No abstract available.
Intestinal Obstruction*

In the figure 3, designation of severity of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) was misprinted. Open bars (white) represent severe BPD, not mild BPD. Closed bars (Black) represent mild BPD, not severe BPD. Gray bars in the middle represent moderate BPD without change.

Primary intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery is a rare disease and there has been no report of any case originating from the pulmonary valve. Recently we experienced a 62 year-old female patient who had a primary intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary valve with distal metastasis. She was brought to medical attention due to exertional dyspnea facial edema productive coughing and general weakness for 1 month. Chest CT and echocardi-ography suggest an acute pulmonary thromboembolism or tumor. Exploration showed a large polypoid mass arising from the pulmonary leaflets and multiple masses on distal pulmonary arteries. We replaced the pulmonary valve and reconstructed the pulmonary artery. She received radiotherapy 1 month postoperatively and now 4 months after surgery she has begun receiving chemotherapy.
Cough ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Pulmonary Valve* ; Radiotherapy ; Rare Diseases ; Sarcoma* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: A fully automated enzyme-immunoassay (EIA) analyzer, Enzymun System, ES-300 (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany) uses streptavidin technology and performs single test or panels of up to 12 tests per run. We evaluated the results of ES-300 for anti-HCV by comparing the results with microplate-EIA, radioimmunoassay (RIA), and confirmatory test. METHODS: Total 79 sera (51 positive, 24 negative, 4 indeterminate results confirmed by Lucky HCD Confirm) were analysed. ES-300 with Enzymun-Test(R) Anti-HCV (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany) and microplate-EIA (Green Cross Center Innotest HCV 3.0(R)) were used. Fifty one sera were examined additionally by 2nd-generation RIA method, NANBDINE 125C(General Biologicals Corp., R.O.C.). And all results were compared to the results of Lucky HCD Confirm. RESULTS: The overall concordance rate of ES-300 and Innotest(R) was 72/79 (91.1%). The results of Lucky HCD Confirm on seven discrepant samples were five negative and two indeterminate. The results of ES-300 and NANBDINE 125C showed concordance rate of 90.2%. The sensitivity and specificity of ES-300 with regard to Lucky HCD Confirm were 94.5%, and 87.5%, respectively, and that of Innotest(R) were 98.2% and 66.7%, respectively. Clear distinction of positive and negative results by signal/cut off ratio was available in both EIAs. The positive predictive values of ES-300 and Innotest(R) were 94.5%, and 87.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ES-300 showed relatively good results in sensitivity and positive predictive value with regard to confirmatory test. In EIA-positive persons, however, follow-up study would be necessary for reliable evaluation of HCV infection.
Humans ; Radioimmunoassay ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Streptavidin

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of a clinicians' self-report method for the detection of nosocomial infections (NIs) in comparison with a total surveillance method in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: Two surveillance methods were concurrently performed in the NICU of a university hospital during 5 months in 2003. Clinicians' self-report surveillance (CSRS) was based on the retrospective verification of monthly reports of positive bacteriologic results by NICU clinicians. Total surveillance (TS) was done prospectively by an infection control nurse based on chart review and laboratory data. RESULTS: One hundred fifty nine patients accounting to 2759 patient-days were included in the study. Twenty-seven NIs among 26 patients were identified by TS. The sensitivity of CSRS compared to TS was 14.8% (4 of 27 NIs). The specificity was 98.5% (131 of 133 non-NIs). Kappa measures of agreement were -0.309. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm that the retrospective review of charts and laboratory data by clinicians lacks sensitivity and agreement for the surveillance of nosocomial infections.
Cross Infection* ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infection Control ; Intensive Care, Neonatal* ; Prospective Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

No abstract available.
Sepsis* ; Yersinia*

Pulmonic autograft replacement of the aortic valve (Ross procedure) has been to have potential for growth in children, no complication of antiocagulation, and enhanced durability. Therefore, Ross operation is indicated in the young, in patients with an active life style, and when anticoagulation is contraindicated. However, late autograft valve has occurrd more frequently in patients with significant size discrepancy between the pulmonay valve annulus and the aortic valve annulus. In order to resolve this problem, we performed aortic annuloplasty with Duran ring for more accurate and strong reinforcement. We report a case using the Duran ring as a method of aortic annuloplasty during Ross procedure.
Aortic Valve ; Autografts ; Child ; Humans ; Life Style

No abstract available.
Colonoscopy*

Purpura is discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to extravasation of red blood cells and may be due to a variety of factors, but it is sometimes difficult to identify the exact cause. Some forms of purpura can frighten the patient and puzzle the physician. Mask phenomenon is an unusual purpura of the relatively loose tissues of the face and neck occuring after prolonged coughing, vigorous vomiting, valsalva's maneuver, parturition, or any other exertion that raises intrathoracic or abdominal pressure. This occurs with acute onset and fades within twenty-four to seventy-two hours spontaneously. A work-up for a coagulation or platelet defect is usually not required. We herein describe five cases of mask phenomenon(unusual facial purpura).
Blood Platelets ; Cough ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Masks* ; Mucous Membrane ; Neck ; Parturition ; Purpura* ; Skin ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Vomiting

Purpura is discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes due to extravasation of red blood cells and may be due to a variety of factors, but it is sometimes difficult to identify the exact cause. Some forms of purpura can frighten the patient and puzzle the physician. Mask phenomenon is an unusual purpura of the relatively loose tissues of the face and neck occuring after prolonged coughing, vigorous vomiting, valsalva's maneuver, parturition, or any other exertion that raises intrathoracic or abdominal pressure. This occurs with acute onset and fades within twenty-four to seventy-two hours spontaneously. A work-up for a coagulation or platelet defect is usually not required. We herein describe five cases of mask phenomenon(unusual facial purpura).
Blood Platelets ; Cough ; Erythrocytes ; Humans ; Masks* ; Mucous Membrane ; Neck ; Parturition ; Purpura* ; Skin ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Vomiting