[Background] Over the last thirty years, majority of researches on clinical effectiveness of acupuncture have been explanatory (or experimental) randomized controlled trial. The benefits of acupuncture in clinical trials are stillcontroversial and most studies concluded that further control studies were required. Standardized combinations of acupuncture points for all the experimental subjects in various past studies have been criticized because such treatments do not reflect current routine clinical treatment.
[Objective] This paper aims to review pragmatic clinical trials on the effect of acupuncture treatment and to develop the ideal clinical research methodology of acupuncture study.
[Method] Clinical studies of acupuncture relevant with pragmatic or individualized trials were searched mainly in Pubmed and Science direct databases. All articles were fully reviewed by researchers, and data were evaluated by usage of a standardized form.
[Results & Suggestion] Pragmatic acupuncture researches were tried for various symptoms (eg. low back pain, hypertension, depression during pregnancy, sleep quality in HIV disease, chronic poststroke leg spasticity, headache, etc). Individualized acupuncture treatments based on oriental disease pattern diagnosis reflexes practical treatments which is more effective than unified and fixed acupuncture treatments without any theoretical basis of oriental medical philosophy.
[Conclusion] To overcome the controversies and limitations of past explanatory acupuncture trials, more individualized and tailored acupuncture trials with the theoretical basis of oriental medical diagnosis is highly recommended. Also clear definition and categorization of pattern identification should be established for further active clinical researches and applications of acupuncture.

Crossed renal ectopia is a congenital malformation in which both kidneys lie on the same side of the spine, usually side by side longitudinally. More often on the right side. Fusion of the two renal units is eight times more common than nonfusion. Although crossed renal ectopia is uncommon, this unusual entity must be considered in an infant when cystic mass in the abdomen or pelvis paticularly if no kidney can be found on the opposite side. In many cases of crossed fused ectopia with multicystic dysplastic kidney(MCDK), the diagnosis can be strongly suspected from the sonogram, and no other studies may be necessary. However, both intravenous urography and isotope renography is useful to assess the function of the crossed kidney. Crossed renal ectopia and MCDKs are associated with a greater incidence of ureteropelvic junction obstruction and reflux. So, screening voiding cystourethrography should be performed. Very few studies of MCDK in the setting of crossed fused ectopia have been reported. We have experienced a 3-year-old boy with crossed fused renal ectopia with multicystic dysplasia.
Abdomen ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Kidney ; Mass Screening ; Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney ; Pelvis ; Preschool Child ; Radioisotope Renography ; Spine ; Urography

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate prospectively the relation of lipoprotein(a)[Lp(a)],apoproteins and serum lipid parameters to restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasyt(PTCA). METHODS: One hundred and forty-five patients who received successful PTCA were enrolled and their serum levels of lipids, apoproteins and Lp(a) were measured before PTCA. After 6 months of follow-up, the patients were reevaluated for the development of restenosis by coronary angiography, treadmill test or thallium scan. RESULTS: A total 137 patients could be followed. Restenosis occurred in 71 patients(52%). Clinical parameters(e.g. age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, smoking) and angiographic parameters(e.g. lesion site, type and degree of stenosis) were not significantly different between the group without restenosis and the group with restenosis. Lipid parameters and apoproteins were not associated with restenosis. Lp(a) and Lp(a) phenotype analysis showed no significant difference between the two gruops. CONCLUSION: Serum lipid parameters, apoproteins and Lp(a) concentration are not associated with restenosis after PTCA and cannot be used as predictios of restenosis.
Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary* ; Apoproteins ; Coronary Angiography ; Exercise Test ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Lipoprotein(a)* ; Phenotype* ; Prospective Studies ; Thallium

We present a case of recurrent left atrial myxoma which occurred 7 years and 10 months after initial operation despite resection of originaltumor and adjacent atrial septum. This is the first case report of recurrence in Korea. Among the possible causes of recurrence, regrowth from pretumorous focus seems to be the most suggesting one in this case. Histopathologic findings of recurrent myxoma showed increased cellularity with active proliferation and nuclear hyperchromasia. These findings, together with the rapidity of regrowth, suggest that recurrent myxoma may have 'wilder' behavior. Prolonged postoperative observation is important, even if ample resection was done at the initial operation including atrial septum.
Atrial Septum ; Korea ; Myxoma* ; Recurrence*

