The reliability of emergency ultrasonographic(US) detection of hemoperitoneum and solid organ injury in blunt abdominal trauma was evaluated retrospectively. From October 1,1995 to August 31,1996,90 patients were included in the study. Ultra- sonographic findings showed a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 97.6%, 97.9%, and 98.1%, respectively, in detecting intraabdominal fluid collection. We believe that US in an emergency center is a quick, safe screening method in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma. In our department, US has replaced diagnostic peritonaeal lavage(DPL) and computed tomography(CT) as the screening study of first choice.
Emergencies* ; Hemoperitoneum* ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Ultrasonography*

Background The clinical significance of complete revascularization for ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) pa-tients during admission is still debatable. Methods A total of 1406 STEMI patients from the Korean Myocardial Infarction Registry with multivessel diseases without cardiogenic shock who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) were analyzed. We used propensity score matching (PSM) to control differences of baseline characteristics between culprit only intervention (CP) and multivessel percutaneous coronary interventions (MP), and between double vessel disease (DVD) and triple vessel disease (TVD). The major adverse cardiac event (MACE) was analyzed for one year after discharge. Results TVD patients showed higher incidence of MACE (14.2%vs. 8.6%, P=0.01), any cause of revascularization (10.6%vs. 5.9%, P=0.01), and repeated PCI (9.5%vs. 5.7%, P=0.02), as compared to DVD patients during one year after discharge. MP reduced MACE effectively (7.3%vs. 13.8%, P=0.03), as compared to CP for one year, but all cause of death (1.6%vs. 3.2%, P=0.38), MI (0.4%vs. 0.8%, P=1.00), and any cause of revascularization (5.3%vs. 9.7%, P=0.09) were comparable in the two treatment groups. Conclusions STEMI patients with TVD showed higher rate of MACE, as compared to DVD. MP performed during PPCI or ad hoc during admission for STEMI patients without cardiogenic shock showed lower rate of MACE in this large scaled database. Therefore, MP could be considered as an effective treatment option for STEMI patients without cardiogenic shock.

The antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) seropositivity rate after 3 doses of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination during infancy period is known to be higher than 90%. However, a considerable number of vaccines do not form protective anti-HBs or chronologic decrease of anti-HBs. We retrospectively collected data of HBV serologic test results in 20,738 individuals from 2000 to 2015. After exclusion criteria were applied, 19,072 individuals were included. We analyzed the anti-HBs seropositivity rate, anti-HBs disappearance rate, anti-HBs positive seroconversion rate after receiving a booster vaccine, and the difference in anti-HBs positivity between the 2 groups; group A (born before 2005, while both recombinant vaccines and plasma-derived vaccines were used) and group B (born after 2005, when only recombinant vaccines were used by national regulation). The anti-HBs seropositivity rate was 55.8%, but there was a significant difference in the rate of seropositivity for anti-HBs between the group A and B (53.0% vs. 78.1%, P < 0.001). There was no significant age-adjusted difference in the mean seropositivity rate between the 2 groups (P = 0.058). In addition, the anti-HBs positivity rate was significantly lower in the group A as compared with the group B during infancy (83.1% vs. 92.1%, P < 0.001). A total of 1,106 anti-HBs-positive subjects underwent serologic tests more than twice. Of these, 217 subjects (19.6%) showed anti-HBs disappearance. After booster vaccinations, 87.4% (83/95) achieved seroconversion from seronegative to seropositive. Our results highlight the importance of lifelong protection against HBV and the possible necessity of booster vaccination after adolescent period.
Adolescent ; Child ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroconversion ; Serologic Tests ; Vaccination* ; Vaccines ; Vaccines, Synthetic

