No abstract available.
Capsaicin* ; Lymphocytes* ; Lymphoid Tissue*

No abstract available.
Radiography* ; Radionuclide Imaging* ; Sacroiliitis* ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing*

As is well known, myxoma of the heart is very rare(incidence 0.03%), constituting nearly 50% of all primary cardiac tumors. It is important because it can be abolished by surgical removal but usually fatal if unrecognized or untreated. Recently a wider use of echocardiogram as the screening test of valve lesions can be expected to increase the number of myxomas found preoperatively. We have experienced a case of bilateral atrial myxoma which simulated mitral valvular disease clinically and had typical three cardinal manifestations such as obstructive, embolic and constitutional symptoms. The patients was 39 years old woman. The left atrial myxoma was diagnosed preoperatively by echocardiography and cardiac angiography and the remainder during open heart surgery under the E.C.C. Both of them were removed successfuly and confirmed as typical myxoma microscopically. This is the first case report of bilateral atrial myxoma in Korea to our knowledge.
Adult ; Angiography ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Neoplasms ; Humans ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Myxoma* ; Thoracic Surgery

PURPOSE: We evaluated the usefulness of Re-188 sulfur colloid for radiation synovectomy and therapy of intraperitoneal metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated the labeling efficiency of Re-188 sulfur colloid on various conditions. The stability of Re-188 sulfur colloid was observed at room temperature for 24 h and in human serum and synovial fluid for 72 h. The particle size distribution of Re-188 sulfur colloid was rneasured by filtering with various pore size filters. Animal experiment was performed in mice and rabbits. RESULTS: The labeling efficiency of Re-188 sulfur colloid was 64,5+/-5.8% (n=5) at the conditions of sodium thiosulfate 40 mg, EDTA Na2.2H2O 0,8 mg, KReO4 0.8 mg at pH l. After purification, the radiochemical purity was higher than 99%. The stability of Re-188 sulfur colloid was high (>99%) at room temperature for 24 h and in human serum and synovial fluid for 72 h. The particle size distribution of Re-188 sulfur colloid was 0.3% (<1 micrometer), 11.2% (1~5 micrometer), 35.8% (5~10 micrometer) and 52.8% (>10 micrometer). In mice, 1 h postinjection of Re-188 sulfur colloid into tail vein, uptakes in lung, liver and muscle were 37.30+/-5.36, 32.33+/-5.79, 6.60+/-0.02% 1D/organ respectively. After I.p. injection in rnice, the uptakes of extraperitonial organs of Re-188 sulfur colloid at 1 and 24 h were 0.1+/-0.1, 0.4+/-0.1% ID/organ, and the excretions through urine and feces (~70 h) were low (2.68+/-0.80, 0.95+/-0.17%). When Re-188 sulfur colloid was injected to synovial space of rabbit, the uptake in other organs except knee was very low. CONCLUSION: Re-188 sulfur colloid showed high labeling efficiency, stability and potency for clinical use.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Colloids* ; Edetic Acid ; Feces ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Knee ; Liver ; Lung ; Mice ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Particle Size ; Rabbits ; Sodium ; Sulfur ; Synovial Fluid ; Veins

PURPOSE: Most terminally ill cancer patients die from cancer anorexia-cachexia syndrome. This study evaluated a prognostic role of plasma leptin levels in terminally ill cancer patients. METHODS: This study enrolled 69 terminally ill cancer patients who were aged above 20 years old from July 2009 to July 2010. For univariate analysis, an association between leptin levels and patient's characteristics or other variables was examined using Spearman's correlation analysis, Wilcoxon's rank-sum test or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriately. For multivariable analysis, Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate a clinical significance of plasma leptin levels as a prognostic factor and to determine factors which affect the risk of death in terminally ill cancer patients. RESULTS: A statistically significant positive correlation between plasma leptin levels and survival time was found. Univariate Cox's proportional hazard regression analyses also showed a moderately significant association between plasma leptin levels and survival time. However, after adjusting variables for sex, white blood cell counts, total bilirubin, AST, ALT, albumin and CRP levels, plasma leptin levels were not significantly associated with survival time. CONCLUSION: No significant association was found between plasma leptin levels and survival time in terminally ill cancer patients. However, this study suggested a prognostic value of plasma leptin levels in gastrointestinal cancer patients.
Aged ; Bilirubin ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Hospice Care ; Humans ; Leptin ; Leukocyte Count ; Life Expectancy ; Plasma ; Survival Rate ; Terminally Ill

PURPOSE: Predicting life expectancy of terminally ill cancer patients is very important. In many studies, ferritin is detected at higher levels in the sera of cancer patients, and higher ferritin level correlates with aggressiveness of disease and poor outcomes of patients. This study evaluated a prognostic role of serum ferritin levels in terminally ill cancer patients. METHODS: This study enrolled 65 terminally ill cancer patients from March through June 2012. We assessed routine laboratory findings including serum ferritin levels as well as demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. To examine the association between serum ferritin levels and patient's characteristics, we used Spearman's correlation analysis, Wilcoxon's rank sum test or Kruskal-Wallis test, as appropriately. For multivariate analysis, Cox's proportional hazard regression model was used to evaluate significance of serum ferritin levels as a prognostic factor. RESULTS: A negative correlation between serum ferritin levels and survival time was found. After adjusting for sex, age, performance status, creatinine levels and white blood cell counts, serum ferritin levels were significantly associated with survival time. CONCLUSION: Even at the very end of life of terminal cancer patients, serum ferritin levels were an independent prognostic factor for survival.
Creatinine ; Ferritins* ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Life Expectancy ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prognosis ; Terminally Ill*