Reentrant tachycardias can often be terminated by discrete pacing stimuli that penetrate the reentrant circuit. Antitachycardia pacemaker PASAR 4172 (Programmable Automatic Scanning Arrhythmia Reversion, Model 4172, Telectronics) is designed to detect tachycardia automatically and subsequently to deliver programmed one or two extrastimuli to revert to sinus rhythm. We experienced two patients, one paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and one paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia, who had had frequent and often prolonged episodes of tachycardia that responded poorly to pharmacologic antiarrhythmic therapy. Each patient underwent a detailed preimplantation clinical electrophysiological study in order to determine the number of stimuli required for termination of tachycardia, the most satisfactory site for electrode placement, and the tachycardia termination zone. During the follow-up period of 7 to 11 months after implantation of PASAR 4172, no patient complained of an episode of sustained tachycardia although they experienced symptoms of an impending attack. We conclude that antitachycardia pacemaker PASAR 4172 is a safe, effective, and well tolerated method for the therapy of drug resistant paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Electrodes ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Tachycardia ; Tachycardia, Paroxysmal* ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular ; Tachycardia, Ventricular

A technique for Thallium-201 imaging after two separate injections of the tracer, which took less than I hour, was performed to evaluate if this technique could be used clinically as a noninvasive screening test of angina pectoris. 29 patients who complained of chest pain were included in this study: 18 patients were proven to have coronary artery disease by coronary angiography and 11 patients had normal coronary arteries. With the patient supine at rest, 1.0 mCi of Thallium was injected intravenously and imaging was performed in the anterior and 50degrees left anterior oblique projections for a preset time according to Okada's protocol. Immediately after acquisition of the rest images, without moving the camera head, an infusion of dipyridamole was done at the rate of 0.14 mg/Kg/min for 4 minutes. Two minutes after stopping the infusion, 1.0 mCi of Thallium was injected intravenously and 50degrees left anterior oblique and anterior projection images were acquired. Images of the same projection were realigned using computer image registration approach (PDP-11/34 computer of DEC company). The rest image was then subtracted from the realigned dipyridamole image to produce an image representing perfusion during dipyridamole induced hyperemia (subtraction image). The results were as follows; 1) All of the subtraction images were of adequate quality for interpretation. 2) 16 cases in 18 patients of angina pectoris and 1 case in 11 normal control showed perfusion defects, so the over all sensitivity and specificity of the subtraction versus rest Thallium image technique for diagnosis of angina pectoris were 89% and 91%, respectively. 3) All patients (8 cases) whose left ventriculography revealed abnormality of regional wall motion showed perfusion defects in corresponding segments. But qualitative analysis of Thallium image could not predict if the patient whose Thallium image revealed perfusion defect has abnormality of regional wall motion. 4) segmental analysis was performed to know the association between the site of coronary artery stenosis and the perfusion defects in Thallium scan, which revealed the sensitivities for detecting stenosis of LCX, LAD & RCA were 50-60% in range and the range of specificities were 89-92%. 5) Adverse effects of dipyridamole were headache (2 cases) and chest pain (4 cases) but aminophylline was not needed in any case. In conclusion, split dose Thallium dipyridamole scan can be used as a noninvasive screening test of angina pectoris reducing the total duration of imaging to less than one hour. Futher applications of this technique may include the assessment of myocardial perfusion before and immediately after coronary angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft and the evaluation of the impact of pharmacotheraphy on regional myocardial perfusion.
Aminophylline ; Angina Pectoris* ; Angioplasty ; Chest Pain ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Coronary Stenosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Diagnosis* ; Dipyridamole* ; Head ; Headache ; Humans ; Hyperemia ; Mass Screening ; Perfusion ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Thallium ; Transplants

OBJECTIVE: Whereas fusion with pedicle screw fixation has shown satisfactory clinical results, solid fusion has been reported to accelerate degenerative changes in adjacent unfused levels. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of bone/ligament/bone integrity after subtotal or total laminectomies on the development of adjacent segment instability (ASI). The hypothesis that total laminectomy would increase ASI more than would subtotal laminectomy was analyzed. Material and METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 316 patients who were treated with posterior fusion and pedicle screw fixation between 1996 and 2001. After attempts to review all 316 patients and radiologic files, 36 patients who were diagnosed with ASI were carefully reviewed, including follow-up periods of 2-8 years. The medical records were carefully reviewed for recurrence of low back pain or neurologic symptoms after a period of postoperative relief, and the radiologic files were evaluated to determine instability. All patients had undergone single-level or multilevel instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion for intractable pain related to degenerative conditions of the spine. RESULTS: Patients over the age of 60 were at a higher risk of developing clinical ASI however,fusion length, level and gender were not associated with ASI. The ASI was noted to occur most commonly in the cranial segment prior to fusion. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed more frequent ASI after total laminectomy than after subtotal laminectomy, especially in elderly patients. The ideal procedure will be one combining maximal canal and foraminal decompressions with minimal resection of bony structures and supporting ligaments.
Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Ligaments ; Low Back Pain ; Medical Records ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Pain, Intractable ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Spine