PURPOSE: The primary objective of the current study was to investigate the characteristics of synchronous cancers in gastric cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the 2,237 patients who were diagnosed between December 2000 and December 2003 with gastric cancer and synchronous cancers of organs other than the stomach. RESULTS: 73 (3.3%) of a total of 2,237 gastric cancer patients had synchronous primary cancers. Among these 73 patients, 71 had one synchronous cancer, and two patients had double synchronous cancers. Colorectal cancer (26 patients, 34.7%) was the most frequently encountered synchronous cancer, followed by cancer of the lung (16 patients, 21.3%), esophagus (13 patients, 17.2%), and liver (8 patients, 10.7%). Synchronous can-cers were detected with increased frequency in the elderly, in the patients with multiple gastric cancers, in the patients with differentiated gastric cancer, and in the patients with early gastric cancer, as determined on univariate analysis, but the differentiation of gastric cancers was the only risk factor for synchronous cancers on the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The differentiation of gastric cancer cells may be a risk factor for synchronous cancers in gastric cancer patients. Careful surveillance by the physician for synchronous cancer is warranted for the patients suffering from gastric cancer.
Aged ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Esophagus ; Humans ; Liver ; Lung Neoplasms ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with a xanthine(X) and xanthine oxidase (XO) system on sperm function, the change of sperm characteristics, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation in bovine spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ROS were produced using a combination of 100 micrometer X and 50 mU/ml XO. The ROS scavengers: superoxide dismutase (SOD)(200mu/ml) and catalase (500mu/ml) were also tested. Spermatozoa were incubated for 2 hours in BWW medium with a combination of X-XO supplemented with or without ROS scavengers at 37degrees C under 5% CO2 incubator. Sperm movement characteristics by CASA (computer-aided sperm analysis), HOST (hypoosmotic swelling test), Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction, malondialdehyde formation for the analysis of lipid peroxidation, the percentage of DNA fragmentation using the method of TdT-mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) by flow cytometry were determined after 2 hours incubation. RESULTS: The action of ROS on bovine spermatozoa resulted in a decreased in capacity for sperm motility, Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction and membrane integrity, an increased in malondialdehyde formation and the percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation. In the effects of antioxidant, catalase completely alleviated the toxic effects induced by the ROS in terms of sperm function and characteristics, however SOD exhibited no capacity to reduce the toxic effects. CONCLUSION: The ROS can induce significant damages to sperm functions and characteristics. The useful ROS scavengers can minimized the defects of sperm function and various damages of spermatozoa.
Acrosome Reaction ; Catalase ; DNA Fragmentation* ; DNA* ; Flow Cytometry ; Incubators ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Malondialdehyde ; Membranes ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Xanthine Oxidase

PURPOSE: We evaluated brain perfusion SPECT findings of MELAS syndrome and mitochondrial myopathy in correlation with MR imaging in search of specific imaging features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were five patients (four females and one male; age range, 1 to 25 year) who presented with repeated stroke-like episodes, seizures or developmental delay or asymptomatic but had elevated lactic acid in CSF and serum. Conventional non-contrast MR imaging and Tc-99m-ethyl cysteinate dimer (ECD) brain perfusion SPECT were performed and imaging features were analyzed. RESULTS: MRI demonstrated increased T2 signal intensities in the affected areas of gray and white matters mainly in the parietal (4/5) and occipital lobes (4/5) and in the basal ganglia (1/5), which were not restricted to a specific vascular territory. SPECT demonstrated decreased perfusion in the corresponding regions of MRI lesions. In addition, there were perfusion defects in parietal (1 patient), temporal (2), and frontal (1) lobes and basal ganglia (1) and thalami (2). In a patient with mitochondrial myopathy who had normal MRI, decreased perfusion was noted in left parietal area and bilateral thalami. CONCLUSION: Tc-99m ECD SPECT imaging in patients with MELAS syndrome and mitochondrial myopathy showed hypoperfusion of parieto-occipital cortex, basal ganglia, thalamus and temporal cortex, which were not restricted to a specific vascular territory. There were no specific imaging features on SPECT. The significance of abnormal perfusion on SPECT without corresponding MR abnormalities needs to be evaluated further in larger number of patients.
Basal Ganglia ; Brain* ; Female ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; MELAS Syndrome* ; Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies ; Mitochondrial Myopathies* ; Occipital Lobe ; Perfusion ; Rabeprazole ; Seizures ; Thalamus ; Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon*

The prognosis of gastric cancer with hepatic metastasis is very poor, even though several treatment modalities exist, such as surgical resection. Indeed, a standard therapy has not been established in such patients. Recently, attempts were made to treat hepatic metastasis of gastric cancer with radiofrequency (RF), which was originally used in primary or metastatic liver cancer. RF has been reported to show similar survival compared to surgical resection and is emerging as a new treatment modality even though it is still not conclusive with respect to efficacy and safety due to the paucity of reports. A prospective study is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of RF in the treatment of gastric cancer with hepatic metastasis compared with conventional modalities.
Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Stomach Neoplasms

