsy, Laser* ; Radiography ; Thorax

PURPOSE : To investigate the incidence and prevalence of C-shaped root canal using computed tomographic images of head and neck in Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS : Regardless of each examination purpose, randomly selected 268 examples which have serial axial computed tomographic images with 8 normal molars in maxilla and mandible were selected and investigated. Defined C-shaped root canal and we could get 82 proper image examples in view of this definition. These were detected and investigated of incidence and prevalence of C-shaped root canal. RESULTS : C-shaped root canals were found in 82 examples among 268 (30.6%) and 147 teeth. They were only found on molar area, and the highest incidence was 37.41% of left mandibular second molars, and the lowest was 2.04% of right maxillary second molars. On prevalence of tooth position, mandibular second molar was the highest, 65% of C-shaped root canal teeth and maxillary second molar was 6% the lowest. CONCLUSION : 31% of randomly selected CT images no considering check-up reason have C-shaped root canals. The C-shaped root canals of mandibular second molar are found most frequently and they are also detectable on maxilla. On Korean population, C-shaped root canals are one of conditions that have to concern with dental treatment for it appears at a high prevalence relatively.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Head ; Incidence ; Mandible ; Maxilla ; Molar ; Neck ; Prevalence ; Tooth

Pseudo-inflammatory tumors are also known as plasma cell granuloma, inflammatory pseudo-tumor and inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, and these tumors are a group of highly variable proliferations of myofibroblastic cells that are associated with a prominent inflammatory infiltrate. This tumor is known to most commonly occur in the lungs, bladder and gastrointestinal system with only a few cases having been reported in the skin. A previously healthy 26-year-old man presented with a 6-year history of an intermittently pruritic lesion on his back. On the histologic examination, there were spindle cells in fascicles and a mixed inflammatory cellular infiltrate of plasma cells and lymphocytes. A diagnosis of inflammatory fibroblastic tumor was made and the nodule was surgically removed. We report here on an additional case of this rare cutaneous entity, and it is probably the first such report from Korea.
Adult ; Fibroblasts ; Granuloma, Plasma Cell ; Humans ; Korea ; Lung ; Lymphocytes ; Myofibroblasts ; Plasma Cells ; Skin ; Urinary Bladder

PURPOSE: To report a case of high dose steroid-responsive Purtscher's retinopathy which was developed after operation for diaphragmatic laceration sustained in motorcycle accident. CASE SUMMARY: A 68-year-old man came to our hospital with complaining of decreased visual acuity in the right eye after diaphragmatic laceration operation. Best corrected visual acuity was 0.1 in the right eye. Anterior segment was nonspecific. However, afferent pupillary defect was observed. Superficial intraretinal hemorrhage, numerous cotton-wool spots, peripapillary hemorrhage, and macular edema were detected on fundus examination. Fluorescein angiography revealed capillary nonperfusion and fluorescein filling defect due to retinal hemorrhage in arteriovenous phase and fluorescein leakage from the macula and capillary nonperfusion area in the late venous phase. Accordingly, Purtscher's retinopathy was diagnosed and the patient was observed without specific treatment. After 2 weeks of observation, symptoms and fundus findings were not changed. High-dose steroid therapy was begun with injection of one gram of methylprednisone for three days, switched to oral prednisolone, and then slowly tapered in period of 3 weeks. 7 days after the treatment, visual acuity was improved to 0.2 in the right eye but afferent pupillary defect was still observed. Cotton-wool spots slightly decreased, peripapillary hemorrhage was absorbed but macular edema was remained. 14 days after the treatment, visual acuity greatly improved to 0.63 and afferent pupillary defect was not observed. Cotton-wool spots and macular edema were decreased but fluoroscein leakage from capillary nonperfusion area was remained. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of Purtscher's retinopathy, high-dose steroid therapy can be a useful management method for the improvement of visual acuity and other symptoms.
Aged ; Capillaries ; Eye ; Fluorescein ; Fluorescein Angiography ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lacerations ; Macular Edema ; Motorcycles ; Porphyrins ; Prednisolone ; Pupil Disorders ; Retinal Hemorrhage ; Visual Acuity