PURPOSE: Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is a potent differentiating agent for cells of the osteoblastic lineage. It has been used in the oral cavity under a variety of indications and with different carriers. However, the optimal carrier for each indication is not known. This study evaluated the bone regenerative effect of rhBMP-2 delivered with different carrier systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 8 mm critical-sized rat calvarial defects were used in 60 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were divided into 6 groups containing 10 animals each. Two groups were controls that had no treatment and absorbable collagen membrane only. 4 groups were experimentals that contained rhBMP-2 only and applied with absorbable collagen sponge(Collatape(R)), MBCP(R), Bio-Oss(R) each. The histological and histometric parameters were used to evaluate the defects after 2- or 8-week healing period. The shape and total augmented area were stable in all groups over the healing time. RESULTS: New bone formation was significantly greater in the rhBMP-2 with carrier group than control group. rhBMP-2/ACS was the highest in bone density but gained less new bone area than rhBMP-2/MBCP(R) and rhBMP-2/Bio-Oss(R). The bone density after 8 weeks was greater than that after 2 weeks in all groups. However, rhBMP-2 alone failed to show the statistically significant difference in new bone area and bone density compared to control group. Also MBCP(R) and Bio-Oss(R) particles remained after 8 weeks healing period. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that rhBMP-2 with carrier system is an excellent inductive agent for bone formation and we can use it as the predictable bone tissue engieering technique. Future study will likely focus on the kinetics of BMP release and development of carriers that is ideal for it.
Animals ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Density ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; Bone Regeneration ; Collagen ; Humans ; Kinetics ; Male ; Membranes ; Mouth ; Osteoblasts ; Osteogenesis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Proteins ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

PURPOSE: This study sought to evaluate the treatment modality, morbidity and mortality after surgery, the method of nutritional support and the survival rate for patients with cancer of the hypopharynx, larynx and cervical esophagus. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of 17 hypopharyngeal, laryngeal and cervical esophageal carcinoma patients who had undergone surgical treatment in the Department of Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology, Yonsei University, College of Medicine, from January 1995 to April 2000. All patients underwent transhiatal esophagectomy in order to avoid pulmonary complications. Outcome measures were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier estimator. RESULTS: The 17 consecutive patients included 11 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer, 3 glottic cancers, 2 cervical esophageal cancers and one thyroid cancer with invasion of the trachea and esophagus. Fifteen patients (88%) presented with an advanced tumor stage. As for nutritional support following surgery, 12 underwent feeding jejunostomy, 4 a nasoenteric tube feeding and the other recieved total parenteral nutrition. Nine patients (53%) developed complications following surgery. One of the patients who had surgery died postoperatively. The mean survival time was 26 months and the 2-year and 4-year overall survival rates were 69.5% and 53.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Reconstruction of the hypopharynx and esophagus using stomach was low mortality and low severe morbidity. A total pharyngolaryngoesophagectomy with gastric transposition and primary hypopharyngogastric anastomosis offers the best chance for cure or palliation with acceptable morbidity and degree of function for selected patients with advanced hypopharyngeal, laryngeal and cervical esophageal carcinomas.
Enteral Nutrition ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; Esophagectomy ; Esophagus* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Hypopharynx* ; Jejunostomy ; Larynx ; Mortality ; Nutritional Support ; Otolaryngology ; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) ; Parenteral Nutrition, Total ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach* ; Survival Rate ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; Trachea

A 31-year-old woman was referred to our pain clinic department under the diagnosis of an adult onset Still's disease. She had been suffering from high fever, skin rash, multiple arthralgia, morning stiffness and lymph node enlargement for 16 months. She had taken conventional medication with steroid and NSAIDs, but the symptoms were a remittent nature. And also, she complained of systemic side effects of corticosteroids. Stellate ganglion block with 0.25% bupivacaine was performed 67 times for the treatment of adult onset Still's disease and then, her symptoms were improved eventually. We could discontinue steroid and NSAIDs, laboratory data were satisfactory. As we experienced an adult onset still's disease improved with stellate ganglion block, we report this case with a review of the literature.
Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Adult* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Arthralgia ; Bupivacaine ; Diagnosis ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Pain Clinics ; Stellate Ganglion* ; Still's Disease, Adult-Onset*