PURPOSE: To report the initial clinical experience with single-incision laparoscopic gastric wedge resection for submucosal tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 10 patients who underwent single-incision laparoscopic gastric wedge resection between July 2009 and March 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. The demographic data, clinicopathologic and surgical outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: The mean tumor size was 2.5 cm (range, 1.2~5.0 cm), and the tumors were mostly located on the anterior wall (4/10) or along the greater curvature (4/10), of the stomach. Nine of ten procedures were performed successfully, without the use of additional trocars, or conversion to laparotomy. One patient underwent conversion to multiport laparoscopic surgery, to get simultaneous cholecystectomy safely. The mean operating time was 66.5 minutes (range, 24~132 minutes), and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (range, 4~7 days). No serious perioperative complications were observed. Of the 10 submucosal tumors, the final pathologic report revealed 5 gastrointestinal stromal tumors, 4 schwannomas, and 1 heterotopic pancreas. CONCLUSIONS: Single-incision laparoscopic gastric wedge resection for gastric submucosal tumors is feasible and safe, when performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons. This technique provides favorable cosmetic results, and also short hospital stay and low morbidity, in carefully selected candidates.
Cholecystectomy ; Cosmetics ; Gastrectomy ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Neurilemmoma ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Surgical Instruments ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive

To determine whether hyperplastic polyps found in the distal colon are associated with proximal adenomas, and to judge whether patients with distal hyperplastic polyps found during sigmoidoscopy might benefit from full colonoscopy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 2333 consecutive patients who were examined with colonoscopy between January 1991 and December 1994. RESULTS: 247 of 2333 patients (10.6%) had one or more colonic polyps. The prevalence of adenomatous polyps alone was 72.5%, hyperplastic polyps 22.7%, and both 0.52%. The proportion of patients with distal hyperplastic polyps and proximal adenomatous polyps (4.4%) was not significantly different from the proportion of those without distal hyperplastic polyps (1.6%). Patients with distal adenomatous polyps, on the other hand, were significantly more likely to have proximal adenomatous polyps than those without distal adenomatous polyps. CONCLUSIONS: Distal hyperplastic polyps are not strong predictors of risk for proximal adenomatous polyps. Based on the results of this study, we do not believe that finding a hyperplastic polyp during sigmoidoscopy justifies doing a full colonoscopy to search for proximal adenomatous polpys.
Adenoma ; Adenomatous Polyps ; Colon* ; Colonic Polyps ; Colonoscopy ; Hand ; Humans ; Polyps* ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies ; Sigmoidoscopy

Background: Recurrent hemarthrosis following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a rare complication. Its pathophysiology and standard treatments have not yet been established. In this study, we report 7 cases of recurrent hemarthrosis after TKA in which failure of the initial conservative treatment was followed by angiographic embolization; in 1 of the 7 cases, arthroscopic electrocauterization was also performed after treatment failure with selective embolization. Methods: From January 2015 to May 2018, 7 patients visited our hospital due to recurrent hemarthrosis after TKA. Their medical records and serologic test results were reviewed to check for the presence of any bleeding disorder and history of anticoagulant use. Implant malalignment and instability were checked using X-ray. In all cases, the conservative treatment failed, so interventional angiography with selective embolization was performed, which was also followed by arthroscopic electrocauterization if the outcome was unsatisfactory. Results: The interval between TKA and the onset of hemarthrosis ranged from 3 to 76 months (average, 34.1 months). There was no coagulopathy and instability. All patients underwent conservative treatment at an interval of 4.3 months and the rate of relapse was 3.1 on average. On the interventional angiography, 6 cases showed vascular blush, and 1 case had pulsatile bleeding. The average duration for interventional angiography was 90.9 minutes. The average length of follow-up was 38.8 months. Embolization was successfully performed in 4 cases. In 2 of 3 failed cases, the symptoms improved without further treatment. In the remaining 1 failed case, the patient had a relapse of hemarthrosis, so an arthroscopic procedure was performed, which led to identification of the suspicious bleeding point by using preoperative angiographic findings. Electrocauterization was performed and active bleeding was stopped. All cases with recurrent hemarthrosis achieved improvement. Conclusions Interventional angiography was used to aid in the diagnosis of recurrent hemarthrosis, and therapeutic selective embolization provided satisfactory clinical results. Even if selective embolization fails, interventional angiography may be helpful for further surgical procedures because it reveals vascular blush of a bleeding site. Therefore, interventional angiography and selective embolization should be considered to be a useful treatment for recurrent hemarthrosis after TKA.