OBJECTIVES: To determine that compression fracture of L5 and posterior convexity of the vertebral body on MRI are useful indicators of spinal metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty seven cases of vertebral compression fractures with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were reviewed. They were classified into two groups: the metastatic fracture (MF) group (n=23) and the osteoporotic fracture (OF) group (n=24). Each cases were evaluated according to their MRI findings of fracture site location, and the presence of posterior convexity of the vertebral body, intact midseptum and anterior signal change. Conventional T1 and T2 weighted images were obtained. Statistical analysis was done using the paired t-test and fisher's exact test. RESULTS: The MF group had 100% incidence of fracture in L5 (P<0.01). The incidence of positive posterior convexity was also 100%. The incidence of a positive anterior signal change was 67% (n=16) and intact septum was seen in 16 patients (67%). In the OF group, there were no fractures in L5 (16 cases with L1 fractures [67%]) and only 3 cases with posterior convexity (12.5%). Midseptum was intact in 19 cases (79%) and 6 patients with positive anterior signal change (25%). CONCLUSIONS: The location of vertebral fracture, especially in L5 and convex deformity of posterior vertebral body are reliable indicators of spinal metastasis.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Spine

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the radiological outcomes of conservative treatment for osteoporotic compression fractures in thoracolumbar junction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 osteoporotic compression fracture cases of thoracolumbar junction (group I) which were treated conservatively using TLSO brace were evaluated compared with 20 osteoporotic spine cases (group II), between August 2010 and March 2012. The mean age was 65.3, ranging from 57 to 71 years old. The average follow up period was 27.4, ranging from 17 to 35 months. The bone marrow density (BMD) was recorded at the initial assessment. The lumbar lordotic angles with compression ratios on the initial and the last follow-up plain lateral radiograph were measured, and the sagittal alignments of spine were evaluated. RESULTS: In group I, the average compression ratios initially and at the last follow up were 23.5% and 33.7% respectively, and the average lumbar lordotic angles initially and at the last follow up were 30.8degrees and 22.6degrees respectively. In group II, the average lumbar lordotic angles initially and at the last follow up were 40.3degrees and 39.9degrees respectively. In group I, the compression ratio was significantly increased, and the lumbar lordotic angle was decreased at the final follow up. In group II, the difference of lumbar lordotic angles was not significant statistically. CONCLUSIONS: In most, the osteoporotic compression fractures can be successfully managed conservatively. But, in some cases of thoracolumbar junction, the further collapse of vertebral body and the change of lumbar lordotic angle can be developed, and then sagittal alignment of spine can be disrupted.
Bone Marrow ; Braces ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractures, Compression ; Osteoporosis ; Spine

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the correlation of adjacent segmental disease with tilt angles of the upper and lower instrumented vertebra after instrumented posterolateral fusion for degenerative lumbar scoliosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: There has been no study of radiologic measurement and decision of fusion level using the angle of pedicle screws inserted for treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2004 to 2008, 74 patients that underwent decompression and posterolateral fusion for degenerative lumbar scoliosis were included in this study. In all cases, instrumentation and posterolateral fusion were both performed. The sex ratio was 31:43, the mean age was 68.7 years and the mean follow up duration was 37.4 months. The angle between each upper end plate of the upper vertebral body and lower end plate of the lower vertebral body of the fusion, and the line parallel to the axis of the sagittal line of vertebrae was each defined as UIV-a and LIV-b. The correlation of development of adjacent segment disease and UIV-a, and LIV-b angle was investigated. RESULTS: Sum of the absolute value of UIV-a and LIV-b had a statistically significant positive correlation with that of adjacent segment disease. Also, UIV-a alone, had a statistically positive correlation with the development of proximal adjacent segment disease. CONCLUSIONS: Since it is proven that adjacent segment disease has positive correlation with the sum of the absolute value of UIV-a and LIV-b, the extent of fusion should be adjusted to make the line parallel to the line perpendicular to the sagittal surface.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Scoliosis ; Sex Ratio ; Spine

OBJECTIVES: To analogize the test results through analyzing the correlation of bone mineral density (BMD) values between 2 sites (proximal femur and lumbar spine). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among the 1557 cases that underwent BMD test on their proximal femur and lumbar spine without history of trauma or disease of the hip or lumbar region, according to their age, they were divided into 4 groups, and the T-score and Z-score of the proximal femur and lumbar spine were each investigated. RESULTS: The correlation figured out through the regression analysis was that, considering the lumbar spine value as the independent variable (L), and the proximal femur value as the dependant variable (H), the T-score was H=0.508xL-0.723 in group 1, H=0.445xL-0.649 in group 2, H=0.363xL-1.124 in group 3 and H=0.404xL-1.467 in group 4. The correlation coefficient of T-score value of the 2 sites of each group was 0.58, 0.59, 0.47, 0.54 each, and which were statistically significant. Z-score was H=0.485xL-0.514 in group 1, H=0.451xL-0.141 in group 2, H=0.390xL-0.401 in group3, L=0.897xH-0.481 in group 4. CONCLUSION: On the BMD test performed in an age group of over 40 years old, T-score and Z-score each showed significant increase and this is thought to be related to low bone mineral due to bone mineral decrease because of the old age. Also, in cases with lesion in the hip joint or spine, there is a clinical usefulness of analogizing the result of the other region with a result of a single region.
Bone Density ; Femur ; Hip ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Region ; Spine